While Dariol gathers the supplies, Vera watches over her gen. She smiles at the four running around, chasing one another naked. The sight was almost perfect, only a few things were missing; a tail, for instance, water, bubbles, and prey. Standing, Vera found the action very weird and unusual as a mer, yet a part of her is smelling the fresh air, excited to run, purring in happiness at the thought of something new, and snarling to be free. She wasn't sure what this calling inside of her was, but she couldn't deny these feelings; they are too overbearing and pure. The siren was use to overbearing, yet as silver as she was, Vera had never been pure.
There wasn't much time between Dariol's departure and his arrival for Marzena to speak up. Instead, she watches, enchanted by the kindness in Vera's heart, as her daughter creates four pieces of clothing. She weaves the seaweed together to make two green dresses and two green bottoms for the quad. Dariol assisted Atlas and Adare as they slipped on the garments. Elsa snatches a dress and pulls Marzena to the side, silently asking her help. The older female smiles and takes the makeshift clothing over Elsa's head before gliding it down her body. The size was perfect, and Marzena marvels at her daughter's craft work.
"Tanks, moon-moon!" Elsa grins happily, then prances in over to her mother and fully dressed sister.
When the boys were appropriate on Wolvernrian terms, Dariol smiles at them. Adare nods, understanding the oath he rehearses in his eyes. Atlas, on the other hand, smirks in response. Their clothing fit well like their sisters', and when all seven of them were ready to go, Vera suddenly didn't want to say goodbye. She didn't want to lose the only parent she's ever known and jump right into another world of deceit and death. She didn't know if she could take the pain of dealing with another world with its own vile children and dark culture. Vera didn't want to be frightened or cause harm to her new children.
The siren slowly calms her heart, attempting not to panic. It wouldn't be fair to Dariol, or Marzena, if Vera decided to back out in that moment. Not only would she hurt them, but the quad too. She couldn't dangle prey in their face before throwing it away; Vera wouldn't be that parent.
The siren hesitates in facing the inevitable. It was too hopeless to turn back now, so Vera does the only thing a Vark-Lumos Siren can do; keep calm and carry on. She could do it, but only if she wanted to and wanted it bad enough. Vera sighs, gathering her strength and wits. It was her decision and hers alone, and Vera couldn't possible hurt a merling of her own. In defeat, her eyes glance to the four murmuring with excitement. Their little hearts beat erratically from all the wondering they've started, and Vera spots Eira yawning.
Vera bites her lip, "We should be going."
The siren snatches Eira from the ground and lifts her into her arms. At first, Vera almost drops her before becoming accustomed to Wolvernrian gravity. It was difficult for Vera to hold Eira, but because Eira had leaned onto her moona's chest, Vera could hold her balance. Eira snuggles into her neck, softly tickling Vera's skin with her small breaths. Her free arm wraps around Eira's back while she begins to sleep. Vera's concern is directed to Adare as he wipes away drowsiness from his eyes. He yawns as well, and walks towards his moona. Vera smiles softly at Adare in comfort, beckoning him to her side. His head reaches her thighs and Adare wraps his arms around her legs, closing his eyes to sleep. She cradles his head in her free palm while Adare nuzzles into the fur skirt.
Vera giggles quietly. "Dariol," she turns. Their eyes connect and she saw his sorrow. Her heart was heavy, yet she smiles when her father does. "We'll meet again." Vera confirms, nodding towards the male siren. Dariol smiles, a hopeful smile, then glides himself into the pool. Vera wastes no time in waving goodbye, awaking Eira and Adare from their few seconds of rest. The quads smile; Eira yawns and waves before laying her head on her moona's shoulder, Adare clings to Vera's leg and winks towards the mer, Atlas runs to Dariol and hugs him one last time, and Elsa cuddles into Marzena's chest as she flexes her fingers in a childish goodbye.
Atlas whispers something to Dariol, and the smirk. Dariol ruffles his hair before sending him back to Vera's side. Dariol waves one last time, backing up and stealing a glance at Marzena. Her heart leaps at the look, and Marzena labors her breathing. "Until we meet again," Dariol whispers, then departs. His tail sweeps drops of water to the sky, before it disappears within the lake of water. The pine green fins swiping back and forth are the last they see of Dariol, then he's gone.
A cold, tense feeling invaded Vera's lungs, and a spark of hope diminishes with her father's tail. She blinks a few times to keep the tears at bay. A brilliant smile lights her face as the siren directs her attention to Marzena. Marzena smiles softly, then waves Vera and the merlings to follow after. They traveled through a dark cave with ridged edges and water dripping from the sides. Dew shimmers with the upcoming light, and Vera treks on after her mother. Atlas and Adare, however, find themselves mesmerized by the changing colors and sparkling drops of water coated on the cave's wall and ceiling. They became star struck, gasping at the beauty within the darkness. They didn't want to leave the short cavern, somehow afraid if they left they would never come back.