Loud noise in the kitchen awakens Nebula, and she rolls out of bed to see who is making the racket, "Orpheus!"
"I'm in here, Mom." Orpheus yells from the kitchen. Following his voice, Nebula heads straight to the dining room and takes a seat. "Tell me this cup is filled with coffee?"
"Dark, no sugar," Orpheus confirms.
"You're a godsend." Nebula takes a sip, "That's good."
"I don't get why you like bitter coffee." Troy shouts from the kitchen before heading to the dining room with a blueberry pie, placing it on the table.
"What's this?" Nebula asks, eyeing the pie.
"Your favourite blueberry pie." Troy explains while cutting into the pie and making a plate for Nebula.
"Do you think this pie makes up for not getting me there?" Nebula asks, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a start, and I've got our entire day planned out." Troy informs her.
"That's nice, but I have to reschedule." Nebula interjects.
"What? This entire day cost me last year's bonus." Troy explains, frustration evident in his tone.
"I fail to see how that is my problem." Nebula retorts.
"Did you two take another trip while I was asleep?" Orpheus asks, sensing the tension.
"He did." Nebula confirms.
"It's just a euphemism. Why do you want to reschedule?" Troy inquires.
"The new season of 'Till Dawn' just dropped, so I'll binge-watch the whole show while eating junk food. It's a gift from the creators of the show, and I have ordered ice cream, chips, honey-flavoured dip, and cake. It's an extensive list of junk food that I plan to devour alone." Nebula explains.
"Can I join you during this hour of sloth and gluttony?" Orpheus asks eagerly.
"No, you've got school." Nebula replies firmly.
"And what about your panther?" Troy questions.
"I appreciate the thought behind your planned day, but you knew this beforehand. Plus, the fire sprite is finally available to form a new contract." Nebula clarifies.
"I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me. I have to leave so I can get to Earth before the vultures start circling." Troy leans in for a kiss, but Nebula turns her face, and he settles for kissing her on the cheek before playing with Orpheus's hair. "Bye."
"Mm." Nebula murmurs.
"Bye." Orpheus replies, waiting until Troy leaves the house before speaking again. "So…"
"I forgot to tell you, your siblings said hi and they miss you." Nebula says softly.
"They don't feel like my siblings." Orpheus admits, his tone revealing his hurt.
"It's not you, it's me. I wasn't present as much as I needed to be." Nebula confesses.
"That doesn't give them the right to constantly make spiteful remarks about Dad." Orpheus argues.
"Well, it's complicated." Nebula sighs.
"Treating your own father like a person is complicated?" Orpheus questions, feeling confused and frustrated.
"All will be revealed in due time." Nebula assures him.
"Why are you being vague?" Orpheus presses for answers.
"I'm not. It is just…" Nebula pauses, taking a sip of her coffee as she gathers her thoughts, "People, including your siblings, who have these types of emotions are not like anime shows where one speech makes everything fine. Life, or rather existence, isn't that simple. An apology from me does not negate the past or the scars that still exist. All we can do is move forward and slowly mend our broken relationships, no matter how long it takes."
Orpheus shrugged, "If you say so."
"What were you going to say when Troy left the house?" Nebula asked.
"Oh! I was going to ask if you and Dad have started having sex and if so do I need to pre-order noise-cancelling earphones?" Orpheus asks.
"Shut up and eat your food." Nebula said.
"So, I take that as a yes. I read that Venus is the number one destination for couples to rekindle the romance in their relationship." Orpheus explains.
"Never knew you were a couple therapist." Nebula replies sarcastically.
"I am just saying, and have you been to Venus?" Orpheus asks.
"Yes." Nebula responds.
"Met anyone?" Orpheus prods.
"It would be weird if I didn't. No one memorable, though. But why this sudden interest in my sex life?" Nebula adds, genuinely curious.
"I'd rather have an uncomfortable conversation now than catch you and Dad in a compromising position." Orpheus quips.
"Well played. Now hurry up and finish your food. You need to go to school." Nebula said.
***
The land of the falling stars, a city in the northern region on the planet Venus, is where Vergil awaits his anger management results. A therapist enters the room.
"Anansi," he greets his patient.
"Brutus," Vergil replies.
"Your anger... well, that is an understatement," Brutus comments as he takes a seat across from Vergil, "You have been cleared."
"Fully?" Vergil asks.
"Yes, you are now permitted for off-world travels," Brutus confirms.
"Okay," Vergil responds.
"Do you have a plan now that you are free to travel off-world? And please tell me that plan doesn't involve Earth?" Brutus inquires.
"I have unfinished business," Vergil explains.
"I have lost count of how many times I have told you this, but a being like yourself shouldn't be on Earth. It is needless suffering on your part." Brutus replied with concern in his tone.
"You know why I have to go to Earth." Vergil insisted.
"Yeah, and that's the same reason you spent 2,500 years in the void. I am just looking out for you." Brutus expresses concern.
"I know you have been a great friend, and I am forever grateful. The time we spent together will forever be in my soul. But this is a path I have to walk." Vergil admitted.
"Why does it sound like you aren't coming back?" Brutus asked
"I am immortal." Vergil remained him.
"That's not an answer. But before you go, I heard from the grapevine that Medusa is coming back." Brutus explains.
"Well, I don't know what to say." Vergil responded.
"She will be mad when she finds out, so it's better if you stay." Brutus advises.
"I can't do that, not even for her." Vergil replies firmly as he heads towards the door.
Brutus shouts after him, "Thena will miss you, and so will my kids."
"I will miss them too," Vergil admits before leaving the room.
Grabbing his bag, Vergil embarks on his journey to Africa and North America. He encounters various procedures and preparations, from arranging funds for his travels to obtaining a device filled with comprehensive information ranging from language to social norms about both continents. His path is paved with meticulous planning.
Yet, amidst the practicalities, Vergil finds himself drawn into a spiritual realm during a trance, where he communes with his ancestors and receives a solemn warning from Nyx, the beast of Venus.
"Only darkness awaits you in this path, so why walk it?" Nyx asked.
"To make sure that my future never knows the bitter taste of living on your knees." Vergil explains.
"What about your future?" Nyx asks.
"I have lived for nearly two hundred thousand years. That's more than trillions throughout the cosmos could have wished for," Vergil answers.
"Your resolve is unshaken, so I won't try to talk you out of this path. But I shall help you and give you a better chance at surviving, but you have to promise me one thing." Nyx requests.
"Anything." Vergil replies.
"I will contact your sister and you will be properly introduced to your whole lineage on your father's side of your family." Nyx replies.
"And the promise?" Vergil asked.
Nyx turns around before answering, "Don't die."
"For you, that is a promise I shall keep." Vergil replies before he awakes from his trance to the sound of beeps on his device. The ship has just arrived on Earth, and he has to move to a different part of the ship so he can be flown to North America and select his destination, which is the USA.
The pod lands safely, and Vergil walks out of the pod, greeted by one of the staff workers.
"Welcome to Long Beach, California. I am Bruce, your assigned attendant for the day," Bruce greets Vergil.
"Wow, you Americans have stepped your game up. Not even Africa has this service." Vergil admits before handing over his bags to Bruce.
"Thank you, sir. If you would follow me to your car." Bruce replies.
Vergil nods before he starts following Bruce through the bustling spaceport. As they walk, Vergil cannot help but marvel at the advanced infrastructure and efficiency of the Americans.
Bruce leads Vergil to a sleek hovercar waiting outside the spaceport. "Here we are, sir. This will be your transport for the day," Bruce announced proudly.
Vergil nodded in approval as he settled into the comfortable seat of the hovercar. "Impressive," he commented as they zoomed off towards the city. As they traversed through the bustling streets of Long Beach, Vergil couldn't help but notice the diversity and vibrancy of the city. The sights and sounds of Earth were unlike anything he had experienced before on his previous trips to Earth.
"So, where are we headed?" Vergil inquired, curious about his destination in the vast expanse of Long Beach.
"We're heading to the city centre, sir. There's a meeting arranged for you at the Interstellar Diplomatic Office." Bruce explained, glancing at Vergil through the rear-view mirror.
"Ah, I see," Vergil replied, contemplating the purpose of his visit as they continued their journey through the lively streets of Long Beach. Upon reaching the Interstellar Diplomatic Office, Vergil stepped out of the hovercar and thanked Bruce for his assistance. As he entered the imposing building, he could not shake off the feeling of anticipation but in seconds Vergil is surrounded by a squad in military uniform with their guns drawn.