I adjusted the sound system in the corner, tapping my foot against the floor as the party continued around me. I planned to join in soon, but not until I had crafted the perfect playlist for the evening's festivities.

"Aki, don't stay off by yourself!" a voice called out.

"Just a moment!" I shot back.

Hm... You know what, that's good enough. I decided to include a mix of rap, hip-hop, reggae, and even a touch of country. It seemed like the perfect blend of background music for tonight's festivities, I thought.

"Alright, Gucci," I said as I pressed the play button. "Here we go."

~0~

Chapter 100: Embracing the Everyday Together

~0~

"Even amidst this chaotic madness, I've grown accustomed to its overwhelming presence, mistaking this ordinary life for tranquility."

Amidst the twists and turns of this tumultuous roller coaster ride, what is the one thing I mustn't lose sight of?

Engulfed by the notion of universal equality, I find myself immersed in the belief that everything is interconnected, to the extent that my heart becomes an integral part of the boundless whole.

If you fail to express your dislikes and affections openly, you risk becoming no different than a puppet devoid of true individuality.

~0~

"Hey, uh, Papi, right?"

"I'm Papi!" she replied joyfully, turning around to see Sasaki approaching her. "And you are... um..."

"Jus' call me Sasaki," he chuckled.

"kay! Sasskitty!"

Sasaki blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but eventually chuckled and shook his head.

"Ya remind me of Shiki when he was jus' a little tyke," he said, a nostalgic smile gracing his furry face. "By the way, I jus' remembered that I bumped into ya a few days ago!"

"You did?" Papi furrowed her brow in thought. "I don't remember so well..."

"Bah, no biggie," Sasaki dismissed with a wave of his hand, clearly unfazed by being wholly forgotten. "I jus' thought it was a funny coincidence, that's all. Did ya ever find your friend?"

"Um..." Suddenly, she became acutely aware of the flower headband in her blue hair. "Oh, right! Kii!"

"Yes?" Kii appeared at Papi's side as if mentioning her name summoned her. In truth, she had been there all along, sticking close to Papi since her arrival. She had been concealed before, practically hiding behind Papi.

"I found you!" Papi cheered, enveloping her friend in a warm, feathery hug. Kii let out a yelp, her face turning pink, as she struggled to ensure the cup of water she held remained steady. Despite the surprise, she didn't resist Papi's affectionate gesture.

Sasaki laughed heartily, slapping his belly before taking a generous swig of his beer. "Ah, it warms Mah old fart heart to see ya two! Yer a truly fortunate gal, ya know," he proclaimed, beaming at Kii.

Kii narrowed her eyes at the man. "I require no compliments from a mere human," she replied haughtily, though her attempts to maintain her composure were undermined by the giggling harpy rubbing their cheeks together.

"Aw, don't be such a meanie, Kii!" Papi scolded, though her brows furrowed in thought. "Hmm, Meankii? Anyway, be nice to Sasskitty. He was kind to me when I bumped my head searching for you!"

"Is that true?" Kii asked warily, raising a skeptical eyebrow in his direction.

"Eh, nothin' too special," Sasaki replied, placing a hand on his hip. "Sides, 'spose can't be helped if ya gotta a shitty opinion of humans. We tend ta fuck up a lot. Except when it comes to brews!" He chuckled once more and took another hearty sip of his beer. After finishing, he sighed, satisfied, and wiped the foam off his thick beard. "Ya wanna try some? I swear to whatever ya worship that I only brought good quality stuff fer tonight!"

"That poisonous swill?" Kii spat, expressing her disgust. "No, thank you."

"Hey, it may be poison, but it ain't killed me yet!" Sasaki quipped, giving her a wink. "But suit yerself; it's not fer everyone."

"Is that what big brother drinks all the time?" Papi asked with enthusiasm, bouncing up and down. Unfortunately for Kii, they were still attached, so she had no choice but to go along for the ride. "Is it the stuff that makes him all giggly and stuff?"

"...Probably," Sasaki answered, glancing around and sounding uncertain for the first time. "Come to think of it, are ya actually old enough to drink?"

"I'm..." Papi paused, momentarily pondering as she stared at her feathers as if they held the answer to her age. "Um... nineteen! Yeah, that sounds about right!"

"Uh huh," Sasaki responded skeptically, scratching his beard as he contemplated. Eventually, he shrugged. "Well, you're in a controlled environment, aren't ya? You should probably ask yer, big bro, first, though."

"Yay, yay!" Papi exclaimed cheerfully, bouncing on her feet.

Inwardly, Kii's suspicions grew stronger. If Papi was willing to consume that "poison," it was her choice. However, Kii was determined to protect Papi from being taken advantage of on this night. She resolved to closely observe this bear-like human, "Sasskitty," to uncover his true intentions, which she believed were undoubtedly malicious.

~0~

"You know, you're stretching the whole stoic knight persona this time around."

Cerea spun around to see who had spoken, but upon recognizing the person, she narrowed her eyes and swiftly averted her gaze.

"And what would you know of such matters, Rachnera?" she huffed, her voice laced with skepticism.

"Apparently, nothing," Rachnee replied drolly, strolling up to Cerea's side with a cup of coffee. "Except you've been sulking since those MON girls went for a private pow-wow. Feeling left out, are we?"

Cerea shifted her position, visibly annoyed that Rachnee had effortlessly discerned her genuine emotions. Her tail flicked with irritation as she attempted to conceal her face, unwilling to display her vulnerability.

"And what concern would it be of yours if that were so?" Cerea shot back.

"None, really," Rachnee shrugged, sipping her coffee. "Although you're sort of killing the mood, and that's quite bothersome."

Suppressing the urge to argue further, Cerea's ears drooped slightly. "In that case, maybe it's best if I just take my leave," she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation.

Rachnee rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, please. That would only make people even more concerned. What you should do is engage with others. I believe that's what one typically does at gatherings like this."

"But... am I not talking to you right now?" Cerea retorted.

Rachnee let out a snort in response. "Someone you enjoy talking to," she clarified, her tone laced with amusement.

"Ah." Cerea was taken aback by Rachnee's blunt remark and her seemingly casual acceptance that Cerea didn't particularly enjoy her company. It left her momentarily speechless. Eventually, she regained her composure and found her voice. "Perhaps you are right," she conceded, acknowledging the truth in Rachnee's words. However, a persistent feeling of discontent nagged at her, and she couldn't leave it unaddressed. It could have been the influence of the alcohol she had been gradually consuming, but deep down, she knew it was more than that. "Yet, it was you who approached me first, Rachnera."

"And what does that matter?" Rachnee attempted to brush it off, though there was a hint of defensiveness in her tone. Cerea's training with MON on reading body language started paying off. "I'm certain your beloved Master or Counselor would have approached you in due time."

"They certainly would have," Cerea agreed, nodding in acknowledgment. She couldn't help but feel a peculiar sense of lightness, a feeling she wasn't accustomed to. It reminded her of the moments when Smith had welcomed her into MON, when she had escaped the toxic environment of her home, or even when her mother used to sing her soothing lullabies...

"But you were the one who took the initiative," Cerea pressed on, pushing aside the nostalgic thoughts that threatened to distract her. "I am bound by honor to show you the respect you deserve for your actions."

"If duty is your sole motivation, then there's no need," Rachnee retorted with a heated tone. "Using a code as a shield is a feeble excuse."

"'Tis not an excuse!" Cerea insisted, her voice carrying a mix of determination and frustration. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of her conversation with Master, Aki, and Miia earlier, the reminder to be open-minded. If they could set aside their judgments of Rachnee, perhaps she could do the same. "I genuinely desire to have a meaningful conversation with you, Rachnee," she said, her tone softening. It was the best way to either validate or dismiss her suspicions.

Rachnee grunted, her eight legs slightly twitching as she averted her flushed face. "If you insist. However, I highly doubt we share common ground to engage in conversation."

An awkward silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of their simultaneous sips from their drinks. They both sought solace in the familiar taste, allowing the momentary respite to fill the void of conversation.

"Why must humans design everything so small?" Cerea voiced her frustration, a hint of exasperation in her tone.

"Tell me about it," Rachnee grumbled in agreement. "I practically occupy the entire damn sidewalk with my presence."

"And the audacity to label us as the cumbersome ones!" Cerea exclaimed, her frustration evident in her voice.

"It's truly unflattering," Rachnee chimed in, a note of annoyance in her voice.

"Indeed, vexingly so!" Cerea replied with a huff, her irritation palpable.

~0~

Scene change:

"Ah... Draco, yes?" Mero approached Draco, a warm smile on her face as she tried to engage with the girl who seemed to wear a scowl perpetually. Draco glanced down at her and intensified her scowl as if to defy any attempts at breaking her icy demeanor.

"Yeah, what of it?" Draco muttered, her voice laced with an air of defiance.

"Oh, I just wanted to confirm if I heard correctly!" Mero replied with her usual cheerfulness. She waited for a response from Draco, but when none came, she pressed on. "I might have misunderstood, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but did I overhear you mentioning that you have royal blood?"

For the first time since Mero had spoken to her, Draco looked at her for longer than two seconds, turning away from whatever she was staring at so intensely.

"Indeed," Draco replied with a hint of arrogance in her voice. She raised her chin proudly, showcasing her regal heritage. "As a dragonewt, I possess the inherent birthright of royal blood, a legacy that runs deep within our kind." She adjusted her stance, emphasizing her noble stature.

"Oh, is that so?" Mero inquired, her curiosity piqued as she tilted her head. "I wasn't aware that such a notion extended to all dragonewts, not just those of noble lineage. Are you associated with a particular noble house?"

Draco's tail twisted a subtle sign of her unease that didn't escape Mero's sharp gaze. "... I am not," Draco eventually responded, averting her gaze from Mero again. There was a faint tension in her voice. "However, I come from a distinguished lineage of... artists, if you will."

"Really?" Mero pressed excitedly, clasping her hands together. "In what field of the arts does your family specialize?" Her voice trailed off as she followed Draco's gaze, realizing who had intensely captured her attention. A gentle, sympathetic smile appeared on Mero's face. "Ah, I understand."

Draco grunted, shifting her gaze towards Mero with her intense purple-slit eyes.

"Your expression just then...." Mero explained, resting her webbed hands on her lap. "It reminded me of me."

"Huh?" Draco muttered, a faint tinge of color creeping into her cheeks. She shifted uneasily, slipping her hands into her pockets to conceal her reaction. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean..."

"A love from afar..." Mero sighed, her smile tinged with a touch of melancholy. "A connection that remains out of reach, forever elusive." Though the concept still held a certain allure for her, the romantic notion of unrequited affection had lost some of its luster over time. "I could venture to say that I, too, have encountered such emotions."

Draco regarded her with a peculiar expression, her gaze piercing. "'Never be,'" she echoed, her voice tinged with defiance and longing. She shook her head dismissively. "No one else could comprehend the depth of my emotions."

"Perhaps," Mero conceded, wheeling her chair closer to Draco's side, aligning herself to face the same direction. "While it's true that no one can fully grasp the intricacies of another's emotions, I can't help but feel a certain kinship between us. We may share a few similarities hidden beneath our unique experiences."

"Why?"

"Beg pardon?"

"Why?" Draco inquired, peering down at Mero with a puzzled expression. "What purpose would it serve for us to be similar? Your words sound nonsensical to me."

Draco was taken aback when Mero giggled in response to her comment.

"Rachnee says something similar to me quite frequently," Mero explained, suppressing her laughter. "So, hearing it from another person is quite amusing. As for your question... I'm not entirely certain. Maybe I see a reflection of myself in you, a kindred spirit?"

"Hm," Draco hummed. "I am unique. There is no one quite like me, only myself."

"If you say so," Mero replied cheerfully. "But if I may offer a polite suggestion...."

"And what might that be?" Draco retorted, her voice carrying a hint of annoyance.

"When I found myself at a crossroads after witnessing the shattering of my ideal romance, fate kindly intervened," Mero shared, her voice laced with nostalgia as she glanced toward Cerea, Rachnee, and Tio, engaged in a lively discussion.

~0~

Tio sighed in frustration and pouted. "It's quite a challenge for me to maneuver around indoors. I can't count the number of times my horn has accidentally bumped into doorframes or furniture. It's rather unfortunate."

"I must admit, I face a different set of challenges regarding doorways," Rachnee chuckled. "My long limbs and how I move can make squeezing through narrow entrances quite a spectacle."

"I can certainly relate," Cerea lamented, her expression filled with mild exasperation. "It seems I have an uncanny talent for misjudging the spatial requirements of my tail when making turns. It has resulted in a fair share of mishaps."

~0~

"So perhaps you could find solace in the company of friends or comrades," Mero suggested with a smile. "Having someone nearby who understands your struggles can make a difference and bring much-needed support in challenging times."

"... Feh, like I have time for friends," Draco muttered. "No one's bothered, so why should I?"

Mero's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, if you're open to the idea, I would be honored to be your friend, Draco! Sometimes, all it takes is one connection to brighten our lives and make the world a little bit better. And who knows, with time, you might find more friends who appreciate you just as you are."

Draco's initial surprise shifted into a defensive stance, her tone laced with vulnerability. "Please, as I mentioned, I do not need such things," she faltered, attempting to regain her composure. "Moreover, my experiences have shown that people only approach me with ulterior motives."

"Well, I must confess, my intentions are not entirely selfless," Mero admitted. "It would bring me great joy if you could soften that intense gaze directed towards the owner of this household. He is a kind-hearted man, and I do appreciate his hospitality. However, there's more to it..." Mero's eyes sparkled as she continued, "This is a celebration, a gathering of people where smiles are customary. It would be truly delightful to witness your smile, Draco."

Draco shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to react to Mero's heartfelt words. Her usual facade of aloofness wavered for a moment, revealing a flicker of vulnerability. She averted her gaze, finding solace in the quiet contemplation.

~0~

"Ah, the crowd of people traveling through the night seems both happy and lonely

The contrast flies around the musical score, turning into song and rhythm."

~0~

Zombina encountered her doppelgänger, who bore an unmistakable distinction—a blue tentacle hanging from her head.

"Damn, girl!" Zombina exclaimed, striking a confident pose and sporting a wide grin. "You're rocking that look!"

"No, you look fantastic!" her copy replied, perfectly mirroring her posture and expression. Zombina burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. The sight of her identical counterpart was too amusing.

"I don't know how it took us so long to meet finally, but I'm glad we did," she breathed as her copy's form melted away, returning to Suu's usual petite appearance.

"Me too!" Suu happily responded, clapping her hands together. "Bina is fun!"

"Yer a riot yourself, kiddo," Zombina said with a wide grin. "Say, what other tricks ya got up yer sleeve?"

~0~

"So ya gotta explain this whole harpy sister and water daughter thing," Sasaki insisted, leaning his beefy elbow on Aki's shoulder. The sudden weight caused the smaller man to yelp in surprise, nearly losing his balance and interrupting his conversation with Manako and Kuroko.

"Gah! Give me a heads-up next time!" Aki protested, his voice filled with annoyance. "You're lucky the beer didn't spill."

"I must admit, I'm quite curious about that story as well," Kuroko chimed in, her voice full of curiosity, disregarding Aki's comment.

"See, the crowd's ravin' fer it!" Sasaki pressed. "'Kimi's off mackin' on that Miia chick and won't explain shit, so let's hear it."

"It's not much of a story, really," Aki grumbled, attempting to shake off Sasaki's elbow. "Papi started calling me her big brother last month after I gave her a piggyback ride. So no, we're not siblings."

"Human and liminal half-siblings are a thing, you know," Kuroko informed him.

"No shit?" Sasaki asked, scratching his beard in thought. Kuroko nodded.

"Relatively uncommon, but yes. It's more common among liminal species that seek multiple partners, but I digress. Aki?"

"Danke. Anyway, when did Suu start referring to me as her father...." Aki furrowed his bushy eyebrows. "Oh, yes, a few weeks ago, when I was feeling down, Suu sang a soothing song to help me calm down. It was during that moment she first called me 'father.'" He smiled warmly as he reminisced about the memory.

"Well, ain't that sweet," Sasaki cooed, a silly grin on his face. "The little ones always have a way of tugging at the ol' heartstrings, don't they?"

"I must admit, Aki, your experience is truly unique," Kuroko remarked, shaking her head. "Slimes are such enigmatic creatures that it's quite a miracle you forged such a connection with one so effortlessly."

"It's possible that being the first person Suu encountered here played a significant role," Aki reflected. "I protected her from provocation and helped her recover by providing the necessary water. Additionally, our constant mental connection likely strengthened our bond." He pondered the circumstances further, considering all the contributing factors.

Just then, a pair of slender feelers snaked their way around Aki's chest, coiling