December 25th, 2039
...
The mansion was packed with Blue's most trusted and top members. The ballroom was packing with humans and Seraphyne alike. The Gravesend kids all enjoyed their presents and were around the mansion with their friends and cousins.
Ivory was on the couch with Birdie and Honor; the three were catching up and talking about Serene and what she had told Ivory. Ivory didn't know what to make of the station; Birdie and Honor just listened and gave shocked faces. Every so often Honor gasped at how Serene specified Viper's name and even comments that Viper would make.
"I still don't know what to think of it, "Ivory said as he held a glass of wine in her hand, "It was strange. And when I sent her to her room, she threw a huge fit."
"Really?" Honor asked.
Ivory nodded.
"Serene only cries like that when she's really upset," Ivory began. "And I still feel so terrible about it."
"I promise that I didn't mention Viper to her," Birdie swore.
"I second that."
"Do you think Lily would?" Birdie asked Honor.
"I doubt it. Lily hasn't been around much lately," Honor scanned the room, and moved her eyebrows up and down to say that Lily wasn't at the party.
"Yeah, where is she?" Ivory asked. "I texted her this morning and she hasn't replied yet. That's not like her."
"She's doing some secret project for Blue," Birdie said.
"What project?" Ivory asked.
"She didn't say," Honor said. "I don't think we're supposed to know."
Ivory nodded. She knew what that meant.
Ivory saw Lyra and Orion walk by with one of their cousins, and she overheard them talking about what happened between Serene and their mom.
"What do you think?" The cousin asked with a red cup in his hand.
"I don't think Serene would make that up," Orion said casually.
"That's a first," Lyra said.
"What do you think will happen next?" the cousin asked.
"I think dad will train her," Orion said. "Serene's intuitive, and that's a good skill to have."
"I think so too. She needs to learn her craft well and manage it correctly," Lyra agreed.
"Mother has the same gift," Orion began, "that's what dad said."
The three walked off without noticing that Ivory and her friends were paying attention.
Ivory sighed and got out of her seat. "I'm getting another glass of wine. Do you ladies want anymore?"
Birdie and Honor shook their heads.
"Let the drama surpass," Honor said, "Serene is the main topic this time. It'll die down. Orion seems to agree that her skill is useful."
"That's nice coming from him," Birdie smiled.
Ivory made her way to the kitchen --- she heard the music and laughter from the ballroom. She took a minute to decompress before pouring herself another glass of wine. She took a sip, and wondered what this meant for Serene.
If Serene wasn't lying, then Viper was here. Viper never peacefully left, and that was a truth that Ivory wasn't ready to hear. Ivory wasn't sure what to make of it; her children are now starting to realize why Blue had chosen to marry Ivory.
Ivory had noticed that her children were beyond intelligent than the average human. The Seraphyne had higher IQs, she knew that, but her children could decode, read, and think, speak, and analyze like an adult. Her children weren't dumb by all means.
Ivory heard Harley's voice in the hallway that connected the dining room to the servants corridor. Ivory thought that was strange.
She walked over and saw the door was cracked open a little bit. She heard Harley and Red talking privately. She knew that this meant; they had a mission, too. Something was going on.
Not again, Ivory thought to herself.
She hoped it wasn't about Serene. Serene was too young for psychic training, and she didn't want Serene to be overwhelmed. All Serene cared about now was dancing and drawing. She was a creative.
"That's what Blue said," Harley replied.
"And you think the rumors are true?"
"Well, you know Blue. We investigate, and when we confirm the rumors are, then we take the next few years to figure out who's involved and where to attack. We must be prepared."
"Let's go after the party," Red said.
Ivory peeked her head in through the door; Harley and Red stopped speaking and turned to Ivory. Harley narrowed her eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation," Ivory began. "I --- I heard you two in here. Don't you want to join the party? I just poured myself wine. I can give you guys some."
"No, we're all right," Red said.
Ivory turned to Harley. To this day, Ivory never felt comfortable about Harley; she just got better at navigating Harley's moods and how to speak to her. "When will Lily be here? She hasn't answered her phone. I'm a little worried about her."
Harley raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"She's not here."
Red and Harley looked at each other, and then back at Ivory.
"That's unusual," Red said.
"Well, Birdie said Lily had a mission to complete. Maybe she isn't done," Ivory said.
Harley narrowed her eyes again. "I wouldn't know about that," Harley seemed to be thinking.
"Well, I'll let you guys go," Ivory closed the door and sighed to herself. She took her wine glass and swiftly returned to the ballroom.
Ivory had a weird feeling in her chest. She couldn't get her mind off how Red and Harley were planning -- she didn't know what or why; they often spoke privately when they had suspicions about something or someone, or when Blue needed them to complete a mission and spy on people for him.
Based on Harley's expressions and how she reacts to people, Ivory also had the feeling that asking Harley about Lily and telling her about some mission she was apparently on was not a smart idea. She couldn't figure out why.