Livian slept in a chair in Serafim’s room. She was worried about her and decided to see how she would react during her sleep. Thankfully, she remained quiet most of the time and didn’t cover her in fragments like st time.

  Livian woke up in her normal time, recognizing the warmth in the walls as being near eight a.m. She stands up and starts her stretches. Stretching her arms, legs and mouth, avoiding Serafim’s sight, as she is already disturbed enough.

  She takes the folder she received from Serafim st night and starts to read. She understands why she feels so uncomfortable. Not having blood or bleeding crystals might be painful for how tight the human body normally is. She notices the notes about distress and how her emotions affect her powers directly. These are interesting notes and might even help with the kids as they are growing.

  – Good morning – Serafim says as she notices Livian already awake.– Good morning – Livian looks back at her. – Did you sleep well?– Surprisingly well – Serafim scratches her eyes as she sits on the bed. – Even though I slept almost the whole day yesterday, I still had a good sleep now– That’s nice to hear. I'm almost finished with the folder you handed me. I will make a pnner based on your data and what I have in my database and hand it to you. Probably tomorrow it will all be done– Thank you for… – Serafim looks away. – Taking care of me and my family.– I’m grateful for letting me take care of you – Livian smiles at her. – I have admired you for a long time and now have the chance to return the favor you made me years ago.– I’m sorry, but… – She pys with her hair. – It might be because of the disease… I don't remember what I did to you in the past– You don't? – Livian repeats, confused.– No. I’m sorry– That's okay – Livian smiles. – It was just a small thing, but you may not have noticed at the time – She looks at the ceiling. – You are one of our most important contributors in this Facility– I'm? – Serafim looks at her, confused. – I… Don't even remember when I came here. It already feels like years– You came here at the peak of your infection just two months ago after destroying part of the hotel. Which was when you started to focus on the symptoms and decided to make this file based on your medical experience. Do you at least remember that?– Not much – Serafim pces her hand on her face. – These few days, my memories feel like they are fading– It might be one of the symptoms we theorized could happen. Do you at least remember the moment you were infected?– I was pregnant. Like a few months in, when we had just discovered that I would have twins. – Serafim smiles. – It was such a happy day– Do you remember where you got contaminated?– We were… Searching for something. – Serafim's memory starts to struggle. – I don't remember. Maybe Victor will remember that since we were together. But we were in Belium, that I remember for sure– Good – Livian creates a pencil and writes this information in a bnk space in the folder. – This is important info to add here

  Serafim stops for a second, feeling sad for not remembering properly, wondering if these are part of the effects of the disease and how much more she will forget. Livian notices her depressive look and decides to keep talking.

  – I have some ideas about what we can do now – Livian says with a smile on her face. – You managed to contain the infection for years. If we can find a way to keep you stable, we could try to invite Victor and the kids to come and visit you– Do you think that’s possible? – Serafim looks at Livian with hope.– The kids might be immune to the disease and I would be there in case anything happens. Since we already know that it might develop some mental disorders, maintaining social interaction may improve your condition

  Serafim smiles.

  – Thank you for helping me– I’m just helping you back for everything you did to me– Could you remember what exactly I did that helped you so much? The way you say feel like it was something I should know

  Livian giggles.

  – We like to learn new and old stuff. We strive for more and more knowledge. And when we were having trouble looking for information from the past, you donated us a huge amount of books about it. You had photos and documents about everything. We were so gd to have received all that that we agreed to help the Mainheart family, especially you, in case you ever needed something. Even today, we still need to look through a few stacks of books.– Oh. So it was you who answered my emails, right? Birdshifter? Something like that, right?– Yeah! – Livian gets surprised after hearing that name. – Just don't say it out loud! It is a dumb name we use to identify ourselves in case we change our appearance– That’s what I thought – Serafim ughs. – It was kinda dumb. But thinking about a high society like yours, I thought it was a common name– It is not – Livian sights. – Just know that if someday you need help from me directly, you know whom to address the message– I will try to remember it.

  After a few ughs, Serafim seems to be calmer by Livian’s side. She ys her back against the wall and stares at the ceiling.

  – I hope all this ends soon.

  Livian remains in silence, staring at the ceiling. Suddenly, she gets an idea.

  – First, we need to take small steps. – Livian stands up. – Let's go to the bathroom– What for? – Serafim asks.– I will make you clean and fix your hair before it falls off your head

  _______________________________________

  Victor woke up the kids early. Even if they are not at home, they need to follow the routine to maintain discipline. One of the few things he maintains from his family.

  After brushing their teeth and taking a shower, they go to the dining hall for breakfast. It is a huge white room with bck tables and chairs where the researchers and those studying at the Research Facility may have a moment to eat properly.

  Niero, Alene and Victor take a pte and fill it with meat and some fruits. Victor is a werewolf and they are his children, so they have mostly the same diet. As they find a table to sit and start to eat, a person approaches them waving their hand.

  – Good morning, sir! – The woman says.

  It is one of the students from the facility, Amelia. She is also one of Livian’s assistants, but this girl seems more interested in them than the rest. She has tan skin, brown hair and blue eyes. Is wearing a white b coat with jeans and a white shirt under it.

  – Good morning, Amelia! – Victor says while chewing some meat. – It’s good to see you around here in the morning!– I’m gd to hear that! – She puts her hair behind her ear. – How are you feeling today, kids?– I’m fine! – Niero answers while putting food in his mouth.

  Alene waits a moment to swallow her food before answering.

  – I'm also fine – She answers before taking a piece of meat and biting it.– It’s so cute to see how different the twins are! – Amelia ughs. – Would you mind if I make you some company?– No problem

  As she sits next to Victor and Alene, she asks the question:

  – How is Serafim?– Well… – He stops for a moment to think about how to answer it. – She is progressing. – He tries to cover how she truly is. – The kids are anxious to be able to see her again, but it's gonna take a while.– Livian didn’t send us the results of yesterday. Me and the other assistants were worried if something serious happened. I’m gd to hear everything is going well! – Amelia smiles.

  Victor takes a moment to stop chewing and organize his pte so he can focus on the conversation.

  – Sorry for this. – He says as he pushes the pte. – My hopes are on her getting better in a month or so. Thanks to the data she is collecting, Livian might find a way, but we still don’t know how long it will take– I hope it helps – Amelia sits back. – We don't have much data about it other than the shapeshifters' memories. But they try to keep it hidden, it seems– Do you think they might know something they don't want to tell us?– Probably. The only thing I’m certain about are the side effects and how it spreads. I saw it with my own eyes on a field trip we had. If it wasn’t for Livian and Terry by our side, we could have been infected and our losses would be even higher. Anything other than that is pure mystery.

  Victor thinks for a moment. He doesn’t deny the possibility of having something else hidden, but after everything Livian did, it might be for the best.

  – I think I’m gd not knowing it– Are you sure? – Amelia asks, surprised. – Even if it might save your wife?– I’m not that smart, you know? – Victor giggles. – When it comes to complicated stuff like this, I just want to know what is certain instead of chances– You should be more curious, you know? Be sure that everything is alright. Women like that kinda stuff– She knows I’m worried. But I also have to take care of our kids – He looks at the kids with a smile.– Yeah! – Niero answers after finishing up his pte. – He is the best father in the Universe!

  Alene just nods, shy.

  – See? – Victor says, reaffirming his choice.– Okay then – Amelia sighs. – Just know that if you ever need something, you know where to find me. – She winks at him as she leaves.– Are you going to eat that, dad? – Niero asks, pointing to Victor's pte that has meat.

  He looks at Alene, she also finishes her pte and is munching her fork, as if wanting to eat more.

  – Only if you share with your sister – He smiles. – I’m full. You two are growing and need to eat more

  Niero and Alene share the meat on his pte and eat together. As they eat, Victor sighs, worried about what Amelia said. Even if he is curious, he fears that his worries will only add more pressure to Serafim and Livian, who are already doing too much. He wishes he could just take this disease out of her body with an old traditional medicine, but the more he sees Livian’s worries, the more hopeless he gets.

  – Dad – Niero called him. – What are we going to do today?– What about we practice some more like yesterday? – Victor puts a smile on his face. – You two seemed to like it when you were with Livian. Maybe I could teach you two some hunting skills as well– Hunting skills? – Alene repeats interested. – Like, hunting a living creature?– Yeah– That would be cool! – Niero says, but suddenly his smile drops. – But, would we kill it?– It is the idea of hunting – Victor answers. – You may not like the idea right now, but it is important to be prepared in case we need– All right… – Niero replies.– In case we ever need it, I will hunt for him – Alene answers. – He just needs to learn how to mount a tent– I can do it now! – Niero shouts.– Without the fragments? – Victor taunts.– Not… yet. – Niero answers, sad with the truthful answer.– I will teach you two all that – Victor ughs. – Let's talk with Livian before going out, okay?