Xaviers!

After the meal, Diego and Chisaki moved to the back porch. Diego sat with his legs over the edge, swaying them as he enjoyed the view of the surrounding island wilderness.

"There are definitely worse places to hide from the world."

"Yes. It is nice here." She replied from her spot buried in a pastel blazon blanket.

"As i understand, the Spencer family came about it from a business deal. Eddie-kun's uncle saw an opening to make a profit after the war helping to restructure Japanese society. It was apparently quite lucrative.

...I think perhaps though, this island was given over to the family because it is difficult and costly to maintain, so likely whoever gave it to them felt like they were getting the better deal."

"Interesting as that is, I feel we shouldn't waste our little reunion on real estate," he smirked. He intentionally delayed the question of her return as to not spoil the moment.

"Apologies." She replied quietly. She didn't want to think about everything else, so she had taken the open invitation to talk about the island.

"What do you want to discuss instead?"

"How did you get mixed up with those two anyway?"

"Kiwa is my cousin, and Edmond's mum. Like I was meant to be for Basil.

I am... different from the other mums. You are born into the position, it is a familial obligation. Kiwa was born into it from her father, her mother was my mother's sister. My obāsan.... Aunt.

When Basil was enrolled at the University, they needed someone to go undercover to watch him. Howard and Harold, his unusual mums, had no reason to be on the premises. Kiwa is Institute Alumni so she seemed like the obvious choice, but she could not be assigned to two different people and they do not want Edmond to return.

So Kiwa offered me as an alternate solution. She thought it would be good for me. I thought it would be as well. I... do not think I realized how intensive it would be."

"Because you didn't have the training?"

"I think so, yes.

Kiwa trained her entire life for this job. When she developed her powers, she went to the Institute to hone those as well, because Management thought it best.

But I did not."

"It doesn't seem fair to push that burden onto you. But, selfishly, I'm not unhappy that they did," he said with an unspoken 'even if.'

"They did not push me. Eddie-kun specifically did not even want me to be involved. There was a fight. Kiwa won.

She usually does."

"Yeah, I can see that happening. She's... kiiinda intense. And he's, well, not."

"I think that comes from the Ealdwine side. I have recently learned that Harold can be that way too. Sometimes."

"I'm beyond glad we didn't have to fight her. I mean, Chase is good and all, but she'd have wrecked us."

"Yes, she would have." Chisaki agreed.

"She has spent her entire life devoted to the defense of another. If you make any sudden or threatening movements around Edmond, she would have snapped your neck without hesitation.

But you do not need to worry about that. You do not wish to harm him."

"We didn't even know who we'd find here, not really. You were likely but, other than that, it was a gamble."

"I trusted she would not hurt you. Kiwa is aware of X-Corp tactics and training and I told her you all might show up.

I think her draining Colette was likely meant as a warning."

"That's... a pretty hardcore warning. It's probably good I came along since ninja boy's first thought was to prepare to start punching."

"Yes, but clearly it got the message across.

Did you urinate yourself Diego-Kun? Should I find some of Eddie's clean hakama?" She teased him just a bit, smirking.

"If I did I could just blame it on the waterbender," he smirked.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Blaming others for your problems.

Unbecoming."

"Never said I was a classy guy. More of a class clown."

"Accurate, all things considered."

"Who else would give you a blank check to cosplay them?"

"Edmond." She replied without falter.

He laughed, "Yeah, can totally see that. Sailor Ed."

"He is a good man. He made bad decisions.

But if he had not, then you would not be here.

The universe is a strange and difficult place."

"Said the earthbender to the catboy who wields an armblade of evil-slaying ghost fire plus one."

"Diego... You understand how serious this all is... right?"

He was quiet for a long moment before he said with all seriousness, "Don't let my nervous levity fool you, I get it. Basil is missing, likely abducted, and some powerful people with deep pockets are our prime suspects. Things could get dangerous in ways no amount of righteous superhero fisticuffs could get us out of. And one wrong move could get him killed if he isn't already."

"Okay.

I just... need to make sure you understand. It can be... difficult to tell if you are taking things seriously at times."

"I don't know why I'm that way. It's not like I'm covering for trauma or depression or anything like that. I guess I just can't stand when nobody's smiling... or, yanno, rolling their eyes."

"I do understand but....

Forgive me, but if you cannot be serious now. how can I know you will be serious about a relationship?"

The question caught him off-guard, so it was several moments before he answered.

"I can be serious when I absolutely need to be. I mean, I played the diplomat when Kiwa squeezed Collette. Though to be honest, I do have a habit of getting dangerously close to the edge of what's appropriate for the situation."

Chisaki sighed.

"Maybe you should stay at the institute when the others go to look for him further."

"I should be safe if I make a conscious effort not to even start making jokes," he said in his defense, a little hurt by her lack of faith even if he did admit he had a problem.

"Okay." She replied nodding a bit.

"But... that said, I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to talk to high society types. So maybe it would be for the best for that reason. We'll see."

"The Spencers at least should definitely be left to someone who can pretend to belong there. Very few of us are qualified for that. Myself included." She commented, hoping to make him feel a bit better.

"True. I can't really see anyone at the school who fits that criteria who isn't missing or a literal vampire."

"We will find someone." She replies.