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 Radiant Garden was bustling and busy as ever, people going about their daily lives and doing some shopping in the Marketplace. There were still some concerns regarding the mechanical bugs popping up here and there, but there hadn't been another attack since the last time they visited. For the most part, the Restoration Committee had been keeping watch on them in the case that were to happen again.
 
 But for today, that wasn't a big concern for either of the winged heroes walking the streets. Other than having a discussion with the committee over the going ons and any information they may have had, Kalas and Xelha were looking to relax, the latter having come out of three and a half months of training, becoming a skilled fighter to go along with her magic ability, while the former had been taking the time to get used to the eyepiece made for him by Ratchet, having adjusted to the sight it'd given back to him. They had also gone to visit Rozalin for some adjustments to their garments, Xelha's [url=https://www.khwiki.com/images/9/9e/Player_(Female)_KHX.png]outift[/url] receiving an overhaul into something a little more suited for adventuring, while Kalas left his cape with her in order to make it less ominous-looking, his winglet left on the ship for now.
 
 However, while they were taking the time off for the most part, there was another reason they took the time to visit this world. For a long time, Xelha had been debating with herself regarding the matters of the man they had found in the Deep Jungle, whom the committee managed to bring to this world and find him a place to stay. With all the mysteries surrounding who he was and how much he knew of her kingdom's matters, with the strong possibility of him being family, she knew she needed answers from him, only putting it off due to her uncertainty. But with encouragement from the one-winged boy, she once again found herself at the doorstep of the man's home, staring at the door for the longest time.
 
 Though Kalas waited behind her, giving her the support that she needed, she just stood there, unable to bring herself to knock even after all this time. Too many scenarios ran through her mind, none of them good. What if she didn't like what she heard? What if the man was unwilling to even talk to her, whatever memories he had too much for him to even give the time? What if it was her own people that caused him to leave, painting them in a more negative light than what she grew up with?
 
 She took a deep, shuddering breath, doing everything she could to hold back her apprehension. It wasn't like her to avoid something like this; whenever she was sure on something, she always set her mind on that goal and went after it. Here, however, she wasn't so sure, wanting some answers and possibly learning more of her family beyond their duty as protectors of the Ocean, but at the same time simply wanting to leave it be now that the man was out of the hazardous jungle and back to civilization.
 
 She tried to keep her mind on the former, slowly bringing a hand up to knock. Her hand shook as it moved closer, just barely making contact with the door. She took a deep breath; she was going to do this...she had to...
 
 ....
 
 She promptly pulled her hand back, turning away from the door almost instantly. "...I can't..."
 
 Despite the concerned look he gave her, Kalas let out a frustrated sigh to her hesitance. "Xelha, it's been several months now. You can't put this off forever. And don't forget that this was [i]your[/i] idea."
 
 "I-I know, but...what if he doesn't want anything to do with me? If he refused to return to our world, why would he want to--"
 
 She was cut short by the blue-haired boy grabbing her by the shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "Listen to yourself for a minute! After all this time, you're doubting yourself [i]now[/i]? Even if it's not what you expect, you can't let this eat away at you any longer. You gotta go talk to him, figure out what his deal is."
 
 For the longest time, gold eyes stared into deep blue, his words sinking. However, all she could do was look down, her doubts and anxiety winning over her. "Kalas...I can't...I just can't, okay?!"
 
 "Xelha--"
 
 "I can't!" She pulled away from his grasp, running past him, even summoning her wings to fly further away. Kalas could only watch her go, unable to go after her while she was like this. He just sighed once more in frustration, running a hand through his hair.
 
 This was not like Xelha to be acting like this. She was always so confident in her decisions, even if she didn't know what she was doing or if they wouldn't work out for her. But now she was acting like the time she had shone the Ocean Mirror on him, the pain she was causing him forcing her to stop and cry, putting the whole world at risk if not for his own will breaking out. While the stakes weren't as high as it was then, it was still a fairly serious situation that they needed to get sorted out.
 
 But how could he get her to listen to reason this time? He'd been giving her support, encouraging her, reassuring her, and even that wasn't enough. What was it going to take for her to actually go in and confront her possible father?
 
 Away from this scene, however, another world-hopping hero was spending the day amongst the streets, simply enjoying the downtime that was currently available for him. Ratchet, in a rather rare occurrence when it came to be roaming out of their home galaxies, was currently in a solo outing.
 
 His trusty robotic partner Clank was at this very moment fulfilling one of his duties outside of hero work: Acting! Turns out, a new Secret Agent Clank holo-film was in production and as such, the small-yet-famous bot was asked to play his role for the upcoming flick. As usual, and despite his popularity as a galactic hero, the poor Lombax got the short end of the stick and was not needed in the slightest. He did not mind; after all, beat having to act as a bumbling chauffeur anyday...
 
 Either way, Ratchet was on his way to grab a bite to eat and then bounce to another world when he heard a familiar pair of voices up ahead. Not really able to recognize who exactly, he took a few steps further only to see the sight of Xelha flying away with a distressed look in her face, after what seemed like a loud shout.
 
 Wondering what had happened to his friend, he soon noticed the young man of blue hair nearby and walked towards him. "Hey Kalas," Ratchet greeted. "Sorry for barging in, but I just saw Xelha flying away and she seemed she was in a pretty bad mood. What happened?"
 
 Though hearing Ratchet's voice, Kalas didn't look in his general direction at first, too bothered by the situation. "She's just...conflicted right now," he answered anyway. "We've gone over this a bunch of times and she just...ugh."
 
 Shaking his head, it was then that he turned to face the furred hero, taking note that his buddy Clank wasn't around like he usually was. However, rather than bring attention to that, or greet him back, a thought came to him. Several months ago, they had adventured across planets trying to stop the Prog twins from unleashing the Nethers on the galaxy. During then, he was able to get through to them, or at least the brother of the two, by understanding their plight as the last of his species in this dimension, much like how those two were thrown out of their dimension and seen as outcasts.
 
 Even though it was a different case then, it gave the one-winged hero an idea on how to handle this. Xelha might not listen to him right now, but if there was anyone else who could get her to make up her mind, it had to be Ratchet.
 
 So he began, taking a deep breath as he did so, "Hey, Ratchet...I'll tell you what's goin' on, but I need you to do me a favor..."
 
 ~*~*~
 
 For a while, Xelha hadn't gone back to Kalas, or anywhere near where they intended to go. Instead, she found herself in a part of the town that seemed to have been recently restored: a beautiful [url=https://www.khwiki.com/images/3/3f/Fountain_Court_%28Art%29.png]fountain court[/url] that she sat by, staring at the reflection in the water that showed her apprehension.
 
-She knew this was ridiculous, that she was acting like a teenage girl going through a variety of emotions over the smallest things. Yet here she was, unable to confront the man on who he possibly was, whether he actually was her father like they suspected or someone else related, and why he acted the way he did in regards to their world. If he accepted help to get off that jungle, he couldn't have been that much of a recluse. So why was she feeling hesitant? She should be barging through the doors demanding him of these things by now. What was stopping her?
+She knew this was ridiculous, that she was acting like a teenage girl going through a variety of emotions over the smallest things. Yet here she was, unable to confront the man on who he possibly was, whether he actually was her father like they suspected or someone else related, and why he acted the way he did in regards to their world. If he accepted help to get off that jungle, he couldn't have been that much of a recluse. So why was she feeling hesitant; she should be barging through the doors demanding him of these things by now. What was stopping her?
 
 As these thoughts crossed her mind, she felt the approaching aura, heard the sound of both magic and mechanical wings retracting for the time being. She didn't turn to face him, only lowering her head further.
 
 "Kalas, I just...I can't right now, okay?" she said shakily, holding herself. "I don't even know why I'm feeling like this, either. I just...I need time. So please..."
 
 Kalas just stared at her, unable to hide the look of concern over her. However, he shook his head to her request. "Xel...I know you won't listen to me right now, but maybe you'd be willing to listen to someone else on this."
 
 "Wh...What do you mean?"
 
 "Hey Xel..."
 
 It was then when the Lombax made his appearance, appearing from behind Kalas. He simply walked near Xelha and sat by her side. "Yeah, it's just me. Clank was a bit busy today so couldn't be here. But...knowing him, he probably wouldn't have liked to see you all mopey like that, and neither do I.
 
 "Soooo, Kalas told me what happened. Your dad lives here and you're having trouble meeting him for the first time, right?"
 
 He gave a soft chuckle to give some levity into the air, but not enough to sound like he didn't care. "I can imagine how it must be like. After all, with all the worries if he doesn't want to see you, or if you think he'll be sad, upset, or maybe you'll be. A lot of pressure...
 
 "But here's the thing..." Ratchet spoke, "You know it's all in your head, or at least most of it. And I also know that despite you trying to avoid it, you know deep down you don't want to waste the opportunity. 'Cause you know you may never have the chance again...
 
 "Many would beg for a chance like that. including myself..." Ratchet reached for his pocket, being glad that he still had this particular item inside Aphelion's glove box while he was taking the time off. From his personal items he took out what looked like a bronze pocketwatch. Moving it into Xelha's eyesight, he opened to reveal a picture neck to the now broken clock, of two male members of the furred hero's species; one of gray fur at the right and one of an orange yellowish tone similar to Ratchet's on the left.
 
 "That guy over there on the left? That's my father, Kaden." Ratchet explained. "This is really all I have of him. Both him and my mom perished when I was just a baby. Can't even remember their voices, or my mother's face, or even the name they gave me..."
 
 He then pointed to the Lombax on the right, "That guy over there? That was my dad's best friend, Alister Azmuth. I was able to meet him, but he is also gone now. He had a good heart, but was so consumed to just turn back the clock, go back and fix his mistakes, that put everyone in danger. He couldn't see that we can't really dwell on the past, we can just try and make our future better..."
 
 Closing the pocketwatch, he looked at the blonde-haired woman directly. "Look, I can't really force you to go talk to your dad. And maybe things may go bad, or may go good. But you'll never know until you go for it. Otherwise you'll be forever kicking yourself for never taking that chance.
 
 "I may never be able to see my parents...but I think I'd be a very bad friend if I let you deal with the same..."
 
 For the longest time, Xelha stared at the pocketwatch, at the two Lombaxes shown before Ratchet closed it. She did know that Ratchet was the last Lombax in this universe, as far as they knew, but the thought that he never knew his parents, that pocketwatch being the only reminder he had...
 
 "...I'm sorry...about your parents...and Alister..." was all she could say, her voice shaking. Her eyes were beginning to well up with tears on the matter. "I didn't think...I just..."
 
 She was silent for the longest time, in deep deliberation over what she should do. Though Kalas didn't interrupt, he still moved to her side to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, letting her know without words that, even with the way she was acting, he was going to be there to support her.
 
 Then, after what seemed to be forever, she stood, wiping the tears away and taking a deep breath. "...you're right. I shouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. If he really is my father, then...I should at least go talk to him to find some answers."
 
 She looked to the two then, her hands over her chest. "Will you guys come with me, if you can? I just...I don't think I can do this alone."
 
 "Hey, I already said I'd be there for you, didn't I?" Kalas said with a rare gentle smile. "I'll be right at your side, and I'm sure Ratchet here will be, too."
 
 To this, Xelha finally allowed a smile of her own to cross her face. "Thank you..." With that, she began to head back to the Borough, ready to face her possible father head on. Before Kalas would follow her, he looked to Ratchet, mouthing his own 'thanks' to him.
 
 ~*~*~
 
 It wasn't long before the young woman found herself before the door once again, this time with two friends supporting. She looked back to them momentarily, Kalas gesturing for her to go on. With one last deep breath, she faced the door once more, slowly raising her hand...
 
 ...
 
 [i]Knock, knock, knock[/i]
 
 She promptly brought her hand back down, the action finally done. Her eyes were shut tight, anxiety once more overcoming her.
 
-Then, from the other side, the voice of the older man called out.
+Then, from the other side, the voice of the older man calling out.
 
 [i]"I'll be right there!"[/i]
 
 They could hear the footsteps from inside approaching the front door. Xelha could barely keep herself from hyperventilating on the spot. What was he going to say? Did he already find out? If Barnette had already set up that meeting point, who was to say they didn't already talk?
 
 It was once more by Kalas' hand on her shoulder that she kept herself from turning and running away again. Instead, she inhaled one more deep breath, looking up as the door slowly opened.
 
 The sight of the figure who lived in this house had the young woman look with widened eyes, giving a small gasp.
 
-The man at the door looked far different from the tribal-looking man they found stranded in the Deep Jungle. Gone were the large leaves and tattered pieces of silk that made up his garb before, now wearing civilian clothes befitting the current world. The [url=http://batenkaitos.wikia.com/wiki/Unuk]Unuk[/url] cloak was also removed, his features now clear before them. Now they could see the man's shoulder-length blond hair tied back in a neat ponytail, a cowlick on the right side, near identical to Xelha's. His own gold eyes also went wide, the surprise betraying the edges of his aging face.
+The man at the door looked far different from the tribal-looking man they found stranded in the Deep Jungle. Gone were the large leaves and tattered pieces of silk that made up his garb before, now wearing the civilian clothes. The [url=http://batenkaitos.wikia.com/wiki/Unuk]Unuk[/url] cloak was also removed, his features now clear before them. Now they could see the man's shoulder-length blond hair tied back in a neat ponytail, a cowlick on the right side, near identical to Xelha's. His own gold eyes also went wide, the surprise betraying the edges of his aging face.
 
 Even before they found the answers that they were looking for, already a strong resemblance was found.
 
 After a brief pause, Kayal finally spoke, shaking off his surprise as best as he could, "Oh, it's ah...it's you. Xelha, right?"
 
 "Y...Yes..." Xelha said, barely holding back her trepidation. "Kalas is here, too."
 
 Kalas just gave a half-hearted wave, keeping his own surprise contained for the time being. The beastmaster nodded in greeting to him, "Good to see you again. And..." His eyes were now on Ratchet, looking quizzically at him. "Who is this?"
 
 "This is Ratchet. He's a friend of ours."
 
-"Hope there's no problem with me being around. Just trying to give Xelha here some moral support," explained the Lombax.
+"Hope there's no problem with me being around. Just trying to give Xelha here some moral support." Explained the Lombax.
 
-"No, no problem at all. It's good to meet you." With those greetings out of the way, Kayal looked to them all. "Ah...why don't you all come inside? I can make you some tea and we can talk then."
+With those greetings out of the way, Kayal looked to them all. "Ah...why don't you all come inside? I can make you some tea and we can talk then."
 
 "Um...sure." With Xelha giving one last look to her friends, they followed the man inside the house, which, other than a few plants here and there, was rather basic. A simple living room with a coffee table in the center of some couches, a door to their left likely leading to the kitchen area, and stairs going up to some bedrooms.
 
 "Er...feel free to make yourselves comfortable, and...I'll go get the tea." With that, he made his way to the kitchen to prepare the tea for them, leaving them to sink everything in.
 
 With the man gone for the moment, Xelha had fallen against one of the sofas, her eyes still wide. They couldn't see with the hide cloak before, but now it was clear. He looked like her, only older and masculine. There was no doubting anymore on who he was.
 
 Although Kalas did feel the same sort of surprise, he attempted to lighten the mood in his own way, "So...I can see where you got your looks from." He was quick to realize that that could've been taken the wrong way, holding a hand up, "Uh, n-not like that! I mean...you know..."
 
 The awkward moment was quickly disrupted, however, at the sound of trampling. Before they knew it, a [url=http://batenkaitos.wikia.com/wiki/Striper]purple creature with light stripes[/url] came bounding by and leapt at Ratchet, tackling him down.
 
 "Ratchet!" Xelha called out, about to bring out her weapon and wings.
 
 "It's a Striper!" Kalas noted, ready to do the same. "Hold on buddy, we'll...uh..."
 
 There was no need to do any of that when they saw what happened. Rather than attack, the Striper was...licking the Lombax's face excessively, like an excited dog. They could also see that the creature was lacking its poisonous fangs.
 
 The man did say he was a beast-tamer, so it shouldn't have been that surprising to see he had a de-fanged Striper for a pet.
 
 "Ahh alright, down boy...just..ugh...can someone please just...ugh..."
 
-The creature finally stepped to the side for Ratchet to quickly get up, passing his hands over his face to get off all the slobber. "Great...you help out a friend, and you get a free drool bath in return. Why not?" said the galactic hero sarcastically followed by a groan. "There I have an excuse to wash my fur tonight..."
+The creature finally stepped to the side for Ratchet to quickly get up, passing his hands over his face to get off all the slobber. "Great...you help out a friend, and you get a free drool bath in return. Why not?" Said the galactic hero sarcastically followed by a groan, "There I have a excuse to wash my fur tonight..."