It was a shame that Derby had to leave for her class, but at least Brie had delicious breakfast made by Derby's mother to tide her over.

"These waffles are delicious, Matriarch of Hope," Brie said. "Butter and syrup are a much better topping for them than the sludge we use in the Skarlax Realm."

"Well, I like paying a bit extra for the good stuff," Dani said. "Do you need anything else, Brie?"

Brie felt even more like royalty than she did back home sitting at the kitchen island as Dani made her another serving of waffles, brewed some more coffee, and even picked up the blanket she'd dragged from bed and draped it back around Brie's shoulders. Back home, the assistants her family had for her mainly just yelled at her to get out of bed and told her which appointments and meetings with allies and enemies of the realm she had to attend.

"I am not sure what else I could need at the moment," Brie said. "Drat, appointments..."

"Say that one more time?" Dani asked.

"Oh, I thought of appointments back home, and it reminded me I still need to do that 'power test' required by Camembert to remove this wrist device and to be able to travel further around the city." Brie scratched at the power blocker wristband she had to wear. It didn't really stop her from using her powers, she was able to use the thrall spell just fine, but it did make her feel like she had a cap on her abilities.

"Ah, they won't let you into the desert without that, I bet," Dani said. "You want me to call and set it up?"

"I..." Brie blushed. "That would be nice, yes."

"Does CC need one too?" Dani asked.

"You need not worry yourself with that hag," Brie said. "She can figure it out for herself."

Dani laughed. "You remind me of me when I was your age. Lots of fire and always ready to trash a frenemy."

"Fren...emy?" Brie said.

"Like an acquaintance, but you kinda hate each other, but you also kinda tolerate each other. That was my whole friend group in college." Dani said.

"I see, 'frenemy,' hm," Brie said. "I suppose that describes myself and CC. But Derby of Hope and I, we are true allies."

"Good! I wouldn't be too happy if you said Derby is a frenemy, she's a good kid," Dani said.

While Brie enjoyed her third serving of waffles, Derby's sister Colby returned home, pausing at the kitchen to snag a waffle for herself.

"Don't you have work today?" Dani asked.

"I do, but I wanna nap first, and the nap couch in the library was taken already," Colby said.

"You know that messes with your sleep schedule, right?" Dani asked.

"Yeah, but I'm beat!" Colby said. "Why'd you make so many waffles?"

"We have a guest! I want to make sure she's well fed," Dani said.

"You're such a mom," Colby said.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" Dani asked.

"I mean, kinda," Colby said. "Usually she doesn't have someone stay here as long as you, Brie. But she is always mothering."

"She truly lives up to the title of Matriarch of Hope," Brie said.

"Why thank you," Dani said. "I'm glad I live up to the title you bestowed upon me."

Dani left to go call and set up Brie's Cani power test, leaving Brie alone with Colby.

"You know, what's really weird is Derbs actually talking to you," Colby said. "One time Mom was helping someone out like she's doing with you kinda, this girl was lost and between apartments and jobs and whatever. Mom brought her here for dinner, and Derby hid in the attic like a cat for like a week. Mom thought she ran away, but I was like, Mom, it's Derby, she's not leaving the house."

Picturing Derby hiding from someone like a cat was adorable, and plausible after Brie saw how Derby was around crowds at the convention. "Derby of Hope is quite precious."

"More like a dorky shut-in, but that's just me," Colby said.

Talking about Derby was just making Brie miss her more. She decided she wanted Derby to join her for her power test, so she could have some support from her new friend. Picturing Derby cheering for her as she showed off her incredible prowess was a nice thought as well.

Colby left to go nap just as Dani got back.

"Kay, you're set for tomorrow at 2:30. I can drive you if you want!" Dani said.

"That would be most appreciated," Brie said.

Someone else arrived, and Brie turned excitedly. "Derby? Oh."

It was Aunt Emme, standing in the doorway looking outward. "Sorry, not Derbs. You can come in, come on."

"Is someone with you?" Dani asked, squinting as she tried to see. If there was, they weren't visible from the kitchen.

"Yeah, she's...wait, Derby isn't home?" Emme asked. "Where the hell is she? The one time she's out when I want to talk to her."

"Real rich coming from you," Dani said.

"I go out plenty," Emme said. "Sorry, she's shy. I ran into one of Derby's friends! Haven't seen her in forever, I thought I'd surprise Derbus with this."

A faint voice responded, a girl with a very soft voice. Brie almost thought it was the wind at first.

"I still have her number, I can text her,"

Derby could have walked home, but she felt like treating herself to a bus ride. Plus, she had some messages to take care of that she didn't want to wait on. She got out her trusty handheld game console, the eGame Super Pocket E, and loaded up the messenger app for Fantastical Fantasy MMO. The handheld wasn't powerful enough to actually play the game, but it did have a neat messaging system to keep up when she was away from home.

Greetings, talonsbetterx588591! I have another comission
*commision
*commission for you.

Derby waited a few minutes until she got a response.

sure what is it

Derby giggled, excited to have this particular mod. I would like the costume from Sommelier Saga added to my character. She is a powerful warrior and her outfit in the newest episode is super cute.

i can definitley do that, 3,000 fb

Derby stared in shock at that price.

that's way more than the fountain!!!!!!

costumes are harder

Derby scoffed, agreeing to the price but not at all happy about it. She closed out of the messenger app and loaded up another game to pout through. It was one about exploring an infinite dungeon with endless runs, one that caught her attention enough that she almost forgot how crabby she was that she barely noticed Sage joining her at one of the stops, only saying hi when Sage set their bag down.

"Sorry again about earlier, I was in a weird mood," Sage said. "I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"Yeah..." Derby said. "Huh? Sorry. I'm crabby, too. My freaking main modder wants triple the last mod for Brin's new Sommelier Saga outfit."

Sage whistled. "Did you try haggling the price down?"

"No," Derby said. "I...agreed to it right away."

"Dang, you should try haggling next time," Sage said.

"Yeah, I really..." Derby started as she checked her phone. Sometimes the messenger on her console also sent notifications to her phone, which was really annoying to clear out, but she had a message from someone else. A number she didn't recognize nor did she have it saved.

"I'm at your house," Derby read the text out loud.

"Huh?" Sage asked.

"I just got a weird text...who is this?" Derby asked. "Did Brie get a phone, maybe?"

"It's been a while, hasn't it? I have something important to tell you."

Chills ran down Derby's spine. A number she didn't know, someone at her house? With something important? The vagueness felt so ominous that Derby's mouth felt dry immediately.

"If you're going to be home soon I'll wait outside. With your aunt now."

Derby's hands shook too much to text back.

"Derby? Something wrong?" Sage asked.

"They have Emme..." Derby said. "What are they gonna do with"

"She has Emme, she's gonna kill Aunt Emme!" Derby looked around anxiously. She felt like she had to escape, but they weren't at the next bus stop yet. "What do I say? What do I do?"

"Hey, relax Derby, it's OK," Sage said. "Let me see."

"I...I don't know..." Derby held her phone close. "I just got some weird texts. I..." The bus finally came to the stop closest to her house. Derby got up, almost leaving her console behind. Sage followed. Derby wasn't sure what she'd find waiting for her at home, but she prepared for the worst.

Maybe someone found out I have Brie, and they're mad I have Brie, and now they're gonna kill everyone and then me, and—

Derby's dizzying panic spiral was halted when she reached her front lawn. A short girl with long blonde hair stood there, with Aunt Emme in the doorway.

"Finally, there you are!" Emme said. "What took you so long?"

"I...went to the bookstore on campus..." Derby said. "Then I took the bus. Who...?"

The girl looked like she was young at first glance, but she had tattoos on her arms.

"You'll never guess who I ran into!" Emme said. "I had to bring her over."

This girl texted her? Who was this? Derby had no idea. She smiled softly at Derby, but Derby didn't know what to say.

"Don't clam up now, she's your old friend!" Emme said.

"Oh my god, Lacy!" Sage ran past Derby and gave the girl a big hug. "You look exactly the same."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm short, sorry," Lacy said.

"Nah, it's cute!" Sage said. "Derby, it's Lacy! I was just talking to you about her today!"

"Huh?" Derby asked. She wracked her brain trying to remember this girl, but couldn't. She wondered if this was some dark lord thing, some enemy of Brie that had a spell like that thrall one that convinced everyone this person had been their friend the whole time. Brie poked her head out from inside, and Derby waved at her.

Should I warn Brie? Would Brie know this girl if she's a threat?

"Oh heck, it's Lacy!" Derby's mom said. "I haven't seen you in years!"

"Yeah, I moved away for a bit," Lacy said. "But that's why I wanted to stop by and tell you, Derby."

"Tell me?" Derby asked.

"Yes! I'm moving back! So we can hang out again!" Lacy said.

"Oh...cool!" Derby made an attempt to not completely give away with her voice that she had no idea who she was talking to. The attempt failed.

"Did...you forget about me?" Lacy asked.

"O-of course not!" Derby said. She laughed nervously, getting her eGame out. "I uh, got a message from someone, one second..." In another attempt to divert the flow of the conversation, Derby sent a message to her modder friend, hoping it looked like she had an important chat she couldn't wait to get to. In reality, it looked like she opened up a game console on her lawn and intently stared at it right after someone asked if Derby remembered them.

Hi talonsbetterx588591 thank you again for taking this commission it means a lot and thank you and thanks!

Derby knew she'd cringe at the message later but she needed to do something. Curiously though, as soon as she pressed send she heard a ding, and it wasn't from her console or her phone.

Lacy got her phone out, brow furrowed as she checked it. "Um, Derby, this might be a weird question. But did you just send something on Fantastical?"

"I...wait..." Derby said. "Are you...talonsbetterx5...8...uh...8...uhhh—"

"You don't have to read my whole username out," Lacy said. "But yeah, I am. And you're SparklingSunshinePrincess122? I've been making mods for you this whole time?"

Derby couldn't remember this girl, but she did remember her modder friend online. This whole time she'd been chatting with someone who knew her?