Virelle blinked at the warm scene before her—Veena clinging to Vexena like a lost child finally reunited with her mother. The little demonling's eyes shimmered with delight. "I want a hug too!"

Before Vexena could react, Virelle launched herself at her mother. Vexena laughed and caught her with a tight embrace, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Of course, my darling."

Still holding her, Vexena turned to Veena. "Want to say hello to your big sister?"

Veena gave a small, uncertain wave. "Hi there…"

Virelle studied her for a beat, then grinned. "You look just like Mommy!" She turned to Vexena with earnest eyes. "Will I be beautiful like her one day? Like both of you?"

Veena chuckled, tension slipping away. "You're already way cuter than both of us combined."

The little demon-kin princess smirked, spinning once to pose dramatically in her frilly pink dress. "Obviously."

Veena laughed, then her expression softened. "I'm sorry… for not being there. For being a bad big sister."

Virelle scoffed. "It's Ok. You're here now. That's what matters!" Then she grabbed Veena's hand. "Wanna play?"

Veena hesitated, glancing at Vexena, who gave a sly smile. Then her gaze drifted to Vuvi.

Vuvi gave her a gentle nod. "You should go. You've been an amazing sister to me. She deserves you more than we do."

"I-I can't," Veena whispered. "I'm part of this team. I want to see things through to the end."

Vuvi shook her head with a fond sigh. "We're going nowhere without you. We'll wait right here in Nettlehusk until you come back. No pleasure house, no clients. Just rest and relaxation."

Pip let out a pitiful beep.

The entire team burst into giggles.

Penelo wiped a tear. "We can't deny Pip his purpose. He needs to help people."

Vuvi smirked. "I'm sure you won't mind him helping himself to you for a few days."

Penelo gasped.

"Me too!" Lula added with a pout.

Virelle groans and whipped out a sparkling, star-tipped wand from her dress pocket, clearly having had enough of the adult talk.

With a flourish, she flicked it and a pink portal shimmered open before them.

"Let's go!" she squealed, tugging Veena eagerly toward the swirling gateway.

Veena looked back one last time.

The team waved, shouting cheerful goodbyes. "Come back soon!" "Promise!" "And bring us some Demonland snacks!"

Veena smiled, nodded. "I promise." Her eyes briefly lingered cautiously on her mother.

Vexena gave her a regal smile. "So do I. You will have our demon-kin princess back in three days. You have my word."

The girls gave a final cheer, and Virelle yanked Veena into the portal.

"Slow down!" Eris shouted as she raced in after them.

Behind them, Bilorial was still deep in conversation with Raenly, arms waving animatedly.

"Bilorial!" Eris called. "We need to debrief!"

He groaned. "But I'm—"

"You can play with your little toys later."

"They're not toys!" he snapped. "They're scientific innovations! They'll outshine magic one day!"

Still grumbling, he gave the team a deep bow.

"Don't start without me," he muttered to Raenly.

Raenly saluted. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Maribelle rose next.

Vuvi blinked in surprise. "What, are you leaving too? Where are you going? You're back where you belong!"

Maribelle tousled Vuvi's hair fondly. "You've got this. Keep being a badass… and making me proud."

"But you just got back..." Vuvi whispered, taking a step forward.

"I'm… kinda working for the queen now," Maribelle said, lifting her hand "And I get something in return."

Tendrils of crimson energy danced above her palm.

Vuvi's eyes went wide. "Are you… learning demon magic?!"

Maribelle smirked. "Dabbling."

She gave Vuvi a hug around the shoulders. "Good luck," she whispered.

Vuvi hugged her back tighter. "You too." she pulls in closer and whispers, eyes flicking to Vexena. "I hope you're getting stronger so you can give her an ass-kicking for turning you into a doll."

Maribelle snickered. "That's the plan."

Vexena crossed her arms with one brow raised as she slipped through the portal. "I look forward to the day you achieve godhood, Blackthorn. Because that's the only way you'll ever beat me."

Maribelle gave her a mocking pout. "Mmm… we'll see." Then she winked at Vuvi and turned toward the portal.

"Prince!" she called as she stepped through.

Pip turned to her, eyes shimmering.

"Be gentle on my daughter!"

Vuvi's mouth dropped. "Wh-what?! I've never done anything with Pip! We're best friends!"

Maribelle halted mid-step and raised a brow, absolutely scandalized. "You mean... you haven't even tested your pleasure construct? But you always tested your toys... very thoroughly."

"Mother!" Vuvi shrieked.

Maribelle giggled like a schoolgirl as Vuvi gave her a solid shove into the portal, laughing all the way through.

"And don't break him before I get another go!" she yelled as the shimmering gateway closed behind her.

Silence fell for a beat, before Maribelle's last chuckle seemed to echo into the room.

Vuvi collapsed onto a couch and covered her face. "I swear. That woman's a menace."

Pip turned to her, his crystalline eyes bright with joy.

She smiled.

He let out a joyful beep.

With a wide grin and a bounce in her step, Vuvi strutted up to Pip, slapped his shoulder, and asked, "You feeling okay?"

He nodded and let out a happy tone, sending a wave of warm, fluttery emotions into the minds of everyone in the room… love, peace, gratitude.

The girls all swooned and hugged him tighter. His chassis creaked under the strain.

Vuvi laughed. "Good. Because I'm gonna need to do some testing. Calibrations. Gotta make sure you're at 100% after all that divine overload."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But who to help me... hmm. I'll need a few volunteers. Women who could really take Pip to the limit..."

Several heads whipped around, eyes gleaming.

Before anyone could speak, Raenly cut in. "I'll help! I'm the only one who understands Pip's inner circuits as well as you do!"

Mysa groaned and lobbed a cream puff at him. "This is girl talk, you idiot. No boys allowed. Except Pip, of course." she whispered, shooting Pip a sultry smile.

Raenly froze, mouth open. "That's unfair! You don't even know how he works—"

Zora floated by, cooing, "Let it go, brother. Pip belongs to the women now." He sighed as he offered him a pastry in consolation.

Raenly stomped off in frustration. "I just want to help!"

Pip gave a long, terrified beep, shaking his head wildly.

Raenly's brows furrowed. "Wait... why don't you want my help? I know much more than these women… w-wait… ooooh—"

His expression twisted in horror. "NO NO NO! I didn't mean like that! I meant diagnostics!"

The room erupted with laughter.

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