The Ink Well had landed.

That was a strange way to say that something the dimensions of a building had touched back down into its lot and resumed being a building, rather than a flying command platform. The front doors opened, Lorna walked out, and after her, a diminutive robot made to look like an old man. There was a huge crowd gathered around, which was populated by many people inside the city and still more from out that had been covering the situation.

“Blake Donahue reporting- it seems that the Ink Well has finally settled into place, and it appears one of the robots may be preparing to speak; let’s listen in.”

The small robot stood up on a platform and tapped his walking cane. “I, am the one known as Archimedes. I am the longtime lorekeeper of my people: The Automa. We are those who came before: before now, and before you. It is fair to say that we had a small hand in the creation of your people... and a very large hand in shaping global events soon after.  But that was many lifetimes ago, and conflict has not been our ethos for centuries- a commonality between us. And that is why we spent so long under the earth, hidden away... not out of distrust, but out of an intention to simply allow your people to freely find your own destiny.

“Please know that despite our secrecy, it was never our intention to visit sinister means upon you. The one known as ‘Mixer’ and their cohorts represent a disgusting distortion of our philosophies, and have been apprehended. Additionally, the murderous monster known as Grendel is, at long last, subdued for good. For this, we have many brave souls to thank: ordinary citizens who stepped up to help out their fellows, the inestimable Dr. Lorna Grayswift and her decisive command, and almost certainly by the largest margin, Natalie Grayswift and her many incredible allies both earthbound and transdimensional.

“Of course, we, the Automa of Subterranean Locksmouth, helped as well. This was only correct, as Mixer and her like were our responsibility, and we failed to protect you from them. I understand that our nature is one you may find unsettling- nonetheless, it is obvious to us now that the enemies of peace are multifarious and depraved, and it is only together that we may hope to preserve this planet we share, and this peace we all desire. Please join us in our new mission to peacefully coexist.”

“... Blake Donahue here, and it appears Archimedes has finished speaking, with a full throated condemnation of the actions of the attackers and a bid for peace following what people are calling the Second Locksmouth Incident. First aliens, now ancient sentient robots, not to mention the rumors of individuals developing psychic powers- life has certainly become a lot more complicated for all of us. Guillermo, back to you for analysis?”

“Yes, well it certainly seems tha-” 

The audio feed cut out as Lorna hit a button on the remote. Casa Del Grayswift was absolutely packed, currently holding Lorna’s, Natalie’s, Quincey’s Jessalynn’s, and Simon’s packs, as well as Jonesy, Roselyn and Talon- it had never had this many people in it before, and seating was relegated to floor cushions, stairs, anywhere people could manage. “Well, a little recognition is always nice,” Dr. Grayswift said cheerfully, seeming quite happy as she collected plates from people in a very bright, snug and colorful floral dress. “Does anyone want seconds?? I made five of my famous Salt Beasts, we’ve still got plenty.”

“Please,” Jonesy accepted jovially, Roselyn sitting on his knee and fussing over him.

“I’d love some more!” Quincey said, sitting on Daxton’s lap.

“None for me, thanks,” Jessalynn turned her down, running her hand through Selina’s hair.

“Great stuff, but I couldn’t eat another bite,” Talon politely refused.

“Mmfh, mgnmh, shtill working on mine!” Natalie chewed the flavorful meat monster her mother only made on special occasions. She had each bite fed to her by Carrie, and every crumb and drop of juice that the messy pup missed ended up in the cat’s cleavage; for her part, she didn’t seem to mind.

“You sure you don’t want me to whip up some arms for you, sweetheart??” Lorna asked, hands on her hips.

Natalie swallowed. “Oh yeah right, you’ll just make evil arms that force me to pick up my dirty clothes when you press a button!”

Lorna tsked. “Are you still on that? I haven’t done anything wrong this whole t-”

Widget jumped up from between Jacent and Jasmine, arms flailing out in front of her as her entire face went red. “SWIFTBOT PROTOCOL ACTIVATED: TAKE OVER THE WORLD, TAKE OVER THE WORLD-”

“UGH.” Lorna rolled her eyes and turned around to go get more food for her guests.

“You shouldn’t tease your mom like that! She hasn’t been evil in several hours,” Wade jokingly chastised, smacking a big bulbous flowery buttcheek as she passed. 

“Little man I will forget to let you up for air, it’ll look like an accident!” she called from the kitchen.

“Oh, welp, reset the counter,” Wade shrugged, getting a big laugh.

There was a lull, and Natalie thought to herself for a moment. There was a lot to ponder, but something especially stuck out in importance to her, and with some difficulty, she stood up. “... Hey, uh, I just wanted to say something.” She waited until she had the room’s attention. “I know technically you answered Jacent’s call for help, but he was covering my responsibilities- so it was me you helped in my time of need. Every one of you beat back Mixer’s forces, and near the end, made a decisive blow against the strongest, most vicious enemy I’ve ever faced. I literally couldn’t have done this without you- all of you.” She gestured as much as she was able to. “So, I just... wanna say, thank you.”

“Of course, Natalie,” Quincey affirmed.
“It’s our home,” Jessalynn nodded.
“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Jonesy smirked.
“Jace still owes me,” Talon jabbed, grinning.

“But...” she continued. “I don’t want those of you who don’t visit that often to only remember bad things when you come to my town. So, I hope you’ll accept my invitation to a party tomorrow at Shelly’s beach house!”

“Ooh, beach party!”
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
“I want a new swimsuit!”
“Yeah!!”

“Ah, I dunno,” Kenny admitted. “We probably should go home soon.”

“C’mon, short stuff,” Carrie teased. “What’s one more day? Live a little.”

“Yeah, I wanna see you moooore,” Shelly said.

Natalie laughed. “If any of you can’t come, then that’s alright, but the invitation stands, okay??”

Talon smirked. “Yeah alright, I’ll think about it. In the meantime, scoot over, I want a shot at this match!” He got up and moved toward the floor-based rhythm game Simon was supplying the music for. “Hey, J-Man, you wanna get beat by a pro??” he goaded.

Jacent blinked. “Talon, I can’t believe-” He rose to his feet, his eyes blanking white. “- That you would invite disaster on yourself like this.”

Talon’s head bobbed as the bassline started up. “LET’S DANCE.”

In moments, everyone was shouting, hooting, hollering and carrying on. 

The Grayswift house had never been so full of cheer.

 -
- -
 -

Hours past the gathering at Natalie’s place, the sky had grown dark. It was a cloudy night, brisk with cool air. The climate control center had taken a little bit of a knock here and there, but the two people on the balcony of the Penceworth Estates apartment didn’t notice or care.

“... Nothing was as beautiful without you around,” Widget said, her freckled human face smiling placidly.

“... ‘Cause you love me. Right?” She looked over to her, then snickered. “Uh. Sorry for missing that signal for eons, by the way. I was...”

“A kid,” Widget finished, laughing silently. “You don’t have to apologize for anything. I don’t care what happened then. I’m just-... I-...” She swallowed and blinked away tears. “Ah, sorry...”

“No, no, I-... yeah. It’s-... I can’t believe we’re all back together again.” She looked back at Jacent, who was sleeping on the couch inside. “I never thought we’d make it.”

“But we did!” Widget whispered excitedly. “We made it! All three of us! It was so worth it... all of it...”

“It’s... I still can’t believe it.” Jazz’s eyes filled with tears, burying her mouth in her arms, up on the banister. “Who the hell waits ten lifetimes for some... garbage brat like me...”

“I do,” she whispered, pushing her spectral hair aside with a finger. “And I know... that you don’t know if you feel the same way yet. And that’s okay.” She smiled, touching foreheads with her. “I waited this long.”

“I’ll wait a little longer.”

~The End of Volume 2~