Departure

A month has past and it's the day of Mika's departure.

Mika walks around, gathering last minute items. Looking around the room, she realized she won't know when she'll be able to come back. Sitting down on her bed one last time. Mika breathed in the fragrance of her room. Every nook and cranny of this place was decorated by her.

Lyra walked in followed by Pia carrying a box. Seeing her daughter reminiscing in her room, Lyra couldn't help the water collecting in her eyes.

"Mika...Have you finish packing everything?" Lyra pulled Mika out of her daze.

Mika gave her room one last skim and nodded her head.

"Good...Pia put that down there," Pointing towards the bed. "and tell the servants to bring the luggage to the aircraft."

"Yes. Lady Lyra." Pia placed the box down on the bed, before exiting the room.

"Mikaela come..." Hearing her mother call her by her full name, Mika waste no time walking over to her mother's side.

"Make sure to practice your bow and sword techniques."

"Yes, mother."

"Every day."

"En...everyday."

Lyra stared at Mika for a length of time. Memorizing every detail of her daughter.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?...Oh... Here, this for you." Lyra bought Mika in front of the box. "Open it."

Opening the box, inside laid a scabbard holster and a bow hip sheath. Mika touched the pieces.

Looking towards her mother for permission.

"They're yours." Eager to try on the pieces on, Mika grabbed the scabbard first.

The scabbard reminded her of the gun holsters of her time. But instead of the holsters being underneath her arms; the scabbards laid on her shoulder blades.

Earlier on in her sword training, Mika found out her sword can separate. Creating two short swords when apart and a two ended-bladed sword when together.

Helping Mika to put the scabbard on over her clothes, Lyra tightens the straps.

"Where are the sword and bow?" Walking back to her luggage, Mika pulled out two long cases. Passing them to her mother.

Mika watched as Lyra separated her sword into short swords. Placing one in each scabbard at her back.

'I look badass.' Mika ran to her mirror, as she tested pulling out and inserting the blades.

"Come, Mika let's try on the bow harness. When I saw that your sword can separate, it reminded me how alike it is to the bow." Mika didn't understand her mother's words.

Pulling the bow out of its casing. Lyra held the bow sideways. Feeling along the belly, Lyra placed her hands on either side of the grip. Twisting, Mika heard a snap, then the bow broke in two.

"I never knew the bow could separate as well."

"En. The bow could, I just never tried it." Fitting the separated bow into a hip sheath.

Lyra watched Mika move back and forth, with both harnesses on.

"I love them, mother. Thank you." Mika rushed up and hugged Lyra.

"Mika...where you are going there is danger everywhere. Never forget that you need to protect yourself. Don't be cruel to yourself again. Do you understand?... Your father and I won't be there."

"Mother, I've learned my lesson last time. Don't worry I'll return to you, I promise."

Lord Mano stood outside the household gates directing the servants in loading the aircraft. Not wanting to inconvenience his friend too much with Mika's luggage. Lord Mano provided Mika with a small aircraft of her own.

Whispering, Lyra gave last minute details to Mika as they made their way to the front gate.

"Remember to take one tablespoon a day. I've placed them inside a locked freezer chest. Don't let others see..." Spotting Mano looking their way Lyra stopped her lecturing.

With the last of the luggage loaded and the aircraft ready to go, Lord Mano gathered Mika into his arms.

"I love you and will miss you. Call offend, okay? Don't let your mother worry." Hearing Mano's words, Lyra blushed a little, 'Has she been that obvious with her concern?'.

Kaze and Saavi stood off to the side waiting for their young miss to board. Mika waved one last time in Lord Mano's and Lady Lyra's direction before heading inside.

Sitting in the passenger seats, Saavi and Mika looked outside their windows and left the piloting to Kaze.

Arriving at the meeting point, Lord Tasar was ready and waiting. Catching sight of Mika's aircraft, Lord Tasar gave permission for his carrier to lift off. Communicating with Kaze on the route of travel, Mika had nothing left to do but to enjoy the ride.

____

Mano and Lyra waited until they could no longer see Mika's craft before heading back inside.

Sadden by Mika leaving, Lyra just went back to her courtyard as Mano went towards his office.

Reading over the piles of documents on his desk. Mano was disturbed by knocking at his door.

"Come in."

"Sir." His personal steward entered his office.