The signed transfer and Nina’s receipt remain on the table. Marcus gathers the pages into a careful stack while Claire stays tucked against Alex’s side, her smile bright and mischievous.
Alex's father
I’ll place the inheritance in a separate account, preserve the estate records, and let Nina verify every step. None of it changes Alex’s independence or becomes a debt he carries.
Claire
Listen to him, already turning generosity into paperwork. Handsome, you gave your father an inheritance and then tried to make it sound like returning a library book.
Alex's father
He has always been modest about what he gives. I’ll accept the gift responsibly, but I want Alex to know that his future remains his own.
Claire
Exactly. I want the boring future, Alex. A real apartment, bad paint decisions, grocery arguments, and you pretending not to enjoy choosing the furniture with me.
The secure call remains open on the phone, Nina’s receipt glowing beneath the documents. Marcus nods toward it, and Claire gives Alex’s hand a playful squeeze.
Alex's father
Then we wait for Nina’s findings together. After that, we decide what this means, and what kind of ordinary life we want to build from here.
“"No Dad. This is the beginning of my separation. It' time for me to fly from the nest. I just wanted to be sure you were taken care of first." You hug him warmly. "This is definitely not a goodbye," you smile reassuringly.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +3)
Alex Mishyma
No, Dad. This is the beginning of my separation. It’s time for me to fly from the nest. I just wanted to be sure you were taken care of first. This is definitely not a goodbye.
Alex hugs Alex's father warmly, holding him with quiet certainty rather than hesitation. Claire stays close beside them, her smile softening as she watches father and son meet the future together.
Alex's father
I know, son. You are not leaving me behind. You are building the life I hoped you would have, and you will always have a home here.
Claire
See? No goodbye, just a new address and an unreasonable number of furniture opinions. I’m coming with you, handsome, so your future already has excellent supervision.
Alex's father
And I have one more thing for you. I’ll help with the first lease deposit from the inheritance, if Nina approves the arrangement. Not to keep you here, but to make sure your first step is steady.
Alex's father rests both hands on Alex’s shoulders, then lets him go with a proud, slightly unsteady smile. Claire slips her arm through Alex’s and leans against him, making the separation feel shared rather than solitary.
“"No need to do that, dad. I have the future covered. This," you gesture to the paperwork with a smile. "Is all yours. I can provide for Claire and I now."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Alex Mishyma
No need to do that, Dad. I have the future covered. This is all yours. I can provide for Claire and me now.
Alex gestures toward the paperwork with a calm smile. Alex's father studies his son, then the signed transfer, while Claire slips her arm through Alex’s and leans against him.
Alex's father
I believe you, son. You have built something solid, and you have Claire beside you. I’ll handle this carefully, without using it to pull you back home.
Claire
Exactly. We have a plan, a future apartment, and enough stubbornness between us to survive furniture shopping. You are allowed to trust the life you made, handsome.
Alex's father gathers the trust papers into a separate folder, his movements careful and reverent. Claire gives Alex’s hand a squeeze, her bright smile making the promise feel shared rather than borrowed.
Alex's father
Then it is settled. I’ll let Nina verify the arrangement, place the inheritance in its proper account, and leave you free to build your home with Claire.
Claire
Hear that, handsome? No debt, no leash, no dramatic rescue mission. Just us choosing our place, arguing over paint, and making your father proud from a comfortable distance.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine who sent the unregistered parcel
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a safe move-out plan with Nina
undefined / undefined
A sharp chime interrupts the quiet room. Alex's father looks toward the front door, while Claire’s playful expression tightens into immediate attention beside Alex.
Alex's father
That is not the usual doorbell pattern. I’m not opening it until we know who is there.
Claire
Good. The ordinary future can wait thirty seconds while we make sure nobody has mistaken family paperwork for an invitation.
The chime sounds again, followed by a measured knock. Alex's father checks the door camera from the wall display. The porch is empty, but a small parcel rests beside the threshold.
Nina Patel
I’m calling because the firm just reported a second delivery attempt. Do not touch the parcel. I’m sending a courier verification request now.
Claire moves closer to Alex without crowding him, keeping her eyes on the camera feed. A notification appears on Nina’s open call: the parcel is not listed in the firm’s delivery record.
Claire
There goes our peaceful family afternoon. We stay inside, let Nina handle the mystery, and nobody gets to turn our new beginning into a doorstep surprise.
“"Ya, no," you say as you put you AI glasses into their protective case, locking the door behind you. "Let nobody but me in," you say aloud, balling your fists tightly.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)
Alex Mishyma
Ya, no. Let nobody but me in.
Alex places the AI glasses into their protective case, seals it, and locks the front door behind him. His fists tighten as the family remains safely inside.
Alex's father
Understood, son. The door stays locked, and no one comes through it without your direct approval.
Claire
Absolutely, handsome. Nobody gets past us, and nobody turns your father’s house into a surprise delivery point.
Alex's father steps away from the entrance and checks the interior latch while Claire positions herself beside Alex, alert but warm. Outside, the parcel remains untouched on the porch.
Nina Patel
Good. Keep everyone inside and do not open the parcel. I am documenting the refusal and will arrange verified handling through the proper channel.
Claire
There. Your glasses are safe, the door is locked, and your people are listening. You can unclench those fists now, handsome. I’ve got you.
“As you get to the gate, two masked men await. One with a knife, the other with a cat's paw. You only mile.”
Alex reaches the gate and finds two masked men waiting beyond it. One holds a knife low at his side; the other wears a metal cat's-paw weapon over one fist. Claire stays behind Alex, alert and close.
Alex Mishyma
The gate is between us, and neither man has crossed it.
Alex opens the gate only far enough to control the distance. His stance settles, balanced and quiet, while Claire keeps the locked house behind her and watches both masked faces.
The Knife Man
We are leaving. No trouble.
The knife man lowers the blade and steps back. His companion follows, removing the cat's-paw weapon from view. Neither man tests Alex's reach or approaches the property.
Claire
Excellent choice, gentlemen. The gate stays closed, the house stays private, and everyone gets to leave with their pride intact. Handsome, you can stop looking like the final warning now.
Alex closes and locks the gate. The two men retreat down the sidewalk without another word, while Claire slips her hand into his and leans against his shoulder, still watching until they disappear.
“You frown a moment, shaking your head. "I can”
Alex Mishyma
I can.
Alex frowns, shaking his head as the two masked men disappear beyond the corner. He does not follow; the locked gate and intact distance already ended the encounter safely.
Claire
I know you can, handsome. That is precisely why I am celebrating the rare miracle of you choosing not to prove it.
Claire hooks both hands around Alex’s arm and guides him back toward the house, glancing once at the quiet sidewalk before letting her shoulders relax.
Alex's father
Good. They left without escalation, and the family stayed protected. That is a result worth keeping.
Claire
Exactly. Come inside, handsome. I want tea, a locked door, and at least ten minutes where our future is allowed to be boring.
Alex secures the gate again and joins Claire and Alex's father inside. The parcel remains untouched outside, while the house settles back into quiet and the ordinary afternoon resumes.
“You gaze at the parcel a moment with a curious expression. "Odd way to deliver a package," you say aloud, but don't touch it for now. You listen to Claire and head back inside, texting Nina about the situation. The three of you head into the kitchen as you prepare a pot of boiling water for tea.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +3)
Alex studies the untouched parcel from inside the gate. Its unmarked wrapping and careful placement suggest a deliberate contact attempt rather than ordinary delivery, while the door camera preserves a clear timestamp and view.
Alex Mishyma
Odd way to deliver a package.
Claire
Exactly. Suspicious enough to document, boring enough to leave alone. Come on, handsome, tea first and mysteries second.
Alex leaves the parcel untouched, locks the gate, and follows Claire inside with Alex's father. He opens a message to Nina while the family moves toward the kitchen.
Alex Mishyma
Nina, the parcel is still outside and untouched. The camera has the timing, and we are staying inside while you arrange verified handling.
Nina Patel
Received. I’m logging the timestamp and arranging proper handling. Do not open it or allow anyone to retrieve it without verification.
In the kitchen, Alex fills the kettle and sets it to boil. Claire leans against the counter beside him, close enough to share warmth as Alex's father checks the locked door once more.
“"Keep an eye out for anyone trying to take or move that package, dad. It remains there till Nina's men come to retrieve it." You smile to Claire. "See? I can play by the rules sometimes," you tease.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +3)
Alex Mishyma
Dad, keep an eye out for anyone trying to take or move that package. It stays there until Nina’s people come to retrieve it.
Alex's father moves to the kitchen window, where the parcel remains visible beyond the locked gate. He keeps the door secured and checks the camera display without touching the package.
Alex's father
I’ll watch it, son. Nobody moves that parcel without verified authorization, and nobody comes through this door to reach it.
From the side window, Alex's father spots a second clear sightline across the porch and gate. It captures the parcel, sidewalk, and approach, giving Nina an additional uncontested camera angle.
Alex Mishyma
See? I can play by the rules sometimes.
Claire
Sometimes? Handsome, I’m going to frame this moment. You protected the evidence, trusted the process, and even let someone else handle the mystery.
Claire bumps her shoulder against Alex’s and steals a quick kiss against his cheek before returning her attention to the window. The kettle begins to whistle behind them.
“You manage the tea, grabbing three mugs, and the Earl Grey from the cupboard; your dad's favorite. Letting the cups steep, you turn, slipping your arms around Claire's waist, tugging her against you. "Hey now, I'm trying here!" you mockingly protest with a smirk. "Besides, I got this amazing girl trying her sexy ass off to keep me on the straight and narrow."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Alex retrieves three mugs and the Earl Grey from the cupboard, setting the tea to steep while the kettle settles. Alex's father watches from the window, keeping the parcel in sight.
Alex Mishyma
Hey now, I’m trying here! Besides, I’ve got this amazing girl trying her sexy ass off to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Alex turns from the counter, slips his arms around Claire’s waist, and draws her gently against him. The tea steeps behind them, fragrant and warm, while Alex's father pointedly studies the window.
Claire
Oh, I am working very hard, handsome. But now your father has heard you call me amazing, so I expect you to keep proving it with ordinary things.
Claire
Tea first, then you owe me one completely work-free evening. No mysteries, no operatives, no heroic speeches. Just us choosing furniture and arguing about dessert.
Claire kisses his cheek and reaches for the mugs, accepting the affectionate bargain while making its cost unmistakable. Alex’s father turns from the window with a quiet, approving smile.
Alex's father
Earl Grey. You remembered. And Claire, that sounds like a fair condition. I’ll guard the parcel while you two practice being ordinary.
“You take up your tea, and smile, shaking your head. "I highly doubt anything about how we mt, or how we have become so close could be called ordinary, Claire. But, I promise, I will try." You aren't really sure why being normal is so important to her, but you make a silent promise to at least try. Though is seems of late, your past is coming back to haunt you in rather unique ways.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Alex Mishyma
I highly doubt anything about how we met, or how we became so close, could be called ordinary, Claire. But I promise, I’ll try.
Alex lifts his tea and smiles, shaking his head. The warmth settles between his hands as the promise leaves him quieter and more sincere than his teasing usually allows.
Claire
That is all I wanted, handsome. Not ordinary beginnings, not a perfectly tidy past, just room for us to build something gentle now.
Claire’s expression softens, then turns mischievous. She bumps her shoulder against Alex’s and steals his sugar bowl before he can reach for it.
Alex's father
You two have never been ordinary. But trying matters, and I think you have both earned a peaceful evening.
Claire
Hear that? Official approval for tea, furniture arguments, and dessert decisions. Come on, handsome. Let’s practice being wonderfully unremarkable.
Claire curls her fingers around Alex’s and guides him toward the sitting room. Beyond the window, the parcel remains untouched, while inside the house their future feels briefly within reach.
“As you settle on the couch, Nina texts you: Two pieces of good news, Alex. I have my security team coming to secure and analyze the package. We'll have answers on it in a day or two. And the money in Dev's safe? It's now clean and legally yours. Mr. Stein's paperwork verifies it as a legal gift to you. I am only sorry it took so long to verify, but I am glad you kept faith in the legal system, and in me. You smile, showing Claire and your dad the text. "See, dad? I got things covered for Claire and me, and all above the board."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Alex settles onto the couch with Claire tucked against his side. His phone chimes, and Nina’s message fills the screen with two reassuring updates.
Nina Patel
Two pieces of good news, Alex. My security team is securing and analyzing the package, and we should have answers in a day or two. The money in Dev’s safe is now legally yours. Mr. Stein’s paperwork verifies it as a gift. I’m sorry it took so long, but I’m glad you kept faith in the legal process and in me.
Alex turns the phone so Claire and his father can read the message. Claire’s eyes widen, then brighten, while Alex's father studies the confirmation with quiet relief.
Alex Mishyma
See, Dad? I got things covered for Claire and me, and it’s all above board.
Claire
You did, handsome. Safe housing, clean money, and Nina handling the package properly. I’m proud of you, and I’m claiming the first ordinary celebration when we get our apartment back.
Alex's father
You kept your promise to protect Claire without compromising the law. That is more than being covered, son. That is building a life you can stand behind.