Ava pushed her way inside, smiling softly as she was greeted by the familiar interior of her home. For a moment she simply stood in the grand foyer, eyes taking everything in as if it were her first time visiting. Her life was exponentially more dangerous, and her future was uncertain. Though she was more skilled and capable than she was before conscription, the missions and environments she was thrust into were unpredictable. Anything could happen, and since she was taken so abruptly she planned on making the most out of her visit. She was taken from her reverie by the presence of a gleaming sphere descending from the ceiling. While the exterior of her home was a well-preserved vision of the 1800s, the interior was modernized, simultaneously giving homage to the old world flare. The AI paused, hovering at eye level. “Welcome home, Ava. You look well.” An even, feminine voice projected from the sphere.<br/><br/>“Thank you, ARIA. Are my mother and father home?” She asked, knowing that scouring the massive estate herself would take her up until the time she had to leave.<br/><br/>“Your mother is in her office. I have alerted her of your arrival. Your father will be home in . . . 11 minutes and 43 seconds.” ARIA informed her, proceeding to untuck her robotic form from the sphere systematically. “I will make tea.” ARIA said, disappearing between the massive steps to go to the kitchen. Not a second later, her mother was swiftly descending the stairs, blonde hair bouncing on her shoulders with each hurried step she took. As soon as she could, she crushed Ava’s body to hers and shed tears while she embraced her. Ava was too happy to cry, and convinced that after all the tears she shed herself that she didn’t have any left. The two sat down and talked over tea after their joyful reunion.<br/><br/>In the privacy of her home, she was able to speak freely. She never knew if the calls she placed under Nick’s roof were monitored or not, but she always played it safe. Still, she was mindful of the details she disclosed. She stayed away from specifics and anything that would particularly upset her mother, who was proud of her despite the abrupt manner in which she was taken from them. She had this knowing look about her, like she knew that there were things that she wasn’t telling her and Ava was glad that she didn’t press her on them. She had never been a good liar.<br/><br/>“You’re different than you were when you left. Still the same in many ways, but different.” Her mother told her, placing a hand at the side of her cheek. Her voice held a refined accent, but it was slight, only audible in certain words. “Do try to put on a good show for your father. You know he always believes in the worst possible scenario—“<br/><br/>“He’s going to be home soon.” Ava pushed herself up, just now realizing that when he pulled in he would likely cross paths with Nick, who she neglected to mention was there.<br/><br/>“He is at the gate, Ava.” ARIA informed her in that plain, even tone, leaning over the table to refill her tea as she hurried out.<br/><br/>Ava pushed open the door to see the sleek, expensive vehicle pull behind the SUV. It barely stopped before her father stepped out of the back, not worrying with the door as he hugged Ava to him tightly, kissing the top of her head. Their reunion was interrupted by her mother who had instantly caught sight of the commander upon exiting their home.<br/><br/>“What a rude little brat I’ve raised. Is this a friend of yours?” She asked, smirking at the man leaning against the car. Without his uniform, he didn’t look like he was the commanding officer of the thirteenth battalion.<br/><br/>Ava stepped out of her father’s arms, “Actually, this is Colonel Nicholas Courvoisier. He allowed me to visit today.”<br/><br/>Her father’s expression went cold, and though he made no moves to introduce himself, her mother did.<br/><br/>“Colonel, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Rachel and this is my husband Fredrick. Thank you for letting Ava see us.” She said warmly—more than that, genuinely. It was far from the façade of kindness that appeared on the dark haired man’s face to placate his wife, who would no doubt scold him for ruining their time with their daughter.<br/><br/>“Yes, a pleasure, Colonel. We’ve heard so little about you. You should come inside. We’d love to know more about you.” Fredrick said casually, smoothing over his expensive suit. It was a sincere invitation, but he was asking more out of formality than anything else.<br/><br/>Rachel appeared more hopeful that he would accept. Her husband was being chilly for his own reasons, but he was right. They knew the man existed, but Ava never spoke about him in great detail. They didn’t even know his name till now.<br/><br/>Ava, on the other hand, was nervous. For some reason, it felt like she was introducing her parents to a boyfriend. Of course, she knew that their relationship was that of a superior and a subordinate. They fulfilled each other’s physical needs and desires, but she would be lying to herself if she said that she didn’t care for him. She actively tried to ignore that little truth, but it made her care whether or not he was well-received by her parents.