[scene: mess hall, Rick and Rhiannon are drinking coffee] "When are your folks coming, Rhiannon," Rick asked. "They've never been that good at being on time," Rhiannon answered. "I'm in no hurry to see them." "You don't want to see your parents?" "I do. I miss them, but I don't miss some of their quirks. We also didn't part on the best of terms, either." "Must have been rough on you, then." "I've been through worse, Rick." "Speaking of worse, what are you going to do when you introduce your parents to your roommates." "I'd be happy to introduce Miyami to my parents." "That's not who I meant." "I know. I can't ask Tyler to leave; she'd stay just to be contrary. I need to latch her on to someone else. Say, Rick . . . " "Oh, no. Don't even think it. I've been looking forward to spending time with my folks." "Just a thought." "Well, stop thinking it." "Wouldn't work anyways. Tyler knows when I want to get rid of her." "That would be from when you get up until you go to bed?" Rick and Rhiannon laughed over the remark. "I'm surprised Miyami hasn't thrown us out yet." "Give her time." Rick smiled. "I wish. She still treats me like I'm part of the Royal Family." "Rhiannon, in her eyes, you *are* part of the Royal Family. You, dear, have a groupie." "A groupie." Rhiannon sighed. "Miyami's sweet, but I don't want to be treated like I'm special." [...] [scene: Miyami's parents arrive] Miyami led her parents into the dorm and up to her room. They found Dusty sitting on her bed, staring out the window. Miyami knocked softly, letting Dusty know she was there. "Dusty, are we bothering you?" Miyami asked. "We could come back later," Miyami's mother added. "No. Please, stay." "Mom, Dad," Miyami introduced, "this is one of my roommates, Cadet Dusty Tyler. Dusty, these are my parents." Dusty got up off her bed and shook hands with Miyami's parents. "Nice to meet you." "Have you seen Rhiannon?" "She's still waiting for her parents to arrive. I'll leave you to be together." "You're welcome to stay, Dusty." "I'll be in the way." "Are you sure?" "I am." Dusty grabbed her gym clothes. "Mr. and Mrs. Thorenson have invited the squad and their parents for dinner tonight," Mrs. Watanabe said. "You and your parents are welcome, too." "Thanks, but I don't know if I can make it." Dusty opened the door to leave. "I'll let Lars know, okay?" She left. "Is there something wrong with your roommate, Miyami," Mr. Watanabe asked. "She seemed down." "Her parents couldn't be here today," Miyami explained, still looking at the door. "Excuse me, please." Miyami ran out of the room. She looked down the halls, and saw Dusty leaning against the wall near the stairs. Miyami quietly closed the doors and walked softly to her roommate. "Dusty?" she whispered. Dusty straightened up. "What is it?" "Are you okay?" Miyami's voice was concerned. "I'm okay, Miyami. Go back and visit with your parents." "If you need to talk . . . " "I know." "And thanks," Miyami added. "For what?" "You know." Slowly, Miyami returned to her dorm. Her parents were looking over the items hanging on walls and sitting on shelves. One area of the room was spartan, with no personal stuff at all. "Is your friend alright?" Miyami's mother asked. "I . . . I don't know, Mom. I hope she is." "She must be missing her family," Mr. Watanabe said. "I suppose," Miyami agreed. "I wonder why they couldn't come," Mrs. Watanabe said. "They're really busy, Mom," Miyami covered. "They can't be that busy. Surely someone could have filled in for them." "Dusty is used to it, Mom." "Poor girl." Miyami powered on the terminal. "Here's the computer they have us use. It's not as nice as the one I built for you, though." [...] [scene: main entrance] Rhiannon stared as the fan-limousine entered the Academy grounds. 'This can't be them. Even they wouldn't be this obvious. Please, let this be somebody else's parents.' The limo settled to the ground, its turbines whining to a stop. The chauffeur got out, and opened the back door. Rhiannon's heart dropped as she recognized the passengers. She steeled herself, then ran over to the limo. "Mother! Father!" she called. Her parents turned to her. Her father was dressed in his old Guard dress uniform, her mother in an ornate, flowing robe. "Rhiannon, dear," her father said as he hugged her. "Mother?" Rhiannon asked, expectantly. Her mother gave her a disapproving look. 'Please, don't make me do that. Not here.' Her mother waited. "Mommy?" Rhiannon said weakly. "Rhiannon, baby," her mother finally answered. She drew her daughter in to a hug. "I've missed you so." Rhiannon felt her cheeks grow hot. She hoped that no-one was watching. "Your trip must have been tiring," she finally said after gently breaking free from her mother. "Why don't we go to my room to let you catch your breath. We can decide what you want to see there." "Sure, baby. Anything you say." Rhiannon led her parents to her dorm. Along the way, her father started talking about the time he spent at the Academy. Rhiannon nodded along with his stories, not wanting to interrupt him. She looked for Miyami's "all clear" signal in the window. Not there. Dreading the possible scene with Dusty, Rhiannon slowly lead her parents up to her room. She knocked on her door, "in case one of her roommates was entertaining," she explained to her parents, then entered. All she found in the room was Miyami and her parents. "Miyami, is Cadet Tyler around?" Rhiannon asked. "She left some time ago." Miyami's omission dawned on her. "Oh! Sorry, Rhiannon, I forgot." "No harm." Rhiannon ushered in her parents. "Miyami, these are my parents, Duke and Duchess . Father, Mommy, this is my roommate, Cadet Miyami Watanabe and her parents." Miyami and her parents bowed to the Duke and Duchess. "Pleased to meet you," Miyami said. "This is the Countess you've written about, Miyami?" Mrs. Watanabe asked. "Miyami, may I see you, please?" Rhiannon asked softly. "Privately?" She raised her voice to a normal tone. "I'm sorry, but I need to talk to Miyami about an assignment. We'll be right back." The two students left their parents in the room and went into the hall. They went around the corner before Rhiannon asked, "Where is Tyler?" "I'm sorry, Rhiannon," Miyami said. "I completely forgot to fix the curtain after Dusty left." "That's okay, Miyami. It's not your fault. Where did Tyler go?" "She may have gone to the gym to workout a bit. She had her gym clothes. Is there a problem, Rhiannon." "Only if Dusty meets my parents." "Have you told them about her?" "No, and I don't want to. They'd have me pulled out of here if they knew. I don't want that." "They won't hear it from me." "Thanks, Miyami."