"You two are coming with me to Chen's Noodle House. No complaining."

Kai complained about Zane's plan at first, but after his friend was adamant that they were going, he gave up and went along with it without complaint.

Nya didn't say anything. She understood Zane's intentions and understood that it was for the best.

The three of them headed into the centre of Ninjago City, in the general direction of Chen's. While the restaurant indeed used to belong to Chen, ownership had since moved to his undoubtedly nicer daughter, Skylor. The name had not changed though, for whatever reason, nobody really cared.

On the way there, they were relatively silent. Kai had the occasional passing remark or complaint, but was at loath to say them, since every time he did, Zane would either completely ignore him or shut him down with composure and tact.

"... I don't even see what we'll do there. It's not like we have any money to spend. We'll be kicked out for loitering."

"As if Skylor would do that to us. She'll be happy to see us. Especially you, Kai."

"Yeah yeah, Skylor's a friend and all, but it's still a business she's running."

Zane simply smiled and turned to him, continuing to walk.

"Unlike you, Kai, I have a job on the side. I'll pay for whatever you chose to order."

"... you have a... job?"

"Yes. Haven't you wondered where I have been going some mornings and afternoons?"

"... I thought you were just having some time to yourself, to be honest." Nya added. It was the first time she had spoken all morning.

"Well, I was not. I have been working with Cyrus Borg, you see. He wants to do a lot of extensive research on Artificial Intelligence. Pixal was the only one he ever managed to create, and he wants to make the science of AI much more widely available. I have been helping him. He pays me quite well for my time and work."

"Jeez Zane, could've told us, huh?"

"None of you asked, so I assumed that none of you would care."

They approached the restaurant, and Zane chuckled as he said one last thing.

"I know as a fact that you have certain feelings for Skylor, Kai. You should be thanking me."

Kai's cheeks flushed temporarily.

"I do not!"

Zane laughed and walked faster, and Kai couldn't help but grin too.

"You're a cheeky bastard, aren't you!"

"I've learned from the best, dear brother!"

The corners of Nya's mouth turned up too. After such a dismal evening last night, seeing her brother finally relax and give in to Zane's calm and friendly demeanour, made her really quite happy.

A bell on the door rang as Zane opened it, holding it as Kai and Nya walked in. They both smiled a thanks, and they headed to a table. Skylor, who was conveniently in the main part of the building at that point, spotted them and waved.

Kai didn't expect her to come over right away, but, readied himself for how he would act. Zane was right, no matter how much he would deny it. He did have... some... special feelings for her.

He didn't want to say the wrong thing.

"Kaiii, you're blushing." Nya remarked cheerily, determined to contribute to the growing positivity.

"No... it... it's just a bit hot in here. That's all."

"... you're the Master of Fire, Kai, you don't get too hot. That might've worked when we were kids, but it sure as hell won't work now!"

Kai sat down in a hurry, and Nya sat down next to him. Zane sat on the other side of the four-person table, entwining his fingers in a professional manner.

"... I won't pressure you to, but, I had the idea that once we get our food, we could... talk. About Jay." He suggested, closing his robotic eyes and breathing deeply.

Kai didn't look happy at any rate, but nodded in agreement. Even he saw that it had to be discussed.

Nya simply spoke a 'yes... ok'.

They sat in approximate silence until Skylor could catch a free moment and headed over to them.

"Hi! It's felt like forever!" She grinned, immediately giving Nya, then Zane a quick hug. It seemed like she wanted to give one to Kai as well, but since he was on the other side of Nya, it was too awkward. She sat down instead.

"So, where are the others? Lloyd and Jay and Cole. How come only you three are here?"

"... uhm..." Nya started.

"There have been some complications with... certain relationships. I thought it would be best to protect the situation from becoming further volatile. While it is partially sorted out."

"... you all look like you've just seen a ghost. I won't ask about it again, ok? I only have about ten minutes till I'm needed again, so you'd better make the most of it!" Skylor joked.

With her cheery attitude in full blast, it wasn't hard to weasel Kai and Nya into a casual conversation. Despite his plan to make a good impression after not seeing her for so long, Kai didn't really say much. If anything, he came off as nervous.

Skylor still talked to him though, with her regular smile and a voice that could calm almost anybody.

"The election for the new Mayor is coming up. Any idea who you're voting for?" she asked, addressing Kai directly.

He shrugged.

"I haven't been very involved in politics lately. I don't know."

"I'm definitely gonna vote for Taylor Klaus. Her recent speech was just incredible."

"Uhm... yeah. Sure."

Before anybody realised, Skylor's ten minutes were up.

"Aw crap, I gotta go back to work. Should I take your orders now?"

"Oh, that would be great!" Zane smiled.

She took a small pad of paper and a pen out of a socket on her belt.

"I'll just have the Snow Pea Cuttle Fish. What about you two?"

Zane turned to them, smiling, forcing them to reply.

"Oh, uhm... just some Sushi, thanks." Nya mumbled.

"... I don't want anything." Kai said curtly.

Zane looked back to Skylor.

"And the Three Ingredient Sizzling Rice for Kai. I know he likes that one."

"Alright then. Your food should get to you in no time at all. I don't know if I'll be able to chat again today, but, it would be nice to see more of you guys. I hope things get sorted out."

Skylor nodded to them, waved goodbye, then rushed to the kitchen to relay the orders to her staff.

"Kai, you're even redder now." Nya giggled.

Kai didn't respond. His cheeks only burned brighter.

Skylor was right. Within about five minutes, their food had arrived.

None of them said anything, but they all speculated that Skylor had put their orders at the front of the queue. In such a prestigious restaurant, the waiting time was never shorter than at least fifteen minutes.

Nevertheless, they tucked in. The food was delicious, and had arguably improved since Skylor took charge. Each dish was made with care, the customer's enjoyment being the most important aspect of production.

Kai scoffed his down, finishing in no time at all. Nya and Zane however, took a lot longer, taking care and savouring each mouthful. None of the ninja had eaten out for months. This was a time to relish.

Eventually, they finished, and as they waited for one of the serving staff to come over and collect the pay, Zane began the long anticipated talk about Jay.

"... I support him. I do... I don't have any problem with him being trans..." Nya stated, though with sorrowful eyes.

"That's good to hear, but... what will happen to your relationship?"

Her face crumpled, upset and close to tears.

"... I... I don't know... Zane I... I've been questioning for a while and... this has made it so much more confusing... I don't know... if I can-"

"Nya, it's alright. You can do whatever you want within your partnership, but... all I ask is that you let him down gently."

"... of course... how could I do anything else? Jay... Jay's a lovely person. Who knows, maybe I'll sort my head out and I'll get back with him at some point... but... now? I can't deal with it..."

"... alright."

Zane then looked to Kai, obviously wanting his opinion on the situation.

"... It's just so... shocking."

He took a moment to sigh deeply and collect his words before continuing.

"... I don't get it. I don't understand any of it. Like... surely if... Sophie-"

"His name is Jay!" Nya interrupted.

"Ok ok! If Jay has girl parts... then... surely... he - I mean she - I mean, oh whatever... then surely Jay is a girl?"

"That's not how it works Kai."

"Then how does it work? Your brain and your body just don't link up and do separate things or some b*llshit?"

"Yeah, actually. That's pretty accurate."

"... what?"

"Trans people's brains develop as one gender while their body develops as the other. Gender is in the brain. Men and women's brains are different."

"Hang on, a few weeks ago you told me that girls' and boys' brains were the same!"

"In the womb, Kai! If everybody's brains were the same then we wouldn't even have male and female!"

"You aren't making sense!"

"Yes I am! Men and Women develop in different ways. The brain changes along with this. There's no scientific difference in intelligence, no scientific difference in worth, not even a physical difference. We just work slightly different. Get it?"

"I guess?"

Kai didn't get it. Nya and Zane tried their hardest to explain the ins and outs of it all. He simply did not understand.

Eventually, Nya and Zane gave up, but they did say one thing.

"... I can forgive you for not understanding, because that's not your fault, but you must be kind and supportive to Jay during this time."

Kai reluctantly agreed.

"I'll try. I don't bloody get it though, so, you can't get mad at me if I slip up."

"As long as you try your best and try to understand."

A waiter came over to the table, collected the bill and took away their plates. After all thanking him, and waking goodbye to Skylor - who was busy with some other customers, but still saw them and waved back - they left, starting the short walk back to the Bounty.

"... I can't explain how important it is that you two don't do anything to stress him out. Recently, I've noticed his anxiety levels going through the roof. I doubt Jay needs anything else to worry about."

"Mmm hmm." Kai nodded, hands deep in his hoodie's pockets.

Nya nodded, not saying anything.

The Bounty was waiting where they had left it. A sudden coldness filled the air. It was getting colder as winter started its cruel onslaught, but it was chilly in a different way. Anticipation, perhaps.

When they got aboard, Nya headed straight for her room, Kai trudged over to the game room to immerse himself in a virtual environment, and forget about the situation. Even if just for a little while. Fighting endless enemies of a video game as a great way for him to get his emotions out, without actually hurting anybody.

Zane however, walked to the small Medical room where Jay was staying, in the most direct route possible. He wanted to know the ins and outs of Jay's story as well. Surely Cole would have had time to go through it with him by now?

It was so eerily quiet. Like a ghost ship.

Was nobody doing anything? Zane guessed not.

He theorised that Sensei was most likely in his room, Lloyd was most likely in his room. Kai and Nya had isolated themselves at an instant. Cole and Jay were talking in the medical room.

He stood outside the door when he reached it, raised his knuckles, took a deep breath, then knocked.

There was some murmuring inside, some footsteps...

... and the door clicked open.