It's business as usual around Showshoe's Restaurant… until Anisa discovers that her mother has taken advantage of an offer by their business association. Beatrice has enrolled her daughter in the Royal Chronotopian Ladies School of Refinement, much to Anisa's dismay. Anisa only grudgingly accepts this, as it's a chance to see something off Rephidim. This mother-daughter talk is interrupted by an outburst from Royce, one of her younger brothers. It seems he's been waylaid in much the same manner by his father, and took it even less well. Getting away from their parents, Anisa and Royce talk about what's taken place, expressing their reservations. Before long, they notice the youngest sibling out in the street, holding some odd bauble, and go to ask him what he's doing. It seems Benjamin has intercepted a package from the eldest Snowshoe, Gibson, who has travelled beyond Rephidim some years ago in search of adventure. Anisa catches him red-pawed… it seems the package was meant for Quinn, the second eldest. Royce tempts Anisa into reading the letter with the package, and despite her misgivings, she does so. Accompanied by various strange gifts, including a glowing stone pendant, the letter reveals that Gibson has found the adventure he was seeking… however, it's landed him in some trouble. His letter asks Quinn for help, requesting Quinn meet him at Half Valley, for which Gibson has supplied an airship ticket aboard the Sunset Hoof. Both Royce and Anisa know that, with Quinn's duties to the restaurant, and with the risk of mother and father going bananas, he can't possibly leave to help Gibson. However, Anisa has other ideas… and pockets the ticket, prepared to go to Gibson under guise of attending her charm school. Royce is floored, but after all his arguements are shot down, he insists on going as well. Anisa initially refuses to take Royce along, but the younger lapi will have none of it. The dispute is resolved with a few sharp comments from Royce, which nearly get him a pounding from his older sister… but however undiplomatic they may be, they work. His excuse to mom and dad will be going to the engineering trade school they enrolled him in, with a friend to take his place. The pair discuss what plans they have to make, and secure a promise from Benjamin to keep this to himself, in exchange for mailings from Half Valley. Satisfied with this, the three return to the restaurant, then home to make ready for their trip.