The Other Side: A Second Chance

Oh god, I ate too much. That was… that was a little overboard. I shouldn't have shoveled that entire grok steak into my mouth, nor all those taters. Yet. It was so good, so freaking delicious. And the butter—I never knew butter could be so rich mixing it with the veggies on the plate—what were they called? They looked like pink leeks—like an onion kind of pink. Yet they tasted nothing like leeks or onions; it almost tasted like sugar. God, it was so good.

The food in this world I've quickly come to learn is similar yet different. Some foods look exactly like the ones on Earth but share a slightly different name. Like Grok steak. A grok is a cow-like creature that is a bit different. They're purple and much larger, but really, they just look like oversized cows, and I've noticed many of the creatures of this world, like the food, look similar to creatures from Earth and yet are slightly different.

I'm not a scientist, but I would probably make the hypothesis that maybe that's like a natural evolution sort of thing, but again, I'm not a scientist. Though it's a fun thought, what I can say for sure, though, is that these animals are freaking delicious. So much so that I gave myself a stomachache, and Father had to carry me home on his back from the Yogi's maw. The four of us, including Madam Soza, returned home sometime late in the evening, the sun had already set.

Father and mother instructed that it was time to go to bed. "Go on, go clean up, and get to sleep." Mother said as she clapped her hands together rhythmically as she ushered Varis and me to the bathroom to brush our teeth.

Being as tired as I was, I was in no shape to argue, though Varis whined and protested, only to be silenced by my father, who reminded us of the early surprise, which quickly silenced all protests. As we washed our mouths out and freshened ourselves up, we took turns changing into our pajamas. There was no way I was changing in front of him, nor did I want to see him. Once we were ready, Mother came to us to tuck us in for the night.

"I hope the two of you had fun this evening," she said softly, as she made sure Varis was all nice and comfortable.

"Yeah!" Varis chuckled. "I got thrown by a strider, and we ate so much food!"

Oi, you didn't seem like you were having fun after being thrown.

Mother laughed nervously and patted him on the head. "Well, I'm glad, but let's try not to get thrown by dragons any time soon, okay?" Varis chuckled and smiled at her before nodding.

Mother then turned to me and came over. "What about you, my little genius? I saw you reading the big kid menu all by yourself earlier," she said as she made sure I was tucked in before sitting on the edge of my bed.

I couldn't help but blush as she patted me on the head, and I shifted a bit. "It wasn't… so bad." God, I'm feeling shy. "I can read most things now; it seems to be getting easier as we go."

"Spoken like a true scholar," Mother said as she booped me on the nose. "If I'm being honest, when I was your age, I was still reading kids' books, but you're already reading those textbooks with Isa. She told me you read chapter three of the Twilight War all by yourself and understood it."

What can I say? It's an interesting story: a man who fell in love with the goddess of the sun only to go mad when he learned he couldn't be with her, driven to insanity and becoming a dark emperor? And in this world, that's considered ancient history; sign me up!

"I really like it…" was all I could say as my cheeks began to burn and to make matters worse, my mother took notice and smiled as she playfully pinched my cheeks.

"Oh, you're so cute when you get shy; your ears are burning up!" She laughed as she pinched the tip of my right ear, and I squeaked. Elvish ears are so bloody sensitive. Mother laughed at my reaction and sighed as her hand returned to my hair and tussled it. "Well, if you like those stories, I have plenty more in which you might be interested, though I'll need to make sure I find some that'll be more in line with your age." She hummed.

When she removed her hand from my head, I looked up at her to see her staring at me, with a strange expression on her face. I can't put my finger on it, but it looked like she was looking over me as if it were her first time.

"Is something wrong, Momma?" I asked her, and right away she flinched and shook her head.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought." And once again she laughed, though this time I caught something else; the way she laughed, it was like she was nervous.

"Oh, okay," I said before adding, "I love you, Momma, and I will always be here, and so will Varis!" I looped my brother in, though when looking over at him, I realized he was already passed out.

When I looked back at Mother, though, I saw she was frozen. She wasn't looking at me, focused instead on the floor next to me, her eyes were quivering slightly, and she bit her lip. She looked back at me and sniffed before leaning in silently and wrapping her arms around me.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," she whispered. "Mommy has just had a really bad day today, but you just made it a lot better. Thank you."

Feeling her arms drape around me made my heart flutter. I didn't know how to react at first; I hadn't anticipated this. I went with my gut feeling, wrapped my arms around her neck gently, and returned her hug.

"It's okay, Momma; I'm here for you. I may be small, but I can help!" I giggled, hoping some humor would lighten her up, and thankfully it did as she snorted softly and pulled away.

"You're such a goof—a well-spoken one at that." She said before saying it out loud, "Gods, sometimes I wonder if you're really six years old."

Boy, if you only knew, though I never intended on that.

"Well, I am." I giggled but then fell silent as a thought came to mind. "Momma, can I ask you a question?"

Mother wiped her eyes with her wrist and glanced down at me. "Of course, Luna."

"Are you a wizard, or, uh, used to be a wizard?" Mother stared at me for a few seconds before letting off a low sigh and closing her eyes. I then squeaked, "I'm sorry if I'm being nosy again! I-I'll—"

"It's okay, Luna." She raised her head back up and grinned, her hand gently resting on my leg. "Your father kind of gave it away earlier; he too always gets excited whenever I cast spells."

"I-I also remember you using that same spell on me before," I said with a firm nod, and my mother pulled back a bit, her face looking shocked.

"Excuse me, when?"

Oh shit, I forgot I was a baby the last time I saw her use magic.

"Oh uh… A while ago, when I was young, maybe it was a dream." I tried to cover it up, though it was too late; she wasn't buying it.

"No, no… I did use it on you once, back when you were a year old. You were scampering around in your play pen. You used to always do these weird but cute little motions. Like you were actively exercising. You weren't even fully one yet, and you were already standing and waddling. And during one of your little exercises in your pen, you fell back and whacked your head super hard—harder than usual."

Hearing her tell this story like I don't remember it like it was just yesterday, was very jarring, yet at the same time, it was very wholesome to hear. Though I did want to correct her that it was more like nine months, I know that'd be very awkward if I did.

"I about damn, oh, pardon my language; don't say what mommy just said. I almost had a heart attack because your father was supposed to be watching you; oh, I chewed his butt out so bad afterwards that he about dang near ran to the precinct." She giggled. "But anyways, I did take you into the kitchen and conclude that you had a concussion and cast rejuvenation on you. After that, you were back to normal as if nothing happened." She patted my head. "Though what always concerned me about you growing up is that no matter what, you never cried, even when I gave birth to you!"

"Whoa, now we don't need to hear about that." I giggled as my mother tussled my hair.

"So, do you really remember that?" Mother asked me, her eyebrow raised.

I should play this next part safe; I shouldn't give anything away.

"It's hazy, but I recall something kind of like that. Though it could just be a coincidence." I smiled sheepishly.

"Spoken like a scholar." My mother booped my nose. "To bring it back to your question, dearie." She took a deep breath. "Long ago, yes. I was a wizard. I went to a school far, far away from here and learned how to cast spells and figured out how the world works."

My eyes widened. "Oh, can you show me an example?" I giggled excitedly, and Mother blushed faintly before putting a finger to her lips.

"Just this once, I'll show you a little trick." Mother turned away from me and held her hand up into the air and splayed her fingers out, her blue eyes flashing to be bright as sapphires briefly. "Mother of stars, your heavens are so bright; lend me your guidance on a path of light. Fireflies."

From her outstretched hand, a radiant light burst forth like a strobe from her palm, and suddenly the air in the room began to fill with orbs of dancing lights, illuminating everything in the room as dozens of little orbs began to float about as if the stars above had descended to earth.

Excitement burst forth from within me, and I had to physically restrain myself from crying out with joy at seeing this happen before me. So instead, I vibrated intensely in my bed, clutching my blanket close to my face as my mother giggled and said, "Pretty neat, huh?" She reached out and poked one orb with her finger, which seemed to attach itself to her, and she guided it down to my nose and placed it on me.

I practically went cross-eyed as I looked at the shining ball on my nose. Mother snickered and said, "Your mom is pretty cool, huh?" She winked at me.

I nodded my head rapidly, still too excited to speak. Seeing this magic firsthand was exhilarating and knowing that my mother was someone who could do this made me wonder if, in the future, I could do the same. I had always dreamt of being a mage or sorcerer. Back in the old days, in every RPG game I played, I'd always chosen the class, though back then I always imagined myself as like a grizzled old man wizard, not an elven woman, but y'know. Both are cool.

Mother snapped her finger, and as quickly as the orbs of light appeared, they vanished. "Though Mommy gave up this practice long ago… or, well, I don't practice it as much, but lately I've been thinking of refreshing myself a bit." She said the last bit a little softly.

Seeing her face fall a bit, I took a deep breath and tried to probe a little deeper. "Momma, can I ask you a personal question? If you don't want to answer, it's okay."

She blinked and looked at me, a little surprised. "Okay, but this is your last question before you go to bed."

"That's okay. I just wanted to ask, uh, why don't you like Mr. Blaxen?" This question seemed to hit my mother like a freight train as she visibly pulled away from me, and for a split second, I saw anger cross her face, though she quickly stomped it out and sighed.

"Oh boy, you really meant something personal," she said with a drawn-out sigh. "Much of that story is too much for you now… But what I can tell you is that Mr. Blaxen did something really, really selfish and bad to both me and your father long ago. He lied to us, and that lie got a lot of mine and your father's friends hurt, and one died."

That's sort of what I heard earlier when listening in. To be expected, she doesn't want to divulge too much information. I can't imagine telling a six-year-old a grim, dark story. I guess it's just another one of those things I'll have to "wait till I'm older." To think I'd have to live through this phase of life again is extremely tedious.

"Were all of you adventurers?" I asked, and it was here that I noticed a small grin tug at Mother's lips, and she looked back at me and booped me on the nose again.

"No more questions; it's sleep time." She winked at me again.

That fucking wink! I sighed.

"Aww, okay." I pouted as Mother got up off the bed and tucked me in before kissing me on the cheek.

"Don't pout, my little star." She then kissed me on the forehead. "I really enjoyed this little conversation; I don't think we ever talked this much before. You should talk to Mommy like this more." She poked my cheek. "Sleep well."

"Good night, Momma; I really liked talking to you too!" I watched as her heart visibly melted, and despite turning to walk away, she came back and hugged me again.

"Gah, you're so cute! Good night!" She released me, and before I could stall her some more, she quickly walked out of the room and shut the door.

Seeing her leave, my heart fluttered once more. This new family of mine is growing on me. I do look forward to speaking with my mother more and speaking of my father, I wonder what he wants to show us tomorrow.