The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 13: My Daughter

Chapter 13: My Daughter

Another day of sitting at home doing basically nothing! I spent most of my days laying on the grass in the backyard, but when Mella, Tyell and mother were home, I spent time indoors with them. 

Wearing a long sleeve jumper–blue with pink flowers–and green jeans which my mother bought, along with a pair of long purple gloves. Laying on the couch watching a TV show about people trying to complete tasks within a time limit, but my sister who was supposed to be watching with me was pacing in the kitchen.

“Sis, I’ve been sensitive to heat and have this weird feeling in my body,” Mella said, and before I could say anything funny she stared daggers into my eyes and continued, “I’ve had this weird urge to create fire? No… Like I can create it but nothing happens when I try to follow the feeling?”

[Warm Flame] unlike what the name suggested, didn’t create any fire. It could be simultaneously used with the [Fire] energy, but Mella didn’t currently possess that skill. 

I said, “Probably a skill developing.”

“Huh?” Mella just looked over confused, “What do you mean?”

“Well it’s uni-level study–for some reason–but sometimes skills will slowly form, instead of appearing complete. There’s no difference in the end result though.”

Mella stayed silent trying to think of the answer “So it can't fit because of my current soul’s size?”

Going for the obvious answer? Not bad...

“It’s not necessarily due to a lack of soul space, sometimes it’s just the body slowly acquiring the skill to not stress out the soul. One of the body's many automatic, slightly unnecessary defensive mechanisms.”

“Wait skills can stress out a soul!” Mella yelped. Oh yeah. Not exactly known information.

“‘Can’” I emphasised, “but it’s basically an improbability.” I took a big sip of water before continuing, “Skills are a part of one’s soul, so they do not normally do anything which should cause stress. But hypothetically, if one acquired a number of high-quality skills, within a very short period, then yes. However, that’s basically impossible. You should understand why.”

“Okay, I get it. No soul is naturally that big, and levelling only slowly increases it.” Mella nodded in understanding, “Wow, you really know a lot.”

“Yeah, 'cause I’m smart!” tooting my own horn only returned a sour look from Mella. But before Mella could respond.

“Mella,” mother called out, “Can you get some groceries?”

“Huh? Why not order them?”

“Cause Maplets are having a 60% off sale, only for in-person orders, I’ve sent you the list already.” Mother walked into the lounge room, “So get off your arse and get move on!”

“!” Mella was extremely surprised at mum’s, aggression? Loudness? And left immediately.

Did mum not raise her voice after I left? She never did like raising it when Mella was around, but that was because she was a kid.

Once Mella left the building, mother sighed and then asked “Ceella?” 

“Yes mum?” Is she okay? Looking at her tired but clear eyes, I couldn’t help but worry.

Tella was wearing an old dress, an antique design that she had commissioned long ago before I was even born–I hadn’t seen her wear it since I returned. Contrasted with the clean dress, her hair was nearly as messy as mine.

“Let’s go outside,” she gestured.

“Okay.” I was concerned. Mum seemed tired but she walked towards the door without issue.

There were two chairs and a small table placed in the yard. She must have taken them out of the garage earlier.

She gestured for me to sit, which I did.

The cool wind blew through the yard and I notice the door to dad’s memorial was wide open.

“It’s been a long time since we talked out here,” mum reminisced.

It had been a long time but it was difficult to admit that, “Y-yeah.” Yeah? Yeah is the best you could say? IDIOT ARHGH!

“Dear… have you adapted well… back home?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s good…. Tyell and Mella haven’t caused you too much trouble?”

“‘Course not.”

She smiled, “Good, good.”

“Besides those, nothing else has been painful?”

“No mum, everything's been good,” I smiled back.

Initially, the conversation felt very awkward and painful, but as it continued, I felt comfortable again.

“You already got a job?”

“Yeah,” no reason to lie at the moment… Cause she was looking at me.

I’ve… interacted with mum but she felt distant. Watching me, Mella and Tyell talk from a distance not wanting to get involved.

“That’s good… It’s dangerous right?”

“Not really,” I sighed “But that’s only for me.”

“My girl has become quite strong hasn’t she?” Mum chuckled. “Chris would be proud…”

Her fidgeting hands calmed when she turned her head to look at dad, “You wouldn’t know, but as a kid, he wanted to be a hunter, and honestly he might have chosen that profession if he didn’t get bored doing only one thing.”

“Sounds like him,” I laughed as well.

“Hehe, yeah… that and teaching really got his heart ‘pumping’.” Mother tried making a dad impression at the end, which just made me laugh more.

“Haha-don’t do that!” I smacked the table laughing, “That was so bad.” 

“Well, you do better than.”

“Fine… I will.” Cough Cough Deepening my voice, “Kids! Want to join me for my jog today!’”

I couldn’t keep it up and started laughing. Mum joined in, admitting my impression was good but still funny.

However, after we laughed and memories resurfaced in mum’s mind. Her head fell down, but I could still see the movement of her lips.

“...Every year,” her words began to get stuck in her throat. She coughed a few times before continuing. “I thought about signing off your death…”

…– I let her continue.

“It wouldn’t take effect until ten years passed, but every year I thought it would lessen the pain.” With a depressed happy smile appearing, “however every year, Chris convinced me not to.”

“Every year, he would tell me,” turning her head to the sky. “‘She’s alive. Just keep moving, we need to be here for her return’…”

Damnit dad…

“Dramatic irony I guess… you were declared dead this entire time.”

“Mum… it’s okay,” I tried comforting her.

“My Elly…” Tears began to fall, and she tried to wobble out of her chair.

“Careful!” I stood and ran over to her side. Her arms quickly wrapped around me as I got close to catch her.

“I missed you so much!”

“My daughter, my sweet daughter!”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you.”

“My dear daughter,” tears flooded her face, and I felt her grip tighten with every word spoken, scared to see me go…

Repeating herself like a broken phone, I kept her close in my warmth and eventually asked “Are you okay mum?”

“Yes, I haven’t been for a long time, but yes.” I helped her back into the seat, keeping my hands locked with her’s the entire time.

Wiping the tears away, I kneeled on the ground next to her. Ready for anything to happen. It took a few moments for mum to regain herself but once she did, a soft smile appeared on her face.

Mum looked straight into my eyes and said “I’ve been ignoring it…”

“Ignoring what?”

“Your eyes, they're the same as your fathers remember.”

“I know they're pretty,” I smiled, seeing my reflection within her’s equally as lovely gems.

She nodded then shook her head, “Yes, but determined but holding back.”

…? Huh.

I guess I wasn’t controlling my expression well enough, cause mum responded, “Damn you, my child, they are the eyes I had the pleasure of spending the happiest moments of my life with. ‘Couse I understand the subtleties in their expression.” She sighed. “He would get the urge to do something or go somewhere, but didn’t cause it meant going away from the family for some time.”

Did he?

“Still… when there were times he needed to go, he was too awkward to bring it up to his wife, let alone anyone else, so he just sat there doing nothing.” She sighed before, “Until I flicked on the forehead and told him to wake up! And just talk to me… then after five minutes the whole situation got resolved and life was better for it.”

… dammit dad hahahaaa…

“You want to leave again, don’t you.”

“Yes…”

Mum bit her lips, “I-I don’t want y–ou too, but,” she took a big breath “I’ll support you… just please don’t die again.”

“Don’t worry mum, as long as I’m alive nothing will be able to kill me.”

“You how stupid that sounds right?” Mum frowned.

I smiled, putting my confidence on full display “Nah, cause it's the truth.” I’ll never let death reach for me again…

“Well I’m trusting you, but you will be the one to tell Mella about you leaving.”

That’s umm “Ehh..”

“Exactly!” Mother exclaimed, “It’s going to be messy. But it's your mess, so good luck.”

“Mummm!”

“I handle the lawsuit, so you deal with Mella.” Mother smiled. We sat next to each for a little while longer, enjoying the view of the sky and the company.

“I love you Ceella,” mum said lovingly.

I replied, “I love you too, mum.”