>>5873001But as she stares at the small, blue elder, you have a thought. And decide to test it, telepathically reaching out to the Yardratian.
“Elder Pybara, I'm going to try something. Be careful, she might get volatile.” you <span class="mu-i">think</span> to him, the elder not making a move with his face as he replies to her aloud.
“I think you've gotten as much from being here as you can.” he tells her. “I've done what I can for you, helped guide your mind and strengthened your soul. The rest is up to you, Chaya.”
“I...Thank you, honored Elder.” she replies, giving him a more proper bow before turning back to you. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes, but, I'm not so sure.” you reply, finishing the plan in your mind then speaking aloud. “After all, Raditz is back. If you-”
“Radi?!” she says, eyes lighting up a moment. But then her expression changes, you seeing a profound sadness in her expression as she looks down. “No, you're right. I probably shouldn't go back if he's come home. But could you give him a message for me?”
“A message?” you ask, your daughter nodding once.
“Please tell him that I'm sorry for everything, and won't bother him or his girl again. And that I hope he's happy, that she loves him like I could not.”
Chaya, choking on the last word sounds genuinely upset, you reaching over and grabbing your daughter, holding her to you. Her body trembles, Chaya trying to keep it together for a few seconds before failing and breaking down in sobbing tears against you. She is clearly still upset about losing Raditz, missing having him as 'hers', but as you hug your daughter, you can tell she's grown up. It's only been a week, yet she's no longer the entitled girl she was when you'd left her in the elder's care. Your daughter just keeps growing up, one life lesson at a time.
“I miss him.” she says through sobs, you sharing a look with Elder Pybara, who has a sad smile on his face as he turns and flies down to the ground, leaving you and Chaya alone for this moment. You don't have any words for her but just hold on, hugging your daughter to you as she cries and make soft, comforting noises to her. It takes her a couple minutes to get herself back under control, eventually pulling away and wiping her face with the back of her bracer while saying, “Look at me, crying like this. Get it together.”
She then takes a deep, calming breath and then another, focusing on her breathing as you feel a slight vibration in the air, your daughter outlined in a familiar yet faint golden glow a moment before sighing out. Which is when you reveal the truth.
cont
