ATM Rewrite: B2 — 32. Blooming Mysteries (Patreon)

PoV:

1. Jarlath Moore (Our Awakening Dad!)

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Jarlath was lost in the dream again. It always began the same: an endless plane of possibilities, a dazzling radiance that took his breath away, and delicate flowers that bloomed and expanded before his eyes into eternity. The colors were so vivid and alien, they almost seemed to sing with a choir that stretched beyond all understanding.

He reached out to touch one, his fingers trembling with reverence and longing. As soon as he made contact, the godly flower withered, dried, crumbled, and dispersed as if it had never existed. Shame gripped his heart, a heavy, aching sorrow that pressed down on him, leaving him breathless.

“Why does this always happen?” he whispered, looking off into the fathomless plane of beautiful buds. “Why can’t I hold onto anything without it dying?”

A scream pierced the recurring dream, jolting him awake—his daughter’s scream.

“Wendy?!”

His heart raced as he bolted out of bed, instinct driving him. Beside him, Mia tumbled out of bed in a tangled heap of fur, her wide eyes reflecting his alarm. Without a second thought, Jarlath threw open the door and sprinted down the hall, his bare feet slapping against the cold marble floor. Panting as he made it to Wendy’s room, he threw open the door to find utter chaos.

Sora was kneeling on the bed, holding a magical girl-looking brooch that shimmered with brown diamond dust, the symbol like a black sun with a tanuki paw print in the center. Noelia and Eyia were beside her, their faces etched with worry and confusion.

Immediately, Jarlath noticed the tanuki’s extreme fatigue, dark rings under her eyes, and her fur disheveled while staring at the jewelry piece in Sora’s hand. Behind him, Kari appeared, likely drawn out of her room by Sora and Wendy’s screams.

“What happened? Where’s Wendy?” Jarlath demanded, scanning the space.

A shriek answered him from the brooch. “I’m here! Why the crap am I an accessory to be pinned on someone’s shirt?! What happened to my body?!”

Kari snickered from behind him. “Well, that’s one way to stay close to Sora. Creative. I’m impressed.”

Sora looked up at the wolf, seemingly as stunned as the rest of them at the tall, disheveled teen’s response. “I have no clue what’s going on, Wendy. And this is serious, Kari! Wendy is flipping jewelry—this is Wendy!” she shouted, holding up the shimmering brooch.

Kari shrugged, her casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room as she stretched out, tail flicking to the side, and turned to leave. “Meh. You’ll figure it out, I’m sure. Damn. I thought my brother or someone had shown up… The human girl just transformed. Big deal.”

“No, Wolf Butt,” Eyia replied, keeping her distance. “This is the biggest deal. Can you not sense the fathomless void within Wendy? It is as if a hole of blackness, consuming all light.”

“Huh?! I’m doing what, Eyia?”

Noelia looked up at him, tears in her eyes and a look that asked if this was her fault, a dagger thrown at Jarlath’s chest. “Was I not close enough with her… Did I fail to bridge the gap between us?”

Jarlath’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation, his gaze darting between the varied responses of everyone present.

The Herald said the true danger to us is my own family, then I start having a recurring dream about flowers that crumble at my touch, and now Wendy turned into a brooch? I’m supposed to ask Sora about Rose after this…

His gaze shifted to Sora, the brooch, and then to Noelia. Only moments having passed since entering, he took a calming breath and moved forward to sit beside Sora, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay, girls,” he reassured, hearing Mia just getting into the room. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. Just breathe, everyone. Are you hurt, Wendy? And are you okay, Noelia? You don’t look so hot,” he asked, getting a stressed smile from the tanuki.

“It doesn’t hurt…” Wendy mumbled. “I’m just really confused and obviously freaking out a little—I can’t see now, Mom!”

“And I’ll be fine, Jarlath,” Noelia returned, holding her hand over the brooch for a moment. “Oh, sorry. Hmm. Is this…supposed to happen?”

Eyia’s calm voice cut through the tension as she held up a hand to stop Jarlath from getting nearer the brooch. “It is not safe to touch, Clan Father. It is challenging for me to perceive the brooch, as if it flickers from being there and nowhere.”

“Like Nilly!”

Everyone jumped as the cat appeared on the corner chair, swaying back and forth with her split tails. “Nilly likes new things. Exciting things! Gloria will be mad. Super mad! Nilly laughs at Rainbow Wings a lot. She’s always mad at Nilly.”

Sora gulped with everyone else at the name-drop of someone that really shouldn’t be spoken, but it seemed Nilly was an exception because nothing happened. Sucking in air before releasing it in a slow stream, she looked down at her transformed sister in her palms.

“We need to understand what happened. Wendy, can you hear us clearly?”

“Uh. I’m talking and answering questions! Sorry, sorry… I’m okay.” Wendy’s voice came from the brooch, tinged with frustration. “I have no idea how this happened. One moment, I was asleep, then I’m talking to Rose, and the next… I’m this.”

Mia struck the side of the door in her rush, likely having trapped herself in her own tails in the chaos of the awakening. She stumbled into the room, her red hair a tangled mess, her usual grace missing. “Wendy transformed into jewelry? What is happening?”

Noelia shook her head, visibly at a loss. “You’re the one that is supposed to have the answers, Mia. What happened to my daughter?”

Kari, ever the aloof one, waved lazily at them as she exited to take a shower, leaving the tension in the room hanging thick. Mia’s ears twitched as she caught her breath, clearly frustrated.

“I-I don’t know,” Mia mumbled, more to herself than anyone else. Her red eyes blazed with frustration and anger. “This…wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Why didn’t I give myself the information to deal with this? Umm… Okay. Everyone, we need to go to Stephanie. She should know more about this than we do. It’s…all I can think of right now,” she growled, scratching her ear.

Sora jumped up, helping Noelia to her feet, while Jarlath moved to support her other side. Nilly was now nowhere to be seen, her bell leaving a ring in the air. Noelia soothed Wendy in their exit, who was still held in Sora’s hands as they went for the door.

“We’ll figure it out, Wendy. Don’t try to be strong. Really, are you in pain?”

Wendy’s voice, tinged with anxiety, came from the brooch as if she stood right next to them. “I just feel stuck, like I’ve been filled in by concrete. It’s…not pleasant, but I can deal with it. I just want to know what to do.”

Sora’s tail twitched as she moved towards the stairs, allowing him to take over supporting Noelia. “We’re going to figure it out, Wendy. Mom, do you really not know anything?!”

“No. I’m so sorry, girls, but…this isn’t how I told myself it would happen. What was I thinking? No. We just need to get to Stephanie. I’m sure she’ll know!”

“Okay. Eyia, grab some clothes or something, just in—”

“Sora…who’s Rose?” Wendy asked.

Sora froze mid-step, her foot slipping and sending her tumbling down the stairs.

“Sora!” Jarlath’s heart leaped to his throat as he watched his daughter land in a heap at the bottom, a growl of frustration escaping her lips. “Sora, are you okay?!” he called out, already moving to help her up as Noelia latched onto the arm rail. Mia almost took the same route down, but Noelia managed to save her.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, Dad,” she grumbled, picking herself up and dusting off her shorts. “Wendy?”

“Other than dizzy, I’m good. Sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you. I’m just trying to piece together everything I do know since…well, I don’t have legs to move.”

She looked down at the brooch with a forced laugh. “No, it’s fine. I’ve spelled myself to be more durable than typical, so I hardly felt it. Umm. How do you know that name? Did you…meet her?”

“Yeah, I did,” Wendy replied, her voice wavering slightly. “But apparently, no one will remember. I’m just trying to figure out what the heck is going on.”

Mia made it past him to fuss over their daughter; she acted as if Sora and Wendy weren’t even talking. “Ugh. Let’s just slow our tails! Thank you, Noelia. Mmm. No one is hurt. We just need to find some answers.”

Sora sighed, glancing back at him and her mom. “I get that. It’s nice having someone to talk to about our mysterious aunt. But let’s first see what Stephanie has to say. Sound good?”

“I guess… You know, I always wanted a fancy brooch. Do you think that plays a role?”

“More like your magical girl obsession. Don’t think I don’t know what you were watching yesterday.”

“It’s a really good anime! You’ll see when you watch it with me.”

“Magical boys swooping princesses off their feet, huh?”

“Don’t judge!”

“Judging!” Sora laughed, trying to ease the tension all of them felt; she probably experienced it herself with her powers.

Jarlath’s leaden heart lightened slightly at the short jokes his girls made to one another on their way toward the hallway. This was pressing, but they didn’t have to panic. It didn’t take long for the pressure around his chest to intensify while listening to his daughters’ confused voices, though. This had to do with his side of the family, and it was one area they couldn’t rely on Mia for. Mia, looking more composed now, moved to check on Sora, drawing his gaze.

“Thank goodness for magic! Let’s keep moving. Stephanie should have some answers. This wasn’t supposed to happen. At most, maybe you were a bit more Sciurus Founder, but…a brooch? Is that…related to—”

Noelia’s stunned voice broke the silence from beside him, her tail as bushy as ever. “Wait, Mia… I’m part Sciurus Founder? Are you suggesting my mother was a Squirrel Founder?” Her blue eyes swam and Jarlath moved to support her again. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Mia strained a smile as they reached the elevator and pressed the button, her ears flicking with residual frustration. “Didn’t you notice how bushy your tail is compared to the average tanuki or your other family members in your den? In any case, this brooch business shouldn’t be dangerous or I wouldn’t have done it. It’s just a…surprise! I’m sure. I wanted to surprise myself. I’m sure Wendy will be able to return to her human form. I’m sure of it…”

Eyia broke the conversation by jogging downstairs to join them, carrying an impressive armful of various clothes—from shoes to dresses to undergarments.

“I got one of everything I could carry, Sister!” Eyia announced, her usual calm demeanor intact despite the chaos. “Should I return to bring more?”

Sora held up Wendy, a chuckle shaking his daughter’s frame. “Nice work, Eyia. Always prepared for anything, huh? Isn’t she great, Wendy?”

“She is…”

Eyia gave a small smile. “It’s important to be ready for any situation, Sisters. Although, clothing is rarely the thing I focus on when preparing for battle. Most times, I was without on the island.”

“Let’s not talk about that!” Wendy cried. “I’m just imagining all the pretty clothes I have now that I may never get to wear again. Joking! Joking… A little joking.”

They managed to squeeze into the elevator, the small space now filled with a mix of tension and humor as they descended. Sora continued to reassure Wendy, her voice a comforting murmur. They fell silent, Jarlath’s thoughts on the Herald’s conversation with him and Tom a week prior.

Sora and Wendy have met my sister. I have a sister named Rose…I can feel it in my bones when her name is said. Yet, I don’t know anything about her. The Herald doesn’t think we can trust my family. Maybe it’s about time I start taking some responsibility for my side of things… I know you’re likely shielding me, Mia. But you can’t help our daughters in this area.

Jarlath’s mind whirled as he tried to process everything, still supporting Noelia, who gave him a trembling-lipped smile. She’d just learned something massive about her family and right after, for all intents and purposes, giving birth to her first daughter.

He exchanged a look with Mia in the elevator as it lowered to the floor below, both of them sharing a mix of concern. Jarlath could see her ripping herself apart on the inside. This was a side of his wife he’d never seen before…an insecure side that questioned if she could trust herself. She knew she had all the answers, but she’d abandoned them for the chance to be with her daughter, stepping into a strange and frightening world of mortality.

Still, they were in this together, no matter how crazy things became. He reached out to take her hand, smiling and his whisper pulling every ear in the wide elevator.

“I, Jarlath Moore, take you, Mia the Fox, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for rich, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, beyond death and eternity, according to holy law. You are mine, and I am yours. In the presence of God, I make this vow.”

A tear fell down his wife’s cheek as she returned his squeeze, the pressure compressing the atmosphere around the dissipating.

“And I, Mia the Useless Fox, take you, Jarlath Moore, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for rich, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, beyond death and eternity, according to holy law. You are mine, and I am yours. In the presence of God, I make this vow. Noelia?” she asked, shooting the woman an expectant smile that had calmed significantly.

Sora and Eyia scooted closer to the wall, big eyes aimed on them, and he figured Wendy was the same since she’d quieted down.

Noelia’s ears lowered, and with his arm around her thin waist, he could feel her body sag slightly; he could feel her perceived unworthiness with her body against his, yet she looked from Mia to stare up at him.

“Ever since the start, I’ve been more than willing to be off in the background… You’ve given me more than I can express. But for Wendy’s sake, I want to provide a stable environment for her… For you, Wendy. So, I will be selfish…in my own time. Right now, my daughter is my priority. Wendy, we’ll figure this out.”

“…Mhm,” the brunette sniffled from inside Sora’s palm.

Her response pricked Jarlath’s heart in a way he hadn’t expected, respect budding within his breast. Throughout it all, including when she’d stood up to him regarding Sora’s meds, Noelia had shoved down her own feelings for the girls she loved more than her own life and happiness. Noelia was a rare woman.

The doors opened, and Noelia pulled away, trying to look strong as she joined Mia and their daughters, leaving him to take the rear with Eyia.

“How are you feeling now, Wendy?” Sora softly asked while leading the way to Ron and Stephanie’s cottage.

“I’m calming down,” she replied, her voice still tinged with anxiety but steadier after all the attempts to lighten the atmosphere. “It’s just a little uncomfortable, but it also feels oddly right… And I can feel the magic in the air here… I can taste it. Oh, umm. I talked with Steph yesterday; let’s not cause a panic for her. She’s still recovering.”

Jarlath smiled while watching the curtain of tails sway in front of him. “You’re always worrying about others, Wendy…just like your mother. We’ll take it slow.”

“I just…feel better,” Wendy mumbled. “I can’t describe it, but now that the shock is over, I kind of feel…free? No. It’s hard to explain…”

When they reached the cottage, the familiar scent of flowers and fresh air greeted them. Jarlath took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Sora was the one to knock, and Ron answered the door, looking a bit surprised to see them all there.

“Ron,” Mia began, her voice urgent but calm, “can we speak to Stephanie? Something went wrong, and…I’m not sure what that was or how to fix it.”

Ron’s brow furrowed. “Steph is with the baby right now, but she’s awake. Come in.”

They entered the cozy cottage, the atmosphere much more serene than the turmoil within them. Stephanie sat against the headboard, cradling their son; she was looking much better, with her turquoise hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She watched them enter with a calm, knowing gaze and spoke before they could explain.

“Mia, Jarlath,” Stephanie greeted, her voice soothing. “This won’t take long, Ron. Come sit. I know about Wendy; I could sense the ripples through the night.”

Mia approached first, her tails twitching with anxiety and twisted tightly. “Stephanie, was all of this a part of my plan? What am I supposed to do? Why didn’t I give myself the knowledge to deal with this other than go to you? I don’t understand my own actions, and that scares me.”

Stephanie shifted their son into a more comfortable position and sighed, her eyes showing a small frown. “Sora, bring Wendy here for a moment.”

“Lady Celestial,” Eyia piped up, “Wendy has become dangerous to handle. My sister seems immune, but she consumed a pillow, and only they recall such memories.”

“I’m well aware of what you are concerned about,” Stephanie whispered, Sora hesitantly handing over the brooch. Everyone tensed, but Stephanie’s elegant fingers accepted the item, careful with her week-old son on her chest. “Mia, while not a certainty, this was always a possibility that you accepted.”

She carefully opened the brooch, its lid shimmering and fading into nothingness to display the inside, split into two distinct jewel halves. The Celestial held it out for them to see as Wendy giggled as if tickled.

“On the left side…you see this swirling pattern of a pure white diamond? It is encased Nihility. A substance I cannot describe to you other than a force or substance that is outside and beyond that which exists. Celestials know it well since we travel through Nihility to reach budding… Mmm. I cannot recall. My loss in power has reduced me to a level that cannot comprehend such concepts.”

“And the other side?” Wendy asked, sounding a bit excited. “This is my dad’s power, right? What can I do with it? Is the brown diamond my mom’s side? Wait, am I two types of Founders if my mom is a mixed Founder?”

“Too many questions, sweetie,” Noelia chortled. “Let’s allow Stephanie to educate us without interruption. You’re still feeling okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, Mom… I’m just getting a little excited. Oh, just one thing! Can I…”

“Have a body?” Stephanie answered with a gentle smile on her typically frosty, cool-beauty face. “Yes, and I can guide you through that shortly. However, allow me to finish my explanation…

“On the opposite side of Nihility, the swirling deep, rich brown casing embodies the essence of your new mother, Noelia. Her powers of bad omens, good luck, possession, shapeshifting, and mischief with the balance of her mother’s squirrel side of orderliness, energy, messengers of the Founders, hard work, playfulness, adaptability, and resourcefulness.”

She directed them to a delicate outline of rubies that encircled both center jewels, forming a thin yet striking border. “This ruby outline represents your minor vulpes connection through Mia. It will be quite challenging to tap into that side of yourself, but not impossible.”

Stephanie’s gaze lifted to center on him. “Now, to wrap this up, Wendy is drawn slightly more toward Nihility—to your family, Jarlath, than Mia or Noelia’s. Why? Is that important at this time? What you are looking at is an impossibility manifesting in our realm. Wendy can create a body for herself, but personally,” she smiled, “I would suggest waiting until she is in a private place since she will be naked.”

Jarlath felt a mix of relief and confusion. “So, this is normal? Well, as normal as things can be for us?”

Stephanie gave him a reassuring smile that translated to everyone else in the room. “Yes, Jarlath. Wendy’s transformation is unique but not dangerous, at least, so long as she doesn’t panic and suck in any more pillows.” Chuckles followed her off-handed joke, though her tone soon became more serious, drawing them in.

“That being said, you have a natural barrier as a being of both Existence and Nihility, Wendy, which is the case here, but that does not mean there is no danger. You just need time and a safe space to adjust. You cannot use your powers on anyone until you learn exactly what they are, and you are responsible enough to take that warning seriously.”

Wendy’s voice came from the brooch, calmer now. “Thanks, Stephanie. I feel better knowing this isn’t a disaster, like Eyia feared. Eh…I am a danger, but only if I want to be, basically. I won’t use my powers until I get some training…which will hopefully come soon, and you’ll explain…hopefully. Sorry for freaking out, everyone.”

Jarlath exhaled slowly, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders yet he knew the hard discussion was to come. He looked at Sora, who gave him a small, hopeful smile. “Alright, we’ll get through this. Ron and I will go outside to leave Wendy and you girls some space to figure things out with Wendy’s body. After that…I’d like some time with Sora and Wendy, alone.”

Sora’s ears tilted with her head, glancing between him and her mother. “Uh, sure, Dad. Is that cool, Wendy?”

“If I can get my body, I’m down for anything! Maybe I can blink Kari out of existence…”

“Wendy!”

“I’m playing! I said I wouldn’t use them. Seriously, though, what is with her? Oh, you’ll figure it out, brooch girl. I’m going to go take a shower and play some basketball while the world burns! Kari, probably.”

Eyia giggled. “Yes, that does sound like the wolf.”

Stephanie waved him and Ron off. Jarlath met Stephanie’s steady gaze and nodded, figuring she may not know the details but had the foresight and general knowledge to know why he needed to talk to his daughters. “Thank you, Stephanie.”

Jarlath walked out of the cottage, the soft click of the door closing behind him seeming to punctuate the whirlwind of emotions he felt. Ron’s steady presence was welcomed as he fell into step beside him, casting a curious glance his way.

“You’ve got that heavy look on your face,” he remarked, his tone gentle yet probing. “What’s going on, Jarlath? You seem like you’re struggling with something. Steph said everything was fine and that Mia planned this.”

Thoughts a tangled mess, Jarlath sighed. He glanced back at the cottage, where Mia, Noelia, and the girls were left to figure out Wendy’s situation. The lingering image of his wife’s self-doubt and frustration gnawed at him.

“I’m struggling with coming to terms with decisions I can’t remember making,” he admitted. “It’s like there are parts of my life, my past, that are shrouded in darkness…that I wouldn’t like, and every step my daughters take feels like a step into that unknown danger I’ve tried to hide.”

Ron nodded, sucking in his cheeks for a moment. “That must be rough. Not knowing if the choices you made were the right ones, or even what they were… I’m guessing this, in part, has to do with the look Mia had on her face. Who knows, maybe I’m in the same boat. Stephanie isn’t exactly an open book all the time. It’s not like I haven’t had the thought before that there’s more she isn’t telling me.”

Jarlath found a measure of comfort in Ron’s words, the shared sense of uncertainty forging a connection. He walked in silence for a moment, the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the mystical realm opening up around them.

“She’s struggling, you know,” Jarlath eventually said as they circled back toward the cabin, his thoughts returning to his wife. “Mia…she’s trying so hard to balance everything, yet it’s all falling right through her fingers. To be the mother she thinks she should be, to make up for lost time, to protect us all. And now, with Noelia… As strange as all this is, I think this might actually be good for Mia, despite how hard it is on her.”

Ron looked at him. “Good for her? How do you figure? I’d be questioning everything if even half of what I’ve heard was true.”

He paused, considering the man’s words. “Mia’s always carried this weight of responsibility, this need to be perfect… It’s probably a projection from trying to live up to her big sister. But she’s realizing she’s not perfect, and that’s…terrifying to her. But it’s also okay.

“She’s opening up, showing vulnerability she never would have before, admitting she doesn’t have all the answers. It’s…bringing us closer together, making her more human, if that makes sense. And Noelia, she’s been a part of our lives for so long. All she wanted to feel was not alone. I want that for her because she fears to be loved…of making someone else feel as lonely as she’s felt. She deserves a place in our family, a real place. Mia’s trying to make that happen, even if it’s messy and complicated.”

“Hmm. Yeah, I get that. Stephanie’s been the same way, trying to navigate this new reality without her Celestial powers. It’s humbling, I think, for both of them. And for us, too. No matter what Steph may or may not be hiding… I know I love her with all my heart, and that’s all that matters in the end. She’d do anything for me…including opening us up to danger because I asked her to help Sora. That’s something special…and makes me feel lacking!”

Jarlath smiled faintly, appreciating the camaraderie and understanding in Ron’s words. They continued walking, the conversation flowing naturally, each word a small step toward untangling the complexities of their lives through each other’s spoken concerns.

He could imagine it, though: back inside the cottage, Noelia sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on the brooch that held her daughter, Sora and Eyia sorting through the clothes, their voices a quiet murmur in the background. His wife would likely be standing off to the side, gripping her elbow, struggling with herself. She was so strong, yet so vulnerable.

Mia’s self-doubt was a stark contrast to the confident, all-knowing figure she often projected. Seeing her like this, wrestling with her own limitations and fears, made Jarlath realize how much she was trying to shoulder on her own, despite her claim of being in it together.

At first, he could imagine Noelia confronting his wife soon enough about what else she might be hiding, but given Noelia’s personality, as he thought further, it probably wasn’t high on her to-do list. She was only focused on her daughter.

As Jarlath walked with Ron, he felt a sense of peace settling over him in preparation for the discussion with Sora and Wendy. He knew there were challenges ahead for all of them, but he also knew they would face them together, as a family. And in that, there was strength.

Ron broke the silence again, his voice filled with quiet determination. “We’ll get through this, Jarlath. One step at a time. Just like you always have, building your empire for Sora to thrive.”

Jarlath nodded, a renewed sense of purpose filling him. “Yeah, we will. Together.”

His wife exited the cottage, her ears twitching with each step, her tails twisted low, a visible testament to the turmoil inside her. She didn’t meet his eyes, the weight of her internal struggle pressing her shoulders down. His heart ached to see her like this, so vulnerable and burdened. He wanted nothing more than to take that pain away, to ease the burden she carried, but he couldn’t force her to share it, only offer.

Ron patted him on the shoulder, a silent gesture of solidarity before moving toward the large bonfire a short distance away. The flicker of a Fire Fairy, curious and glowing, darted out to see what the commotion was about, its light casting playful shadows on Ron’s face.

Taking a deep breath, Jarlath followed Mia a short distance away. Her footsteps were quiet on the soft grass, the breeze gently ruffling her tangled red hair. The sunset of the cosmic bodies overhead cast a golden glow over everything, but it seemed unable to reach the storm within her.

“Mia,” he called softly, coming to stand beside her. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his.

“Mhm… Wendy managed to take a physical form. She’s beautiful, yet also kept her previous charms. Noelia’s fussing over her now.”

He let her update hang for several seconds before slipping his hand out of hers and pulling her against his chest as she began to weep.

“You’re not alone in this, Mia. I know I can’t make it easier on you, and that kills me. How long will you let yourself burn alone… I want you to know that I see everything you’re doing for us, for our family… The sacrifices you’re making. You’ve done everything you could… Share the flames with me.”

“Jarlath, I…I feel like I’m failing. Like every step I take is the wrong one. I wanted to be perfect for you, for the girls. But I’m not. I’m flawed. I’m…” She choked on her words, her voice trembling.

Jarlath held her close as she trembled in his arms, her quiet sobs breaking the stillness of the otherworldly evening. Mia’s fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt, her sobs quieting as she leaned into him. The weight of her struggles pressed against his chest, and he wished he could absorb it all, take it away from her. But all he could do was hold her, offer her his strength, and remind her that she wasn’t alone.

“I’m trying,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest. “Dammit. I’m trying so hard, but it feels like everything is slipping through my fingers. I keep making mistakes…doubting myself. Why did I leave out such critical information and be forced to rely on Stephanie? Why…”

Jarlath gently tilted her chin up, his eyes meeting hers. “Mia, you don’t have to be perfect.”

“I do! If I’m not…I could lose everything.”

“We’re all flawed, and that’s okay. We’re in this together. We’ve both drunk from the same poisoned vine, as you said. I hold just as much guilt, just as many regrets. But we can share the burden. You don’t have to carry it alone.”

A tear slid down his wife’s cheek, and she leaned up to kiss him, a soft, desperate kiss that spoke of her fears and her love. He kissed her back, pouring all his reassurance into that single gesture, hoping to convey how much she meant to him, how much they meant to each other.

As they broke apart, the door to the cottage opened, and Sora stepped out, followed by Wendy. His heart swelled at the sight of his daughters, each transformed in their own way. Sora’s fox ears twitched, her vibrant copper hair catching the light, while Wendy showed off her new form, grinning ear to ear.

Her tanuki ears twitched nervously, and a super puffy squirrel tail swayed gently behind her. Her hair, now a beautiful pattern of brown and black, framed her face perfectly.

She looked much like her human self, but far more beautiful—especially with notable traits from Noelia and an elegance that matched her mother when she was dancing. There was a resemblance between her and Sora now, a familial bond that was unmistakable. However, the thing that eventually caught Jarlath’s eye was the brooch attached to her silky blue dress front.

“Dad, Mom,” Sora said, her voice filled with pride. “What do you think? Are you okay, Mom? Wendy’s fine now.”

Mia’s face softened, a genuine smile breaking through her earlier sorrow. “I’m just happy,” she lied. “You both look gorgeous,” she said, her voice steadying and filled with love. “Absolutely beautiful.”

Wendy blushed, her new ears twitching in response. “Thanks. It feels…different. Way different than I thought it would feel, but in a good way. Like I’m finally who I’m supposed to be. My mom’s inside thanking Steph and helping with the baby—he had an accident.”

Jarlath walked forward, taking Wendy’s hand and pulling her into a hug that she quickly returned. “You are perfect, Wendy. Both of you are. We’ll figure everything out together. As a family. Are you ready for that talk? I think it’s an important one.”

Wendy’s bushy tail wrapped around him and looped around her back, and almost on instinct she pulled away, her red cheeks; clearly it hadn’t been on purpose.

“I know we will, Dad. I know we, eh—sorry! Yeah, I’m ready. I’m going to talk with my dad… My dad. Thank you for being my dad,” she sniffed, eyes now watering as she jumped in for another hug. “Thank you for being my dad.”

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