I visited Exire again today to drop off some supplies. Everyone was really happy to see me, and I was glad to see them, too. Lately, the temperature has been warmer there, so it's been easier for them to grow crops. The city is still afloat, but I think the altitude dropped a bit. I hope it's a sign that half-elves are starting to become accepted.
Anyway, once I said hello to everyone and helped with a few repairs I headed back toward my reihard. On the way, I passed by my mother's house, as I do every time I visit. I stared at it for a moment before walking up to the door. I raised my hand to knock, but I sighed and shook my head before turning to walk away. I still didn't have the courage to try to talk to her.
As I walked down the steps I heard a faint sob coming from inside. There was no way I could leave her there alone if she was crying, so I went back to the door and knocked gently. The door opened slightly on its own, so I called her name and walked in slowly. I saw her kneeling on the floor with her head down, crying, as I suspected. The doll she had before was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't noticed me yet, so I gently put a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up at me, surprised, and quickly wiped away her tears before apologizing. She asked me if I was 'the nice boy who was helping out lately.' I smiled, nodding, and told her my name. "What a nice name," she said, smiling sadly.
I asked her why she was crying, and she said it was because she did something terrible. I braced myself before asking her the question: 'do you want to talk about it?' She shook her head and said it was too painful. I nodded in understanding and gently rubbed her shoulder to comfort her. I suspected the terrible thing she was referring to was when she abandoned me and Raine.
She smiled up at me before mentioning her poor manners. In return for my kindness, she wanted to do something for me. I tried to protest, but she insisted. She stood up and offered to make me cream stew. I accepted, but I couldn't help but wonder if her cooking was similar to Raine's.
I chopped the necessary vegetables for her while she cooked, and we both sat down to eat when it was finished. I was surprised at how good the stew was! I tasted specific ingredients that I would have used if I had cooked it myself. Did I inherit my cooking ability from her?
When I complimented her cooking skills, she chuckled and said that her late husband was the worst cook she had ever met, so she made all of their meals. I smiled sadly. Raine inherited our father's cooking skills. I wish I could have met him... At this point I was nearly tearing up, so I had to leave. I told her I had to go, but that I would visit again soon if she didn't mind. Her eyes lit up and she nodded stating that she would love another visit.
I left the house and quietly closed the door behind me before whispering: 'I forgive you, and I hope Raine will too, someday'. I doubt she heard me, but I needed to say it aloud for myself. I do plan to visit her again soon. I think her memories are slowly returning.
• Reference: Rebuilding Exire
