An awkward reunion

The next morning, I woke up fairly early. A quick glance to my left confirmed that Dahl was still soundly asleep. She seemed so at peace like this, even though I knew how stressful this situation was for her.

It'll be alright, it'll go well, there's no reason anything could go wrong.

I repeated this multiple times in my head to give me the confidence I needed to help Dahl during this day. I didn't get up, I stayed by her side on the bed and patiently waited for her to wake up.

The knock on the door indicating that our breakfast had arrived finally broke her from the land of dreams, as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Good morning, Dahl~" I said with a loving smile, caressing her cheek.

She smiled tiredly. "Good morning, Yun."

I got up and grabbed the plates with our breakfast, thanking the employee who brought it to us, before putting them on the table and checking on Dahl.

"Did you sleep well?"

She sat up and nodded as she yawned. "I'm still a bit sleepy, but yeah."

I gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek and smiled. "Let's eat our breakfast so we can get back to bed, then."

She groggily stood up and sat at the table, quickly making some coffee to help wake herself up. She almost dropped the cup she was holding. She was shaking slightly, explaining her clumsiness.

"Dahl, I'll make sure everything goes well, I promise. Believe in me, please." I murmured, caressing her hand and giving her a reassuring smile.

She sighed. "I'm so nervous... She's my daughter, but I know next to nothing about her..."

"Now you have the chance to learn more, at least."

"Right..."

The two of us finished our breakfast and went back to bed for the time being, Dahl hugging me tightly as I patted her head. Finally, shortly before lunchtime, we got up and dressed for today.

I went for the clothes I wore before the trip: a white skirt and blouse alongside a pair of white strappy heels. I added a pair of white pantyhose and applied some light makeup to complete my elegant look. I wanted to leave a good second impression on Dahl's daughter, after all. Dahl was also getting dressed, choosing a more sober style consisting of a pair of jeans and a pink shirt with black ballet flats.

"How... How do I look?" She timidly asked as she observed herself in the mirror.

"Beautiful, as always~" I replied with a smile, making her blush. "Let me do your makeup, you're still shaking too much."

She nodded and sat on the bed, and I meticulously applied her makeup, making sure to enhance her cuteness. She truly was stunning, I could feel my heart beating faster as I admired her beauty.

"Here you go, you're now the cutest girl in all London~" I declared, satisfied with my work. "Not that it wasn't already the case without the makeup, of course~"

"Ah, Yun, stop it..." She murmured in protest, but her red cheeks betrayed how much she loved when I complimented her.

"Nah, I won't~" I replied in a teasing tone before kissing her lovingly. "You're far too adorable when you're acting all bashful~"

She got up and swiftly pulled me closer, taking me by surprise. "You're really making a mess out of Dahl, Yun~" Lia said with a grin, kissing me back. "Before you appeared in our lives, it was my job to tease her, you know~?"

"In that case, you now have some competition~" I spoke back, smirking at her.

She giggled before walking towards the window, observing the pedestrians and cars outside. "I'll stay in control until the meeting so she can prepare herself mentally. But once there, she'll be on her own, it's something she must do herself."

"Alright. Is there anything you'd like to eat for lunch?"

"Hmm, not really, let's just find something cheap and close-by."

"Sounds good."

The two of us left the hotel and walked for a few minutes before finding a burger shop. The prices seemed reasonable enough and the reviews were good, so we ordered there. It was quite different from most burger shops in the US, but it was pretty good nonetheless.

After that, we decided to drive to Watford earlier than planned to visit the city a bit more, as we didn't get the chance last time. Lia was curious about how much things had changed compared to Dahl's memories. We parked near the city center and started to wander around.

"There was a bakery here before, ran by an Irish couple." Lia said, pointing towards what was now a clothing store. "Dahl always went there to buy some bread and cakes. Their apple cakes and soda breads were apparently to die for. A shame we can't try them ourselves anymore."

"Indeed."

She continued to give me a tour of the town, commenting on how things were when Dahl still lived here. A lot of smaller shops closed, a lot of new ones opened, but some were still around despite all this time.

About half an hour before the meeting, we decided to wait in front of the school Marion studied at, as she asked. It was an imposing and ancient building, in that same architectural style I've seen in London. It honestly looked a lot more appealing than the schools my old self and Seo-Yun went to.

After some time, the bell rang and, only a few minutes later, a swarm of students started to flow out of the building, impatient to get back home or hang out with their friends.

"I'll switch back now, but if things really go bad, I'll be there." Lia muttered before closing her eyes and breathing slowly.

After another deep breath, Dahl opened her eyes. Just in time, as I spotted Marion in the crowd, something that wasn't easy to do as all the girls were wearing the same uniform. She approached us slowly, observing us as if she didn't truly believe we would come.

"You really are Seo-Yun?" She hesitantly asked.

"I am, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Marion." I replied, smiling warmly at her. "And this is Dahlia."

Dahl smiled shyly. "H-hi."

"Hi, are you feeling better?" Marion asked, referring to what happened at the florist shop last time.

"Y-yes, thanks..." Dahl replied, her nervousness returning. "You... huh... wished to speak to me?"

Marion nodded. "I do, yeah."

"I'm not familiar with this city but I spotted a nice-looking cafe nearby, would you like to go there to talk, maybe?" I offered.

"I think I know which one you're talking about. It's good but... fairly expensive." Marion said.

I giggled. "Don't worry, I'll pay for you."

"Really?"

"Yup."

Dahl stayed silent for the time being, but I noticed that she and Marion exchanged glances at times, observing each other as we walked.

"So... Have you been following me for a while?" I asked Marion to break the ice.

"For a few months, but I mainly started to follow you closely a month ago, to be honest." She replied, a bit embarrassed. "You suddenly became so much more cheerful, and even started to give fitness and health advice."

I wondered what to say for a brief moment before replying. "I had a big change of heart, recently. I admit that I didn't take good care of my fans before, but I've seen the errors of my ways and I'm now trying my best to be a positive influence on the world, no matter how small my contribution might be."

"I see. My friends and I have been trying to follow the fitness routines you mentioned."

"I'm happy to hear."

"Do you... work at the shop often?" Dahl asked shyly.

Marion smiled. "I often help my mother during weekends or after school when I'm not busy. I do want to become a proper florist like her after graduating."

Dahl seemed satisfied with this answer. "I wish you luck."

We reached the cafe shortly after and found a spot in the back. It reminded me of my first proper meeting with Dahl, or Lia, back then. The cafe was fairly busy, some students from Marion's school having come here as well.

"Order whatever you want. As I said earlier, it's my treat." I said to Marion as I myself ordered a cheesecake and a smoothie.

Dahl just ordered a strawberry milkshake, while Marion went for a cheesecake too, alongside a hot chocolate.

While we were waiting, Marion opened her bag, searching for something. "I'll go straight to the point." She said as she slid a picture across the table. "How did you get this? When I got back home, I immediately noticed that the flowers on our doorstep were the ones you bought, and this was with them."

Dahl glanced away as I looked at the picture more closely. It depicted a happy family in what seemed to be a verdant park. There was a tall and very slim man with dark red hair, a brunette that I recognised as a younger Cecile, and a toddler in her arms.

"The flowers, my mother said they were my biological father's favourites, and this picture was one he apparently always carried with him." Marion continued. "Please, tell me how you knew where we lived, and how you got your hands on this picture?"

Dahl stayed silent, clenching her fists and avoiding Marion's eyes.

"Please, tell me what you know..." Marion pleaded. "My mother... After we found the picture, she spent the whole evening and night crying."

She's ****, it seems...

Dahl glanced at me, as if she was asking me what to do. I put a hand on her thigh and gave her a reassuring smile. It was her decision to take, and I would support her no matter what.

She took a deep breath before finally replying to Marion. "It's... a very complicated and surreal story... One... that I can't share in public..."

"Why the secrecy?"

"You'll understand when you hear it... But before that, can you promise us one thing?"

Marion tilted her head. "What?"

Dahl looked Marion in the eyes. "No matter what... please promise that you won't hate or fear us."

She seemed a bit confused at the request but nodded. "Huh, I promise..."

She plans to tell Marion about us? I wondered as I quietly listened.

Dahl smiled. "Thank you."

"Would you... like to come to my house?" Marion offered hesitantly.

"To... your house?" Dahl replied, surprised.

"You said you couldn't share it in public, right? My mother won't be back for another two hours."

"You... shouldn't invite strangers like this, you know?" Dahl weakly protested. "Cecile must have taught you that."

It seemed to me like it was an excuse to avoid going back to her previous home. She immediately lost her already weakened composure as soon as Marion made her offer and slipped up by mentioning Cecile's name, something that Marion clearly noticed.

Marion looked down. "I can't really explain why but... I trust you. When you were at the shop and even now, you seem... genuine. And Seo-Yun is with you, too."

"You shouldn't trust strangers so easily, Marion, even if they're famous." I replied, smiling at her. "But alright, we'll come with you."

Dahl was still unsure, but nodded. We finished our drinks and snacks and left the cafe, going back to our car. Dahl already knew the way, so it didn't take long to reach her former home. We parked in front of it, Dahl taking a deep breath before getting out.

Marion unlocked the door and removed her loafers before lending us two pairs of slippers. "They might be a bit too big for you, but we don't have anything else, sorry."

"It's okay, thank you." I replied before unstrapping my heels and following her example.

Dahl did the same, but she was also meticulously observing the interior of the house, her face betraying the deluge of emotions she was feeling from being there again.

Marion led us to the living room and sat on the couch. "Make yourself at home."

"Thanks." Dahl said as we sat down as well.

We both noticed the bouquet Dahl bought being in a vase near the windows. It made her smile slightly.

"Now, we're alone, right? Can you please explain?" Marion asked.

"Before I do... What did Cecile tell you about what happened to your father?"

"Not much. He suddenly disappeared one day, taking my grandad's camping-car with him. That's all my mother told me." Marion sighed.

"He... had a good reason for doing so." Dahl replied dejectedly.

"What do you know about this?"

"Everything." Dahl said, looking at Marion. "Your father... was cursed. He was quickly becoming a monster, but was too afraid of admitting it to Cecile... He chose to run away to protect her, and you."

Dahl was shaking so much, but tried her best to not let it affect her. I held her hand and squeezed it gently to give her some courage.

Marion, meanwhile, was visibly confused. "A curse? What are you talking about?"

"Do you know what skinwalkers are?"

"Skinwalkers?" Marion paused, lost in thought, before speaking again. "Aren't they American legends or something like that?"

"They're different from the legends. Skinwalkers are cursed creatures, who need to borrow the skins of humans to survive. And your father... became one." Dahl muttered.

"Stop. If you're here to talk about fairy tales, you can just leave now." Marion replied, annoyed.

"They're not fairy tales..." Dahl spoke quietly. "Please remember your promise from earlier. Don't be afraid, we won't do anything to you." She added before freeing the spines from her right hand.

Marion immediately jumped in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at the alien protrusions coming out of Dahl's fingers.

"W-what is that?!" She asked, starting to panic.

"Marion, you're safe, don't worry. We're not going to harm you, I promise." I said, trying to calm her down.

"Skinwalkers truly exist." Dahl continued. "Your father became one, fifteen years ago, and fled out of fear and shame... He... wandered around the world for a while, trying to forget the life he lost, but he always kept this picture with him, no matter the life he borrowed. He didn't have the strength to give it up, it meant too much for him."

I couldn't tell if it was Dahl or Lia speaking right now, maybe it was a mix of both. Marion was still in shock, staring at us and frozen in place.

Dahl glanced at me, smiling weakly. "Only recently did he gather enough courage to return here, hoping to find some semblance of closure. That's why he... bought these flowers and decided to check on his family one last time, and to part with the picture that held so many memories."

Marion just kept staring at Dahl, most likely needing a moment to process everything that happened. Dahl was shivering even more while I tried to reassure her, caressing her shoulder. This moment of silence waiting for Marion to reply must have been killing her.

Finally, Marion spoke hesitantly. "Are you... Are you saying you're... my father...? And a skinwalker...?"

Dahl looked away. "I don't deserve to call myself that, but yes... I am your father..."

"How... am I supposed to trust you?"

"I don't know... I... never intended for us to speak again, to be honest..." Dahl replied, still shaking. "After dropping the flowers, I hoped it would be all. But I... underestimated Yun's popularity. It didn't come to my mind that you might have been one of her fans. And I just... couldn't bring myself to lie to you after seeing you again..."

Marion didn't reply, but stared at me. "And you're... a skinwalker too?"

"I am, yes. I've only been one since last month, though." I awkwardly replied.

"Last month... That change you mentioned..."

"It's when I decided to become a better Seo-Yun. A Seo-Yun that would be nice and friendly, and who would use her fame and wealth for noble causes. With great power comes great responsibility, right?" I added, giggling, to try to ease the mood a little.

"I was... relieved to see that you and Cecile were doing fine..." Dahl said as she got up, her breathing getting faster and her crying more intense. "I'll... leave you alone now... Farewell..."

"W-wait!" As Dahl was starting to walk away, Marion quickly moved closer, holding her arm. "I... I don't fully believe you but... I want to know more... You... You can't just drop all of that about skinwalkers and my father and walk away..."

I let out a sigh of relief, happy to see how things had unfolded. I came closer to Dahl and hugged her as she broke down, while Marion just observed us, utterly lost and confused, but no longer frozen in fear. We would have a lot of explaining to do, but it'd wait until Dahl recovered enough.