Discussing about Mother's offer

For a moment, the three of us stayed quiet. Claire was staring at the floor, still pondering about Mother's offer, while Dahlia was looking at me, visibly expecting me to tell her what happened during this week I was away.

I took a deep breath and sighed. "It went a lot better than I feared..."

"Ed. Some explanations, please." Dahlia asked. "I think I got the gist of it, but I'd like more details."

Claire glanced back at me, focusing on what I was about to say. She was clearly curious too. I closed my eyes, breathing slowly to stay calm as I recounted last week's events. My attempt at infiltrating the company, jumping from skin to skin until I found the opportunity to skin Elise and get a direct shot at my parents as their secretary. My horror as I discovered our Mother's true nature, and her own excitement from learning about my curse. My shock as she made me meet her coven, with Minh, Ashley, Aisha, Matthew, Nikolai, Oliver, as well as Melissa. The impossible decision Mother **** me to take, leading to me having to stay as Elise...

Only thing I left out was that night with John. I didn't have the courage to talk about it in front of Claire.

I was gritting my teeth as I spoke, but managed to avoid crying. My resolve from this morning and witnessing Mother's **** and more caring side did help me slightly cope with this situation I found myself in.

Dahlia placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a compassionate look. "I'm sorry you went through that, Ed... But if it's any consolation, I think you did the right thing. Elise is in good hands with you at the helm."

I didn't reply, looking back at Claire. "Are you thinking about accepting Mother's offer, Claire?"

I really didn't know what to think about this. If she chose to become a skinwalker, I couldn't go against her will. A small part of me would even be relieved if she were to accept. It'd allow us to stay together, and for her to be safe from other skinwalkers, as Mother said before leaving. But it'd also mean her losing her own life, becoming a parasitic creature like me, Dahlia, and Mother and her coven...

Claire stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking timidly. "I... I don't know... It does sound... tempting... I could... relate to you two better."

Dahlia seemed only slightly surprised by Claire's declaration. "Are you sure? Becoming a skinwalker would mean losing the life you've been building for yourself here, you know?"

Dahlia's concerns made Claire smile softly. "I-I know, but... I'd still have you and Ed, right?"

"That's true... You wouldn't have to face this alone. You and Ed are really lucky in that regard..." Dahlia replied, appearing melancholic for a brief moment. "Would you... move back to your hometown with Ed and your mother?"

Dahlia almost sounded worried when she asked that, as if she was afraid of Claire's answer. It contrasted a lot with her more confident demeanour she exhibited last week when we met. It was like she didn't want Claire to leave.

Claire gave her a kind look. "I think I'd stay here. This last week with you was... really enjoyable." While Dahlia blushed slightly at her reply, she continued. "And if travelling is so easy as a skinwalker, I could often visit Ed, like Mother said."

Dahlia smiled, slowly regaining some of her composure. "Yeah, it is easy for us to move around. If you... want to become a skinwalker, I'll teach you how to be one."

"Ed... What do you think? Should I... Should I accept Mother's offer...?" Claire glanced back at me, waiting expectedly for my answer.

I sighed. "My brotherly instincts would be against it, but... I can't make this decision for you, Claire..."

"I... I see... Do you believe Mother was... truthful about what she said?"

"That she cared about us? Yes... Until this morning, I still had my doubts, but I can deny it no longer... She was the one who saved you from Father, she supported us during these difficult years growing up under him..."

Claire was surprised by what I said. "She... saved me? Really?"

I nodded. "She told me in the car this morning. She asked a member of the coven to help you escape. She was really excited about seeing you again."

"Mother..." Claire simply muttered, lost in thought.

"Anyway, it's almost lunch time, would you two like to eat here?" Dahlia asked, trying to ease the mood a little and change the subject.

I smiled at her. "Yes, thanks. But let me help you with the cooking."

"Alright."

We walked to the kitchen, leaving Claire in the living room for the time being. Dahlia grabbed some vegetables, lamb, and couscous to make our lunch. I helped her by rinsing and cutting the vegetables while she was making a stew for the lamb and the couscous.

While we were alone, Dahlia leaned closer and whispered. "Ed, did something else happen when you were away? I feel like you didn't say everything earlier."

Dahlia could be quite insightful, it seemed. While I was too ashamed to talk about my time with John in front of Claire, I felt like Dahlia would understand me better in that regard.

I let out a depressed sigh. "The evening of the day I discovered the truth about my mother, I... I slept with Elise's fiancé..."

Dahlia seemed surprised. "You did?"

"Yeah... I wasn't thinking straight, I was so afraid of the potential consequences of disappointing Mother, as she encouraged me to try... I was depressed and lost, so I just... gave in... I felt so awful afterwards..."

She caressed my arm gently. "Ed, it's alright. Sometimes, you just have to... do what you need to do." She then looked away, her melancholic expression back. "It was hard for me too when I first became a skinwalker, but I got used to it. We're borrowing the lives of other people, it's only normal for us to keep their lives in order and make sure we don't cause them any trouble."

"I know... Mother told me I should simply 'enjoy the ride', but it's hard for me... It feels so... wrong. But I took the decision to stop mopping around. I need to try to enjoy this time, for Elise's sake."

"And yours, too, Ed. You need to take care of your mental health and well-being. It may sound heartless, but it should be your priority above all else." She said, hugging me.

I tried to give Dahlia a warm smile. "Yeah, I know. But thanks, Dahlia."

She then giggled quietly. "I can't help but find it funny how you're now even smaller than me. And I thought I was quite small before."

Her remark managed to get a chuckle out of me. "I should get used to being the smallest of all of us now."

After this short pep talk, we got back to cooking. A while later, the couscous with vegetables, lamb, and the stew was ready. I helped set the table alongside Claire before Dahlia brought the big cooking pot.

The dish smelled fantastic, it was making me hungry enough to almost forget about our predicaments. After bringing a first spoonful to my mouth, I confirmed that it tasted as good at it smelled. It was delicious.

We were in the middle of lunch when Claire spoke slowly. "I... I'll accept Mother's offer. I'll become a skinwalker."

"Are you sure, Claire?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I want to relate to you two better, and I want to be able to visit you often, Ed." She then smiled awkwardly. "Besides, being a skinwalker doesn't seem... so bad. You and Dahlia are still good people."

"I see... I'll text Mother to tell her to come." I replied, not wanting to argue any further.

She had made her decision, I had to respect it. She was an adult, now. I grabbed my phone and texted 'Olivia', asking if she'd be willing to come by my old flat this evening to hear Claire's answer.

The rest of lunch went by in silence, nothing else needed to be added. Claire and I parted ways with Dahlia afterwards, returning to our flat as I wished to bring some of my belongings back to Elise's home. Mainly some comics and trinkets I held sentimental values for.

As Claire helped me pack, I spoke. "Do you think you'll enjoy this life?"

"I... I think. The way Dahlia and Mother spoke about what's it like to be a skinwalker seemed... appealing, in a way."

I glanced at my feminine body and smiled slightly. "I suppose it is. I can't... deny having enjoyed it for the most part... But I'll miss you when I return to Elise's home."

Claire hugged me. "I'll visit often, I promise. You're my brother, and I'll always love you."

"I'll always love you too, Claire."

"It's weird to hug you like this... You're so... small and soft." She commented.

I giggled. "It is weird for me too. We had this discussion with Dahlia in her kitchen. You two are now taller than me."

"It's something I'll have to get used to if I become a skinwalker too. Becoming someone potentially so different from my original self."

"Dahlia and me will help you, alright?"

"Thanks."

We then sat on the couch and played some Tekken while waiting for Mother to arrive. I didn't know how often I'd have the opportunity to play games again now I'd be living as Elise, so I wanted to enjoy my good old Ps4 to the fullest today.