Returning home for the last time

Nikolai dropped us in front of the airport, waving at us before driving away. Mother took a last puff of her electronic cigarette before holding my hand and leading me inside energetically. She smiled and happily greeted the staff as we got our tickets. While walking towards our gate, she was texting on her phone, giggling to herself as she was apparently talking with some of Olivia's friends. It was strange seeing this young woman and knowing it was my mother, she was acting so differently compared to before...

"What's wrong, Elise?" She asked when she noticed me stare at her.

I looked away. "N-nothing... This situation is just... weird..."

She giggled. "Oh, I'm sure it is, but you'll get used to it after a while."

"I suppose."

"Tell me, what were you doing before these recent turns of events?"

"I worked as a bartender." I simply replied. "Wasn't much, but it helped pay the bills."

"I see. You weren't living the most fulfilling life, hmm?"

"Not really, but I enjoyed it. My boss was kind and understanding, and the clients were for the most part respectful and friendly."

"It's what matters. Did you make any friends... or lovers?" She then asked in a teasing tone.

I blushed. "Friends, not really, but I did have a girlfriend..."

It piqued Mother's curiosity. "Oh~? Tell me more, how was she like?"

"Kind, cheerful, smart... She was a French professor and PhD student at the local college. I met her while working. Saved her from a scumbag who tried to spike her drink. We hit it off shortly after."

"And you're no longer together?"

I shook my head. "No, we broke up when Claire joined me. We haven't spoken much since."

"I see, I am sorry to hear." She said before continuing. "What do you think of Ashley?"

"Ashley?"

Mother giggled. "She's head over heels for you. You noticed it, right? She'd be anyone for you."

"Maybe..."

"Mind finding us two seats? I'm gonna get something to drink." She requested.

I nodded. "Sure."

She swiftly left in search of a cafe, leaving me alone with my thoughts for a moment while I kept walking towards the gate. At first, I thought about romance due to what Mother asked. I chose to become Elise and embrace her life, so it'd mean that I would have to be with John... Was I really able to live years as a loving straight soon-to-be wife? Being with John so far had been fine, but it was because I believed the situation to be temporary. And I had to fully immerse myself in Elise's personality to enjoy it. Even with Elise's own preferences, as a whole, I still was more attracted to women.

Mother mentioned Ashley, and I recalled how happy she seemed to be with me. I could believe her wanting to stay by my side no matter the skin we'd be wearing. She clearly enjoyed her time as John last night and this morning.

Will she stay as him? Should I allow her to stay as him?

It wasn't like I truly had the means to **** her out, but did I want to? I needed the time to think about everything clearly, as things have been far too hectic these last few days.

I then thought about Claire. Will Claire accept to become a skinwalker? Will she want to live here again? I wondered, recalling what Mother said in the car. Would she like being a skinwalker?

My brain was filled with a multitude of thoughts ever since Mother mentioned wanting to turn Claire. I couldn't stop imagining how her life would be as a skinwalker. Claire was a kind girl, would she enjoy having to steal other people's lives to survive?

As I found a seat and sat down, I also thought of how she'd react seeing me like this. What would she think of me taking over Elise's life? She wasn't really close to her, but the two knew each other. Claire wouldn't hate me, but it'd make things so weird...

"Here's for you, Elise." I heard my mother say, breaking me out of my thoughts.

She was handing me a cup of hot chocolate with cream. It looked and smelled delicious.

"T-thanks, Olivia." I replied, smiling at her and grabbing the drink.

"You love those, right?" She continued as she sat next to me, before starting to drink her own cup.

"Y-yeah."

"Were you thinking about Claire?"

"I was." I simply said.

She chuckled softly. "You always make the same face whenever you do, it's getting easy to tell. What's on your mind?"

"I was just thinking about what you said in the car... Wondering if she'd accept."

"I wonder too, but we'll get the answer soon enough. Now, there's something else I've been wondering. The one who blessed you, can you tell me more about her?"

"Hmm, I don't know much about her, to be honest. Her name is Dahlia. She's a student at the local college, and has been... blessed, as you put it, for fifteen years. At first, I didn't trust her, but she didn't seem so bad after spending the day with her."

"What made you think that?" Mother pondered. "You know we're masters at deception, after all."

"I don't know... I just had the feeling she was trustworthy. She had a human friend at college she truly seemed to care about."

Mother caressed her chin, taking a pensive expression. "Interesting... I can't wait to meet her as well."

"I'll text her." I said, grabbing my phone and asking Dahlia to stay with Claire when I'll come back.

After that, we spent some time making small talk until we embarked on the plane. Mother put on some music, showing me the bands she was listening to. I recognised many names, surprisingly. The identity she chose to don truly seemed to share similar tastes with me. She was smiling and laughing as we spoke of some peculiar bands or songs.

Even while in the air, she kept talking, this time about some games she enjoyed. Olivia apparently was an avid fan of MMOs, mainly Final Fantasy XIV. I couldn't keep up much, as I never played any, something she found amusing. She even made me promise to try playing the game with her once we're back.

She's really genuine in wanting us to grow closer... I thought, unable to deny it any longer after what I've witnessed.

Gone was the intimidating aura she exuded these last two days. She was just... warm, caring... She was just enjoying spending time with me...

We spent most of the flight talking about games and listening to music, making it feel really short. Once we landed, she called a taxi and I gave the driver Dahlia's address. I was still nervous as we approached the building, but I was trying my best to appear calm.

I rang the bell, only having to wait a minute before the door opened, revealing Dahlia behind it.

"H-hi Dahlia. It's me. May we come in?" I said, smiling a bit awkwardly at her.

"Huh, sure... Who is she?" She asked while looking at my mother as we walked inside.

"It's... a long story."

As we entered the living room, we spotted Claire, sitting on the couch with a game controller next to her. They were apparently playing games together before we arrived.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. "E-Elise?"

I shook my head, looking down. "N-no. It's... It's me, Edward..."

"E-Ed? You're... You're Elise?"

"Ah, Claire. You've changed so much since the last time I saw you." Mother said with a warm smile as she came closer. "You became a lot healthier and less tomboyish, hmm?"

"W-who are you?"

"She's... our mother, Claire. She's a skinwalker." I explained.

"M-Mother?" Claire repeated, shocked.

"Indeed, I am the one who gave birth to you and your brother while living as Patricia. As you know, Edward recently came to 'visit' us, to punish your father. After we discovered each other's secret, I helped him deal with Victor, and decided to take this skin as my own afterwards, living as Olivia."

As soon as she heard that, Dahlia moved in between Claire and Mother, sheltering Claire. "What do you want?" She asked coldly while staring at Mother.

Mother seemed surprised for a brief moment before giggling. "You're quite protective, aren't you? You're the one who blessed Edward, correct?"

"I am, so what?"

"You have no idea how ecstatic I was when I learned that my dear son had been blessed by one of my kind." Mother said while placing a hand on my shoulder and smiling at me. "I was looking forward to meeting you, Dahlia. I've been quite curious about the kind of skinwalker you were. Edward does seem to trust you, but do you really not have any hidden agenda regarding my children?"

"I don't." Dahlia simply replied, still on her guard. "Now, what do you want? If you indeed are their mother, Claire told me how disinterested you were in them. Why come here now?"

Mother contemplated what to say for a moment, before speaking again. "I won't deny acting coldly towards her and Edward when they were still living with me, but as a skinwalker yourself, you must be aware of how painful it can be to grow too close to a human and then losing everything, don't you?"

Dahlia was surprised by Mother's question. "What?"

"I tried my best to keep some distance between my children and me for this exact reason. But I still ended up caring about them, in the end."

"She's telling the truth. She won't harm Claire, Dahlia." I said. "Could you... bring us something to drink?"

Dahlia nodded, but still seemed a bit wary. "Okay... I'll be right back."

"You're... You're really Mother?" Claire hesitantly asked.

Mother smiled at her as she sat on the couch, next to her. "I am, yes. I look quite different, don't I?"

Claire looked away, still intimidated by Mother's presence. "Y-you do... Edward, too..."

I sat with them, but couldn't face Claire.

"E-Ed, why... are you Elise?" Claire wondered.

"I... I'm going to live as her, from now on..." I muttered.

Claire was confused. "Huh? W-why?"

"It's part of an agreement we made." Mother explained. "He's to keep Elise as his main skin for the foreseeable future."

"D-does that mean..."

I sighed. "I'll have to return there tomorrow. I can't stay here anymore."

"W-We... We'll be separated again...?"

Mother smiled. "You don't have to be separated. If you want to come back with us, I'll help you find a place to live so you can stay close to your brother. Or, there's another option."

"H-huh?"

Mother freed her spines, surprising Claire. "I can bless you and make you into a skinwalker, just like Edward, Dahlia, and me. You could join us and be part of my coven, staying by your brother's side. Or you could stay here with Dahlia and visit us whenever you want. Our abilities do make travelling a lot easier, after all."

Dahlia arrived just in that moment with a trail in hand, but stopped when she heard Mother. "You want... to turn Claire into a skinwalker?"

"Why, yes. Having her become one of us would make her life a lot easier, don't you think? She wouldn't have to worry about another skinwalker snatching her, or another creature for that matters. She'd be able to live the life she wants, completely free."

Dahlia sighed. "Free, huh..."

Claire had a hard time believing what she heard. "Me...? A-a skinwalker?"

Mother looked back at Claire, caressing her cheek gently. "Being a skinwalker is the truest form of freedom. You would no longer be shackled by a monotonous and potentially dangerous life as a cop, as a human. You'd be able to experience anything you'd like, be anyone you'd like."

Claire glanced down, silent for a moment. She was lost in thought, Mother's offer definitely taking her by surprise.

"You don't have to answer right now. Take the time to think about it." Mother said after a while, putting a hand on Claire's shoulder. "Edward and I will stay the night and return home tomorrow."

I sighed internally. Return home...

She drank a glass of soda Dahlia brought us and stood up. "I will find a place to stay for the night and leave you three for the time being, so you can discuss what I offered. Have a good evening."

She grabbed her bag and walked towards the door, giving us one last smile before leaving somewhere.