New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

Katherine was still too stunned to speak, as she looked at her daughter, who had just bent the laws of physics to her will, like it was nothing.

She knew the awakened players were strong, and she was also painfully aware that her daughter could do things that defied all logic.

But this was far beyond her wildest expectations.

"I… I… What just happened?" she asked, shell-shocked.

Alex and Kary weren't sure whether to laugh or intervene in this case, so they waited.

Waited for Katherine to process in her mind what her eyes had just witnessed.

"Mom?" Violette asked, her face turning worried.

If her mother said she wasn't impressed, she would be lying. But she could also refute that what she saw was even real at this point.

"I… don't know what to say, Violette. If I say you failed, I'd be lying to myself, and you. But I don't want to admit that you succeeded… It means letting you head into danger… I can't stand the thought of it…" Katherine admitted, looking at her daughter with teary eyes.

"Mother…" Violette whispered, realizing what she had been asking of her.

Violette wanted nothing more than to fight by her friends' side for the safety of humanity and the people she cared for. She wanted to be the one protecting them.

But, in a sense, doing so meant depriving her mother of that same role toward her. She wouldn't be able to protect her when they faced a foe that could reap their lives.

By allowing her to choose her battles, her mother would be essentially abandoning her task of keeping her safe…

Of course, this was a hard decision to make. It was the hardest pill to swallow a mother could ever face.

The time to let your child go.

Violette was turning ten in December, which was right around the corner. Katherine was far from ready to let her daughter become independent.

Katherine kept her mouth closed, not wanting to utter the words that her mind was screaming at her.

She was proud of her daughter.

And what mother wouldn't be when they realized their children were not only grown enough to make decisions for themselves but also prove they held the strength to fly on their own?

But saying those words meant letting her leave the nest.

Katherine opened her mouth to speak, but Violette slammed into her, hugging her tight and crying.

"Don't say it. You don't have to…" Violette cried.

Katherine's tears started flowing, and she hugged her daughter tight, not wanting to let her go.

Alex and Kary looked at the scene with smiles, but quickly understood they were no longer needed here.

Signalling to Jonathan that they should leave, the three of them left the mother and daughter weep in peace. This was a moment for them, and the three of them shouldn't be a part of it.

As they reached outside again, Alex turned to Jonathan.

"You look a bit better. You recovering from that defeat?"

Jonathan paused at the question.

"Not completely… But I'm getting there. At least I don't have nightmares anymore…"

Alex put a hand on top of his head.

"You know, although your grandfather is filthy rich, and he can get you the best shrinks in the world, I think you can get better help elsewhere."

Jonathan looked up at him, his eyes weary.

"And where would I get that better help?" he asked, almost mockingly.

Alex heard the tone and chuckled, and he lightly slapped the back of his head.

"In your friends, you little dickhead. Don't shut in on yourself. You'll turn out like David."

Jonathan chuckled.

"You mean super powerful and immune to fear?"

Alex sighed, and Kary giggled.

"No. He means sour and afraid of seeking help. Friends are not just there when you need allies. Friends are there in thick and thin, Jonathan. We can help you walk the darkness in your heart. Come to us if you need help," Kary said, lowering to his height and ruffling his hair.

Jonathan smiled, realizing he'd been shutting out everyone.

"I'm sorry. It's just... I thought I had to deal with this alone, to get stronger, you know?"

Alex noogied him before laughing loudly.

"Kid, if getting stronger was done alone, guilds wouldn't be a concept. Let your friends in. We can help. We are only ever a phone call away, you know?"

Jonathan held the top of his head, grimacing at Alexander.

"I know. Next time, I'll be sure to call when I feel alone. Thank you, guys…"

"That's all we ask," Kary said, smiling warmly at him.

"Do you need a ride home?" Alex asked him, as he texted their limo driver.

Smiling wide, Jonathan shook his head.

"No. I have a quicker way."

Closing his eyes to focus, Jonathan gathered his mana to his feet, where a gust of wind kicked up before lifting him off the ground in a miniature tornado.

"You aren't the only ones who can fly, now," he said, opening his eyes and smirking.

Alex chuckled.

"Alright, then, cocky little shit. See you around. And call us if you need us. Don't be a David."

Jonathan burst off, laughing as he did, and waved at them.

Of course, that was the moment the limo drove around the corner, making for a very weird sudden braking.

When Gilbert pulled out of his limo, he looked up, trying to see what he thought he had seen, but he couldn't see anything anymore.

He turned to Alex and Kary, about to ask them if they'd seen anything, but suddenly realized how crazy he would sound. So he went back to smiling.

"This took longer than I was expecting. But I hope I didn't keep you waiting. Are we ready to go home, or is there another place you would like to go?" he asked, keeping his professionalism.

Alex looked at Kary knowingly, but they didn't say anything.

"I think we are ready to return home, Gilbert. But we can take our time to head back. Take a scenic route."

Gilbert grinned at the words. This meant his mileage bonus would be bigger, and nothing was better than money.

"Of course, sir. How scenic are we talking?"

"As much as you see fit. Just don't stray off the island, maybe?" Alex chuckled.

There were a few hours left before noon, and even though Alex was starting to get hungry a bit, he could wait. And Kary didn't seem to mind either.

So who cared about burning a few dollars, if it meant relaxing a bit, as they enjoyed a little car trip?

Gilbert opened the door for them, smiling as wide as his face.

"Then off we go," he chimed.

Alex and Kary climbed aboard, and Gilbert practically ran to his seat before leaving the sports center in haste.

The drive took them around Westmount, allowing them to appreciate the lovely houses, some with modern looks, and others, much like the Bellemare residence they passed in front of, still held their older construction style.

Gilbert then took them to the Plateau Mont-Royal, where most of the mansions were, describing some of their histories as he went. Even though Alex and Kary didn't seem to pay much attention, it didn't deter him.

They were paying for a service, and he would happily oblige, even if they weren't his most avid listeners.

After the plateau, he took them around the largest park in Montreal, explaining how it used to be many smaller ones that the municipality eventually combined into one super park to compete with the famous Central Park in New York.

He explained how it had been the largest park in the country for a while, until British Colombia inaugurated an even larger one, in a suburb of their capital.

Alex thought at one point that Gilbert would have made an excellent tourism guide, and even wondered if he hadn't been one at a point in his life. The attention to detail and vivid descriptions he gave of the most mundane things were way too researched.

But it made their ride enjoyable, and both he and Kary eventually even listened to him, finding his commentary interesting.

But all good things have an end, and they were eventually back in front of the tower that housed their home. Alex gladly stretched out his smartwatch, giving the man a fat tip, aside from the payment that had already passed on his account.

"Thank you so much, sir!" Gilbert said, feigning tears as he accepted the stack of bills.

"Thanks for the ride and tour, Gilbert. If I need a ride, I'm sure to call you again," Alex said with a smile.

"You honour me, young man. I will gladly take your call anytime you wish, even in the middle of the night. Thank you a hundred times for your patronage!"

Alex laughed as he stepped out of the vehicle and stretched.

"Alright, let's go up and eat something. I'm starving."