The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0594

The Oracle and her entourage stayed just off the shores of the beach. I didn't know what they were waiting for.

"She's giving you time," Veronica said. When she realized that could be cryptic, she added, "Likely to get your affairs in order. She wouldn't want to scare Elva."

I could appreciate that. I wanted to talk to Elva myself before the merfolk came onshore. "How will we call them to us?"

"There's a few magic words," Veronica said. "An invitation. When you are ready, I will invite them onshore."

I nodded. I didn't want to keep them waiting for long.

Leaving Nicholas with Veronica, I walked over to where Julian and Elva were working on a new sandcastle. I arrived just as Elva was tearing down whatever she had built. From Julian's expression, I could tell this wasn't the first time she had done this.

*Elva, what was wrong with it this time?" Julian asked, voice gentle and soft.

I decided to stay back a moment. Julian and Elva by now had seemed to develop some kind of sandcastle building rapport. I didn't want to overstep onto that. Julian might be closer to the truth here, than I might be if I stepped in.

"It's not good enough," Elva pouted.

"What makes you think that?" he asked. "I thought it was turning out to be a fine sandcastle."

She shook her head. "It was just a pile of sand..." She glanced behind her to where Bridget's impressive sandcastle loomed.

I wasn't the only one to have noticed.

"Oh," Julian said. "You know, when Bridget first started making sandcastles, she couldn't even get the sand to stick together."

Elva looked at Julian. "Really?"

Julian crossed his heart. "She didn't realize you needed water. Everyone has to start somewhere."

Elva slouched somewhat. "I want to make a castle. But I'm not good enough."

"You need practice. That's all."

Elva shook her head. "I should just quit."

Julian gasped. "You shouldn't!"

looked at

much smaller lopsided castle. "Do you hate it?"

you think I

"No," she said stronger.

"Why?" Julian asked.

fingers into the sand. "This one is

one I

Elva nodded.

if you keep practicing too, you'll get better and better. Someday, if you work hard enough, I bet you

doubted that Bridget had even managed to make that herself. It truly did seem unlikely. When had she the

things to pin on Bridget. She didn't need this

Elva

flaws. There's chips in the walls, places that have been torn down and rebuilt. Water damage. Weather damage. Nothing

at the castle now with narrow

Challenge and acceptance. Perfect is boring. Imperfection..." He put his finger under Elva's chin and lifted her face up to face the sunlight."

Then she glanced at her sand mound. "I want to try again. For

Julian said. He glanced over at me. He'd known I was here this whole time! "I think Mommy wants to talk

Julian's line of sight

closer to her and hugged her. "I'm so proud of you, honey," I tell

do

me. I smiled back. I was proud to have him as a friend, and so happy that Elva

sobered. As did Julian,

Mommy?" Elva

my hands up

ones, this time. They want to help you. They want to cure

eyes went wide as

I told her. "But there's nothing to really be afraid of, okay? I'll be

I was talking about. I was once again grateful for his place

Veronica too," I said. "We'll all be right there,

her lips hard together. "It will make me feel

said. Gone were my doubts. If Veronica was confident, then I was confident. I trusted

sad?" With her head

know how sad her sickness made me. I had always thought I'd hidden that side of myself. Elva was such an observant child. So smart. I should have known better than to try and