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!"

at him

motioned toward his much smaller lopsided castle. "Do you hate

you think

"No," she said stronger.

"Why?" Julian asked.

the sand. "This one is

I

Elva nodded.

if you keep practicing too, you'll get better and better. Someday, if you work hard enough, I bet you could even make a castle like that one." He

didn't either, mostly because it had led Elva to self-doubt. But also because I severely doubted that Bridget had even managed to make that herself. It truly did seem unlikely. When had she

were enough fouler things to pin on Bridget. She didn't need this one

Elva asked

know? It doesn't seem real. Real castles have tons of flaws. There's chips in the walls, places that have been torn down and rebuilt. Water damage. Weather

now with narrow eyes, as if observing it more

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

sand mound. "I want to

I was here this

turned to follow Julian's line of sight and saw me waiting. "Mommy!"

hugged her. "I'm so proud of you,

didn't do anything!" she

proud to have him as a friend, and so happy that Elva could have him in

was broken, I sobered. As did Julian, sensing

wrong, Mommy?"

rubbed my hands up and

Good ones, this time. They want

went wide

nothing to really be afraid of, okay? I'll be there, and

said, volunteering himself without even really knowing what I was talking about. I was once again grateful for his place in my and

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

together. "It will

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

sad?" With her head low,

I had never wanted her to 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