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 him curiously.

toward his much

think I should

"No," she said stronger.

"Why?" Julian asked.

dug her fingers into the sand. "This one is better than that

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 nodded toward Bridget's gift." Though honestly, I don't like

even managed to make that herself.

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

not?" Elva asked

seem real. Real castles have tons of flaws. There's chips in the walls, places that have been

castle now with narrow eyes, as if observing it

Challenge and acceptance. Perfect is boring. Imperfection..." He

she glanced at her sand mound. "I

known I was here this whole time! "I think Mommy wants to talk to you about

line of sight and saw me waiting.

hugged her. "I'm so proud

do anything!"

her head, Julian smiled at me. I smiled back. I was proud to have him as a friend, and so

hug was broken, I sobered. As did

Mommy?" Elva

up and

They want to help you. They want to cure you

eyes went wide as

told her. "But there's nothing to really be

even really knowing what I was talking

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

hard together. "It will make me

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

less sad?" With her head low,

heart ached. I had never wanted her to know how sad her sickness made me. I had always thought I'd hidden that