Offcuts - Pt.3 (repost) - Reunited (Patreon)

*** note: this was originally posted as part of a behind-the-scenes status update in July 2023. we're reposting it as part of the offcuts series so it's easier for folks to find ***

*** Club Luna Book 3, interlude 36; Sunday July 17, 2022 ***

=::= May Hawthorne's PoV =::=

"Very well Cerys," I responded to the blonde wolfgirl. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect. You've obviously changed a great deal since the last time we met. Are you girls keeping the club going? I take it you're in charge now?"

Before she had a chance to respond I looked over at Kaylee again. I really couldn't believe she'd willingly taken on the form of a tiny three-tailed foxgirl, but she seemed comfortable enough with that body. 

As I stared at her I commented, "And Kaylee you've changed even more."

Finally I looked at the other two girls, but I didn't know them. So far I'd resisted reading anyone's minds, considering I was here to try and make amends I didn't want to offend anyone on the off-chance one of them could somehow sense that sort of thing.

The girl on the left was a slender petite ravenette with exotic violet-coloured eyes, but despite that I was quite positive she was a normal mortal human. The other girl was more of a mystery to me. She bore a striking family resemblance to Cassandra, so much so that I was convinced she was either a blood relative of my former student or her appearance had been magically altered to make her seem like such.

"I'm afraid I don't know either of you," I said as I continued looking at the two of them, "But I assume you're also members of the club?"

"Just get to the point ok? Why are you really here?" Melanie half-demanded. Her tone made it very clear she was both wary and distrustful of me. Which was fair enough, considering the circumstances of our last few meetings before my abrupt departure. 

I looked at the ravenette wolfgirl for a moment, then let my hands drop and my shoulders slumped as it hit me. Despite all my best intentions I really wasn't making a good impression. 

"I came to apologize Melanie," I admitted with a sigh. "I owe all you girls an apology, but yourself and Cassandra most of all. May I join you, so we can talk? And if Cass is here, I'd like to see her as well please."

The two werewolves exchanged a glance, then it seemed like Cerys was about to say something but before she could speak up we were both distracted by movement off to my left. The screen door at the back of the house suddenly swung open, and at the same moment I sensed the presence of another god.

My heart skipped a beat as my mind raced. I knew Cassandra's mothers were both fallen angels, and my first thought was one of them had somehow contracted with another god and brought them here to watch over their daughter. Either that or Club Luna had themselves found another deity to act as their sponsor and mentor.

I turned on the spot, prepared to confront or at least meet whoever this god was, but instead of some unknown god or goddess I found myself staring into the eyes of none other than Cassandra herself. And from the look on her face I knew she'd sensed my divine power too. There was no mistake, no misunderstanding. Somehow, in the time since I was last here, my former student had attained godhood.

For a moment my thoughts just stopped. I couldn't process what I was seeing or feeling. I couldn't come up with any theories or explanations as to how a half-demon could ascend to divinity. I couldn't comprehend how anyone in this day and age could ascend at all for that matter. Between the status quo and the general state of the world it simply didn't happen anymore.

I was just starting to get control of my scattered thoughts when another young woman emerged from the house behind Cassandra. She stepped past the half-demon goddess then turned to face me, and once again my heart seemed to stutter while my thoughts temporarily ceased.

The new arrival's body had changed subtly since she was last here on the mortal realm, and her manner of dress was wildly different from anything I'd seen her wear in the past. Her face however was unchanged, as was her pure white hair. It was impossible, incredible, inexplicable, and I could barely comprehend what I was seeing. But somehow, it was her.

My daughter had been restored. She was back here on Earth, no longer exiled, no longer wasting away to nothing in isolation. My child was alive and healthy, and she was apparently friends with the girls of Club Luna.

I felt my heart racing while my cheeks heated up, and my eyes began to sting slightly. Even my breathing became unsteady as my emotions threatened to overwhelm me completely.

"Is it really you?" I half-whispered to the pretty young white-haired girl. "You're back? But...how?"

It honestly seemed too good to be true, and that led me to question and doubt my own eyes. I couldn't help worrying that it might just be some sort of illusion, or the set-up to a cruel joke at my expense.

Then I recognized the emotions in her eyes and upon her face. And when she spoke I knew without a doubt that my daughter had truly been returned to me.

"Hello mother," she greeted me, and my emotions surged. 

My child continued to speak but I only half-heard the rest of her greeting. I was too lost in the moment, the realization that somehow my child was restored, healthy, and alive once more. No longer a shadow of her former self, she was solid and corporeal.

A few seconds probably elapsed as the two of us stared at one another. Then when I could hold back no longer I dashed to her and pulled her into my arms. 

For the first time in a century I held my child in a tight hug, while the girls of Club Luna were temporarily forgotten. I'd been reunited with my child, and that was all that mattered to me.