Think Of You From Time To Time

     At first, her ventures were fun, but as she grew older, they brought her more and more trouble, especially with her strict father. Her mother spoke ill of her to the rest of the family, even in her presence. Needless to say, Lindsey's mind slowly filled with resentment for them - but ironically she still cared about their well-being...

     Isn't family supposed to love you, no matter what?

     Unfortunately, that's not always the case... Lindsey learned the hard way after the day she turned 18 - she was kicked out of the house.

     The young woman, brilliant, but not in the way her folks expected, strived to survive on her own. She made her home in the caves she roamed, and grew more and more bitter, feral, even, and protective of what little she had.

     One day, her ear twitched at a noise - someone was breaking into her cave home. She stood up on her feet, obsidian dagger in hand, and growled furiously at the man who had entered - a tall, Grey Usul with auburn hair and striking brown eyes, who was lighting his way with a lamp. "Who are you?!"

     "I'm, um, Jack Beign, ma'am... I'm... sorry I broke into your home."

     "What do you want?!", shouted the Kougra, still holding the dagger to his face. "Why are you here?!"

     Jack struggled to maintain his composure. "I got lost. You see, I'm an archaeologist... This is the first time I've been on these caves, even though I moved here to Moltara not too long ago. I'm, um, from the Haunted Woods, originally. What's your name?"

     This man's calm nature fazed her. She lowered her dagger slowly, but her fists were still clenched, ready to attack. "Lindsey Trevor."

     Jack smiled. "You've got a lovely name."

     "... Thank you, I guess."

     "Tell me, do you live alone, Lindsey?"

     "My family decided they were done with me, so, yeah, it's me and the worms and batterflies that roam this cave." Jack furrowed his brow at her explaination - ah, he could understand why she was so hostile now.

     "I'm sorry, dear... Is there any way I could help you?"

     "You're mocking me. Y-you don't mean it", spat the Kougra, looking tense.

     "I do. I don't like seeing someone suffer. I saw a shelter where you can get help... Have you tried going there?"

     "I got kicked out of that place too because I got into a fight... So, I prefer it here."

     Jack mused, "O-or... maybe you could live with me." The Usul was kind, but also a little innocent and impulsive. After he spoke, he realized that that probably wasn't a good idea, given this young woman's nature. But he had already worded his jumbled thoughts.

     "You... You seem nice", said Lindsey. "I've yet to trust you. But I like your proposal. I hate it here, y'know. I could use a real home, a house, again. I'd like to help in any way I can. I know how to clean and cook. I fancy myself a chef, heh..." She swallowed, and looked up at him and into his brown eyes. "Thank you, Jack. You... um... have beautiful eyes - I've never seen such... sweet eyes before."

     The Usul chuckled nervously. He didn't think of his eyes, or any other part of himself for that matter, as attractive. But he took the compliment gladly.

     The years passed, and as the two got to know each other, they began a relationship that blossomed into marriage, and later, children.

     Lindsey never thought she'd be a good mother, given her past. But now, she had her toddler son, Aldric, sitting in her lap. He was hugging a doll she had made for him, mumbling something - gibberish that only made sense to him, as children that age often utter. He turned to look at her, his fiery amber eyes sparkling with innocence, smiling.

     "Mama!", he said in his adorable little voice.

     Lindsey, who was lost in thought, smiled warmly at her magma baby, and kissed his forehead, which provoked a giggle in the child.

     Jack, coming back from work, saw them, and smiled. "Hello, loves", he said. "How was the day?"

     "Oh, you know, fun", said Lindsey, exhausted, as all new moms are. "Yours?"

     "Interesting! Atlas and I have been working on a dig. I must be covered in dirt. Heh."

     "You are", chuckled Lindsey. "But you're still a good looker." Both chuckled. Aldric extended his arms at his father, at which the latter picked him up. "Oh, my boy's getting heavy. And bigger every day! Y'know, Linds, he could use a sibling to keep him company - don'tcha think?"

     "Isn't his little Acara friend enough?", exclaimed Lindsey, blushing, bemused.

     "Sure, sure, I think he sees her as a sister. But, he could have a blood one too, hm?"

     Lindsey laughed. "Oh, Jack. Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see."

     Jack asked his son, "What say you, Aldy?"

     The toddler asked, beaming, because he understood that the words "Acara friend" meant his best friend - "Tuwah?"

     "Aside from Tulah, dearie. Though she's not actually your sister, you know that."

     He replied, a little sad, "But I like Tuwah!"

     "Okay, but would you want another little friend for you and Tulah to play with?" Aldric mused, nodded, and giggled. "See, Linds? He agrees." Lindsey shook her head, laughing at her husband and son's antics.

     The decades passed, Lindsey was now a middle-aged woman, worn out by pain - caused by the grief of losing Jack. Her beloved Usul husband had passed away some twenty years before this day that Lindsey was looking out the window of her home - she was now living in the surface of Moltara. Magma pets like her have the ability to alter their physiology so as to better interact with the surface dwellers, and she had done just that - she now looked like any other grey Kougra.

     She was sitting quietly, gazing at the grey heavens - it looked like it would rain. Jack would've loved days like these...

     "What are you thinking, love?"

     She looked to her side and saw Jack -she often imagined how he'd look like if he was still alive-. She smiled, and asked her imaginary husband, "Do you remember how our first date was on a day like this?"

     "Yes."

     "I... Miss those times. I wish you were here now. I still think of you from time to time, more than I thought I would... Is that... bad?", she said, holding back tears.

     "Lindsey..." He sighed, smiling, as she knew he would in this situation, "It's not. Remember you're still loved. I loved you. Thank you for remembering me."

     "I loved you, too..."

     "... Mom?"

     Lindsey's ears perked - it was her daughter, Eithne, a Magma Usul. The latter looked concerned, but sighed. She knew what was going on. She knew what day it was. So she asked, "What were you talking about, with dad?"

     Lindsey looked askance, a bit embarassed. "I... um... was reminiscing of how he liked cloudy days. So I imagined him talking to me... I'm sorry."

     "It's alright, mom, I understand. I miss him too." She approached her, and gave her a hug. Lindsey cried in her arms, whilst the Usul caressed her head comfortingly.

     "Do you want to go outside? We could go get some coffee, or visit Aldric, or Tulah, or watch a movie - you name it, mom."

     "Thank you, sweetie. I'm blessed to have you." Eithne smiled.

     So mother and daughter went out for a walk, Lindsey grabbing onto her daughter's arm. "How are things with Vonde, sweetie?"

     "Oh! Fine, mom. We talked yesterday. He's been busy cooking for some royal family and stuff. But he has time for me."

     "Haha, sounds like a keeper!"

     Eithne laughed. "Yeah, it seems... I'm happy."

     "I'm glad."

     Eithne mused for a while before asking, "Y'know, mom? I've noticed you and Atlas Leto have become closer... is... something going on?"

     Lindsey blushed. "Um... What do you mean?"

     Eithne smirked. "You know, mom. You've gone out for coffee... Laughed together... He's sent you flowers..."

     "Yellow flowers, those mean friendship...!", exclaimed Lindsey, still blushing, trying to sound convincing.

     Finally, the Usul said, looking at the Kougra, holding her shoulders. "Mom. There's no need to feel ashamed of starting over - 'sides, it's kinda obvious. Aldric's told me, Neeraj's told me, even Tulah's told me there's definitely something going on between the two of you - and that's fine. He's a widower too. He was dad's best friend. You two found out that you like each other at this point of your lives - and that's wonderful!"

     "Is it, really?", asked Lindsey, sadness in her voice. "I feel like I'm betraying Jack-"

     "Jack's been gone for 20 years today, mom." Eithne sighed at seeing tears well up in her mother's eyes. In a kinder tone, she continued, "He would've wanted you to be happy... He would've been proud of what you've done for us, I'm sure. We love you... As much as you love us. So don't feel bad. Don't be afraid." She wiped the rolling tears off her mother's cheeks, and gave her a hug.

     Three years after this, Lindsey was sitting on a grassy field, looking up at the starry heavens in silence one night. She sipped tea from her cup, lost in thought.

     "Ma. You ok?" She looked up at the short Magma Acara that stood before her. "You've been out here for a while - aren't you cold? Atlas sent me to get you since he's busy cooking. Come on." She helped the Kougra get back on her feet, and both walked into Lindsey and Atlas' home.

     The Island Kau in the kitchen, at hearing the door open, turned to see the pair. "Linds, your 'time to clear your head' got a little longer than expected - Tulah and I were getting concerned. So I sent her to get you. You alright?"

     "Yes, I'm fine, thank you, both."

     "Thinking about Jack, were you?", asked Tulah.

     "How'd you-?"

     "Lindsey, I've known y'all since I was a baby. You're more my mom than my actual mom is. And... I know what you've been through. I know what day it is. I was... surprised that you'd have me over for dinner today, of all dates."

     "Well, since you weren't available for lunch, unlike the others... And, Aldy's told me you've felt a little lonely. He knows you like to talk to me too."

     "Tch, of course he did", mumbled Tulah. "I appreciate that, don't get me wrong. But you know how I roll. I'm not good at talking about feelings and stuff. He's the opposite. But I still love him and his dumb smile very much."

     Lindsey smiled. "And he loves you! He always has."

     "Oh, I know that well. I just sometimes get a tad jealous, that's all, ahahaha."

     Lindsey grabbed her by the hand, and took her to another room, whilst Atlas finished cooking, "Tell me, what's the matter?"

     Tulah sighed, and paused to gather her thoughts. "Well, everybody's got somebody, but me. I'm the only single one of my friend group. Yet I'm not interested in romance", she shook her head, "Seeing my mom's poor stepdad choices is a likely factor for such. But I sometimes feel like something's wrong with me."

     "No, sweetheart. Nothing's wrong. That's your choice... And no one else's."

     "I know that, but people make single people feel bad about themselves. Like, something's missing or off with them. I don't feel like that's my case - I'm happy where I am!"

     Lindsey held the Acara's hands, and smiled. "Tulah... As long as you know who you are, you're going to be okay. I can understand you. My blood family didn't get why I acted in some ways. I was different, and felt lonely - until I found someone who understood me and accepted me. In your case, you don't have or want a romantic relationship, but you have people who love and accept you for being you - especially Aldric. You're always going to be special to him, remember that. Never ever question your friendship ever again." The Acara began tearing up, and Lindsey gave her a hug.

     Atlas walked to where they were, and noticed the scene. He stood at the hallway awkwardly, because he didn't wish to interrupt, but dinner was ready, and they needed to know. So he knocked on the open door. "Ladies", he whispered. "Pardon, but, dinner's ready."

     "Thank you, dear, we'll be on our way", smiled Lindsey. The Kougra took her almost-daughter by the hand again. "Right now, when I was outside, thinking of Jack, I remembered something he told me once. 'You're enough. Even when you don't think you are, what you do for others leaves a mark on them forever. They'll have a good or bad memory of you - and the kind they forge is up to you.'"

     "That's deep", sniffled Tulah. "And it's true - you've fulfilled that."

     "Thanks. I've tried to be my best, even when I'm at my worst... I hope I will be a good memory in people's hearts."

     "You are already in mine", smiled the Acara. "In ours."

     The End