Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 242: Home Once Again

Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 242: Home Once Again

"Oscar!" Gwen Terr ran toward her son and jumped to hug him in a loving embrace.

"Mom!" Oscar hugged his mom back, but not too tight in fear he may break her back with his powerful arms. He lifted her in the air and smiled brightly. "I'm back!"

"Hey, only I'm allowed to lift your mother like that!" Henry gripped Oscar's shoulders, but his eyes shot wide open at the sheer toughness, like steel feeling in his hands. He moved over and took Gwen from Oscar, holding her in one hand and Oscar in the other. His rowdy laughter made Oscar and Gwen cover their ears until Gwen slapped his head to make him stop.

"We got your letter from before. Come! I prepared so much for you." Gwen tugged on Oscar, dragging him along to the house.

"Did you get the money I've been sending?" Oscar asked. Even though his parents told him that they didn't need money, he still sent a good amount every so often to help his parents.

"We saved it." Henry puffed. "You don't need to worry about us so much. That money should be used for yourself. You can take it back."

Feeling helpless and delighted about his parents' selfless nature when it came to him, Oscar could only shake his head with a smile. Next time, he decided to buy things and bring them home rather than just send money. That way, there's nothing his parents can do but use the gift.

While his insidious plot against his parents stewed in Oscar's mind, the smell of stew wafted to his nose, making his mouth water. On the table, his mom disregarded any notion of limits and filled it with all the foods she could make. Oscar sat down and laughed. "It looks delicious!"

"I heard you're going to some other place for a while and that it can be dangerous." Gwen bit her lips and looked down sadly. "The most I can do as a mom is give you a good meal to send you on your way."

"Mom...." Oscar felt his eyes water, and his dad's large hand covered the dome of his head.

Henry patted his son gently. "What's this? If you start crying now, it'll spoil the meal. Eat it with a big smile. It's your mom's amazing cooking." His hand rustled Oscar's hand.

Oscar's bangs covered his eyes, and tears flowed down his cheeks. Despite the years he had been gone, all the ordeals he went through, and the hardened life of an Exalt, Oscar remained that young boy who always worried his parents. Wiping off the tears with his sleeves, Oscar smiled and said, "Let's eat!"

"Wait for a moment before you start." Gwen chuckled, recovering from her disspirited state. "Not everyone has arrived."

"Everyone?" Oscar tilted his head and rubbed his still, watery eye.

"Excuse the intrusion." A deep voice sounded as the door opened.

Oscar's eyes brightened up, and he stood up. "Uncle Carlson!"

The man by the door smiled and laughed, showing how healthy he had become. His hair had regressed a bit back to his black hair, and his body looked sturdy. "I can't miss a meal like this. I brought mead!"

"Come in, Carlson." Henry smacked his friend on the back and pulled out a chair for him.

Together they say around the table, feasting on Gwen's homely cooking. There was a scuffle about Carlson breaking out the mead and pouring Oscar a cup, but in the end, they drank with satisfaction. Oscar could not stop smiling, seeing his mom, dad, and Uncle Carlson together in one room.

"So, Oscar. I've been wondering if you found anyone you like." Gwen asked with a sparkle in her eyes. Her son was now a marriageable age, and she worried he loved books more than women. The only one she knew about was Emily, but that girl was already taken.

"Mom. What are you asking?" Oscar groaned.

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"What is it?" Uncle Carlson was dozing off.

Oscar put his cup down and leaned back on his bedside. His obsidian eyes reflected the moonlight well. "I spoke to Isabella."

Uncle Carlson perked up slightly. "Did you, now? How is she? What did she say?"

With a heavy sigh, Oscar shook his head, much to Uncle Carlson's lifeless chuckle. "I'm sorry, Uncle Carlson. But she's dead set on this. I, myself, have cut off all ties with her."

"That is probably for the best." Uncle Carlson nodded, but some tears welled up in his eyes. "You don't have to tie yourself to her or this old man. Live your life."

"No." Oscar rejected Uncle Carlson's words. "I cut my ties with her, but I will never abandon you. You are my family."

Tears fell from Uncle Carlson's eyes, dripping to the floor. He made incomprehensible sounds from his mouth, struggling to find the right words as he was overwhelmed by his mixed emotions. Finally, after a long while, he came toward and embraced him. "Thank you, Oscar."

These three words were all he could muster.

Oscar hugged his uncle back and said, "Please take care of my mom and dad."

"I will," Uncle Carlson sniffed, holding back more tears. "I will."

The next morning arrived. Oscar exited his house, looking back at this family, who had worried expressions across their faces. He hugged them all as his mother wept.

"Don't, mom." Oscar tried to console her.

"Leave your mother to me, Oscar," Henry said. "You come back alive, ok?"

"I will." Oscar nodded at Uncle Carlson, who nodded back. He stepped away and gave everyone a big smile with a thumbs up. "I'm off."

""Take care!""

Returning to the Pavilion, Oscar leaped off the airship, feeling refreshed, but his eyes caught sight of an old man with a rake.

"Elder Saul!"

Elder Saul turned around and put up a wrinkly smile. "You seem much happier than before."

"What brings you out here?" Oscar asked brightly.

"Interested? There are six months until Ashen Grove. Follow me." Elder Saul turned around and walked away.

Oscar stared blankly at the elder's back. Elder Saul was always a strange person he could never understand, but he knew that the elder always had his back in one way or another. Without hesitation, he went on to follow.