As we soared above temples, I was rather glad I had been blessed. I knew it would be much harder not only to help my mother become a better person but also to keep my patience. While we flew, it gave me proper time to grieve. Despite my grandfather being a spirit, I still cared a lot about him. I knew they were happier in the afterlife, but they were better company than my mother. I was taught not to curse, but my mother was a real jipaskt. Cursing only reminds me of my grandfather even more, because every time anyone cursed, they would grab them, drag them to the river, and wash out their mouth while scolding them. Grandfather and I had been through so much together, and it hurt having them gone. While we flew, I had begun crying at the thought, but my mother was too busy telling me I needed to wash up or else the smell would rub off. After about an hour, I had used my blessing to seal myself in an invisible air bubble, so my mother could rant all she wanted and I would not hear one bit. I was accustomed to silent flight, feeling the wind rush past me, and sometimes twirling in the clouds. After a reasonable amount of time, I unsealed myself as I saw an island on the horizon.

"Oh finally! Would you believe how long that took? It is like Uxaldir wants to be screamed at! I mean, honestly, it took forever! I wish the gods put islands closer together! Next time I see one, I am going to give them a good talk about this nonsense!" Mother said, acting rather peeved.

"If only I could tell the gods to stay away from us..." I mumbled.

"I mean, who puts it in? Quit mumbling! You know I hate that! I raised you better; you speak out when you have something to say! Honestly, it's like you forgot everything I taught you! Your no-good father probably taught you this mumbling habit! They always mumbled when we fought!" Mother said while rolling their eyes.

As the island came up, I saw that it was only cliffs.

"What on Alaria? Where do I stay away from your putrid smell?" Mother cried out.

I let out an exasperated sigh.

"You are being rude." I finally stated

"I am speaking my mind!" Mother said in protest.

"Well, you need to learn to keep thoughts to yourself! Because all I have heard, for hours on end, is just your complaints." I pointed it out.

"I have a lot to complain about!" Mother said.

"Whatever." I finally said I was sick and tired of the complaining.

I dove down and began to search for a cave among the cliffs. I heard my mother dragging behind, complaining about how fast I was and how I needed to slow down. I swerved into a cave, and I found it rather pretty. There were glowing crystals that were very reflective, and they seemed to go down two paths. Before my mother could come in and start complaining, I walked down one, and it seemed to be circular and had plenty of room. I heard my mother sail in and start walking, but they were very silent. I walked out to see the problem, and they were touching a crystal. But their hand was going through!

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"Stop!" I screamed.

"Wh- huh? What happened?" Mother said while snatching their hand away.

"Just... stay away from the crystals and mirrors. They are dangerous." I said.

"I will do as I like!" Mother demanded and went into the circular room.

I went to the other path, and it led to a whole system of caves. I picked out a very concealed one and went into it, and it led to a room with a skylight, but the crystals were... Wait, are those crystals just mirrors? The skylight was just regular glass, and I supposed that the mirrors must have been magic. I set my things down and began setting up camp. Then it hit me: I had next to nothing left, and my mother would complain about it. I began panicking because if I did not find a place of abundance, I would die and hear my mother's complaints while doing so. I began going through all the other tunnels, hoping to find some food and water. Instead, I found a praying room and decided to trust Pax’s telling of the gods helping, so I began to pray. Instead of using my language, I decided to use God's language to try and prove I was worthy of help.

"Wigu hylaq pyur Likndor, Oaloira, iqer, jafri," I said, and suddenly, my supply bag began to float, and all my empty things filled up as they were before, and then it floated back to me.

"My prayer was answered!" I exclaimed happily before flying out, incredibly content.

"Wynne! Where are the beds?" Mother asked.

"We don’t have any; I typically sleep on the ground," I said.

"No beds?! We cannot sleep on the ground!" Mother said.

"We have to," I said.

"You should take better care of yourself and me!" Mother growled.

"Deal with it," I said, my tone flat and annoyed.

"You are being very rude, Wynne." Mother stated.

"So? It was one time; you have been rude this entire time." I said.

"I have been speaking my mind," the mother said.

"Well, that's what you sound like to me—rude. I spoke my mind, and you told me I was being rude, so maybe if you do not like it, you should not do it to others." I said, and my eyes widened a bit, as that was something the adults often told the little children back at home.

"I suppose you have a point," Mother muttered.

"I do. Now, do you want any food or water? We should sleep soon so that we can leave the island early in the morning." I said it knowingly.

"Im dying of thirst and I am starving; I need both." Mother complained.

"I will give you rations," I said, as I took out a piece of food and some water.

"This is not enough!" Mother speculated.

"That is what you get. I am going to sleep." I said this as I flew back into the hidden cavern.

I knew what I said was harsh, but my mother was going to have to deal with it harshly so that when we encounter other beings, We can spread the news that not only can we fly once more, but we will not be viewed as rude because of our mothers' behavior. As I slowly fell into a slumber, I hoped my mother would get some sleep, as I had no intention of dealing with her as a grumpy person. In the morning, I woke up to a scream.