Chapter 17: My New Mother

After me and Aliyah left our room, Michael had walked up to us from the lobby and said, "It's been a few days, Pearl. Everything going good? Oh? You're a beastman? That's pretty damn cool! Also, your face is practically beaming your happiness." I realized I forgot my to put on my robe.

Well fuck. Whatever. I can trust these guys now! I looked up and said, "Aliyah might not want me to spoil the surprise, so I'll leave it up to her to tell you guys about what we decided."

Michael then turned to Aliyah and said, "Well, I am one who likes a surprise every now and then. So may I join your quest of whatever it is?" Aliyah had thought about it for a second. She then said, "Sure!" So me, Aliyah, and Michael headed outside.

"So where are we headed?" said Michael. Aliyah then grabbed my hand and held it as we walked. She then said, "You will see soon enough, Michael..." Michael then said, "Sounds conspicuous. I dig it!" I like these two. I think they'd be a good couple.

-[Outside the Center]-

"Wait. Wait. Wait. You are going to adopt Pearl?! Why didn't you tell me sooner!" said Michael. I then said back, "Well she asked me this morning. I agreed almost immediately." Michael started to laugh a little. He then said, "Well then, I'm proud of both of you. And it looks like you've gotten past what my little brother, Eric, left you. You look a lot happier now."

Wait, Michael is Eric's older brother?! The same Eric that Aliyah loved. Well damn. What a small world we live in. "Yeah. I'm happy I got over it as well. It's all thanks to Pearl. If she wasn't here, I'd still be as miserable as I was!" Aliyah then started to pat me on the head a bit. I liked it.

We all walked into the building and went up to the counter. There was a man who looked to be in his 60's behind the counter. "Ah. Welcome to my adoption center! Thank you for trying to provide a child a new family. Now, have you brought someone in to adopt, or brought someone to live here until they're adopted?" said the old man.

"Hello father." said Michael. The old man then saw Michael, who was behind us, in front of him. "This is your father, Michael?" I asked. Michael nodded.

"It's good to see you my son." said Michael's father. Michael then said, "We've brought one in that is being adopted by her." Aliyah then stepped forward a little and said, "Hello, sir. I know I haven't talked to you in these past 5 years. I'm sorry. But this little one is someone who's changed my life for the better. And she agreed to let me adopt her."

Michael's father then replied, "It has been a while, Aliyah. But how about we forget that dark past and get your papers for the adoption? I'll need both of your guys' identification cards." I then took my card out of my pocket and tried to set it on the counter. It was too high for me to reach. Damn tiny legs!

Michael then picked me up to allow me to set my card on the counter alongside of Aliyah's card. Aliyah giggled a bit at my struggle of height. Dammit.

"Well, let's get this done fast so you two can go have a great day!" said Michael's father. He brought out some papers and Aliyah grabbed them. She filled in the information on her paper. And then handed me mine. I filled out my paper a well. Aliyah was surprised I could write fluently.

I handed Aliyah my paper so she could give it to Michael's father. Michael looked over to me and Aliyah and said, "You know, this man isn't my biological father. I was an orphan after my parents died of a random illness and he took me in. Doing so led hom to start this orphanage just around 19 years ago. Also for that context, I'm 24 years old."

I looked at Michael and said, "I'm sorry about what happened, Michael." He then shook his head and said, "No. This is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. And besides, I'd be dead alongside my parents if he didn't do what he did all those years ago."

Hearing this made me a little emotional. Michael has also gone through something horrible. I guess everyone has something they have gone through that they might not be uncomfortable talking about. I'm glad he's able to talk about it to us though. That takes courage. Just like Aliyah.

"Wait. I have something to ask, Aliyah. If you are adopting me, does that mean you'll be accompanying me on my journey?" I said to Aliyah. Aliyah looked slightly surprised and then said, "...so you figured it out, huh? Is it a no?" I would have to think about that normally, but I already have an answer.

"Of course I'll want you to go! I'd be lonely without you of course." I said. Aliyah's face turned bright like the sun, with happiness. She then picked me up and hugged me whilst saying "Thank you." and "Hooray!". It was a happy scene to behold, but it was sort of embarrassing to be held again. I guess I'll also need to get used to this kind of stuff.

"Hahaha! So this passion of yours, Miss Aliyah, is one that shines whilst burning bright! I wish you two well during your journey to wherever you may go!" said Michael's father. "Thank you!" said Aliyah. He then handed us the certificate he had made with the official, and legal stamp of his orphanage. Michael looked sad when I glanced over in his direction.

"Is something the matter, Michael? You look upset." said Michael's father. Michael did have a saddened expression, and he didn't even try to hide it. "I was just remembering my parents. I hope they're doing better in heaven."

I then said, "Heaven...so you believe in it?" Michael nodded. "Is that not normal? Or are thou an atheist?" said Michael. I shook my head 'no.'

He looked happy about me not being an atheist. And I'm happy to know that a similar religion to the one I know exists in this world. "Religion is a good thing." I said to Michael.

He nodded 'yes' in response. Good to see that people follow religion in these areas. Michael's father then said, "I never did give my name! Forgive me. I'm am known as Alan. Alan Morgan. It's a pleasure to meet you, uh...what's your name again?"

He's going senile...heh. I looked at Alan and said, "Sorry for not giving my name either. My name is Pearl. I do not have a known last name. Nor do I have any memories before I came to Rybim about half a year ago."

Alan then smiled and said, "Well then. It's a pleasure to meet you Pearl!" Alan then reached over to a desk behind him and opened a drawer containing some kind of magical tool?

He placed it on the counter and said, "The certification process will need you two to give me some of your blood." Alan then handed me and Aliyah a sharp piece of metal that looks like a pen. So I did what I had to.

I pricked my finger with the sharp tip of the metal piece and Alan pointed at a small magical formula on the paper. "Blood goes here for you, Pearl." I let some blood drip onto the magic circle and it began to give off a dim light.

He told the same thing for Aliyah with another circle next to the one I used. She put her blood there as told. The circle began to shine dimly and gradually built up brighter and brighter until it was about as bright as a desktop lamp.

"Ah. Here we go." said Alan. He then signed part of the paper with his signature to signify that this is a real certificate. Alan handed me and Aliyah a pen and we signed the paper as well. It was done.

Alan then put some kind of protective seal on the certificate and said, "With this complete, you are now her mother Aliyah." Aliyah's face was shining brightly as her happy smile crept even farther.

Aliyah picked me up and just hugged me. I do not know why. But it was comforting. "Thank you, Alan. Now we can start our journey!" I said happily. Me and Aliyah then walked out the door. Well, when I say walked, she actually hoisted me onto her shoulders.

I was holding the certificate so I put it in my inventory. "Now we can go!" said Aliyah. I then replied, "Yes. We can!"