A warm family dinner

It was night, the group during the day had arrived at a small city, they had reserved a whole house for them to pass the night. It was easy considering their statue and their wealth.

Now, Régidal was in a room with a bed and a desk, writing on another paper with a candle lit on the table and on many places of the walls. He seemed focused and lost sometimes in his mind. His discussion with Luzalé the day before was also flashing in his mind, interrupting him from time to time. He stopped, her words resonated once again in his spirit. He touched his forehead with his hand and let out a heavy sigh.

-I wonder if you know how much strenght i need to...heal.

He uttered to himself with the hope that somehow, Luzalé could hear him.

He turned stood up and walked to the open window, he then gazed at the moon, shining like diamand with the stars, the galaxies or even the nebula. A true painting in the sky.

-Varanita, i ask you to give me strenght because i am not sure to be strong enough and wise enough to guide Belda on the right path. I would resent myself until i die if by my fault she happened to fall to darkness. Please.

As he finished his prayer, he looked down and let his mind dive into memories. He remembered when Belda was just about two or three years old.

Running around in his office, laughing then suddenly almost hitting her head on his desk, he had put his hand by pure reflex, she just bounced off, fell on the ground and then laugh again while looking at Régidal. 

Another memory appeared. He was walking up the small stairs when out of nowhere she appeared and yelled.

-Régidal ! Before jumping down the stairs, he almost had an heart attack. He dived, hurting himself with the stairs while he managed to save her from a very possible painful injury.

-Again ! She yelled back then. 

He stared at her eyes wide open with shock before recovering his calm and serious gaze.

-No, not again.

The last memory was when she was jumping on the bed, his bed saying "boing, boing, boing, boing,..". He was talking to Luzalé and then suddenly she fell, Luzalé and him were fast enough to pick her up before she smash her head on the ground but they were the ones smashing their head into each other. They let out a small grunt. Belda was saved, she even laughed at them.

-You are funny

-be carefull Belda, you can hurt yourself. had reprimanded Régidal with a stern voice. Are you alright ? He asked Luzalé after.

-Yes, she's right it was a bit funny. She replied with a smile.

-She has alot of energy. Said Régidal.

-Fortunately we are here.

He smiled a bit.

It was a good memory, he would have loved to go back there, because he was regretting to not have been much more present at that time. Luzalé was right and he knew because in the present, he couldn't smile with nostalgia. Suddenly three knock on the door woke him up from his travel in the past.

-You can enter. He replied loud enough to be heard.

The door opened and the small head of Belda with her short black hair was peeking behind.

-Are you busy, Régidal ? She asked a little intimidated.

-Yes. Why ?

-Because i wanted to invite to a dinner.

She said it with timidity, rubbing her foot on the floor.

-To a dinner ? He replied with surprise.

-Yes, everyone is at the table, except you. Please come !

She said with a new found joy. She even extended her hand for him to take it.

He looked at it and at her, with a soft smile he took it.

-It...it would be my pleasure.-Yay ! Follow me mister !

She entirely recovered her excitment and playfullness.

He followed her with his big hand held by her tiny hand. When they arrived at the dinner room, everyone cheered up, even Diésir.

-You did it ! They said in one voice.

-Sit here.

She showed his chair, it was at the head of the table, right in front of Luzalé. Today she was smiling, it was reassuring for him.

-Now, let's start the great dinner. Said Belda trying to be snob.

She streched out her hand towards the plates and utensils, suddenly a white light left her palm and covered the objects. She place them in front of each of the guest, surprised by her actions.

-How did you do that ? Asked Crécio with his eyes still processing what he saw.

-Uncle Léol taught me. She said proudly.

-She is really talented. He added proudly. After all with a teacher like me she could only be a prodigy.

-Stay humble, mister magician, it would be disgusting to see you kiss yourself. Responded Osmadrey.

-Always you. Replied his friend annoyed.

-I am sure he dreams of himself at night, he would make out with a female version of him.

Aesta was just participating in the teasing.

-Please, there is a children here. Interrupted Diésir.

-Sorry.

-What is a make out ? Asked innoncently the little princess.

-Nothing important. Answered Régidal.

-Sorry. Said Aesta, a bit guilty.

-What do we do now ?

Questionned Sarika to help Belda continue with her plan.

-Now, i will give you the food and the tea.

She approached Régidal first and served him an invisible food.

-It is a good apple pie with chocolate cake.

She then put down the little pan and grabed the teapot and served him again in his cup.

-It is honey tea. It's delicious.

He was looking at what she was doing, he was a bit lost, he looked at Luzalé and she just smiled, she tilted her head a little, the way she was looking at him, he understood what she was saying.

-Thank you, Belda.

-You're welcome.

She then proceed to serve everyone.

-This is for you. She said while she was serving Osmadrey, the last.

-Thank you, miss.

She then went to sit on her chair and said with a big smile.

-We can eat now !

They all started to eat their invisible food, Régidal and Diésir were a bit confused even though it was shown on their face. They looked at the othe enjoying the dinner.

-Régidal, just eat like you would normally. Said Luzalé, encouraging him to play along. You too Diésir.

-Well...huh. THat was the answer of the chief.

He grabed his fork and procceeded to eat, he was copied by Diésir.

-Is it good ? Asked the little girl , hoping to hear him be satisfied.

-Yes, it is good.

-Great succeess ! She shouted ! She even clenched her fist with a victory pose.

-It is a delectable concoction my dear Belda. Added Osmadrey.

-Truly art. Said Sarika.

-I never ate something like that, truly a good experience. Expressed Crécio.

-As usual, perfect.

-You are a chief Belda, a pro.

Complimented both Léol and Aesta in this order.

-This was fantastic my little princess.

Finally added Luzalé, with a proud and soft gaze at the same time.

-Thank you, Luzalé.

-Now it is my turn.

And then, Luzalé brought them the visible food and everyone ate, it was laugh and peace around the table. Pure and precious laugh and smile. Régidal was looking at that scenes and unfortunately he felt disconected from all of that, silence and guilt were blocking him, prohibated him to do more. Then Luzalé caught his eyes and smiled at him, he slowly started to smile too/ She directed her eyes towards Belda and he followed her. Belda was laughing, being happy. He smiled even more. He may be silent but still, he was there this time.

-So, our parents were mad but at least the shop had received the biggest advertisement that it ever had. Told Osmadrey.

-Making toys with our family was such a treat. The best part was when the kids had their face lighting up when they were offered their favorite toys. Continued to say Sarika.

-I hope...we hope that where ever they might be, they still can make childrens happy as much as we make Belda happy here. Added Osmadrey.

-You must miss them alot ? Asked Aesta.

-Yes, but by the grace of Varanita, we were given another family. Not by blood but by heart and that is truly a blessing. Even you two. Said Osmadrey.

-Fuck you. Expressed the lady.

-Like she said. Supported Léol.

-Belda is here.

Luzalé, once again she said with a disapproving tone.

-Don't worry, she is sleeping. Replied the woman.

-Her mind can still catch that. Talked back Luzalé.

Belda was asleep, snuggled up in her arms.

-She is so cute. Said Aesta.

-Where would we be without her huh ? Expressed Crécio.

-Dead probably. Calmly said Léol. She was a beam of light in my life when i met. I will never forget that day.

-I think none of us can. I would be lost without you coming to see me with her. Added for herself Diésir.

-The only person that would be happy would have been you Luzalé. Said Sarika.

-It doesn't count for me. But without her i wouldn't have know and see alot of things. I would have never met you. So i am grateful to Varanita. I am part of her life. Anwsered the lady.

-I am also grateful to have her and to have all of you with me in this path we must walk. Without her, life would be alot less bright.

That was Régidal speaking. Everyone looked at him, agreeing with what he said.

-Let's do our best to protect her light and make it brighter. Added Aesta.

-We will. Uttered with a lower tone the chief lord.

-It's our duty. Finished Luzalé.

The night was peacefull, not too cold and the atmoshpere was filled with love and hope thanks to Belda, the light of those souls.