Moonstone Crystal has always had her life figured out. A loving family, wonderful friends, and a well-trod, well-loved path into her future. But when her beloved Saffron flees a heartless home, jealousy and anger lead to all of her plans vanishing along with her sight, and she must find a new way to live.
Opal: Sweetheart…
Moonstone: Did…what happened to the Knights?
Firefly: They were all arrested. Banana and Chrome pled guilty, but Absinthe is fighting the charges.
Opal: It’s not looking too good for him. He’ll get his, somehow.
Aurora: Not that it matters…it won’t change this.
Luna: Moony…
Moonstone: …They can’t get away with this. I’ll…I’ll testify, or something.
Horizon: Moony…
Moonstone: They can’t get away with this.
Luna: You just got out of the hospital! Take it easy for a few days, okay?
Moonstone: They almost got me killed. I can’t just let them get away with this!
Horizon: Okay, okay, but–slow down. You don’t have to push yourself.
Moonstone: I just–ngh….stupid headaches…
Horizon: Easy….there’s no rush.
Spinel: Not to break up the party, but there’s someone here who’d really like to see you…
Horizon: Moony?
Moonstone: I’m fine.
Luna: She’s not.
Horizon. She’s not.
Artemis: Moomoo!!
Spinel: Easy, Arty, easy! Be gentle.
Artemis: Moomoo…home.
Moonstone: …Yeah, Arty…I’m home.
Opal: Are you sure about this, sweetie? Testifying…it can be very hard.
Moonstone: I’m sure. If they get away with this, they’ll just do it to someone else. …Wait, how do you know what testifying’s like?
Opal: Hey, I got into my share of trouble when I was your age, you know. Sometimes I think I only survived because the Watcher sent your Gran to me.
Moonstone: A match made in heaven. Do you…what happened?
Opal: Well, let’s see…my mother was promised to a man who had a lot of pain and hate in his heart. Salt did some pretty terrible things because of that.
Moonstone: Evil stepfather? Gramma, are you telling me you were Cinderella as a kid?
Opal: *laugh* Not quite!
Opal: Things were different sixty years ago. Back then, there were still people who looked at Sixam like a threat. Salt was one of them, and being half Sixamite…well. He didn’t take it well.
Moonstone: So he did something that got you testifying against him?
Opal: He did. He. Well, let’s just say that he had contacts in a branch of the military that would have loved to see what made half-anything tick. My scars…aren’t from an accident.
Moonstone: Gramma…
Opal: *deep breath* I’m sorry, honey. You don’t need to hear that–the point is, after I was helped, I went to testify against Salt for his part in it. His lawyer questioned me upside down and sideways–it wasn’t easy, even with your Gran and our families there. I don’t want you to have to go through the same thing.
Opal: Honestly? Sometimes I wonder if I made the right call doing it.
Moonstone: You did. He got put away, right? He couldn’t hurt anyone else the way he hurt you. That’s a good thing.
Opal: That’s sweet of you, Moonstone. But don’t worry about your Gramma. It’s been a very long time since then.
Opal: I’m saying this because I want you to be prepared for how hard it could be. They will try to throw this back at you, make it seem like you asked for it somehow. It won’t be easy to take.
Moonstone: But I didn’t ask for it–none of them did. We didn’t ask for it, or deserve it, or…or anything.
Opal: You’re absolutely right, you don’t. I want you to promise me you’ll remember that. No matter what happens, remember that much.
Moonstone: Gramma…
Moonstone: I promise.
Opal: Good. Oh, honey…none of this is going to be easy, but I promise you won’t be alone. Whatever you decide, you won’t go through it on your own.
Moonstone: Whatever I decide?
Moonstone: What other choice is there? Not testifying?
Opal: Well, yes, but I meant more like giving your testimony to counsel and letting them do the talking. Anonymously give your truth and they can’t call you to the stand.
Moonstone: That. That works?
Opal: I looked into it. It’s a new thing but it does pass muster.
Opal: It’s up to you, and I will back whatever decision you make, but you should have that choice.
Moonstone: I…think I will. Give it to counsel, I mean. I don’t…I don’t really want to deal with people asking me why I was out there at four in the morning…
Opal: It’s none of their business anyway.
Opal: Oh, honey…I’m so proud of you.
Moonstone: *laugh* For running?
Opal: For living. I love you, sweetheart. Remember that, too.
Moonstone: …And the next thing I knew, I was waking up in the hospital.
Spinel: Luckiest girl alive.
Cascade: I’ll say. Thank you, Moonstone. This will be a big help.
Moonstone: What happens now?
Cascade: Now I take your testimony and present it to the judge and jury. They’ll decide what to do based on it and the evidence we’ve collected. I can’t make any promises, but this should help put those boys away for a long time.
Moonstone: …how many people did they hurt?
Cascade: Seven, maybe eight. Every game this season had at least one person hurt because of what they decided to do.
Moonstone: Were they all…like me?
Cascade: Like you–oh. No, no. You’re the first to be this badly injured. *sigh* Honestly their lawyer is trying to write it off as an accident, but we all know how dumb that is.
Cascade: It’s turned into a media circus, too.
Moonstone: …Would it be better if I testified in person?
Cascade: Not really, no. You’re better off out of the public eye.
Spinel: If you’ve changed your mind, it’s okay. We can do that, too.
Moonstone: I just don’t want them to get away with it.
Cascade: They shouldn’t. I’ll do my best to make sure they don’t. You just keep your chin up.
Moonstone: Uh-huh…
Spinel: Thank you, Miss Aura.
*Front door closes*
Moonstone: Did I make the right decision?
Spinel: Only you can decide that, honey. You did what you could, and in the end that’s all any of us can do.
Moonstone: I just…I want things to go back to how they were…
Spinel: I know, kiddo. I know.
Aurora: Been a while since I’ve seen you doing that.
Opal: Felt like a good time.
Aurora: …Yeah, it sure does.
Opal: Ro, we’ve had a good life, haven’t we?
Aurora: What do you mean?
Opal: I mean…everything. We’ve had a good life together, right?
Aurora: Huh. Well…I guess we have. It hasn’t been the easiest life, one way or another, but…
Aurora: But…yeah. I think it has. Been good.
Aurora: I think, Mrs. Crystal, that we’ve lived a good life together. And that, whatever comes after this, I want to see it at your side.
Opal: …So…you wouldn’t mind going home with me, then?
Aurora: As if I’d ever be anywhere else than at your side.
After Graduation…
Chili: Are you sure this is what you want, Moonstone?
Moonstone: I’m sure.
Horizon: Well I’m not! Moony, you can’t just give up a full ride–we can make it work!
Moonstone: Hori, look at me. A full ride athletic? No way. There’s no concessions they can make for something like this.
Chili: I’m afraid Moonstone’s right, Horizon. We can, do, and always will make adjustments for a lot of our students, but this is..unprecedented.
Moonstone: It’s okay, Hori. I’d rather it go to you, anyway.
Horizon: But I’m not as good as you…you can work around this! You can’t just give up…
Moonstone: I’m not giving up, I’m just…changing my plans. And university’s not in them right now, that’s all.
Moonstone: But that doesn’t mean it’s not in yours. So try. For me, please?
Horizon: I…oh, fine. Fine!
Chili: Whenever you’re ready, Horizon.
Horizon: Oh, so, never. Cool, cool.
Moonstone: She’ll do fine.
Chili: We’ll see.
Moonstone: Plant feet, leap, twisting…hands on the ball, Hori…you’ve got this.
Moonstone: And land. See? What did I tell you.
Chili: *laugh* Alright, alright! I’m impressed! She’s got a good a shot as you.
Horizon: Moony…
Chili: Well, I’ll say it right here: We’ve never had a scholarship recipient give it to someone else, but with these scores…you’re a shoo-in.
Horizon: So that means…
Chili: I’ll need to talk to the admissions board, but as far as I’m concerned? You’re a proud owner of a full ride Athletics scholarship to Foxberry, Horizon.
Chili: I look forward to seeing you there this fall.
Horizon: Of course. Thank you, Miss Chili.
Horizon: I cannot believe that happened.
Moonstone: I can. You’re good at it and you should get places because of it.
Horizon: I just–
Artemis: How’d it go?
Moonstone: Perfectly fine–oof! Arty, you silly goose.
Horizon: Careful, careful!
Moonstone: Hey, I came back this time, too.
Artemis: Uh-huh. You got mail today.
Moonstone: Oh? Did you read it?
Artemis: Nuh-uh. Mama said that was rude.
Horizon: A little. But I swear if it’s from Absinthe again I’ll…oh.
Moonstone: Hori?
Horizon: …it’s from Saffron.
Horizon: Who the hell does she think she is?! Two years later and all she sends is a postcard? Wish you were here? The hell does she–
Moonstone; Hori, it’s okay.
Horizon: It is not! How can you be okay with this?
Moonstone: it’s just what it is, that’s all. Her being here wouldn’t have changed anything.
Horizon: Yes it would have. You wouldn’t have been alone out there, for one, and–
Moonstone: And she might have been hurt, too. It’s better this way/
Horizon: Moonstone…you don’t mean that.
Moonstone: …I still miss her, but…but at least I know she’s alive now.
Horizon: She might as well not be. Two years and this is it? It’s a load of bull.
Moonstone: It’s fine.
Horizon: You can stop lying, Moony. It’s just me.
Moonstone: I just–shiitake, I thought I was over this…
Horizon: Come here, come here…I’ve got you.
Horizon: I’ve got you…you’re okay.
Dear Saffron.
How are you? It’s been three years since we last spoke. A lot’s changed around here since then.
Artemis went and grew up when I wasn’t looking. (Shut up. I have to joke or I’ll never stop crying.)
Mom published a few more books. She’s writing a whole new series now–Final Fantasy or something like that. Don’t ask how a fifteen book series can have final in its name.
Mama started making music, too. I think they’re going to work on audiobooks together. I can’t wait.
Luna took up painting. She’s done some illustrations for Mom, but I think she likes landscapes more. She must, since she sees so many with Skye these days.
Hori ended up taking that scholarship after…well. After. She’s in Foxberry now, and from the sounds of it, carrying them to the championships.
Neither of them wanted to leave me,, but they had to. Honestly, I had to force them out.
They got out just in time.
Granny and Gramma passed away last year.
We scattered their ashes in Sulani. I would have liked to see the colors; Aunt Comet said they looked like Sixam.
Gramma would have loved it, she said. I still miss them. I still miss you, too.
As for me…
Well, I’ve been better. I’ve pretty much come to terms with this being my life now. I’ve had to.
It hasn’t been easy. Sometimes I dream I can see again and then wake up in the dark. That’s never fun. Sometimes I….well. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better to not come out of the river.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything stupid. I just wonder sometimes, that’s all.
But no matter how much I wonder, I know it won’t change anything. This is my life now, and I have to be okay with that. We all do.
Even if we wish things were different, they can’t be. This is it.
This is it. This is the only letter I’m going to send, so…goodbye, Saffron. I miss you. I hope you’re safe, wherever you are.
All my love,
Moonstone.
Ps.
I got a seeing eye dog. His name is Ori.
Mama says there’s something strange about him, something…not quite of this world. Would be just my luck to get a Sixamese dog, huh?
Stay safe.
Aurora: …what? Where is this place?
Opal: Ro.
Aurora: *gasp*
Aurora: Opal! Oh, babe. You’re here!
Opal: I’m here. We’re here! *sob* We’re here.
Aurora: Hey…hey, what’s wrong?
Opal: Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. You’re here. …Ro, we’re…
Opal: …we’re dead, Ro. We died. That’s how we’re here.
Aurora: …I figured. Not that I’m complaining about no backache, but most people don’t lose fifty years in one night! *laugh*
Opal: *chuckle* No, they don’t.
Aurora: Where is here, anyway?
Astral: A crossroads, Aurora. A place for you to make a choice.
Aurora: Uh…who are you?
Opal: Ro, this is Astral. She’s….well, she’s the Watcher.
Aurora: Oh. I–hi? Nice to…meet you?
Astral: *laugh* We’ve met before, sweetheart, though you don’t remember that.
Aurora: I’m…sorry?
Astral: Don’t be. Now, you two have a choice to make.
Opal: Oh, here we go.
Astral: You know exactly where this is going, sweetheart. It’s time to move on now.
Aurora: Wait–move on? What about the kids?
Astral: They’ll catch up in their own time. Everyone does. The choice you have to make now is to wait for them here, or to go on ahead. Your parents are waiting for you.
Astral: But it’s your decision, in the end. It always has been.
Aurora: Is–will someone be here to explain to the kids? When they show up, I mean?
Astral: Of course. I’m always here. I’ll meet them, and explain, and give them a choice. You don’t have to worry about them.
Aurora: Then…can you answer one question before we decide? Moonstone. Will she be okay?
Astral: That’s up to her, I’m afraid. Though I certainly hope so.
Aurora: *sigh* The name’s literal, isn’t it. Alright then. Opal?
Opal: ..It’s time to go.
Astral: Just step through the doors when you’re ready.
Aurora: This won’t hurt, will it?
Astral: *chuckle* No, sweetheart. I promise, nothing can hurt you any more. Go on. Your fathers are getting very impatient.
Opal: Are you scared?
Aurora: …A little. It’s a big thing, isn’t it? Going on to…whatever’s next.
Opal: It is. I’m glad you’re here.
Aurora: We’re always going together, remember?
Opal: Always.
Astral: Safe journey, dear hearts. You’ll always be one of my favorite stories.
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