Things in her life massively improved once she was taken in by Alairia and Raith. She had called Raith dad but hadn't had the chance to call her mom yet. She knew that Alairia was sweet and cared about her but….was mom too much. The child was nervous. But she hid it behind a confident smile while she was writing in her journal. Dala was hanging around the hall with the throne and the giant dragon. Lying on the floor, she was practicing her writing in one of her journals. Her writing was somewhat messy but improving. Instead of emotions or some other boring droll, she was writing hypothetical scenarios that she might run into while running a kingdom.

The scenario she was working on involved what to do when there was a drought. So far she had written to save the water they had and to ration it for everybody along with the food. But she had a feeling there was more to it since the problem of lack of water still had yet to be solved. The child let out a small sigh and closed the journal, deciding that she would ask Shiloh or Cao later. Travel had become far easier with her ice dragon. Then there was the basilisk who she also could travel with. Then there was her baby dragon who she had been taking care of. The baby dragon was golden and small but just as fierce as Dala was. Pushing herself to a siting position, she waited for Alairia. Alairia probably didn't know the child was there. Or maybe she did. Dala didn't know. Her plan was just to see if mum was there. 

"Waiting is so boooring!" She exclaimed, flopping onto her side. 

Maybe she should explore the watchtower? Raith had given her access to it but she still wasn't used to it yet. There wasn't anything wrong with the building, it was just like stepping into somebody else's house. They had welcomed her and tried their best to make her feel welcome. But it seemed only time could make this place feel like a home. Home. When was the last time she had one? Dala decided to stop thinking about that. Walking up to one of the chairs, she decided to see if she could hide behind it efficiently. If anybody tried to attack the citadel, she could pop out from behind the chair and stab the intruders! 

"Ha! Stop fiends! You will be destroyed by a powerful and cool princess!" The child shouted, jumping out from behind the chair. 

She knew that there were no fiends. This was just pretend. Although Dala called it preparation. She began to pretend to attack non-existent enemies, using her very real dagger. The child was careful to not hurt herself and to not hurt the surrounding area, since Alairia had decorated it so well. Even though this was play to Dala, her movements showed familiarity with her weapon. As though she had been using for a significant amount of time. 

"I have defeated you!" She said with a confident smile, "Once again Princess Dala has won the day!"

Holding her dagger in the air and other hand on her hip, she had a confident grin. Even though her enemy was just invisible. 

Alairia leaned upon the balcony railing that stood outside of the main room in the Tower. There she could look over the Observatory with her own eyes now that they had been restored. Healing sessions were still necessary, but it was a large improvement over what had been her norm previously. A light gust pulled at the edges of her light pink dress that wrapped about her slight form. It was wrapped around her waist with a rolled cord knotted at the right hip. She was fond of how light weight the dress was especially for moving around the temple when it heated up whenever Raith’s temper flared. Ria doubted that Raith realized it, but it was something she had learned to adjust to.

Today was going to be a good day to work in her garden domain. The herbs were coming along nicely, and soon would need to be harvested. Work benches had been put together for her use in that perfect little piece of heaven for her to use as needed. Ria had also managed to get a shed created for the specific drying out of the herbs. From there she could ship stock to her mother to be used in the family apothecary .

Raith, her fiancé, had done many things to give Alairia everything she could have ever wanted. There were times that Raith was overly attentive in regards to how well he wanted to tend to Ria. This was not particular to just her love. Her entire family had a tendency to coddle her when it came to the ‘evils’ of the world. She had been a victim of such a creature that only now had begun to leave her dreams. Alairia was not as naive as her family sometimes thought, but she always kept a smile upon her lips.

Still, she was a little tired of being cared for on a consistent bases as if she would crumble under sort of new pressure. That’s where she found some solace and joy with young Dala. She was Alairia’s Little Wolf that brought her just joy at the thought of her. The child was a strong entity that would not be denied. Even so, Ria felt as if she was pushing her love and adoration upon the child. Dala had not said nor acted as if it were an imposition, but to act like a person’s mother was a heavy assumption. The elf could not help the feelings of motherly concern that she did for Dala. What she felt was beyond that of a mentor to an apprentice.

Ria pushed off the cool railing to move back into her quarters. There she slipped on some soft silk work boots that would be comfortable for the garden as well as not spoil while in the soil. A couple of clicks of her tongue summoned the dozing black shepherd to her side before making her way down the stairs.

As she neared the bottom where the door led to the Throne Room, Ria heard a young familiar voice. At the door, Ria stopped to press her pointed ear to the door to listen to Dala ‘fend’ off the Observatory from invading fiends. Controlling her slight laughs, the woman opened the door to see ‘Princess Dala’ soaking in her own victory. Elegant hands clapped to give credit to where it was due. ”Thank you for your bravery, Princess Dala!” Alairia said with a deep curtsey. ”What would we do without you, my dear?”

Crossing the distance between them, Ria couldn’t help but place a gentle kiss upon the girl’s head before moving towards the door that would lead to the garden realm. ”I have work to do in the gardens; may i tempt you to cease your sword play against villains to help?”. She opened the door to allow the scent of the flowers waft into the large room..

A flush of red grew on her face as she realized Ria had been watching her. Hardly anybody had seen her practice sessions. Yet, Alairia didn't seem to mind. Then again, Ria was a kind and calm minded woman. She wouldn't be the sort to get angered at play. The child sheathed her dagger and watched as Ria gave her a small kiss on the head. Then the woman began moving towards the door to the garden realms. 

"Of course!" Dala said with a confident grin, "These plants won't know what hit em! They'll get more water and food then they could possibly dream of!"

Her enthusiasm was growing but there still was another thing on her mind. The present and the question. She felt a strong bond with Alairia but…she wasn't sure how Ria felt. But it was cowardly to keep pushing it off. She followed Ria into the garden realm. The garden realm was beautiful and it was a familiar place. It was the first place that Dala and Ria really got to know each other. It was where she got the Little Wolf title. Dala paused for a moment then took off the satchel that hung around her shoulder. After digging through it for a few moments, she pulled out a clay object. The clay object was a sort of ornament without the string and it was shaped like a sun. It only had five rays and they were uneven. The yellow painting on it was simple and unprofessionally done. The child had clearly made this on her own. She held it up towards Ria. 

"Here….I made this and I thought you might want it. But uh, its no big deal if you don't." Dala said awkwardly. 

After giving the gift, the child began to look down at her feet. Her hair fell in front of her face and she was trying to figure out the best way to ask this. There wasn't an easy way and things could get incredibly awkward if she said no. How was this so hard? Fighting baddies was easy. Capturing dragons wasn't a problem. Building a kingdom? She could totally do it. Asking one tiny question was suddenly the most difficult thing in the world!

"Would it be alright if I…if I called you mom?" Dala asked softly. 

Her feet shifted and she was watching a rock, waiting for Ria's response. 

Lips were pressed tightly together as she suppressed a chuckle as the flush began spreading across the child’s face. It was quite endearing. Ria for a split moment about how her own childhood had been accelerated. What things had she missed with not being able to slow down her growth. Dae and Alairia had been blessed with certain abilities by their previous patron god, but it had side effects that their mother had not been able to foresee. It mattered little now that things had changed as drastically as they had. There had been no seeing how things would have ended where they currently lay. Ria was grateful to the patron god of Darkness on DaeLuin, for if it had not been for him, they would have all perished upon the Void eaten world.

Now, Ria stood looking upon a young girl that had nothing but large dreams that she set for herself. The elf could only smile whenever she thought about Dala. It helped her heart to not feel Dala pull away when she placed a kiss upon the top of her head. Alairia always worried that she pushed her feelings upon others, and held back at every turn to not overstep her bounds.

Brows lifted slightly in amusement as Dala declared how the plants were to be tended to in such enthusiasm. ”I’m sure they will not know how to handle such extreme care!” she laughed while ushering in her ward. They moved towards a section that needed some extra care. Ria knew that the herbs were close to harvest, and it was in the last couple weeks that were the most crucial.

The woman grabbed up a set of gardening gloves from a table where all her regularly used tools were laid out. Sliding on the calf leather gloves, Alairia knelt upon the ground with straight back while beginning to till some of the soil to check on how much water would be needed. From the corner of her eye she saw Dala looking through her satchel for something. The blonde she-elf said nothing as to not overstep and ask what was of such import to dig through the bag.

Head tilted to the side as the item was offered over. She removed her dirtied gloves to take the clay ornament. Ria held it with tenderness as she looked it over to notice that it was made by Dala herself. Lips were pressed tightly together as all attempts to hold in her emotions were made. She knew it would not last long, but for the moment she wanted to wait to hear what the Little Wolf wanted to say.

Feet were tucked beneath her as the elf shifted to face Dala. The ornament was carefully laid in her lap as Ria reached up to tuck the girl’s hair behind her ears. ”Oh, my girl, it would be an honor if you would….I don’t want to pressure you. I love you, my Little Wolf. I have been hoping to call you my daughter,” she responded in a hushed tone. Graceful fingers cupped each side of her daughter’s cheeks while lifting her face for their eyes to connect. ”You are beyond what any parent could hope to have in their child. It is a true blessing for Raith and I to have you in our lives. Thank you for allowing us to have you in our family, my Little Wolf.”

Alaira set her new treasure on the ground by her side in order to pull Dala into her lap for a full embrace. She was at a loss for words in the joy that she felt for being asked for something like Dala had just asked. It was a wonder that Raith and Ria had been able to have such a spirited child want to be with them as a family member. There were times that Ria was concerned for her ability to conceive in the future considering the depths of injury taken by Xy. If they were only to be blessed with Dala, than Ria felt that it would be enough.

For a few moments she was afraid that Ria would refuse. She held her breath and waited for words of denial. Instead she could feel the warm touch of Ria's soft hands lifting her face. The words of acceptance filled Dala's heart with joy. A smile grew on her face as she looked into her mother's eyes. Mother. A word that used to be old and broken, remade into something wonderful again. The child was pulled onto Ria's lap. She could feel the warmth and gentleness of Ria's arms. The child returned the embrace and could feel her eyes watering. It was strange. She felt so happy and yet there were tears in her eyes. Tears for happiness… The world was weird. 

"Hey mom?" Dala said, "I was thinking we could celebrate. Once we finish harvesting the plants…maybe we could make flower crowns? It used to….It used to be something I did with my old mom. It was a way for us to get closer and remember the good things in our lives instead of always focusing on the bad." 

She only now realized how cheesy that sounded. But it was what they did. The child only realized after she spoke that it might be awkward to speak about her dead mother with somebody who was now her new mom. Something told the child that Ria wouldn't mind. Ria seemed to have the gentleness and kindness of a saint. The child began to think about what they would be like as a family. There had been a hole in her heart that seemed to be filling. A hole that she never realized was there. She looked up at Ria and gave her a genuine. 

"So yeah." Dala said awkwardly. "I guess we should harvest plants, right?"

To Ria’s own surprise she was able to hold in her own emotions in regards to the exchange between them. Her heart felt as if it were going to explode from sheer joy. Alairia had been privileged to have her life dodge the most ugly of outcomes after all that she and her family had been through. They had all come out stronger, together. Many were not fortunate enough to have that same outcome. Here she was now extending that offer to Dala. To have this child join in the strong family that had grown into a strong force in the world.

Alairia wondered about how she was going to tell her family about the addition. They were a powerful pack, and knew that her mother would take to Dala quickly. Dae, Ria’s brother, would find a way to give the Little Wolf her own set of knives. The elf sighed internally while holding Dala’s frame close to her chest in an embrace. This was going to get interesting.

”Hmm?” Responding to the title mom, was natural. It took no additional effort for Alairia to remember that it was now something to answer to. A light smile lit her lips as she leaned back slightly to look at her child while listening to the request. Her chest felt as if it were tightening at the mention of Dala’s mother. Alairia knew little of the child’s history as she opted often not to mention it. It was as if it were too difficult to talk about, and Raith nor Ria could bring themselves to push her. She traced Dala’s cheek gently before brightening her smile. ”Of course, dear. We can celebrate anyway you want. I’m sure we can have Raith…father, join as well.”. Another kiss was placed upon her forehead.

”Yes, let us harvest some of these herbs. Some are ready, while others are close. Please grab the pruning shears over on that table along with your gloves.” Ria pushed off the ground once Dale stood up to gather the necessary tools. She pulled upon the bottom of her gloves to make sure they were on snuggly before getting to work on the elfroot that had been growing well. It had taken rather nicely to the soil in the garden realm. Truthfully, if any of her herbs had not taken to the soil in that pocket world, there would have been some shock since Raith had made sure that it was ideal for all her plants.

The pair worked in silence for some time, but it was not an awkward silence. They had work to do, and Dala was a child of force and focus. From time to time Ria would turn her head to smile down at the girl with such adoration. She truly had found a place in the she-elf’s heart.

Work was completed swiftly with the help. Ria had bound up plenty of herbs to be set in the drying shed; it was there that they would dry out before being turned into remedies. She straightened out the bundles while marking the last tally in her record book. ”Now…we are done with our work. Show me how to make these flower crowns! I have never made one before.”. There was another smile upon Ria’s lips as she leaned down to kiss her daughter’s head with a light stroke of the girl’s back. Actions all that Alairia had experienced from her mother while growing up. It was almost astonishing how natural it was to pick up the habits of your parent and emulate on the next generation.

Dala quickly ran over to the table and grabbed both the gloves and the pruning shears. After putting on the gloves she gave the shears to her mother. The child began to work with the elfroots along with Ria. Dala's eyes were focused and she quietly followed every instruction Ria gave her. It was as though the rest of the world and its troubles were fading away. Today it was just her and her mother, working on some plants. Dala was quick to retrieve any item her mother needed and never seemed to mind the hard work the plants demanded. By the time they were done, Dala was covered in dirt. She had been careful with the plants but her clothes were another matter entirely. There was a smear of dirt on her cheek. 

"Well first we have to get some flowers!" Dala said with a confident smile, "First we need some flowers and a thick vine."

The child looked around and spotted some that would be perfect for what she wanted. Her eyes spotted a group of red Anemone and she raced over to collect some. The next flower she chose was white carnations. After grabbing some vines, she returned to Ria with a big smile. Sitting down, she dropped her items. Taking the vines, she began to weave them together in a braid type. 

"The trick is making the vines somewhat loose. The vines are gonna be the base of the circle and the flowers are added afterwords." Dala explained, "Oh and the flowers have to represent who your making it for. I got red and white flowers cause you're strong and sincere. Once your done with the circle, you add the flowers like this." 

She began to show Ria how to tuck the stems of the blooms into the vine circlet. Dala messed up with two of the flowers, since she forgot to tighten it after weaving the flower in, but the rest of the flowers seemed to be well placed. As they were weaving, a question came to her mind. One that she hadn't asked before and it was starting to bother her quite a bit. 

"How did you and dad meet?" Dala asked. 

It was strange for them to be together, since they seemed like polar opposites. Yet she knew how strange the world could be and how sometimes, the most unlikely of things could happen. 

Even when there were moments of silence it was heartwarming to the elf. She would steal glances down at Dala as they worked side by side to get the herbs properly gathered. The newly annointed mother knew that Dala would more than likely align more with Raith. There was a similarity that could not be denied between the pair, despite Dala looking more like Alairia. It was still surprising how alike the three of them were even though the child had not one ounce of blood relation to them. Ria was grateful that Dala had found them. Another glance was stolen at the dirty child who had decided to dedicate herself to being her daughter. A warm expression softened her features before turning back to the bound herbs in hand.

They completed their task in good time, and it was time now to enjoy some relaxation. Ria brushed some of the dirt off of Dala’s cheek with the back of her knuckle. She could not help but chuckle lightly at the excitement there was for the prospect of making flower crowns. Thinking back, Ria realized that her own mother and herself had not had time to do such things. Alairia had grown too quickly due to the magical influence of the god that had sent them to Revaliir. Even if the god had been the Lord of Darkness (one unloved by most in her original world), he had been benevolent to the Balatro family. In his last spark of power, the deity had sent his Blessed to the sanctuary of Revaliir. Ria would always be grateful for that.

”Okay! Flowers are aplenty here. We most assuredly will find some vines around.”. The mother watched her daughter run about to find the supplies they would need to make their crowns. Alairia repeatedly thanked all the moons and the Voice for allowing her to heal. To not have the ability to witness her daughter, as well as watch her grow up….Ria didn’t want to think about it. She would just be grateful for what she had now.

They sat on the ground curled in the grass to work on their project. Fingers worked deftly while following the directions given by Dala. She added in different colored flowers to fill it out. Listening to the explanation of the flower colors made her blush slightly. How could this strong willed child already think so much of the elf? Ria couldn’t figure it out, but again she felt beyond blessed for it.

The pattern she fell into for weaving the flowers was a soothing one. She could sit with her legs tucked to the side on the soft sloping hill while next to Dala. Her hazel eyes widened slightly in shock to the question. ”Oh…ummm…well it was a bit unconventional I guess.”. She cleared her throat slightly while focusing on the forming crown.

Finally, Ria set the crown down on her lap while turning her face towards Dala. ”We were at one of the Winter Galas. I was taking a break from the insanity of it all. Your father happened to smell the apple I was eating. He came over to join me while taking a rest on a bench, and struck up a conversation.”. It had been a long time since she had thought of that day. He had decided to speak with Alairia since she carried the scent of Kythe upon her. Extreme hatred had been felt deep in his heart of his own mother, and had planned to use Alairia against Kythe. Things changed quickly as the pair began to bond.

”We are certainly different, but your father has always been incomparably kind towards me.”. Her features softened while looking down at the crown, which she had picked up to continue working on.

”Dala…you haven’t told me much about yourself. What would you be willing to tell me?”

While she worked on her flower crown, she listened to her mother's story. The Winter Galas were infamous throughout Revaliir but she'd never attended one. At that time she was still on the streets and orphans were not welcomed in most parties. But her imagination could fill the gaps. Stories of how things looked had been told to her. Galas with thousands of beautiful people and banquets that never ended. Her mom was at the gala taking an apple into her hand and she could imagine her dad approaching Ria with a confident smile and saying something cool. It was like a fairytale! They got together and she became the wife of a god. Perhaps that wasn't exactly how it went but that's what was going through the child's mind. Then Alairia asked her about herself. 

"I don't mind talking about stuff like that….but….I want you to promise me something." Dala said looking up at Ria, "I don't want you to see me as a victim. My life was hard but I want you to see me for what I do instead of what was done to me." 

She had met so many people who had only saw her as a tragic child who'd suffered in the past instead of somebody who overcame a hard past. They treated her like a weak little victim instead of a strong survivor. Dala knew her life wasn't normal but she was more than just a tragic past. After Dala got Ria's assurance, she decided to tell her mother more about herself. Starting with her first mom. 

"My first mother was named Asher. She died when I was young but I have enough memories of her." The child explained, "We were enslaved, so she was busy most of the time. But when we did get to be together, she'd always make an effort to make something special out of it. After she died, I was on my own for a few more years. When I finally escaped, I renamed myself and went to Vilpamolan. There was a fighting cage for adults but there was a version for kids, for the people who wanted to see kids beat the crap out of each other. Both sides got paid though, whether they won or lost. I got better at fighting hand to hand but I decided to get some daggers in case I needed to fight adults. And then I guess I wandered around, trying to learn stuff until I ended up here."

There were plenty of details she left out of the story. She didn't mention life as a slave, since she didn't want to bring the mood down too much. The fighting other kids thing wasn't fun but it was the best way to get paid for a child without skills. The child realized that she had mentioned more than she intended. Alairia had only asked her for a bit about herself, not her entire life story. 

"Um so yeah. That's most of my life." She said awkwardly. 

There was something about her mom that made her want to open up more. To not hide her life behind a confident smile. 

Her gaze remained down as her fingers worked at a swifter pace to make the flower crown. A gentle smile was upon her lips at the memories of that night. Raith had been a knight wrapped in darkness that held allure for any woman who wasn’t supposed to be with a ‘bad boy.’ It had been fate that had brought them together, and Alairia thanked the gods daily for bringing him to her. Now she was not sure which gods she was to thank since Raith had been ascended to godhood. A light chuckle rose from deep in her chest as she continued to think about how the events had evolved over time. Now she was a mother to a wonderfully strong young woman. Fiancée to a god that had stolen her heart. A daughter to a woman who was a talented healer that was going to give birth to twin siblings. And a sister to a talented, albeit mouthy brother. There was not much more she could ask for.

Alairia raised a brow at the request made by Dala. Her face had been plastered in a shocked expression that had melted into one of understanding. A gentle smile warmed her features as her work continued on putting flourishes into her crown. ”My dear…I believe I have never met a stronger young lady then yourself. Little you could say would make me pity you, since whatever obstacles you have dealt with have brought you to me and your father; though I would never wish for you to deal with any struggles.”

As she listened to the story provided, Ria readjusted her legs beneath her to the side. Her flower crown laid upon her lap completed. Hands rested upon her lap just below the crown to cradle it. There was a variety of wild flowers that popped with colors. It had been her first flower crown, and she was sure it would hold up. Hazel eyes softened as Dala spoke of Asher. The woman wished she had been able to meet the woman who had given birth to the willful girl that sat across from her; it would have been an honor.

When Dala had completed her narrative, Alairia remained silent for a moment. After that moment passed the flower crown was placed on her daughter’s head carefully. ”My darling girl, you have been through trials & tribulations that cannot be denied. I wish your father and I could have been there sooner to be with you…but that just means you have made yourself strong on your own merits.” She cupped Dala’s face gently between her hands while lightly stroking the girl’s cheeks with her thumbs. ”You have become our shining light in our lives. A fighter through and through. We all have our own narratives that we wish could have edited along the way. You have taken your story into your own hands to mold to your liking. There has also been an opportunity settled at her feet that is given to very few.” Alairia released the child’s face to sit up straight again with hands folded on her lap with a elegance that had begun to develop in the woman. ”It is up to you what is to be done with your new fortune. What is it that you want to accomplish?”