The transfer was successful, so the couple brought their children home, but Cresencia slept on the way home due to the heavy dosage of her medication intake. Everyone in the family kept tiptoeing when they passed her room, letting her recuperate peacefully, undisturbed.
When Cresencia woke up, she was already lying in a room full of unfamiliarity. She might have the old memories but not the same person. The softness of the mattress, pillows like clouds, and the coldness of the air-conditioning made her sleepier. But she slowly sat upright and glanced at the digital clock where it marked 5:00 AM.
The sky was black, and LED lights illuminated the manor. Cresencia's legs moved sideward as she got out of the bed and reached for a glass of water on her bedside table. When she returned the empty glass, she decided to open the curtains and observe the new world she was about to venture into, the start of new life.
She held the soft satin with both hands and cleared them on the sides, revealing a tinted glass door leading to her room's veranda. Her trembling hands unlocked the door and the cold morning breeze greeted her thin-clothed figure.
Like a ghost dressed in white, she went out silently.
"It's much colder here--" for millions of years, this was the first time she's had goosebumps all over her shoulders.
She could see a rattan chair on the corner with a high-density foam covered in grey animal fur from where she was standing. She went back in and picked up a blanket. But she stumbled into an instrument's case on her way out, which is comparable to a guqin's size.
She laid down on the mushy cushion and gazed at the stars with a smile. She placed the unopened instrument on her side. And then she blew her hands while rubbing them against her messy hair to keep it warm.
"Why have you sent me here-- father?" She asked as she stared at the festive sky
"Can this world show me the purpose that I've been searching for all my life?" her gaze then fell on the instrument with a deep sense of familiarity.
"Does being mortal lead me to enlightenment?" she asked, gently opening the case.
"Will I ever understand-- the things you've told me before?" an ancient guqin that once belonged to the royal family appeared in front of her.
"Or were you referring to my happiness?" her hands finally landed on the strings.
A comet appeared in the sky as if it heard her probing desires. Little by little, there's a place within her heart that's slowly changing. It was unnoticeable at first but clear enough to prove that she's also capable of having these emotions by being human.
She played a soft melody.
The heartfelt tune surrounded the entire residence. It was not failing to curse everyone for pledging a life contract and loyalty towards her. She knew better than anyone that her home was also a dragon's lair.
The sun rose on the east. It was magical, and the sky looked colorful. It was the first time she's ever appreciated seeing the wonders of nature as an average person. Not bounded by duty nor tasked to wait for the dead.
"I never thought it could be so beautiful-- just watching the sunrise from the east with the birds dancing by the wind."
"The lushness of the trees and the blooming of the flowers in my mother's garden!"
"Wow--"
Cresencia did not even notice the joy on her face, and her eyes no longer held the same soullessness.
"Why are you here, dear?" The sound of her mother's worried voice startled her
"Good morning-- mom" she shied away, but the smile on her face remained
"I thought you were still sleeping, yet you woke up so early, even earlier than me. Is something troubling you?"
She shook her head and stared at her mom's emotional face. Having a mother is also brought her unfamiliar feelings. But she's ready to accept them and the new life waiting for her.
"I'm fine-- mom."
The word 'mom' always felt foreign for her, and using the term now seemed awkward. But it reminded her of a new identity and the opportunity of having a family.
Julia touched her daughter's head and made sure to wrap her with the blanket tightly. The little girl she used to take care of has already grown into a young woman. It's as if she's staring at her younger self.
"Do you want to accompany mom? I'll be cooking breakfast in a while--"
"I'd love to, mom."
"You've become more and more silent after the accident--" Julia sighed, feeling helpless about her daughter's extreme changes.
"I am well, mom."
Her mom brought her to the kitchen and gave her tea. She felt compelled to take a seat at the counter on a stool. Servants surrounded them, but each of them had a specific assignment.
"I guess I'll just observe how mom cooks and learn something from her"
With excitement, she moved closer and observed how they processed the meals. When she was still a guardian, she often ventured into modern-cuisines to escort people whose about to die, but she never had the opportunity to explore and learn from what they were doing.
Cooking a meal is not that important for an immortal who can cultivate and never go hungry. But Cresencia will never forget ancient learning recipes when she was younger, according to her grandmother's wishes and fulfilling her medical tasks. Her grandmother taught her to live with the mortals and learn cultures from various planes.
"Cie, don't move too close to the pan, or the oil might injure you when it splashes," her mom reminded. She knows her daughter is someone who never wanted to be inside the kitchen.
"I know, mom, and I just want to learn new things-- for a change" Cresencia smiled stiffly, looking for reasons to cover up the embarrassing attitude of the previous owner.
"Oh, the heavens blessed us again-- but you girl, shouldn't force yourself!"
"Mom, relax-- I want to learn this art."
She gave all of her attention to what was happening in front of her. Remembring that magic cannot accompany her in this world.