Dimension shuffler

Chapter 15: Paz-t and present: Part 2

After rendezvousing with Drez, who was planning to pick up supplies for new machines, the group headed into the town.

The sights and sounds of the town were pleasant. Everyone was happy and children played in the streets. The market was a sight to behold. Quaint, little stalls selling produce and knick-knacks. Lining the outsides were permanent shops, built into the bottom of the clock tower that smiled over the town, granting it's blessing.

Stephen roamed the streets and found comfort and mild-surprise at the fact this town was much like his own home-town. Drez kept and eye on Chico as she darted around window shopping but eventually settling on getting a dream catcher as a keepsake.

Paz was uninterested. Nothing here she hadn't seen before. Nothing prepared her, though, when she came upon a small florists. The shop was named 'Bell blossoms' and was decked out in blues, reds and purples. It sold all varieties of flowers, the most advertised of which were special flowers. Striking red with thorns like a rose but bright and open like a sunflower. The flower was named 'Sweet Paz'. Paz found it weird that she shared an name with a flower until she saw the florist herself. A tall woman with long, wavy, bright red hair tending to the flowers. Upon realising who it was, Paz was taken back in shock.

"It can't be..."

"Well, hi there! Can I help you? We've got some lovely flowers in stock today!" The woman greeted her with a smile. "I can help you pick one out if you like. What's your name?"

"Paz..." Came a quiet response.

"Paz..." The woman stuttered for a second, "Were your parents knights by any chance?" Paz simply nodded. The woman began to cry and smile, "Is it.. is it really my little girl?" Paz's only response was holding out the sword, "Oh my goodness, it is you!"

The two embraced a heartfelt hug. Mother and daughter reunited at last. A crowd gather around the shop to celebrate the reunion of a family once split apart. Even Drez shed a tear at the happy moment.

"I.. I thought you were dead. Were you here all these years?" Paz asked her mother.

"I had to leave, sweetie. That figure commanding the beast spotted me running the day we left. I had to leave you so it wouldn't find you. I knew you'd take care of yourself. You were always so talented. All that matters now is we're together again and I'm not going to let us apart again."

"I didn't spend that entire time alone. My friends were with me."

"Oh, aren't you just the cutest little bunch." She walked over to Stephen, "I love your spaceman costume."

"It's not really a costume and I'm not going to space. Hopefully not anyway." Stephen sighed.

She spoke to Chico, "You're just the cutest little one, aren't you?"

"Thank you Mrs. Paz." Chico responded.

"Call me Florence, Okay." Finally she scrutinised Drez, "And who's this, is he your boyfriend?"

"What? No! We're just friends. Really. We met shortly after the... incident." Paz responded for her shocked and confused friend.

"Sure. Come, let me show you and your friends around."

The group wandered inside to the quaint, little shop. There were lines of flowers, acting as much as products as decorations. Pinks and reds decorated the shop with blue and purple accents. The counter had but a few bouquets and a till yet fit the theme exactly. Behind the counter were stairs that Florence took the ensemble up to a home above. There weren't many rooms but she insisted they stayed in the rooms she did have which were previously nothing more than un-used storage rooms.

Seeing how her mother adapted to her new life, Paz had some questions, "So mom, why did you stop being a knight?"

"To be honest, I wanted to retire and become a florist long before the attack. Your father enjoyed it and people needed us so I decided to leave it for a while, it was fun together though. With no one left to protect and your father gone, I decided to follow my idea. I do miss your father and the others but a knight that can't protect those they love is no knight at all."

"But you protected me, and surely changing had to be tough."

"It was at first but it's never a bad thing to embrace your more feminine side. I have since become one of the most popular businesses in town. You get settled with your friends while I go make something to eat. How about we display that sword, huh?" She put the sword she given to her daughter so many years ago upright on a nearby mantelpiece as a display of the family's proud history, "It's so good to have you back, pumpkin."

Drez was busy looking at the ornaments in the room, nothing too fancy but it piqued his interest.

"Drez, can I talk to you?" Paz wandered in, a bit sadder than usual.

"Sure. Why so glum?" He responded.

"Do you think... do you think I'm a good knight or not?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course you are!"

"But I failed to protect Stephen and Chico when Andre first attacked, I got injured on his second attack and fell for Melody's ploy straight away. How can I be a knight if I can't protect those dear to me. And Stephen too."

"Doesn't he come under the former."

"Still don't trust him. Just seems a bit weird."

"Ah. Anyway, don't let yourself down. People make mistakes, it's natural."

"But I can't afford mistakes. My mother never let her guard down, she never made mistakes. How can I be as good as she was?"

"I don't know. Just don't lose sight of what's important. Your mother had a dream and she followed it, you need to do the same."

"Thanks, I guess."

Drez got up, "Your welcome. I promised I'd take Chico shopping again so I'd better go. Just ask anytime you need to talk again." With that, he left.

Paz thought to herself. Today had a lot of information to take in. A good night's sleep might help her think things through. Later that night, she decided to take the advice she was given and prepare a fresh start for morning.

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"Where is she?" Drez was starting to become concerned for his friend. It was morning and Paz hadn't left her room yet. Even Stephen had gotten up before her.

"I'm sure she's fine. She's a smart girl. Don't worry about her." Florence reassured the boy.

"She's never up this late though, something's definitely wrong."

"She's probably just processing the intake of information. At least I get to sleep in for once." Stephen chimed in.

"It's just weird. She's been doubting herself. I just hope she hasn't done anything too drastic."

"Stop worrying, Drez. I'm here." Paz descended the stairs.

The Paz the group saw, however, was not the Paz they knew...