Decision

The next evening, Avine sat with her parents in the dining room, paying no attention to their discussion, and leaned against the back of her seat, her hands casually resting on the long table made of thick glass and lacquered wood. She played with her food, which was delicious, fried shellfish with a creamy white sauce, and accompanied by a wonderfully acidic salad.

When her parents, after a long and intense debate about legal logging, finally noticed her sullen face and lack of appetite, they stopped and stared at her. Her light veil dress accentuated her air of fragility and extreme melancholy.

- Eh my doll, you do not eat your meal?

The doll shook her head, really as weak as a rag doll.

- I am not very hungry today, mom. That's all.

- So what's happening to my treasure? You seem really quiet and sad.

- Did you not like your date with Pross?

At this overly intrusive and totally inappropriate remark from his father, Avine got angry and glared at him, pointing at him sternly with his fork.

- Dad, you are really unbelievable. Really, diplomacy means nothing to you? Then surely not manners?

- Baby, stop this nonsense. ordered her mother gently, seemingly shocked by her daughter's rudeness. What's the matter with you?

- Oh, nothing! Nothing's happened to me! I'm fine! exclaimed the latter annoyed. And even better, I'm going to stop here, and go up to my room right away, because I was only tired today, but my mother's husband has just been very clumsy in talking to me about this pretentious Pross.

- And you know," the angry girl added mischievously, addressing her mother, "you will soon receive an invitation from the mother of this famous and pretentious young man for a luncheon to be held this weekend. But Pross assured me that your presence was not necessary, the only important fact being that everyone knows about this invitation.

But the great woman, as Avine had expected, instead of taking offense at this fact, indifferently dismissed with her hand any idea of a connection between herself and this woman she despised. She resumed the thread of their conversation as if Pross' name had never been mentioned.

- Honey, you can see that your father is a bit of an idiot. Don't blame him, will you?

And turning to her husband, Grace made it clear that he was not to say another word.

The latter nodded and leaned piteously into his plate.

Avine frowned, still baffled by how different her parents were from each other.

Her mother, a beautiful blonde woman whose gorgeous hair she inherited, possessed brilliant, intelligent eyes of a sublime indigo blue, not to mention her queenly bearing, which was one more quality, aside from her hard, brilliant work, to inspire respect and admiration in others. The midnight blue cashmere, adorned with an abstract pattern, accentuated this nobility. A true woman born to command. It was probably for this reason that she became the president of the planetary organization for the defense of the fauna and flora of Kolod. Pross's mother had never made an awkward or embarrassing gesture towards her, so much did she know her mother's place, and probably even envied it. So much so that she was able to easily accept Avine as the girlfriend of her only beloved son.

Avine could not hold back a pout of disgust when she thought of this woman who was so haughty and useless, but who was more aware than the others of the existence of certain extraordinary things that no money could buy. .

On the other hand, her father, a simple professor of history at the university, was handsome, with long red hair and bright green eyes, slim and tall, which his simple gray and yellow suit further accentuated, but he was endowed with an unbearable simplicity and boundless awkwardness. They were a most curious and mismatched couple. But they loved each other and that was probably all that mattered to them in the end, she thought amused.

- Okay, honey," her mother resigned herself a little wistfully, "I won't insist and just pretend you're just tired and not hungry tonight. So tell me, have you thought about what you want to do for your birthday?

Avine was silent for a moment, her face turned to a moving painting on a wall where colorful creatures inhabited a vast spring meadow. But this invigorating vision reminded her of another painting placed in a secret room and occupying a whole wall, representing the strange and ferocious fight of a young ruler against a monster. But Avine had been wondering ever since she saw that wonderful painting, who the real monster was.

She turned to her parents, who were looking at her fondly, waiting for her answer. She decided to tell them her decision.

- Mom, I know it sounds ridiculous, but this time I want something different.

Her mother rested her elbows on the table and looked carefully at her precious daughter.

- I'm listening, dear.

- Well, I want to take a trip with my friends if you'll let me.

At first, Grace seemed surprised.

- A trip? But to what planet?

Avine smiled.

- Oh, don't worry," Avine reassured them, looking at her parents in turn, "there's a planet in our system, Moriova.

- Oh, I see. Grace exclaimed, feeling, indeed, relieved. One of the most visited planets in the galaxy for its beauty, entertainment and safety, you probably want to spend a dream vacation with friends, away from the big old people.

- Yes, you understand perfectly. I'm growing up, you know! And in a few days, on my birthday, I will be of age and will officially become someone that nobody, not even you, can handle anymore.

- But...

Avine's desperately protective father immediately wanted to forbid the trip, but none of his women paid him any attention.

- Is that what you really want, baby?

- Yes.

Grace laughed happily.

- Okay, then. So if you go, I can finally get to my long, exciting conference without worrying too much about your party planning.

- I know. And besides, with my big brother not being there, it would be less... sad, if you can use that word.

- But I'll be there," the head of the family, who was only the head of the family by title, tried to intervene with his beautiful women, but his words did not reach them.

- Do you want me to organize your trip, my dear?

- No mom, I am going to make it myself for once. She refused, smiling as innocently as possible.

- Okay, tomorrow I'll transfer enough money to your account so you can make your long trip. Her mother narrowed her eyes for a moment. Three weeks would definitely be enough, right?

- Yes! Thanks, Mom.

- But you will call me every day. ordered her mother without appeal. That's an order.

- Very well.