Chapter 11 Sparkling, Shimmering Fear
Solar sighed. His shoulders slumped as he made his way back to the Terrace. He really did feel bad for his Mama. Bad dreams were not fun; this was something he himself could attest to. But what really made him feel particularly odd was one little unanswered question.
Why didn't Mama tell him what the dream was about?
Solar couldn't shake that question. The answer was right there, dangling in front of him like a carrot on a stick. In other words, it was just out of reach. He realized that it probably wouldn't be the case if Mama had just been honest and told him what was going on.
Why didn't she?
Solar shook his head and entered the Terrace. He didn't know. He just didn't know. He supposed his Mama was trying to protect him on some level. After all, he was six,and bad dreams could get really scary sometimes.
But Solar has had bad dreams before. He could handle it!
Well, then again, maybe the contents of the dream really wasn't his business. Maybe he should just let it go. That would be best for everyone.
…
The next morning (it really wasn't the morning as there was no rising sun to indicate the start of the new day), Solar made his way to the kitchen dome, the bad dream his Mama had far away from his mind. He smiled at the lumas and waved at them. The lumas smiled back with their eyes, pronounced glee in every one of their features. Solar loved that look, almost as much as he loved his new ability to fly. Seriously. He had only had it for about a day, yet he was already used to and in love with it. He couldn't imagine life without it now. It was possible his feet might never touch the floor again.
Not only that, but it opened up so many doors. If he could fly, he could defend himself against and escape from enemies in other galaxies. Heck, he was probably strong enough to visit those galaxies all by himself now. Oh, boy! Solar knew what the galaxies were like; he had been to all of them at some point in time with his Mama. He loved all of them; Toy Time and Gusty Garden especially. To go on adventures to them all by himself, like a strong, grown up explorer, would be the best.
Maybe Solar should ask his Mama at the breakfast table if that was okay.
With that thought in his mind, Solar sped up. He zoomed across the Comet Observatory, giggling up a storm. He was ready for breakfast, ready to greet the day with a grin. He was ready to see his Mama.
"Mama!" He called out. "I'm…"
Wham!
Solar slammed right into Rosalina. The Lady of the Shooting Stars and the little child fell to the ground, rubbing their heads and behinds. Solar recovered quickly enough though (he always recovered pretty well from pain). He cast his Mama a smile, one that was even bigger and brighter than the ones that he had given to the lumas.
"Mama! You're here!"
Rosalina got up and tried to smile. "Yep. I'm here."
Solar twirled around. "What's for breakfast? I am so hungry."
With that, he entered the kitchen. His eyes grew wide when he saw star bit waffles on the table. He took the seat closest to the fireplace and chowed down. The candy-like Crystal's added a welcome, sugary sweetness to the already sweet confection. Being a six year old, Solar was in love with it.
"These are so good." He wiped his mouth and turned toward Rosalina. "Hey, Mama, I really like…"
Rosalina was gone. Solar blinked as he also realized that there wasn't even a plate of waffles set up like there normally was. He was the only one at the table.
Solar grew worried. Was...was his Mama mad at him? Was this some form of punishment; eating alone? Oh no. What did he do wrong?
Oh. Was she mad at her ramming into him? That was probably it. She probably picked up her plate and left the dome because she was too hurt by him running into her. Realizing this, Solar lowered his fork and directed his gaze at the floor. He didn't mean to hurt his Mama. He should probably apologize to her.
Yeah, yeah! He should apologize to her! That was a good idea. That way, his Mama could get better, and he wouldn't have to worry anymore! Yeah!
So, with a smile, Solar bounced out of his seat and exited the dome. He flew around, expecting to find her somewhere on the Observatory. When he didn't, he knew that there was only one place where she could possibly be now; the Gateway Galaxy. That waa the shortcut she took to get to her home planet, so he might as well check.
So, he flew over and entered the gateway. The air on the other side was still, calm, and tranquil, just like his Mama. And also like his Mama, there was a specific type of beauty to the atmosphere. A beauty that no loving being could hope to replicate.
Solar took a deep breath, breathing in the earthy smell and the peaceful vibe of his mother's home planet. He would cherish this planet, just as she had done, even when he was an adult.
"I really don't like this."
Solar perked up. That voice was his Mama's! She had to be close. He took to the air and flew around the planetoid. He found her sitting in front of her old house. Surprisingly, Polari was also there. Solar swooped down, about to say hi to his parents. However, Polari said something that stopped him in his tracks.
"Do you really think that Solar would do something like that?"
Solar blinked. They...they were talking about him! How come?
"I want to believe he won't. It's possible that he won't. But I have had premonitions in my dreams before. I can only hope that this was just my thoughts going wild and not some future vision from the stars."
Solar's jaw dropped. Wait. Was...was the bad dream she had last night… about him? It had to be; why else would she and Polari be talking in this way?
"I hope the same thing," Polari said, the snarkiness and sarcasm that usually laced his tone now absent. "I mean...he sighed and shifted position a little. "I understand if you're scared about his powers. Aries….he used them in horrible ways."
Rosalina nodded. "I know. That's what terrifies me. I wouldn't wish Solar to do the same thing with his."
Solar's heart stopped. His mom was afraid? Of him?
Oh. Oh...she was. She was scared of Solar. It all made sense now. She was scared of Solar, which caused her to have the dream. And the thing that caused her to become scared was Solar's new flying power.
Rosalina and Polari said something else after that, but Solar didn't hear. He just flew back to the Observatory, fighting off tears as he did so.