Chapter Three – Memories of the Golden Rose
The next morning, Rockwell made breakfast and wished the Golden Rose family well. He even packed them a picnic for lunch. Rosiepuff led the way, merrily greeting the villagers on the way to the ruins of her old house. Branch waved to the people they passed. He was a bit unnerved by just one thing in Hana Rosa: Delta Dawn.
Branch knew Delta Dawn was blind. It was so very obvious that centaur troll was blind. So why did he get the feeling she always knew exactly where everyone was at all times? This went beyond memorizing the layout of her house or feeling the difference between the bottle of milk and the pitcher of sweet iced tea. She could walk into a room and, without hearing for anyone's voices, know almost immediately that her father was in the kitchen, Rosiepuff was on the couch, and Branch was at the table. It didn't make any sense. She could even walk around the village without a blind cane, and she never ran into anything or anyone. To make things worse, she didn't seem to like Branch or Symphony, and even acted strange around Rosiepuff. Delta Dawn was cold and snippy to Branch and Symphony. She acted borderline hostile to Rosiepuff, even if her behavior was subtle. Since they came to stay at her house, Delta Dawn peppered Rosiepuff with questions about her plans while in Hana Rosa. Branch tried to talk to Delta Dawn about laying off the questions, but she responded by purposefully stepping on his feet. Having his toes stomped on by hooves hurt way more than toes stomped on by regular feet.
He pushed those thoughts aside. Despite all his efforts to help his grandma heal emotionally, Branch worried about this walk to the old Golden Rose house. Would she regress and destroy all their progress?
Even if she does without meaning to, this will work in the long run. Branch reminded himself. I hope.
Rosiepuff, Branch, and Symphony left Hana Rosa behind and followed a small footpath that cut through the wildflower fields. The wildflowers moved in the gentle breeze, as though waving to the travelers. The sun cast its blanket from the cloudless skies to create a pleasantly warm day.
"Nice flowers." Symphony piped up to break the silence. "Sure are a lot of them."
"Hence the town's name." Rosiepuff said. "'Hana' means 'flower.' The second half, 'Rosa,' refers to my family. As Rockwell said, my family made their home here long before the village came around."
"Are there other Golden Rose members in the country?" Branch asked.
"Nope." Rosiepuff shook her head. "Traditionally, a Golden Rose brings their spouse to live in the family home, and they raise their children there."
"Must've been a big house." Branch mused.
"Yep." Rosiepuff stared straight ahead.
"You okay?" Symphony asked Rosiepuff.
"Yes, I'm just a little conflicted." Rosiepuff admitted. "Part of me is hopeful to see something that remains from my old house. Another part of me hopes it crumbled. I don't know what to expect, especially with this ghost nonsense."
"We don't have to stay the whole day." Branch reminded her. "We'll go see it, have lunch, and go back. I told Aron I'd let him show me how to play Bender Ball, whatever that is."
Rosiepuff smiled. "Oh, you'll like it." She analyzed the trail. "I almost forgot how hilly this area is. That ridge up there. We'll see the house from the top."
"Can I run up and see it first?" Branch asked. Rosiepuff nodded, and Branch ran off. Symphony stayed right next to him. They reached the top of the hill and looked down.
"Hey, it's still standing. Good, right?" Symphony asked.
"I guess." Branch shrugged. Rosiepuff caught up to them, and she stared down at her house. The last time she saw it, the entire compound was in flames. Now, she saw what really did look like a skeleton for a house. The walls and the buildings, some still damaged from Titan's attack, were all black. The greenery began to regrow, and all the trees in the gardens had grown back. Oddly enough, the wildflower fields did not seem to swallow the house. There was still a defined circle around the ruins of the spacious home.
Rosiepuff, Branch, and Symphony walked down the hill and stopped at a small statue a short distance in front of the main entrance. The statue was made of gold, in the shape of a rose. There was a plaque below it: In memory of the Golden Rose Clan, for all their years of service to the village of Hana Rosa. They are immortalized in legend and will be remembered in our hearts for centuries to come. Long live the Golden Rose.
"Aw, that's nice." Symphony said.
"You guys were real celebrities." Branch mused.
"Not much different than you and the Troll Tree warriors in Troll Valley. My family was revered and respected." Rosiepuff stepped around the memorial and walked through the damaged archway entrance to her house. Branch and Symphony followed silently. Rosiepuff's eyes took in every detail. Her imagination changed the ashen structures to the former glory of a great home. She could see the yard where she played with her cousins. She walked up the short steps that somehow didn't shatter under her feet, and she slowly walked through the halls laid out like a maze. Family-wide hide-and-go-seek tournaments happened in these halls. Rosiepuff glanced outside through a broken wall, and she could easily visualize her family training in the courtyard. She paused at the door to the garden atrium. Last time she was here, Thorn died in her arms, and she killed the plants to use their water to destroy Titan and his army. Now, the greenery was back, and the flowers' brightness seemed to chase away the bad memories. Rosiepuff stepped inside, knelt on the grass, and inhaled deeply. She grinned at the scent.
"Grandma?" Branch piped up from the doorway.
Rosiepuff stood and approached him. "Just imagine it. Imagine the bustle of a large family in these halls. Imagine me chasing my cousin and his friend Tan after they tried to sneakily cut my hair." She walked further along and ended up at some old bedrooms. Rosiepuff walked into one and found it a bit more intact compared to the rest of the house. "This was my room. I know, even now. I carved a picture of a fox in my nightstand. The window stayed open all the time. There's an overhang that keeps the rain out unless it's windy. I loved the fresh air and seeing the stars at night and waking up with the sunrise. My grandparents were next door."
"It's so bare." Branch noticed. "Grandpa really did a good job saving what he could."
Rosiepuff lit up. "I wonder….." She briskly walked to the adjacent room and yanked up a floorboard at the end of the bed. She pulled out a small metal box. "Grandma's secret box."
"What's that?" Symphony asked.
"Bless my grandmother's heart, she was always so very protective of her jewelry." Rosiepuff opened the box and showed Branch and Symphony the tangled mess of necklaces, brooches, earrings, bracelets, rings, and even a nose ring. It was like a treasure chest of tchotchkes and baubles.
"How did Grandpa miss that?" Branch wondered.
"Well, she hid it pretty well and only ever told me where to find it." Rosiepuff said. "She always told me that she was going to will me all her jewelry when she died. 'You can kick ass as much as you want, princess, and you ought to in this family. But a lady has every right to look her best.'" Rosiepuff shut the box and held it close. She looked around. "You want to have that picnic in the courtyard?"
"Sure!" Branch and Symphony said excitedly.
They moved out to the courtyard where the Golden Rose family trained. Branch laid out the blanket and Symphony helped unload the basket. While they ate, Rosiepuff regaled Branch and Symphony with stories of bender training in her family. Tales of fire-benders lighting their opponent's pants on fire, water-benders freezing their sparring partner upside-down, air-benders creating tornadoes to make their opponents dizzy, and earth-benders tossing challengers to the roof. They all laughed so hard that their sides hurt and eyes watered. They then worked together to detangle Rosiepuff's grandma's jewelry. Rosiepuff chose to put on a pink pearl necklace from the box.
Branch looked skyward. "I think we should start getting back. I don't know if I want to be walking around here in the dark."
Rosiepuff played with the necklace. "I'm going to stick around. I would like some time alone in my old house."
"Okay. But if you're not back before dark, Branch and I will come get you." Symphony said. She and Branch packed up the dirty dishes and leftover food, and they walked back towards Hana Rosa.
"I'm so glad this worked out." Branch sounded relieved. "This was great! This place is awesome!"
"Except for that Dawn girl, right?" Symphony snickered.
"Hey, it's not like I haven't tried to be nice." Branch said. "She's just cranky for some unknown reason."
"She's creepy to me." Symphony said. "I know she's blind, but it's like she knows exactly where you are all the time. Good thing we don't have to worry about her when we go home."
Branch glanced back towards the Golden Rose house. He was quiet until they reached town again. "I've been thinking…..what if….."
"What is it?" Symphony asked, concerned.
"Well, what if Grandma decides to stay here?"
"Why would she do that?"
"Because things seem to be okay for her. We were worried coming here would cause her to regress into her old habits. But she's happier than ever. I dare say she is thriving being in her hometown. What if she decides she wants to move back here and be the protector of this town again?"
"If she did, I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone against the idea."
"I guess I'm worried because I'm not sure how I would feel about it."
"If she stays, would Grandma expect us to stay with her?"
"Maybe. I wanted something in my life to change, but not to this degree."
Symphony hummed in thought. "We can ask her when she gets back. She shouldn't be long. In fact, we'll talk during dinner!"
That seemed like a good idea, and Branch agreed it was the best they could do at the moment. But when dinnertime came, Rosiepuff did not.
"I'm sure she's just running late." Branch said to a concerned Rockwell.
"Wild critters roam these parts. Ghosts or not, I would be worried about one of them finding her." Rockwell said. "I better go look for her."
"No, it's our fault. We left her out there." Branch insisted. "We'll run out and find her. She most likely will be near the house." He accepted the candle-lit lantern from Rockwell and rushed out the door. He and Symphony rushed down the path illuminated by streetlights. Once they left those behind, only their handheld lantern could keep them from running off the path and into the wildflower fields. Clouds shrouded the night sky.
"I can't see a thing out here!" Symphony groaned. "I hope Grandma didn't try to walk home in the dark."
"Why did she not come home sooner?" Branch groaned. He and Symphony followed the road and were panting heavily by the time they reached the hilltop, and Branch ended up tripping and tumbling all the way down to the Golden Rose memorial. The lantern shattered, its flame going out. Branch stood and dusted himself off. He and Symphony stared at the ruins before them. It was eerily silent, no sounds of bugs or birds or bats or any other creatures of the night. The moon did its best to push the clouds aside, allowing pockets of soft light to shine through. Branch summoned a fireball in his palm for light.
"Branch?" Symphony gulped a little. "I'm kind of scared."
"Me, too." Branch agreed. "In the darkness, this place is pretty spooky." Nonetheless, he walked through gateway to the house. Symphony hid in his hair. Immediately after passing the entrance, they felt a rush of cold air. Branch held up the fire in his hand, carefully walking up the steps and entering the house. Branch wanted to call for his grandmother, but his voice refused to work. He and Symphony tiptoed around the house, searching the darkness for any sign of Rosiepuff.
"There!" Symphony pointed down the hallway. Branch turned, but he and Symphony only saw a flash of light and there was no one there. Symphony gulped. "I thought…..I swear there was someone….."
"Wait, there's—" Branch blinked and the figure he saw disappeared. "What in the heck is going on?"
"Hey, be careful!" a voice called with a laugh. "Watch where you run!"
"Was that Grandma?" Branch whispered.
"I think so." Symphony glided out of Branch's hair and pointed. "There!"
Branch and Symphony half-ran, half-tiptoed down the hall and found Rosiepuff at last. She seemed to glide down the hall, smiling and waving at nothing. "Grandma, what are you doing?" Branch whispered, still too afraid to speak any louder. Rosiepuff didn't appear to hear them, still looking around and casually strolling through the old, damaged house.
"Grandma?" Symphony tried to fly right in front of Rosiepuff, but the older troll did not stop. Symphony noticed a vacant look in Rosiepuff's eyes. Her eyes were open, but she didn't really see anything. "Branch, what's up with her?"
"I think she's sleepwalking. Or she's possessed." Branch said.
"What do we do?" Symphony asked.
"Let's just follow her and see what's up." Branch guided Symphony back to him, and they quietly followed Rosiepuff through the house. Rosiepuff greeted family members in different rooms, but Branch and Symphony saw no one. Rosiepuff would stop to let someone pass her, and Branch and Symphony still didn't see who. However, they did see torn drapes moving as though someone brushed against them, and they saw objects move and doors open and close. Rosiepuff looked relaxed and happy, speaking to spirits apparently only she could see.
Rosiepuff stopped, and Branch and Symphony finally saw a full ghost. He looked to be in his twenties, dressed in a kimono. He was entirely white, clothing included.
"Come on, Rosiepuff!" the ghost said. "It's time for dinner!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Rosiepuff laughed, following the ghost down the hallway. Branch and Symphony followed. They watched Rosiepuff and the ghost go through a large pair of double doors and disappear. Branch and Symphony crouched by the doors and slowly pushed them open just enough to peer inside.
It looked as though this one section of the house was restored to its full glory. But it was far too bright, which further confirmed it was all an illusion. The entire room bustled with ghosts of the Golden Rose Clan. Rosiepuff walked amongst them, talking and laughing. Then, a couple ghosts started corralling people to the table. Rosiepuff sat to the right of the ghost at the head of the table. Branch could only assume that was Thorn, the late patriarch. Branch never realized some of the Golden Rose were different species; though most looked like rainbow or dark elf trolls, Branch spotted a couple other species. Looking at his family, he could see several physical traits that passed onto him. There was even one ghost who could've passed as Branch's twin.
"That's our family." Branch whispered.
Symphony crouched on Branch's shoulder. "If she's asleep, I don't want to wake her up."
"Agreed." Branch snuck away from the doors and headed for the exit.
"Ghosts of the Golden Rose?" Rockwell took a sip of his morning coffee. "I always thought they might've stuck around. Not exactly because of unfinished business. I grew up hearing stories about the Golden Rose. They didn't seem like real people in those stories. They sounded like angels, like gods, always watching over us. To this day, I believe they never really left us. They're still watching over us, like guardian angels. Always wanted to tell one of them how much I appreciated their devotion to my home. I appreciate you bringing your grandmother here, Branch. My daughter may not say it out loud, but she is thankful as well. She's the Golden Rose's biggest fan."
"I hoped bringing Grandma here would help her fully move on." Branch said. "Help her rediscover her roots. Thanks for welcoming us." He finished his own cup of coffee and put the mug in the sink. "Symphony and I are going to get her. She's probably freezing from being out there all night."
"Take this, then." Rockwell gave Branch a blanket. "Hurry back."
Branch and Symphony didn't see a lot of people out and about, seeing how it was rather early in the morning. At least the sunrise allowed them to see the path to the Golden Rose house. They both agreed the house was much less scary in the daylight. However, they searched the entire house and didn't find Rosiepuff.
"Hang on." Symphony went to the ground and started sniffing.
"Symphony, while I admit your sense of smell is stronger than mine, I don't think you pass as a tracking dog." Branch chortled.
Symphony paused. "This way!" She flew off, and Branch ran after her. She led him to a field behind the house. They discovered Rosiepuff asleep, nestled amongst the wildflowers. Symphony grinned proudly. "What's that you were saying, Branch?"
"Okay, okay, I stand corrected." Branch knelt next to Rosiepuff and gently shook her shoulder. "Hey, Grandma. Wake up."
Rosiepuff hummed in her sleep. "Five more minutes."
"Wake up, Grandma!" Symphony called.
"Okay, okay!" Rosiepuff yawned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. Once her eyes adjusted to the light, she took in her surroundings and then saw Branch and Symphony. "Oh, I forgot to come back last night, didn't I? I'm so sorry, angel, if I worried you. It looks like I fell asleep out here."
"That's okay." Branch draped the blanket around Rosiepuff's shoulders. Her skin was cold to the touch from the morning dew.
Rosiepuff sighed, flopping back into the grass and laughing. "I had such a wonderful dream last night."
"Yeah?" Branch laid back beside her. Symphony copied them.
"I was back at home, with my family, in that ginormous house that fit all of us and still left plenty of room." Rosiepuff said. "It felt like a normal day. Then we were all sitting down to eat dinner together. No special occasion, it wasn't a holiday, nobody's birthday or anniversary. Just me and my family, all of us together and sharing a meal."
"That sounds nice." Branch said.
Rosiepuff sighed happily. They lay there in peaceful quiet. "Do you remember when you were young and I had to pick you up from school because you got into a fight?"
"You mean when I punched that kid in the nose for saying bad things about my grandpa?" Branch scoffed. "I stand by what I did. He had it coming."
"It was not nice of him to say you couldn't celebrate Family Day when you only have a grandma." Rosiepuff admitted. "But did you have to tackle him and break his nose? Anyway, do you remember the conversation we had afterwards? You said to me, 'Grandma, why don't I have a mommy and daddy and grandpa?' And I said to you, 'They were taken from us.'"
"Yeah, and I said, 'When will they come back? Who took them?'" Branch said.
"'They were taken by a monster, and they can't come back.'"
"'Are we a broken family?'"
"'A little. Maybe a lot. We only have each other, Branch, and we have to take care of each other.'"
"And then you had me!" Symphony said happily.
"Yes, we did. Despite my 'no pets' rule after the debacle with that cuddle pup Branch brought home." Rosiepuff sat up, and Branch did the same. Symphony moved to Rosiepuff's lap. "Branch, when I said we had to take care of each other, I did not mean that I expected you to take care of me after I took care of you. I could see how stressed you got when something seemed wrong with me."
"After everything you've done for me—"
"I'm your grandmother, I'm supposed to take care of you. What I said to you that day was supposed to mean that it's okay that our family is small and broken. I wanted you to be happy with what we had because we didn't have a lot. But after all we've gone through these past couple years—you joining the Troll Tree, returning to Lotus Lagoon, and now back here to my family house—maybe our family isn't so small and broken anymore. Thank you for pushing me to come out here."
Branch hugged her, and they stayed in that loving embrace for a full minute. Branch felt as though a giant boulder had been lifted from his shoulders. For once, things were looking up.
"Why don't we go have breakfast in town?" Symphony suggested. "Aron told me about a nice brunch place."
"Agreed." Rosiepuff found her grandmother's jewelry box and carried it under her arm as they walked back to the village. "You think everyone back in Troll Valley will worry if we stay a bit longer?"
Branch and Symphony exchanged a look. Symphony asked, "How much longer? Like, permanently?"
"Because that's totally okay if you do want to stay here." Branch said quickly. "I don't want to keep you from where you feel most at home—"
"What are you talking about?" Rosiepuff asked.
"I get it. This was your home long before Lotus Lagoon or Troll Valley." Branch said. "If you want to stay, you can. I just don't think I can stay with you."
Rosiepuff got a look of understanding. "Oh, Branch, that's very sweet."
"Golden Rose!"
The shout was loud enough to catch not just their attention but that of everyone in the village square. Rosiepuff, Branch, and Symphony saw Delta Dawn marching up to them, her cloudy eyes settled in a glare.
"I challenge you to a bender's duel!" Delta Dawn declared. "Right here, right now!"
There was an audible gasp from several market patrons. Branch could not restrain his disbelieving laugh. "You're joking, right?"
Rockwell appeared. "Golden Rose, I hope you don't mind. My daughter has been dying to show off her talents to you. She's been training as an earth-bender since she was a toddler."
"I think a duel is an excellent way to show her skills and give her a challenge." Rosiepuff said. "I accept."
"What?" Branch and Symphony asked simultaneously. Branch was caught off-guard when Rosiepuff pushed her grandmother's jewelry box into his hands. Rosiepuff tied her hair down into a ballet bun.
"Grandma, are you sure about this?" Branch whispered to her. "Seems a little mean to fight a blind chick."
"She challenged me. She voiced a sincere desire to duel in a friendly manner." Rosiepuff shrugged. "I wouldn't dream of disgracing her by refusing."
"I wouldn't call her attitude friendly." Symphony glanced to Delta Dawn, who was getting a pep talk from her father. Rockwell looked equal parts proud of his daughter for taking the challenge and worried that she was going into a fight against a Golden Rose.
"Nonetheless, I made my choice." Rosiepuff said. "Watch and learn." She shed her knit coat so she only had to worry about her dress, and she handed the coat to Branch. The village square became the impromptu dueling arena, with hard-packed dirt for Delta Dawn and a fountain of water for Rosiepuff.
Rockwell stood between the two opponents. "Benders, ready?"
"Ready." Rosiepuff nodded.
"Ready." Delta Dawn pawed at the ground.
"Duel!" Rockwell scurried out of the way, and the fight began.
Delta Dawn threw the first strike. Her front hooves stamped the ground to kick up a rock twice the size of her head, and she thrust her hands forward to throw the rock. Rosiepuff summoned water from the fountain and split the stone in half with it. Rosiepuff retaliated with icicles, and Delta Dawn created a shield of rock to protect her. Rosiepuff tried to sweep Delta Dawn's legs from under her with a wave of water, but Delta Dawn jumped to avoid it. Delta Dawn landed on the ground and summoned another boulder. She turned and kicked it with her back legs, and Rosiepuff had to jump out of the way to avoid that one. Delta Dawn stopped the rock from hitting a building or person and then resumed the fight. The crowd cheered for both fighters. Branch and Symphony watched albeit worriedly. Delta Dawn proved herself to be a powerful earth-bender, and could divert or retaliate Rosiepuff's attacks with ease. Thankfully for Branch's and Symphony's nerves, Rosiepuff's instincts as a Golden Rose kept her from being caught by surprise.
The duel continued for several minutes. Rocks were thrown, earthquakes caused, and stalagmites shot from the ground. Icicles flew, water whips cracked, and waves washed over the battlefield. Still, neither fighter showed signs of fatigue. The battlefield became muddy. Both benders were careful to not cause property damage or hurt bystanders during their fight. The entire time, Rosiepuff analyzed Delta Dawn's fighting style. She, too, wondered how Delta Dawn could move and fight when she could not see. Rosiepuff could see Delta Dawn moving and attacking like she knew where Rosiepuff was, even when she tried to move quietly across the battlefield. Using sounds didn't fool Delta Dawn.
How are you doing this? Rosiepuff wondered. She suddenly felt the ground move, and a column of rock shoved her upwards. She summoned water from the fountain and made a large curved ice sculpture to land on. Delta Dawn paused, standing completely still. Rosiepuff jumped down to the ground and liquified the ice to throw it. The moment her feet touched the ground, Delta Dawn sent a ripple of rocks that knocked Rosiepuff to the ground. She jumped aside to avoid the next boulder flying towards her. She saw Delta Dawn staring straight ahead; but when Rosiepuff's feet touched the ground again, Delta Dawn turned her head to look right at her.
"That's it." Rosiepuff breathed. I know how she's doing that. Which means I know how to beat her.
Delta Dawn charged, creating sharp stalagmites from the ground and causing them to shoot from the dirt. Rosiepuff used the water to push her upwards and avoid them. Before she landed, Rosiepuff created a ring of short, circular columns of ice. Delta Dawn stood in the middle of this ring of ice spots, and Rosiepuff landed on one of the spots.
Nobody spoke or made a sound, Rosiepuff included. Delta Dawn's ears twitched and flicked, listening carefully. "Where are you?" She asked in a singsong tone. "Come on out, Golden Rose."
Just as I thought. Rosiepuff quickly used the fountain water to knocked Delta Dawn down. Startled, Delta Dawn jumped to her feet and threw a rock back in the same direction. Except Rosiepuff was several feet away. Hopping to and from each ice spot, Rosiepuff knocked Delta Dawn around a bit without getting hit by any of Delta Dawn's wild attacks. Finally, Rosiepuff swept Delta Dawn off her feet with some water, and she froze the earth-bender's hooves in ice and successfully pinned her to the ground. Try as she might, Delta Dawn could not get out.
"You fought well, Delta Dawn." Rosiepuff smoothed out her hair.
Delta Dawn stopped fighting the ice, her fists clenched tightly. "So, you're staying, right?"
Rosiepuff freed Delta Dawn and returned the water to the fountain. "What do you mean?"
Delta Dawn panted heavily, looking as though she tried to keep her temper under control. "I looked up to you and your family! The Golden Rose Clan, the greatest benders in all the world. I was horrified to hear that there was something out there that could actually beat you. It scared me to think that my family might not be enough to defend my home! I was born blind, and everyone treated me like this delicate little doll who needed to be protected. I have lost family members to enemies that should've been easy to beat, but I wasn't there to help them. My own mother thought I wasn't worth raising because I couldn't see."
"But you do see." Rosiepuff said. "Somehow, you do."
"I learned to earth-bend." Delta Dawn said. "I taught myself how. I guess you could say I see with earth-bending."
"How?"
"I can feel vibrations in the ground with my feet."
"Which is why you couldn't see me when I stood on the ice spots. You couldn't feel the vibrations through the ice. Delta, that's incredible."
"Well, it's not that big of a deal." Delta Dawn shrugged. "You're a Golden Rose. Your family must have done something similar, right?"
"Nope. Not at all." Rosiepuff said.
Delta Dawn looked surprised. "What? But I learned earth-bending when Dad read me books your family wrote about bending elements. You can't honestly tell me your family never did what I did."
"We've had benders with disabilities. People think you can't do what others can just because your eyes don't work like mine." Rosiepuff noticed Delta Dawn truly listening. "Now, in my family, we did have some blind benders. But they always had someone with them who could see, who could tell them where to aim. You don't have that, and yet you fought me one-on-one and nearly won. I spent more than half of that fight just analyzing your fighting style."
Delta Dawn tapped the ground with one hoof. "You're not lying. That's just something I picked up while working on my earth-bending. I can tell when someone is lying. Unless you're a really good liar."
Rosiepuff laughed. "My grandson can confirm I'm not that good at hiding things. Delta Dawn, please listen and believe me when I tell you I have never seen this style of earth-bending. It's something I want to bring back to Troll Valley with me."
Delta Dawn looked surprised. "You're not staying?"
"No." Rosiepuff glanced to Branch and Symphony, who looked equally astonished. "I do not regret coming back, and I want to set up a good communication system between me and this place. But Troll Valley is my home. I have a restaurant there and a student I'm teaching to water-bend. If it's okay with you, Delta Dawn, I'd like to learn more about your bending style so I can pass it on to my student. I do plan to stay here a few more days."
"Okay!" Delta Dawn smiled at last. "Yes, I would love to teach you! I mean, show you! I mean, you are a Golden Rose and this is just the one thing you don't know how to do—"
Rosiepuff laughed good-naturedly. "Delta Dawn, I can honestly say that your style of bending is revolutionary."
"Yeah, but your family invented more than half of the advanced bending techniques taught in the greatest kung fu schools." Delta Dawn said. "I just developed the one technique."
"A great technique. I am very impressed. In fact, I just made a decision." Rosiepuff waved Branch over. He held the jewelry box still, and Rosiepuff rummaged around until she found a choker necklace made with small, silver rose charms. Rosiepuff placed the necklace in Delta Dawn's hands. "This was one of my grandmother's necklaces. It's a symbol of my family, and I want you to have it."
Delta Dawn traced the detailed rose charms with her finger. "Why?"
"Because I am relieved to know my family home is protected by a great guardian." Rosiepuff said. "This necklace is now proof that you are an honorary member of the Golden Rose Clan."
Delta Dawn looked like she would faint. "Say that again?"
"Well, we are a family of benders." Rosiepuff reasoned. "It makes sense that great benders would join our ranks to defend our homes and the people we love. You have earned the right to be the protector of Hana Rosa. Thank you. And, if it's not any trouble, I would love to have you in Troll Valley one day to help me teach my water-bender student."
"Yes! Yes, absolutely!" Delta Dawn nearly tackled Rosiepuff in her tight hug. "Thank you."
Rosiepuff gave Delta Dawn a squeeze, and she helped clip the silver rose necklace around the earth-bender's neck. Delta Dawn took Rosiepuff's hand in her own, and she raised their hands in triumph for the cheering crowd.