AN: I am so thankful to everyone who reviewed! The site won't let me reply to your reviews for some reason, so I'm sorry…but thanks so much for taking the time to tell me what you think! I'm really encouraged by your words!!

Enjoy the next part!

Chapter V: Stuck (Or, the Quality Time)

"How long are you going to keep us here, mother?"

Ever since Vala's 'decision', Adria had stood, arms crossed across her chest, leaning against the far wall of the tavern. Initially, she had refused to talk, but the prolonged time in the dark drinking hole, with no prospect of leaving, finally got to her.

"I know better than to try to restrain you darling." Faithful to her habits, Vala had balanced herself precariously on top of the counter. "You're certainly old enough to go whenever you please."

"Stop playing games!"

"I'm not. But if you really want us to…" She jumped off the counter and sauntered to a nearby table, where a handful of darts rested next to a half-empty glass with unrecognizable contents. Vala picked up one of the darts. "Ever played this?"

She received only a furious glare in return; it didn't faze her.

"That's alright. I'll teach you. You'll get the hang of it…in an eternity or two," she finished with an innocent wink.

"You can't confine us here forever!"

"Oh I'm not confining you. Feel free to go…"

"But I'd die!"

Vala threw the small dart right into the bull's eye, and smirked.

"True. So this is starting to look good after all, doesn't it?" She picked up another dart, and added as an afterthought. "They also make the best apple cider in the galaxy."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(An indefinite amount of time later)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mother…"

Adria stepped close to the table where Vala was seated. The raven-haired woman stared down at the wax-stained wood, her chin propped in her palm, boredom easily readable in her expression.

"Yes, darling," she sang, absently playing with the handle of her jug.

"I think I was wrong…"

Vala's relaxed position did not change, but her eyes immediately became alert, fixing Adria with a guarded stare.

"I am beginning to see you were right…"

Adria's voice was mellow and her stance somewhat defeated. Vala frowned slightly, as she listened to her daughter's words.

"My way…it is the only one I have ever known. There was never doubt in my soul. There was no other choice for me, the prophesized Orici…"

"There is always a choice, Adria," Vala said calmly.

The Orici sat down next to her, wearing a look of deep regret.

"Was I really wrong, mother?"

Vala gave her a sad smile.

"That is for you alone to decide, darling."

"Yes…" the other nodded. "I believe you now." She looked her mother in the eyes, and said pleadingly. "Help me see, mother."

She hugged Vala, softly reclining her head on the other woman's shoulders. For a moment, silence reigned, as Vala stared down at the top of her daughter's head. Slowly, she responded to the hug.

"How could I have done all that?" Adria's lament continued, met only by silence. "Surely you understand me, mother. It was the way I had been taught since birth. You were not there to show the other path," the Orici spoke almost petulantly, and felt her mother cringe slightly. "Fix that now, mother. I need to set things right. I cannot bear the knowledge of how wrong I was. It is eating me…"

"Adria…How can I help you?" Vala whispered.

"I have to go back…change it all."

The other woman smiled.

"You gave me life once…and I walked the wrong path. Give it to me again, and I shall set things ri—"

Her plea was rudely interrupted as Vala laughed out loud. Her shoulders shaking slightly with mirth, the dark-haired woman broke the hug.

"Mother?"

"Oh, nice try, darling." She was still smiling widely, her usual bright smile but for a faint note of bitterness. "I see you did get something from me, beside your good looks! But Adria, I'm your mother. You may see the truth in people, but I can see the lies in you."

Adria's shoulders tensed, and her voice grew cold once more as the woman dropped the act.

"We must go back."

"I'm actually enjoying it here."

Faced with Vala's cheerful expression, Adria raged again.

"I'll never forgive you, mother!"

"Let's wait for ever and see that, alright?"

The Orici clenched her fists in powerless fury.

"I will escape this place eventually. You are weak…" she spat out with a scornful grin, "you cannot decide to ascend and let me die, and it will lead to your downfall."

"Really, darling," Vala said with a mock serious air, "as your mother, I must say this is not the way to…'set things right'."

AN: So, what did you think? Like it, hate it? Please review and let me know! And thank you for staying with the story! (As promised, next chapter will be up tomorrow!)

Myosotis