Luna and Oliver approached the sleeping girls. They did look a bit better than they had earlier. ”One elixir should be enough.” Luna took out a tear drop bottle. She carefully poured a drop into the mouth of Drippy and then Yadi. Slowly the scratches and injuries they had started to heal. “Incredible…” Their eyes fluttered and they woke up and started to sit up. “How do you feel?”

“I feel like I just took a really good nap.” Drippy said as she yawned and stretched.

“I feel good as new. Like I could end this war by myself.” Yadi said with a cocky grin.

Oliver looked at the bottle. “With this we might just be able to.” Oliver felt hopeful about the future. “I say we meet in my home and talk about what you learned over food.”

“Good because I’m starving. This new body sure does take a lot of food.” Drippy’s stomach rumbled loudly.

 “I’m also really hungry.” Yadi said.

Luna started to scribble something. “I wonder if the elixir causes hunger due to causing the body to speed up the healing process.” Luna’s stomach also rumbled audibly. “Or maybe it has just been a while since we have all eaten.” Oliver laughed.

***

“So what kind of food do you eat Oliver?” Luna asked.

A large lumbering figure appeared before them. The girls quickly got up.

“Relax. This person is my mother. Thralla” Oliver stated.

The girls visibly relaxed. “Nice to meet you girls Olivia has never brought over friends before.”

Oliver’s expression darkened “Mom. We spoke about this. My name is Oliver.”

“I’m sorry sweetie. This is all so new to me. I’m just having a hard time adjusting.” Thralla tried her best to assuage Oliver.

“Dad would understand it…” Oliver said and got up and left.

“I’m sorry girls my Oliver he misses his father and he probably misses his people. I’ve tried my best to be enough for him. He was happy when it was the three of us, but once his father was gone he realized how isolated we were. I tried to keep him out of harm's way but his warrior spirit grew restless. He feels like he was made for more.”

Drippy placed her hand over her chest. She could empathize. “If someone feels like they were meant to be more. The only person who can stop them is themself. I believe in Oliver’s dream and I will do my best to ensure it happens.”

“I also want to support Oliver in his endeavors.” Luna said standing.

Yadi reluctantly got up. “I don’t want to be the only one against the guy. So I’ll support him as well. I want to see if he can really go the distance against the war chief.”

“Did you happen to get the war chief's name?” Thralla asked

Yadi twisted her face trying to remember “Oakgu I think.”

“You survived a fight with Oakgu. Most of her enemies cannot claim such a feat. You girls must really be something.” Thralla said

Yadi blushed, enjoying the praise. “Enough about me can we get some food please.”

“ Yadi manners. We are guests. May we please have some food?” Luna asked

“Um, Miss Thralla, could I get my food and Oliver’s food? I know he is probably hungry too. I want to bring him his food if that’s okay.”

“That’s okay.” Thralla handed Drippy a plate full of bread and mushrooms. It took everything in Drippy not to eat everything there. She went over to Oliver's room. He just seemed to be staring off into space. “Hey Oliver, I brought us some food to eat.”

No response

“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk. Just make sure you eat. If we are going to end this war we will need you at your full strength.” Drippy said giving a smile

No response

“Listen Oliver I know what it’s like to have your outside not match how you feel inside. We can’t let others' words harm us especially if there isn’t any malice in it. My family laughed me off when I told them how I saw myself. Your mom made a mistake, just be patient with her. I promise before you know it she will be addressing you how you want to be addressed in no time.” 

Oliver was still quiet but he moved toward Drippy. He looked sad but hopefull. He gave her a hug. The hug caught her off guard but once she got past that she hugged him back. Drippy’s stomach rumbled again. They both burst out laughing.

“Thanks Drippy. Now enough emotions, let’s eat.” Oliver said with a big smile.