With Maya leading publicly, Glad found herself in an unfamiliar position: observer.
She attended community events without speaking. Sat in council meetings without directing. Watched the movement she'd started evolve without her constant input.
"How does it feel?" Ariel asked.
"Strange. Peaceful. Like watching a child grow up and realizing they don't need you anymore."
"They'll always need you. Just differently."
"I know. And I'm okay with that."
She spent more time in Anino Garden, more time flying without destination, more time simply being.
The Watcher often joined her—a small black cat sitting beside a statue of another small black cat, both watching the world together.
"You remind me of him," Glad told the Watcher.
I am honored. He was the first to teach me love.
"He'd be annoyed at the attention."
Then he and I are alike.
Glad laughed. "Yeah. You are."