Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-44544645-20191211195811/@comment-44544645-20191214180338

Here's chapter three:

Three

'''“Okay, but….” Of course there’s a but.'''

“I’m not sure if that’s my secret to share.” 

'''Sophie rolled her eyes. “You were the one who chose to!” '''

“It’s not quite that simple.”

'''Oralie pulled out her Imparter and started muttering to someone, so quickly and quietly that Sophie couldn’t tell who she was talking to. Finally, she tucked away the silvery square. “Okay.” '''

“Do you know how to tint your memories?” Sophie asked.

'''“Give me a moment.” There was a pause. “I’m ready.”'''

'''Sophie pressed her fingers against Oralie’s temples, and fell into the blue-tinted memory. '''

“I need your help.”

'''Kenric was sitting opposite Oralie, both seated in pink armchairs in the sitting room of Oralie’s castle. Sophie recognized that room. She’d been there twice before.'''

'''Sophie could pick up on Oralie’s thoughts to a certain extent; the memory was amazingly clear. Oralie was wondering what had happened. The Council had just had a meeting three hours ago. What could be so urgent that Kenric would show up, disheveled and worried, late at night? '''

'''“You know I’m part of a secret organization,” he explained. “The Black Swan.”'''

'''“Kenric, are you in danger? Are—”'''

'''“No, nothing of the sort. This is about a secret project. Project Moonlark.”'''

“Moonlark?”

'''“In short, the Black Swan is creating a child to be raised among humans. The goal is that this will give them a unique perspective on our world. They’ll be a force for change, a wake-up call, something that will make our people actually see our world for what it is. I’m not involved, but I’ve been delegated to ask you for something. Your DNA.”'''

Oralie was full of questions.

'What is this project? What is the point of it? Why is my DNA needed, specifically?'

'''Finally, she managed to get out two words. “Why me?”'''

'''“I don’t know for sure. Something about powerful empathy and how it relates to Inflicting. You don’t have to, of course, but you’re the most powerful Empath there is. Please.”'''

' What is my DNA needed for? Can I even trust that this is a good thing?'

'''“So, you’re saying my DNA is going to be used to create the person. I’ll be their biological mother. Councillors aren’t allowed to have children, Kenric. If this got out into the open it could be a disaster!”'''

'''“I know. It won’t. I’ve been in the Black Swan for years and have no idea who any of the leaders are. They’re amazingly good at keeping secrets. And the man who asked me to ask you said that he would never let the identity of the parents be revealed.”'''

Oralie felt Kenric’s emotions wafting through the air.

'''Hope. Apprehensiveness. Nervousness. Trust. '''

Trust...trust that she would make the right choice?

'''She’d known Kenric for twenty years. She’d always trusted him. He’d always trusted her.'''

If Kenric was asking her for something this big, something that could topple the elvin world, she knew that he thought it was the right thing.

'''If it was the right choice, she had to make it. '''

“I’ll do it.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely positive.” 

'''Kenric stared at her, smiling in wonder, and neither of them knew what to say. Finally, he said, “You really didn’t have to...Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” '''

“What form of DNA do you need?”

'''“I don’t know. I was just told to ask you because I know you the best. Here.” He shoves a crystal into her hand, a tiny round one with only one facet. “Light leap here tomorrow at dusk. They’ll explain everything. At least, they told me they would.”'''

“Okay.”

'''Kenric smiled. “I’ve got to go. Thank you so much. You won’t regret this. I promise.”'''

***

'''The crystal took Oralie to a small room, with armchairs and views of the ocean. Most of the furniture had been shoved aside to make room for a lab setup in the middle of the room, where a wrinkled man was standing. Sophie recognized him - Mr. Forkle.'''

'''“What form of DNA do you need?” Oralie asked. '''

'''Mr. Forkle took out a strange silver-looking gadget. “This will get us a sample. It’s best if you hold still.”'''

'''Oralie nodded, and Mr. Forkle clamped it onto her arm, counted to twenty-three, and then took it off. There was a small scrape underneath.'''

'''“Thank you. Before you go, I need to tell you something. NEVER tell anyone about this. Never. Not even if your child guesses. Keep it a secret. Do you understand?”'''

'''“I understand. It’s not like I want to share this secret.”'''

'''Mr. Forkle nodded. “You should probably leap back to Eternalia now—you’ve still got your registry pendant. Thank you for donating DNA. It’s going to help.”'''

'''Oralie nodded. She pulled out a crystal and leapt away.'''