Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-44544645-20191211195811/@comment-44544645-20191231022217

Seventeen

“Why’s Councillor Bronte here?” Sophie asked as she followed Grady back to the house.

'''“I’m not sure, but Fitz and Alden showed up shortly after he did.” Grady pulled open the front door. “He’s waiting in the living room.”'''

If Bronte was here, it couldn’t be good…..

'''She stepped into the living room, tugging on a loose eyelash. '''

'''“There’s no reason to worry,” Alden assured her. “It’s just news about the probing.”'''

Thank goodness.

'''Bronte nodded. “The probing is taking place on Friday evening. Sophie and Fitz will go into Luzia’s mind, transmitting to knock loose any memories about stellarlune. Alden will be monitoring the situation telepathically and transmitting updates to the Council. Terik will be descrying Luzia for any potential of danger, and Oralie will be reading Sophie and Fitz’s emotions, to ensure that they aren’t being overwhelmed or harmed.”'''

“If harm is an actual fear or threat,” Grady began, but Alden cut him off.

'''“I’m sure there’s no reason to worry. It’s simply a safety precaution. There’s nothing wrong with being cautious.”'''

'''Bronte nodded. “Luzia’s ability isn’t paticulary dangerous. And if she cooperates, her final sentence won’t be awful, unless we find something to incriminate her. Cooperation is in her best interest, and ours.” Mollified, Grady sank back down into his armchair.'''

'''“Where will this take place?” Edaline asked. “In the building next to Tribunal Hall—where the Councillors have their meetings.”'''

'''“Will I be able to guard her for a change?” Sandor asked, looking grumpy. Sophie understood why—the last time they had done something like this, it was a meeting with Gethen, where the Lumenaria guards had taken over due to the upcoming Peace Summit. The time before that, at Fintain’s healing, the Council hadn’t wanted any additional body heat in the room, so there hadn’t been any guards. Not that it mattered when Fintain sparked the Everblaze.'''

'''“Bodyguards are allowed this time,” Bronte confirmed “There’s really nothing to worry about. It’s a relatively simple procedure, and we’re not even sure if Luzia is a criminal or not. Sophie and Fitz both have access to Councillor Oralie’s Imparter, and she said to tell them to hail her with any additional questions. They’re also free to contact me, of course.”'''

***

'''Three days later, Sophie fiddled with her cape pin. She had decided to wear her Regent articles, but she couldn’t help feeling like a six-year-old playing dress-up, especially with the sparkling silver circlet that had tangled itself in her hair the instant she put it on.'''

'''She and Grady were the only two people in the Council’s meeting room so far. The room had paneled wooden-and-crystal walls and large floor-to-ceiling windows, reminding Sophie—oddly enough—of the Vacker’s reception hall. '''

'''That made her think of Winnowing Galas, and being unmatchable, and not getting to go to anyone’s Winnowing Galas or host one of her own because of a certain DNA donor. '''

'''Then again, matchmaking was pretty screwed up. '''

'''Grady smiled at her. “It’s going to be fine, Sophie. You’ve got this.” '''

'''A moment later, Alden and Fitz appeared in immaculate capes and jerkins. Luzia was with them, wearing a jewel-encrusted gown and an especially sparkly bracelet. Sophie was glad she’d decided to dress fancily.'''

One look at Luzia’s expression told Sophie that the dark-haired Flasher did not want to be there.

The Council glittered into the room (did they practice light leaping in sync?) and as Emery went over the procedings, Sophie couldn’t stop herself from feeling nervous.

The last time they had done something like this—Sophie and Fitz doing Telepath tricks at the Council’s request—Councillor Kenric had died.

This is different, Sophie reminded herself.

'''Luzia was a Flasher. She was harmless.'''

She had helped save the alicorn babies.

Even if she had a dark secret about stellarlune, she couldn’t be that bad, right?

'''Right? '''

“Any concerns?” Emery asked.

Nobody spoke.

'''“All right. Let’s begin.”'''

'''As everyone moved into position around Luzia, Sophie turned on her enhancing. Fitz reached for her hand.'''

'''You ready? she transmitted.'''

'''Yeah. Let’s do this.'''

'''Sophie placed one of her hands against Luzia’s left temple, and Fitz did the same thinh on her right. They pooled their mental energy together and dove into Luzia’s mind. '''

'''Memories floated and hovered and spun. And yet it seemed….too exact. Too careful. Too calculated. '''

Too much like Luzia was trying to trick them.

'''STELLARLUNE! Sophie and Fitz blared in unison. STELLARLUNE! STELLARLUNE!'''

'''They ran, deeper and deeper and deeper, crashing through veils and levels and concealments. Diving, deeper, deeper, deeper……..'''

STELLARLUNE!

A memory shone, brighter than any other.

STELLARLUNE!

They raced to it, faster and faster.

STELLARLUNE!

Sophie tightened her grip on Fitz’s hand as they fell into the memory.

This was it.

This was what they had been waiting for.