Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-44544645-20191211195811/@comment-44544645-20200201181823

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Twenty-Eight

'''“When I got back last night, he wasn’t home,” Marella continued. “And in Sophie’s memory, Trix looks like my dad, and they’re both Gusters. And my dad is also Keefe’s mother’s brother, so Gisela might have recruited him, or blackmailed him into joining, because she needed a Guster for Keefe’s ‘legacy’ or whatever.”'''

'''Keefe squeezed his eyes shut, as if he was recalling his memories. “You’re right. I kept thinking he looked familliar. He does look like Uncle Aurelius, now that I think of it.”'''

'''“We should be a hundred percent sure before we make any accusations,” Mr. Forkle told the group. “Miss Redek, can you recall any other times your father was missing and it seemed odd?”'''

'''“He was gone when I was on midterm break in Level Three,” Marella recalled. “A lot. That’s the main one I remember.”'''

'''“That’s around the same time Wylie was kidnapped,” Mr. Forkle noted. “This does fit.”'''

'''Keefe held his hand up to Marella for a high five. “Welcome to Team Evil Parents!” '''

'''Marella reluctantly slapped hands with him. “I mean….we’re not fully sure yet. But his voice sounded the same, and he looked the same, and…..”'''

“Is this enough evidence for a Tribunal?” Mr. Forkle asked Oralie.

'''“If you want me to, I'll raise this with the other Councillors and see what they think. Of course, it’s entirely possible that he has fled to the Neverseen permanently.”'''

'''“Could we track his registry pendant?” Dex suggested. “Their Technopath probably has a way of scrambling the feed, but it’s worth a shot.”'''

'''“We’ll be sure to check his registry feed. Even if his records are currently messed up, there might be something in the past.”'''

'''“What about my mom?” Marella asked. “She’s having an okay day today, but this news could really mess her up. And my dad’s usually the one who helps her with the mood swings. If he’s living with the Neverseen for good, this could seriously mess her up.”'''

'''“Talk to Elwin and Livvy. They might have elixirs that could help,” Mr. Forkle offered. “Of course, if and when you decide to tell your mother what’s going on, you’ll have plenty of support.”'''

'''“You could talk to Stina,” Maruca suggested. “She’s an Empath and she might be able to help your mother.”'''

'''“Thanks,” Marella said. She still looked shaken, and Sophie couldn’t blame her. '''

Finding out that your parent was a Neverseen member?

'''But Keefe was dealing with that, too, and he seemed to be okay. '''

'''“Wait, so you know how my dad was doing memory exercises with Telepaths to search his memories of my mom? Could your mom search her memories of your dad to see if we find anything?” Keefe wondered.'''

'''“I don’t know,” Marella admitted. “Maybe?”'''

'''“I can talk to her,” Mr. Forkle proposed. “I’ve interviewed her before. Maybe we can break the news together with some help from Miss Heks in a few days? Her Empath skills will come in handy.”'''

“Sure, sounds good.”

'''“I’ll hail you and Miss Heks when I have time, and we’ll come up with a plan. What about Luzia and Alvar? Is the Council going to present this information to the public?” Mr. Forkle asked.'''

'''“I’m not sure.” Oralie admitted. “We didn’t discuss it much last night. And Alvar’s still in a coma. We’re planning to have a Physician check up on him today, but it’s not looking good.”'''

'''Biana was fidgeting with her hair, and she finally spoke up. “Um, about Alvar……”'''

“It was an accident,” Della assured her.

'''“I know, it’s just….” Biana took a deep breath. “That dagger….I threw it—and the melder…..Fitz did that…..we almost killed our brother.” She looked like she was seconds away from crying. “With the troll hive...we were just trying to capture him and that was out of our control, but this…”'''

Whoa.

'''“It was an accident,” Della told her, wrapping her in a hug. “This was out of your control, too. It’s going to be okay. Alvar’s alive.”'''

'''Dex came closer to the two of them. “IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. Alvar also hurt Linh for no reason, and he’s hurt lots of other people, maybe even killed. It’s a good thing that he’s captured and can’t hurt anyone anymore.”'''

'''Sophie moved closer to her friend. “It’s not your fault that he’s in a coma. Really, Biana. It’s okay.”'''

“It was an accident.” Keefe joined in the group hug as well.

“Total accident,” Marella agreed.

'''“It’s not your fault,” Maruca told Biana. “Really.”'''

'''“The dagger just gave him a cut,” Edaline reassured Biana. “Like what happened to Sandor—and he’s fine.”'''

'''“I am,” Sandor agreed, gesturing to his arm, which was bandaged but otherwise mostly functional. “Battles are messy. Accidents happen. Don’t dwell on this. What happened happened, and you can’t change it now.”'''

“Alvar’s coma was due to many different factors,” Grady added.

'''“Miss Vacker, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Councillor Oralie after the death of my twin. It’s far too easy to analyze something after the fact and feel like you should have been able to prevent it.” This came from Mr. Forkle, who was standing across the room. “Don’t let the guilt get to you.”'''

'''Biana nodded shakily. “But what if—”'''

'''“You have my word that this won’t get back to the Council,” Oralie added. “And I agree—do not blame yourself for this. Alvar’s injuries aren’t your fault or Fitz’s. This was an accident. If it would help you to talk to him, we might be able to arrange a meeting with him once he wakes up.”'''

“Really?”

“I’ll try.”

'''Dex nodded. “Biana, I’m going to point out that if you blame yourself for this, you’re disobeying a direct order from a Councillor. That’s treason, right? You could end up in Exile if you say it's your fault.”'''

'''That made everyone laugh, even Biana. “Thanks, Dex,” she whispered, a smile sneaking onto her lips.'''

“The hideout collapsed, am I correct?” Sir Osmond asked, changing the topic.

“Yes,” Jax told him.

“Would it be possible for the dwarves to investigate and see if they can give us any clues about the stellarlune?”

'''“Definitely. We can talk to the dwarves after the meeting is over,” Mr. Forkle told the Collective. “Also, I have news for all of you. Prentice, Wylie and Tiergan have had a breakthrough. They’ve gotten close to a memory, but it’s still buried pretty deeply.”'''