Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-37824398-20191127220126/@comment-37824398-20200114012751

Three

'''Sophie had thought Edaline would be angry. And maybe she was, in part, but Sophie doubted she’d be able to read her adoptive mother’s feelings even if she were an Empath.'''

'''When they entered Havenfield, the custard bursts were sitting on the table. Edaline gave a soft, audible sigh, and said, “Will you talk to me, Sophie?”'''

'''Sophie didn’t know what she should be thinking. Too much had happened too fast. First Keefe, then the cache, now Edaline knowing about Oralie. But she was herself, not Oralie, and nothing would come out of her mouth if she didn’t will it to. So she opened her mouth and said, “Okay.”'''

'''The two of them sat down at the table, but somehow, Sophie didn’t feel like touching the custard bursts. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” she said carefully, and then words seemed to spill out of her of their own accord. “I didn’t think I could, because you know if word got out, it would ruin everything. And no, I don’t know who my biological dad is, and no, I don’t want to find out either. And this means I’m always going to be Unmatchable, but it’s not like I’m even dating Fitz anymore so it doesn’t matter yet. And I shouldn’t even be worrying about things like this now because Keefe…” She choked back a sob. “And I’m really scared, Mom. What if he never wakes up and it’s my fault? And are you mad at me? Because I’m really, really sorry, and this shouldn’t change anything.”'''

'''Edaline shook her head, and a ferocity ignited in her eyes. “How could I be angry at you, Sophie? How could you even think I would be? This makes sense. It...explains a lot, actually.” She reached over the table and grabbed Sophie’s hand. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been there for you recently.”'''

'''Sophie smiled a little. “It’s...it’s okay, Mom. I love you.”'''

“I love you too.”

'''Sophie would have been content to stay in the moment for a little bit longer, but then a thought occurred to her. “Are you...are you going to tell Grady?”'''

'''Edaline hesitated for a moment. “That’s your choice, Sophie. I support you either way.”'''

'''Sophie closed her eyes, trying to fight through the pounding voices in her head. A part of her was insistent that she had to tell Grady because this was a parent moment and it wouldn’t be fair and then it would seem like she liked Edaline better and what if he found out, but another part of her didn’t want to. And it was hard to admit, but she thought that maybe it was because she was scared. Scared of his reaction. Grady had never done well with things, or people, that hurt his daughter.'''

'''“I don’t think I will. At least for now.” Sophie’s voice came out a hesitant whisper, not sure if she was saying the right thing.'''

'''“That’s okay,” said Edaline, holding Sophie’s gaze. “Just do what feels right for you.”'''

'''Sophie smiled a little. Then she sighed. “I should go see Keefe, see if anything has changed.”'''

'''“No, sweetheart,” said Edaline firmly. “You need to sleep. You look exhausted.”'''

'''Sophie tried to object, but she knew it was no use. Once a mom had her mind set on it, it was not voluntary. So she sighed, made her way upstairs, and tried to sleep.'''

***

'''Sophie was woken up from a surprisingly restful (thanks to Silveny) sleep at the sound of her Imparter, furiously ringing. When she yawned sluggishly and checked who it was, the screen said, ‘Magnate Leto’.'''

'''Immediately, Sophie felt invigorated. If Mr. Forkle was in Magnate Leto form, he was probably at Foxfire or had just been there. Maybe...maybe Keefe…'''

'''Sophie closed her eyes, trying to get the wishful thoughts to leave her mind. She couldn’t afford to get her hopes dashed right now. Sophie didn’t do well when multiple things were demanding her mental energy.'''

“Hello?” she said, pulling the Imparter towards her.

'''Magnate Leto’s face filled the screen. “Sophie? I didn’t wake you, did I?”'''

'''She sighed, clapping her hands twice. The windows opened, and midday sunlight flooded the room. “It’s fine. I probably would have woken up soon anyway.”'''

'''“Well, I apologize regardless,” Leto said. “I would suggest you get ready, however. Glimmer has finally agreed to a meeting with you.”'''

'''Sophie sat up, a combinition of suspicion and intrigue fueling her movements. “A...meeting? Is she finally going to take off her hood?”'''

'''Leto frowned, a silence broadening the distance between them until he spoke again. “Glimmer has made no promises, but she said she needed to see you.”'''

'''Sophie frowned. “That sounds… really sketchy. You’re taking precautions, right?”'''

“You will be accompanied by all of Team Valiant, as well as Maruca Lestin, who will provide force fields to protect you.”

'''Sophie knew she should feel relieved, but instead all she felt was peckish. “Why are you using Maruca? She’s, like, fifteen. Aren’t there any adult Psionipaths not in the Neverseen?”'''

'''Magnate Leto’s voice was perfectly patient. “Miss Lestin volunteered to help you. She was very adament about it, even when Mr. Endal protested.”'''

'''Sophie felt an urge to pull out an eyelash. Instead, she blinked out the itch and shoved her hands in her nightgown’s pockets. They were soft and comforting. She returned to the matter at hand. “All of Team Valiant is going? Where are we meeting her?”'''

'''Leto cleared his throat. “The Black Swan has secured a protected space in Atlantis. As leader of Team Valiant, it’s your job to tell the other members when and where to meet.”'''

'''“Oh yeah,” Sophie said, pulling one hand out of her pocket and brushing her hair behind her ear. “When and where are we meeting?”'''

'''“At Foxfire. In less than an hour.” The Imparter disconnected, and Sophie groaned, mentally debating whether she should get ready or call her teammates first. After a minute, she brushed her hair and called them.'''

'''Sophie was pretty sure Mr. Forkle could have told them himself. He just wanted to see what happened when she bothered Stina.'''

'''When the time was ready, all of Team Valiant was gathered in front of Foxfire, wearing their moon circlets. This had to with a complex and intellectual theory of Sophie’s that in order to make Glimmer off-kilter so that she would tell them things they should greet her with moon and not something giving off light, because she was a Flasher. It wasn’t complex or intellectual. Sophie was just trying to decide a reason to use the moon circlets, since they hadn’t been used yet.'''

'''Mr. Forkle was there, too, as Mr. Forkle this time and not Magnate Leto. They all light leaped to the whirlpool Atlantis and Dex cracked a joke about Lady FosBoss and everyone except Stina laughed at it because it was funny and Stina laughed at it because she liked laughing at Sophie and then they were there and they all got quiet and nobody knew what to say because now it was time to meet someone who had been (and might still be) in the Neverseen.'''