Project Earthbound part 17
"A New Four Heroes?"
"Ha-Ha, it is I who has claimed victory in this 'Splash Battle!' for the honor of Dalaam!" Talia exclaims with a fist raised in triumphant. The party goers for the most part were drenched, shaken, but ultimately unharmed. Although most of the kids didn't quite feel like swimming anymore as the shakily climb out the pool. Lauren wades toward Talia as she smirks with pride.
"Talia, listen, the point is to just splash water, not nearly drown someone…"
"Ah, but Lauren no one had drowned and the will for battle has been put out. Thus, I claim victory as per the rules you described to me."
"Well…technically…that is how a splash fight works…" Lauren groans seeing in that moment how she had failed to specify her instructions.
Talia looks over to see Nicky standing on the side, "Ah, Nicky come join us in the splash battle!" She calls as she waves the boy over. In response he palms his face shaking his head. Upon closer inspection she notices Luke had partially shuffled behind him almost as if trying to hide behind him while poking his head around Nicky's shoulder. "Ah, is that our new cousin?!"
"Yeah," Nicholas responds before glancing back at Luke. Luke notices a mischievous glint in his eyes. He suddenly wraps an arm around Luke's neck before jumping into the pool dragging a surprised Luke with him. After a big splash the two boys surface splashing both girls.
"Ah good opening attack Nicholas!" Talia exclaims preparing to counterattack.
"That wasn't an opening attack!" Nicholas quickly responds quickly before any splashing could begin. "Geez, I want you to meet our new cousin Luke Andonuts,"
"Ah, I see, a pleasure to meet you cousin. I am Talia, daughter of King Poo and Queen Angela, Princess of Dalaam."
"Ah…uh, just Luke is fine," The raven head boy responds nervously.
"Ah, sorry I apologize for that impersonal introduction," Talia says rubbing the back of her head. "That is an introduction given to strangers or political figures. Both of which you are not, and most importantly you are family. It is a pleasure to meet you Luke welcome to this little family of ours."
"Oh, uh thank you," Luke says with a quick nod. He would've bowed but it would be awkward to do so in a pool. "If I'm honest. Having a family is still so foreign to me. I mean just yesterday the only person I had was Pro-I mean, Jeff."
"Well now you have Lauren, Nicky, and I! And let's not forget our parents. You are no longer alone dear cousin. It is a pleasure to meet you, and a great warrior at that."
Inside, Jeff was looking out the window seeing how Luke was doing. He smiles seeing that he was getting along with Talia, Nicky, and Lauren. He got along great with Nicky and Lauren so it would stand to reason that he would be fine with Talia. But he still wanted to be sure considering how excitable the girl could be.
"Jeff, drop the helicopter shtick for a second and talk to your lifelong friends!" Ness exclaims clapping Jeff on the back.
"Well sorry I've only been a dad for a few months. I'm still getting used to it…"
"Our kids will make sure he's okay. You worry way too much."
"Well it is because I worry that we're alive right?"
"Fair enough. Still, I'm kinda curious. The odds of you adopting a kid with PSI is pretty incredible, especially one as strong as he is."
"I thought it was amazing too…" Jeff admits. "I'm not even fully aware of what he's capable of…"
"He does seem abnormally powerful…where is he from?"
"Not sure, he could've been created in a lab for all I know. He's seems to have been through a lot though. That much I know."
"Geez, I'd hate to think a nice kid like that would be caught up in that PSI Trafficking Ring."
"That human trafficking ring that focuses on abusing PSI users for…fowl efforts. I thought we'd busted that years ago."
"Well we kept it from going international. We also prevented people from becoming living weapons, for a lot good that's done now considering what's happening now. It's hard to completely get rid of things like that. Small pockets still operate here and there. It's disgusting the things they do to those people. Promising those scared of their powers into such awful conditions."
Jeff sighs, "Even till this day I'm still amazed that such a niche ability has become so mainstream…"
"Well I guess we can thank our alien friends for that…" Ness says with a bit of distaste. His eyes seemed to narrow in agitation before going soft. "Ah lets not talk about that stuff. We can deal with the heavy stuff later since the four of us are all together. You will be in town for a few days right?"
"Already booked my hotel."
"A hotel, you know we have room for you here right?"
"Luke is probably already overwhelmed. He's never been to a birthday party before, or had a family, or managed to make friends before. He doesn't even know what a sleepover is. I think it'd be cruel to make the boy interact with others to such a heavy extent without some sort of break. Besides we'd just be there to sleep. We'd be back pretty soon. Also, gives us a chance to discuss things in private without four sets of eavesdropping ears."
"Ah, good point, you always think ahead!" Ness says patting the other man on the shoulder. "But you worry too much Luke did fine while staying with us at the hotel. The only one he'd need to get used to is Talia."
"That's partially what concerns me…"
The rest of the party went well. As the party guests enjoyed themselves with the festivities. Nicky had introduced Luke to some of his friends from school. Luke felt it went well considering none of them asked any unnecessary questions of him. Although Nicholas did give them a stern look when he introduced him. Something that he had not noticed. Based on how his friends spoke to him even though Luke didn't see the look it must have been his subtle way of telling them 'be nice or else'. Lauren's friends thought it was kinda adorable, especially in comparison to the twins' other cousin.
The pool party in the back started to calm down so the cake Paula had made was brought out to the pool area for all the kids to stare down the delicious marble cake. She wasn't a baker, but she figured it couldn't be that hard. Ness assured the children that a back-up would be provided. As Paula was a great chef, a so-so baker. Nicholas and Lauren both blew out the candles after singing happy birthday. The lyrics that Luke had to bashfully look up before the singing could commence. He watched as everyone cheered for the twins. Lauren and Nicky's friends either from school or other places either congratulated them or teased them on getting old. It looked like a very merry time and everyone was quite excited to get cake passed to them. Luke would've liked to taste it, but he wasn't sure if the bloated feeling would be worth it.
"Here ya go Luke," Jeff suddenly offers a plate with a very small piece of cake on it. "I know eating can be annoying, but cake is always great."
"…hmm," Luke incredulously took the plate and fork then cut an even tinnier piece of the already tiny cake. He gingerly puts it in his mouth. His face instantly lights up. "Wow…" he says after swallowing.
Jeff couldn't help but chuckle, "Is it good?"
"This is the best thing I've ever tasted…" Luke mutters. His hands shake a little as he feels like he wants to cry. It wasn't because of the cake though, it was what the cake stood for. He didn't fully understand it. He thanked Jeff for thinking of him than moves toward the pool. He sits down on the edge soaking his feet in the pool like he's seen many of the other kids or parents had been doing. He stares at the lone cake on his plate. He wasn't sure if he could eat something like this. So beautiful and significant. Yet everyone else could just devour it so callously. He didn't understand how they could do that. This cake is a celebration of an occasion and its one of the best things he's ever tasted. He really doesn't understand humans. Or maybe humans understand something he does not.
"Dear cousin, why do you seclude yourself?" Talia says joining the boy at his side.
"Force of habit I suppose…"
Her eyes move to the small piece of cake, "There is no need to be frugal there is plenty of cake to go around," She gestures to her rather large corner piece. "Family is able to call the dibs on corner pieces. For they have the most icing. To cover up the…lack of flavor for the cake. Our dear Aunt may require more practice in the art of baking. She is quite lucky Dalaamnese do not indulge in sweets often."
"Funny…it's the best thing I've ever tasted…" Luke responds staring down at the small cake.
"Surely you jest?" She asks with clear disbelief in her voice and on her face.
"I've never had a birthday party let alone been to one, I've never had cake, I've never had a family, or fun. I can't-," Luke finds himself rubbing his eyes to keep tears from falling and knocking out his contacts. He manages to restrain himself. "I can't get attached but at the same time…" Luke's voice cracks a bit. "I don't want to lose it either."
"Uncle Jeff is not the type of man to turn on anyone. He would never abandon you. We are family now, so that means neither will I. I'm sure Nicky and Lauren feel the same just from what little I've seen. I don't want to come on too strong, as I've been told I am known for that, but I can understand your feelings somewhat. I was raised in Dalaam for most of my life. For some time, I could not understand my father's fascination with this land despite my own mother being from these shores. It took me some time to get used to all of this myself. Eventually I've grown to enjoy it. Just like that cake, enjoy it freely and without regret or guilt."
"Okay I think I will princess-,"
"Now, now, none of that remember. I am Talia to my family."
"Right, thank you Talia."
"You are quite welcome," She says happily as she continues sitting with Luke picking up her cake.
"What you guys talking about?" Nicky suddenly says appearing next to Luke squatting next to the boy.
"We were having a moment," Talia points out. "One that you have now ruined."
"You were having a moment with my lil bro without me?" Nicholas gasps.
"Lil bro? You just turned thirteen and you're already acting like your everyone's elder?" Lauren says taking a seat next to Talia.
"I believe I am the eldest here, aren't I?" Talia asks.
"Yeah in terms of age, but in terms of dynamic its different. Luke is clearly the baby brother of the group."
"But I'm not a baby…" Luke says with a confused look.
"It's a figure a speech. It just means he sees you as the youngest one here," Lauren explains to Luke. Lauren than turns to Luke with a knowing look. "You just want to feel older since you were the baby before Luke."
"Oh, here we go, someone is born a few measly minutes and all of sudden you're the elder. News flash we're twins, we're the same age!"
"Older is older little brother," She responds sticking her tongue out. Nicky frowns poking his tongue out at her with cake still on it. "Ugh gross!"
"That is very little brother behavior Nicky," Talia adds.
"Says the girl with more icing on her plate than actual cake!"
"This icing is delicious!" Talia proclaimed.
"Oh god do you really just have icing?!" Lauren exclaims looking at Talia's plate.
"Yeah, that future sugar rush is gonna be your problem, miss elder twin."
"A rush I shall enjoy like a great battle!"
Luke smiles at their antics before he decides to eat the small piece of cake on his plate. Smirking a bit before suddenly a sharp sensation travels up his back into the back of his skull.
"…protect…the-… smiles"
Luke didn't know why but a single tear slips from his eye. He quickly wipes the tears tracks and blinking to readjust the eye contact lenses. It was a sudden rush of emotion from some place he didn't know. He was a bit confused. But decided that he would ignore it for once. He would enjoy the moment he has right now. Not dwell on the forgotten memories of whatever past may be trying to gain his attention. This was all so new to Luke. Everything that he is experiencing was new. But these new things were things he enjoyed and wouldn't want to give up. He knows that there are memories locked away in his mind. Jeff may have some part in it or he may not. But right now, this moment has nothing to do with Jeff, the general, the name Project Earthbound, or doing bad things for good reasons. Its only a boy enjoying time with his family. Jeff had noticed the interaction between the four kids and decided to take a quick picture. Although it was just the back of their heads. It was a nice picture of Talia seemingly yelling something. Nicky with his arm around Luke's neck leaning forward. Lauren trying to recover her lost cake as Talia's jerky actions had knocked it from her hands. The next generation of four heroes.