Hope your ready for a more. This chapter is a little heart to heart, set around the end of the series. Not to the finale quiet yet, but we're close. Either way, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 40: They already know:
Nighttime settled over Old Corona, the stars shining brightly in the sky. Alice was sitting on the steps of her home, quietly looking up at the sky as she felt the serenity of the world around her. She was focusing her sights in the direction of the capital, watching and waiting for something to happen.
"Beautiful, isn't it ?"A masculine voice asked and Alice turned around to see her father coming towards her.
"You should be asleep ,"Alice noted as her father sat down next to her.
"As should you. Varian said he would be staying at the castle tonight, that way he could test his invention, you don't need to wait for him ,"Quirin told his daughter, recalling how excited Varian was when he told his family about the ROOSTER, an alarm system in case of an enemy attack.
"I know that Dad. However, I promised Vary that I would see if we could hear the ROOSTER from all the way out here. That way everyone in Old Corona will be able to know when Cassandra attacks, and to know to go an help the capital ,"Alice explained, still looking towards the direction of the capital.
"I'm very proud of both of you. You know that right ?"Quirin asked.
"Of course I know that, Dad, but still, I betrayed my best friend and tortured my little brother. You can't tell me that you're more proud of me than Varian ,"Alice said, looking over at her father.
"I'm proud of the people both of you have turned into, as well as the fact that both of you still look out for one another, even though you've grown up ,"Quirin explained, reaching over and squeezing Alice's hand.
"Thanks Dad, but Varian's the real star. I spent all of my adolescent life trying to make sure of that ,"Alice said.
"I am proud of your brother, but I'm just as proud of you. You've always done what you thought was right for your family and your kingdom. You've risked your life time and time again for all of us. Anyone would be proud if they had a daughter like you ,"Quirin told her, causing Alice to smile.
"Thanks Dad, I just can't get what I did to Ballora out of my head. I made a lot of mistakes when it comes to my friendship with her ,"Alice explained.
"Understandable... Speaking of which, how have you been feeling since, well, what happened with that painting ?"Quirin asked.
"I miss her Dad, I really do. But... I'm scared, the last time I thought we could be friends again, she just wanted to use me for my powers. How do I know that it won't happen again ?"Alice asked.
"You don't, but I believe Varian when he said Ballora wanted to be friends again. After all, the two of you were inseparable growing up and I'm sure she misses you just as much as you miss her ,"Quirin told her.
I would honestly give almost anything to get her back. I really do miss my sister and I don't care if she is still using the darkness, I just want us to be together again... In a completely platonic way ,"Alice clarified, causing Quirin to laugh, knowing that many people saw the girl's friendship as something much more.
Both father and daughter remained quiet for a few moments, before Quirin broke the silence again.
"Allison, Sweetheart, you know I'm not going to force you to leave our home if that's not what you want, right ?"Quirin questioned.
"What are you talking about ?"Alice asked, looking up at her father.
"I'm talking about how you act like you're looking to get a place in the capital, yet at the same time, are wearing yourself out by doing chore after chore just to avoid looking for a place to live on your own ,"Quirin explained, giving his daughter a knowing look.
"I... I just feel like... being a women of my age, it's more than likely that I should be living on my own right now. Besides, I'm not a little girl anymore, you don't have to take care of me ,"Alice told him.
"I never said I had to. However, with that being said, I am aware that you don't want to leave me or Varian. We don't want you to leave home either, so you don't have to keep pretending you're looking to move out. You don't have to leave home yet if that's not what you want ,"Quirin told her.
Alice smiled in appreciation, looking back up at the stars. She was almost temped to go back into the comfortable silence, but instead she sighed and continued to explain how she felt.
"Thanks Dad. I just don't want to feel like a burden. After all, I'm twenty-six, well into my adult years ,"Alice told him.
"And yet you run this house all on your own and have raised Varian since you were a preteen. You are the only mother figure he's ever known, but you're an even better big sister ,"Quirin told her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks Dad, I try to be a good influence for him, while still making room for sibling bonding time as well as life lessons ,"Alice told him.
"You've done more than that. Probably everyone in the Seven-Kingdoms knows that you would move mountains for Varian if you had too ,"Quirin told her, laughing a little.
"I would go to the demon himself and back if Varian needed me too, but do you think he knows that ?"Alice asked.
Before Quirin could answer, a giant explosion was heard, coming from the direction of the capital. A few seconds later, green fireworks burst in the sky, followed by a huge shock wave. Quirin and Alice looked at each other and they could tell that they had the same thought. Something went wrong with the ROOSTER.
As soon as this thought passed through Alice's head there was only one thing on her mind: Varian.
Just like that, Alice was off like a cat after a ball yarn. Quirin watched from the steps as his daughter ran towards the stables. She came out only two mintues later, saddled on a horse and riding off towards the capital, towards Varian.
The old Brotherhood member gave a tiny chuckle as he watched his daughter race off into the woods, the answer to his daughter's question right in front of him.
"Yeah, I think that if he doesn't know already, then he'll know after tonight ,"Quirin said, smiling to himself.
Well that was fun, I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Next week we'll see what happens with the aftermath from the ROOSTER. Until then, I hope you all have a good day and I'll see you soon.
In the meantime, don't forget to like if you enjoy, follow if you went to be kept up to date on when I upload another chapter, and leave a comment below to share your thoughts, questions and opinions. I honestly love hearing what you guys have to say. Either way I'll see you next week.