ELENI
A week after the attack, Eleni was called to the principal's office. Preparing herself for the worst, she walked cautiously behind the man who had been sent to collect her. They entered an administrative room that held a few desks and people, then proceeded to a door at the back.
When they reached the office, she entered slowly, causing her guide to turn in annoyance. It was as large as the administrative room they had just left. The shelves in the room were filled with school trophies, framed documents lined the wall, and a few potted plants provided bursts of green. Just inside the door sat two couches with a table in between. By the far wall sat an imposing desk, a few feet shorter than the width of the room. The man sitting there made no move to stand and welcome them.
His skin was light brown, just about the same color as Eleni's, and he had a fringe of white hair around his head. He wore glasses that made him look grandfatherly, but his suit had a militaristic air to it that belied any kindly notions.
"Thank you for bringing her, Leland. You can close the door as you leave." Eleni spoke quickly, but clearly.
"I'd rather have the door left open, please."
The principal looked at her, surprised and annoyed. "Really, child, that is not necessary."
"But it is my right. Page 47 of the student handbook clearly states that if a student doesn't wish it, they cannot be forced to remain in a closed room with another individual." This detail clearly made the principal furious, although he tried to hide it. With a strained smile, he said, "Leland, just leave the door open, then. Thank you."
The principal turned his attention back to Eleni, a sour look on his face. Then he stretched his lips in what she guessed was supposed to be a smile.
"There is someone who would like to speak with you. She should be here soon. It seems that incident in the hall drew some attention, and those cadets were quite out of line. I agree of course, but when the military is involved, it is not my place to dole out punishment. I am sure you understand, child." Eleni recalled a very different reaction from him directly following the attack. She wondered at his change of attitude.
She didn't acknowledge his comment. It had not been a question.
"Please sit." She remained standing.
A moment later, someone swept into the room. Eleni turned to see a striking woman in her early-twenties. Her glossy black hair was styled in waves to her just below her shoulders. Dressed smartly in slacks and a button-down shirt that hugged her figure to its advantage, she had an air of confidence and grace about her. Her features were long, strong and sat handsomely on her pale face. Her piercing blue eyes pinned Eleni from the moment she entered.
"Principal Dawes, my apologies for running late. This is her, I assume? Wonderful. I'll take it from here. Please close the door on your way out."
"I'd like the door left open." Eleni didn't bother with the 'please' this time.
The principal laughed embarrassedly. "School rule, my lady. It's in the handbook. If the student is not comfortable….," his voice trailed off, suggesting a deficit on the part of the student. Eleni thought she saw a flash of irritation on the woman's face.
"Of course. No problem. This should only take a short while. You'll have your office back in no time. You may leave now." The man left, making what appeared to be a bow on the way out.
The woman observed Eleni for a moment, and Eleni took the opportunity to do the same. In addition to the air of confidence around this woman, was an air of authority. She had a right to be unseating the principal. It spoke of power. Eleni wondered with just whose attention she had caught. The woman smiled generously.
"I can see you are wondering why I am here. There is no need to dance around the subject. Last week, some cadets harassed you in these very halls. The story made its way back to more senior authorities in the military, who were horrified. We in the military are dedicated to ensuring that all within the embrace of the Montagne can lead a safe and happy life. What those cadets did, a personal grudge I am led to understand, was completely unauthorized and out of character with the rest of our organization. I am here to impress upon you our sincere apologies for that breech in conduct of our persons and assure you that it will not happen again. If it does, you can come directly to me to seek recourse." The woman smiled graciously.
"And you are…?"
At this question, the woman's perfect mask slipped for a moment, and Eleni clearly saw disgust and outrage on her face. Then a genial expression snapped back into place.
"Why, it's Eleni, right? Pretty name. You truly don't know who I am?" Eleni shook her head. "Indeed. That is our oversight. Thank you for bringing this lapse to my attention. It shall be seen to. There should be no one within the walls of the Montagne who does not know their future ruler." The woman arched her neck back slightly, gazing imperiously down her nose at Eleni. "I am Tracy Lensherr. Niece to the current Head, and the next to lead when he steps down. You may address me as Lady Tracy. In me, Eleni, you have a powerful ally."
Tracy Lensherr. Travis's sister. Eleni had heard the name bandied about as well as a few choice comments from the gang at the Towers. Little of it had been positive. She doubted this woman was an ally.
"I thank you. But I should really be getting back to class now."
Tracy acted as if Eleni hadn't said anything. She was gazing at her face. "You know, the tabloids say a lot about you. But they don't say how pretty you are. And your eyes. Eyes like that are rare here. You could be my cousin." The look Tracy was giving Eleni was not one that should pass between cousins and was taking in all of her not just her eyes. Tracy moved forward, reaching out as if to catch Eleni's chin in her hand. Eleni stepped back. The other woman laughed, not swayed.
"You are as jumpy as a rabbit. Forgive me if I startled you, I got a bit distracted. Here," she pulled a small piece of paper out of her pocket. "This is my secretary's information. As I said, should anything happen don't hesitate to contact me. And don't forget, I am a powerful ally."
Or a powerful enemy, Eleni thought to herself. No, she didn't want anything to do with this woman. She wanted this woman to forget about her completely.
"I'll be going now," Eleni said. She had already thanked future Head, and there was no need to do so twice. Again, annoyance flashed on Tracy's face, but it passed quickly and Eleni left the room.
As she was making her way through the administrative office, Travis burst in.
"Eleni, is everything ok?" he said quietly once he came close to her. "Ebony tipped me off that something – Tracy, what are you doing here?!"
Tracy was standing in the office door, gazing with what appeared to be fondness at her brother.
"Travis! It's been too long! You should visit more."
"You always have girls over," Travis stated, giving his sister an even look. Irritation rippled across Tracy's features, and she flashed a quick glance at Eleni.
"Well, next time I'll be sure to invite some boys as well, for you Travis. But only if you bring your new friend with you." She smiled at Eleni.
Travis' brow wrinkled. "Uh, we'll see," was all he said.
Tracy waved her goodbyes and swept out of the office. Eleni noticed that several people looked after her, admiration in their eyes. When they looked back at Eleni, it was as if it had never been there.
Eleni and Travis left the office, heading back to the second floor where both their classes were meeting. The previous period had ended during Eleni's trip to the principal's office, and the next one had only just started.
"People really like your sister, it seems." Travis made a vague sound and waved his hand dismissively but didn't answer. Eleni continued. "She is looking forward to being in charge here." As an after-thought, she added. "I didn't recognize who she was. She didn't like that." Travis actually grinned.
"She wouldn't." Then in an undertone, "I hope my uncle doesn't step down for a long time."
"What is he like?" Eleni asked delicately. Eleni wasn't paying a lot of attention to how the Montagne was ruled, but she had picked up that the current Head wasn't popular. Matthew had little good to say about him, believing, as he did, that it was better to avoid any Lensherr. Eleni knew her fellow dancer hadn't been happy when he learned of her association with Travis. However, Eleni had not yet found any reason to doubt the young man walking beside her.
Travis considered her comment. "Measured. He doesn't rush things." The young man peered sideways at Eleni. "You could come over and meet him if you'd like. Judge for yourself."
Eleni was shocked by the invitation and suspected a jest. She quickly shook her head.
"No. Thank you." Travis shrugged.
"Well, the offer stands. And, of course, if you do meet him, don't lie to him." Travis threw the comment out humorously, but it struck Eleni cold.
"Wha-? Oh, of course," she stammered. Reaching the logical conclusion, she thought fast. "That must suck for you."
"It's not so different from hanging out with Summers, right?"
"I suppose," she said, alarmed at the idea that the Head was a telepath. That was odd that Matthew hadn't said anything. She made a note to ask him.
"So, what did my sister want?"
Eleni quickly described her encounter with Tracy.
"It's a bit odd that she was sent to talk with me, no?" The more she moved past her shock and thought about it, the more the scenario struck her as unlikely.
Travis didn't seem to agree.
"I don't know. Those cadets were completely out of line in what they did, and Tracy is doing her military stint." Travis paused before going on. "I'm really sorry about that, Elle."
"It's not like you asked them." He had apologized before. She hadn't known what to make of it then, either.
"Yeah, but the military is supposedly acting in the Lensherr name. As much as Magneto fought against the Montagne becoming a monarchy, it basically is in all but name. So," he looked down, "I feel some responsibility. And for that reason, it kind of makes sense that they sent Tracy." He glanced around, making sure no one else was close before continuing. "And my mom mentioned there is a bit of a power struggle going on with Tracy. She'll lead the military at some point, but they want her to learn the rules first. She doesn't like that. Sending her on an errand like this…" Eleni nodded, understanding what he was implying. "Don't spread that around, ok?"
"I won't." Eleni peered at Travis, wondering at his openness. She had no intention of abusing it but found it odd. "She said I should call her 'Lady Tracy'. Do you have some kind of title, too?" Travis grimaced.
"They forego the titles at school, but outside I am 'Lord Travis'. Until Tracy becomes Head and pumps out a few babies. Then they will encourage me to marry into some family and take that name." Eleni blinked.
"You won't be a Lensherr anymore?"
"They keep track of the genes in case something drastic happens, but in all likelihood, I will blend into morass." He grinned at her. "I'm looking forward to it." Then he winked.
They reached her class.
"I'll see you at lunch." Travis said in parting. "I'll be at the table today."
As the young lord retreated down the hall to his own class, Eleni steeled herself to be humiliated for being late, and opened the door in front of her.
MATTHEW
Matthew was tense as he waited to pick Eleni up before school. They had walked to school together since the start of the semester, and Matthew enjoyed them. They never spoke of anything too serious: the topics normally focused on the latest music or shows, though Eleni didn't watch television very much. She did enjoy listening to music, and he had continued to try to get her to come out to a live concert with little luck so far apart from her desire to see Hulio perform.
Today was different, however. Matthew had heard some disturbing news the night before from one of his friends. He hated to interrupt the normally lighthearted morning conversations but needed to make sure Eleni understood the gravity of the situation.
"Hey," she said, as she came down the stairs.
"Hey," he replied, and they fell into step with each other.
Matthew looked around to make sure no one was close by, took a deep breath in preparation, and dove in.
"Eleni?"
"Hmmm?" She glanced at him as they walked.
"I heard that Tracy Lensherr was at the school the other day. Talking to you."
"She was. What of it?" Eleni didn't seem concerned in the least. Matthew was glad he had brought it up.
"She is not a good person to be associating with." She's dangerous, he almost added, but stopped himself.
Eleni's eyebrows went up.
"She's next in line to rule this place. Isn't that the kind of person people usually try to be associated with?"
"She's bad news. She just wants to control everything around her. She's notorious for ruining people's lives for the fun of it. And she's in the military, which never bodes well." Eleni took this all in evenly.
"I know you have something against the Lensherrs, and the military, but Travis has only been a help. Maybe you are wrong about Tracy, too." Matthew looked around nervously and missed the facetious tone of the last part.
"Don't say that so loud, ok? About not liking the Lensherrs." He spoke in quiet tones, relieved to see no one had been near them. He should have waited until the evening to bring this up. Eleni looked at him, annoyed.
"OK. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about. I wasn't planning to take her up on her invitation."
"Invitation?" Eleni smirked.
"Well, it wasn't exactly a direct invitation. She asked Travis to bring me to one of her parties." The young woman seemed to find this humorous and gave a laugh. Matthew found no humor in it at all.
"Stay away from her, Elle," he said flatly. Eleni looked at him, eyebrows again raised, but this time her eyes were sharp.
"What? Why are you telling me what to do?"
"She's notorious for…seducing women." He got the truth out with difficulty.
"You're worried about this? What if I want to be seduced? Might be fun." She shrugged casually, but her eyes remained sharp.
"You don't. Trust me. She'll just use you then throw you away." Now Eleni's eyes went hard. She twisted her lips and looked away.
"You know, Patches said something quite similar to me back when I was still at the Towers. Except, of course, he wasn't referring to Lady Tracy Lensherr at the time." Matthew didn't have to ask who Patches had been referring to at the time. "It's a bit insulting that both of you think I'd allow myself to be treated in such a way."
"Look, Eleni, you don't know about this woman. She's a predator. I'm just looking out for you! I know how they treat you up here and you just take it. You didn't even fight back when the cadets got you. So yeah, I'm worried you're a bit vulnerable." Eleni's eyes flashed, and her jaw tightened. Disgust and irritation colored the bond.
"Yes, I take some of that and keep on walking. Because I know that is better than the alternative, and I know that the shit they throw at me is just a reflection of what they really are on the inside." These words were spat with venom, and Matthew was momentarily taken aback by her passion. "But, you are talking about actively putting myself in the hands of a person who has anything but my best interests in mind. If there is anyone here who would be fit that image, it would be you. And I'm starting to wonder if it was such a good idea to trust you!"
The school came into view, and Matthew knew he should stop the conversation. He just couldn't let it end on that note.
"You know I have your best interests in mind! I want only the best for you! Look at how I've improved your life." Eleni's lips pressed into a thin line at that comment.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I do need to take a closer look at that situation," she said evenly, and turned her gaze straight ahead. That was no good.
"Come on, Elle. Don't make this into something it is not. Not after everything I've done for you! I'm helping you!"
"Matthew, it's time for school. This conversation is done." Matthew ignored the looks from other students standing in the courtyard around them. Eleni picked up her pace and strode ahead of him through the doors.
Matthew barely paid attention in classes that day. He dwelled on the disaster of a conversation, and its dissatisfying resolution. Or lack thereof. He expected to pick up where they had left off on the walk back to Madam P's, but Eleni surprised him.
"Matthew, about this morning, just forget it, ok? I should have said that my instincts told me Tracy Lensherr was no one I wanted to be close to, so really, there is no concern there. Does that help you feel better?"
He bristled slightly at her condescension but thought seriously about her answer. Tracy had been the issue that started their fight, and Eleni's response was reassuring. Why pursue the uncomfortable topic any further?
"Sure. I'm glad to hear that." After a pause, he tried a new subject. "Are we all set for this Holday?" He asked referring to their upcoming visit to the Atrium with Bright.
"Yup. We'll meet Bright at the station at 11." He nodded.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
Three days later, Matthew walked the Atrium trying to enjoy its beauty. He focused on the greenery, so rare in the Montagne, the blue of the sky above and the happy sounds that surrounded him. The younger person at his side was enthralled, and he occasionally pointed out a particularly impressive part of the contained sliver of paradise to make sure they wouldn't miss it. This visit was for them, after all. If it hadn't gone how he had hoped, there was nothing to be done about that now, and it was no reason to ruin it for Bright.
Everything had been set for Bright's first visit to the Atrium. However, that morning, at the last minute, Eleni had called to say her history project was taking more time than she had expected, and that she needed the day to work on it. Disappointed, Matthew had met Bright at the station alone, and brought them to the massive indoor garden.
Now he and Bright were enjoying the Atrium as planned, and it was pleasant. They had gotten relatively fewer comments than he and Eleni did when they went out together. Matthew supposed that was because people didn't know who Bright was.
The visit had also been awkward. Matthew had forgotten about the young person's interest in him, but their hesitant glances his direction and shy smiles reminded him of what Eleni herself had told him months ago. He hoped that those feelings had passed, and that he was imagining things, but his gut was telling him otherwise.
So, he was focusing on being pleasant but not too friendly and getting to the end of the visit as quickly as he politely could. He thought that moment was approaching, as they had eaten the picnic he'd brought, then rounded the Atrium and visited some of the enclosed gardens. Bright had seen what the Atrium had to offer, and he thought they had enjoyed it. He decided the visit there was complete.
He opened his mouth to suggest they head back to the station when Bright spoke.
"Do you think we could just sit for a bit and enjoy it? Maybe over there?" They pointed to a beach that was surrounded by bushes and a few small trees. It was slightly secluded, which made Matthew uncomfortable, but glancing around he couldn't find an alternative, so he agreed.
Once seated on the bench, Bright commented on the beauty of the Atrium, and wondered if this was what the world had been like before the Devastation. Matthew agreed with their assessment.
"I suppose it must have. All the trees and bushes. There would have been fields, as well." He remembered seeing pictures of those in the books at Madam P's. They fell silent for a moment, and when Bright spoke again, Matthew felt himself cringe.
"Matthew, I'm glad we had this time together. I wanted to tell you something." Matthew opened his mouth to fend off what he knew was coming, but they went on without noticing. "I, I like you. A lot. And was wondering if you might be…interested in me. As…as someone to be with." Matthew pushed down his embarrassment and dismay and tried to figure out how to turn them down in the nicest way possible.
"Bright, I am…I mean, you are a wonderful person. I really like you, but…only as a friend. I'm sorry—" Bright cut his apologies off with an embarrassed wave. Matthew could see the pain on their face.
"Don't worry about it." How could he not? He could see their tears. "I knew that might be your answer. You've never shown special interest in me. It's just that…" they took a deep breath, and wiped their eyes, "…my grandmother taught me it is better to tell someone if you care about them. Once you are pretty sure they are a good person, that is. But, I mean, if you don't you might miss out on something wonderful. And if it doesn't work out, it's better to get your heart broken properly so you can move on instead of hanging on to a dream. So, this is for the best. It is."
The conviction they tried to put into their words were belied by the shaking of their voice. He felt terrible. He didn't know what to do but sat there next to Bright mentally willing support into them. He felt it wouldn't be good to show his support outwardly, however.
After a while, they calmed down. "I should be getting back."
"I'll go with you to the train," Matthew said, quietly.
"You don't have to do that," Bright quickly interjected.
"I want to," he replied. It was the least he could do, would mean a safe trip there for them, and wouldn't extend their pain that much longer.
At the train, he apologized again, saying how wonderful they were. Bright told him not to worry about it and repeated the comment about getting their heart broken properly. Then they got on the train, and he left the station.
He didn't go home, however. On the silent trip from the Atrium, he had thought about how it was Eleni who had told him of Bright's interest. And it was Eleni who had proposed this outing, then canceled at the last possible moment. His heart contracted to think she had set them up, but he found he had to know. He went to Madam P's.
Eleni answered the door when he arrived, and there was a flash of surprise and dismay through the bond. And a hint of guilt. He held on to that.
"How was it?" she asked brightly, after leading him into the living room. He just looked at her evenly.
"Elle, did you do that on purpose?" She stopped for a moment, then turned to face him, her face a mask of questioning innocence. "Set Bright and I up?"
"What? I have no idea what you are talking about!" She gave him a weird look, but he felt her guilt grow. Guilt and hesitation. No, that wasn't hesitation. His brow furrowed in pain and anger.
"Don't lie to me, Eleni." He walked up to her, the alarm he felt confirming his suspicion. "You had no right to do that. It wasn't fair to Bright. It wasn't fair to me. It wasn't your decision to make." Through her alarm, she seemed confused. She stared at his chest for a moment. Then she pulled herself up and raised her anger to meet his.
"Maybe. Like you have no right to tell me who should and should not be my friend or try to run my life. You aren't my keeper, Matthew."
He blinked at that, then realized she was referring to their conversation regarding Tracy's visit.
"Look, Eleni, I'm sorry about that. Anyway, this is completely unrelated! You set me up with someone else without even asking me. That was wrong!"
"Is it—is it unrelated? You- you reeked of jealously when you have nothing to be jealous of! There is nothing between us. I was just- just trying to make that clear to you because you aren't listening!" She was struggling to get the words out, and he didn't understand why. He didn't care, as the hurt her words were causing him grew.
"Elle, but…I'm just trying to help …"
"I don't…I don't need your help!" Her voice broke and to his shock tears appeared in her eyes. Then more quietly. "And I don't want to hurt you. Just go!"
Eleni turned away from Matthew, and he realized she wasn't just hurting him: she was hurting herself as well.
He moved around her so they were facing each other. Her head was angled downward.
"Elle, I don't want Bright. I want you," he said it softly, willing her to understand. Willing her to accept him.
She looked up, taken off guard by his earnest plea. He cupped her face in his hands, brought his face down to hers and kissed her.
It lasted, though she didn't kiss him back, and for a moment he thought he had gotten through to her. He pulled back slightly, moving to put his arms around her, but Eleni stepped away, shaking her head.
"Matthew, I told you, I love someone else." The truth of the statement made Matthew wince but didn't dissuade him.
"He's not here, Elle. Maybe trying with someone new would help you move on." He tried to step closer again but panic suddenly rose up in Eleni. A desperate look entered her eyes.
"Matthew, we can't. I can't."
"But—"
"It's impossible!" she yelled, stepping back and sweeping her arms down in a violent motion.
Astounded, Matthew didn't do anything for a moment. Then he inadvertently rocked back on his feet, as her conviction hit him. She believed those words completely.
The hurt he had felt before assailed him anew as his heart broke. Eleni looked at him fiercely defiant, her jaw clenched.
"I think you should go," she said. She was rigidly controlled now though hurt and anger sparked through the bond. He nodded distantly and turned slowly to the door. He looked back once as he left the house, but Eleni remained unchanged. Not the slightest sign of regret or compassion on her face. He left.
Matthew walked home in a daze. It's impossible. The words echoed in his head. He started to realize that they didn't make sense. Why were they impossible? Then thoughts of how deeply Eleni believed that made him give up in trying to find a logical answer.
Why had he said he wanted her? Why had he kissed her? In his effort to redirect his thoughts, he blamed himself for yet another disaster. He had thought he sensed something from her, that there had been an opening. He had obviously been wrong.
Reaching his house, he sidestepped the conversation his father tried to start, wanting to retreat to his room. As he turned to go, however, he asked Adam to tell Madam P and Eleni that he wouldn't be by in the morning to walk with her to school, as he'd been doing. He recalled her mentioning that it was reinforcing the image that they were a couple.
On the stairs, Matthew thought about how he would also stop having dinner at Madam P's. Eleni had been concerned about that, as well. The least he could do after the events of today was give her the space she had been asking him for all along.
Finally in his room, he sat on the bed and took his shoes off, tossing them haphazardly to the side. Then he lowered his head into his hands, gripping his hair tightly as he stared at the floor. The numbness started to fade and hurt pulsed through him. He wouldn't cry though. She had never been his to lose. There was no need for tears. He determinedly ignored the wetness dripping from his eyes.
EBONY
Ebony Darkholme surveyed the two people sitting at the table she was approaching. Travis Lensherr and this Eleni Jones. The former she knew well, but she didn't know what to make of the latter. Travis' involvement with the sewer rat had put a slight kink in her image – one of her friends going a bit further off the straight-and-narrow made people ask what she thought of it.
Now that this Eleni had been around for some time, however, added to the fact that Matthew Summers had apparently lost interest in her, expressing a bit curiosity in her would be forgivable.
Ebony placed her tray on the table. The two looked up at her in surprise. Travis smiled.
"Ebony! It's been a while. Glad to have you back!" She returned his smile. She genuinely liked Travis. While many found him to be aloof, Ebony had discovered that he was something of an open book. And he was a Lensherr.
As she sat, she turned her eyes to the other woman at the table.
Eleni returned her gaze, flat stare for flat stare. Ebony distanced herself from her annoyance. This woman was a mystery, and Ebony couldn't stand that. So, she was going to figure her out. It was a project. Giving her misplaced classmate a smile, no warmth, she dug in.
"Missing Matthew yet? I hear he's back to having fun with his friends again."
"Good for him." The woman's face didn't betray anything.
"Really? After how close you two were that is hard to believe. Matthew was never that attentive to Jenna," Ebony challenged casually. It was a true statement based on the little that she had observed. Matthew and Jenna had been more physically expressive with each other, but the man had looked at Eleni with an intensity that almost seemed out of character for the normally easy-going telepath. Ebony watched Eleni closely.
Was there a flicker of something in those blue eyes? If there had been, it was gone before Ebony could discern its meaning. She cursed internally as the woman kept her pinned with a stare, finishing her drink in her own sweet time. Ebony began on her lunch as if it didn't matter. Eleni finally lowered the cup and spoke.
"I told him it was impossible." Her voice was devoid of emotion. Ebony paused, focusing all her attention on the other woman in an effort to find a hint of a reaction, but there was nothing. Eleni had returned to eating her meal as if they were discussing their homework.
Impossible? What was impossible? Improbable, yes, and had the sewer rat tried to further the relationship with Summers likely very difficult and painful. But not impossible. And who said something like that anyway? Nonetheless, Ebony granted her adversary a point for intelligence, because apparently she did understand the situation into which she had put herself. Ebony also experienced a slight pang of sympathy for Summers. Travis voiced it out loud as usual.
"Elle. Um ouch? That was a bit harsh, no? The guy's not bad to look at after all." He stopped as Eleni turned her gaze on him, then mumbled something about it being none of his business and bent to take another bite of his food. Eleni spoke again.
"Travis, your friend seems to have some interest in Matthew. She should come with you to the dance studio sometime." The tone was even, the expression disinterested at best as if it was a casual suggestion. Ebony ignored a small stab of jealously at her opponent's control and spoke.
"Me and Moody Matthew?" She dismissed the idea with a wave and a laugh. "Hardly. With all those emotions he's got simmering under the surface there, it would be exhausting. Like having a new puppy around. All the time."
She didn't have anything against Matthew Summers. Sure, he was attractive, and he was totally sexy, but he had always come across as high-maintenance.
Travis proved an appreciative audience, and snarfed his drink. Wiping himself with a napkin, he elaborated more than Ebony wished he would.
"You've got it wrong there, Elle. Ebony is going to catch herself The Leader. 'Someone who is passionate about their cause and can rally people to them with mere words and presence of personality.'" He spoke as if he quoted, and Ebony internally bristled at the intended tease. "Perhaps it's Craig." Travis wiggled his eyebrows at Ebony. She rolled her eyes.
"Good luck with that," Eleni murmured disinterestedly, and Ebony inwardly cursed Travis for running off his mouth.
"What about you and Alant? You could have been his 'leader'," she returned sharply to Travis, and was rewarded with a warning glare. She didn't give Travis the Cultist crap that some of their friends did, but she wasn't above irritating him when he deserved it. Anyway, he had never been open about what had happened there, and her curiosity was sore.
"Regardless, Elle, if you know anyone like that, be sure to send them in Ebony's direction," Travis finished, his eyes wide with sarcastic significance, which he followed with a pointed look at Ebony. She didn't take another shot, deciding that the smile of toleration Eleni graced him with was satisfying enough.
The feeling was short lived, however, as the woman again disengaged herself, and returned to eating her meal as if it were all beneath her. Ebony felt as if she had been dismissed, and she didn't like it. How did the sewer rat do that?
This was the mystery of Eleni Jones. Over the weeks that Ebony had watched the young dancer, she had been repeatedly struck, she wouldn't go so far as to say impressed, with how Eleni took the abuse their classmates heaped upon her and kept walking with quiet dignity. Like a queen. It was like she had everything that mattered, and you had no idea what that was. Ebony knew that most of her classmates felt this without understanding it, and it made them hate the misfit even more.
CITADEL 3020.10.08
DAVE
"I hope you don't mind that we reached out to you the way we did, but uh, we heard in the Network that someone is interested in…organizing. Trying to change things. We thought that might be you."
Dave Kelly blinked. They were right, of course. He just hadn't expected anyone would be so bold as to contact him about it.
He was again at the apartment of the young couple he had met during the summer; the first family he had met to have lost a mutant child. They had sent a note to him via his father's office. While it was rather unusual for him to receive mail that way now, a couple of years ago he had received a substantial bit of mail through there. His home addresses thankfully remained relatively unknown. The Citadel had strict rules about what information could be shared or published, and violation brought steep fines, even imprisonment.
"It is me. I didn't mention it the first time because…I was still putting my ideas together and wanted to get a feel for what people might be able to support." The young couple was nodding.
"We appreciate that." They were far more relaxed this time, a fact that Dave found heartening. "We would like to be part of it. We want to know if things are happening. How are you spreading information?" Dave had only just started thinking of these details and didn't have an answer.
"I have your contact information, and others as well of course. Once things are a bit more organized, I'll reach out to you." They nodded. He thought they seemed almost eager, and they spoke briefly about what he had sketched out so far.
As he got up to leave so the couple could finish eating, they were meeting over the lunch hour, the wife pulled a ball of cloth out from behind a pillow. She blushed as she unfolded it to reveal a shirt with a familiar design on the front: a sun described as a circle surrounded by a border of serrated edges that radiated out into eight points. The points were longer on the four main axes.
Dave had to clench his teeth to stop himself from reacting. Then he pasted on a smile that was usually a combination of charm and bashfulness. By her reaction, he got it right.
"I had to show you this. It was all the rage that year! And you still wear that earring!" She actually laughed. "It's just that, with famous people you never know. Is it all an act, or are they really who they appear to be? But having met you in person and knowing what you want to do, you feel authentic. And…well, right now I find more hope in this," she shook the shirt, but Dave understood she was referring to his quiet campaign, "than in the Blessing of the Mother." The husband looked slightly alarmed.
"Dear, you don't mean that!" Her eyes flickered to the man, then back to Dave, and he saw a hollowness there.
"Well, it is an inspiration," she amended slightly. She forced a smile. "We're glad to know you and to have you on our side." At that her husband smiled and nodded his agreement.
"Thank you," Dave responded sincerely, and he turned into the short hallway to make his exit. As the door closed behind him, he let his face fall, and remembered where his famous earring had originated.
"Mom, wait here. I just left something upstairs!" Dave hoped his mother would stay put as he dashed to the elevator. The last thing he wanted was for her to come upstairs and see Eleni or her mother.
Impatiently pressing the 'close door' button, he breathed a sigh of relief as he was sealed, alone, into the mechanical box. His mother's presence would have also made it difficult to complete his true aim this night.
Taking advantage of the privacy, he pulled the button-down shirt, and corresponding undershirt, away from his sweaty skin. Summer lasted from May until September in the Citadel, and it was a hot, humid June day. He didn't normally wear such formal clothing outside of school, but tonight was a family dinner out on the town and proper etiquette was required.
Reaching the 22nd floor, he started to stride through the desks, intent upon his destination.
"There's the man!"
"Happy Birthday, Dave!"
He checked himself, realizing his focus could come across as strange. Slowing, he smiled to his father's staff.
"16! I can't believe it," Juana exclaimed. "If feels like you should still be running around my desk, like the aggravating little imp you were!" Dave smiled embarrassedly at the comment, but the woman's return smile was only fond and teasing. His father's staff were extremely loyal, and most had stayed in his service for years.
A hand clapped on his shoulder, and Dave turned to see Christian, one of the newest members of the team. The brown-skinned young man with wooly black hair was fresh out of university, and only a handful of years older than Dave.
"So, any plans?" the man said conspiratorially. Dave looked at him with exasperation.
"Dinner with my parents? What else is there?" He wouldn't be able to vote until he was 18, and drinking was technically forbidden until 20, though, some of Dave's friends had ways to get around that.
"You elite babies have no fun," Christian replied mockingly. The man had come from a more plebian background but had passed the exams to qualify for the law program, eventually landing him work in politics. Bending his head close, he whispered, "I'll see what I can do for you."
Slapping Dave's shoulder again, Christian walked on. Dave doubted anything would come from it but found the man's confidence and big brotherly attitude amusing. He continued on his way.
Eleni was dancing but spotted him as soon as he entered the conference room. She had asked him to come this night. As his birthday this year fell the evening before a Rest Day, his parents had scheduled a formal dinner to celebrate the event on the actual day. The timing was ideal: with his father's upcoming bid for re-election, a few pictures in the paper of them looking like a happy family wouldn't hurt. The campaign season would start in August.
As he approached the table by which they usually sat, Eleni finished and came over. She smiled a greeting as she dug into her school bag. She knew he didn't have a lot of time.
"Happy Birthday," she whispered, pushing a small, soft bag into his hand.
"Can I open it?" he whispered back, looking to the door to see if anyone was passing in the hall. She shook her head.
"Later, but I wanted you to have it today," she smiled, though it turned sad and he knew she wished she could be with him more to celebrate. So did he.
In these past 9 months since they had gotten back together, more so than before, he had felt frustration at what they couldn't do together. They didn't talk about the situation, but he sometimes tried to find other ways to bring a bit more happiness to the life Eleni led. He pointed out ballets and art shows to his Dad, and the man usually purchased tickets for Eleni and her mother.
At one point he had started bringing Eleni things she wouldn't be able to afford. She had given them back, however. He hadn't completely understood why but had seen that that it bothered her and stopped. Thankfully, she had kept the earrings he got her for her 15th birthday. They were silver, with delicate dangling filaments that fell in shining curtains.
He took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"Thanks!" he said, possibly a bit loudly. It wouldn't hurt for anyone to hear the casual, friendly tone.
"Have fun!" she returned, the sadness disappearing as if it had never been there.
"Dave, we have to go!" his father called out as he strode down the hall. They left.
At the restaurant, the bag Eleni had given him was constantly on his mind as he ended up playing meet and greet with many of his parent's peers. It seemed like everyone there came over to talk to them. He barely had time to eat.
"Dad, what's up with these people?" he demanded in a quiet aside to the man. His father looked amused.
"Dave, you're 16, on the edge of adulthood, good-looking, and already standing out in school." This past year he had been student council treasurer, and one of the top players on the lacrosse team, "and you are in the public eye anyway. They are curious about you, and what you'll do. What you'll become." His father's face turned serious. "Just be yourself. Being something that you are not to make others happy is difficult to sustain and no way to live." He squeezed his son's shoulder. "We'll talk more about it later."
An older woman with grey hair came over. "Dave, this is Harriet Kline. She has been a bit of a mentor to me." The man smiled at the new arrival and greeted her. Her brown well-fleshed face wreathed in wrinkles as she returned the gesture.
While he hadn't met her before, Dave was familiar with the woman. Like his father, she was a senator on the highest governing body in the Citadel. She was one of only 5 female senators. There were 20 seats in total.
Harriet turned her attention to Dave.
"Your father has mentioned that you share his interest in politics."
"I do, Senator. I'm going to run for student council president this coming fall." She nodded and smiled indulgently.
"Has some lucky girl snapped you up yet?" Dave ducked his head, embarrassed, and thought of Eleni.
"No. I've been too busy with other things." The woman watched him as he responded. Her eyebrows arched, and she looked at him as if they shared a secret.
"Is that so? Well, it won't be long before someone does." She winked at him and turned back to his father.
"Robert, I heard that Rick Kaldwell was seen having lunch with Danel Quine. The conversation was said to be intense." Robert grimaced.
"That's nothing new. They are always working on bringing people to their side. But, I think the citizens appreciate their freedoms too much to allow the military free reign again."
"Perhaps…but let's keep an eye on that. The Green party is too flighty for my tastes, and if Kaldwell and his colleagues should start to succeed in swaying people to their side, it won't take much to tip the balance. How is your campaign preparation coming?"
Dave listened with half an ear as he surveyed the room. Senator Kline's comment lingered in his thoughts. She hadn't been the first to inquire about a girlfriend that evening. It was a normal thing to expect at his age. Dave sighed.
He glanced over as his mother joined his father to greet with his colleague. Robert put a casual arm around his wife's waist, and for a moment they looked the perfect couple no matter the reality. Dave looked away, and Eleni's present burned a hole in his pocket.
Later, in his room and alone, he finally opened the precious package. As he upturned the bag, a small box fell out into his hand and within that was a single earring. It was aged-bronze in color and the shape of a sun with serrated edges, the points longer on the main axes. Eleni had always resisted his attempts to convince her to do an extracurricular, but this past winter she had finally given in and signed up for a jewelry making class. Now he knew why.
He felt like his heart would burst with happiness as he took off the non-descript earring he had been wearing, and carefully inserted Eleni's gift into his ear. He promised himself he'd never take it off.
Dave brushed away tears in the foyer of the building before exiting. He had kept that promise, though he had failed Eleni in other ways. A stray thought that his priorities had been terribly out of order sent him into a dismal state.
He left the building.
In an attempt to dispel his self-recrimination, he turned his mind to an issue he had to deal with.
"Do you really need more names? You've met 10 families. If this is to help you get through your grief and it's not working, then, Dave, I don't know that anymore will help."
Kurt was increasingly pushing back, and this time had been his strongest try so far. Dave didn't want to let on about his true plans
"I'll think about it. Speaking with these people, it's eye opening," was all he'd said in response. "I'll need to meet you again in three weeks."
Dave reviewed the conversation with Kurt. The young man hadn't reminded his informant of the consequences should he fail to provide the requested information; he'd rather avoid that if he could. Dave considered a few tactics he could take but was unable to come up with anything he felt would work. He reluctantly came to the conclusion that he would have to threaten Kurt again. Unhappy with that, Dave cast about for a different problem to distract him.
Lost in thought, he nearly ran into the person in front of him. They had stopped walking to watch something on the sidewalk. Dave jerked back in irritation, then he heard a familiar litany. His stomach turned.
"…and all else is filth. Renounce your sin and proclaim with me, 'We seek only His forgiveness!'" With disgust, Dave realized the person standing in front of him had reverently echoed the words of the sidewalk priest from Church of the Human Christ. A crowd had gathered around the proselytizing man.
Behind the priest, several youths of an age with Dave, stood in a line, their hands clasped behind them. Many wore dark leather coats; metal detailing in the form of studs, chains and even spikes, was prevalent on all the outfits. Several wore a small pin, a full-face helmet of red and gold with rectangular eye slits. Though the hero who had worn the helm had died before the creation of the Citadel, the fact that he wore an "iron" suit made him a symbolic slap in the face to a magnetist, the most feared of mutants. Dave had seen the actual helm at a house belonging to his mother's relatives; she was a Stark by blood.
The young men wore the metal and the pin as evidence that they had no fear of the Father of the Demonspawn. Similar gangs of Humanists, high schoolers or recent graduates with extra time on their hands, were known for prowling the city and harassing anyone who fell outside the norm. Their supporters professed that they never did any real harm and were exercising their right to self-expression. As a result, their activities were rarely censured, even when they were devastating. Dave felt his hands ball into fists and looked away.
"The curse of the mutants continues, and we must only look into our own hearts to find its roots!"
Dave didn't think he could bear to hear or see anymore, and instead of going around the growing group, he abruptly turned back the way he had come intending to round the buildings through an alley and reach the station that way. That plan was forgotten as he spotted a familiar face just feet behind him.
His body went cold, though his mind rapidly assessed that this meeting could easily have been a coincidence. For the second time. He was in Bloc 7 again today.
Sahira spoke first.
"What brings you to this part of town again, Dave?" He shrugged.
"Errands."
"Errands," she repeated, as if it were a quaint story, and one she clearly didn't buy.
Behind him, the words of the priest boomed, grating on Dave's ears.
"Nice seeing you, Sahira, but I'm looking to go somewhere a bit quieter." He started to walk past his classmate, but she turned and fell into step beside him.
"I thought you enjoyed the dulcet tones of Humanist threats and promises of doom." Came the snide return, "But it just happens I know somewhere quiet. This way."
"Look, I really don't have time."
"Really? You know, I've seen you here 3 times in the past three months, and I've never seen you here prior to that." Dave cringed. 5 of the families he'd seen had been from Bloc 7. "I want to know what you are up to, and you are going to tell me or I'm going spread the word in this area that you are not what you seem and shouldn't be trusted. I have a lot of family here, and people trust me." Dave thought of the young couple he just met. He didn't want to lose that support. But talking further to Sahira would be pointless; he couldn't tell her about his plans. He thought up a neat lie.
"Look, Sahira, I've been working on a project for class here, that is all."
"Since the summer?" Damn.
"It's something I've been thinking about for a while."
"Really? At the end of school last spring, you didn't seem to be thinking about getting into research projects ahead of time." Dave gritted his teeth. "What's the topic?"
"It's about how the city charter affects the daily lives of citizens. I'm interviewing people." That was a good explanation. "I have to go. See you in class." He started to turn away.
"Ever heard of the Network?" Dave froze and looked back in surprise, then wished he had kept walking. Sahira's eyes narrowed. "You do know it," she said. "I've heard there is someone talking to the families…is that you?"
Dave looked around, thinking fast. How did she know about the Network? Even bringing it up was risky.
As he assessed the risk of his current situation, it occurred to him she must have done the same. If she was willing to risk bringing up the Network, she could be a potential ally. At the least, he had to know what she was about and whether she was a threat to his goals.
"You said you know somewhere quiet." She nodded and led the way.
A short while later, they were seated at a small eating establishment, where Sahira ordered two teas for them. She seemed familiar with the people who ran the shop. While they waited for their tea, she observed him for a moment.
"So, you going to tell me?"
"How do you know about the Network?" he countered. Sahira fell silent, evaluating.
"My brother was a mutant." Dave took in a deep breath.
"I didn't know."
"Of course not!" Sahira exclaimed condescendingly. "He was older than me. It happened when he was 13, I was only 10. But we were close."
"I remember…an accident." Just vaguely he could recall a news story. Sahira nodded, but her eyes went hard.
"A lie. Given that we are somewhat visible, there had to be an acceptable explanation." Sahira's family was in the real estate business, one of the families who led projects in the constant rebuilding in the city. Until 40 years ago, most of that rebuilding had been necessary due to damage caused by mutants who had slipped past the city's comprehensive screenings. Since that time, the rebuilding had brought the city to its current glory as, block by block, centuries old sections were demolished and rebuilt anew.
"You come here often?" he said, not yet ready to show his hand. Sahira looked annoyed but answered.
"As I said, I have family here. And Natal and I both attend the temple here."
"The Hindu one?"
Sahira nodded curtly.
"I've just given you information that can damn me, Kelly. Please don't prove yourself to be an asshole just when I thought my initial impression that you were decent was correct. You did go off the deep end for a while there."
Dave took a deep breath. He hadn't spoken this to anyone, only hinted at it.
"My sister was a mutant." Sahira sat back.
"Oh. So, the rumors were true." Dave noticed an odd mix of emotion on her face.
"For a moment there, I thought you might be sympathetic to their plight," he mumbled dismissively, wondering just how dangerous it was that Sahira knew he was talking to families in the Network.
"I am! And to the families who have lost them!" Sahira looked to the side. Then he understood.
"She was a person like you or me." He sneered at the irony of the situation. Sahira was torn: on the one hand she had sympathy for the fact that Eleni had been a mutant and killed for it; on the other, it seemed she shared the widespread opinion that Eleni should never have been born. Sahira's compassion was restrained as a result.
His fellow law student changed the subject.
"Natal is sympathetic, too. I told him about Keshiv." She looked at Dave, her composure regained. "Is it true you are considering a petition for mutant amnesty?" Dave was alarmed that she had heard about that.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look. People here trust me. I helped some of these families out after their loss. It helps me as well. They aren't talking about it to just anyone."
Dave breathed in to calm himself, then answered.
"Yes. If there is enough support." Sahira took in a deep breath. He continued. "There is a law allowing a population wide referendum."
"That's centuries old!"
"But it's on the books." Sahira looked dubious but intrigued. Dave leaned in. "Sahira, I believe there is a chance it can happen. And if that chance exists, we should take it."
She stared at him for a long moment.
"You're crazy." He smiled slightly, inwardly willing her to see that he was earnest and clear-of-thought. Her mouth twisted hesitantly, and then she laughed, nervously, but she was nodding at the same time. "OK. Tell me more."