A/N: Well, it's February 19th and you know what that means. That's right it's time for my annual update! Enjoy!
Chapter Five
Genius
Hermes settled himself on the couch in the modest suburban living room of his latest stop. He was already certain that this conversation was going to go much more smoothly than his last one had.
Odie's parents had cheerfully welcomed him into their home and offered him refreshments. Now, it was time to get down to business.
"My name is Mr. Comm, and I represent the New Olympia Academy for the Gifted," Hermes began. "I'm here to offer Odie a place there."
He pulled some brightly colored brochures from his briefcase. Hermes had faked everything in them, of course, apart from an address where they could send Odie mail and a telephone number and e-mail address that would connect them to him. He'd gotten the idea after talking to Archie's mother. While speaking to her, it had occurred to him that having a few visual aids might make this whole process a bit easier.
"This all looks wonderful," Odie's mother said, after taking a moment to look over the brochure, "and of course we'd love to enroll Odie in a school like this."
"He's such an intelligent boy," Odie's father cut in. "We really don't know where he gets it. He's always reading books or tinkering with something in the garage. It's not easy for him, though. He's so different and the other kids just can't seem to relate to him."
"That's why it's such a shame that we can't afford to give Odie an opportunity like the one you're offering," Odie's mother sighed. "I'm confident that in a school like the one you represent, allowed to interact with people at his level, Odie would finally be able to make some friends. Unfortunately, we simply don't have the money to pay the tuition fees a private school of this calibre would require."
"I'm sorry," Hermes apologized. "I forgot to mention that Odie is, of course, eligible for a full scholarship."
"Really?" Odie's parents both perked up visibly at this unexpected development.
"Absolutely, the head of the Academy is always on the lookout for bright young minds to join the ranks of the student body, and in situations like yours, where the family is unable to afford tuition, the school offers a full scholarship."
"Well, that's wonderful news," Odie's mother declared.
"Yes," Odie's father agreed, "but I do think we should discuss this with Odie before we come to a decision."
Hermes sighed inwardly. Now came the most difficult part of all this, explaining to the parents of yet another young hero that their child was already gone.
"Actually," he said, striving to maintain a cheerful tone despite his inner turmoil, "I've already taken the liberty of speaking with Odie. He was quite enthusiastic about attending the school, so I sent him off with a colleague."
"It's not like Odie to just take off without permission," Odie's mother murmured worriedly.
"He was excited," Hermes explained, "and when I told him I'd tell you what was going on, he couldn't wait to go."
"He didn't even say good-bye," Odie's mother sighed.
Hermes felt terrible. Odie had asked, in fact he'd practically begged to say good-bye to his parents. Hermes wished he could've allowed it, but it was imperative that he get the boy safely out of Cronus' reach as quickly as possible.
"If it's any consolation," Hermes offered, "he did give me this note for you."
He handed over a piece of paper on which Odie had scrawled a brief message.
"Dear Mom and Dad," Odie's father began reading the letter aloud. "I'm sorry I'm not there to tell you this in person, but after talking to Mr. Comm I can't wait to see the New Olympia Academy in person. By now, I'm sure he's explained everything, and I know you'll let me go to school there. Mr. Comm's associate, Ms. Griffin, is going to take me on a tour of the campus as soon as I arrive. I can't wait! Mr. Comm tells me I'll be living in an off-campus dorm with six other recent transfer students, and I hope we'll all become good friends. I'll send you an e-mail as soon as I'm settled. Wish me luck! Love, Odie."
"He sounds so happy," Odie's mother mused softly.
Odie's father nodded in agreement.
"And he'll be able to come home to visit during the holidays," she added.
"Of course," Hermes agreed, cringing inwardly at yet another lie.
Odie's parents exchanged a look and seemed to come to a consensus.
"Odie has our permission at attend the Academy," Odie's father said.
"Wonderful," Hermes declared. "Now if you'll excuse me I have other appointments."
He rose and shook both their hands, silently relieved that this ordeal was over. Odie's mother escorted him to the door.
"Please take good care of our boy," she said as he left.
"Of course." Hermes smiled, adding an unspoken, I promise.
A/N: This one's a bit shorter than the last, but I think it works. I find I enjoy coming up with different scenarios for each chapter. Until next time, which I hope won't be a year from now.