A Half-Baked Life 10 (Tamberlane Webcomic, Human!SI)
Important AN: I had to rewrite a few previous chapters since it came out as recent lore that one of the edicts strictly forbids Humans/Human Thoughts to be spread. So, John and Tamberlane are of an 'unknown' species since John 'forgot' due to the amnesia, but he has awareness of sicknesses and stuff that could really matter in medical situations.
I had a report written and it wasn't a nice report. It took me a lot of time to conjure something that missed on the Abroad issue, and I really hoped that Jentzen had not told his adoptive mother what really happened because any chance to unscrew his screw up would really be worrisome.
So, as the new day came, I took the chance to speedily go late to school as I took a sharp detour to find the office of the Councilwoman I was looking for. Part of me really wanted to involve Tess first, but I was aware that the quicker I acted, the lesser the chances of Jentzen to tell her what really happened.
Yes, Councilwoman for Education Genevieve was Jentzen's adoptive mother- she was in charge of an entire orphanage and, despite her kindness, the cowlady was extremely serious about her role in the council. Which really was about to create a bit of a storm as I finally found her already at her post, scribbling on paper.
"Miss Genevieve."
My voice ripped through the quiet chores of her assistants, some creatures pausing to glance in my direction for a moment before shifting back to their tasks. Genevieve's gaze persisted some more, a mixture of annoyance and frustration mixing as I approached.
"Mr. Bukharin. If this is about Jentzen's current suspension-"
"It does."
"Then it should be addressed with Jentzen. He is the worker and-"
"I require a private meeting, Miss Genevieve," I interrupted once more, taking a seat in front of her and drawing her frown to a confused look. "Your son violated the local laws... at best."
Once again, more animals paused and frowned towards me, but rather than let this moment linger for far too long, the cow rolled her eyes and stood up from her chair, gesturing to me to follow as we entered her private room. She took a seat and I did the same but now it was just the two of us.
"Explain."
"The reason behind Jentzen's suspension was to stop him from violating an edict. Edict 2, Abroad shall not be Glorified or Discussed."
I saw Genevieve tense up, outraged but also aware that, perhaps, this was not too absurd of a possibility.
"He wouldn't have never-"
"I was able to scream him out enough to get him to quiet up, then have him removed before he could have gone deep about it, and this is why I am here with a report about Jentzen. Callie and I, but also the students, were aware that Abroad was pushed forth as a needed 'topic' by your son and yet I am not here to put you on the bad spot of exiling him or to have him face a pit-fight," I explained tensely, letting out this speech I had prepared for a while now. "I want Jentzen to be put through forced labor as a forest ranger for the duration of two years as per punishment for violating Article Six Clause C of the Village Charter, which is-"
"Going above the limitations of the role and unconsciously putting innocents in jeopardy," The Councilwoman readily interrupted, citing the line itself and then sighed. "He is going to hate it."
"I think it's best to be in a horrible job for a few years rather than have to face a far worse punishment- something that the council has been quietly reforming while hiding from the parliament's gaze."
My last line drew an uneasy expression out of the cow.
"W-What are you talking about?"
"The pit fights were not stopped by the Parliament, yet the council has been moved to curb away any chance for those to be 'a must'. It doesn't meant that they are not expected, but that reports have been fudged up."
"You don't-"
"I know enough that I am aware the council is already breaking Edict 8 and thus breaking Edicts 9 and 10 due to this. Merciful Reforms are not 'animal thoughts' after all."
...
"What does it have to do with Jentzen?"
"Nothing," I admitted, stunned briefly by the barb displayed by the councilwoman. "That topic is wrapped up as soon as you get that dealt with. The reason why I wanted your son's situation solved first is so that we can both tackle this both as responsible adults and also as parents- I am a violation of the Edicts myself."
"...Tamberlane too?"
"Yes."
"How?" Genevieve inquired, her gaze losing tension as she tried to wrap her head around what I was saying. "You two have done nothing to warrant a violation of the Edicts."
"Except existing."
...
An intellectual as Genevieve took very little from my response to realize what I was talking about. And she was instantly tensing up, as if expecting me to be some sort of murderous monster.
"Humans."
"Yes."
"You two are-"
"Humans, yes," I sighed, scratching my chin. "It took me a while to realize this was the word I was missing. You see, I found this forbidden book around about some old human theories and I realized what was going on- well, kind of."
"Are you two... a threat?"
"No. Tamberlane is far from one even if she tried, I could be a threat to only those that are not willing to entertain diplomacy."
"The edicts-"
"Are already broken in Tree Hollow," I sharply snapped, causing the cow to recoil in fright. "What I want is the status quo to be uphold."
"W-Why are you telling me this then?"
"Because it's best to not be the only one with the lie and to have the council aware that there are more rules broken than they want to."
"You want... to organize a session?"
"Possibly after the trip and not as an emergency one," I pointed out. "First deal with Jentzen's punishment, then we will discuss with the rest of the council on what has to be done to... cover things up."
"S-Still, John. I need to ask," The cow interrupted strongly. "Are you two... good?"
"...Do you love your family, Genevieve?"
"Yes-"
"Put yourself in my shoes, how dangerous can a a parent be if their kid face a possible death for merely existing?"
...
"I will... I will handle this quietly."
I nodded in agreement and-
"Does Belfry know?"
That was the biggest issue for me, and the one I had to tackle carefully before it exploded on my face.
"Not yet. But soon. Before the big meeting."
Genevieve didn't look too pleased by this, but didn't pressure me to give more details. I just left with the hope that 'things will keep being civil', but I had a feeling that the future meeting was going to be hell on Earth for sure.
But not as hellish as trying to make sense of the words I needed to use to tell Belfry the truth...
AN
A big bomb was defused, the next one may be a bit more difficult to tackle...