105- Establishing Roles

"That didn't sound like a question," Quayleigh remarked to Phaedra who was sitting next to her on the couch. "Is that why you had me look at those sigils on the wall?"

"Yes," he replied, his expression softening.

"I don't understand. What about my answers lead you to believe I was trained by a magus?"

"Quayleigh, you drew your answers, and you drew them the same way a Magus of old would. More precisely, the way all mages once did. And even if he didn't voice it, I know Magister Inniken came to the same conclusion I did."

"Which is?"

"One of Nikolum Ziatae's apprentices is still alive. And if they were the one that taught you, you should have recognized the Magus' sigil."

"I don't even know what to say. I've never heard that name before, and I don't know who trained the one who gave me my lesson," she replied honestly.

Cole had never once spoken of his master, and while she did recognize one of the sigils, she was certain that it couldn't have been the one Phaedra had suspected.

"Here we are," Tau remarked, setting the tea tray on to the table. "Quayleigh taught me how to prepare this, but I may still need some practice."

"I appreciate your hospitality regardless," Phaedra replied while Tau picked up the pot and filled the mugs.

"He's being humble. He makes excellent tea," Quayleigh praised him as she watched the beauty of his inner self maneuver alongside his acquired body.

"I noticed that you have a tendency to look above him."

"You'll have to excuse me for that. His inner form takes on a different shape. He appears taller to me now. That isn't as unusual as it sounds."

"Is your teacher the same way?"

"You should deign to be more direct Phaedra. Fishing is not a good look on you," she said finding it difficult not to smirk, as Tau handed her a mug.

"Very well. I want to know about who taught you your magic," Phaedra responded, receiving a mug of his own.

"And I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. Until you have as much to lose as they do, that isn't going to change. What I can tell you though, is that they only gave me lessons because I was being stupid and messing around with magic that I didn't understand. Then they kept training me because they were trying to prepare me for the MET's entry exams; to save me, in their own way," she explained as Tau sat on the couch across from her, drawing her attention.

"You never took those exams though," Phaedra remarked causing her to turn to him and shake her head.

"No, I never did."

"I'm surprised, although I'm certain you have your reasons. But it's a shame you never did. You were certainly trained well enough. You would have passed with ease," he commented as she sipped at her tea.

"It certainly doesn't feel that way down in your archives," she replied hastily having swallowed.

"Perhaps. But based on your answers you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for. Surly you're aware that you could pass the bar, even now?"

Quayleigh was shocked nearly dropping her mug. "You're joking right? There's no freaking way I could manage that. Riannoske can vouch for me on this. I'm struggling with basic level reading comprehension. If I can pass the bar doing that, that bar is officially sitting on the floor."

"What you're struggling with is ancient dialects. Even the most basic take years of study," Phaedra retorted while laughing. "Based on your aptitude test, you are more than qualified to take the bar exam. Your reading comprehension for the current standard is spot on. And as much as I wish you were naturally gifted in philology or linguistic anthropology, that is undoubtedly not the case. Nor is it the case for at least half of the people working in the archives. So do try to keep in mind that if you had received the same training as them, you wouldn't be struggling, just as they don't. Your natural talent lies more in the direction of Horticulture. And that department would be lucky to have you amongst them."

"Yeah, until their department turns into a jungle," she grimaced over the top of her cup. "I don't keep house plants for a reason. I would be interested in going over that aptitude test with you though, if it's possible. I'm curious how my answers told you so much about me."

"I'm certain that won't be a problem," he replied as he calmed his laughter. "You truly are just like your father. Ever the curious. Always wanting to know the answers. Even if you turned the greenhouse into a jungle, I've no doubt that you would stop at nothing to learn mastery over your gift."

"He's right, you wouldn't stop," Tau chimed in, grinning towards her.

"Okay, I probably wouldn't, but it's all a moot point. I love this life I have. Even with the struggles, I couldn't give it up to live and work for the Tribunal. I'm used to the freedoms I have, and to be completely honest, I find the way they treat you appalling. You shouldn't have to be afraid to visit someone or need permission to go on a vacation. And you certainly shouldn't have to kowtow to those assholes who refuse to acknowledge that you have a name. It may not be the name you were born with, but it is your name now. You are a Vershinin, and that means you are welcome wherever I am."

"Thank you for that," Phaedra said, his eyes glued to the surface of his tea.

"Right, sorry. It's not like you had a choice in the matter."

"You're right, I didn't. And having grown up as I did, I wouldn't know what to do with myself out here, in this world away from the MET. And I was luckier than most. Having met Sebastian when I did, I wasn't as sheltered as the other abandonments and orphans. He told me that there was more to the world than books in a room and rules to follow. I just never found the motivation to seek those things after he passed, and that is to say nothing of the horrendous cost of walking away. There are those who have the right to enjoy living outside of the MET and commuting to work, and I could seek the certification to do the same, but everything I've ever known has been there. Who knows, maybe you and Dylan can become my reason to try. I have certainly enjoyed this marvelous cup of tea as well as the company."

"And we've enjoyed having you here," Tau remarked as he uncrossed his legs and sat forward, placing his cup onto the table. "But now I must ask you a question, and I hope you'll take no offense."

"I will do my best," Phaedra replied, lowering his mug in turn.

"The truth of her eye is a closely guarded secret. Can we trust you with that information?"

Quayleigh glared across at Tau. He had been far to blunt for her liking, and it caused her to worry. She knew what people could be like with secrets, often finding the things of interest to be the only things worthy of spreading. And pointing this out seemed like the wrong way to handle the situation.

"Who she chooses to share that information with is her business, not mine. As far as I'm concerned it has nothing to do with our study nor is it responsible for that creature's presence, and that means that it isn't worth mentioning to anyone."

"And if it ever becomes something worth mentioning?" Tau followed up only adding to the discomfort of the situation.

"Dylan, darling, don't push it."

"Really, it's okay," Phaedra said with a soft chuckle. "I can understand him being protective of you. So, let me make this clear; I do not believe that you are responsible for the creature's arrival here or its current behavior. However, if this creature is one of Death's servants, then it is very possible that your eye, being that it was touched and healed by Death, is the reason that you've been drawn into all of this. If it can sense some of its master in you, it's reasonable that it would move in your orbit. It may even be how it found its way to this city from somewhere else, if it didn't arrive here directly that is. Either way, I don't want her to be blamed for this or tied to it, in any way. We will do the research as requested. We will find a satisfactory answer for the police, and then we can focus on finding the truth."

"I'm honestly relieved to hear you say that," she remarked, looking towards Phaedra.

"And I'm rather surprised. For someone who's never had a sister, you certainly seem to be making a good brother," Tau added as he picked up his tea and returned to a more relaxed posture. "I believe you're being honest, and I thank you for that."

"You're welcome, but I'm simply doing for her what her father did for me. And as protective as you are, you're only one man. Inside the MET, there isn't much you can do for her."

"Perhaps not, but you aren't alone in your endeavor either," Tau said as his phone began to ring.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he stood up and headed out of the living room, saying, "Excuse me. I need to take this. It's the security desk," before answering, "Hello?"

"You know, you have a right to think of him as your father too. You had more time with him than I ever did, and that counts for something. He was OUR father, Phaedra. Blood or not, we're family because of him," she said as Tau came back into the room holding the phone out to Phaedra.

"Sorry to interrupt. It's your driver," he said as Phaedra took the phone from him.

"Yes?" Phaedra said as he placed the phone to his ear, his pleasant expression fading, sinking into a scowl the longer the driver continued to talk. "Understood. I'll be down shortly," he concluded before handing the phone back to Tau. "I apologize, I must depart."

"Is everything okay?" Quayleigh asked, quickly setting her mug onto the table as he stood.

"I don't know," he replied as she stood up next to him. "I was just informed that the Tribunal has issued a mandatory summons to all personnel. Failure to report in by the end of the hour will lead to criminal chargers."

Looking over at the clock, she grabbed a hold of Phaedra's hand, instantly infuriated by the situation and the unjustifiable punishment for their near impossible demand.

"You have about twenty minutes to get back. Have your driver turn right out of the driveway and then two blocks north of here at Livingston Street turn left. It isn't marked but it will take you back to the highway. If he tries to cut through the city from here, you won't make it in time, not with the traffic at this hour," she explained while pulling him towards the door. "Dylan will take you down to the car, and if you think for a moment that you aren't going to make it back in time, I want you to come back here to us, even if you have to get out and run."

At first, Phaedra seemed stunned by what was happening, and even as she covered over her eye, opened the door and pushed him out into the hallway, he appeared resigned to the situation, standing tall, calm and relaxed.

"Quayleigh," he said as she pushed the call button for the elevator while Tau was putting on his shoes. "Thank you, for all of this, but I'm going to be fine. Despite the threatening sound of their mandate, I assure you they can be reasonable. I'm far more concerned as to the reason why they issued the summons. It's highly unusual."

"Well then, while you're concerned about that, I'm going to remain concerned about you."

"Fair enough," he replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as Tau came and joined them in the hall. "Thank you both for today. I had hoped for different, but sometimes even the best laid plans get spoiled."

"I know, and I'm so sorry. I really was looking forward to our lunch together. You should ask Riannoske to join you instead. You shouldn't eat alone, and I bet he would enjoy spending more time with you."

"That does sound like a nice idea. Perhaps I'll do that," he replied as the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.

"And Phaedra," she said as he turned around, "please call me."

"As soon as I know something. I promise."

She smiled and waved as the doors closed, knowing full well what was awaiting him back at the MET. Turning around, she headed back into the condo.

"Uru, are you in here or did you go with Tau?" she asked as she headed towards the couch.

"I am here," Uroxuz replied, crawling out of his dimension beside her, the smell of him causing her to stop and turn, while the sight made her step back and gag.