Belia- Calling Home

Belia pulls out her holo-node. She's thought about contacting her family on several occasions, but she's not that close to her parents and with her brother's treatment she didn't feel like she could call him either. Simply put, there was no reason for her to contact her family, until now. Belia puts the node on the bed and tells it to contact her father. His hologram appears. It's not as clear as it would be back home, but the reception wasn't too bad.

"Belia," her father says as he answers.

"Father."

"You haven't contacted us since you left. Thankfully Rin and Kya have been keeping us informed," her father says, which doesn't surprise Belia much.

"I called to inform you the date for the wedding has been set." Belia pauses, but her father says nothing. "It's going to be in three days."

"Three days!" Belia can hear her mother say in the background.

"I agree that is a bit soon," her father says.

"You haven't been forced to do anything have you?" Belia's mother says coming into view of the hologram.

"Not exactly, due to current circumstances, it was advised to move the wedding to the earliest convenience," Belia says, knowing she shouldn't tell her parents that the palace was attacked, again. "The official invitations are going to be sent out soon, but you needed to be informed so you could prepare."

"I'll get started on the preparations," Belia's father says and leaves the hologram.

"Have they been treating you well?" Belia's mother asks.

"Yes, the Emperor and Empress are surprisingly kind people," Belia says, "and Timur has made sure I'm well taken care of." Belia thinks back to his summary execution.

"Is something the matter?" Belia's mother asks. "I may not be able to read your mind, but your face is telling me something is bothering you."

"Just pre-wedding jitters," Belia lies.

"Are you sure it's not something else?" Belia gives her mother a convincing smile and tells her it's nothing she needs to worry about.

"Will Bela be able to come, I know he was hoping to?" Belia asks, changing subjects.

"He's making great progress, but I'm not sure. He hasn't had an episode since he arrived on Lenus, or so we've been told."

"That's great!" Belia says. "Maybe he just needed a change of scenery," Belia comments, and the look her mother gives her makes Belia regret making it.

"We did the best we could for him," Belia's mother scolds. "You should be thankful he is doing well rather than judging the way we parents and took care of you kids. Bela wouldn't need a change in scenery, as you put it, if you didn't get involved and acted as you should have." It's a low blow and it takes every fiber in Belia's being to keep it together. Belia remains quiet as her mother tells her about what's going on back home. When Belia can no longer keep her emotions in check she interrupts her mother.

"I'm sorry but the Prince needs to see me," Belia says. "We will talk more at the wedding," Belia says. She can feel blood come from her nose as she puts on a front.

"Belia?" her mother questions, but Belia hangs up before her mother could utter another syllable. This is why she's not contacted her family. Tears begin to fall, their salty taste mixing with the metallic taste of the blood as the two liquids meet on her lips. It was a harmless comment that her mother took too personally and in her unnecessary scolding, she broke open an old wound of Belia's. Belia is feeling too many negative emotions; anger, sadness, self-loathing, disappointment, loneliness. Belia sits on the floor, her legs tucked into her chest, and her arms wrapped around her head as if she's trying to block out all of the negative comments her mother has told her through the years.

Belia feels a hand on her shoulder and a calming presence next to her. At first, she thinks it's Rin, but when she looks up, Timur's concerned face is next to her. Timur puts his arms around her and holds her close in an attempt to comfort her. Belia pushes him away. He says something, but Belia can't hear him. Timur looks a little panicked. Timur suddenly pushes her down. Belia hits her head and she hears a lot of crashing sounds.

"Belia?" she hears Timur say. He's on top of her. "Are you okay?" Timur helps Belia sit up. Belia looks at Timur, not sure how to answer him. "I came back to check on you and I heard a lot of loud noises. The door was open and when I opened it everything was flying around." Belia looks around the room and it looks like a wind storm had blown through. The wall hangings, if they were still on the wall, were all crooked. Most of the loose decorations were lying on the floor in several pieces. The furniture was all askew.

"M'Lady are you alright, I heard a noise…" Kya says as she enters. "Oh no."

"What's wrong?" Timur asks.

"I'm going to go get Rin, please stay with her, Your Highness." Kya quickly leaves. When they return, Rin and Kya prepare the bed. "Help Rin get her on the bed," Kya instructs. Timur and Rin pick Belia up and place her on the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"Another wall came down," Kya explains.

"Is there anything we can do?" Timur asks.

"Let her rest and hope she snaps out of this." Belia closes her eyes, the light in the room becoming too bright. When she opens them again she sees Kya and Rin cleaning the room while Timur sits next to the bed. Belia sits up, a headache forming.

"How are you feeling?" Timur asks.

"Better now that I've slept," Belia says. "I'm sorry for causing a scene."

"You couldn't help it, or I'm assuming you couldn't help it," Timur says.

"M'Lady, respectfully, you need to calm down. You're too stressed," Kya tells Belia, and Belia agrees.

"I'll handle everything with the wedding," Timur says. "You can take these next few days and rest."

"I can help you on the Princess's behalf," Kya says and Timur nods.

"Your brother has arrived," Belia says as there's a knock on the door. Rin answers it and a servant informs Timur his brother has arrived.

"Thank you," Timur says and the servant leaves. "Well that's my cue, will you be needing anything?"

"I should be fine now," Belia tells him.

"Well if you ever need me, come get me," Timur says. He thanks Rin and Kya before leaving.

"You're getting worse," Kya says bluntly. "I didn't think you could use your telekinesis."

"Your powers are coming back," Rin says. "I can feel it. Although, this time they seem to be a bit stronger than when your father put those barriers up."

"I just need some rest," Belia says, but she senses both her servants disagree, but neither argues with her.