Disenchantment

The image of the Synthetic boy from the ride flashes into my mind. I let out a shaky breath and turn to my right. I meet her stare. Anger-engulfed eyes piercing into mine. Her jaw filled with air. I turn to Callahan for support. He stares at her in shock.

"Calm down Odessa." My mother instructs. Odessa sits back in her seat, her look of anger turning into worry.

Servants clear our finished dishes and bring in hot plates filled with lamb. As they lay it down, I bring my knife and fork over it. The food turns to a plate filled with wriggling larvae before shifting back to normal.

"Luca broke several Praxis Laws. Although he passed the initial testing further probing was needed." My mother says as she begins eating. "That is what the brief sent to me from the Safety and Security Ministry said."

I put mt knife and fork back down. A chill runs down my spine at the word probing. This is about getting me in line. There's no plan, no script. This is unchartered depths. I need to improvise or else nothing is going to work.

"This isn't about Luca being detained. This is about a close friend of mine. It's all a power play by the Equilistors, which we have already given too much power to. First, they 'escort' Callahan here," I turn to see Odessa's reaction. Her eyes dart to my mother, "Desacralizing Citadel in the process, and now taking a friend who has been like a brother to me."

"Yes, having an Equilistor here was a mistake on my part. However, they did not step foot here. He was transported to one of our vehicles mid-air - thanks to Noble Odessa."

"Yet, they saw the castle." Odessa says.

"If we let them keep Luca, House of Konn will appear weak." I say, continuing to the fan the fire. Appealing to her fondness of Luca won't work. If I can get Odessa and try spilt the 2-2 decision to a 3-1 in favor of Luca's release, although my mother is a proud woman, that could better my odds and force her to our side.

My mother clasps her hands and speaks.

"You, Luca and Cassian have been inseparable for 13 years. You have gotten yourself too attached to these people and I fear it will only hamper you when your Ascension Day arrives," She gestures for servants to take her plate and she continues, "Eventually you will have to leave these people and never see them again."

"Having such close connections is pointless. The inevitability that comes with all things pleasurable but destructive." Odessa chimes in.

"You need three votes to revoke their decision. I vote no," my mother says and stares at Odessa. "Odessa what is your vote?"

With eyes closed, I sit back in my seat and stroke my eyebrow with my index finger.

"No." I hear her say.

"Callahan voted yes." I speak. Callahan doesn't respond and I open my eyes to see him staring at his food confused – his implants beaming red. The air feels thick as a pregnant pause fills the air.

"It is settled, we are not revoking their decision." My mother says.

***

It's evening, diner has passed and Luca is sure to be doomed to spend time in the Safety and Security Ministry precinct. I should tell someone - maybe Cassian. I should have called immediately. Truth be told, it's gone on so long, I'm too embarrassed to tell him. Yet here I am, at Jun's house.

I don't feel like me, I feel hot and fatigued - fever gripped. Evening breezes turning beads of sweat to ice while hot blood sloshes at the back of my throat. I fold my handkerchief, concealing the bright red blot, and wipe my forehead again. I ring the bell and wait. She soon answers the door and I stare at her blankly. Seeing her confirms what I'm doing. The first time could be ruled as a mistake, not the second. This time it's voluntary and I fear this is the start of a constant pilgrimage.

"Could I indulge you in another dream?" I ask.

She smiles forcing a smile out of me. She leads me in and hangs my white coat before taking me through her narrow wooden passage to her silver dome-like art room. I sit across from her cluttered art desk with hands anxiously on my knees. She sits down behind it and the large screen comes to life.

"I had a dream the other day, about an amusement park." I begin.

***