With a plan made, Mom clapped her hands together and announced, "Okay, let's clear the table and walk over to the clinic." I glanced around the table and realized that the plates were empty.
I stood up in compliance and carried my plate over to the dishwasher as Mom and Aunt Fraya cleared the serving platters. Turning around, I saw Julie and Jake still holding their plates, confusion written all over their faces. They had never seen a magical dishwasher before.
"Here, let me help you," I said, taking their plates and placing them into the dishwasher along with mine. The adults followed suit, emptying their plates and silverware. As Mom charged up the mana crystal, she activated the device, and Daedalus-constructed arms emerged from the walls of the dishwasher. They began scrubbing the dishes and utensils clean, water splashing without a care.
The machine didn't care what the family went through. It just did its job happily for its simple purpose.
Aunt Fraya watched with an amused grin, "That stuff might be the thing I miss most about magic."
Mom smirked and gestured to the front door. "Let's finish up and start walking over to the clinic." I motioned for Jake and Julie to follow me, leading them through the once-familiar hallways of my childhood home that now looked strangely foreign. The exchange paintings repeated the motions from history that didn't feel real.
We reached the front door, slipped on our shoes, and walked outside to sit on the bench near the entrance. It felt saner and normal outside than in the house.
I glanced at Jake, concern creeping into my voice. "How are you holding up?"
He shook his head, his eyes distant. "I'm not sure yet...you?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of the past few days. "I don't know. Confused i guess."
At that moment, Julie jumped up, spun around, and hugged both of us tightly around the neck. Her warmth and energy were a brief comfort amidst the emotional storm. Her grip was surprisingly strong for such a little person.
"Everything will be okay. We are still family," she whispered, though I couldn't tell if she was trying to reassure us or herself.
Soon after, the adults emerged from the house, and my dad meticulously locked the door behind us. He gave it a firm tug to double-check its security before gesturing for us to follow. Our family procession felt solemn as Mom led us toward the clinic, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
The clinic was situated next to the town square, and it stood out in contrast to the surrounding buildings with its boxy architecture. Above the entrance, a banner displayed the clinic's name, but it seemed to change language every time I glanced at it. It was an odd sight, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease growing within me.
Not from the sign. It was normal. I just kept thinking about the revelations and getting more confused about my own memories, emotions, history, perception, reality...
As we walked through the front door, the receptionist greeted us with a cheery, "How can we help you..." Her voice trailed off as she looked up and saw my mom. The angelic woman jumped up from her seat, wings ruffling in agitation. "Ma'am, did you need something?"
Mom waved a hand dismissively. "No, no. Everything is fine. We just need to check something out. We'll be using exam room 5."
"Of course," the angel replied with a nod, composing herself quickly. She returned to her desk as we made our way down the corridor.
I couldn't shake the feeling that everything happening around me was surreal – like I'd stepped into another world entirely.
As we walked into the exam room, I couldn't help but shudder at the sight of it. The sterile white walls and familiar medical equipment brought back memories of painful moments in my life. How many times had I been patched up in rooms just like this? Countless incidents with bullies, accidents, and problems arising from people who believed I shouldn't exist had led me here and in rooms like this time and time again. Yet, despite all of that, I was still alive and standing.
"Alright," Mom said, clapping her hands together to draw our attention. "Let's get started."
She smacked the raised bed/table thing and looked at Julie. "Hop up here, sweetheart." Julie did as she was told, curling up into the smallest shape she could manage. It was obvious she was trying to make herself inconspicuous, her nervousness was palpable. The rest of us stood awkwardly along the wall, trying to offer silent support.
"Please lay down, hands flat," Mom instructed Julie gently. She obeyed without hesitation, her eyes wide with anticipation. Mom reached for the scanner hanging above the bed and pulled it within inches of Julie.
"Okay dear, this doesn't hurt. It just takes images," Mom assured her, trying to ease her nerves with perfect bedside manners.
"Like an x-ray?" Julie asked tentatively, searching for something familiar to cling to. I noticed her reaching for her right arm.
Mom smiled, though I didn't quite understand what Julie meant. "Yes, exactly like an x-ray, but better." Mom reached for Julie's arm and laid it down flat on the table/bed.
As Mom took out the wand from the holder on the side of the devise and began the scanning process. I found myself holding my breath. A mix of hope and anxiety swirled inside me. Somehow, this was a welcomed distraction from the revelations about myself. We all needed answers – not only for Jake and me but for Julie as well. Our family had been thrown into chaos, and we desperately needed some clarity.
At least on one specific question.
I glanced over at Jake, whose face was a mask of tightly-controlled emotions. He was trying so hard to be strong for Julie, but I could see the cracks beneath the surface. I wished there were words i could use to express how much I cared for him.
The scanner hummed to life, casting an array of bright colors over Julie's small form. I watched as Mom skillfully manipulated her wand, guiding the images to reveal the mysterious inner workings of Julie's body. It was like a dance between magic and science, and for a moment, I allowed myself to be captivated by the strange beauty of it all, letting the clouds of bad emotions slip away for a brief moment.
"Interesting," Mom murmured, pausing on the image of Julie's mana circulation system. "It looks like you have all your organs intact and mana flowing throughout your body. No deformities. Your mana capacity is a bit on the lower side, but it is most likely due to a lack of use and practice. As for your affinity, you don't have any restrictions."
Aunt Fraya released a loud exhale, her wide eyes darting around the room. "Sorry, I didn't know I was holding my breath."
Julie frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Wait, so I don't have any affinity? From books, that usually means what kind of magic I can use. Does this mean I can't use any magic? Or can I use all the magic? Or does fantasy book logic not apply here?"
Mom shook her head, her warm smile returning. "No, in medical terms, affinity refers to the restrictions on what kind of magic you cannot do. Some mutations make it harder to do certain types of magic. Some species have those restrictions permanently. And sometimes there are innate magics that can only be done by those species."
Julie's eyes sparkled with newfound excitement. "So I can do any magic?"
"Fully healthy, no problems," Mom confirmed, nodding with pride.
I felt a mix of relief and joy bubble up inside me at this revelation. I was good happy that Julie was healthy and able to move forward. At least it was a bit of good news today.
"Thank you," Julie whispered, her voice full of gratitude. "This means a lot to me."
The joy I felt for Julie was short lived, as I glanced at Jake, my heart ached. His facial expressions were a whirlwind - relief, pain, anger, happiness, and bitterness all vying for dominance. He looked down at the floor, his voice barely a whisper, "Can you check me please..."
His quiet words silenced everyone in the room. He looked up at Mom with tears in his eyes that threatened to roll out and down his cheeks. "Can you please check me as well?"
Mom nodded and motioned to the machine.
Julie slid off the bed without hesitation, giving Jake the space he needed. As he lay down on the examination table, I noticed how tense he looked. His hands gripped the edges of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white again. Mom pointed her wand to his hands and quickly did a healing spell to fix the wounds he gave himself, digging his nails into his palms.
Mom moved the scanner over Jake, turning it on in silence. The machine hummed quietly as it worked, casting vibrant colors across the room. After thirty seconds, she moved it into position for us to view. Once again, she used her wand to navigate through the different views - organs, bones, blood vessels, the nervous system, lymphatic, and finally, stopping on the mana circulation system.
This time, though, the once bright and active images were now completely dark. Mom's face fell, and her voice was much quieter than before. "You see, your specific mutation has the circulation system, and you can use magic, but your glands aren't collecting mana. Which means you don't have mana to fuel spells." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she whispered, "I'm sorry."
Jake retreated to where we stood along the wall, Aunt Fraya's outstretched hand falling limply to her side as he moved out of her reach. His voice was barely audible, a whisper choked with emotion. "I'm sorry, give me a little time. Please focus on Julie."
Julie's eyes brimmed with tears, and she shuffled across the room to Aunt Fraya, who enveloped her in a warm embrace. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating like a fog that refused to lift.
Uncle Paul cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So now that we know what kind of magic Julie has, what do we do?"
My dad glanced at Jake, who had retreated into himself, before meeting Uncle Paul's gaze. "Well, since she has a full circulation and her affinities are fine, she should learn how to control her power to stay safe and not hurt anyone."
"Are you saying you want her to move here?" Uncle Paul asked concern etched on his face.
Dad shook his head. "As mentioned, that's one option. But there is also the option of finding a tutor. I can look at listings on the scroll at home."
"Which is better?" Uncle Paul pressed, seeking reassurance.
Dad shrugged, his expression somber. "Honestly speaking, it depends on her future goals."
As I stood there, listening to the adults discuss Julie's fate, I felt worry about Jake. He remained silent, staring blankly at the floor, lost in his own thoughts. The weight of the truth we'd just uncovered piece by piece bore down on us all like a heavy anchor, threatening to drag us under.
It wasn't fair; life had thrown so many curveballs at us lately, and it didn't seem like things were going to get easier any time soon. But one thing I knew for certain was that we would face whatever challenges came our way together, as a family.
My thoughts were interrupted by Uncle Paul kneeling down beside Julie, his eyes soft and understanding. "What do you want to do?" he asked gently.
Julie's gaze lingered on Jake for a moment, her eyes filled with sadness before she looked back at Uncle Paul and whispered, "I don't want to move away from home."
Aunt Fraya stepped forward, determination shining in her eyes. "Then we'll find a way to make that happen," she declared, wrapping her arms around Julie in a reassuring hug again.
"Alright," Mom sighed, surveying the somber expressions on all our faces. "Let's go home."
We filed out of the clinic past the angle at the front desk. She looked like she wanted to ask but didn't want to get in trouble. The walk home was just as quiet as the one to the clinic, but the mood felt heavier now, at least to me. Even Aunt Fraya and Mom, who usually chatted nonstop, were silent, lost in their thoughts.
As we walked into the house, my thoughts were still churning. I couldn't help but wonder how I would have coped with all of this if I'd been younger. Would I have been able to accept Jake as my sibling? Or come to terms with the fact that our grandfather had been murdered? That our family once held a noble title before it was stripped from us? I glanced at the small Sayter figurine on the mantel, a reminder of the porter from the enclave who had recognized my last name and named my dad. It all made more sense now.
"Alright, let's focus on what we can do," Mom said, breaking the silence. The adults gathered in the kitchen, discussing options and ideas, trying to find solutions to problems they had created many years ago. Their voices were low.
Julie spent the rest of the day playing with KyGerNi and Silvia, her laughter filling the house. She seemed to be enjoying herself despite everything. Every so often, she would steal glances at Jake and me, but she didn't say anything.
Meanwhile, Jake and I sat on the couch in the living room, our minds heavy with thought. We would try to say something every so often, but the words failed us. Our fingers fidgeted with the fabric of the cushions, our eyes darting around the room as if searching for an answer hidden within the walls.
The aroma of roasted chicken filled the air, and I could hear the clinking of silverware against plates being set up, dragging me from my mind to the moment. Looking at the clock i realized hours have gone by.
My stomach churned with a mix of hunger and unease. I tossed a pillow at Jake, jarring him out of a daze. He looked in anger at me, cocking his arm with the pillow in hand, ready to fire the response blow. I raised my hands in defense, blurting, "Dinner time, mercy mercy!"
I was greatful that he put the pillow down. I wasn't thinking straight enough to block the skill he showed off at the arcade. He got up and stretched, cracking his neck.
"Let's go. Food can't hurt...I think," Jake said gloomily.
The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken thoughts and emotions. We sat down at the table in the kitchen. The parents looked concerned at Jake, Julie, and me, but didn't say anything as we started eating.
I stole glances around the room between bites. Aunt Fraya and our Mom looked like they cried measurable liters of tears. Our Dad and Uncle Paul looked stoic and strong as ever. The only proof of their stress and pain were furrowed brows and stress lines where they were keeping their lips shut tightly.
As we were finishing the tasteless meal, our dad broke the tension with an announcement.
"John, Jake, Julie," he began, his voice carrying a warm yet authoritative tone. "We figured out a few things for Julie. She will stay here for a week for a crash course in magic control. Julie, we are looking for tutors for you so that you can live back home."
Julie's eyes widened, and she nodded, her face showing a mixture of gratitude, anxiety, fear, and relief. She scooted closer to Jake, and I felt a strange protectiveness towards her. Perhaps this newfound bond was something that would only grow stronger over time.
"Thank you," Julie whispered, her voice barely audible. She looked at me, and I could see her struggling to hold back tears. "For everything."
"Of course," Dad replied, giving her a nod and a smile. "We're family, are we not?"
After dinner, I excused myself to go to my room, feeling emotionally spent. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on my chest, and I desperately needed some time alone to process it all. As I stood up, Jake said he would go to sleep, too. Julie, however, decided to stay up and play with KyGerNi and Silvia some more.
As I lay in bed, my mind raced through the whirlwind of revelations and emotions that had unfolded throughout the day. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have been able to handle any of this if I were younger. Or the history of my grandfather being murdered? Or that my family had a noble title that was stripped from us?
My thoughts kept circling back to the Sayter porter at the enclave, who had recognized my last name and named my dad. It all made more sense now, but it also served as a reminder of just how much I still didn't know about my own heritage and the world at large.
Through the window, I watched the light switch from day to night, the dampeners turned on, and the sound went to near nothing. I sighed, closed my eyes, and listened to my heartbeat in my temples.
Jake asked without warning from his bag-o-bed. "Can't sleep?"
I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at him. "Nope. You either?"
Jake chuckled. "Not a wink."
I looked at the ceiling.g "Lots of stuff to digest..." I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.
Jake responded slow and low, "Uh-huh..."