Orenda

But Never

Hey everybody, author here! Thank you for reading and I hope you have a really great day!

-- Ivy

"So what exactly happened again?" Technoblade is standing across from me, one hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

I'm pacing back and forth in front of him, and Wilbur is leaning against a stone column across from me. "I told you, the case somehow involved Alaina. I don't know any more than the name."

"You haven't even told me the name!" Techno throws up his hands in exasperation.

"It's not important, not like it says anything about whatever is happening. Operation Alaynia. The guy even said it wrong! He said Ah-lay-nia, not Ah-lah-nia!" Wilbur replies.

"The name is important! Did he say anything about what the plan may have looked like before you left the room?" my younger brother questions.

"He said something about kidding," Wilbur frowns as he tries to remember, and then yawns. It's blatant that he wasn't awake enough to comprehend very many things.

"Kid-kidnapping, you mean?" Techno's eyes flash with concern.

I nod, "He, Zachary I mean, said that he thought it was a plan to infiltrate the castle and kidnap someone. Probably me, by the name of the plan."

"Yep, that's what he said," Wilbur yawns again, trying to look formal and imposing but failing miserably.

"Wilbur get some rest, you were obviously up too late last night and too early this morning," Technoblade orders.

Wilbur doesn't protest, just nods slowly and disappears into the shadowy corridor. Techno turns to me, thinking for a moment before speaking. "Laina," he uses his nickname for me, "come with me, I don't want you to leave my side for at least the rest of the day."

"That's a little harsh, Techno, don't you think it's a bit much?" I protest, caught off-guard by the words, but trying to gently tell him it's a bit too overprotective.

"No, I don't, not if I have any idea of who we're dealing with," Techno answers, his expression grim.

"What happened at the meeting today?" I inquire, leaning forward over the dinner table and giving my father an intense look.

"I've already said that it's confidential between me and the men testifying, Alyana," Phil gives me a pointed look and casts a quick warning glance across the table at Tommy.

My youngest brother glares at both of us, "You guys are too secretive around me, it's not like I can't keep my mouth shut!"

Wilbur sighs, "Tommy, you wouldn't understand this anyways."

"Wouldn't I? You always say that Wilbur!" Tommy argue, annoyed.

I raise an eyebrow at the boy, my face carefully neutral. "Tommy, this matter does not involve you," I tell him. "Like Dad said, it's a private matter concerning him and the men testifying."

A now sullen Tommy gives a loud huff, knowing I've won but clearly unsatisfied. "Well you get to sit in on that stuff all the time," he mutters.

"What?" I ask, "Tommy, it's literally my job to sit in on this stuff. Not that I don't hate all of it, but day after day sometimes gets tiring. You-"

"Wouldn't enjoy it?" Tommy cuts in furiously. "Wouldn't I, Alaynia?"

Everyone at the table freezes, turning their gazes towards Tommy as one. No one ever calls me by my real name, ever. Occasionally, I hear Ah-lay-nia, or Ah-lah-nia which is my favorite out of anything close to my name. But never the real pronunciation, A-lee-nia.

Without another word, I stand up and walk out of the room.

My name is a hard spot for me, ever since Mom died. While everyone, even Dad, had come up with their own nicknames for me, my mother had always insisted on calling me by my real name. She was pretty much the only one that did, but I didn't mind.

When I was six, Mom got sick. She'd died the week of my seventh birthday. Ever since, I'd never let anyone call me by my real name.

"Ah, princess, I was hoping I'd see you around," the menacing voice sends shivers down my spine and stops my thoughts in their tracks. I also stop, freezing on the spot.

"I... don't think I've met you before, care to introduce yourself?" I answer politely.

"Sure, princess. I'm Johnson," the voice starts to sound familiar, and at the sound of his name, recognition flickers in my brain.

I whirl around, taking a step back. With no weapon on me because I'd left my trident in the dining hall, and Johnson having escaped custody for years because of his immense speed on foot, my best bet is to scream for someone. I open my mouth, "T-mmpph!" the sound comes out muffled as Johnson's hand slaps in front of my mouth.

His hand snakes around my back and pulling me to him, lightning quick. He leans in close, hit, rancid breath right next to my ear. "That's not very respectful, my lady. Now, it might spare you some pain if you come quietly with me. Let's go."

Johnson turns slightly so he can walk forward while keeping a grip on me, but before he can fully set his grip, I break away. "Techno, HELP!" I scream as loud as I can.

3rd person Technoblade P.O.V

After Alaina rushes out of the room, the rest of the family dines silently. Philza doesn't eat, just sits staring out the picture window. Wilbur shovels food into his mouth, obviously eager to leave the tense atmosphere. Technoblade just eats normally, having a silent conversation with his voices on how best to punish Tommy. They all know that Alaina doesn't like to be called by her real name anymore, and he was old enough to remember why. No one blames her, as it's her one weakness in emotions.

Only about five minutes pass before Techno's sharp ears pick up what sounds like the start of a cry of distress, but it's too short to actually know whether he imagined it or not. "Did you guys hear anything?" he inquires, not considering that he was breaking the silence.

Wilbur just shakes his head, and Philza gives him a look of deep, pained contemplation before turning back to the window. Tommy, however, jumps into the conversation eagerly. "I don't think so, what do you think you heard?"

Techno frowns at him, "Shut up, Tommy."

"What? You asked if you-" Tommy breaks off abruptly as a loud scream resonates through the walls.

The words are clear, and the tone easily recognizable. "Techno, HELP!"

Have a good day everyone! Thank you so so much for reading!

-- Author