The spirit of Devfronds

11. A 'Friendly' Meeting With Finney

"Dad, I don't want to read this book. You know I love fantasy and fiction." Calvin whined, as he held the 'Unlocking the face: A silent speaker' They had came to the book fair held near their home and his dad had insisted he read it. 

"It will come in useful, Calvin, believe me." 

Calvin snorted, "Why? What are you? A secret mafia boss?" 

"Calvin, trust me, read it for your own good." Calvin didn't know why his dad was being so mysterious and stubborn, but relented. He had eventually found the book interesting, and found some videos on YouTube about reading facial expressions too.

Little did he know that the knowledge was going to come in useful.

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The effect of Lord Finney, in all his ridiculous frilly clothed self, appearing in the crowded market was so immediate, Calvin would've thought it was choreographed had it not been for the fact that it obviously wasn't. 

When he had flew into the middle of the market, with his huge vulture wings spread around him, all the people pushed away from him, as far back into the walls as possible. They all formed a circle around him. Calvin and his companions also got pushed into the crowd. Mathew wanted to march into the circle, but his dad held Mathew's closed fist into his hand and discreetly shook his head. 

Calvin could see the drama unfolding.

 Suddenly, all the research he had done on facial and body reading months ago came flashing back to him. He looked at Mathew. His fists were clenched, and the area between his eyebrows were furrowed. His shoulders were pulled up and his feet were unnaturally still on the road. Clearly, he was agitated. 

Heather looked concerned, but both his parents were blank. The skin on their faces was smooth and relaxed, eyebrows relaxed, feet planted sturdily but not stilly on the road. They were looking at Finney with no emotions on their face. 

It was then Calvin realized, his parents were experts in facial and body readings. 

He looked over at Finney. His eyebrows were slightly elevated on his forehead. The middle part of his face was downturned and the corners were upturned. His shoulders were squared and eyes sweeping over everyone in the crowd. All the signs of arrogance. 

Yet, there was something off in his posture. Something he couldn't quiet put his finger on. 

"People of the air kingdom. I am here to announce the starting of the schools in a week. Your kids will be going to the noble areas for studying, and like always, you are required to pay three Kinners per child to whoever's kid is attending school." 

A scurrying sound was heard from the side of the circle. All heads turned to see a six-seven year old kid walk out of the circle to catch a mouse running rampart on the ground. There was a clotting wound on her head that was clearly the shape of a claw. Probably from a demon. 

Finney's looked uncertain for a second, the flesh of his lips wobbling a little bit to show that he was biting the inside of his lips uncertainly, before being replaced by his arrogant look, "And for gods sake, bathe your kids." 

Susan muttered from beside him, "Can give him a piece of my mind." 

Heather, who was holding both Calvin and Susan's hands to prevent them from 'giving him a piece of their mind', said slowly, "Let the adults handle it. Believe me, it will be more fun that way." Her face was relaxed and promised fun.

"And don't just look at me like that. Submit the money on time or your kids won't be allowed in the school."

Finney's eyes flitted to the girl's head quickly, so fast that no one would notice if they hadn't been looking closely like Calvin. Maybe he was a thick piece of split toenail, but he still had good in him.