The City of Amer

Chapter 8: Meetings and Picnics

TW: Homophobia, major injuries, attempted murder, and hospitals (surgery and doctors).

Edric proposed a picnic the next day, to celebrate the day off Amer had been given for its Founding Day. His anxiety about his new connections to an illegal organization had cooled down sufficiently, and Hans somehow looked like it had never happened. Wilt and Hans agreed immediately, and so here they were, sitting in the park Science had created. It was lush, full of various flowering trees and colorful bushes. Wilt was chattering about some sports event while Edric strung flowers together into his hair with the quills and Hans watched fondly.

As per usual during the morning in Amer, most people were not out and about on a non-work day. This meant the park only had a few people - a woman with a beard walking her iguana, a person with a purple afro performing dance solos.

Then a line of men slunk in, dressed in dark suits and darker sunglasses. One of them walked up to the small group, and, speaking to Wilt and ignoring the others, said, "Your father would like to see you. Now. And bring your- your friends."

Edric looked, shocked, at the man in front of him. Hans shot a worried look at Wilt, whose face looked calm and still, but if you looked closely you could see a vein of underlying fear running through all of him. Wilt stood up and helped the other two up with him. Then the three followed the man, their picnic left behind them.

Once at the Grandmaster's building, the squad was met by the man himself. He stood, waiting for them, in front of the elevator. "I want those two in the detaining room," he said to the suit men, pointing at Edric and Hans. They dragged them away, ignoring their struggles. Wilt stared daggers at his father, who simply beckoned for him to follow.

Wilt and the Grandmaster entered his office, where the majority of the meetings were held between them. Then he started talking, "You know, I probably should have intervened earlier. Your - debauchery has gotten out of hand." Wilt fumed in a rigid armchair as the Grandmaster stood up, his anger as evident as his sons.

"First it was just women, and it was fine. Then you branched out and slept with anyone. And now - now there's two men! What will it be next? A whole harem?!" He took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "However, I admit that I should have stepped in long before now. I should have made sure you were far away from the evil wiles of men like the ones who have led you astray." Wilt's expression darkened with rage.

"So that is what I shall do. Better late than never, yes? However, I know that once you are in the clutches of sin, it is hard to leave. And that is why I will give you an option. Either you leave those men, who will be allowed to stay in Amer, albeit far away from wherever you go, or I will have them killed and your inheritance renounced." Seeing Wilt's livid expression, he walked over and stiffly patted his shoulder. "I'll leave you be for a bit - let you think about it." With another pat on the shoulder, he left, smiling to himself. He had dealt with the situation effectively.

After the door was closed behind the Grandmaster, Wilt's first response was to video call Armana. The plan they had made wasn't going to work, but he was here, alone in the office, and he could surely find evidence by himself. He wished Edric and Hans were there with him, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Hello?" Came Armana's voice, panting slightly.

"Armana! Change of plans. The Gran-"

"I know. Are you there right now? Are you okay?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm fine. I'm in the office, he left me alone, we're going through his desk. Video tape it and then get it out. Post it wherever. Make it live if you need to. It's happening now." Armana nodded furiously as Wilt began to throw open the desk. He pulled out pencil after pen after paper. He checked each thing, but nothing proved anything. Each drawer was chock full of everything but the evidence they needed - and they were running out of time. Wilt had no idea when the Grandmaster would be back, so he was in a slight rush.