Connections

Chapter 2: Rabid Dog

It was my favorite time of day once we got back to the Center – dinner time. The way Ruler had us eat dinner was...odd, but then wasn't everything about him? I actually liked this oddity. We all sat around a table, and ate dinner, talking the whole time. Most Supernaturals preferred to have dinner in silence, but not Ruler. A silent dinner wasn't in his vocabulary, and for that I was grateful because Ruler was always doing some kind of diplomatic or governmental work during the day, that this was the only time we got to talk with him. Despite everything, he was the only father I'd ever known, and I liked spending time with him. The other thing about our dinners was that it was just us. No servants, noAnimalz, or Assignments. Just us. Everybody else went to their respective homes: servants to the servant quarters, and Animalz or Assignments to the Animalz Pen.

“I'm sorry that you got to spend such little time with your Assignments today, but there will be plenty of time tomorrow for you guys to grow close.” Ruler said as we sat down with our dinner.

“That's ok, Dad.” Ric said. Ruler liked us to call him dad. We only did it when we were talking to him. I've never asked why Ric doesn't, but I don't because he's not my dad. I love him, and everything, but I never want to forget that this isn't where I come from. “The ceremony was still really fun.” he continued. “Especially when you called Sly's name.” he added, and I glared daggers at him.

“Oh, Meldric, dear, why do you bait your sister so? We all know that out of the whole god-ridden Aftermath, you and that boy Bones are the only ones she's never been afraid to punch. Hard.” Ruler said. “And you lose.”

Ric, smiled, not getting offended at all. The way our dinners were, it was really hard to get mad or sad at anything. “That's just because I'm saving up all my strength for the day that I beat her when everyone least expects it.”

“Puh-leese.” I said. “The only time you'll ever have a chance at beating me is when I'm asleep. And even then the chances are slim.” we all started to laugh then.

“I think you'd be surprised.” Ric said once we had all calmed down a little. There was a gleam in his eyes that I did not trust one bit. Note to self: Keep a close eye on Ric. While I was sure I could take him, he could be crafty, and if he took me by surprise, I think hemight have a chance at winning. A chance I can't give him. But once again, Ruler disrupted my thoughts by saying something else. Doesn't he know when a girl's trying to think? Apparently not.

“So, darlings, I think tomorrow we should go out for some summer shopping to get used to your Assignments. You only have one more week of school, you know. And a month before your sixteenth year.” He was almost talking like he was from this century until he got to the 'sixteenth year' part. It's progress, I think.

“Shopping?” I asked. I'm not one of those girls who likes to think they're a boy, and completely despises shopping. I'm a girl, I'll admit it. What I don't like, is the people you have to shop with. Like the stuck up retail salesgirls who think they have it all because they work at a name brand store. Or the people who actually do the shopping, and make a huge deal out of every little thing. And when there's a sale? People die at those things. I mean, seriously, I don't think shopping's worth it. But I didn't get to say this bit of information because Ruler continued on.

“Yes, Pegasisyly, you have to go. Ric, you must go as well.” because Ric had just opened his mouth to ask that same question. He hated shopping because Ruler was the worst person to shop with. He always tried to 'help'. But his definition of help included a corset or – in Ric's case – a suit. And that was summer clothes. “And you'll never guess what I heard, darlings. Tomorrow, the mall is having a fifty percent off everything sale!” he said this like it was a good thing. Personally, I knew he was saying those words, but what Iheard was: I'm taking you to your grave.