cascade | kotlc

13. The Ability Restrictor

 She woke up in Havenfield, Sophie hurrying to get ready.

"What happened?" she asked, yawning.

Sophie glanced over. "What happened to you?"

"Memory. It's fine, I'm okay."

"You're not okay. You've been knocked out for a day."

"Have I? It's fine, I'm fine now. Nothing bad happened, I promise. What's happening right now? What are you doing?"

She sighed. "Getting ready for the Foxfire principal inauguration. And... also my punishment."

June bolted up. "Already? I'm coming with you."

"You sure?" she looked concerned. "I can handle it by myself."

"I'm coming with you?" June repeated, hurrying to the closet and picking out her classic white tunic and skirt. "I have to be there."
"If you wish."

...

Well. Magnate Leto was the principal of Foxfire now.

Yay.

"Under normal circumstances, our festivities would end here..." Emery droned as the Councillors moved to center stage.

What was the punishment going to be?

It didn't seem like it was on the track for Sanctuary work anymore. Perhaps a public reproval? That still seemed too easy.

Dex was here. Apparently one of his inventions would be featured in the speech, and it hadn't come up yet.

Wait...

"...nor will we stand back and let insubordination go unpunished..."

Everyone looked at Sophie.

"Shit, this isn't good, if it's what I think it is," June murmured. "If it really is... oh, god, that's absolutely disgusting... the Council wouldn't, surely they won't? They'd only use that on... criminals...

"My sister's not a criminal..."

Everyone seemed to think she was.

Sophie climbed up and took center stage.

They can't actually be using that on her, can they?

Would it even work on her?

It was so disgusting. June found herself agreeing with Fitz all those days ago. He was right.

It was horrifying, to think they'd use such technology on..

An innocent, thirteen year old girl...

Would they?

"...Sophie Foster is not normal..."

She wasn't normal. She was exceptional. But everyone seemed to think that meant dangerous.

She was only deemed dangerous because of the dangerous people around her. The Neverseen, trying to murder her, take her hostage.

Her sister wasn't dangerous.

Are you sure? a voice whispered in her head. Your sister almost started a war with the ogres.

As nonchalant as she tried to act about it, it was true. Sophie had almost started a war, and it was her fault.

But no... that didn't require...

"...most of you have heard mention of a Black Swan group hiding in the shadows..."