Lost In The Pages

Chapter 4 - Collective

A/n: this is a LITTLE bit later in the day then I meant to post it, but here u go!

I walk out of my room in a light blue gown that shimmers around my feet when I walk. The heels match, and when I walk into the room, Biana practically squeals with joy. "You look so pretty!" We start launching into a full on discussion about dress and heels, but Della stops us and says, "Girls, as much as I would love to have this conversation, we really do need to meet with the collective."

We both sigh, and I say, "We can talk about it later." Biana nods.

***

"Okay, I figured that you guys were going to be weird, but not this weird!" Keefe says. Everyone is staring at them in awe, and I am too, just to act like I know what I am doing, but inside, I think they look a little less weird than how Shannon described them.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Squall, Blur, Wraith, and Granite." Mr. Forkle announces, probably trying to make them sound less weird. 

"I know the titles might sound strange." Squall begins. "But we've found it easier to remember code names when they match the disguise."

I can see the young elves (and Della) begin to take it in, but I start to get bored. I mean, how long can you stare at a few weirdly dressed elves?

"We're grateful to have all of you here - including you, Mrs. Vacker, and you Miss..." Granite starts, leaving a bit of question near the end for me to tell him my name.

"Betty."

"-Miss Betty."

"And just call me Della." She replies.

"Della it is." Squall says.

"We've been informed of your request to officially join our cause, Della." Granite says. "And it's a... tricky situation. We know that your husband has showed remorse for what happened with Prentice..."

I start to tune them out, knowing that they'll let her join and that it doesn't matter much to me right now.

"Miss Betty?" I snap out of my gaze and turn to the sound of my name, which came from Wraith. "I assume you will want to join as well?"

"Well, I mostly came her for Calla. And I'm not an elf. But if you would take me."

"You are more than welcome." Forkle responds. "I believe that we need more human-elf contact in this world. Which is part of why I created Project Moonlark. Well anyways, you will swear fealty tonight with the others."

"What exactly does that mean?" Sophie asks.

"It's a simple process." Granite says. "It'll make more sense when you receive your packages. They'll be delivered to your rooms before your bedtime."

"Wait, we have a bedtime?" Keefe asks.

"Yes, Mr. Sencen, your curfew is midnight-and that means lights out." Mr. Forkle begins. "We also expect you to stay in your separate houses for the remainder of the night. Every morning you'll meet for breakfast, then spend the rest of the day with your lessons."

Oh right. The lessons. I don't want to learn anything! And I don't even have an ability to train in!

"What kinds of lessons?" Biana asks.

"Excersizes that will prepare you for the tasks ahead. You're all very talented, but you've only begun to be able to hone your abilities." Forkle starts. I shrink down in the chair that I am sitting in. I don't have an ability. 

"We will mentor you when we can, and when we're unavailable, your rooms have been stocked with books and assignments."

"Or we could, y'know, work on hunting down the Neverseen." Keefe suggests.

"I agree with him." I say, trying to carefully nudge them in the right direction.

"The Neverseen are not a pressing threat at the moment." Blur says.

"YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT?" Keefe and I yell in unison. Keefe then continues. "They're running around starting fires-"

"One fire." Granite reminds.

"That you know of" Fitz counters.

For once in my life, I agree with Fitz.

This is when I start to zone out again, because they start talk about, "Fires, blah blah blah, eyes on the world, blah blah blah" which can get boring. I stare at the sequins on my dress, picking at one that is carefully sewn on, when I hear, "Are you reading my mind?"

This should be interesting.

"Of course." Mr. Forkle replies, and he does not sound sorry about it.

"Does that mean that I can poke around in your head?" She counters.

"By all means, be my guest."

Sophie turns toward each collective member, her frown growing deeper, getting more and more frustrated. Keefe and Fitz look at her with concerned looks.

"I made your telepathy unstoppable." Forkle says. "But that doesn't mean that it can't be deceived. Once you figure out what that means, you'll earn the right to hear what I'm thinking."

"That's not good enough!" Sophie snaps back, and honestly I don't blame her. "But you can't just invade my privacy!"

I watch Mr. Forkle and Granite telepathically communicate, and at the end they nod at each other slightly.

"Would it make you feel more comfortable if we maintain the rules of telepathy?" Granite asks.

"A little." Sophie mumbles.

"Then consider that our arrangement." Granite replies. "And understand that we expect you to follow the rules as well."

Sophie nods and then jumps as if someone is transmitting to her. Probably Fitz or Forkle. She closes her eyes, and Keefe looks at us. "How long do you think they'll do this for?" He asks, nodding toward Forkle and Sophie. 

"I don't know. Depends on how long we let them." I joke, and Biana laughs.

"We know you two are having a secret conversation!" Keefe yells. "Care to include the rest of us.

I nod toward him, and Dex and Keefe say, "Yeah!"

"He was just clarifying something." Sophie says.

I feel my heart sink as I remember what it's about. The Wildwood Gnomes. The plague. 

"Is this about Gethen?" Keefe asks.

I sigh as they start to ramble on and on about Gethen and ogres and rebels, but I am too distracted by the thought of witnessing the gnomeish plague. It was sad and scary enough to read about, I can't imagine what it would be like to witness.

My brain spirals down into images of dying gnomes. The kind gnomes that helped me. Calla. And I feel my heart sink lower (if that was even possible).

I start to freak out, but then I hear, "Very well. In the interest of earring your trust, would you like your memory back?"

A/n: sorry this is late, I WILL post another chapter soon, I PROMISE.