Trust Me - a Sophitz story

Part 17

Hello, Loves!! I know I said I'd update so here I am!! I'm so sorry about my brief hiatus, but I needed some time in the real world. I dedicate this chapter to hppanda because you are the sweetest. I swear we are the same person, we love all the same fandoms. You have been so supportive to me, and I can't thank you enough. You've made me laugh and I needed that so so so much in the last few days. Thanks again. And so, this one is for you. I needed faith in humanity, and it took a stranger across the internet to restore it, but I'm back!! Without further ado, the long awaited chapter! Enjoy! 

Chapter 17:

They settled in around the cozy table, joined by Edaline and Juline, and tucked into a delicious meal of something Sophie couldn't name but tasted like mashed potatoes and barbecue sauce, and was topped with a thick creamy sauce that tasted like melted cheese. All in all, it was a soupy meal, served in deep bowls with thick slices of bread and lots and lots of napkins.

At first, there was very little conversation around the table as everyone enjoyed the meal. But finally, Edaline remarked, "Biana, I guess I owe you those 30 Lusters." Everyone laughed. It was such a simple statement, but somehow it had impossible depth. Sophie had a boyfriend. On top of everything else, she had a boyfriend and a family that teased her about it. It felt so perfectly normal. But so incredibly intimidating.

"Hey. No need to be intimidated. Normality is good."

"FITZ!" Sophie's voice was loud, and it took her a moment to realize she had spoken out loud. "You were reading my thoughts?"

"No, I just know you really well. And when you're eyebrows scrunch together, yes exactly like that. Stop frowning at me! When you look all cute and worried, I know you well enough to know you're over thinking the situation. After that, it was a simple deduction."

"Well then, Sherlock Holmes."

"Who's that?" Biana's voice interrupted from Sophie's other side, and when she looked up from her hushed conversation with Fitz, she realized that the entire table was smiling at them.

"Um... he's a character. From a book. I used to read them when I was younger. He's like, a super smart human. I actually think I brought the book with me when I moved here. I can check later. It might be upstairs." Sophie stammered.

"I wanna hear about Sherlock!" Dex chirped, and when everyone looked at him, his ears turned red. But Linh smiled, and Sophie wondered if that was what she had looked like looking at Fitz. Because she didn't have to be a telepath to know there was some emotion there. Seconds later, Fitz transmitted the same theory to her, and she had to bite her lip from laughing out loud.

"Anyway!" Sophie started again. "Did we catch Linh and Tam up on the whole Keefe... thing?" Sophie let the end of the sentence trail off, unwilling to say what they were thinking. Biana nodded silently.

"I think we need to talk to the rest of the Black Swan, but I was thinking about the cache. Kenric's I mean. His castle is Dame Alina's. So if we could maybe lure her out of the castle somehow, maybe Oralie could get us in? and Sophie and Fitz could transmit to it. I think if Sophie imitated his voice in her mind, Can you do that? we might have a chance. So.. yeah." Dex finished awkwardly, aware that everyone was looking at him.

"That actually might work. In the mean time, I'll speak with the Collective. I suggest you 6 try to relax a bit," Juline added as an after thought. "This may be the start of another desperate scramble, and you need every bit of rest you can get. I need to go, it's nearly the triplet's bedtime. And Eda? Please remember what I said. Love you all." She stood, kissed her son's forehead, and hugged Sophie. "Dex, I brought some clothes over. I figured you would be sleeping over. Biana, Fitz, Della sent some stuff over too. I'm sure between the four of you, you have some extra clothes for Tam and Linh. I really have to go soon, though, I promised Lex a bedtime story."

Her reason for her abrupt leaving was so unexpected and normal that a few members of the little party were laughing when she glittered away. "Sophie, I put everything upstairs in your room. My sister is right, you guys should relax. Sandor and the other goblins are all over, yell if you need anything. And, Biana, will you take everyone upstairs? I need to speak with Sophie for a minute." Biana smiled and led the group upstairs. Once they were gone, Edaline bent and hugged her daughter close. "I love you. In case you have to leave again, I want you to know. And the whole Fitz thing? I completely approve. Keefe is cute, but Fitz is your cognate. I approve!" and flashing that weird goofy grin, Edaline released Sophie.

"Thanks? I guess? Love you too Mom!" Sophie was perplexed, contemplating the extreme weirdness of her life, but she let it go as her mom shooed her upstairs, happy to enjoy a few quiet moments with her friends.

Quiet, however, was not the word to describe what awaited her upstairs. Sophie pushed open the door to her room quickly, only to be greeted by an explosion of noise. Tam and Linh were arguing, which was rare, and Biana was watching, amused. Sophie didn't see Fitz or Dex at first, but quickly spotted them in the corner behind her bed. When she raised an eyebrow in silent question, they quickly separated, Fitz coming to wrap his arms around her shoulders. Sophie smiled, then made her way across to her desk, where Tam and Linh were, rather loudly, conversing.

"How did you do that, though??" Tam was obviously annoyed.

"I don't know how to explain it. Your shadows... they're still part of the air. And the air has water. I'm not controlling the shadows! I'm just manipulating the air around them." Linh, at least was calm. Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite the epic argument Sophie had first anticipated.

"Like a Guster?" That was Dex, interested, but focused on Linh more than Tam.

"Not really. I'm still just controlling the water in the air, I guess?"

"Well, whatever it is, it's a cool trick." Sophie decided to end the conversation before they could pressure Linh too much. She didn't have to be a telepath to sense that Linh was uncomfortable.

Once the conversation had been dispelled, Fitz drifted back over to the group, a book in hand. "Soph. Is this the book you were talking about?"

"Yup. Should I read it for you guys?" Knowing that Fitz was the only one who could speak English, and not being sure he could read it, she was unsurprised when she was met with a collection of nods and yeses. She flipped open to her favorite story, A Study In Scarlet. Sophie leaned back against Fitz's warm chest and began to read. "A Study In Scarlet. Part One. Chapter one: Mister Sherlock Holmes. In the year of 1878, I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of London..." And, stopping only to clarify things her friends would not understand (being elves), she read the entire story out loud. It was one of those comfortable times, where everyone was happy and relaxed, and they soon became immersed in the adventures of Watson and Holmes. 

I almost never do the after chapter note but I wanted to do it just once. (I'm a rebel to my own pattern!) Remember to comment or message me with any questions, and please check out my blog! (link in my bio. Shameless self-promo) Trivia of the day - the story Sophie begins to read is copied word for word from a first edition copy of the original publication of A Study In Scarlet (I happen to have a copy - my grandfather gave it to me. I have an awesome bookish family.) I know this chapter is short but I'll update agian tonight. And that's all, loves! As they say in John Green's hometown (where ever that is) "Keep Being Awesome!!"