Codex

3 - The Pendulum Family

What an odd setting this was. Hmm...

"Ah, well, thank you for having me over Mrs Archibald!" Dawn stood up, clearly nervous at my arrival, "See you tomorrow, professor," and made for my direction, or rather, the door's direction. She nodded as she passed by to acknowledge me, but I didn't like it.

Before she could escape, I grabbed her hand, "Hold on now, why don't you join us for dinner?"

"I'm sorry, but I shouldn't intrude longer than I have to."

"Even though there's a chair, plate and utensils set for you? I think it's a bit rude to leave the minute I arrive, isn't it? Sit down," I smiled pleasantly, "have some."

"You. Mary is rubbing off on you," Donna commented.

Dawn looked frightened, or rather, disturbed that she'd have to go back to the centre of attention. My curiosity was at its peak, but I exercised control.

In the middle of our meal, I set my fork down, picked up my wine glass, albeit grape juice was the contents, and downed it in one go, resting the glass down after a low exhale. I gently, sophisticatedly, wiped my mouth with my handkerchief, "Mother, Dawn. What were you two discussing?"

Mom being mom replied right off the bat, showing no hesitance or nervousness in her tone, "I was asking her to babysit you," she said, also taking a sip of her juice to mimic me whilst adamantly staring right into my eyes. We didn't break eye contact at all. The atmosphere was getting heavy. Dawn stopped eating. Dad stopped eating.

"Is that so?" I replied casually, "In what context, might I ask?"

"In the context of the Order's library."

"And your reason?"

"To force you to pay attention to your health and not neglect your basic needs; you've done this before. Also, to ensure you don't forsake your agreed upon duties to the Order in favour of your own personal interest."

The conversation, to anyone eavesdropping, would sound so civil and peaceful. But to the people present, it was like warfare. "I see," I leaned back into my chair, "I suppose your decision is justified, given my history, however, that very history would only force me to extrapolate that there would be heavy resistance, Mary." I replied. She absolutely abhorred when I called her by her first name. "Knowing this, you would still subject someone to such responsibility?"

"That has not yet been discussed. Your knack for insubordination must be properly reviewed before I can assign full permission to have you forcefully," she paused, clenching onto her fork and smiling gently at me, "handled."

This goddamn woman, just can't keep her nose out my life! "Very well," I agreed without rebelling, "dinner was delicious. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get some sleep."

Early the next morning, I was fuming at August's house. "Can you believe this hag?! A babysitter?! C'mon, I'm already fifteen! Fifteen, man!"

"Hmm. Hmm. Hmm," August rubbed his chin, "I totally understand her."

My jaw dropped. "What kind of friend are you?" I shook my head, sighing.

"Look, man. I've seen when a spell tome or something grabs your interest. You forget that you're a living, breathing human. You kinda need a babysitter. I agree with her. But enough about that," he grinned, a mischievous one at that, "You asked her out yet?"

"Who?" I questioned, expelling a flame spell to help him start up his forge.

"Who else? The girl, the mage girl who was in the market!"