The Inventor from Velothain

Bolts And Gears

Florence's face fell. This wasn't the response she expected.
"Well I-"
"Did I not tell you to stay away from here?"
"Well you did-"
"Then why are you here?"
Elysia's gaze remained firm. She looked to Edgar who looked to the ceiling.
"I just thought you needed us, because you said-"
"I know what I said but I also said not to come back, didn't I?"
"Well we were going to do that." Said Florence desperately. "But I found this in the attic." She showed Elysia the book.
"Where did you get that from!?" Elysia gasped as if Florence had found her secret stash
"It was in a box in the attic. It looks dangerous, couldn't we-"
"Yes it's dangerous which is why I will not allow you to go any further. This is for me to decide."
Florence deflated.
"Now, I'd like that book back please." Elysia extended her hand."
"But."
"But nothing. I don't want either of you to get hurt. Jasper would kill me. Literally kill me. He's a protective sod really.
"Elysia please, we haven't told him, we promise to stay safe." Florence pleaded.
"Well, it'd be good for an extra hand. You guys have proven to be trust worthy I suppose. That book is the most important thing right now. And, Edgar and Percy got on so well." Elysia looked behind her. Edgar was nowhere to be seen. "Where did he go?"
"No Clue. He was there a second ago." Florence spun around. "Edgar!?"

*****

Edgar smiled at Percy. "So have you always lived in Velothain?"
Percy nodded happily, though he could not speak, he was having no problems with communicating. Especially communicating with Edgar. He'd ask simple yes or no questions, and Percy would nod or shake his head. Percy loved to listen to the stories that Edgar would tell, they'd fill him with joy.
"My sister tells me that my romance stories are pretty awful." Edgar said sadly. "What do you think?"
Percy beamed and stuck out his thumb.
"You really think it's good?"
Percy smiled.
"What did you think about it?"
Percy's eyes widened in fear. He opened is mouth in confusion.
"O-oh" Edgar stammered. He rummaged in his newspaper boy bag and grabbed a leather notebook and pen. "Can you write?"
Percy nodded. He took the book and pen and began to scribble a few things down. He handed the book over.
I really loved the characters. They're so well-rounded. I also loved the romance. It was so sweet of you to write a love story between two men.
Edgar blushed. "Yeah. I just couldn't see August with a woman."
Percy scribbled a few more things down.
That's understandable. I'm not judging, it's your story.
"Percy?"
Percy nodded.
"How long have you been 'mute'?"
Percy began to write on the paper, he looked a little indecisive but handed it over nevertheless.
It was a few years ago. Elysia was mucking about in the lab and she accidentally poured the wrong thing in my mouth. So my voice box died.
"Edgar!" Florence yelled, sprinting over to him. "Where have you been?"
Edgar angrily gestured to Percy who awkwardly waved.
"Oh, hey Perse. Oh." Florence's eyes flicked back and forth between the two boys.
"Uh Florence, can we talk?" Edgar asked, rather flustered.
"Yeah sure."
Edgar pushed Florence behind the door, looking back at Percy's confused face.
"What's going on?" Florence asked. When she looked at Edgar's red cheeks, she erupted in a fit of giggles.
"Oh no! Have I been playing gooseberry without realizing?" She gasped, holding her stomach and wheezing.
"Well I- Florence. There's something I need to tell you."
Florence stopped. "Edgar?"
Edgar took a deep, shaky breath. He looked to the floor
"Edgar? You can tell me anything."
"Florence, I'm gay."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"And You like Percy?"
"Yeah."
"Oh."
Silence.
"Florence?"
Edgar felt a pair of strong, comforting arms around him.
"Edgar, I love you and I always will."
Edgar felt his heart swirl in his chest. He felt elated, he wrapped his arms around his sister's neck. Hot tears trickled down his face. "I don't know why I was so scared." He hiccupped.
"Now." Florence pushed Edgar back, while still holding his shoulders. "We need to do something about Percy." She had a mischievous look in her eyes.
Edgar's eyes widened. "W-What do you mean?"
"Well I saw the way you look at him and I'm pretty sure he feels the same way."
Edgar looked back at the door. "Is he even capable of falling in love?"
Florence shrugged. "that depends. We should asked Elysia."
Their swung open to reveal a very agitated Percy with his arms folded firmly.
"Oh no, did we leave him for that long?" Florence chuckled.
Percy rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Alright, Alright. Let's go and find Elysia." Edgar took Percy by the arm and began to walk down the hall.
"Pst."
Florence whipped around to see Kate poking from behind the doors.
"Oh Kate! I forgot you were still here."
"Rude!" Kate Gasped in mock offense. "I didn't realise you were so ignorant."
"I'm pretty sure that it doesn't make me ignorant." Florence rolled her eyes playfully.
"You know." Kate began, "I think it would be in your best interest for you and your brother to leave Velothain."
"Why does everyone want us to leave?" Florence screamed in frustration.
"Trust me. It's really dangerous." Kate warned. "It's not like your cosy little world, this is a very dangerous."
"Why? Because Your world has dragons and castles, and we don't?" Florence bickered like a child.
"For god's sake Florence, I'm trying to protect you and your brother."
"You're a teller. You can do whatever you want."
Kate's mouth snapped shut. Her eyes trailed down to her feet. "Florence. You have to understand." She stood up straight. "We're not miracle makers. We have boundaries and limits."
"Then what are your limits!?" Florence sighed. She leaned against the wall with a deep scowl on her face.
Kate punched the bridge of her nose.
"Stop pretending that I'm a child! Because I'm not. Edgar and I can handle ourselves."
Florence turned sharply on her heels and marched down the hallway.