1.25 - Worried Parents

Back home Nillian immediately starts packing a bag for a trip to Capes. He first goes through his closet for clean clothes, putting them in his bag. He then borrows an old cane of his father, just in case he will get another relapse. It is a black lacquered wooden stick with a copper ball on the end, instead of the normal handle. It is not really made for supporting a person, but it will do.

He also refills his ink bottle and sharpens his pencil, and gets some extra paper sheets. Hoping he is ready for anything he mentally checks everything he might need in Capes.

While Nillian is checking if he has everything he will need he is interrupted by his parents returning home. When they notice that Nillian is packing a bag for another journey they immediately protest.

"You are not going out again, not after what happened in that horrible Stokes! It's just too dangerous."
"But mother, that was just an accident! It will not happen again, I promise."
"You are not going son. You know what the doctor said, you have to rest for a few days before you can start working again."
"It has been a few days already!"

"Well, it is not enough. You are just going to stay at home."
"What if I promise you to take it easy, and only work during the afternoon? Some fresh air might do me good."
"I know you boy. The first chance you get you are up to your nose in books and not an eye on the clock."

Nillian does not know to continue, as he has a feeling his parents just won't listen. How can he explain that he is feeling fine, that getting robbed was a once in a lifetime occurrence, and he is perfectly safe over there? Then he gets an idea.

"Look, I am going to Capes. Rowena lives there, so she can keep an eye on me, right?"
"You are going to Capes?"
"Yes, that is where my research takes me. The people I am investigating went there, and I think that they did something very important there."
"Hmm, I don't know ..."

Nillian's father looks almost convinced and looks at his wife for her opinion. But she shakes her head and disagrees.

"You cannot expect Rowena to keep an eye on you all day long. She has to work, same as everyone. It is good that you are going somewhere where someone familiar lives, but it is not enough."

Nillian sighs. He knows that he is a grown man and doesn't have to listen to his parents. But they still see him as their young son, and there is no arguing with that. He considers sneaking out for a moment, but he just does not want to do that to his parents. Starting to admit defeat and thinking about catching up to his writing in the next few days he is interrupted by a voice from behind him.

"And what if I go with him? I can look after him, no problem."
Nillian turns around and sees Lyxia standing in the doorway, wearing her usual brown dress.

"Lyxia! You are home dear? Mister Greer did not warn us of that. Or were you hiding from our butler, dear?"
"Oh, I just arrived mother. But I heard enough to hazard a guess what is going on. Nillian is trying to sneak out again?"

Nillian turns red, reminded of all the times he tried to sneak out of the house and was caught by Lyxia. She really was a brat while growing up... Then, his hopes risen again, he turns back to his parents.

"Well? Lyxia can keep an eye on me, and then everything will be alright. So can I go?"
"But Lyxia, dear, don't you have to stay at the monastery? I thought you were busy with some kind of spiritual enlightenment project?"
"Oh, that is all finished, completed. They actually told me I could go on a small holiday, vacation. So that is perfect."

Nillian's parents look at each other, but cannot think of any more objections. It seems that Lyxia has taken the wind out of their discussion with her offer, which sounds really perfect. For a moment Nillian wonders about that, is she perhaps not helping him but just finding a reason for herself to leave Kataras?

Nillian quickly shoves that thought away. That is not really of consequence at the moment, and something he has to discuss with Lyxia. For now he has the opportunity he needed, and presses his advantage.

"So ... we can go? It will be a sibling get-together! It will be nice to see Rowena again."
"Hmm ... Oh, alright. You can go. But only if Rowena agrees! You cannot just barge in on her."
"Alright, I will send a telegram, that way she will be able to respond this evening."

And Nillian immediately gets some paper to write a telegram to Rowena. After a few minutes he is finished, and gives the paper to his mother for inspection.

-(START)-
Rowena Luckett, Whitby Street 14, Capes.

Dear Rowena,
Coming to Capes in few days for research. Are you free, or is it a bad time?
regards, Nillian & Lyxia
-(END)-

His mother nods approvingly, and sends one of the servants to send the message. Then she orders the servants to serve tea, acting as if nothing has happened, that there was no heated argument only a few minutes ago. Nillian and Lyxia join them in drinking tea, and they talk about some trivial things. By implicit agreement they circumvent any heavy topics, like Nillian's research, Lyxia's life in the monastery or their journey to Capes. Like Nillian's grandmother used to say: "Tea time is sacred, so no shop-talk of any kind!"

After they have finished their tea Lyxia takes her leave, saying she has to get back to the monastery to arrange everything for her 'holiday'. Nillian stays at home, not wanting to press his luck by going to the Lounge. He knows by experience that his mother has no qualms about going back on her promise if he does something wrong in her eyes. He does go out for a little bit, but only to return his library books that he took with him to Stokes. He had almost forgotten them, but found them while he was packing his bag that morning.

After a good dinner with his parents Nillian relaxes in their own library, drinking some whiskey and reading a good book. When he hears the front bell ring he gets up to check it out, and finds out that a messenger had arrived with Rowena's reply.

-(START)-
Nillian and Lyxia Luckett, Dee Street 112, Kataras.

Dear Nillian and Lyxia,
Love to have you here! Come any time, will pick you up from station.
love, Rowena
-(END)-

Nillian reads it and whoops for joy.
"We are going to Capes!"