At long last, Daniel had reached the estate, after what felt like an indescribably long day. As he walked through the front door, he could see that no-one was home and he had noticed a simple pot of stew had been boiling on the stove in a kitchen, along with a note attached to the side of it, telling Daniel how to serve it and that 'Igo was going to be out late tonight' and 'the servants have all gone to rest by now'. So, Daniel followed the final instructions on the note, and dealt himself a serving of it in the same wooden bowl that he had ate his porridge in. It was nice. The added chicken was juicy and flavourful and the assorted vegetables added some well-needed variety to the dish. The only thing that was missing was some more seasoning and good piece of buttered bread to have with it. And that was exactly what Daniel had done. Though it took a long time to cool to a reasonable temperature, the bowl was empty within five minutes or so, leaving a very full and dreary Daniel, sat on the dining table chair, absorbed completely in thought. Well, at least its out now and nobody's surprised when the truth comes out when in need of it. I just didn't expect people would find out that early. Truly, it was my fault for saying, but I wish I never did. And what the hell was that Connor going on about me being a monster. I could barely throw a punch before coming to the city, and I doubt that's changed much. I simply hope I'm not treated like shit again like I was back home for it. Maybe they'll think there's something else up about me and treat me with respect this time. Well, I know someone who will do that anyway; Nyn. She was certainly a surprise to me when I entered that lecture hall, and a pleasant one at that. Maybe we could become friends and then... I don't know what. But being friends certainly does sound nice. Sounds nice indeed...
With that thought, Daniel fell asleep.
"So how is he, Lucan?" a voice said from the retreat of a red cushioned chair, that sat in a relatively small room holding four people.
"Interesting to say the least. But I don't know what either you or the Guildmaster see in him. He's not just weak but he's artless to!"
"Don't judge a book by its cover. I thought I taught you that."
"But this isn't judging a book by its cover, its judging a book a couple chapters deep!"
"Just trust me on this for once. You know I'll never lie to you about something like that."
"I know that, Igo!", the man shouted, before taking a short breath in and out, "There are others in that class have infinitely more potential than that Daniel ever could. The girl, Nyn, she knocked out the entire class on her first day! And, Connor, he's your son, Gulliver, you know what he could become! And that Ellen too, she was so quiet but she could see right through-"
"That's enough, Lucan" another man said, in the corner of a room, "I trust Igo just as much as you, but I know that when he talks about someone in that way, he isn't someone to just be ignored."
"Shut up, Gulliver! You're all calling me 'obtuse' or 'foolish', and most of you haven't even seen him face-to-face! How could you-"
"No, you shut up, Lucan," another man near the entrance to the small room said, "For once in all my life, I agree with Gulliver. Yes, he may be the artless fool like what both you and Igo call him, but he is someone who's potential was directly recognised by the Guildmaster!"
"Oh no, not you too, Avos!" Lucan pouted, on the verge of what seemed like tears after his perceived 'betrayal' , "The Guildmaster's opinion doesn't mean shit now the Inquisitor has gone and fucked him up, hes practically retarded at this point!"
Lucan, who was sat down on a bedside, got up and stormed out of the room, screaming all the way, "Your all fucking delirious, fucking delirious I tell you..."
"You can't just let him do that to you, Igo! Even if he is adopted, your his bloody father, and you can't just let him do stuff like that!"
"Avos. I know your concerned about the kid, but with him; well, its best to leave him alone until he comes back begging for forgiveness. He may still look like a little kid, but he's someone who knows when he's done something wrong, even if he denies it."
"Its just... He does this thing Every. Single. Time! Its ridiculous!"
"Come on, Avos, its time to go, after all you have to train for that competition with Ender now, don't you?" placing emphasis on the last two words
"Fine! Let's go, Gulliver," the two men began to leave, "Take good care, Igo, and don't let him boss you around again, ya hear me!"
Igo was the last one left in that room. The room that was once his son's childhood bedroom. And now, the boy can't even stand being in it for longer than a minute. But, for today, it was enough for Igo for one reason. He got Lucan to become angry. And even if the slither of emotion he shown today was negative and directed towards him, he was more than glad to sacrifice that to see his son have feelings again. Anytime, and every time. Igo got up from his seat and turned off the small lamp at the bedside cabinet, before closing the worn wooden door of the bedroom.
"Good night... Lucan."