The old man was startled. Very few people knew his name, and even fewer used it. He preferred to be called by his title in the military and Ciaran knew that better than most.
The old man had whined about it for days on end, every time his grandson called him by name. At first, the boy found it funny to treat him, but quickly it became tedious. And finally, the old man won, and his grandson started calling him Grandpa or Colonel.
He, of course, was much prouder of the former title, but he would accept the later one as well.
Hearing his name after so long was bothersome, especially because he was looking forward to his family calling him Brigadier General.
He was about to start his whining again when he was the boy's eyes. Determination was there, but that was normal for the little rascal, but the shocking part was that there was a tiny little spec of embarrassment in there.
The old man looked at his grandson and then at the Ranger, and he understood. All these years, he never empathized with his idiot son or his mischievous grandson, but at this moment he felt it too, the Urge, the urge to mess with someone.
"Ahem. I am sorry for the way I previously acted. I am honored to meet you, Miss. My grandson has never brought a girlfriend home before, I am most thankful for your patience." He said and sneaked a peek at his grandson.
To his disappointment, the boy was just confused. Diana shared in his confusion, not because she didn't understand his meaning, but because she was wondering why the old man was messing around.
She knew of him by reputation, and he was the embodiment of strictness. He followed every rule to the letter and punished his soldiers fairly when they refused to do the same.
"What are you talking about?
Has dementia claimed yet another victim or have you forgotten about Clara? Well, I suppose I never slept with her, but still, you have seen us together."He said.
The boy had this wonderful ability to fluster his allies. His grandfather, because he had misunderstood, and Diana because she was beginning to understand just how sheltered he was in terms of sexual education.
"I uhm, well, yes, but, you see, that is." The old man didn't know what to say.
Diana just stepped up and cleared the misunderstanding, it was a little embarrassing but she couldn't let this continue.
The Brigadier on the other hand was stunned. He thought about it, and they really never told Ciaran a thing about romantic attraction.
'Knowing the boy, he probably filed it under fantasy in that beautifully messed up head of his.' The old man sighed. He couldn't let this continue, but this wasn't the time nor the place to educate his grandson.
"So, why are you here kid? If I know you, and I do, this is not a social call. No, you know what, fuck that, how can you think I would be ashamed of you? And because you picked a damn spider as a familiar? NEVER! Listen kid, and listen good, because I never said these words before, and I would like to never say them again."
The old man wanted to talk business but he had repressed his sadness for two years now. It was eating away at him every day, and he would not let a chance to let it out and unburden himself.
"Fuck the army, and fuck the Empire and fuck the royals with it. I am, and always will be, a family man first. Do you understand me, kid? Never again will Camille come into my home to discuss how I should sit down and take the "bad news" that my grandson became a mage. Never again, will you hide away from me for what you are? Sure, I would have loved it if you were like me and Ray, but no matter the blood, and no matter your path, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU." He said, and he never broke eye contact with Ciaran.
The boy didn't know what to say. He knew how much the army meant to the old man, and the truth is told, he knew he wouldn't hate him because of Ariadne. What stopped him from meeting with his grandfather for so long was fear. Fear that he would see shame in his eyes. Fear that the old man would be repulsed by what he had become. Fear that, if he saw the boy's true appearance, scales and all, he would be disgusted.
It was an irrational fear, as most of them were, but it had been there. It shackled the boy, and hearing his grandfather loudly and openly declare his acceptance was, well, freeing for the boy.
"I'm sorry." Was all he could say to his grandfather. And even that, the old man found unnecessary, he just slowly came to his grandson and once again gave him a tight hug.
The old man didn't blame him. It was easy to forget, but the boy was currently barely nine years old. The fact that the boy felt scared to show vulnerability, even to his closest family was what had the old man regretful. They had taught him caution, and they had taught him logically.
They had taught him how to fight and how to think. They taught him every subject he could learn, and the boy was never disappointed. But in the process, they had created a notion in the boy. He saw their expectations, and he felt himself a failure if he couldn't meet them.
"This is all very touching, it really is, but Ciaran we are on a schedule, and we are already behind." Diana interrupted them.
The two members of the Clades were startled, but it took them but a second to get into character. From two recently reunited family members to a merchant and an army commander, with the snap of the fingers.
The boy explained what he was trying to achieve, and what he needed. He wanted to hide his little misadventures with the bugs, but Diana was more than happy to fill in the blanks.
His grandfather cast aside his emotionless face after hearing the girl out, and lectured the boy for three hours straight, only stopping when his aid brought him a letter.
"Your father agreed to sell you some ico… isocyanates. How you got into this alchemy stuff is beyond me kid, but I have to admit it is absolutely essential for us. If you can complete it, and it works, forget about the distribution. Just make it, and give it to me I will handle the rest."
Diana's face was beaming with joy, but it was short-lived. When she looked at her partner she only saw worry and anxiety.
He never showed fear, unless things were truly dire, and his expression now was worse than the time he said his plans had completely fallen apart.
"No can do gramps. We can't trade with Dad, at least not directly. Unless you want to deal with the royal pain in the ass." He said, and Diana spat on the ground.
She forgot about that part. Even their being here was bending the terms the old man had presented them with.
The old man looked confused. He didn't understand who would be dumb enough to stand in front of Liam and obstruct his business.
"I am talking about old man Silver. Do you think anyone else can stop both of my mentors from helping me out? That bastard is dead set on us being alone in this."
Now the Brigadier had heard it all.
"How in all of Heaven and under all the Gods, did you get in trouble with a damn Magus?" He asked.
Diana just raised her hand.
"It is kind of my fault actually, Ciaran just got roped into this by my grandfather." She said, and the old Clades was speechless.
He looked at Diana again, this time a bit closer. She didn't resemble her father all that much, but the similarities were there.
The old man just sat down defeated.
"I love you kid, but from all the traits you could have picked up from Liam, why did you have to choose his tendency to cause giant messes."
Ciaran just shrugged.
"Ok, you have a plan; I know you do, what is it, and how much will it make me want to strangle you?"
Ciaran, with no hesitation, and even less shame, hid behind Diana.
"Well, you have monthly peace meetings with that woman from Auroria right? I would like to attend that, as a representative of Diana of course, and propose the same deal to her. That way I can help both sides and double the lives saved." He said.
'And this way I am not relying on anyone but my own abilities.'
His grandfather was about to beat him up, but he was too late. Diana had already turned around and given him a nice big slap that echoed in the whole base.