In the wake of Vanessa's shadowed departure, the presence of Uncle Jem, a being of aged wisdom, manifested. A wave of relief, a silent whisper in the wind, enveloped Alex, grateful that the elder did not have to confront his chaotic niece. His gaze found solace in the sight of Reid, silently sitting in the corner, his head entwined in his arms, a vessel of silent turmoil. Alex guessed that Reid was confused… perhaps even beating himself up as to why Vanessa did not unveil the unintentional demise of Vienne, that had Reid in such a state...
Alex did not doubt Reid's capabilities in this realm - he was anchored in the belief that Reid's whispers about the manslaughter were echoes of truth. However, they were wanderers in a realm devoid of evidence to contradict, and if the orchestrator herself proclaimed to be the harbinger of demise...
The laws were the silent etchings in the stones of time.
A touch, as cold as the whispering shadows, found a home on Alex's shoulder, and at times he pondered if Archer was intentional with the coldness. However, a conversation with Reid previously had unveiled that this was Archer's Limit. Alex turned to Archer, and the silent guardian inquired, "I'm bringing Reid home. Do you need us here?"
Alex's gaze found Reid and a frown painted his features, "he will get over it. It's not the first time."
Archer nodded, a silent acknowledgment, "Yes, I perceive he will, but he hasn't eaten..."
Alex released a sigh, a whisper of the silent wind, "None of us have eaten."
Then Archer's eyebrow arched, a silent inquiry, "But that's your problem."
Alex turned his head sharply, a silent protest, "And Reid's is yours?"
Archer shrugged, a silent acceptance, before moving over to Reid and pulling the silent man to his feet. Reid's frown was a painting of deep thoughts and silent storms. The duo exchanged glances, a silent conversation, before Reid's laughter, a symphony of joy and mischief, filled the air as he pinched Archer's cheeks in response. Archer's frown was a silent protest before he pulled Reid's hands away. Reid's laughter became a symphony of joy.
It seems Reid was back to normal. Alex shrugged before taking in a deep breath, preparing himself to walk into the storm with Uncle Jem to share the shadows of ugly truths with him.
***
Reid was absentmindedly petting Jill when Archer placed a bowl of porridge in front of him. Reid showed his displeasure, "Why porridge? I want hotpot!"
Archer, visibly annoyed, responded, "You haven't eaten all day. Eat anything else, and you'll regret it tomorrow."
Reid argued, "No, I won't. You've been gone for three years. How would you know what I can handle!"
Archer retorted, "Exactly because I haven't been here. I know you haven't been eating right. Without me, you'd be living off junk food and skipping meals!"
Reid denied, and Jill meowed in protest, "That's not true."
Archer knew Reid had conceded when he reached for the bowl of porridge.
Archer got another bowl and sat next to Reid.
"You're curious about how the head got into the restaurant?"
Archer replied to Reid, "Not really."
Reid knew Archer was curious, even if he didn't show it. Reid explained, "Vanessa probably worked with either… or both Hobbs and Chester. Lana said the surveillance tape was edited. Someone tampered with it. I've informed Alex, and he'll handle it."
Archer asked, "When did you inform him?"
Reid, annoyed by Jill trying to eat his porridge, replied, "Just now, while you were cooking. But Alex would've found out during Vanessa's interrogation…"
"It doesn't matter. She probably feels guilty about her sister's death and wants to be punished for it. She thinks it's her way of atoning. Or maybe, she was angry that she did not manage to kill Vienne."
Reid didn't respond to Archer; there was no need to. Despite their constant bickering, they understood each other well, being the best of friends. Jill, tired of Reid's dismissals, had left the couch, likely to find her own food.
Reid's emotions were evident as he placed his bowl heavily on the table, something Archer didn't miss. They sat in silence, lost in their thoughts, until they both began to speak simultaneously.
"I'm sorry..."
They exchanged surprised glances before Reid chuckled and Archer smiled, a rarity for him.
Reid apologized, "I shouldn't have tried to access Vanessa's memories. I needed to know the truth, and I couldn't let it go. I didn't want her to be judged unfairly, even if she might deserve it."
Archer understood, "I know how you operate. That's why I stopped you." He gently cupped Reid's face, "You have a kind, pure soul. Experiencing the memories of someone as unstable as Vanessa could harm you."
Reid smiled gently before swatting Archer's hands away in mock disgust, asked, "What are you sorry for?"
Archer admitted, "I know you wanted to stay at the station, to see what would happen to Uncle Jem or Vanessa."
Reid wasn't bothered, "Alex has been updating me. I'm just a freelance detective." He smirked, "Alex and his team handle the paperwork. We do the exciting parts and leave when it gets boring!"
Archer knocked Reid on his head playfully. Reid, pretending to be hurt, then asked Archer, "How did you know Vanessa felt guilty or angry about her sister's death and refused to admit it was manslaughter?"
Archer wasn't certain but shared, "I had a hunch... Remember the man obsessed with my brother?"
"The waiter?"
"Yes," Archer paused, "Sarah said he seemed happy in the cell."
"Why?"
"He's obsessed with my brother. Being sent to a dirty cell by him... it probably excited him..."
"Ah…" Reid pondered, this could be a manifestation of a paraphilic disorder, where the individual experiences sexual arousal from atypical or extreme situations, in this case, being subjected to discomfort and humiliation by the object of his obsession. It's a complicated interaction of power and obsessive fixation, where the individual derives satisfaction from the suffering imposed by the one he's fixated on."
"Maybe," Archer replied, his mind seemingly elsewhere, "it does seem like Vanessa has harbored an obsession with Vienne for quite some time."
"Right…" Reid, lost in his thoughts, speculated, "Vanessa might not actually be guilty. She might be frustrated that she couldn't execute the act properly… that's why she's so adamant that she killed Vienne."
"Could be."
However, Reid added, "I'm more inclined to believe she feels guilty though... This could be due to a form of self-punishment stemming from her paraphilic disorder, where her feelings of guilt and remorse are intertwined with her obsessive tendencies, causing her to seek punishment as a form of gratification, reinforcing her belief in her own guilt."
Archer just shrugged, leaving the sound of running water as the only noise permeating the silence of the house.
"What about VIVI? The institute?" Archer inquired, his hands freshly dried after dealing with the dishes.
Reid, seemingly unaware, returned a puzzled look. "I'm not sure. I think Alex will probably investigate it. I'm just not certain if he'll report it to the government… given the current crackdown on such matters."
Reid then straightened up, a spark of realization in his eyes. "Actually… isn't it fascinating that there is, in fact, a hereditary aspect to Abilities?"
Archer settled beside Reid, contemplating. "Indeed. If we examine our own lineages, there seems to be no correlation whatsoever."
Reid's hand found its way to his chin, a clear indication he was deep in thought. "True… and we don't really understand the mechanics of Abilities, do we? They've only been around for what, 300, 400 years?"
Archer shrugged, his mind wandering back in time. "Yes, they first manifested during the Lost Era, amidst the wars that created the rifts between the nations…"
Reid let out a resigned sigh. "Well, we are just minor pieces in this vast, intricate world. We should just focus on enjoying what we do!" With a playful smack on Archer's back, he emphasized his point.
Archer watched as Reid retreated to his room. Jill reappeared, casting a long, protective glance at Archer, as if entrusting him with her owner's safety.
Archer sighed, pulling out his phone and reviewing the information sent by his brother a few minutes ago, during his time in the kitchen.
The symbol linked to the man who infiltrated Reid's house was found in VIVI. Something peculiar is unfolding, and Reid seems to be at the epicenter. What intrigues me is… I don't think the man intends to harm Reid. Maybe, it's time we went back home and consulted our parents about this…
Archer sighed again, stretching his limbs. It seemed like the time to return home was drawing near.