Chapter 20
Boardinghouse of Fountain Grove, State: Percival, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat Year: 2040, Planet: Grimoire
Joan, Marcus, Hermina and Shiloh still ruminated over the decisions that needed addressing. Joan folded her arms. "Well, I think we've given them enough time to make a decision." She tilted her head. "What do you all think?"
Marcus shrugged. "I would hope so, though I believe at least two of them are more comfortable working rather than studying." He'd been checking on different statistics, including their scholastic achievements, while they were discussing different educational institutes.
"Is that why you came up with that diverse listing?" Joan was clearly amused and aware of his considerations. "I do think that you're on the right track as far as believing that none of them really want to continue together at the same institution." She shrugged. "I think they still have to realize that part as well."
They were all in agreement about that last bit. None of the children had time to grieve Davina's passing. "I just wish there was more time for them to grieve." Hermina stated much to their surprise. "They just have gone through so much that at some point they're all going to have meltdowns. I would prefer it if that didn't happen while they're on the road, that's all."
Hmm that wasn't something they expected to hear from Hermina at all, but it was a valid concern. It was true that not a single one of them was allowed time alone to reflect, grieve, and cry their eyes out.
At last, Shiloh stretched. "Should we summon those eight rebels and find out what they've settled upon?" She wouldn't be too shocked if all of them chose to enter different academies at this point. All of them had very diverse interests of what they wanted to accomplish.
Hermina nodded. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea."
To Marcus and Joan's shock, Hermina admitted. "I honestly think that Davina knew those kids too well," She shrugged and let them know her thoughts on the situation. "Even with her impending passing, she had some notions of what they might do in formal rebellion against all the previous arrangements."
Shiloh blinked. "So, you had a notion of what might begin to happen once reality set in?"
Hermina exhaled. "Yes, because I saw their restlessness at being restrained in this small city." She knew that Davina had prepared alternate forms of payments in case her offspring chose not to attend the aforementioned Tremont Vocational Academy.
"Mm, which would be a problem if they can't adapt to even a place like Fountain Grove." Shiloh nodded.
Hermina spread her hands with resignation. "I have a feeling she must've also investigated it independently if she'd made alternate arrangements just in case." She said wryly. "I don't always do the background as much as I planned." Too overwhelmed with other cases and an increased workload. That was something Hermina hadn't appreciated because the timing was too suspicious now that she looked upon the situation from a distance.
Clearly Davina knew her children well enough that they likely would refuse to attend an academy. Right at the moment they realized it had an overwhelmingly adverse reputation that might reflect upon them badly. They were too accustomed to criticism when it came to their backgrounds. On the other hand, their scholastic achievements were something else altogether.
*
Bingo, instant awkward silence.
Goal achieved, Jennifer was pleased. Yep, no one wanted to deal with that subject. Sure, enough, the oldest son stopped Jennifer from talking about it right then.
He frowned at her, his eyes narrowing when she smirked. "We'll talk about that later." Harper stated simply. "We really need to concentrate on all of this first."
Satisfied that she made her point. "Fine with me," Jennifer shrugged and hammered in the reason for doing it in the first place. "I thought to toss it out there so that we wouldn't dawdle on the subject of the academies and waste more time." Her admission made all of them sigh.
Holly high-fived Jennifer for taking the initiative. "Thank you, sister dearest, I was about to fall asleep."
Now maybe something would get done, Jennifer hoped. "You're welcome."
Sure, enough, they finally stopped waffling around.
Clearly annoyed and amused at the same time at her antics, Harper looked at Jennifer. "Which one were you interested in?" He nudged the pile of brochures. "After all, I would think you'd want to make sure you had a fallback plan in case something happened that you couldn't hunt anymore?"
Jennifer winced. She noticed that Holly blanched as well. The others flinched because none of them considered such a notion. However, it did fall in line with that dream.
Ack, what a dilemma. Indeed, she hadn't even considered the future bleak possibility of injury or death that adventurers and hunters faced in their occupations. She'd brought that down upon herself with that impetuous question it seemed.
Darn it all, Jennifer blinked because she hadn't expected him to inquire of her first. So typical of her bossy older brother. Grr, what a nuisance. "Err, hmm, uh..." Oops, she hadn't even bothered to sift through any. A tactical mistake she shouldn't have committed right then.
Jennifer frowned hesitantly as she peered at the pile of brochures now within grasping distance. Great, so which one should she choose? She caught Harper's eyes narrowing on her and she sighed. Darn, no way out of this quandary. Her shoulders hunched in frustration. Better pick one at random, Jennifer grimaced.
Preferably before he nagged at her for blurting out that other question first. "Cornell," Jennifer listed the one that she noticed no one bothered to look over. She picked up the brochure to at least pretend she was interested. "I guess this one works." She studied it without enthusiasm.
Jennifer stifled a yawn as she looked through it and then perked up. "Wow, all kinds of cool stuff in this one." Honestly, she'd rather work than study more. Jennifer winced when Harper glowered briefly and then laughed at her.
"All right, I do agree this is taking long than it should." Harper shook his head. "Brat," He said dryly. "Now then, shall we draw this to a conclusion?"
Hmm, so Jennifer wasn't the only impatient one. Harper had been holding back but she'd finally triggered the ending of his patience with the situation at hand. She'd been bored to tears more than a few times in those classes back in Glaston township.
Even now, Jennifer was dubious. She wasn't overly thrilled with what was ahead of them in this new location of Three Pronged Fork. What kind of town or bigger city was that anyway? Why was it such a big deal that they had such a horrific dream about it? All those questions buzzed in Jennifer's head, but they went to a subconscious part of her brain as she paid attention to the others who chattered onward.
*
While all the conversations floated Shiloh had drawn a few conclusions from everything not spoken but rather implied. One, no one knew what those kids really wanted to do with their lives. Two, Davina really had managed to make them too self-sufficient for their own good. Three, eventually they would rebel and that wasn't going to go down well at all with adults elsewhere.
Now the challenge facing the four of them was dealing with the aftermath of the children's choices. Would only three depart from Fountain's Grove, or would it be all eight of them? Shiloh wasn't sure.
on the other hand, it would be interesting to see what decisions that they drew from their discussions regarding the new alternatives that Joan and Marcus dropped into their laps. "I think they're still discussing some problems." Shiloh murmured.
Hermina grunted. "Time's up," She warned Shiloh. "otherwise, none of them will come to an agreement. If anything, they're headed for a huge quarrel that might result in fisticuffs." Hermina shook her head. "They won't mean to do it, but I think they're at a snapping point right now."
too much stimulation was a bad thing, Shiloh grimaced. "All right, I'll summon them now." She did so with haste.
The last thing Shiloh needed was broken furniture that would need replacing. She hit an intercom buzzer and spoke firmly. "All right, that's enough discussion. Come down with your tentative choices at least. Take note, you won't need to go to the same academy if you don't wish to."
Hopefully that would ease the tension enough to make them relax.
Sure, enough she heard the heaving of relieved sighs. Shiloh glanced at Marcus, Joan, and Hermina who nodded in agreement. Ah hah, this was something they'd all expected to happen. It was fortunate that they would be able to make individual choices after all. That would make life easier for the much younger children too.
Shiloh noticed that her fosters were curious about what the eight siblings would decide to do. "This isn't effecting just those eight kids." Shiloh told the trio of adults. "Even my charges are effected now."
Hermina frowned. "That dream?" She hadn't known it went beyond the eight kids and them.
Shiloh nodded in consternation. "Yep, I think we're all connected in some way or another." She grimaced slightly. "I think it might have to do with something happening in Three Pronged Fork that we don't know about yet."
If that was the case, then no wonder those kids were so on edge about their future scholastic choices. It would determine their good, best, or worst fates depending on what they chose.