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*****
Soul was late to the table. He had assured Scott that he was only going to wash his face but he has managed to speak with the twins, if only for a moment. They had a plan; he had a plan, even if it was only to make a plan.
Soul slipped into his seat as quietly and respectfully as he could, it was an unacceptable thing to be late, but apparently his and Scott's earlier activities had tempered Sylvia's ire. She smiled tightly at him and continued her conversations, which included berating everyone for small indiscretions. Her lack of attention was a gift and was almost worth Soul's earlier embarrassment. He had known that she would know what they were doing, known that she might even walk in. Soul knew it, and still he had persevered. He hadn't imagined that he would be able to forget the oppressive house, the watching eyes and listening ears, but he had, yet again he had underestimated the power of Scott's touch. Soul sighed as he remembered. It had felt so good, even as it had almost hurt. He could feel a blush coming to his face as he remembered in more detail, the feel of Scott growing in his mouth, the feel of Scott's hands, almost tickling-
"Even thought the library is not the most appropriate place for such activities." Soul looked up, startled from his revelry, right into Sylvia's face. She had apparently been thinking of similar things as Soul, he blushed and looked to his right, where he found others staring at him. Scott took his hand under the table, for support Soul was sure, but he hated being talked about, he didn't want them to imagine what he had been remembering. His peace about having and fulfilling a plan began to fade. He pulled his hand away and wrapped it with his other in his lap. He knew that Scott would have a hurt expression on his face but couldn't face it.
The conversation continued, Sylvia mentioning the bond and how important it was to 'continue their work'. She said she understood his hesitance but that she really needed them to proceed. She spoke of how lovely it was that his drawings were becoming clearer, but also that he needed to focus on the abstract. Soul focused on that, finding it much more comfortable to be frustrated than embarrassed.
"I can't focus on something if I don't know what it is." He spoke softly but clearly. He could feel Sylvia's eyes on him even though he didn't look up. "With Scott I focus on him, I can see him, it's a very specific anchor. But I don't know what you want me to look for there are so many things in the world I can't just know what you want."
Everyone was silent for a moment, talking back to Sylvia just wasn't something that was done, and certainly not at her table with others watching. There was a brief silence, as everyone held their breath. Sylvia sighed and when Soul looked up he saw the end of her nod.
"You are right, it isn't fair to keep you in the dark." Soul waited for her to continue, for her to finally explain something but she didn't, she turned back to her place and delicately prepared a bite with steak and just a bit of potato. She smiled up at him when she was satisfied by the food on her fork.
"Just finish the bond, and everyone will be so pleased." She put the fork in her mouth and pulled it would very slowly, maintaining eye contact and Soul was reminded of a picture of a wolf he had once seen, its eyes almost glowing as it stripped the flesh from a deer carcass, he shivered and wrapped his hands more tightly around each other. If he had had an appetite before it was completely gone now.
*
Soul had slipped from Scott's arms easily. His earlier actions were paying off. Scott was relaxing around him. Soul felt almost bad for manipulating him he did think that Scott was a good person, someone he could really love in different circumstances. But for now he had to get out of here, to find his mother, to find some answers.
Soul walked quietly down the hall and out into the back garden. He half expected there to be an alarm, for dozens of the newcomers to come pouring out of the house to drag him to some dark dungeon. But there was nothing but the soft noises of suburban night, and the sweet smells of a well-tended garden. Soul realized as he felt the dew on the soft grass that he hadn't been outside in days. He missed it then, deeply. He wandered for a bit, smelling the flowers and picking small leaves off the plants in a small plot of kitchen herbs. He was so engrossed that he forgot for a moment his reason for being here- meeting the twins.
They approached quietly, and even thought their greeting was soft Soul was still more startled than he would like to admit.
"Soul."
"You were early."
"And you wanted to speak with us?"
Soul nodded and looked around, still surprised that no one had come to shoo him back into the house.
"The garden is warded"
"There will be no alarm"
"Unless you try to leave."
Soul nodded but still didn't speak.
"There are still listening ears"
"There are everywhere"
"But fewer that in the house"
"And less attentive"
"Especially at night."
Soul nodded again and took a breath.
"I need to get out of here." The twins nodded and shared a long look.
"It is sooner than we wanted."
