The XANTH3 Residence

19:27

For so many years, the Leader and his son were never seen together even for a second. Though Mr. XANTH3 didn't expect anything of this to happen, LUK3 already knew what will be his reaction and what excuses he will bring again. But he didn't expect to stay for a bit longer with him, that's for sure. But again, they didn't see each other for a long time, and he had some people here that he kind of missed too. So what they did was just to take one of the most expensive drinks that the Leader owns and just walk around the whole house while talking.

Before anything, LUK3 made him swear he won't bring anything about what they argued into this conversation and only talk about the past years. He really didn't want to argue anymore, he knew it was all in vain. So at least they can try and enjoy some time together at least for a few minutes. Who knows if LUK3 will come back after all? He doesn't really have a reason for that. He has his own room at the base so he doesn't need to sleep here. He has his people that he knows the most there, though he has some that work here too. And there is no point in mentioning that he really despises the idea of his father being present at every corner of the building.

Probably he can come back for the drinks as they surely are impossible for him to get in the city. Not because he doesn't find any, but for the son of the clan that produces the money is funny how he barely has some for himself. Most of the times, he just spends it randomly when he goes out, so he never keeps some for other days too. His salary isn't bad, but he surely doesn't know the concept of money. Ironic, isn't it? Maybe even the Great Leader would've enjoyed these drinks as well, who knows?

[XANTH3]-How are the others doing?

[LUK3]-You mean MY4 and ADIN4? I guess they are just fine. MY4 is in a relation with someone, so she is doing pretty well.

[XANTH3]-Really?

[LUK3]-Yep! She's been in a relationship ever since we had entered together in the Southeast Base because she found herself a man in the base that was close to our age, just a bit older. But... I still struggle a bit with ADIN4 myself, so...

[XANTH3]-Hmph. Kind of disappointing if I'm thinking about it.

[LUK3]-Well, it's not like YOU had any success in love! I swear, the only XANTH3 who succeeded in this thing was the first one who had a wife before he died. Such a losers family...

[XANTH3]-Hey now! Don't be disrespectful to the bloodline, LUCAS!

[LUK3]-Mmm... I'm just spitting facts! Anyway... both of them are alright. MY4 is working at the shelter sometimes to treat the wounded that are saved by Mr. M1SH4M's team, and ADIN4 managed to take the title of Officer in the base, but I think you already knew about that.

[XANTH3]-Yes. I saw the young girl at the Council for some years now, but I never had the chance to talk to her. She does seem like she is taking her title pretty seriously as well, right?

[LUK3]-Mhm! Truth to be told, ADIN4 bosses around with me when we are going in the city, even though, technically, she has no authority to do so during the free time. It annoys me, but... I'm still trying to win her, you know? And I got pretty used to it after all.

[XANTH3]-Mhm... Other than that?

[LUK3]-Other than that... Hmm... I don't really think there is more to say. That's kind of all about them. Nothing has really changed in our friend group over the years.

[XANTH3]-I've heard that Miss ADIN4 changed her name a while ago though. Is it true?

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah! She calls herself KYR4 now. I'm not sure why, but if that's what she wants... I call her by her old name sometimes by mistake and that pisses her off. It's funny, actually!

[XANTH3]-Why so? The previous name fit her pretty well. I liked it myself. Why did she wanted to change it so badly?

[LUK3]-I told you, I don't really know! But she changed it after she left the Central Base and joined us. It was weird for both MY4 and I, but we got used to it eventually.

[XANTH3]-Alright... Then what about you?

[LUK3]-Hm?

[XANTH3]-What have you done in these past years?

[LUK3]-Oh...

There is a bit of hesitation in his eyes while he hears his father's words. Though he is allowed to tell about the missions made from the collaboration of the Southeast Base and the rest of the bases, he is not so sure if it is a good idea. After all, most of the collaborations were between the Great Leader and the Leader of the North Base, M1SH4M, which specialises in rescuing the convicted. It's not something that he will like to hear, that's for sure.

[LUK3]-Well... Umm... Nothing special, really! Documents over documents that I had to complete or just search for the old ones signed by the previous Leaders... You know, the usual! Just recently we've changed a bit, but it won't take long for us to come back to the old habits, I promise!

[XANTH3]-Why did you have to change all of a sudden anyway?

[LUK3]-No reason that should bother you, hehe... Master RY4N only wanted to... um... help out Mrs. M4EK0 with the investigation! Nothing serious.

[XANTH3]-Did his father obligate him or something?

[LUK3]-N-No... I mean... it was his decision to help her. From what I understood, her team needed more people, so he just gave her a hand. I mean, the City of Above is way bigger than our city, is it not?

[XANTH3]-But from what I know, Mrs. M4EK0 is already getting some help from Mr. M1SH4M since there is no need of his team to rescue the convicted anymore. Didn't he start helping Mr. R4YMOND and decided a while ago that he will also help Mrs. M4EK0 with her missions after all? The investigations in the city say that the C borns caught are immediately put to slavery for the high titles. Is it really a need of more people?

[LUK3]-I guess the term "enough" doesn't exist in this situation. I told you, it's a huge city after all! Maybe M4EK0 only wants to make sure that we do not miss anything from what the M soldiers plan. But why are you asking me these things anyway? You are the member of the Council, not me!

[XANTH3]-Well, I don't know if you are aware about this information, but the Great Leader has been absent at the meetings recently. Young Master RY4N informed us that He took a break which He didn't specify how long it will be. If anything, I can at least get some information on what's happening from you.

LUK3 choked a bit while drinking from hearing these words. Now he knows that his father is a bit suspicious about the whole situation. Not only that, but he is a bad liar after all, so he fears that he might break his words.

[XANTH3]-Are you alright?

[LUK3]-Ye... *cough* I'm fine... It went on the wrong direction! *cough* *cough*

[XANTH3]-Let me call someone to bring something so you can wash your face. Maybe it will calm you down.

[LUK3]-No, no! I'm fine! *cough* I don't need anything!

[XANTH3]-Don't be ridiculous! Miss ARY4!

[LUK3]-I said I don't need anything!! Look, I'm feeling better now! No need for anybody to come!

[XANTH3]-You are talking nonsense, LUCAS. What's gotten into you? A little help doesn't kill anybody.

[LUK3]-Come on, old man! You are doing this ever since I was a child and you know I hate it!

It's not because he is embarrassed this time though, as maybe he was feeling a bit when he was younger, but now it is more like a fear. But he has no authority to say anything to the Leader after all. At this point he will only try a solution to hide.

[LUK3]-Y-You know what? I can go to the restroom and wash my face as you said! N-No need for anybody to come!

[XANTH3]-But--

[LUK3]- --I-I'll be back in a minute!! I promise!

But as he turns back to walk towards his destination, the woman which the Leader called for was behind him, with a small bowl that contains a simple liquid, Histvorh, and a towel on a golden plate. Because he wasn't really paying attention as he was only looking at his father, he bumps into her which makes the bowl spill all over him, making him whisper to himself out of anger.

[LUK3]-...I swear at this point, this is becoming a habit of mine...

[ARY4]-I-I'm so sorry, Young Master XANTH3!

[LUK3]-No, no. It's fine! Really!

[ARY4]-Let me help y--

But as she tries to finish her sentence, she notices a hidden scar on his nose as the cosmetics used seem to fade from the liquid. She gets a bit worried about him of course.

[ARY4]-...What happened to your face?

He then immediately panics and starts giving her signs with his hands for her to shut her mouth. But his father heard what the girl said, so he gets a bit curious.

[XANTH3]-...What did she say, LUCAS?

[LUK3]-N-Nothing!

He then puts his left hand on his face to cover his scar as his father is approaching him. Now, he tries to avoid his father as much as possible. When he looks back, he does notice a bit of anger growing in his father's eyes, so he can't do more than just moving backwards as he is coming to him.

[XANTH3]-Why are you covering your face?

[LUK3]-O-Oh, it's nothing! Really! It hurts me from the impact, see? Ouch!

[XANTH3]-Move your hand, now! LUCAS!

[LUK3]-Oh, no! Look at the time! Ah, is sooo late! I should really get back to Master RY4N so I can work with some papers again! Well, it was a great reunion, but I should really take my leave n--

He dodged a bit his father's hand from catching him, but in the end, the Leader takes him by his left arm, forcing it to move and revealing his scar that still seems to have some cosmetics flowing from the liquid. This was the last thing he wanted him to see. He knew from the past how much his father exaggerated whenever he got hurt even a bit, but knowing he works somewhere that puts him in danger every second of his life is more than just a simple scar.

From the look on the Leader's face, he knew he messed up badly this time. But at least he couldn't do a scene in front of the people here, so he was safe... for now. Yet at this point, there is no reason for him to stay any much longer. LUK3 takes a deep breath in the end and closes his eyes, getting ready for what's to come.