We had left the Dojo. Now, my family and I sat around a big dining table, eating dinner.
I didn't touch my plate. The thought of Tony and his actions didn't leave my mind.
My mother noticed.
"Amelia."
I raised my head snapping back into reality.
"Yes?"
"Eat your food."
I nodded, taking my spoon to slowly consume the meal in front of me. Tony's actions had left me shaken. His words had left me curious.
"So Tony, what's the deal? What brings you here?"
My father spoke to Tony, who sat across from me.
"Am I not allowed to visit?"
It was Strange. He was never the type to just stop by. So what could he really be doing here?
"Tell me about your missions, how are they?"
Everyone shot looks at me soon after I asked that. Tony stopped eating and closed his eyes.
"I can't tell you that."
"Why!?"
I must have lost control because my mother shot me a glare afterwards.
"I can't tell you that either."
"Is this nation fair? I think I'm starting to understand what you meant by that. They're hiding something, aren't they?"
"I can't answer that."
I stood up, slamming my hands against the table to face him.
"Amelia!"
My mother snapped. My father and the rest of my relatives remained silent. Observing.
I Ignored them all and proceeded.
"It's clear that it's not. First, the Academy doesn't provide clear context of our career prospects. Now, you won't tell me about your missions. I want to know what they're hiding."
Tony picked up his spoon, ignored me and continued eating.
"Answer me!"
"You're graduating soon, right?"
I nodded.
"Then find out yourself."
I didn't like the way he talked to me. So I stormed out of the room, frustrated.
"Amelia!"
My mother tried to reach out to me. But I kept walking.
"What did you tell her?"
She asked Tony. He ignored her and continued with his meal.
After walking for a while in the hall, I burst into my room, walking for a while to flop face-first on the bed. I thought someone would show up eventually to check on me. No one did.
Before I knew it, I dozed off.
The next day--
Morning light through multiple windows woke me up.
"Do you really want to go?"
I heard my father's voice echo from the hall. Weird, his room was on the other side of the mansion. What could he be doing around here?
I went to check.
"I can take it."
Tony's voice followed.
They noticed me after I exited my room.
"Amelia."
"Morning... Father."
"Please, drop the formalities."
"Sorry. But... is everything alright?"
Tony began walking away.
"Wait."
Tony stopped after my father commanded.
"Take Amelia with you."
I wondered, where?
Tony stopped and turned to me.
"OK. Let's go."
I couldn't ask questions, because I didn't want to waste his time.
"Wait, I haven't gotten ready."
"You have ten minutes."
After he left, I went to my bathroom to clean myself up. I was skipping school today. I didn't care, I just wanted to observe a taste of Tony's daily life.
I met him leaning against a wall, outside. Did he think that was cool?
So corny.
"By the way, where are we going?"
"There was an unauthorized entry at gate 46. My mission is to deal with it."
"I understand."
Then--
We took off, vanishing within the thick forest in front of us.
As the Croax of this area, my family was responsible for everything that occurred in this area, including the local Nexarion gate we were headed for.