59 Meeting the Family (2/2)
”Wait a minute isn't this—” said Reed as he stared at the girl in front of him in confusion.
”They're identical twins, brother. Don't be fooled by their innocent appearances, though. Ylva and Eir are still older than you despite how they might appear. These two have a unique constitution, rarer even than Sigurda's. They're spiritually bonded to one another — they can see, hear and feel what the other twin is experiencing if they focus on each other.”
Wait, they're older than me?!! What the fuck? Fucking hell…
”Where's my chocolate bar, big brother? How come Ylva got one and I didn't? That's unfair…” said Eir.
Kanosis snorted in disgust and said, ”Drop the little sister act, Eir. You know how I feel about it. Please, act your age for once. The same goes for you too, Ylva.”
Ylva popped out from behind Reed's seat and hung herself around his neck in an act of defiance against Kanosis. ”We're just putting a natural advantage to good use, big bro! What's the harm in some harmless fun here and there? You really need to get the stick out your ass one of these days~”
The twins pointed at Kanosis mischievously as they laughed in derision, making a mockery of his so-called authority as the oldest sibling.
”As you can see, they're an irritating handful. I don't know where they've learned this behavior from, but I intend to get them back on the right path in due time,” said Kanosis in a low, menacing tone.
”You've got a big family, that's for sure,” said Reed. ”Must be very taxing wrangling six other people at once, I reckon. A lot of headaches, I imagine.”
”Hmm? Six people? Ah, that's right, I nearly forgot. I forgot to mention that, didn't I? You see, there are eight of us siblings in the family. She wasn't here, so I forgot to mention her at all,” said Kanosis in a half-joking tone.
”Seven of you are here, right? Where's the eighth? On some important business?”
”No, no. The eighth and youngest is present, but not in this room. She's outside managing and taking care of the ball at the moment. You are already intimately acquainted with her, given she was your former classmate, no? Astrid is our the youngest sibling, so we thought it best for you to gain some experience in handling the sheep, hence her absence.”
Astrid?! I mean they're all part of the same family, but she doesn't look like them at all! Is she a… child born out of an affair or something? Or maybe a different concubine? It makes no sense…
”You're probably thinking that she does not look like us at all, no?” said Kanosis with a knowing smile. ”Her beautiful black hair, and deep, electric-blue eyes, right? A lie, I can assure you. Her blood is pure; she is no bastard child if that was what you were thinking.”
Kanosis chuckled in self-derision and said, ”If anything, her blood is the second purest, aside from my own, you see. You will find beneath her feeble persona the noble heritage of gold and silver.”
But why? Why hide it from everyone? Does that mean that Sebastian is also the same? But Kanosis did say eight siblings and not nine…
”What about Sebastian, then? He's part of the family, right? He and Astrid are relatives, no? Why isn't he part of your little group?” said Reed in confusion.
When the siblings heard Reed's question, some laughed heartily and others simply shook their heads. Ylva and Eir giggled like they'd heard the funniest joke in their lives. It seemed that his question had riled up the family, so to speak…
Kanosis said, ”Brother, you jest. That fellow is, unfortunately… lacking in an important aspect. Sister Astrid might consider him family, but there are some things that cannot be forced. It is folly for a man to fly too close to the sun. I'm sure you of all people, brother, understand this fact of life.”
And there it is, right there. The truth has been revealed. I can finally stop caring about playing nice. Thank god.
”Excellent. I was going to die of boredom with all that boring prattling, you know. I'm glad you've finally to grow a pair of balls, boy. Let's get this party started for real,” said Lacrima in delight.
Reed smiled, nodded in agreement and then said, ”Yes, you're right. All too right, in fact. That's why it's very confusing, given you understand that little pearl of wisdom.”
A horrifying amount of Anima surged out of Reed like a never-ending flood. Waves of painful, crushing pressure covered every square inch of the room in an instant as Reed willed his presence onto reality.
”Now that the pleasantries are over, let's get on with the real shit,” said Reed as he grimly smirked at everyone in the room. ”You're going to tell me everything that I fucking want to know. That's the price you're going to pay tonight for flying too close to the sun…”