Chapter 11: Sometimes love is embarrassing
This time when Kellen was led to an office, it actually looked like an office. He didn't feel like he was being lured into a quiet, secluded place where no one could interrupt them. This office also felt very similar to the Guiding Center manager's office, with the main difference being size, view, and there were no filing cabinets in this room. There were couches instead of chairs, and they sat facing each other, a small but tasteful coffee table sat between them, and the desk was against the window, the chair facing towards the door. His parents sat on one side, while Ms. Hill remained standing by the door. His manager sat on the other side while the Captain went around his desk and sat down in his own chair. Kellen wasn't sure what side to sit on, feeling that this was a silent war everyone in the room was fighting. He knew that the Captain probably wanted him to join him behind his desk, but that was dangerous. He also felt that if he sat down with his manager the Captain would be mad about that as well. Sitting with his parents wasn't really an option. Kellen felt exhausted. So, he made a democratic choice and remained standing near the couches in the relaxed stance of a soldier. His manager gave him a confused look, but turned towards Captain Thatcher.
"We're very grateful that you stepped in to help with the retest of Guide Woods, but I am simply confused as to why he didn't come back immediately after visiting your guild. It's been hours, and now that I can look at him," she glanced over Kellen, "he looks worse for wear. What exactly happened?" She demanded, clearly upset. Captain smiled at her, leaning his elbows against the desk and resting his face against his hands.
"Well, during the testing, Mr. Woods passed out." The manager threw a concerned look in Kellen's direction. "We managed it fine, since I rushed him here. I felt he would respond better if Ms. Green treated him. But, during his testing, some things became apparent." Captain's calm and collected tone was clearly upsetting the manager. She narrowed her eyes at the Captain.
"What things, Captain Thatcher, are big enough that you would keep one of my Guides in this state in your guild?" Oo, she was going for the throat. Captain leaned back in his chair, a smirk on his lips. His eyes were glowing yellow again. Kellen really wanted to know what kind of powers he had if he was using them consistently.
"Well, Mr. Woods and I had never tested our compatibility before, you see, so we took this chance to." He pulled open a drawer in his desk, handing over a manila envelope similar to the one Kellen had received earlier. Kellen jerked, realising he had left his own in the Captain's apartment. Fuck. "That should have the results of his retest, and our compatibility test as well." His smug grin clearly rubbed her the wrong way and she pulled the pieces of paper out aggressively. She stared uncomprehending at the papers before her, flipping between both of them before turning her gaze towards Kellen.
"I'm missing something here. Results don't come out like this Guide Woods. They are never on an upward curve." Kellen felt his cheeks heat as he nodded.
"You're right, but Dad and I have a theory about that. You know I've taken several retests, right?" She nodded in confirmation, while Ms. Hill seemed surprised at the new information. "Well, we think that if we took all of my tests and laid them out in a line we would see a slow, but consistent upwards curve. I was always going to go up a Class at some point, but when the Captain and I did our compatibility test something happened that sped up the process." She stared at the papers in silence for a beat longer.
"And can we trust the results on these papers?" She asked and the Captain spoke up this time.
"I had them verified twice more after this. It's real." She put down the papers before rubbing her face and sighing.
"You've barely gotten out of your probation period Guide Woods, and you signed a five year contract." Kellen was keenly aware of it, which was why he had protested about just joining the guild as the Captain had suggested. It would not reflect well on him professionally if he jumped ship so easily and quickly.
"My Guild will pay the cost of breaking the contract, and also provide support should you need it until you find a suitable replacement. You know, as well as I do, as soon as either of these results are made public that his safety is priority number one. Where else is he going to get better safety than by my side?" The Captain's tone was cocky, and self assured. The manager glanced at Kellen, ignoring the Captain completely.