Chapter 281: Not a funny joke
Time drew closer and Kellen started to feel anxious. He hadn’t felt anxious about the other two he had done, but this one felt like it was bigger. While the other two had only influenced his future, this press conference did not.
They were speaking for the whole community. Espers and Guides, especially from the city. He had to make sure he didn’t mess up, and didn’t get injured.
Well, he’d do his best on the last part. With Hill and Esper Blake here, he was doing his best to cover that ground.
Hill was dressed in her lieutenant uniform, shined and made to look brand new courtesy of the Captain. Esper Blake looked like she was going to be ill, but also looked determined. It was a confusing combination, but he believed in her.
It seemed that she’d had a good chat with Gwen when they had gone to pick up his Mom’s things, and a few of his Dad’s things. Whatever they had talked about, it had seemed to shake away any doubt, and she had willingly taken up the mantle of making sure that Kellen was safe today.
He hoped that, like him, it was to rub it in their faces that they had failed.
Lieutenant Fisher was a rather efficient man, and they had a few minutes to spare after everyone was briefed before the press conference started. Pamela, along with a few of the other Guild’s PR people were here, muttering to each other, all looking well put together, but worse for wear.
Of course, Pamela looked the worst, and while Kellen shoved a few shakes into his body, because he had time, he subtly slid up to Pamela, pressing a hand over her heart from behind and guided her.
She panicked immediately, but after throwing crazy eyes to Rhys, her Captain, and he only raised an eyebrow at her, she knew she was at a loss. She was not allowed to complain about Kellen taking care of her, since he was clearly taking care of himself.
Kellen wasn’t sure how he had managed it, but over the last two days he had quadrupled the amount of calories he was supposed to eat. He was a beast, doing his best to fill himself out for health reasons, and maybe a bit of intimidation. Injured Guides were supposed to look weak, fragile.
Kellen looked almost as good as he had when he’d beaten up those other Guides, maybe a little smaller. Rhys hadn’t seemed to mind. He’d fallen asleep against Kellen’s abs the previous night before.