Chapter 443: The other shoe has fallen
Kellen was wearing his Field Guide black for two reasons today.
One was in solidarity for his people who were on the front lines, and the second was because it was a black outfit and he was hoping to be able to pop in with his Dad to join the funeral. Even if it was only for a few minutes, it was something that he wanted to do, to support his family.
The funeral was happening near the end of his first class, and Charlie was also going to go to the funeral as well. That meant Kellen wasn’t planning to push him too hard today so that he wasn’t all sweaty when they both joined his Dad. He had already briefed his class yesterday on the plan for today and since they were in the simulations, they had told him to just go. A few of the Espers that hung around had said they would keep an eye on the group.
Kellen was grateful for the people around him that just stepped in, no questions asked. Kellen had a few of those kinds of relationships on the front lines, but not many had come from his colleagues, and not so easily. Kellen was beginning to see why people joined Guilds right away. This kind of reliability was addicting.
His Dad texted him, letting know when the stream was starting and Kellen, thankfully, had already sent Charlie off to take a quick shower and get into his ’black clothes’. It was a suit that Kellen’s Dad had lent him, and then they had rushed off to the elevator. They were doing it in one of the smaller conference rooms since it had the set up, and it was just easier. Rhys had offered it up this morning, and Kellen’s Dad had gratefully accepted it.
Kellen tied Charlie’s tie in the elevator so that when they arrived they were both dressed fully. Kellen’s Dad was already crying, a box of tissues nearby. It only took Kellen a few seconds to feel his own eyes water.
Aunt Dina looked...drained. Like every ounce of happiness had been drained out of her at the loss of her long time partner. Kellen couldn’t fucking blame her. The weather was either working in their favour, or a hindrance. It was raining, the sky behind them miserable. Kellen slid up on one side of his Dad, looping his arm through his while Charlie sniffled on the other side of his Dad.
"Who’s filming?" Kellen asked quietly and his Dad sniffed.
"One of her Lieutenants. You’ve met him. Jeff Parker. A good guy. He was...he was the one who introduced them." His Dad whispered carefully.
A voice spoke on the camera, and Kellen forgot that this was a live stream and that it worked both ways.
"I don’t regret it." A deep voice said. It held a lot of grief and Kellen felt his eyes water.