We don't have to listen to his thoughts this time.
Stella: what were you saying, dear?
Instead of responding, Reese shakes her head. Stella bites her lip.
Stella: well, i think you both will be happy to hear that i ventured outside today.
Reese: Really?
Veli: No, mother, you know you can't!
Stella: now, now. yes, i know i need be careful, and i have done so. i am feeling better this day than i have in weeks.
Reese: That's amazing, mother!
Veli: You're sure you're alright to be going out?
Stella: i am as alright as i can ever hope to be. things will only get worse, so i plan to enjoy the world while i still have it.
Veli: Okay, sorry, you know I just worry.
Stella: it's okay. i bring this up, however, because i saw something very interesting on my walk. i went out right after you did, dear, and i saw what looked to be a boy walking away from our house.
Veli: A boy, perhaps, was it anyone you recognized?
Reese: Was it Kenik???
Stella: no, no, that's the strangest part. he was distant when i saw him and i did not want to weary myself by calling out, but i am certain that i've never seen him before.
Veli: That's really weird, especially because, you know, there's no travelers passing through right now as far as I heard.
Reese: Right after I went out..?
Reese: AHHHHH!
Veli jumps, scanning for danger. Stella startles, falling into a coughing fit. Veli rushes to her side.
Reese: I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorrrrrryyyyyy!!!!!
Stella: HACK HACK COUGH COUGH
Reese: Nooooooo, I'm sorrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Veli: Mom, are you okay?
Stella: cough cough yes, i'm alright, but dearest, why did you scream like that? cough
Reese: It's just, um, you said you saw him right after I went out?
Stella: yes?
Reese: Did you see his birth sign?
Stella: i believe i caught a glimpse of the color, sure, but i don't know what the actual sign was.
Reese: !!! Perfect. What was it?????
Stella: blue? a light blue?
Reese: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A LIGHT BLUE. YOU ARE CERTAIN.
Stella: yes, like selice's, except lighter.
Reese: Ok, thank you mother.
Veli returns to his seat.
Veli: What..?
Reese:AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
Stella: reese..? you look like you're about to explode.
Reese:HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
Veli: Reese, come on, you there?
Reese:HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Reese: Feel better?
Reese: Hehe.
Reese: Did you see like his hair or anything?
Stella: will answering this question make you... do... that, again?
Reese: Ummmm, no?
Stella: well, unfortunately he had his hood up. he looked to be about the same height as you, though, and i'm not actually certain he is a boy, that was just the impression his cloaked physique gave.
Reese: Mmm. Mmm. Anything else?
Stella: no, but why do you want to know? you're acting like you know who this is.
Reese: No I'm not.
Veli: ...
Stella: ...
Reese: ...
Veli: ...Reese, are you serious.
Reese: What? I just wanted to know.
Veli and Stella share a glance. Stella shrugs. Veli decides to drop it.
Veli: Well, did anything else interesting happen on the walk?
Stella: no, no, i mostly just enjoyed the summer warmth. i saw a patch of orchids, however, and they were beautiful.
Reese: :o
Veli: That sounds lovely, mother.
Reese: :|
Veli: -_-
Stella: ?
Reese: Ummmmmmm, did you see if he was wearing anything special?
Stella: he was wearing a cloak, child.
Reese: Yeah, but like, OH, did he have any crystals or anything on him?
Stella: why would he have crystals on him?
Reese: Oh, uh, I dunno, just curious.
Stella: i see.
Reese: :|
Veli: -_-
Reese: :<
Veli: ...
Reese: Did he-
Stella: SO, veli, how have things been with selice of late?
Reese: Well I was just-
Veli: Well! They've been going well, um, but come on, mom, you don't have to say it like I'm a child.
Reese: No I mean-
Stella: but veli, you are a child. fifteen is hardly a man, and no matter what you will always be your mother's boy.
Reese: :/
Stella: she really didn't find that funny?
Veli: Not even a snicker?
Stella: just who was that boy?
Veli: Well, sure, mom, why are you wondering?
Stella: i bring it up because the two of you have been seeing each other for some time, probably much longer than i think, and yet i have never met her. perhaps you could bring her over for dinner tomorrow night?
Reese: !!!
Stella: much better.
Veli: Oh, um, I mean, I didn't really expect, I mean, I guess I can?
Stella: you guess?
Veli: Man, why does everyone get on my ass about that?
Veli: It's because you're-
Veli: YES, um, yeah, I can bring her over, assuming she isn't busy.
Stella: busy with what? eating dinner?
Veli: Very funny, mom.
Reese: Snicker.
Veli: Thank you, Reese.
The three fall into silence. After a few bites, Veli works up his courage.
Veli: Reese, I, uh, not to change the topic, but I've noticed you've been working really hard lately.
Reese: Umm, ok.
Veli: Well, I mean, you've seriously been awesome, like, really awesome, way more awesome than me, so I think that, maybe, you should, you know, maybe, like, instead of working, you could, I guess, do something, like, you know, take a break, and rest for the next day or two.
Reese: ...Really?
Veli: Yeah. You've earned it.
Veli: Two hunts this week. Just this week.
And for once, there was no response.
