Chapter 12 - Plans

Sainna looked at Mary and Theodore to see if they had something to say, but after almost a minute had passed they still had not said anything. Both of them sat quietly with thoughtful expressions on their faces. Sainna really wanted to know what they were thinking about, and they if she asked there was a chance they would tell, but... Despite the way she acted she was nervous.

This was only third time she had told someone about herself and her ability so completely. Her mother... had not taken this information well and back then She did not know better than just laying it down bare naked.

Afterwards, when she had decided to involve Hall and Melita she had done it better. It also helped that Hall already knew most of it and, because of situation they had found Melita in, she did not need much of a convincing before she accepted her.

Still it scared her, that Mary and Theodore could reject her, even if the possibility was exceedingly low.

After a moment Sainna noticed that Theodore seemed like he had something to ask, but to her chagrin he just made an agonizing face. She really had to wonder about his situation.

Theodore, or at least the 'Him' who sat in front of her was not quite who she had expected, but she was not complaining. He was quite a bit more agreeable, as far as she could tell, than the 'other' personality would have been, if somewhat harder to 'See' for. At least his face and behavior was easy to understand.

Speaking of which, he really should just speak up, all those facial gymnastics were getting on her nerves.

“Theodore, you can speak, surely you have not forgotten how to speak?”

“Eh, well, yes, is it safe to speak here so freely?” Theodore inquired.

Sainna gave him an amused look, before answering.

“Is it not a bit late to worry about that? But yes, yes it is!”

“Well, I was... swept up by the atmosphere.” Theodore muttered.

Sainna opened mouth to speak, but before she could Mary interrupted her.

“Can you finally tell us what are we going to do next? What is our plan?”

Mary glared at her now, but to Sainna's satisfaction she used 'we' and 'our'. Despite the constant threatening looks she received form her she was clearly not avert of working together. “Well, maybe I should cut down on all the teasing I have been doing, lest she really does go and punch me. She really looks like she wants to. Ah, but its so fun! So maybe not!”

“For now our plan is simple. I, with help of my companions here, have made a place we can base ourselves in. While it is in a remote location you wont find anything lacking there. We have made that place to be fully self-sufficient, stocked up food, weapons, daily necessities, even fastest internet is available there!”

To Sainna's disappointment only reaction on the last statement she got was from Melita, who looked visibly pleased. “Damn her and her movie addiction!” She thought to herself. “Well, I guess I should have expected that form a book-nerd and muscle-heads. They don't even appreciate how hard that was to get internet to such a remote place!” But then, it was not like it would matter much in future.

“Anyway, we also have a trustworthy and well qualified personal on site, making sure the place is managed well. Overseer of the site is also someone who has awakened his magic. I will introduce him when we arrive there. He is usually busy with his work so you probably wont see him much.”

What Sainna was going to say next would take a little bit of a toll on her, so she took a deep breath before continuing. She hopped they would not ask questions that would strain her badly to answer to.

“There are four days left before... call happens.” She took another breath. “So for now we will get you settled in, get used to surroundings.”

Then Sainna waited, and this time both Theodore and Mary had something to say so she indicated at Mary to speak.

“So, we go to this base, settle in, then this call happens. How? Will it literally call our phones or what?”

“No, it will be more personal. You will feel it and you will sure of what it is and what it wants you to do.”

Mary did not look like she was satisfied with the answer, and gave a very unladylike snort. Still, there was no helping it. Even Sainna herself had only a foggy notion of what will happen. And if she said more of what she knew she risked to have serious repercussions on her well being. She could not risk that now.

“You know, I really hate the way you speak, is that something that all Seers do? Give us something more just damn hints!”

Sainna quite liked the bluntness that Mary exuded. It was vastly different from most people she had spoken with, it was refreshing. She even let out a genuine smile before answering that seemed to unnerve Mary and she had a good hunch why.

“I already told you how my gift works, if I you feel like I am not saying everything it is likely because I cant.” Sainna kept smiling sweetly.

“Riiight... So all the drivel I had to listen before was something you could speak about.” Mary mumbled discontentedly. Which Sainna promptly ignored and turned her attention Theodore who was next to speak.

“Yes, well, will, there be more people who have their magic awakened at the base, as you call it?”

To this Sainna made a regretful face before answering. She really would have wanted more people with her, who she could rely on, but alas, it was not meant.

“No, not at base. One more that agreed to help me will answer the Calling and will meat us when those who can see will gather.”

To Mary's displeasure Sainna still kept her way of speaking, but this did arouse her interest.

“How many people are we talking about? I assume, that those 'people who can see' are those who has their 'Magic' awakened. And why are you calling it Magic anyway? Its more like we are some kind of mutants, or superheroes.

“Yes, yes, some great superhero you are, just as great as the Sage of a Mage sitting next to you. But it really is Magic, and as for why it is magic... Theodore here would be someone who would be able to explain it better. As for the other matter, there are many who can see, but those who will come will not be numerous. I would guess that no more than fifty, but, its hard to tell. At the very least, not more than hundred. ” was Sainna's answer.

To that Theodore shifted in his seat nervously, guessing about what to tell and how to explain, but Mary had her mind occupied by something else, than his explanation and she let Sainna know what.

“You, stop that mocking tone when speaking with other people!” She pointed her finger at Sainna at which Melita squinted her eyes, while Hall did nothing like he had done since sitting down. “And fifty to hundred people! What the fuck, that's a lot! How many will we bring? If they have their powers, wont they be dangerous, it practically reeks of danger!”

While Mary threw her tantrum Sainna just kept smiling. Mary had a point, but playing with her was just so amusing. Well, and these these questions did need an answer.

“Well, of course I will go, and where I go Hall and Melita will follow. And I already got your agreement to join me, did I not? That makes five people, one tenth is a lot you know!” Sainna pointed out, what she did not say was that five out of hundred was not. “Regarding the danger... Yes, it will be dangerous, but not in the way you think. Those who will gather will come without knowledge of what to expect. Sure, those people could bring entourage, but without knowing how they will most likely doom them by doing so.”

“And there wont be any danger for us?” Theodore inquired.

“If you wont do something outrageous then no!”

Theodore and Mary once again took a moment to process the information they got. Sainna utilized the moment to order another cup of tea. When waitress brought it it seemed that duo had done with the thinking for the moment and Mary looked like she had something on her mind.

“There is... another thing I wanted to ask. You know, I have been thinking... Keep it shut Sainna, I don't wanna hear your quip.” Mary interrupted Sainna before she could speak, most likely something about her thinking Mary imagined. To that Sainna made an innocent face, just like a kid that was caught doing a mischief.

“I wanted to ask, can you... can you please find my brother? I wanted to make sure he is well. And also, my parents... Can you make sure that they stay safe? And my friends, is there something you can do for them?”

Despite how Mary acted she cared for those close to her. She at least wanted to warn her brother. She wanted her parents to stay safe, there was no hope that her mother would leave her home without major and clearly seen danger, but Mary hoped that Sainna could do something to ensure no harm falls upon them. And then there were her friends. Most of them had settled down, found a boyfriends, started high-school, there were some girls that had gotten married not long ago.

Sainna at the same time could only let out a sight. She herself had no important people who was not with her now, and Theodore had no one at all. But Mary...

“I can help you with your brother. Your parents, I can hire few people to take care of them in emergency, but I have not seen anything that would endanger them for now. As for your friends...” Sainna frowned. She did not want to say it, but she had nor time nor free resources to take care of them. As bad as it felt, she still had to give Mary answer. “As for your friends, there is nothing I can do. I want to help you, don't get me wrong, but as things are going... I have neither resources nor free, trustworthy people I can spare. I am sure you thought I could use my magic to make sure they are safe, but... Overusing it is not something I can do now. You will hate to hear it, but there are more important things I have to take care of.”

“I see...” Mary visibly withered in her chair. She did expect such an answer, but it still stung. “At least my parents will be safe, and my brother...”

“I am sorry!” Sainna apologized. “Melita, please contact Pan brothers and get them to watch over Mary's parents.”

Melita nodded, then left the table to make a call. Sainna meanwhile kept sighing to herself. It was not like she had forgotten how people will have to face a harsh reality soon, but when someone directly asked for help... It still hurt her.

Sainna followed with her eyes Melita before glancing at Hall. “At least I made sure Hall's daughter and her mother is safe.” She thought to herself. She could not bare Hall getting hurt by loosing them after he had raised her in her parents place.

However, there were still topics to cover and matters to discuss. Sainna sighed again, this time louder, before speaking.

“Well then, shall we continue?”