Priscilla Veilkerhurst had long since given up.
There was no way for her to concentrate on vials, measurements or any of the successful results she was able to brew. Her thoughts trailed to what had happened in the head's office. Where they had more of a mystery surrounding the youngest than they had originally thought. Priscilla had felt that she was at her wits end when she had rushed towards the head's office. After having bolted awake from her forced slumber, finally freed from whatever spell that had befallen her, she knew that whatever was happening as beyond anything any of the Veilkerhurst have ever faced before. Her hand gripped her shirt, her curled fingers pressed tightly over her heart. She felt the way the organ pounded in her chest, trying to escape the fear that clawed at her insides.
That was it! She thought to herself.
She jerked up shakily to her feet, determined to get to the bottom of this with the aid of the head, mother, or both. To have an entity that was powerful enough to drag the consciousness of those who were essentially the face of the Veilkerhurst family was not something they could ignore. And to know that it was connected to the youngest? No, they had to resolve this matter as quickly ass possible. Their survival may very well be dependent on it. She had composed herself to the best of her ability, ignoring using any spells to disguised her exhausted appearance, and took flight to what she hoped would be her salvation.
She had almost faltered when she caught sight of the youngest as he made his way down the hall. Seeing his laidback pace, she was not certain if it was due to having confidence that he, for now, had the upper hand. She just bolted for the doors, wrenching them open, and rushed in. She had actually felt relieved to Brakus already seated. If even someone as nonplussed as this ingrate was taking this seriously then maybe they could resolve this matter in question. She glanced at their father, who was already seated behind his desk. He had his fingers intertwined, his arms forming an arch, the bottom of face obscured. He gave her a slight nod.
Priscilla took her place on the couch, absentmindedly noting that it was a different shade of dark blue than before. It was not too long that they heard the clicking heels of Reina Veilkerhurst, though she moved with the same relaxed pace that as she always did. Her calm demeanor did temper the anxiety that Priscilla felt building up in her core. When mother knocked on one of the doors, Priscilla felt her face flush as she realized how disorderly her conduct must have been. She snuck a quick glance at Brakus to see if he reflected on the state of his own arrival. Sadly, her second brother kept his pompous pose. He had one leg crossed over the other, his arms a match. His left index finger tapped impatiently on his forearm.
Of course he never cared about his conduct.
Their mother sauntered towards her husband, taking her place by his side. She faced her children before slipping into her resting stance. She looked assured despite the chaos that had been afflicting them for the last few weeks. Having most of his progeny present, the head straightened up in his seat, laying his hands flat on his desk. His expression had adopted a sour look, one that none of them have ever seen before. He looked like he was being subjected to the most inane meeting ever.
"It does not matter," he began, his voice resigned. "You might as well make yourself comfortable."
The announcement sounded like it answered an unasked question. The two Veilkerhurst children looked at each other, uncertain on how to take his advice. Was he saying that what they experienced was not that big of a deal? Not to worry about the invasive voice or the loss control of their mana? Then the realization hit them as they realized that their father was addressing the voice from the previous day. Had it been discussing something with just him prior to their arrival? Was mother a part of that conversation or did she just join? Why were they now exempt from the conversation? The two middle Veilkerhurst children could only sit in uncomfortable silence as they waited to see what would happen next. The jumped when the voice finally addressed them too. It did not take too long for the voice to address all of them.
The Eldest Veilkerhurst child has made some progress with the youngest brother. Affection Points has increased by 5 points. It announced. There was a clicking sound, something they would later realize was its signal for leaving. There was familiarity about that voice. Priscilla had noticed it the day before as well when she was foisted into that space with the family. Though there were no longer random decibels clawing at her eardrums, she was certain that this was the same one from before.
"What do you mean by affection points?" The anger in Brakus's voice matched the frustration brewing in their hearts. Priscilla transition from mulling over her thoughts and tried to focus and what was occurring in father's office.
The voice did not reply. It had become evident that it had removed its presence and had returned to whence it came. Most likely to the side of the youngest.
What shocked them was the fact that it was not only the voice invading the space. Glowing words that matched the announcement appeared in the air, solid and firm. Priscilla looked back at her parents. She took in the cold fury on her father's face and the more controlled mask her mother adopted. She saw that her mother's eyes were alight with curiosity, the kind where she wanted to dissect a puzzle. the best way to describe Braku's look was to say that he looked frightened. All of the color had drained from his face and sweat had begun to bead on his forehead. It was when he let out a choked curse that she looked back at the floating words.
The words remained steady. The light coming off them seeming to now shaking around the edges, giving the words a blurring reaction. Then they began to waver, the letters floating in different direction. It was not long before they faded away.
Priscilla and Brakus jumped when they heard their father's seat push away from his desk.
"We're dragging that brat in here with us." Was his terse reply as he brusquely moved towards the door. His wife followed silently behind him, which the two children noted to be strange. Mother has had to be more affected if she had refrained from making her usual commentary. She must have been more shaken up than she let on. The two siblings got up shakily, rushing out to see what was happening between the youngest and eldest Veilkerhurst. by the time Priscilla had managed to peer around her parents and Brakus, she saw the youngest fled down the hall.
Reilard started after him for a bit more before turning to face his family. She saw his eyes close in on something among them. When Priscilla followed they're gaze, she realized that she had gripped Brakus's shirt. She realized that this was the first time that she had ever touched Brakus. Her hands must have flown to him, seeking unnecessary comfort, her fingers curled into an iron grip. Her heart was still hammering behind her chest.
They heard the sound, one that was a simulation of a rustle. In front of his face they could all see the glowing sheet. The information was concise, showing the image of the youngest. They read were able to read his physical attributes, his current age and his likes and dislikes. The words melded away to be replaced with Reilard's. The youngest's image shrunk, moving to the upper corner as the eldest's Veilkerhurst child's face appeared. One sentence glowed boldly, the text thicker than the rest.
Current AP: -85%
They watched as the percentage shrunk from the earlier estimate to its current one.
Reilard's eyebrows rose, his interest piqued. Priscilla was positive that he felt proud to have reached such a feat. He silently walked into their father's office, not bothering to look at any of his siblings. He acknowledge their mother as she patted his shoulder, nodding his head in her direction. He murmured a greeting towards their father. One by one, they followed behind him. Once the doors closed, they waited a bit to see if the voice would return. When it did not make its presence known, they were able to discuss what they were going to do about the youngest.
It had been a long meeting.