25 Catch Up

Edric, knowing that Lyra went abroad, decides to do so as well. He goes home and makes his way to his father's study room. Since there is a restriction for people who could go in and out of the country, Edric wants to make use of his father's connections to ensure his passage out of the country.

Reaching his father's study room, Edric knocks. It took a minute or so before Edric heard his father telling him to come in. He opens the door and sees his father busy looking over documents.

"Good evening Father."

"Hmm, evening already." Luke offhandedly comments as he still focuses on his sorting out the documents in front of him.

Edric knowing he abruptly visited his father without a prior appointment, patiently stands and waits for his father to speak. He calmly observes how his father stoically goes through his work. He notices that the books in his father's study have increased once again.

"Take a seat, child. Standing so still in front of me makes it hard to concentrate." Luke finally looks at his son and gestures him to sit on the couch nearby. Edric nods and sits. Luke looks at the documents he still needs to go through and sighs. He finishes up the one he was currently working on and puts all the documents on his bulletproof /fireproof briefcase. He then stands up and hands the briefcase to one of his assistants outside the room. Luke sat back down on his chair and looks at Edric.

"So what do you need, son? it's pretty rare for you to visit me without letting me know first."

"I need to go abroad, Father. And I need your help to do so." Edric looks at his father in the eye and calmly states his request.

"Abroad? and *need* to?"

"Yes, I need to."

"Why?"

"I," Edric pause when Lyra's fierce hazelnut eyes suddenly cross his thoughts then quickly continues, "I believe traveling the world gives me more insight into how to get stronger mentally and physically Father. Besides father, I have to plunge sooner or later, and I prefer to plunge sooner than later."

"Perhaps, but what makes you think so?" Luke notices Edric's slight smile as he paused. Luke is aware that his son is strong enough to face difficulties right now with his help, but he too worries if Edric is strong enough to be independent of his protection. Not that he'll ever stop protecting his son.

"The world is vast, Father. Perfect for testing my strength and meeting new allies to help me. My journey would make me stronger and more reliable."

Luke stays silent for a moment. Edric too was silent and patiently waits for his father's response. Luke looks at his son and pats his chest where his guns are.

Edric then remembers about his aunt. He looks at his father who seems busy pondering. He hesitates for a moment but then aks,

"Father, I wish to meet Aunt Cherry when I travel."

"Hmm," Luke unconsciously tightens his fist and furrows his eyebrows. "You want to meet Cherry?"

"Yes."

"Again, why?"

"Because Aunt Cherry is your only sibling Father. And you never let me meet her in the past."

"Let's talk about Cherry later. As for you traveling the world," Luke quickly changed the topic and continues, "First, I want to know what you think being a Solaire means?"

"It means to be powerful and unwavering in attending to one's responsibilities. To be a Solaire means to be wise enough when to retreat and when to push in a fight. Being a Solaire means anticipating one's action's effect on the surroundings and insight on how to adapt to the constant change in circumstances."

"Hmm. Your answer painted such a magnificent image of the family." Luke then stands from his chair, he smiles at Edric. And then, unceremoniously pulls out a gun then shoots at Edric. Rolling out from his chair, Edric barely evades the shot.

Before Edric could even get away from his range, Luke shoots at him again. Rolling continuously, after a moment of hesitation, Edric pulls out his guns to shoot back. Bang! The deafening sound of colliding bullets echoes.

Luke doesn't stop shooting at all and his shots are even getting more accurate. For now, Edric could only evade and find the perfect chance to retaliate. When Edric did shoots back, bullets collide every time making the room filled with smoke. Within the smoke-filled room, both Luke and Edric rush at each other to disarm one another.

Catching a silver glint on his left, Edric docks. "Whoosh" a blade barely missing Edric's head. Instinctively, he shoots to his right and sidesteps. Then Edric rushes forward ready to hit his father on the face with his gun. Unexpectedly, Luke is a step ahead of his son and counters Edric with a kick, knocking the guns out of Edric's hands.

Edric uses his falling momentum to counter with a roundhouse kick. His father blocks his kick effortless with his arms. Edric quickly jumps back and throws his hidden knives at his father as soon as he got his bearing.

Luke, unfazed, shoots the knives back towards Edric while lunging forward. Edric waits till the very last second before jumping over to his dad's desk. He turns it over and uses it as a makeshift shield long enough to get his small pistol out of his shoes.

Luke keeps shooting at the desk as he gets closer to it. He then deliberately reloads his gun. Hearing the magazine falling, Edric takes his chance and sprint away from the desk to go behind one of the bookcases. As if reading his mind his father already was waiting for him. Luke tackles Edric to the ground with great force making Edric gasp for air.

The muzzle of the gun just an inch above Edric's head, Luke speaks with calm and aloofly.

"Edric, you do have a basic grasp on what a Solaire should be. But, in reality, being Solaire is less glorious than you expect. My Dear son, being a Solaire also means taking advantage of any situation. It also means being prepared to be betrayed by people close to you." Luke lets go of his son and then helps him up.

"To be honest you still lack experience my son. Perhaps going out and seeing the world might help you more in that aspect." He sighs. "I'm just afraid that you'll suffer out there more than I could anticipate. So promise me you'll survive and come back home" He looks Edric in the eye. Edric nods.

"I will try father."

Luke then ushers Edric to the lounge area. The servants, already anticipating their arrival, serve them tea and milk. Some pastries such as short strawberry cake and butter cookies were laid out on the table for them to enjoy. After serving the tea and pastries the servant exits the room.

Luke takes a sip and then tells Edric his shortcoming based on their battle earlier. Edric quietly listens to his father and seriously takes note of his weaknesses. Luke seriously tells Edric never to hesitate. Hesitation can cost his life.

"Edric, as you travel the world you'll be confronted by different factions. That's a fact you have to be prepared and a burden you'll have to carry as a Solaire."

"I understand, Father. Is there anything else I have to take note of?"

"Let's just say tension is building up between factions. Not only domestically but even those abroad are colliding more often. Seems like the regulation of weapons used in designated war zone countries like ours is a big deal that affects every faction effort to broaden their influence. And as a Solaire, a family that executes and impose those regulations following the world treaty, they will likely target you as their enemy or potential ally. When factions do target you, Edric you must keep in mind to be always neutral no matter what. That's one duty of a Solaire you have to uphold in all times."

"I promise Father."

"Good."

"So father, about Aunt Cherry. Is it okay to meet her?" Edric asks and observes his father. Luke takes a long sip of tea and puts it down slowly. Luke staring at the tea answers.

"Yes, you can. But it's up to your ability whether you could convince her to talk to you. Or even acknowledge you."

"What do you mean, Father?"

"Cherry," Luke halts for a second then continues with a sigh," My sister, well, I shouldn't call her sister since she's long been expelled from the family."

"Expelled. Why?"

"Cherry has her idea how to live her life and well, her ideas go against the family principles so she let herself be expelled. Even though she is well ahead of me in terms of strength, power, and connections, I became the head by default because of her being expelled. I'm proud of my little sister, it's just sad that she stick to the agreement to abandon all relations to the Solaire family. She never did contact me all these years. Although, I tried to contact her countless times."

Edric seeing his father staring at his cup without looking up even once while talking about aunt promises,

"I promise to contact Aunt Cherry, Father."

Luke looks up at his son and sees his resolute eyes staring at him. He nods at Edric. Seeing his son sitting elegantly and calm as if their little skirmish never happen.

"You've grown up my boy."

Luke genuinely smiles at Edric this time as he passes Edric his favorite chocolate eclairs. He takes another sip from his milk tea and looks down at his cup. "To me, it feels like it was only yesterday when you were taking your unsteady first steps towards me. Your Mom was trying to restrain herself to scoop you up and hug you tightly at that time." Luke's tone was steady and calm but his fingers tighten his grip on his teacup. Luke's eyes too were downcast hiding his moist eyes.

On the other hand, Edric smiles too but his eyes are as calm as ever. His posture is calm as well. Edric sensing his father's slight depress mood stays quiet and lets his father continue talking without disrupting him. His father a bit lost in his memory could only talk about how cute Edric was when he was a child.

"You were so chubby. Elaine would always pinch your cheeks and you would always cry. Then she would quickly coax you with sweets and toys. Both of you would end up laughing sooner or later." Luke lets out a soft chuckle as he recalls the memory. Thinking about how his son was full of laughter and smiles back then before the incident happen. After that incident, their household was devoid of laughter. His son would laugh here and there but it was mostly an empty one. It hurts to see his son forcibly changing himself to get stronger. Edric pushing himself to his limits over and over again without asking for his help. It was no wonder that Edric matured fast.

After the incident, Luke is deprived of the chance to cuddle and dote on his son. The worst part was that he could only watch on the sidelines as his son put his life on the line numerous times. He didn't have the right to stop his son for it was all his fault. He couldn't save him nor be with him when he needed it the most. All he could do as a father was do a great job as the head of the family. Being a well-respected head means that he will be strong backing for his son. He believes that Edric can take any path with confidence with him as his father, A father that has the power to support him no matter what.

Seeing his father so quiet, Edric waits for a few more minutes in silence when he finally asks,

"Father, do you honestly think I'm strong enough to at least protect myself?"

Luke awakens from his reverie, he takes a sip from his now cold tea. "Barely..."

"Does this mean you'll allow me to travel by myself?"

"Yes," Luke answers reluctantly.

"Thank you, Father"

"You are welcome. Do promise that you'll come home safely. If you can't promise that much, better stay here and train more."

"I promise to come back safely, Father." Edric nods and stands up. Just as he opens the door to leave he pause and looks back at his father. He can see his father's taunt face. His father's grey hair with strands of white making a decade older than he is. His father furrows his forehead. "Sleep well, dad."

His father is surprised that Edric addresses him as 'Dad'. How many years has it been since he hears him address him, 'Dad'. He suddenly remembers the scene on the garden in full bloom where his deceased wife was holding Edric waves at him urging him to come quickly and Edric giddily shouting, "Dad! Daddy! Dadda! Hwuuwe! (hurry!)" With tears silently running down his cheek as he smiles a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He quietly laments,

"I am getting old and sentimental. Getting old but not wiser. Oh, Elaine, I miss you."