Family 2

[ Colt reaches his house, opens the door]

Colt : "mom, dad, I'm home"

*Mark and Clarissa come running , hug Colt*

*Colt hugs back*

it's… warm

Clarissa [ proud and holding back her tears] : "my boy … you've grown"

you say it every time

Mark [same sentiments] : "how 've you been??"

Colt : "it was fun.. I gained a lot, I learned a lot, but I missed you a lot as well"

Clarissa [hugs harder] : "well, your apprenticeship is over, you can stay with us now"

Colt [closes his eyes, speaking internally and externally] : "yeah. I can"

*Clarice clinging to Mark's leg, looking at Colt*

oooohhh, this might be a problem, how to tell her that she has a brother

Mark[happy] : "this is your big brother, Colt"

Clarice [ confused] : "big? Brother?"

Clarissa : "yes, Colt is your big brother, be good to each other"

nice introduction

but, again, I don't know what to say

Colt : "I will take care of you from now…"

it took a few days until Clarice started to warm up to me

it looks like they've had no trouble living

that's good

I told them about my travels , about all the people I've met , the things I learned

I made sure to make it "family friendly"

Imagine the kind and gentle Mark and Clarissa hearing that their son is a force of nature or that I decimated entire squads of bandits without breaking a sweat… that'll be a good laugh

but, just for a little longer… I want to remain their son

now to business, I know there is minimal risk, but , I have to test them one more time

 Colt : "I made a friend"

*Mark and Clarissa listening more attentively than before*

Clarissa : "oh, honey, that's great, who's that??"

Colt [ innocently] : "her name is Luna, she was nice…"

test time

Colt : "she's an elf"

*Mark and Clarissa exchange glances deciding to let their son talk*

Clarissa[trying to hide any negative emotions] : "oh, what was she like?"

Colt : "she was really nice to me, she helped me out when I got lost once"

yeah, let's stick with that and see how they react

*they exchange glances again*

Mark : "but I thought-"

*Clarissa hits him from under the table so Colt wouldn't notice*

I definitely noticed

Clarissa [ smiling] : "that's great sweetie , Luna seems nice, I'd love to meet her one day"

you sure would , what I want to know is why?

as I pretended to be vast asleep that night I heard the following

Mark [a bit anxious] : "why? We should tell him??"

Clarissa : "no, I am not going to fill my son's head with prejudice, he made a new friend and that's it"

Mark : "but I thought elves hated humans??"

Clarissa : "well, what Colt said suggests otherwise and I'll take my son's word over any other"

Mark : "you're right, he's our son… we stand by him even against the world, besides I feel sorry for the elves, what they go through is unbearable"

again, these two pass, like every other test, with flying colors

I fell asleep, smiling

the next day Clarissa was bedridden from exhaustion

guess Clarice wasn't as easy as I thought

[in the parents' bedroom Clarissa lying in bed, Mark worried, about an hour before he has to head to work]

*Colt and Clarice walk in*

Mark [worried] : "should I stay today?? You don't look well"

Clarissa : "no, I'll be okay I just need some rest"

what is it this time?

*Colt goes to hug his mother listening to her lungs*

nothing out of the ordinary here

Colt [faking worry] : "are you okay, mom? How do you feel?"

Clarissa [speaking to him and Clarice, smiling] : "I'm fine just a bit tired that's all"

while she is a bit pale , those aren't the signs of malnourishment, she doesn't appear to be sick either… guess she's telling the truth

Mark : "but, who is going to take care of the kids??"

hello, you have an 11 year old here, ugghh, whatever

Colt [looking him dead in the eyes] : "don't worry about us, we'll be okay"

*looks at Clarissa*

Colt : "right? Mom?"

Clarissa : "yes, Colt is a dependable young man"

they're too easy to manipulate

she doesn't want to keep him from work and she'll go to any length to ensure it

and I'm using that

Clarissa : "I'll just make the food and they'll be fine"

Mark [bought the whole thing] : "if you say so…"

*leaves*

* Clarissa tries to get up, Colt rushes to push her back*

Colt : "mom.. you need to rest"

Clarissa [ a bit shocked from his unusually firm demeanor] : "but, who's going to feed you and your sister ??"

Colt : "I'll do it"

Clarissa[ touched and worried ] : "oh, sweetie , thank you, but, I'll do it instead"

which is a polite and considerate way of saying: "I don't know if you can handle it

Fine, I hate to do this but…

emotional extortion , is my only option

Colt [faking being sad and emotionally hurt] : "if that's what you want, I hoped you trusted me, but, I guess I'm not worth it"

Clarissa [unable to bear this] : "I'm sorry, I trust you, but come to me if you need help"

too easy

Colt [smiles] : "yes, let's go Clarice"

*takes Clarice and walks outside , closes the door*

*Clarissa , unable to push herself any further, fell asleep*

[ outside ]

now that I took care of my dear parents, I need to take care of my sweet little sister

needless to say it was a cinch 

I made soup and then fed Clarice until she was full

I put her to sleep in my room

and then it was time to get back

I cleaned the entire house with wind and water magic

then I used "float" to move little Clarice out of my room, and I cleaned it, put Clarice back… and waited

when Clarissa finally woke up, she rushed out of the room to find me feeding Clarice, in a squeaky-clean living room

[ evil grin]

how's that??!!

Colt : "oh, mom! Glad you're awake, can you take over for me here? I'll clean your room now"

Clarissa[ complete and utter shock ] : "you did all of this??!!"

Colt [smiles] : "sure did"

Clarice : "brother make yummy soup"

*Clarissa just stares for a while*

ah, this is hilarious, let's keep the ball rolling

*stands up , goes to Clarissa's room, closes the door*

*Mark walks in*

Mark [shocked] : "what's all this? , weren't you in bed?? Did you push yourself again??"

Clarissa [just as confused] : "Actually, honey, this is Colt's doing"

Mark : "Colt!! Wha-"

Clarissa : "I know, I always knew he was special, but…"

wait, what does that mean??

how much does she know??

or is it because of the apprenticeship and the gold??

doesn't matter, I'm done either way

*Colt comes out of the room*

*looks at Mark*

Colt : "welcome home , dad, I've just finished cleaning your room"

Clarissa [confused] : "how? You went in a few minutes ago"

Colt [smiles] : "go check it for yourselves"

*they both rush inside to find a spotless room, then the come out with gratitude on their faces*

Mark [with gratitude and pride] : "I don't know how you did it son, but thank you"

Clarissa [barely managing to hold back her tears] : "thank you , my sweet child, sorry I made you do this"

now for the silver bullet

Colt [smiles] : "I had fun doing it, you're my mom, it's the least I can do"

* Clarissa bursts into tears, runs to hug Colt tightly*

Clarissa[crying from joy] : "I'm .. lucky ..to have.. a son.. like you"

getting the exact reactions I want is fun

but.. this time.. I just wanted… to make them happy