Divulgence (Song of Sophangence Book 2)

by E. I. McAllistair

  “Suck my dick old man.”

  Somehow the smooth, dark skinned man’s face contorted into an even greater look of disgust. “I did not get to where I am by not understanding when an investment was not a good one. You have made it clear that you are the worst investment I have made in decades. I had thought for a moment you were making a change when you became the top ranked student in your class, but I see that was little more than a fluke. Just enough to throw me off your scent as the utter disgrace that you are.”

  “You don’t even give a shit about me, so what do you care what I am doing here?” With his anger accelerating his blood flow, he was quickly sobering up, bringing even more anger along with it.

  “Even a pawn understands its purpose. The fact that you cannot, makes my decision all the more validated.”

  “Decision? What decision?”

  “Your grades continue to suffer, as does your reputation, and you are the lowest ranked in the school! Even the Trinkh that was eliminated due to injury has more respect than you, as he is at least pitied for going against the Vorpahl boy so soon into the competition.”

  “You just called to fucking remind me that I’m number 19?! People say that I shouldn’t even have been in the competition! They say a fucking Medic would have been better than me!”

  “Exactly. The fact lower order beings see fit to judge you makes it clear that you are not worthy of the crown you have been given. I am cutting your allowance to $5000 a month, and starting next year, you will be living in a normal room. You should look into downsizing now.”

  “$5000?! I couldn’t wipe my ass with that kind of money! What am I supposed to do?!”

  “I am still paying for your education. Be thankful you are even getting that much. If your brother had his way, he would pull you from the school completely. Even if you have completely tarnished the Schrodes name, attending that school is part of our legacy. You will see that through.”

  “This is bullshit that you are trying to punish me for something outside my control! I did what you asked! I became number 1 in my class!”

  “We are the Schrodes! We do not negotiate! We subjugate! You had to barter with filth to get your position as number 1! No one even acknowledges your title! Then you let that same filth completely outshine you! Your brothers managed to retain top positions, and they did not have half your potential! As powerful as we are, ours is a defensive ability. Rather than training to be the best, you let your inherent offensive capabilities as True Quintessence fool you into thinking you were something more special than you really were! I won’t support such ineptitude.”

  “You don’t understand! It isn’t fair! Everyone targets me because they know that I am the biggest threat! That is why I keep failing! They know they can’t handle me in a fair fight! None of this is my fault!”

  “More delusions. Let’s hope those delusions are as potent as those drugs you have been wasting my money on. Perhaps that will be enough to get you through the day. I am finished with you. Do not come home. Do not contact me asking me for anything more than I allow you. If I find I must clean up more of your stains on this family, I will see you dead.”

  The holoprojection abruptly ends, leaving JaMarkus reeling in the revelation that he was seriously cut off from his family. Within a few minutes, he had found his head, completely sober by this point, and realized that there was no way his father could make good on his promise. If he had, he would be removed from the school completely, or not given an allowance at all. This was simply a scare tactic to keep him in line, which meant he had to play to part to get back into his father’s good graces.

  Standing up, pacing about the room, he is surprised when another videocall comes through on his Vizer. Excited because he knew that his father could not possibly have expected him to believe such a farce, he answers the call with poise, ready to internally sneer with glee.

  “You know, I have always fucking hated you. The damn golden child that could do no wrong. You have taken everything I worked so hard for away from me, just to piss it all down the drain. Well dad has finally come to his senses about the fucking loser you are.”

  Staring in his face was none other than his eldest brother Absalan. It was always eerie how closely he and his siblings favored, and because of their family’s ability, it was like talking to someone his age, despite being almost forty years older. Once again annoyed he kept forgetting that special alumni received Vizers too, even if they were not around when they were students, he drops any attempt at poise, replacing it with only pure hatred.

  “Aren’t too fucking old to be stirring up shit? You have a kid nearly my age.”

  “I’m surprised you can actually recognize shit, considering that is what you are, and what you are surrounded by. If I had my way, you would be left out on the street to rot, but there are appearances to consider. I even tried to get your allowance completely taken away, but only managed to get it down to $5000 from the $100K dad had originally intended to give you monthly.”

  “You fucking sack of shit. You are just jealous that your shitty family is too basic to be Quintessences, nevertheless a True Quintessence like me.”

  “You still think you are special because of that don’t you? Granted while it is special, you definitely aren’t. My 8 year old could run circles around you. I already have my eye on a family with a son not much younger than she is that I can marry her off to. If she had your abilities, she would already be receiving marriage proposals. You are a complete waste.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Well, maybe you aren’t a complete waste. We have made some great progress on how genetics play a part in attunement and manifestations. Our family makes one of the best case studies out there. The only reason why I can’t get you erased completely is because they think there may be something lurking in your genes that will be the key to mass producing True Water Quintessences for our family. For now, you are just a lab rat being kept alive.”

  Though he had always hated his family, particularly Absalan, because they fostered an environment where love was something that was non-existent, only duty and purpose, they had always held their cards close to their chest until completely sure about things. The fact that Absalan was telling him this meant he really was in much more danger than he thought. He had assumed he could call his father’s bluff, but this was more than confirmation the situation was quite bleak. If he did not do something to get his father’s notice, he would be forever relegated to the chaff that was used for experimentation. Feeling no need to continue the conversation with his boasting brother, he ends it, crouching to the floor to begin thinking of a plan.

  He knew that his father was very well connected, even at Sophangence where it was run by their bitter business rival Ixnes Sastre. She and his father shared a tenuous relationship at best, as was highlighted by her delight in doing his bidding to punish him whenever asked. There was no way his exploits would go unnoticed if he made a concerted effort to do better in all things he did. With that goal in mind, he stored what was left of his drugs, and went to bed, preparing himself to be serious about his studies moving forward.

  23

  Though Ryn was much closer to Maggie, Anaar somehow managed to have three classes with the prolific Defender, which made for their own burgeoning relationship. Making their way from class, they toyed with the idea of going to The Rack to get a drink before their next class. Along the way they ran into Pryshka, who waved them down from a distance. Moving to meet the girl, they stopped not far from The Rack as it was visible in the distance.

  “Hey Anaar! Funny how we never noticed each other on this path before, but now that we are no longer strangers passing in the night it is obvious.”

  Ryn who happened to be quite discerning, eyed Pryshka questioningly. “I don’t think I have ever seen you walking this way before.”

  “Really? Maybe because I never called out to you before? Either way, what are you two up to?”

  “I need coffee so badly! Anaar I
don’t how you do it! Pryshka do you want to come with us? We have a small gap between classes.”

  Shaking her head so that her two long crimson bangs fluttered back and forth in the wind, “No, I need to get to class myself. I was just going to say something quickly to Anaar.”

  “Ok, well I’m going to go ahead, I’ll see you in a bit Anaar!” Scurrying off, turning just enough for a small wave, Ryn leaves the two there to finish their conversation.

  Once Ryn had left, Pryshka, with her low riding jeans, cropped top, and bare stomach, stretches so that her blue Vizer was practically eye level with Anaar. “You two seem fairly close.”

  Giving the girl a shrug, “Close enough. She was in my combat class last trimester, but it was Maggie who introduced us more thoroughly so that we began acknowledging one another more in our other classes. So what was it that you wanted to ask me? Sorry for putting you on the spot yesterday.”

  “Don’t mention it! It really was nothing at all…” Pryshka pauses, almost as if she is lost for words, similar to someone meeting a famous celebrity they admired.

  Sighing as he rubs the bridge of his nose, “Here, let’s have a seat for a moment.” The girl follows him as he sits heavily on a bench just off the path. “You know, I just don’t get you honestly. Your motivations are more and more unclear as I think about them.”

  Not sure she understands where he is going, she chuckles nervously. “I don’t know what you could mean by that.”

  “Well before, I thought you were trying to live up to your reputation on campus, using your abilities to get what you want, and cause trouble, but now as we sit here it doesn’t make sense. When you posed as Phavian, someone I clearly knew quite well, you made many mistakes that you didn’t take into account, but at least you seemed prepared. I could tell you had been planning it for some time. I could only imagine posing as Pryshka seemed to be something that was easier for you as you are both Water Affinities, so there was no need to hide your Vizer, and I should be far less comfortable with Pryshka’s mannerisms. I don’t know her well, at least not yet, but nothing about you outside of the looks and voice indicate you would be Pryshka.”

  “What are you talking about?! Posing as myself? Are you feeling well? Maybe there is-”

  “What’s the girl’s name who just left us to go to get coffee?”

  “Well, I don’t know. There are not many chances to talk to Freshmen. You were one of the first-”

  “Even though you spent quite a bit of time talking to her last night, and you even exchanged contact information? When you walked up, I presumed you came to talk to her, not me. Considering I’m with Phavian, this can’t be about sex, so tell me Merc, why is it that you continue to try to infiltrate my life?”

  Realizing they had been thoroughly defeated yet again, Merc smiles rather than seems angry. “You shouldn’t have known enough about our resident queen to pick me out so easily, yet you did it again. Care to explain how?”

  “Look, you made it clear you had no intention of letting our last exchange slide. Rather than focusing on all the ways I could spot you from the real Pryshka, why don’t you just tell me what you really want instead?”

  “I don’t want anything.”

  Giving them a doubtful look, “Or perhaps you want everything. Maybe for you, this type of exchange is no different from my training in my abilities or martial arts, but I think there is something more. We are both extremely secretive people. I think you sense that in me the same way I sense it in you. Most people judge you for being so secretive, but let me assure you that I don’t. I know all too well there are things people just can’t handle, and that by opening yourself up, it allows you to get hurt.”

  Looking away defiantly, “What would someone like you know about hurt?”

  “Technically, most people could ask you the same thing considering you are a Water Affinity. By all rights you should be treated well just because of your attunement. It appears you have not been afforded that luxury. Yes, solitude makes for an amazing bastion against the pain of rejection and misunderstanding, but I can tell you from experience, being all alone is not worth the semblance of protection. You should have at least one person who you can count on and feel comfortable with.” Extending his hand, “Won’t you let me be that person for you?”

  Looking from his smiling face, in all its perfection, down to his extended hand, Merc found themselves overcome with extreme emotion, that only years of practice allowed them to keep from spilling out. In all the time they had been aware of Anaar, seen the people who doted on him, flocked to him, even adored him from afar, they had presumed it was because of his good looks, or his powers. Sitting there now on the bench, they were surprised to see something far more genuine that it appeared most people did not get the opportunity to experience. Still unable to take his hand, they look at him as if they had been completely exposed. “What do you get out of this?”

  Laughing, “Wow, you really have been alone. Do I need to reap some benefit? If it will make you feel better, selfishly, I get to know another Sophomore. More altruistically, I get to help make sure there is one less person who knows the pain of needing to stay hidden from everyone, constantly with their guard up. Trust me, it is so freeing to drop the mask, even partially.”

  “I’ve never seen you alone. There were always people who wanted you.”

  “People like to fall in love with the image of something or someone they create. I believe that is what you had been seeing. No one really knew me until recently. I’m not asking you to spill all your secrets. I would never expect something that I am not willing to give. I simply want to give you an opportunity to at least know that there is someone who is willing to be there for you, secrets and all.” He extends his hand again, “I don’t think we have officially met, I’m Anaar.”

  Their hand moving with slow hesitation toward his, they finally take it, squeezing it lightly. In a small voice, barely above a whisper, unable to look at him, “Mercurial.”

  “Are you sure that is how you would like me to address you?”

  With a slight quick nod, “For now at least.”

  “And what are your pronouns? I apologize if I have said anything that may have been offensive before, but I want to make sure I correct that, and correct others moving forward.”

  Completely surprised by the question, as they had been called all manner of things, “I’m ok with they if you are speaking generically, but would prefer if you would use gender specific pronouns when I’m undercover. Even if someone were to know it was me, and I wasn’t specifically impersonating someone, I am comfortable with gender specific pronouns relating to how I appear at the time. Please just don’t call me ‘it.’”

  “Well that is just fucking rude. People actually call you it?!”

  “All the time.”

  “Well that time is up. We are changing the narrative.”

  “It won’t bother you that I may never appear to you as the same person twice?”

  “Last I checked, your looks don’t make you who you are, so why should it matter? If anything, the fact that you wouldn’t appear as the same every time speaks to your individuality.”

  “Why are you so accepting of everyone? I’m a Water Affinity, and I have tried to trick you twice. You should hate me.”

  “Do you want me to hate you? I don’t get the sense that you do, it seems quite the opposite. All my friends have their quirks, some harder to deal with than others. What makes this any different, better, or worse?”

  “Everyone else hates me.”

  “If I am to believe the stories, you seem to have done some fucked up shit. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know if all of it is true or not, but I think the big issue is ignorance, and you being misunderstood. Plus we are college students. It is much easier to believe the unverified rumor, rather than take the time to inform our own opinions.”

  Looking away embarrassed, “I admit there are some things I have done to people to make them mad. I mean there is your b
oyfriend…”

  “Yeah… Can we not talk about how my idiot boyfriend gets duped by you every time? Actually, can we just make it a rule that my idiot boyfriend is off limits?”

  “I can deal with that. I have had my fill anyway. I don’t know how you-” Noticing the rapid shaking of his head, Merc quickly stops. “I tried to be friends with people when I first got here, but no one was willing to accept me for who I was. I think it was just easier to be what everyone said I was.”

  Nodding his head in agreement, “Oh trust me, you get no judgment here. I’m right there with you. People will believe what they want to believe anyway.”

  “But you haven’t blown up the school yet.”

  Narrowing his eyes a bit as he looked at Merc, “Yeah… I don’t think playing into the role of the school trickster and villain quite has the same ramifications as playing into the unstable mass bomber…”

  “Good point. I guess I never thought about it like that.”

  Standing up, “Well I need to get going if I expect to make it to class on time. You obviously know who I am, so feel free to add me to your contacts and reach out whenever you like. I know it may take some time, but maybe someday I can introduce you to the rest of my friends. At least starting with the close ones. I’m not giving up on you, so if I don’t hear from you soon, I’m coming to you!” Dashing away, he leaves Merc sitting on the bench.

  As Merc watches the large man run off, they find themselves with a curious feeling. This was the first time in a very long time that they had been able to have a friendly conversation with someone as just themselves. True to his words, they found it did feel quite good. Normally they are trying to extract information, so there is the rush of success when the interaction ends, but in this case, there was simply an overwhelming feeling of peace and contentment. Considering his last words, Merc pulls up their Vizer, adding Anaar to their contacts, looking at the list as they finally had their first name since their arrival at Sophangence.