After the bombing of the Faith Industries offices, William and I sat in his office and chatted for a while. I think he makes a public spectacle of talking to me because it… well… creates spectacle. People talk and whisper. They get upset.
I enjoy spending time with him, particularly being so far from home… because he reminds me of home. Strange as that is. The Faiths bring me back to that world I am most familiar with… most comfortable in. Manners, education, grace. While there is a frenzy, there is also a slowness to it.
I try to keep my snobbish tendencies to myself as I understand that there are very few in the ‘verse to have grown up as privileged as I. There are things I don’t like… have no desire to see or to touch…
We talked about home – Londinium. He said that Faith Industries would be there as well and would likely sponsor a grand ball after the rebuilding is complete. While the one on Al Raqis was good… there is something about the spectacle of it all on a Core World. The gowns and suits and tuxedos. The music and dancing chandeliers. Dancing well into the night.
That is where my imagination goes when I think of such things.
We spoke about my parents. We also talked about patriotism and the Browncoats. Mr. Woodhen, the editor of CNS, is a traitor by the Commander’s opinion and deserved everything that happened to him on Shadow. I don’t recall if I have ever told the Commander specifically as to why I fell out of favor, beyond ‘youthful indiscretion.’
He escorted me back to the Guild House. There were people watching us move down the street – like they were watching celebrities. Whispering and pointing. I think he somewhat enjoyed the attention.
When we got the door, he took hold of my arm with one hand and his other went to the back of my neck. He pulled me close and kissed me.
“Goodnight, Lina.”
I stood there a bit surprised and dumbfounded. It isn’t often that a Companion is left speechless. Or blushing.
He smiled as he left. Like the cat that caught a canary.
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Some months later, I received this note at the house on Boros.
Dearest Calina,
My travels have brought me to your world for only the briefest of time. Tis very beautiful. My journey must continue. The black calls again.
With warmest regards,
Just a man.
I knew who the note belonged to…
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I found it again. Why does William Faith keep coming to mind? Didn’t someone shoot him? That is what I heard. I also heard that he was still in hiding, gone after his very… different… brother. I also heard that his father took to hiding in the black as well. It would seem that the force and arm of the law would even catch up to the Faiths to determine if they were guilty of all the things they were accused of.
The note found its way into my belongings moving back and forth from Boros to Al Raqis. The view from this House was much better than the old… still as busy. Lots of correspondence to review today. Preparations for the peace conference hosted by Shanjian to make.
For some reason, today, he came to mind. I tapped the pen on the desktop and read the note again. This story isn’t over yet…
Tea and a Whisper 