Twofold Longing

[Stefan]

- "Allan, stop dodging questions and tell me something new, will you?"

The pair had sat down near one of the windows, above most of the crowd. From there, they could see the glimmers of Hiran's clouds and their particle discharges, which traced figures along its shape.

Waiters, waitresses - and some of unclear gender - expertly walked along the crowded bar's length. Serving the well-dressed costumers, colorful and expensive appetizers, made from organic produce, biscuits and alcohol, were displayed as far as the eye could see. Above all however, the scent of Junyo Oysters, served as the place's special, was everywhere.

- "We haven't properly talked for so long." - Cerys sounded angry, but she was just frustrated. Allan resided on Stuttgart, so he was the one who usually relayed to his siblings the family news. After three weeks of silence, however, she had every reason to be worried. - "You're going to have to give me a lot of answers before I start giving you any."

It was strange, being in that position. Brahms was usually the one who called the shots, who asked questions instead of answering them. Were him self-aware, however, he'd realize that there was a lot more making him uncomfortable than just the way his sister reacted to his absence.

- "Cerys... Ah, I'm sorry. You are right. I'm just... not being myself here. Tell me, where should I start first?" - He took a deep breath, trying to pull things together.
- "Well..." - It was her time to feel out of place. - "You can start by telling me how dad is doing after the whole issue with the Reichstag."

Helmutt Brahms, the head and oldest of the family, was a political figure in Rheinland. After a recent scandal, however, rumors of his allegiance with the Bundschuhpartei had been taken out of proportion and forced him to retire.

- "Vater is hanging on." - Brahms sounded less worried than either of them was expecting. - "To be honest I believed it would get much worse, but the ones who started the whole thing had no idea of what they were doing - it ended as quickly as it started."

Allan laid back on the chair he sat, uncrossing his arms as a waitress came by, filling his cup with more liquor.

- "Thank you, dear." - He smiled, waiting the young woman to leave before going back to the conversation. - "Either way, it is just the matter of all us getting used to it. Mother is pretty satisfied, however, she says it will be good to have someone to take care of once again." - He chuckled. - "Besides the paperwork, his finances were largely unaffected as well so... Well, I believe it's the first time I ever saw him planning a vacation."

Cerys finally drew a smile.

- "Well, I'm happy to hear it. I was worried - specially since my brother took the chance to completely vanish from the map."
- "It's not like that Cezz. With all the changes there has been a lot to deal with."
- "Of course it's not, but how should I know since you haven't even told me about your new... business partners." - She said mockingly. - "Zoners. Seriously, Brahms? You know there's a special drink for those around here, right?"

Brahms smiled. He was getting that question a lot lately, even from himself at times.

- "Yeah. I know." - The words came out just before a discrete sigh. - "Being completely honest it feels out of place for me as well."

He took a drink out of his cup once, avoiding eye contact for the first time on the conversation.

- "It's just... Feeling out of place isn't exclusive to this situation to be perfectly frank. I think I'm just tired of seeing governments failing us everywhere, Sis. We both know the direction the situation at home is going towards, but Bretonia is neck deep in war casualties, Liberty officials haven't changed a bit and I can't even begin to comprehend the situation in Kusari. You remember when I told you that I didn't know how things would go after leaving Interspace? Because of their indifference?"

She nodded affirmatively.

- "Well, this is what was offered. The chance to do unbiased work on my own and still have a semblance of backing."

There was a brief moment of silence where neither of them knew exactly what to say - Brahms was genuinely affected by the topic, more so than he was letting on.

- "But even so... Sometimes I wish I could just outright ignore it."
- "Ignore what?"
- "You know. People. Go back to the credits." - He was finishing his drink when he concluded. - "But even those are soiled nowadays."

Cerys knew he didn't mean it. Feeling right back at the place she was raised in, she reached over the table towards his left hand, grasping it.

- "You have changed. That's all."

He breathed in. Smiled back to her. Then let go.

- "I hope so."