Further Love Of One's World
Given how my father was nobility in Vellum, I should’ve thought he had a private jet. Since we never went anywhere beyond Everly, it never made me think about these things. Yet here we were, the six of us sitting on the Batiste family private jet. I was sitting next to Jess facing my parents, nervously fidgeting in my seat. I had never flown before so this was all so new to me. My grandfather came over to me before take off, and brushed the back of my hand with his. He must’ve used his ability on me because I relaxed back into my seat. He turned to my parents, “I didn’t do it heavy, I figured she’d eventually like to look out the window. Not to mention, she needs to get used to flying.” Father nodded at him and took a sip of his drink. Mother was settling down to take a nap while grandfather took his spot with Lord Kellen in the back of the plane.
I was taking off to the capital of the home I knew to defend one I never knew. Since they day it was decided that I would be Vellum’s hope for peace with Terre, the pressure started to build. How would I convince some random old man that Vellum meant Terre no harm? I couldn’t quite convince myself that yet. Sure, I had met so many wonderful people from Vellum. There was also Burnett, the gorgeous yet mysterious young man I met at the party. The memory of his lips touching the skin on my hand like a warm whisper and gentle familiarity of having known him my whole life. How could a world that held such a person ever mean harm to another? No, it couldn’t. He made such an impression on me that I dreamt nightly of dancing a waltz with him at a masquerade. He was dressed in black and wore a Phantom of the Opera type of mask. The music would reach the climax and just as he would lean in to kiss me, another man taller than him pulls me away. I never see the other man’s face but his presence always loomed large. Usually that’s when I wake up and having that dream puts me in a very bad morning mood, more so than usual. I had not realized I fell asleep until I woke up from that dream yet again. My eyes shot open and right in front of me was my father, “Little rose, we need to go now. Our escort awaits to take us to the White House.” I looked around to find the plane emptied of it’s passengers, save my father and I. I didn’t have time to be annoyed by some silly recurring dream, I had a world to save. With sheer determination locked onto my face, I got up out of my seat and smoothed out the navy-blue pin striped pant suit my mother insisted I wear. I had begun to walk out to the stairs but my father stopped me. I looked up at him,” I thought you said they were waiting.” He pulled a small black velvet satchel out of his breast pocket of his suit (mother made sure we matched). He gestured for me to turn around, “You forgot the most important element to being around these humans. Please pull your hair up.” At his instruction, I grabbed my hair and scrunched it up. He pulled the necklace around my neck and clasped it in graceful and gentle motion. He then grabbed my arms and turned me around then looked me in the eye, “Look, Xan, I don’t like putting you in this position but you do know I would never put so much pressure on you if it wasn’t important. Right?” I nodded, “I understand father, I don’t know much about Vellum but it is my future home and I have this overwhelming desire to protect it.” He stroked my hair and smiled, “I suspect that’s what you inherited from Talia. Talon had to have had his sense of justice from somewhere and in many ways, you remind me of him. It’s probably what terrified your mother the most when it came time for you to choose your career. She didn’t want to lose her baby to the Citadel too. This is perhaps your way of protecting Vellum from those who may harm it. Just remember that no matter the outcome today, you will have done something few would be able to. I am proud of you, my Xan.”
He pulled my arm into the crook of his elbow and led me to the door. I descended down the stairs before him to greet a young man in a black suit who wore an earpiece. His face went from stern to an instant smile when my feet touched the tarmac. He pulled his hand out to shake mine, “Ms. Batiste I presume?” He had light brown hair parted to the side and somewhat slicked back and he was wearing sunglasses so I couldn’t see all of his face. What I could tell is that he was in his 20s and he had a face a girl could stare at all day. I brought my hand out to take his and I smiled, “Yes, Alexandra Batiste. And you are?” His smile got bigger,” Forgive me ma’am. My name is Agent Walker. I’m with the FBI, I am in charge of escorting you to the President.” Agent Walker had a thick Southern accent and it was honey in my ears. I could tell this trip was at least going to be somewhat better than I imagined. He rode with us from the airport to our destination. On the way he had explained the proper procedures to gain access to the facility. When we arrived the poking, prodding and signing of a metric ton of paperwork was done. In that moment, I thought I had known where the spending budget went. Finally, it came time to go to the meeting place. The other attendees were not there yet and mother, grandfather and Jess had gone out to tour the mall. We would meet later for lunch. I wished I could have my grandfather here to work his magic on my darn nerves. Agent Walker, who had stood with us and was standing in the corner of the room, walked over and kneeled to me. He took off his glasses and looked into my eyes. His were hazel and even just this act calmed me down a bit. He spoke,” Ms. Batiste, I understand you’re nervous but you’ll find Mr. President is not so intimidating as he seems. Just focus on him and you should do fine.” He stood up, put on his glasses and went back to his spot.
Just then the doors opened on the other side of the room and in walked the President and his joint chiefs. He seemed like a grandpa type figure himself, affirming what Agent Walker had told me. He held out his hand first to Lord Kellen, “Nice to see you again Tomas.” Lord Kellen nodded and he moved on to my father, “Reggie, how the hell are you doing. It’s been far too long. I’d be willing to bet if you had been part of more of these talks, this business would all be behind us and we can get to helping each other out.” His gazed turned to me,” And who is this pretty young lady?” My father smiled, “Mr. President, may I introduce you to Ms. Alexandra Batiste. She is my only child; she grew up here in Colorado.” He extended his hand out to me and I took it, “It is a pleasure to meet you, young lady. I think you might have some charm like your old man. You radiate so much positive energy.” I smiled, “It is an honor to meet you Mr. President. Not often a young lady such as myself, would get to meet the leader of one of the most powerful countries.” He smiled back,” I imagine your old man brought you to charm us into finishing negotiations.” He turned and winked at my father,” It’s working so far Reggie. She’s well adjusted for someone her age.” My mother would have had a snort fest at this declaration, she often questioned whether I would finally grow up. Just then a gruff voice cut through the pleasant environment, “I hate to break up the love fest here but we have purpose here.” Clearly, my ability is not working on him. It was this General Johnson everyone was weary of... He was a tall man with broad shoulders and very muscular for an old man. He wore an expression on his face that looked like everything pissed him off. The kids call it resting bitch face. We got down to business and I gave a presentation about how I grew up here, raised human, and blended in with society. At the end of the presentation, I look over at the General and saw on his face a look of adoration where there had been disdain before.
