We locked eyes and stared at each other down for a minute which was harder for me as I was trying to meet the eyes of two people at once and it was hurting my brain. We must have been there for a good 30 seconds before Selene shook my shoulder and asked.
"A-Aiden, do you know them?"
I snapped back to reality as Will was still laughing about the earlier comment. The two twins seemed to snap back as well as they began to look me over with looks of curiosity. I spun to try to keep them in my view as they began to walk all around me as if looking for something before the girl asked.
"So are you here to guide us or not?"
"Uh, not really, I think there was a mistake with the names."
I said looking to the innkeeper who gave me an apologetic look. The boy grabbed at his hair and let out a frustrated groan.
"At this rate we're going to miss the whole thing, when will someone take the stupid quest!"
At the mention of this Selene perked up, and before I could stop her Selene asked.
"W-What quest are you talking about?"
I groaned internally as Will caused a small pain to shoot to the back of my head
"Quit your griping dude, they might have a clue where grandpa went."
Before I could think back a reply, the girl reached into her bag and pulled out a small page and presented it
Hollowcreek Heir Escort (D)
The children of Hollowcreek Aquatech, Abel and Canna, require a protected ride to reunite with their parents at the Grand Plate Games. High-profile rivals and kidnappers may target them en route. Depart quietly from the designated waystation, maintain a low profile, and deliver both children unharmed and on time to the VIP Gate of the Plate grounds. Avoid teleport gates, crowds, and press. At least one escort must remain awake at all times; the children must never be more than 30 ft from an escort.
Reward – 3,000 Gold + Hollowcreek Hydrobubble Charm
Failure – 1,800 Gold penalty for delay, breach of security, or public incident; contract black mark with Hollowcreek vendors for 30 days
Staring down at this quest I felt a strange feeling I had thought was once gone. It was a mix of hope and hate that swirled in a painful way. On one side there was hope, I could finally see mom and dad again, but on the other hate gnawed, why did they never come back, when did they plan to let me know I had siblings. Canna and Abel lead Selene over to a nearby table where they sat down and Selene began to ask them questions about the quest. I took this moment to walk to the door and stepped outside for a moment to just breathe. As I did I let myself sink inward as I drifted back from the view of my eyes and found myself with Will in my mind.
"Well that's a hell of a shocker."
Will said, crossing his arms as he glanced back to the window that showed what my unfocused eyes saw, the window out of the corner of my eye showing the two talking with Selene.
"No, which part, the part where I'm an older brother, or the part where my parents moved on from me so much they had another set of kids?"
I said grumbling as I crossed my arms, the space around us beginning to stew with a purple vapor like my own grumbling made manifest. Will looked around at it for a moment before he turned back and said.
"Well, this isn't without its benefits, I mean at least we know where they are."
I turned to Will with a raised eyebrow as before I could even say anything he turned back with a pointed look.
"Look, I'm not exactly happy about it either, but like it or not, grandpa set out to find him, and I like to think they maybe know where he went next, or hell can use that massive pile of wealth they own to help you look for compensation for abandonment."
I wanted to retort, but before I could I was snapped back to my body as I was shaken, Jax and Beatrice were there as Jax was shaking me with a paw.
"Aiden…. AAAAAAAIIIIIIIIDDDDDDEEEEEENNNNN."
Jax said, shaking me with his paw. I blinked at Jax before moving his paw and crossing my arms with a silent question on my face. Jax looked towards the window and then back at me.
"So when exactly were you planning to mention that you have siblings, because they smell just like you."
Betrice said as she followed Jax's gaze to the window where Selene was inside talking with Canna and Abel. I crossed my arms as I leaned back against the wall.
"The boys name is Abel, and the girls name is Canna, they apparently are headed for the games and need an escort to meet our parents there, and as for the sibling thing I was an only child until I met them a few minutes ago."
Beatrice gave me a puzzled look but Jax's eyes widened as he walked over closer so people on the street didn't overhear.
"So not only did your parents leave you with your grandpa to run off and do their own thing, but they even had more kids!? What kind of reaction did they have to meeting their long lost older brother?"
Beatrice seemed bewildered by this knowledge, but I felt a dark scowl fall over my face as I said with more venom than I had intended.
"They didn't, from what I can tell they just think I look like dad, it seems my loving absent parents made a whole new chapter, including excluding the mention of their oldest child."
Jax and Beatrice stopped where they were moving, but I assume Beatrice didn't stop because of realizing the situation, and more so because Jax stopped. Jax turned back with a look of genuine sympathy.
"Hey man, we don't need to do this quest, we can take other quests, especially if this is going to be a sore spot for you."
I shook my head as I headed for the door.
"Its already rubbed me wrong, but its not like its their fault, though I do have a request of you."
"Name it man."
"Don't tell them were related, they might have a way to contact our parents, and Im not giving them a chance to run again."