Lorel could tell his father was angry.

Well.

Perhaps angry wasn't the right word. He certainly got angry, mind you, but his way of expressing it was certainly well outside the realm of what could be considered "normal." It was a cold, icy fury that was, in many ways, more terrifying than the alternative.

The four of them- himself, Aria, and their parents, were seated at the dining table; parents on one side, siblings on the other. The fact that they hadn't been whisked away by the Tideguard the moment they beached was proof enough that their parents had pulled some strings- and no doubt added to their father's anger.

"Do you know why I'm angry?"

He considered his father's question. "I imagine there's a few reasons. Which are you the most angry about?"

"What do you think?" His father's response was little more than a growl.

That was clearly the wrong response. "That we dodged the Tideguard?"

"At least you're self-aware enough to realize it."

"I aim to please."

"You are aware you're being scolded right now, right?"

"Nira." His mother stepped up from behind, placing one hand on his father's shoulder. "You raised them to be independent. You can hardly blame them for acting as such."

Lorel nodded. "You should listen to mom. And why is she-" he pointed to Aria- "Not a part of this? She was also involved!"

"Hey!"

He shrugged at her protest. As far as he was concerned, fair was fair. She didn't have to go along with his whims, but she'd chosen to.

His father sighed. "If you're so self-aware, then I'm sure you can figure it out on your own."

It took Lorel a second to comprehend the meaning of those words. "Because she wasn't actually involved?" Now that he thought about it, that was certainly the case. Aria had been a witness, sure, but not a participant. Not in the same way he was, at the very least. And those sorts of nuances mattered.

"Exactly. She was just a witness. You, on the other hand, used your powers without sanction-"

"There wasn't any other choice! They would have died otherwise!"

His father continued, completely unbothered by his outburst. "Threatened someone who was on this planet as a representative of the ICC, and not to mention, tore their ship in half. I don't even want to begin thinking about how much a ship like that would have cost."

"It's not like the cost really matters." Flippant as that statement was, it was the truth. Coral was the universe's most important resource, and Torrent its only supplier. Even if he were to sell the Coral he harvested half its usual price, he could comfortably pay it off before year's end. Especially if Aria could recreate the new cells Svyke had given him.

"I dread the horrors you'll inflict on the universe the day you manage to find your way off-planet."

"Then it's a good thing I have no desire to leave. And what was I supposed to do? Just stand by and watch them die? The Tideguard wouldn't have made it on time!"

"No, you did the right thing."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem", his father emphasized the word, "is that you just left- and practically coerced me into covering for you. Tell me, did you even think your actions through?"

"Not really. Acting without thinking is sort of my specialty."

His father sighed again, more loudly than before.

"Nira, dear, you should stay calm," his mother interjected, her lilting voice tranquil and soothing. "Regardless of what he says, I'm sure Lorel expected to be punished for his actions. I suggest you mete it out and be done with it."

Yet another sigh. "Very well." Lorel's father raised his head, looking him in the eye. "You're grounded for two weeks. Both of you. I understand that you both have duties outside of this household. Lorel, you may continue your activities at the DFH, but I expect you to return home directly afterwards. And, Aria. Your research is important. I can't in good conscience tell you to spend less time at the lab, but I expect you to either be there, or here at home. Do I make myself clear?"

Lorel's shoulders sagged as he let out a sigh of relief. His bouts with Loch would continue, even if their after-training activities would have to be put on pause.

As for his sister, well. Her "punishment" could hardly be construed as such, but his father's words were true enough. Her work was important- and she'd played a decidedly lesser role in the day's earlier fiasco.

"Yes."

"Good."

His father made to stand, and then paused, as if struck by a sudden thought. "The two people that you saved today- was there anything strange about them?"

"You mean besides the fact that one was dressed in a military uniform and had a gun? Or that they crash-landed in a spaceship on a planet that doesn't have spaceships?"

"Yes."

He thought about it for a moment. "They seemed about my age. I didn't really notice it in the moment, but in retrospect, that seems odd. And only one of them- the boy- was dressed in a military uniform. I guess that's also weird. The girl didn't seem like she was military, but the boy seemed to follow her orders. Is that weird enough?"

"Anything else?"

"The girl called him her copilot. I guess that would make her the owner of the ship. Which I guess makes sense? It didn't seem like a military ship."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't think a military ship would have a glass front, Coral or no. And I didn't see any weapons." Lorel paused. "Not that I would really know what to look for. But it looked like it was built for speed."

"And you would know what that looks like?" His father asked dryly.

He shrugged. "I think that much would be apparent. I assume hydro and aerodynamics follow similar principles." Aria remained silent, which was proof enough that he was right.

"Alright." His father leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment before standing. "Despite everything that came afterwards, you did well. Although I would have preferred you salvage the ship as well."

"So why the punishment?"

The trace of a smile flitted across his face. "This and that are two very different things."

"Thought so. Oh well. It was worth a try."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go finish cleaning up the mess you made."

Lorel watched his father leave the room, his mother just a half-step behind. Even as their child, he thought them an odd pairing, but perhaps that was the reason they complemented one another so well.

"That could have been a lot worse," Aria said softly.

"Yeah," he agreed, leaning back in his chair. "A lot worse."

"You really didn't think things through."

"Didn't you hear me? That's my specialty." Lorel slouched back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling and rubbing his eyes before standing up.

"... Where are you going?"

"To my room. Where else?"

"Knowing you, I thought you'd half a mind to head out on another dive."

"... I was thinking about it. But I've never seen dad that angry." Time in the ocean would help soothe him, but no doubt incite their father further. And that was a decidedly bad idea.

"I'm sure he had a good reason."

"Probably. What happened to your sub?"

"Towed to the lab," Aria answered tersely.

"Did it perform as you expected?"

"More or less."

"You're still thinking about them."

She nodded. "Yeah."

"What now?"

"It's probably why he's upset, isn't it?"

"Probably part of it." This was far from the only time he'd incurred their father's wrath- and it certainly wouldn't be the last- but that was no reason to push his luck. And besides, no matter how he talked back, he respected his father. That counted for something. "He said representative of the ICC, though."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"What about it?"

"Which one?"

"Which one... What?"

"Which one was the representative?"

"The one dressed in a military uniform?"

"Then why was he taking orders from someone not in uniform?"

"Uh..."

Lorel snorted. For all his sister's raw intelligence, she had a tendency to miss the obvious things. "You didn't think of that, did you?"

Aria shook her head. "No."

He looked back towards the door his father had taken. "He's not telling us something."

"Obviously."

Lorel sighed. "Why does he do this?"

"Why does he do what?"

"He always tries to keep the big things hidden from us."

"... Are you really that dense?"

"Apparently."

"It's because he's trying to protect us," she said quietly.

"From what? And why?"

"I can't answer the what, but..."

"Then why?"

"Because we're his children," Aria answered quietly. "Isn't that obvious?"

"Still," Lorel grumbled. "I wish he would tell us more. It's not like we can't figure it out."

"It's hard for him, you know. Leading the Tideguard, taking care of us..."

"I know. But still." He strode towards his room, only to stop and look back at his sister. "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"I don't know." She stretched her arms up above her head, stifling a yawn as she did so. "I was going to head to the lab early morning, but after today... I'm tired."

"I feel that." He could feel the beginnings of a headache; a dull pain behind his eyes that seeped back into his head. "Are you going to go to sleep right away?"

"I want to... But I don't think I can."

Lorel looked up towards the roof then. "Want to sit and chat, then? It's been a while." Important as their dives were, they held a completely different purpose for him- quality time with his sister. He felt no shame in acknowledging that.

Aria perked up at that. "Meet you up top?"

He chuckled. "By which you mean you're leaving everything to me." He waved dramatically with one hand. "Go on. I'll be up there soon."

She disappeared up the stairs.

Lorel turned back, walking to the kitchen and running his thumb over the smooth glass button to turn the stovetop on. Their home was small, but that suited their family just fine. It was commonplace for there to only be one or two people present at once, and in that sense, made them feel closer to one another.

Retrieving the kettle from its place in the upper cabinet, he filled it with water, pulling it from the faucet in a single, twisting stream. He found himself grateful for the menial task; a soothing contrast to the day's chaos- and his father's icy fury.

It really could have been worse. He leaned back against the countertop, arms crossed as he stared at the kettle. It was a gift at Loch, and by far the most worn item in their household; the dark grey paint covering its body faded and chipped by its many uses.

For the first time that day, the day's accumulated fatigue took hold. The dull pressure from before was sharper, now, driving a spike of discomfort directly into his mind and body. It was a vile thing, born from a marriage of anger, anxiety, and fear.

Lorel's thoughts turned towards the two mysterious strangers he'd saved. What are they here for? They were here for something, no doubt about that. He closed his eyes, massaging his brow in a futile attempt to ease the sharp, aching pain. What am I worried about? This isn't like me.

It took him a long while to find the answer. It was nothing so simple as one single thing; rather, a culmination of the long day's many events. School, his talk with Loch, rescuing the off-worlders, his and Aria's frantic return, and finally, their father's chilling anger.

"Fuck." His sister no doubt would have scolded him for that, but she was waiting for him on the roof, well out of earshot. And there was no better way to express himself in this moment than that single word. Something's going on. To believe otherwise was willful ignorance- bordering on stupidity.

He sighed- then jumped as the kettle whistled. Look at you, he thought mockingly. Even after everything you said to Loch- and Aria- here you are, just as worried as them. Was your resolve really so weak?

... No. Lorel shook his head. He wanted- as he always did- to protect his home. But what does that even mean? That answer, at least, came easier. His sister. His friends. His parents. They were what really mattered. But how was he- a single person- supposed to do that?

He shook his head again. The scale of such things was well beyond his imagination. His conclusion, as always, was that it was out of his control- so there was no point in worrying about it. He would deal with it when- if- that time ever came.

And with any luck, it wouldn't.

Turning back towards the cabinets, Lorel opened another- the lowest, this time- and then rushed to catch the teabags that spilled out. Loch's gift had been the catalyst for this, and truthfully speaking, this was the one thing their household ever had a consistent supply of.

I'll need to pick up some groceries tomorrow.

He selected two apple caramel teabags- both his and Aria's favorite- before opening the middle to retrieve two mugs. They were simple, with emerald-colored bodies and a single heron adorning each. Another gift from Loch.

Removing the kettle's lid, he pulled the steaming water out in two twisting streams, placing one bag in each mug before filling them. Seeping them was easy; he simply willed the water to form two small vortices, and within moments, it took on a dull brown color.

Lorel tentatively tapped both with his fingers, making sure they were cool enough to hold before picking them up. He carried them rather haphazardly up the stairs, keeping their surfaces still despite taking them two at a time.

He opened the door, shivering as the nighttime's cool air washed over him. Aria was seated on the roof's ledge, her legs dangling over the side. Small as their home was, it was located at the edge of the city's floating ring, with a perfect view of the ocean beyond. His sister no doubt found the same sort of comfort he did in the sight.

She looked up as he took a seat beside her, taking the offered mug in both hands. "Thank you."

Lorel nodded before taking a seat at her side. He watched her drink before taking a sip of his own. The tea was sweet, but not overpoweringly so, and he found himself grateful for the warmth that blossomed outwards.

Aria spoke as he lowered it. "You're worried."

He paused, holding the warm clay between his legs. "Is it that obvious?"

She shook her head. "You're good at hiding it. Well... Maybe hiding isn't the right word. But you know what I mean."

"... Maybe you're not as bad with people as I thought you were." He expected Aria to smack him for that, but instead, she just shook her head again.

"I am bad with people. But I know you." She paused. "The thing about not thinking things through is that you don't think about what comes afterwards, either." Her voice softened. "I admire your approach to life. I really do. But I worry that you're going to get yourself in trouble someday. Real trouble. The kind you can't talk your way out of."

Lorel took another sip before replying. "I know."

"Then...?"

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

He heard his sister sigh. "I guess I should expect nothing less."

Lorel smiled. "You know me so well. Besides," he continued, draining his cup. "That's not really what I'm worried about."

"I know."

"Then why the sudden criticism?"

"I thought maybe this would finally convince you to change your ways. Not entirely. I like you the way you are. Just... slightly."

"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

She did smack him for that one.

"I'm sorry for worrying you," he said, tone serious. "I really am. But even if I were to change my ways, it wouldn't actually change anything. Not in any way that really matters."

"I know."

"Then..."

"Because you're my brother," Aria said quietly. "I care about you. I don't want to see you in trouble... Or hurt... Or something even worse."

"I won't-"

"You don't know that," she interrupted, tone suddenly fierce. "Don't make a promise you're not sure you can keep."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Lorel asked, unable to keep the frustration from creeping into his voice.

"I just want you to be careful."

"I'm always careful."

"I know. Despite how you act... I know. But still. Just be careful."

"Alright. I will be." That was an easy concession to make for his sister's peace of mind.

They sat there in silence for a while longer, content to just enjoy each other's company. Lorel was the one to break the silence. "Did you find what you were looking for today?" He wasn't quite sure what Aria was searching for, just that she was searching for something. By his estimate, they'd already performed dives across half the planet- and still nothing.

She drained her own mug before responding. "No."

"What exactly are you looking for?"

"... It's complicated."

"Try me. I may not be a genius, but I'm smart enough to get by."

"I'm not a genius."

"Sure you aren't."

Aria set her cup down on her left, between the two of them. "I'm looking for the source."

"Source? Of what?"

"Hm..." She mulled over the question for a moment, kicking her legs against the wall. "What do you think Coral is?"

"It's..." Lorel trailed off. "I don't know," he admitted. "I guess I never really thought about it. Is it some sort of... Energy?"

To his surprise, Aria nodded. "It's a good guess. But there's a couple problems with it." She raised one finger. "First, if it was pure energy, our planet would be a lot hotter. Hot enough that no one could live here."

"And the second problem?"

"Where does it come from?"

"The planet?"

"But what's its source? It has to come from somewhere. As far as we can tell, Torrent has no core. Nothing that could sustain giving off so much energy for so long. And ever since its metamorphosis, Coral output hasn't dipped by even a fraction. It's why we're comfortable being so reliant on it. It seems like it'll last forever, and so far, there hasn't been a reason to doubt that."

"Doesn't Torrent take in solar energy and release Coral as a byproduct?"

"That's the leading theory. But it's not a particularly good one. It's just the easiest one available. Coral has given our species a practically infinite power budget. It's used as fuel for engines, for interstellar travel... Too many things to count. And that's the case everywhere. That's just too much energy for a single power source to make sense. I'm not the only one who's thought of it, but no one's found definitive proof."

"And this relates to whatever it is that you're looking for... How?"

"At this point, I'm looking for anything even slightly abnormal. That's why I'm taking detailed measurements in every sector. But so far, no matter where we go, Coral density by depth is perfectly uniform. That's another reason I think it's something other than solar power- we're still not sure just how dense it gets, but we can extrapolate." She sighed. "I'm beginning to think that Coral just exists too far outside the realm of science to make sense of. It acts as expected sometimes, but at other times it's unlike anything else."

"No offense, sis, but you're talking to a hydrokinetic. There's already a lot of things that exist pretty far outside the realm of science. And besides, doesn't the fact that there's no solid core already break a lot of rules?" He knew that much.

Aria sighed again. "I know. But interstellar travel, using it as fuel... We were able to implement those things because some forms of science seem to apply to it. It's just a matter of finding out what."

"And how does this relate to..." Lorel looked down at his empty mug. "To whatever it is that you're developing?"

"It doesn't. I'm allowed to research other things, you know." She followed suit, looking down at her own. "I'm trying to synthesize Coral. The leading theory is that it's some form of energy that has negative mass. That's why it works in interstellar drives. No matter how far our science progresses, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to prove that... But it has to come from somewhere, right? That's what I'm trying to find."

"And that would help ease our planet's external pressure."

"Right." Aria curled up into a ball, hugging her legs to her chest. "But that's not the reason. Not really. Don't get me wrong, I want to protect out home, too. But I'm really just trying to protect you. And mom. And dad. That's what really matters to me. It seems like I'm running out of time, though."

Lorel could hear the beginning of tears in her voice. "It's the same for me, you know," he said, leaning over so that their shoulders were touching. "I'm doing this to try and protect you. Mom and dad too."

"I know." She led out a single, shuddering breath. "But do you really think that one person will be enough to make a difference?"

"I've had the highest combat proficiency in every facility I've been in."

Aria wiped away her tears. "Do you really think it matters? Against exos and orbital bombardments?"

He said nothing in response to that.

"See?"

Lorel stood, picking up both their mugs. "I get it," he said gently. "I don't want to worry you. Really, I don't. But say something does happen. If it happens, it happens to the entire planet. We're both going to be involved regardless."

"I know. Just... Just be careful."

"I always am."

"I know. But still."

"I'm going to go get another cup. Do you want another too?" He forcibly changed the topic.

Aria nodded silently.

"Alright. I'll bring Loch by after school tomorrow."

"... We are grounded, you know."

"Right. We are. Dad doesn't have any control over Loch... And he didn't say anything about having guests over. Just that we're supposed to stay in the house."

"Are you ever going to grow out of your rebellious phase?"

"Probably not. I have to compensate for both of us."