Greyashe chapter 311 is entiled 'Last rites of the unloved.'

Previous chapter 310: RE-claiming what is ours.

Next chapter 312: Deductions and farewells.

Summaries page.

-Short summary-

Kani has her long awaited conversation with Delaney revealing many secrets and deciding the path before them.

-Long summary-

Candle gazes at a nearby ice cream cart out of curiosity and longing. She'd like to know more about this human confectionery, but doesn't know how to ask. Normally she'd just go to Reid for his flippant, cynical and probably untrue analysis about it but for one he's not here, and two she's not sure if he wants to be bothered with her anymore. Ever since the election where he struck her for the first time, she's not sure what to think of him. He had always seemed the most worried about her....not to say Kani and the others didn't or don't care, but he had seemed to give her special attention for one reason or another. She had done something to make him upset now however, and that very notion upsets her more than she'd like to admit. Candle isn't sure how to face him again, so despite herself she's simply hiding from him. Irony of ironies that she's with Kani who she had physically scarred so badly that she permanently has to wear bandages over her burns. How could the witch stand to be with her after that? Truly humans are a spectacle to behold, and she feels now more than ever that they should be saved from her former comrades.

A young boy notices the sentinent looking at the ice cream cart, and after counting his money bounds over to the girl and offers his change to her. Candle is thrown further into disarray by his kindness, though the boy only sees a girl who's in trouble and not a sentinent being who once would crush he and his kind with magic. Candle begins to refute him, but his genuine smile wins her over. He then advises her on what flavor is the best to take, and how getting scoops works. Candle is immersed by the explanation, and doesn't hide it. For a moment at least she's forgotten her worries about Reid and simply is allowed to be.

Kani watches from a nearby bench and is relieved. She's been concerned by Candle since their run in with Baker, and how her spirit had been completely crushed. She too knows that Reid had given the girl special consideration, and how that had changed. Of course she hasn't had time to encounter the swordsman since then so all she could do is try to protect the sentinent from further harm. Though it seems she's fine despite all of her worrying. It's also good she's got a distraction from her problems. Honestly the young witch feels that children her age should be out making friends and not having problems such as hers where---

Kani realizes mortified that she sounds like Candle's mother and quickly ceases her thought process on the matter. She then gets irritated and wonders where Delaney is? He had asked to meet her after all, and not the other way around. She has no intention of being stood up, so she'll stand up and leave before that happens. She then glances to her left and sees the son of the kaiser mage leaning against a wall with a sly grin on his face. Kani can feel the heat rising in her face, and knows that she's bright red. She asks him how long he's been standing there, and Delaney responds with a playful grin that he got there around the time she was watching her 'daughter' begin what could be considered a first date. Kani stands up suddenly and begins to leave, and Delaney follows her apologizing profusely. He just thought it was really cute is all! He didn't mean any harm by it! Kani's pace quickens, and the young man finds himself running to keep up with her.

In a moment Kani is daintily nibbling on a funnel cake as Delaney fumes on the park bench beside her. He comments that he didn't think she was the type of woman who makes men buy things for her. He thought she believed in all of that independent stuff. Kani doesn't look up from her funnel cake, and adds that she didn't take him for a peeping tom either, so they're even. Delaney begins to ask in what way are they even, but thinks better of it and changes the subject. He wants to know how she feels about the whole recall situation? Considering that she and he are of the same ilk, she must have feelings about watching those she cares about be driven mad by their own raging agape right?

Kani eyes him for a moment and asks where he's going with this? Delaney sighs exaggeratedly and points out their white skin, adversity to sunlight, and most importantly invulnerability to magic. These are all things they have in common rare abilities that seem to escape the common populace. She has to be at least a little curious as to why she's so different from others who can perform --and be hurt by magic. Kani shrugs a shoulder and admits she was a little curious when she was a little girl, but has more or less accepted it now as a part of her life. Delaney rubs his chin and looks her over. Kani gives him a threatening stare when he focuses on one part of anatomy exclusive to women, but he doesn't say anything in response. Finally he nods and sits back for a moment allowing the silence to become uncomfortable before speaking again. He asks if she was a difficult birth? The witch asks what he means? He states that she probably doesn't really see a difference since she was born this way. He is different though, he was actually born normal, and able to use agape. He had a near death accident when he was a kid though, and ended up losing that ability and gaining his current body. He had done a little research on the subject and learned that he --and by extension she, are part of a class of being known as the 'unloved'.

Kani takes another bite and chews thoughtfully. She hates to admit it to him, but he's got her intrigued. 'The unloved?' she asks him. 'What do you mean'? Delaney explains that obviously once one dies, their agape dissipates and the magic returns to be used by someone else. Though what about when one nearly dies? Does the agape return to them? Or...? It seems it doesn't...in fact it seems to ignore the person completely. Hence their being impervious to and unable to use magic. He knows what it's like to use agape since he is the son of the late kaiser mage. He also knows his Dad was able to use magic until he had a near death experience. Then he had used his reputation and a huge amount of bluster to keep his secret under wraps. What he had said during the election was true, Acheron could not use agape or magic, and hadn't been able to for a very long time. He figures Kani had nearly died when she was born, which is why she doesn't seem to notice a difference, or know about others like her. This condition had been her daily life for the entirety of her existence after all. Something within them is still fundamentally 'dead', despite them drawing breath and existing. It's this that the sentinents themselves are unable to understand, and as such fear.

Kani arches an eyebrow and asks why he'd bring up the sentients now? Delaney's head sinks and his voice lowers a bit, as he admits he and his siblings have met with the sentenents before. Kani flatly calls him a liar and resumes eating. If that were true, Candle would have mentioned it or at least confirmed that she recognizes him. Delaney shoots back that he met them after she had already left the group. Apparently Butcher had been curious about their whole 'not-being-affected-by-magic' condition and hoped to gain something from him by making a deal. He was the one to tell them (he and his siblings) that their father was dead and how to get revenge against him by coming to this place. They wouldn't have dared before, but Butcher was very convincing....but....

But now he had double crossed them. Delaney had agreed to disrupt the kaiser mage proceedings because of his hatred of his father, but Butcher had conveniently left out the part where his sister and brother are driven insane by the recall since they still can use agape. So now he's going to double cross him by supporting the kaiser mage rather than bringing her down. The knowledge he has is worth his life, and the life of others if he can protect his beloved siblings and her, someone who was like him in their inability to use magic. He had only recently met his siblings since they all have different mothers, yet they had forged an incredible bond. So who's to say that he and she couldn't do the same over their similar 'disability'?

Kani polishes off her funnel cake and thanks him for helping her understand some things. He is right that she simply figured that this is normal at least for her, and that she had been born this way. Knowing now that there are others like her does give her some sense of solace too. She also knows now that despite her earlier thoughts of his intentions and his actions at the election that he is to some extent acting purely on noble interests. She is thankful he wants to save her, but unfortunately it sounds as if he could only save her which is a deal she's not in a position to accept. He would have to think bigger if he really intends to save his siblings. At least now though, her next move has been set, and she can advise him on what to do with himself next should he want to hear it.

Delaney blinks and nods slowly. He had expected several reactions from his speech, but this one is the most pragmatic. Maybe she didn't understand him? He admits maybe he was a little too subtle but he had essentially confessed his feelings to her, and yet she's acting as if he had proposed a business proposition..

Kani reminds him that there was another like her...or them at the election. Aicha Nightshade. Delaney blinks in realization, and asks if she means the hero of the witches war? Kani confirms this and advises him to ask her about what she can do in relation to their condition. With her position, she's more than sure that Aicha can manage something. If there are others like them, they could serve to be good partners in the upcoming conflict. Delaney stands up suddenly and asks if she intends to take on the sentinents....herself? Kani makes a face and asks him if he thinks she's stupid. Of course she doesn't intend to herself, but it's obvious if Butcher is making power plays like trying to get him on his team simply so that the people who are not affected by his modus operandi don't oppose him then it means he intends to make a move soon. The one who strikes first is usually the one who wins right? She intends to beat Butcher to the punch, and she'll need all the help she can get to do so.

Kani stands and thanks him for the meal. She does hate to depart like this, but time is of the essence. She'll need to find Guy and Reid so she can discuss with them her plans for the next step of battle. She begins to leave, but then stops and turns to Delaney. Much to his surprise her expression is soft, and she has a warm smile that seems to have found its way to her after a long hiatus. She thanks him for his confession as well, as sometimes a woman just needs to hear a man tell her his genuine feelings. She had personally never been confessed to, and it makes her happier than he'd ever understand. This time it's Delaney's turn to turn bright red and turn away from Kani, accepting her thanks. She then turns and exits, leaving the young man to ponder this development for a moment until buzzing causes him to fall backwards out of surprise. He then realizes it's coming from his pockets and takes out a cellphone. He makes a face and opens it up to answer, but is cut off before he can say hello.

On the other line is Azha Falk, the new kaiser mage. She asks if he had a fun time divulging secrets and whatnot? Delaney grits his teeth and wordlessly curses her farseer ability. She knew he was heading out to do this, and she let him. He replies that he had a good time, yes and asks the occasion for this call? Azha giggles and points out that he is her subordinate, which means she can call him any time about anything. She could call him midnight to bring her a pizza if she so feels it. His life and the lives of his siblings are in her hands, if he recalls. Delaney stares at the phone, murder in his eyes as well as the helplessness of knowing there's nothing he can do about it. Azha then asks him to return as she'll need someone to mind things while she's away for a bit. Once she returns they will discuss what can be done in regards to his case, and his siblings. Although she likes messing with him, she did make a promise after all.

Delaney manages to calm down enough to snark back that he's surprised she can put aside her mischievousness to get things done. At least she won't be a boring kaizer mage. Azha agrees and bids him farewell. She then turns to Leah who was listening in on the phone call, as per Hydon's instructions. He had asked her to watch Azha as she seems to be planning something though with her enigmatic actions he's not entirely sure what. Of course this had been before he went to hunt down Aschner for killing Acheron, so Leah isn't entirely sure if she should keep following his instructions, but lacks the confidence to openly defy Hydon.

Azha peers around the corner where she's eavesdropping and informs her that she will be going to school. Leah recoils in surprise as she was quite sure she had stayed out of Azha's sight. She then remembers the teenage girl is a farseer, so she can probably hazard a highly accurate guess of what she's thinking of doing which means keeping an eye on her will be next to impossible. Leah then processes her statement and immediately denies Azha, replying that she has important matters to deal with as the kaizer mage, and as such cannot go to school again. Azha surprises her by clapping her hands together and offering them up to her in a purely apologetic pose. She just needs to go one last time to confirm a few things and say a few goodbyes. After that she promises that she will stay and enact her roles as the kaiser mage without any further complaint. Leah finds herself being swayed by the girl's pleas and gives in on the condition that she not reveal anything about the kaiser mage office. Azha nods in appreciation and gives Leah a big hug as thanks. She then leaves in a hurry thanking the attendant until she's out of sight. Leah can only watch her go with an expression of concern and pity on her delicate features.

Azha is soon before the gates of GMAGY with an unreadable expression. She stands silently for a few moments before pushing them open and making her way in for what could be the last day of school for her, and the end of her days as a teenage farseer, and the beginning of a maturity which may or may not be forced as the kaiser mage ---the leader of a nation.