Posted July 21, 2021, 9:01 p.m. by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) (James Sinclair)
Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not
Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not
Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
Mike and Tara were standing by themselves, heads bowed and in some kind of deep conversation. As Runa yelled through the grand hall, Mike looked up and waved her over. Tara smiled at Runa and said “Having fun, my dear? I imagine this is going to be a wedding for your sister to be proud she gets to record… whether it is hers or not.”Mike and Tara
Runa smiled, “I saw Ragna out there getting passed from Da to Uncle Oddvar while she’s tryin’ to get pictures and quotes from anyone who goes near her. She’s always chasin’ after the story, trying to piece it together, this time she gets to live it, watch it as it happens, be part of it. She’s on cloud 9. And tomorrow…I can’t wait to see Ragna in satin and lace.” And she laughed but then turned to Mike suddenly serious. “Do you know a cousin named Capall? He’s the one that gave me that letter.”
Runa
Mike and Tara exchanged a serious knowing look and the both looked back at Runa. Mike said “Yeah, I know it was from him. And Tara knows him more than me. Why do you ask?” and he gestured to a chair. Tara took a seat next to it and said “Sit, girl. You look like your about to vibrate apart.”
Mike and Tara
Runa sat down. She liked Tara, but it was Mike she trusted, but gods he’d tear her a new one. “There was a second letter addressed to me. He claims he was listening when Ragna was attacked and he called the police, but his family,” she holds her hands out palm up, “Stopped it. DCI Tannery’s words seem to confirm that they had the ability to intercept the police. It was strange, he apologized for not seeing it sooner.” She looked at Mike, “If he’s telling the truth then I owe him thanks for trying to save Ragna. If he’s lying, for whatever reason, I’m gonna hit him so hard his hair grows back.”
Runa
Mike looked at Tara, and Tara shrugged slightly. “You’re the Chief. Not my decision to make.” she said. Mike took a breath and looked out the window for a moment and then looked at Runa.
“Capall is most likely telling you the truth. He’s the one that sent Tara the files… at least as far as we can tell. The letter he gave you for me was his resignation from the Clan. He banished himself before I made the decree. Now… what we don’t know is how he knew I would be Chief. He dated the letter, Runa… it was a week ago. He wrote me a letter a week ago addressing me as Chief and telling me he was leaving the Clan.” He walked over to a large, ornate, and very old desk and pulled the letter from the top of a pile. He looked at her and said “You want to read it?”
Mike
Runa nodded, “That would explain the marked out last name on the letter.” Runa had a sick feeling in her stomach…”If he’s the one who sent the files, he’s been watching the clan for a long time, Mike. If he knew you were going to be chief, that means he was watching Tara and was privy to at least the conversations going on at Seamus’ home.” She pulled the letter out, “Mike he’s been watching me too. He knew who I was, called me by name.” She passed him the letter taking the other from him and reading it.
Runa
Mike looked at Tara and Tara said “Runa, I don’t think it’s quite what you think. You see… Capall is… well… not to put too fine a point on it… brilliant. He is without a doubt the smartest man I have ever met, grandson or not. And gifted is too less of a descriptor when it comes to him and computers. Him putting together our plans from snippets of conversations is not out of bounds for him at all. Now the fact that he did not say anything to Hamish and the others? That is thought provoking. But it goes with his letter to Michael.” and she motioned her to read it.
Revna who had entered quietly and unnoticed spoke up. “I agree with Tara. It speaks volumes that he has known for at least a week, perhaps longer. I did a psychological profile on him. The man didn’t need to be privy to any communications after Ragna’s attack to know how Tara would act, what the cousins would do, or that she would choose Mike. Poor man’s been psychologically and emotionally abused for years. Children need affection and positive community to emotionally mature correctly. I looked into him, deep dived. He learned at a very very young age what behaviors gained his mother and step-father’s praise.” She looked at Tara, “And that relationship....is sick.” She looked back at Runa, “Because he is so brilliant he learned those lessons much younger than most. Honestly,” she looked at Mike this time, her heart aching for that no longer little boy, “It’s a true miracle he was able to break away from them at all. The odds of doing that on his own are not in his favor, but he did it.”
Tara added “And if there was a single one of them worth saving, it’d be him.”
“Chieftain Michael McKenzie of the Clan McKenzie-
Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Lord Michael. I have no doubt that your leadership and guidance will ensure the safety and longevity of the Clan I have called mine my entire life… until now.
Through my actions and affiliations, I have damaged the Clan, our standing, our people, and our reputation. Through my inaction, I allowed the Clan to suffer.
No more.
I hereby remove myself from Clan McKenzie. I have legally changed my name to my mother’s maiden name of Sutherland… an English name, and a more fitting punishment for a son of Scotland I cannot imagine. I acknowledge my deeds, and I will take my banishment as not only just… but deserved. I can only hope the others do the same, although I doubt they have the spine to do so.
I am sorry, Lord Michael, for what I have done and by inaction allowed to pass. No more. I may no longer be a McKenzie… but I will strive for the remainder of my days to prove that I am a loyal ally to you and those you call family. I stand ready to assist you at your command. And should such a command never come, know that I do not harbor any ill will to you for it… just as I hope that someday may come when you can say the same for me.
Your humble servant,
Capall Sutherland”
Tara looked at Runa as she read and said “Say what you will… he always hated his English side.” and Mike chuckled.
Mike and Tara
Runa grinned, “Who doesn’t hate the English?” She read over the letter one more time and gave it back to Mike, slipping the other back in her pocket. She looked at Revna, “Brilliant or not, that’s creepy that he’s been watching me of all people. Seriously. Why me? Why give me a letter after he’s already written one to Mike and explained? That whole lot is weird and broken.” Revna shook her head hard, “No Runa.” The word was hard and held reprimand in it. Runa sighed and closed her eyes. “I know, I know. No one is broken, just lost in the dark,” like a school child reciting lines. Revna knelt in front of her taking her hands. “That’s right, and we Edmans don’t leave folks in the dark. For whatever reason Capall has reached out to you. He thinks he deserves to stay in the darkness. It’s up to you to find out if you think you should help him Rise out of the dark.” The gods had put this on Runa and Runa knee she would have to make a choice. But the wording made her side eye her twin. “Uh huh…speaking of hiding isn’t that what you are doing in here? That party is almost and full swing. And The Edmans at least are going to be calling for you, my dear twin, my sister, my Chieftess.” And Runa laughed while Revna turned red. “Shut up Runa.” Runa got up and moved out of Revna’s reach. “But it’s tradition. And,” she looked pointedly at Revna’s lungs, “You’re all better now. And if you can sing in a bar…” Revna flopped into the vacated chair and closed her eyes. “Runa, I love you, but I’m having trouble remembering why…”
Revna and Runa
Mike looked at Runa and jerked his head towards the eyes-shut Revna and then grinned evilly and said “Hey Runa… you know I’ve got my bass on the shuttle. And I know some of the punks play… maybe we could get the band back together? Think Revna would make a good lead singer?”
Mike
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