Dr. Mesk confirmed that both missing children were psionic and in need of training. Initially, he had expected them to be in compacts for a while, but it seemed that those working with them had taken them earlier than anticipated. Kelfin instructed security to locate the two children, and once he received an update, he planned to have Dath verify their whereabouts as well. While still in conversation with Dr. Mesk, Kelfin received a call from the hospital informing him that Yol was ready to be released. However, the hospital required someone to watch him for a couple of days. Although Yol had servants who could fulfill this role, he expressed a strong desire to see Sila and Etik, considering it a safer option. Yol did not fully trust his staff since someone had already revealed Etik’s relation to him, causing him to have concerns about their loyalty. Jalf held Etik snugly in his arms until they were all inside. The way the boy squirmed made it appear few could have held him. Once the door was closed, Jalf put him down, and he ran to Yol, who picked him up and hugged him tightly, showering him with affection. Sila watched from a distance, still trying to maintain the facade of not being lovers. However, Yol beckoned her to come closer, and without any hesitation, he pulled her into a passionate embrace and kissed her. Yol had always been skilled at suppressing his emotions, but since his surgery, he had been struggling to hide his true feelings. Tonight, he couldn't contain it any longer. Meanwhile, Kelfin walked over to Dath, a glimmer in his eyes. "When was the last time you had a chance to see Zela?" he inquired. Dath shrugged a hint of sadness in his voice. "Not since you were released." A surge of excitement rushed through Kelfin. "Have her come for dinner," he suggested. Dath's surprise was evident on his face, but deep down, Kelfin could feel a flicker of hope ignited within him. Dath nodded, a small smile forming. "Are you sure?" he asked, knowing how much this might affect Kelfin. “Why not? Sila, Etik, and Jalf don't control their emotions. Yol isn't doing so well lately. What's one more?" Kelfin shrugged, contemplating the idea. Dath blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed. "If she's here, it will probably be two more," he admitted. Kelfin smiled, understanding Dath's concerns. He had experienced similar feelings during his time with Marza and others. He reassured Dath, albeit somewhat deceptively, "I'll manage. And with two couples, I won't know who is feeling what." Deep down, he knew that individuals could still experience different emotions even within the same situation. Dath glanced away, utilizing the computer embedded in his eye to send the message. After a moment, a grin spread across his face. "She's coming. Thanks," he said appreciatively. “Dath, you are allowed to have relationships," Kelfin reminded him gently, implying that work shouldn't hinder personal connections. "I know. But she works for you," Dath responded, hinting at the potential complications that could arise from their professional relationship. "So do you. So does over a third of the city," Kelfin pointed out. While they technically worked for Yol, in practice, they answered to Kelfin. "You go help Jalf watch the others. I'll let Corish know we'll need to eat in the dining room." Rain was just starting when Zela arrived. Dark clouds loomed overhead, signaling the imminent downpour. Although the storms could be dangerous, Kelfin had always loved the rain growing up. It had a unique effect on him; the presence of water would mute his ability to feel the emotions of the people around him. The torrential winter rains that caused so many people trouble actually gave Kelfin a much-needed break from constantly sensing the overwhelming emotions of the city's inhabitants. Unfortunately, the rain had to be between them and him. It didn't help with the crowd at the dinner table. He struggled with what he felt from them, making it difficult for him to fully engage in the conversation. The crowded table only added to the challenge, as he found it overwhelming to sense the multitude of emotions all at once. Corish, who had grown up in space, initially didn't understand the dangers posed by the storms. He had been caught out in the rain a few times before he learned to be cautious. Now, Satil took it upon herself to remind him of the potential risks every time it rained, much to Corish's annoyance. Dath felt guilty for asking Zela out on a night like this. He couldn't help but worry about her safety as she would have to navigate the treacherous weather to get home. Zela shared his concern, knowing that the rain could make the journey back to her place difficult and potentially hazardous. Thankfully, Kelfin already told her that she could stay the night, even if it wasn't with Dath. He understood the importance of her safety and wanted to ensure she didn't have to face the storm at night. Rist, observing the dynamics of the group, couldn't help but worry about Kelfin. She vividly remembered his struggle to eat and maintain his composure at the gala, though this was significantly less crowded. The thought of him being overwhelmed by the intense emotions of the crowded table filled her with concern. “Rist, have you been in Anore for any storms yet?" Jalf asked. Rist shook her head. "I'm told they aren't as bad as in Marstat. Is that true?" "Yes, and no," Yol replied. "Both?" Etik asked, his tiny hands clutching onto his father's arm. "In Marstat, once the storms start, they all have the same risk of floods and high winds. In Anore, initially, the storms are more like summer showers. But as winter progresses, the storms worsen, and we start experiencing floods and wind damage. We even get ice storms," Yol explained. "There's no ice in Marstat?" Sila asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. Yol shook his head. "No.” “They get snow. It gets really tall," Etik chimed in excitedly. "We saw it at school in a video." "That's not Marstat, that's Torvill and Meamos," Kelfin corrected him. "But they're far enough apart that it doesn't happen at the same time.” “Maybe next time I need to go on a trip to one of them, you and your mom can join me. You can see snow," Yol suggested, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Etik turned to his mother, a hopeful expression on his face. "Can we, Mom?" Sila considered their request, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. "We'll see," she finally said. "It will depend on how long we're gone." There was a loud crack of thunder, causing everyone to jump in surprise. Zela quickly bit off a curse, realizing that with thunder, heavy rain was sure to follow. She glanced at her watch and worriedly thought about how bad the storm would be. Dath, sensing her concern, took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "You can stay overnight if the rain gets too heavy," he offered. Zela furrowed her brow, considering the implications. "What about work in the morning?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Sila smiled, understanding her dilemma. "Since your boss and his boss are in the same predicament, I can't see how they could complain,” Sila assured her and by her tone, she expected Yol to agree. "Well, Kelly often works from home and I'm on medical leave," Yol said. "But rains can be troublesome. I'd rather have her safe than drown in a ditch somewhere. She makes the company too much money," he teased with a twinkle in his eye. "Seriously, don't worry about it.” Zela felt grateful for their understanding and supportive words. She smiled gratefully at Sila and Yol. "Thank you both. I really appreciate it." Yol chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Don't worry about it too much," he teased. "After all, you make the company too much money to let you drown in a ditch somewhere." *** After dinner, the cozy atmosphere in the house embraced everyone as they migrated to the entertainment room for a relaxing movie night. Etik eagerly gathered a pile of soft pillows on the floor, creating a makeshift seating area to sprawl on. His parents snuggled together in an oversized chair, cherishing the peaceful moments together. Meanwhile, Rist nestled herself against Kelfin on one couch, as she always did. The peculiar nature of their bond had initially sparked curiosity among the staff. Rist seemed to seamlessly blend into their household dynamic as if she had been purposefully raised to be an empath’s companion. Dath had examined Rist's records, and even those of Cral yet found no concrete explanation for her natural affinity. On the other couch, Zela cozied up beside Dath. He was still amazed she wasn't put off by his scar. Plenty were even when they tried to hide it. But Zela saw beyond the surface, exemplifying a compassion that left Dath grateful beyond words. As they settled down to watch the movie, Dath couldn't help but notice Zela's constant fidgeting. Concerned, he realized that he was still wearing his gun. He pulled it out. "Etik, what's the rule about guns?" He asked. “Don't touch them," Etik said. “Right." He carefully set the gun to the lowest setting, ensuring it posed no threat. To maintain a watchful eye on the weapon while ensuring the safety of those around him, he placed it on the back of the couch where he could easily discern its presence. Sitting sideways with Zela, Dath positioned himself in a way that Etik wouldn't be able to reach the gun without physically climbing over both of them. "They hurt." The lowest setting on the gun was designed to offer minimal discomfort, similar to the sensation of a foot falling asleep. That setting was supposed to be safe even on a baby, not that Dath would consider testing that. Curiosity still piqued, Etik delved deeper, seeking to understand the dangers associated with firearms. "Have you ever been shot?" he inquired, his innocent curiosity shining through. Regretfully, Dath acknowledged, "Unfortunately, I have. It's not a pleasant experience." Etik ventured to ask, "Is that how you hurt your eye?" Admitting the truth, Dath replied, "No, Etik. These guns wouldn't cause an injury like that. The damage to my eye is from something else." “How did you hurt your eye?" The boy pressed, his curiosity piqued by Dath's scar. "Etik, be nice," Sila insisted, shooting a warning glance at her son. "I was nice," Etik claimed, innocence lacing his voice. Dath gave a small smile and reassured Sila, "It's okay.” He didn't mind answering a few questions from curious kids. It was better than staring and whispering. "I got in a fight with a bully," he told Etik. "Did you tell your mom?” Etik asked. Dath took a deep breath, shifting slightly as he recalled the incident. "I did let the police know about what happened, and they took action. They arrested the bully." Etik opened his mouth to ask another question, but Yol interjected gently, suggesting, "How about we watch the movie now? It's getting close to bedtime, and we can all relax and enjoy it together." “Can you tuck me in?" Etik asked, looking up at his dad with hopeful eyes. "Sure," Yol agreed with a warm smile, grateful for the opportunity to bond with Etik. Dath observed Yol's interaction with Etik and Sila, feeling impressed by the close relationship they shared. He had previously assumed that Sila worked for him and had never seen any indications of a personal connection between them. This made Dath start to question if someone else on Yol's staff might be the betrayer they were looking for. As the movie played on, Etik slowly drifted off to sleep on the floor. Yol gently lifted him and carried him to his bedroom, accompanied by Jalf who discreetly followed, ensuring their safety. To be on the cautious side, Dath activated the motion detectors in the room, to be alerted if anyone approached. However, he made a conscious decision not to activate the motion detector in Sila's room. It seemed likely that with the affectionate behavior displayed between Yol and Sila, they would set it off unintentionally. Dath couldn't help but anticipate a grumpy Kelfin in the morning, with two couples staying overnight. Looking over at Kelfin, Dath noticed that Rist was alone. "Rist, where's Kel?" Dath asked urgently, a tense edge to his voice as his brows furrowed in worry. Rist frowned. "He didn't say anything. I just assumed he went to the bathroom, but he's been gone for quite a while now." Dath's concern deepened, and he felt a sense of urgency gripping his chest. "Let me up," he told Zela, who quickly obliged, allowing him to stand up from the couch. Dath swiftly retrieved his gun before going to search for Kelfin. Using his eye, Dath tapped into the security system, searching for any sign of Kelfin on the cameras. However, he found no trace of him. Not every room in the house was under surveillance. Determined to find him, Dath decided to start his search by checking Kelfin's room and office. These were the places that Kelfin often retreated to when he needed some time alone. To Dath's dismay, both locations turned out to be empty, leaving him with no solid leads. As he continued his quest to locate Kelfin, Dath passed by the entertainment room, where Jalf noticed his worried expression. Concerned himself, Jalf approached Dath to find out what was going on. "What's wrong?" Jalf asked, his voice filled with genuine worry. Dath paused briefly to update Jalf on the situation. "I can't find Kel. I've checked his room and office, but he's not there," Dath explained, his voice tinged with growing anxiety. Willing to assist, Jalf offered his help. "I'll help you look, Dath." However, Dath shook his head, instructing Jalf otherwise. "Stay and keep an eye on the others. We don't want anyone to panic." Jalf nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll do that. Hurmis, come give Dath a hand," he called out, summoning his brother to join Dath. Confused, Hurmis questioned Jalf's request. "What? What's going on?" Dath quickly explained the situation, reiterating the urgency. "We can't find Kel. Check the security feeds for any clues while I search the house physically." Hurmis nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation, and hurriedly joined Dath to help him in the search. The tension in the air was palpable as they combed through every room in the house, leaving no corner unexplored in their pursuit of finding Kelfin. However, their efforts yielded no results, and Dath's worry intensified. As Dath stood by the window, glancing out at the sheets of rain cascading down. He knew they needed to act swiftly to find their friend. Where would he have gone with all this rain?