Bryson Coldwater sat in the buffet hall, consuming from a massive smorgasbord of various dishes on his dinning table. It was retively quite at this point in time, and he was sitting by himself, he had dismissed Li and Nico earlier as he wanted some time alone. Finally, after a night of stress, he had time to himself.

  “Enjoying your brunch?” Vio asked walking over toward them. She was adorned with a rge-brimmed hat and sungsses that covered her face.

  “What’s with the getup? You going to the beach again?” Bryson asked.

  Vio made a small grimace, “Actually I think I’ll stay away from beach activities for a bit.” She said as she took a fry from one of the dishes and gently popped it into her mouth, “I see you’re dining alone, where’s the help?”

  “I dismissed Frost and Reese, I needed time alone and they could use the short break.” Bryson said as he had a forkful of eggs.

  “That’s rather soft of you. I think mother and father would disapprove.” Vio teased.

  “Oh, and you’re going to tell?” Bryson said irritated, which earned a giggle from Vio.

  “Not at all, I think it’s rather endearing that you have such a soft heart. Though it does further prove that you aren’t family by blood. But that’s not a bad thing.” Vio mused. She then reached out and patted his head, “Thanks.” She said.

  “For what? Also stop that.” He asked as he swatted her hand away.

  “Ooh, is little Bry-Bry embarrassed by his big sister?” She teased, before speaking on a more genuine note, “Thanks for saving me Bry.”

  “No need to thank me, we’re family.” Bryson said with a half-shrug.

  “Still, you did a lot more than you needed to. You could have told father and it would have been over.” Vio said.

  “But you didn’t want that, so I didn’t tell them.” Bryson said simply.

  “Thanks for letting me be selfish.” Vio said in earnest.

  “Well, you are a Coldwater. People tend to think Coldwaters to be greedy.” Bryson joked.

  “Not far from the truth.” Vio agreed, “By the way.” She recalled, “Sable and you really aren’t on speaking terms huh? She hasn’t had a single conversation with you in a long time.”

  “Yeah, you remembered my eyes from st night?”

  “When they turned into two mini lightbulbs? Yeah, why is that? Iris glow when people cast magic, they don’t disappear.” Vio asked in concern.

  “It’s part of the reason why I have an innate talent with casting magic.” Bryson said.

  “Any drawbacks?”

  “None… I think.” Bryson said, choosing to not talk about what happened the night his powers first awakened.

  “You think?”

  “Well, I feel like I just cast magic normally. I just notice things reted to magic a bit more.” Bryson said with a shrug.

  “I’m guessing our parents don’t know?”

  “Yep, keep it a secret?”

  “Against my better judgement, sure.” Vio said reluctantly, “Anyways, what does this have to do with Sable ignoring you?”

  “She also knows that I have these powers, and when she found out, she was not happy.”

  “Jealous, makes sense.”

  “I don’t think I would call it jealousy.” Bryson said shifting uncomfortably on his seat.

  “Well, it is. Everyone already treats you better than her and now she knows that you are better with that little trick of yours.” Vio said ftly.

  “Wow, thanks. I sure feel great.” Bryson said gloomily.

  “Hey, don’t worry, we’re all family. She’ll come around.” She said with a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

  Bryson gave a small nod of his head as he noticed Ben Galgher head over to them.

  “Enjoying your meal?” He asked jovially.

  “You seem like you’re in good spirits.” Bryson muttered.

  “That’s cause the vamp is finally taken care off.” Ben said taking a seat at the table, “My work here is finally done.”

  “So everything has been taken care of?” Vio asked.

  “Yep, the ghoul’s remains have been disposed of, no one noticed what happened on the beach, coast guard thought it was just some hooligans pying with light magic, and everyone got out retively unscathed.” Ben said with a big smile pstered on his face.

  “Seriously? No one else noticed all those lights at all?” Bryson asked in disbelief.

  “Hey, people don’t pay attention to the unpoputed areas when they’re busy partying.” Ben said with a shrug.

  “So what are you going to do now?” Vio asked.

  “Well this was my st job, I’m gonna take my payment and officially retire from being a hunter.” Ben said with a sigh of relief, leaning back on his chair.

  “What are you going to do after?”

  “Try to get this acting carrier sorted.”

  “You’re actually serious with that idea?” Bryson asked.

  “Hey, I like to think I’m pretty good.” Ben said pcing a hand over his chest before turning to Vio, “What do you think young dy?”

  “I think you did quite well when I saw you perform.” Vio said kindly.

  “Why thank you.” Ben said with a smile. Bryson rolled his eyes as he continued to eat.

  “Anyways, I just wanted to check up on you two, if you’re both good, then I’m off.” Ben said.

  “Oh, you’re leaving?” Vio asked, looking slightly disappointed.

  “Yeah, my st show was the one you two saw, plus I need to pick up my pay so I’m leaving today.” Ben said as he got up from his seat.

  Bryson remembered something as he took a bite of tuna, “Oh wait, hold on Galgher.”

  “Hmm?” Ben turned to face Bryson who pulled out an envelope and a piece of folded paper from his pocket.

  “Here.” He said handing it over to him.

  “What’s this?”

  “Uh, a couple of years ago for father’s fortieth birthday there was a massive celebration. A few different performing troupes were there. I asked Phillip earlier this morning to gather some names and a letter of recommendation for you.” Bryson said.

  “Really?” Ben asked in surprise, “Well thanks, this is very kind of you.” Ben thanked a wide smile now on his face, in awe at what Bryson had handed him.

  “Eh, had to repay you somehow.” Bryson shrugged.

  “Well this is more than enough. Thank you, maybe next time we meet it’ll be at a show.” Ben said as he stashed the papers away.

  “I doubt it.” Bryson mumbled.

  “Goodbye you two, and again Bryson, thank you.” Ben said giving a small wave as he left the dining hall.

  Once Ben disappeared, Vio gave Bryson a pyful poke on his cheek, “Big ol’ softy.”

  “Hey, I’m not the one with the big doe eyes watching him leave.”

  “What are you talking about?” Vio said pying with her hair.

  “You look at him the way mother sometimes looks at father, and yes I do notice these things.” Bryson said.

  “That’s an annoying habit.” Vio muttered and noticed that Bryson was still staring at her waiting for a reply, “Okay… so he’s kind of handsome.” Vio relented.

  “Really? You… like him?” Bryson said in disbelief.

  “I don’t see a problem with that, he’s cool, charming and capable.”

  “He’s like thirty.”

  “Doesn’t change any of what I just said.”

  “Weren’t you grossed out by Keddrick’s age?”

  “First off, he was way older than Ben and that’s only one reason why I didn’t like that monster. He was a total creep. Ben, now that’s a real man.” Vio said with a wink, “It’s time for me to head off as well, I have other things to attend, enjoy your meal brother.” She said as she got up from her seat and left Bryson alone.

  Bryson squinted at the retreating Vio; a thousand thoughts raced through his head before he finally settled on one. I don’t care enough. He then shrugged and continued with his meal.

  ***

  Li Frost was currently in Bryson Coldwater’s hotel bedroom, making his bed. This is a hotel, why do I still need to make the bed. She compined inwardly. Though I guess Coldwater staff is responsible for this, and I am part of the staff. As she fluffed the pillows, she hears a knock on the door. Turning around, Li was surprised to see Vio standing by the door.

  “Lady Vio, why are you here?” Li said in surprise at the heterochromia teen.

  Vio cautiously looked around, “No one else is here correct?”

  “Um, no.” Li replied confused.

  “Where’s Gilles?”

  “At the beach?” Li said unsure what she was getting at.

  Giving another look around, making sure that no was near them, Vio closed the door behind her as she entered the room.

  “Is there a problem?” Li asked cautiously.

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?”

  Vio gave a rge sigh before looking at Li, “I’m going to regret this, but you have my thanks for helping me and for saving my life.” It sounded as if it had physically hurt her to say that.

  “I’m sorry?” Li said blinking a few times. It seemed as though she wasn’t able to process the words she was hearing.

  “I said thank you. Don’t make me say it again.” Vio said with an annoyed groan.

  “You’re thanking me.”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re thanking me.” Li repeated.

  “Yeah, that’s why I said ‘thank you’.” Vio said, now getting confused.

  “You came here to thank me?”

  “Yes, are you trying to rub it in?” She said irritated.

  “Oh, no, no. Sorry, it’s just that this is the first time a Coldwater has properly thanked me.” Li said quickly, frantically waving her hands before calming down a bit, “It’s just a bit weird to hear it.”

  “Yeah, well you’re not going to here it often. But you deserve it this time.” Vio said, “Still, surprised Bryson hasn’t thanked you yet.” Vio said sounding both impressed and proud of the fact.

  “I appreciate the thanks and you didn’t need to say anything. It was the right thing to do.” Li said choosing not to dwell over the fact that all Coldwaters seemed to be so closed off.

  “Hmm.” Vio emoted crossing her arms, “You aren’t the worst.”

  “Thanks, I think.”

  “You make sure to keep Bryson safe. I don’t care how talented he is, he can still get in trouble and needs a good head on their shoulders to help him. I really don’t want him to grow up like Gareth, or worse Gilles.” Vio said sternly.

  “I don’t talk anyone of the other Coldwaters much, are they really that bad?”

  “Gareth is cold, distant and thinks way to highly of himself for it to be healthy. There’s a reason why he didn’t give us a grand goodbye when he left. Though, father does appreciate those traits.” She expined, “And Gilles is just a bit dumb.”

  “What about Sable?”

  “I honestly don’t know her as much as I should, so I have no idea what she’s like. I’m sure she’s fine.” Vio admitted.

  “How in the world is she the bck sheep in the family? Bryson’s not even reted.” Li asked in wonder.

  “I realized. I’m going to try to get to know her better.” Vio assured her, “But still, the matter of Bryson, watch him.” She practically ordered.

  “You don’t need to worry, I will. But I don’t think you need to worry about how Bryson will turn out too much. He’s a good kid.” Li promised.

  Vio gave a small nod of agreement, “As long as he stays out of trouble, he shouldn’t have any problems.” With that she walked back to the door, “I’m going enjoy the rest of my vacation now. I think I earned it.” Closing the door, she left Li to finish making the bed. It seemed that now, everyone will finally enjoy their trip here.