The Talk

“...what exactly is the relationship between the two of you?” asked Sofia’s dad, suddenly deadly serious.

“Huh? Uh, what do you mean?” stammered Sofia, as surprised by the question as I was.

“The two of you seem quite close,” he said.

“I uh, guess that’s true,” I said, being extremely general while looking to Sofia for an idea of what to say. Her blush matched the intensity of her fiery red hair. “She was my first party member, so, we’ve known each other since I came to town.”

“I see,” he said, pushing up his glasses like some kinda evil supervillain. “Anything else that you’d like to add?”

“Uh...I don’t know...” I glanced to Sofia, who looked partway between bursting out laughing and having a mental breakdown.

“Dad...stop it...” she muttered, lacking conviction.

“Please, Sofia, I simply wish to hear it from his own mouth. If I am to trust him with you, I must know his character,” he said, staring me dead in the eye.

“Do you want the full truth?” I said, meeting his gaze.

“I do,” he said.

“Sofia was the second person to help me out upon getting to Regnus. My first day, I fell into a fountain, got robbed, and nearly swindled out of what little money I had left. The clerk at the guild helped me get registered, but if it weren’t for your daughter, I’d have likely gotten myself killed doing a request I couldn’t handle,” I said.

“Since then, we’ve protected each other from danger several times,” said Sofia. “He was the only person to keep me with him after a single request. He’s a good person, and...”

“The truth is that we’ve been together,” I said, pulling off the bandaid. “I quite like your daughter, and ask for your blessing to continue seeing her.”

“F-Flynn! You didn’t have to say all that!” exclaimed Sofia, blushing again. “B-but, I agree! A-and if you can’t accept that, then, then...”

“I see...” he sighed deeply before staring me dead in the eye. “Boy.”

“Uh, yes? Sir?” I asked, filled with dread.

“Take care of my daughter for me, would you?” He said, smiling. All the tension in the room suddenly faded. “I just want Sofia to be happy. You seem like a nice enough boy, and if you two are happy together, then that is enough for me.”

“Of course, sir. You can count on me. I promise,” I said, relieved. Sofia looked to me, equally relieved, and she grasped hold of my hand.

“I know I wasn’t the best father to you, Sofia. Your mother’s **** affected me deeply, and I became reclusive. I failed as a father to you. Please, allow me to try and make it up to you,” he said, bowing his head.

“Wha? Dad?” Sofia said, surprised. Her hand began trembling.

“Sofia, I’m giving you your mother’s old staff. It belonged to her back when she still served as this University’s headmaster,” he said, pulling a wooden staff out of a display case behind him. It bore a crimson gemstone imbedded in the wood at the top of the staff.

“Your mom was the headmaster here!?” I exclaimed.

“Um...yeah. Kinda forgot to mention it,” said Sofia, slightly embarrassed. She cautiously took the new staff from her father.

“Your mother was several times over a better mage than I’ll ever be. That staff was a true wonder too. I still remember the day I gave it to her. I carved it myself, as a present when she was announced as the new headmaster. She implanted that magic crystal, and performed the enchantments herself. Loaded the thing up with several tunes for protection, efficiency, power, you name it and she probably did it,” he said.

“Wow...I can feel remnants of her power in the staff,” Sofia muttered, observing her mother’s staff in awe.

“I know a mere gift cannot make up for those years of neglect, so please, if you ever need anything at all, just ask. If you need my aid, financial help, a place to stay, or even just someone to talk to, do not hesitate to come visit. I love you, Sofia,” he said, pulling his daughter in for a hug.

“Thank you Dad,” she said, pulling him in closer. “Hey, we’re gonna be at the guild for some drinks later. If you wanna come visit, I’ll buy you a round, introduce you to the others.”

“Thank you, Sofia. It’s been too long since I’ve had company with my drinks. I’ll be there once I’ve finished up this last bit of paperwork,” he smiled, leading us back out of his office. “Oh, and Flynn?”

“Yes sir?” I asked, turning back to him.

“If you hurt her...” he trailed off, the fire in his eyes enough to deliver the threat. I merely nodded, gripping Sofia’s hand tightly. We walked back down the stairway, headed down to reunite with the others.

“Thanks, Flynn,” Sofia said, stopping abruptly. “When we came up here, I was feeling nothing but dread. I was afraid he’d hate me for having run away, but, I didn’t expect that...”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you into it. I wasn’t taking your feelings into consideration,” I said.

“I’m grateful though. Now I don’t have to dread any possible meeting with him, and he had an opportunity to make amends. Plus...the way you spoke up to him like that was kinda hot,” she said, blushing.

“I’m glad it worked out, but next time I’m doing something stupid, lemme know, alright? I get carried away sometimes,” I said, kissing her. She nodded, holding my hand once more as we continued down the stairs.