One Shots

Whenever War Is Waged

Prologue

Rodolphus, which Delphi had always called her "father," and Euphemia, who had always insisted on being called Ma'am or Mrs., were not more than a family and slightly taken aback whenever Delphi mentioned the idea of parents or the word, "family" itself. But when Delphi appeared into the grey, tall flat, as she stood certain with will power, almost delirious with the news. She showed them the Ministry parchment clutched triumphantly in her fist and steeled herself for an inevitable spat. Prepared herself to win a battle for the very first time.

"And what is that supposed to be?" Euphemia spat, a wry look from Rodolphus, peering over her shoulder.

"An affirmation, confirmation, and a detailed document of my existence."

"My freedom, if you will-"

"She thinks she's smart," she scoffs then quickly murmurs.

"I think I could be, well, could've been with the right education and I've decided I want to seek that out for myself."

Euphemia exchanges looks with Rodolphus then back to Delphi once again who had cocked her head ever so slightly.

"And how is this going to happen... you know, education costs money, you'll need a job as a start and most likely a place to stay which now you have neither," she says through gritted teeth as she grabs the paper out of her hands.

"Give it back," Delphi glares up and down, not letting her eyes leave even for a second.

"And what does it matter to you?"

"That you have your name on a fancy piece of paper and what looks like auto generated words- does that give you freedom?"

"No," Delphi shakes her head, "it doesn't."

"But I'd like to think it means one thing."

"And what is that?" Euphemia asks coldly.

"It means I have a family out there somewhere and by now they have to be looking for me."

"You stupid girl," she spat, "don't you remember what we told you the last time you asked?"

"You don't have a family."

"You never did and you never will and that's the truth so if this document gives you anything it's affirming the facts that you are always alone."

"Alone," Delphi repeats, "No, I think I'm the farthest thing from alone."

Rodolphus chimes in, muttering something to Euphemia before retorting to, "We figured you'd pull this trick and we know exactly how to handle it."

Still, she attempted to earn a new piece of information, just as Rodolphus pushed passed her practically sprinted up the stairs. They kept on running out of excuses, she knew that she was far more clever than they interpreted. And she knew exactly when and how to get the key point out and exposed.

"You're wrong," she says, rubbing hands together, kicking the carpet at her feet.

"How so?"

"I know what you're doing, you've made the same excuses for far too long and I can handle it so why don't you tell me the news or the gossip or whatever you've been hiding for eighteen years in that head of yours."

"You want to know?" Euphemia scoffs, "Even if I told you, I frankly don't think you could handle it."

Rodolphus comes barreling down the stairs carrying suitcases and pushing the rest down with his feet.

He points to the door then spells, "Out."

Euphemia looked both sheepish and like she was trying not to smile, which Rodolphus counted as a win.