Chapter 7
Quongun used his authority to make sure the learning board wouldn’t expel Aly from school, but she still ended up getting suspended along with the others. Even so, Shanvi didn’t gripe. He knew the consequences could’ve been more severe. Quongun also had Aly stay on his plantation during the typical school hours so Shanvi could have some time alone. He knew Shanvi needed to fill out some mandatory documentation for Aly being a Sungstra, and the Little One couldn’t be around while he was doing it.
“A Sungstra is a Goolian who lacks the control of one’s inner being,” Quongun read out loud one day while visiting Shanvi. “Other common indications include tallness, above-average reflexes, aggressiveness, and severe pupil dilation when placed under high amounts of stress. Sungstras are naturally short-tempered and, if not conditioned, may endanger not only themselves, yet others amongst them.”
Quongun stopped reading the form to see what Shanvi thought of it, but the other master just shrugged and kept filling out more paperwork.
“I suppose we were in denial for far too long.” Quongun folded up the scroll and tossed it onto the counter. “What fools we be, yes?”
Shanvi didn’t answer.
Quongun looked over the master’s shoulder. “Truly, you are sure that you do not need a hand, nay? I did not think the filings would be so grand in size.”
“My thanks, yet it is not as toilsome as it seems.” Shanvi put his writing utensil down on the counter so he could give his fingers a rest. He hopped off his stool and stretched. “And Aly still serves you well at home?”
“Clearly, she is no fan of what she must do while there.” Quongun went over to a window and looked outside. “Yet fret not, Teacher. She is a good child. Be that as it may, I must still confess my concern over her lack of memory from the other day. She recalls nothing beyond chasing Catty to my fields.”
“So, I take it she is not suspicious of the story we made up for her?”
“Telling her that Catty ended the bout with a highly charged beam that knocked both unconscious is easy enough, as long as no one decides to add on to that simple fib. Even so, does this one have any thoughts as to why she cannot recall anything?”
Shanvi cleared his throat as he looked out the window as well. Little Ones too young for schooling were running down the street and laughing. He thought about going back to those simpler times; Aly was just another normal girl back then. He slapped his forehead back to reality when the fantasy became too painful.
“I would suppose it is a defensive construct for her psyche. Perhaps her young mind is merely too fresh to cope with such a traumatic experience. I know not. Even so, I beg we shall not be given a chance to test my hypothesis. I simply hope the government shall send me a booklet of some sort when I present the documents. Truly, it must have greater insight on how to manage a Sungstra child, yes?”
Quongun placed a hand on Shanvi’s shoulder. “A Sungstra, perhaps. Yet a child still be a child. Raising one shall always be a grave task, no matter the circumstances, I am sure.”
Shanvi patted Quongun on the back before sitting in a chair. He’d usually have a healthy crowd in the store around that time of day, but everyone in the village was still playing last week’s event with caution.
Quongun bowed. “And I fear I must take my leave. I shall have Aly back here around the typical instant, very good? And, I beg, if this one is even in need of an ear, let me know, very good?”
“Not only are you a noble lord, yet a dear friend as well. My thanks, Quongun.”
Evaluations of the Tribe - Prossia Book 0 : A Coming of Age Space Opera Page 15
