Chapter 2 - It goes to School
Chapter 2 - It goes to School
“Hey, kiddo... how are you feeling today?”
“It has no feelings.”
“Aww, come on. You always say that, Thia, but dad knows it's not true. Anyway, no sidetracking. Is everything alright? No pain or anything?”
“It's body currently has no issues.”
“Good. Good. Dad’s really relieved to hear that you're okay.”
“Understood.”
“So... uh... Thia, the weekend is almost over..."
“It accepts the premise. Continue.”
“So... You'll have to start going back to class tomorrow.”
“It refuses.”
“Thia, you’re going back to school.”
“It has no need for education. It knows all there is to know in this world and all there is to know in the myriad realms beyond the Veil.”
“I know, I know. Dad knows you hate school, but you still have to go.”
“It refuses.”
“Thia. You have to go to school.”
“School was not in the Terms. It will not go.”
"..." It’s summoner sighed. “How about we make a new subcontract?”
“It listens. What Task does It's summoner Ask of It?”
“Okay, the task will be... ‘Thia must go to school whenever it is a school day until she graduates.’”
“Understood. What Price will It's summoner offer in return?”
“Dad will make you breakfast every day.”
“It's summoner already provides It breakfast every day. The Price is not enough.”
"...And pack lunch?”
“Understood. It's Task will be to attend School every school day until graduation. The Price will be breakfast and packed lunch every day. Are these Terms correct?”
"...Yes. That's correct, Thia.”
“The Task and Price are Just. It will obey.”
“Thanks, kiddo. So you’ll go back tomorrow, okay?”
“It has accepted the Terms. It will not renege.”
“Okay, great. I’ll ask Amy to come over and walk to school with you for your first day back.”
“Understood.”
"..."
“. . .”
“What’s up, kiddo? Is something wrong?”
“Innumerous things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“The ceiling.”
“...”
“. . .”
“...Heh. Was that a joke? From Thia? From my super serious, law-abiding Thia?”
“It does not tell jokes.”
“Sure. Did you learn that one from—” It's summoner froze. “From... mom?”
“It did not.”
“...I see.”
“. . .”
“Alrighty. Well if nothing’s up, then dad’s going to go and let you get some sleep.”
“It has a question.”
“Sure, kiddo. What's up—uh. Or rather, what question?”
“It’s summoner previously mentioned Amy.”
“Uh huh.”
“It wonders if It should know Amy?”
"..."
“. . .”
“Is that another joke?”
“It does not tell jokes.”
“...Amy is your friend, Thia. You spend almost every day together.”
“Understood. Is Amy important to It?”
"...Yes, Thia. Amy is important to you.”
“Understood. It will remember Amy as an important friend.”
"..."
“. . .”
“...Thia?”
“It listens.”
“Do you really not know who Amy is?”
“Correct.”
“You... really, really don’t remember Amy? You’re not pretending? You're really not making another ‘mom joke’?”
“Correct. It does not have any memories of Amy. It does not tell jokes.”
"..."
“. . .”
"...Thia?”
“It listens.”
"I... Nevermind. Get a good night’s rest, okay? Dad will make you all your favourites in the morning. Just like old times. And everything’s going to be okay. We'll get through this. It’s going to be okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Understood.”
“Good night, kiddo. Dad’ll be just outside if you need anything.”
“Understood.”
“Love you, kiddo. See you in the morning.”
“It accepts the premise. Continue.”
“...”
It's summoner closed the door and cried.