Although Princess Phantasia was eager to confront Mr Adonis as soon as possible, Faye advised caution: until they had proof he was not an agent of SEELIE they could not assume he had malevolent intentions. Finding that proof would not be easy, however: if Mr Adonis was an undercover agent it was probable that Rembrandt Payne and his staff were unaware of his true identity. That some members of staff had been influenced by Mr Adonis supported this hypothesis. Further proof was needed before Faye could make an affirmation, and checking the Academy’s own files on the new teacher would be a good start. To do that required access to the files, and obtaining official permission would be inefficient, so Faye had decided on a more duplicitous method. John Smith would have the resources necessary to obtain access to the files required, and it was probable that he himself had made some records of his own. At this point in the investigation all information was valid.

Early Monday morning the two faeries approached the Smith residence. The family of six were awake from sunrise to ready their shop for business and Brian Smith would have left for the Academy. Faye sent a telepathic message to John Smith informing him of their imminent arrival and intent. Unlike the majority of students John Smith was able to prioritize and schedule his time efficiently, as proven when he greeted them the moment they arrived, dressed and ready for the day ahead. Yet even with his logical mindset, he was still prone to emotional contamination.

“H-hii,” he said, struggling to put his thoughts into words. I don’t know how to handle this! They’re girls. It’s Faye. My room’s a mess. I can’t show them my room… “Y-you want to come inside?”

He guided them around the side of the shop to the building’s residential entrance. Phantasia danced in without delay, Faye following in her shadow. Before they could pass beyond the kitchen a small dog with cybernetic implants approached and barked a greeting. John was surprised.

“Woah, Oda, never heard her do that before,” he said, then checked the cell device on his wrist, “It’s not even in the dictionary!”

“She is greeting us,” said Faye, “Many animals are able to ascertain our inhuman nature and react accordingly,”

That did not help his understanding. Oda can tell they’re ‘faeries’ just like that?

“You underestimate non-human life,” said Faye, “Are you able to fulfil our request?”

He was caught off-guard. Humans had a habit for letting their minds wander from the focal topic – even the logical John. “Oh, eh, yeah…” he said. She doesn’t waste any time, does she?

“We do not have time to waste,”

“C’mon, Faye, stop teasing him!” said Phantasia, who was now forming a bond with the Smith’s pet by waving her hands around in front of its face. From the creature’s primitive thought patterns Faye ascertained that the Princess was playing with its aura.

“It was not my intention to tease,” said Faye, adding telepathically: Do not tease the small dog, Princess.

Chapter 65
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