Strange Girl.....Part 7: Davellir and The General

The room went still after the Councilwoman’s verdict. Diana was so stunned by it that she jumped when Mara spoke. “General. Ladies and Gentleman of the Council, I do realize that this is a singular situation but we wouldn't be here if I believe that her training was adequate. She has the potential for so much more but it's beyond my knowledge. Please reconsider For her sake.”  Mara turned her back and reached for Diana to follow her but Diana stepped forward. She wanted to try something before they left.

“Excuse me, but is this about what happened with the guy in the hallway because I swear, I can explain. First Balex ran in the hall, all panicked about someone following her and the next thing I know, that guy had shown up, looking ticked off. He started threatening both of us. I tried reasoning with him but I guess he was past the Listening stage and came towards Balex.” Diana threw a glance at Balex for her to vouch for what happened. Balex nodded her head. “She speaks truth. I take full responsibility for it. She was only doing what she thought was right.”

Diana smiled in relief. “See? I didn't catch what the guard just told but it was an accident. I've never used my powers against anything in my life. I don‘t know my own strength and I‘m sorry.”

The Councilwoman lifted her hand to silence Diana. “Young child, this has nothing to do with what transpired in the hall. While the incident in the Grand Hall was rather, shall we say, energetic, there are many reasons why our academy would not be the best place for your training.” The Councilwoman shifted in her chair to leave but Diana felt a wave of panic in her chest and something told her to kept trying.

“That might not be true! Mom’s been trying to help me for years and I can barely move a book more than 5 feet. She’s a Colonel and probably one of the best students you've had here if she can’t help me then that must mean I need serious help, right?” 

"Young lady-" 

"Please!  I know I've started off on the wrong foot but I can learn. I can improve! Please-" 

"Young lady!"- The room fell silent after the Councilwoman's outburst, making slightest sound painful.

The Councilwoman let out a huff of air and stared down at Mara. “Colonel Gallenos, you and your daughter are more than welcomed to walk the grounds. We will discuss this matter at another time and give you our ruling then.”

“Why? So that you can tell us ‘No’ after you have lunch?“ Diana said, returning the stare.

The Councilwoman jumped up from her chair, her voice strained with self control. “What did you just say, child?“ Her body tensed and Diana readied herself against what was to come when a hearty laugh broke the tension. “I want to see what she can do.”

Everyone in the room turned toward the voice and saw the owner: the bored councilman Diana noticed earlier. He leaned back in the chair with a smile on his face. The Councilwoman cleared her throat. “General Davellir, now is not the time for such displays. It’ll do nothing but delay us and.... encourage others." She said, her tone coldness and calculated.

General Davellir seemed unfazed by the Councilwoman‘s tone and stood up. “Perhaps that’s what she needs.” He picked up a nearby glass and held it for all to see. “The proper incentive and encouragement. Tineh Gallenos, I would like to see you lift this glass and bring it over to you. As a demonstration of your skills.” He chuckled to himself. “Or rather lack thereof.” He held the glass out to her on palm of his hand.

Diana's frustration was replaced with nervousness. The glass was about 30 feet away from her. “I’m sorry but I can’t. It’s too far.”

Davellir cocked his head to the side and stepped towards to the stairs that lead to where she stood. “Too far? First, you knock one of our students, a young man two heads taller than you, over 20 feet across the room but then you say that you have only a meager training. You say you can only move a book 5 feet distance but you don’t know your own strength. Now you tell us without even trying that you can‘t do move this glass.” He placed the class on the table and climbed down the stairs. "Too many contradictions, Tineh. Speaking in riddles rarely gets you what you desire."  He walked over Diana and pointed at the glass.

“Do what you just did. Plant your feet, stand your ground, be determined. Knowing your family, that shouldn't be hard for you to do.” Diana studied the glass on the table and did what Davellir said.

The glass started to wobble from side to side but stayed on the table. “I asked for you to bring it to you, not to tip. Keep trying.” Diana clenched her jaw and concentrated. It’s all in my head. It doesn't weigh anything, she repeated in her head. Soon the glass levitated and moved its way to Davellir. During the last few feet, her concentration slowly waned and the glass wavered. Davellir snatched it from the air before it fell and handed it to her. Diana studied it. It was as if someone else moved it but the glaring headache proved her wrong. She did it.

“Impressive, Tineh Gallenos. I expected the glass would shatter on the table. It appears none of us know your strength. Wouldn't you agree, General Gallenos?” Diana focused past her headache and followed his gaze to the Councilwoman.  “Galleno? But that would means that...” Diana's words trailed to a stop.

 Davellir turned back to her and beamed. “Oh, the General? She’s your Grandmother, of course. Surely, you knew.”