The Diary of Fitz Vacker

8. The Council

*C. stands for Councillor*

After Sophie forgot to curtsy, I realized we also forgot to get changed into elven clothes. I felt wrong and out of place like this. My father bowed, and introduced Sophie to the Council, and the Council to Sophie. I looked a C. Bronte, and I admired his cold gaze. Of course I didn't like him, but I respected him more than any other Councillor. He always said what he wanted to say, and he made sure everyone heard him. Sophie's gasp pulled me out of my daze, and C. Bronte's sharp bark of a "What" made me jump. I glanced at Sophie, nervous for her answer, but she answered well, saying "Sorry. I was surprised by your ears." Well, maybe her answer wasn't good, but it was funny. I was laughing so hard, I could barely breathe and everyone except Bronte were laughing.  My dad recovered first, responding,  saying "I think she's surprised that your ears are ... pointy." He turned to Sophie and explained, "Our ears change shape as we age. Eventually, it'll happen to all of us." Sophie's hands flew to her ears, as she basically shrieked "I'm going to get pointy ears?" My father responded, "Not for a few thousand years. By then I doubt you'll mind." She collapsed into a chair, silent, before asking "How long do elves live?" Kenric moved his chair a lot closer to Oralie, and answered "We don't know. No one's died of old age yet." She rubbed her face, and asked "So you're saying elves are immortal?" My father's eyes got cloudy and sad when he answered "No. We can die. But our bodies stop aging when we reach adulthood. We don't get wrinkles or gray hair. Only our ears age. Bronte belongs to a group we call the Ancients, which is why his ears are so distinct." He pointed at the food, saying "Please, help yourselves." I got some mashed carnissa root and umber leaves, as did Sophie, whom, I suspected, copied me. "Tastes like chicken." Sophie said. I nearly choked on my root. Meat? Chicken? Eating that? No. No. I had to double check. "You eat animals?" I asked, trying to hide the disgust in my voice, but failing. I nodded when she said, "I take it elves are vegetarians." She ate the rest of her meal though, so I guess becoming a vegetarian wasn't going to be too big of an issue for her.  Bronte sneered, saying, "So Sophie, Alden tells me your a telepath." My dad answered for her, answering, "Yes. She's been reading minds since she was five. Isn't that right Sophie?" Sophie nodded, and C. Oralie and C. Kenric gaped at her. Bronte of course, had to say something, "That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard." My father responded by saying, "It's unusual." Bronte turned to Sophie, saying "Let's see how good you are then. Tell me what I'm thinking." She glanced at me, silently asking if she could read C. Bronte's mind. "He gave you permission", I answered. She took a deep breathe, and so had I. There was no way she was going to pass this test.