Angus sat on a concrete bench, staring suspiciously at the image claiming to be his father.
"If you’re really my father, why did it take so long to find me?"
"Well, I'm not actually your father," replied the hologram, "I am an artificial intelligence programmed with characteristics and selected memories of your father. I am like him, but I do not know everything he knows, which brings me to your second question. I cannot say why it took so long to find you; he did not include that information in my programming."
"What are you programmed to tell me?" asked Angus.
"It depends on what you already know," said Lucas's hologram, "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask what you know about me; what have you been told?"
"I just found out about you today, coincidentally. You caused the Terrible Dischord and lured my mother and others away from Thrum."
The projection took a deep breath and looked disappointed. "I was afraid you were going to say that. You see, the followers of Thrum are human beings, and the interesting thing about humans is their creative ability. In this case, they have become very creative about me, to the point where the truth has completely vanished, and in its place stands a monster. Do I look like a monster, Angus?"
"No, not really," replied Angus, "You aren't anything like I imagined."
The projection nodded. "I am a visionary who wants to move the human race forward, beyond silly rituals of the past, into a future of knowledge and prosperity. Angus, you have always been part of this plan to stand beside me and eventually inherit my creations. You probably don’t know this, but you are far more powerful than most, if not all, of the people in the city of Benthos. You are different, Angus. You are special."
"Well," Angus mused, "Clavis said I’m a Descant, but he’s not sure what my path is."
“Yes, you are a Descant,” said Lucas, “but that is not surprising. Your great-great-grandfather Richard Wagner was also a Descant. He revolutionized opera in the 1800s. Your path is obvious: to follow your heritage and join me in revolutionizing music.”
“Clavis never suggested that being a Descant is genetic,” said Angus.
“Clavis believes that talent, in general, is not inherited,” Lucas sighed. “He is an idealist, and he is wrong. I'm sure he means well, but many things he tells you are misguided and only half the truth. I’ll bet he told you that instruments choose you and that one must wait for their instrument."
"I don’t have an instrument yet, but if I did, I'd use it on Zach."
"Who is Zach, may I ask?"
"He's this teenager bully who's constantly picking on my friends and me," said Angus.
"Sounds like someone who needs to be taught a lesson," the projection flickered. "Clavis and the Sages won't let you defend yourself yet. They don't trust you. I can easily get you any instrument you want. You’ll settle up with this Zach character in hours, not months or years like that outdated Benthos system."
This piqued Angus’s interest. He stood and approached the hologram at the front of the sanctuary. "You can get me an instrument right away?"
"Well, I can't," said the projection, "but your father, Lucas Wagner, can."
"What about my voice," asked Angus, "Do you know why I can't sing?"
"You can’t sing?” said the projection, “How interesting.” Insectile antennae twitched while computing this new information. “I guess someone put a restriction spell on you because they're afraid you're too powerful. As I said, they don't want you to defend yourself. I can reverse the spell if you give me a chance."
Anger heated inside him, "So they've been lying to me the whole time?" Angus couldn't remember feeling so betrayed.
"I have also caught wind that pirates are trying to kidnap you." continued the projection. "The Guardians are not invincible and probably cannot protect you much longer. It would be best for you to meet Lucas soon."
"How do I talk directly to my father?" asked Angus.
"I'm afraid you cannot reach him from inside the city as they do not trust you," said the hologram. "Arrangements will be made for you to meet with the real Lucas in the Caverns. This unit will meet you at the Caverns entrance at noon tomorrow and guide you to his vessel. You can go with him then if you wish. This is a one-time chance; we’ll have only a limited window of opportunity before we’re detected and permanently shut out."
"Leave right away? What if I call him after my stay here in Benthos?"
"I'm worried about your safety, Angus," said the hologram. "Who knows when those pirates will return and what backup they'll bring? What do you say? Trust me. I'm the only one who can help you."
Before even thinking about it, Angus blurted out, "Ok, I'll be there."
"I have your word then," said the projection of Lucas, "I will meet you tomorrow in person. Please don't let me down. Until then, farewell."
The hologram of Lucas flickered and disappeared. The automaton looked up at Angus, bobbed twice, then vanished into the bushes of the sanctuary.
Exhausted and emotionally drained, Angus reclined on the concrete bench while revenge fantasies bounced through his head.
***
“Angus... Angus… are you ok?" He awoke to find Adora gently tapping him on the arm and staring at him with concern. He was still in the sanctuary, but it was light out.
"What are you doing out here?" said Adora. "We missed you at breakfast today. I brought some croissants in case you're hungry."
"No, thanks," Angus stiffly sat up.
"Hey, look," said Adora, "I'm so sorry about what Zach did to you last night. He really is one of the meanest people I've ever met. I honestly don't care who your parents are."
"Mendax is my father," said Angus, "I’m sure everybody thinks I’ll turn out just like him."
Adora shook her head, “There are jerks in all families, decent people too. Sometimes, bad fathers make nice kids and nice fathers make bad kids."
Angus looked up.
"I have an uncle who is a horrible man," said Adora, "He swears and yells at my father all the time and has been in and out of jail his whole life. Do you know what he taught me?"
"What?" asked Angus.
"I learned who not to be," said Adora. "Maybe that's what you can learn from this. Learn how not to be like him."
Maybe she's wrong, though, thought Angus. She doesn't know Lucas. Maybe he's exactly who I should be like.
Adora sat and gave him a sideways hug.
"Everyone hates me now," said Angus.
"No, they don't," announced Hamish from behind them.
Angus spun around in surprise.
"We definitely don’t hate you," confirmed Trevor.
Veronica pushed forward, "You and your tappy fingers are growing on me. You're weird, and I like weird."
"So, are we going to have a group hug or what?" Veronica held her arms open, and the other children gathered. "NOT!" she exclaimed as they reached hugging distance. "You guys seriously don't understand sarcasm, do you? Angus, you should know by now that I think mushy stuff is gross."
Angus forced a slight smile. Maybe we don't know Lucas, either.
"Why, oh why, am I friends with a bunch of idiots?" Veronica rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Adora?" Trevor interrupted, "How did you find Angus so fast? We were looking everywhere for him."
"To tell you the truth," said Adora. "I just felt he was here. It was kind of weird. I heard him calling, well not him exactly, but something about him. Angus, I need to ask you something."
Oh, dear, thought Angus, I hope she doesn't confess her love for me.
"Um, sure," said Angus with a cringe. "What is it?"
"Can I see it?" asked Adora.
"See it?" Angus had a look of horror on his face.
"Yes, that jewelry thing around your neck," replied Adora. "It's just so… captivating."
Angus felt relieved and embarrassed at the same time.
"Um... yeah sure," He opened the chain and handed over the ring with its yellow stone.
Adora held it in her palm and closed her eyes. Abruptly, a fat, brass tuba appeared in her arms.
"I knew it!" Adora exclaimed. "My Instrument!" She closed her eyes again and said, "His name is Boomer. His last player was some kind of... pirate! But a … a… good pirate? How is that possible? Oh, Angus, is this ok? Once I get a new setting from Krampis, I’ll give you the ring part back."
Angus sighed, resigned. "I guess it was never really mine, to begin with. Go ahead; it’s alright."
Adora nodded emphatically. "I'll make it up to you, Angus," she vowed.
"Let's hear you play," said Hamish with a smile.
Adora, unsure, blew a long, low note. The benches vibrated, slowly rose in the air, then thudded to the ground when she ran out of breath. Everyone clapped and cheered.
“That is amazing,” said Hamish, “I wonder how much Boomer can lift.”
“Probably ten billion tons,” joked Adora as she turned Boomer back into a crystal.
"Well, now that people are making confessions, I have one too," said Trevor.
"What is it?" asked Adora.
Trevor stepped to the podium and pulled back his sleeve to reveal a black metal wristband with his instrument crystal inset.
"Your Instrument found you!" said Hamish. "Congratulations, what is it?"
Trevor closed his eyes, and his instrument appeared. "It's a bassoon," he said with pride.
Trevor found his Instrument too? Angus couldn't help but feel left out.
"Does it know any spells?" asked Veronica.
"Not that I’ve found yet," said Trevor as he clacked its keys. "I don't even think it has a name."
"How could it not have a name?" asked Hamish.
"I dunno," said Trevor. "It doesn't speak to me. I just feel its emotions. It's tough to explain."
"So, where did it find you?" asked Veronica.
"Well, actually, you two were there. Turns out, the green crystal they made in the Caverns wasn't dead."
"Wasn't dead?" Veronica squinted at him, "So it was a good thing you went to the Caverns. After all that whining, you're the one who ended up getting an Instrument!"
"Well, yes, but..." stammered Trevor.
"Just admit I'm right, flappy head," said Veronica. "It's hard to be as smart as I am," She jostled Trevor aside, took his place at the podium, and dramatically waved her arms. "The burden I bear. All the advice I must give, yet no one truly understands what it's…."
"Yeah, fine," cut in Trevor, "you were right, for once." He looked at his bent bassoon and smiled, "Thanks, Veronica, I wouldn't have it without you."
"I think I know why it doesn't talk," said Adora. "It's a baby; it probably doesn't know how to talk yet."
"Yeah," Trevor examined his Instrument, "that must be it!"
"So that's why you disappeared before," said Veronica, "I thought you were collecting stamps or something."
"Stamps are cool, but nothing compared to my bassoon," Trevor beamed proudly.
"Watch this," Trevor put the double reed in his mouth, puffed out his cheeks until his remarkable ears went red, and produced a few vaguely musical toots.
"He's pretty lucky, eh?" Veronica turned to Angus. "Wish I had one. Although I'm pretty sure mine wouldn't sound like that."
I could go to Lucas and get an instrument. "Yeah, he's pretty lucky, I guess."
Veronica gave Angus a quizzical look as Trevor continued to honk and growl out odd noises with the bassoon.
"I think it does do one trick," said Veronica as she pointed to her mouth. "It makes the listener get sick to their stomach."
They all laughed except Angus.
It was then that the bassoon really performed a trick. It sprayed valve oil all over Veronica's shoes.
"It peed on me!" cried Veronica, retreating to the bench where Angus was sitting. She slipped in the slick oil on the way and nearly fell into Angus's lap.
Adora, Hamish, and Trevor laughed and clapped. Veronica’s scowl slowly relaxed into a smile. "I have to admit I deserved that." she said, "Not a bad first trick. I can't wait to get my Instrument."
I can't wait either, thought Angus.
Trevor made an odd squealing sound with his bassoon.
"Sounding great," said Veronica sarcastically to Trevor. "The geese are going to love you."
"Thanks!" said Trevor between squawks.
"Is it just me," whispered Veronica to Angus, "or is Trevor's Bassoon slightly bent?"
"Yeah, I saw it too," Angus nodded glumly. "I guess that happens when you mess up a couple of notes when you make them."
"Well," said Veronica. "It is kind of cute in a weird way.” She paused and looked deeper into him. “Are you ok, Angus? You seem quiet."
Angus lied. "I'm fine," He was thinking about packing his bags. Zach, of all people, is right about one thing. I don't belong here.