March 21st 1777, pt. 2

One would expect a moment of silence. Just a quick sec to understand what'd happened, but we couldn't get as much. No, the ruckus started up as soon as the word was spoken. I thought that maybe Sea had said. It seems of him to be an upstart, but no. It had been Night to say it. That surprised all at the table.

"Now Mr. Cary," Straw had said whilst rising from his seat. "You must be referring to me as such. I know you wouldn't stoop so low as to call your own son an anarchist." There was a short-lived silence as the two men stared the other down. Sea broke the tension.

"He isn't wrong in his words, if he is talking to you at least. Feeling remorse over shooting a rebel. Becoming friends with these American ingrates. Going so far as to be in a relationship with-"

"Now hold it there," Straw interrupted. "Exactly what relationship have you known me to be in besides Emilia." Without a word, Sea directed his ice blue eyes towards me. In that second, the topic changed from that of American support to illegitimate relationships. I kept my eyes trained on him and struggled to keep my mouth closed. I failed.

"Str-Mr. McAlister and I haven't had very much of any interaction. He assists me on the farm and might occasionally have conversation but that is all. In any case-"

"No one asked you to speak, ingrate," Night snapped at me. That sent Allard into action.

"Father, she is only defending herself and I for one can pledge for this." He glared at his meal, which I noticed he hadn't touched.

"Shut up," his father ordered. "Both of you. It is neither of your places to speak out. Especially you." He'd turned to me when he said that. But it was my place. I didn't speak that thought. Night continued to speak. "Alexander, this is not a topic that hasn't been discussed before. More than ever I am inclined to believe it so."

"What would I have to gain from her," Straw said. "What has she to offer me?"

Sea didn't wait a second. "What had Emilia to gain from you? Your family is poorer than this one." He is referring to my own. "That being said, Alexander, you have plenty to gain." Straw didn't have a response. He stayed quiet and sat back down.

"Father," Allard began, "Alexander is as loyal as any to the British. If he's an anarchist, then so am I!" Sea scoffed.

"There's evidence to support that."

"Caldwell, I think that's enough." This was Night.

"You need to come to terms," Sea said "Your son-"

"I said, that is enough." Night turned to his son. "Allard, I strongly suggest you stop talking now. You are in no place to say such things. Now, eat. This conversation is finished." Finally, the table was silent, though it was still tense. Stares were being passed between Straw and Sea again; angry on Straw's part, smug from Sea.

Dinner was finished in the tense silence. Everyone soon left, except for me and Allard.

"I'm am anarchist," Allard says. "I am, I really am."

"How could you say so," I ask.

"Are you and Nara not both the same?"

"I'm an American. That is to say I am a patriot, not an anarchist."

He crossed his arms. "What's so different?"

I scoffed at such a question."We say that we are patriots proudly, with our heads high and open. Anarchists hide with their heads low."

"I'm open and proud. Does that make me a patriot?" He tilted his head. I shook mine.

"Hardly so. You are British born, British raised."

"And the difference of American and British? I hardly see one."

"Then you don't see."

He seemed to consider this before saying: "What is our difference Alice? What differs between us?" I honestly could not answer from my immediate thoughts. I said nothing. He accepted this. "We're over in the same, Alice. Nara, Lacey, Joy, Kasadin, even that fellow Ezekiel. We are all the same." I almost deny this, but he was picking up his plate and leaving.

I left our conversation at that. I don't understand what he may have been saying, perhaps I never will, but I do know that something, something terrible, is happening in this house. Something that had been building up for months. Something I hope I'm not a part of.

- - - - - -

First of all, I'm really really sorry about the little hiatus this book took. There wasn't really even a real reason for it. I just kind of stopped for a while...

Anyway, I'm really sorry but this book will continue its updates as normal from now! (hopefully)

Well, that's all. Thanks for reading and the next update will be next Friday! Bye~!