The evening before they were due to set out for their ‘daytrip’ to Carpathia, Akira called the Balance together in the Rec Room. Adam had been extremely busy working on adapting the Raft and Jeeves had to be persuaded to suspend rifle practice. Naomi Van Helsing was due to join them in the morning but Akira didn’t really want her present anyway. He saw his announcement as both momemntous and intensely personal. Only close friends needed to be told.
“After my experience at the lawyers” he began and was immediately interrupted with questions and was forced to recount his meeting with the morphing Lucius Cabot and his firm impression that this man was behind the death of his parents. “After that” he continued “I resolved to write to the Abbot Father at Skomer Vale. I did so, setting out the reasons for wishing to be released from my vows of chastity, poverty and obedience… Please don’t laugh Adam, these have been a very big part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Today I received a reply. I want to read the concluding paragraph.” He pulled out a letter and began to read. “While we are very sad to learn of your decision, we of course respect your wishes. Since you are resolved never again to rejoin the community here at Skomer Vale you can consider yourself free of all vows and obligations. However,please remember that you will always be welcome to visit family and friends and I beg of you Akira to be careful. I understand that your heart is set to revenge the death of your parents but remember it is a grave matter to take the life of any conscious being, even one as evil as that you described.”
Akira stopped reading, surprised by the emotion that had welled up within him and all were taken back as some of it ran down his face.
“I’m sorry” he said “they have been the only family I have known but I have to be free to kill this son of a bitch if push comes to shove. Oh and I shouldn’t worry too much about these serpent things. I’ve meditated long and hard on this; if a snake is at your heel there is no cruelty in stamping on its head.”
Akira stamped on the floor and this was taken up by what he thought was the rest of the Balance who stamped with increasing vigour and tempo. Everyone except Mary and Jeeves. “Are we ready? “ shouted Akira but there was only silence, a silence that was somehow more reassuring than the expected response. That was until he looked over and saw both Mary and Jeeves who just stood and looked at him – with pity?
“We need to be aware that these may be people first and serpent second.” Was all she said.
Jeeves wandered by and as he passed him muttered “Young sir, I would ask that when we return we discuss further this decision of yours. For now let’s focus on the matter at hand and preferably a mission without bloodshed?”
Superhero Adventures, UK Style 