Sage looked away with the most serious face he could muster. The color from his face drained with every passing second. Tenny looked at Sage in shock, not knowing that the famous Titus Wenge was his uncle. Wenge looked to Tenny, eyes lighting a bit in recognition of her.

“...Tenny, was it?”

Tenny smiled.

“Yes, Tenny Hale, sir.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed the tour of our firm. Mr. Ultren there has been to our firm many times. He almost fades from boredom every time he visits.”

“It's an honor, Mr. Wenge. What are you doing here at Vellichor University?” Chess asked.

“There was an incident here at the college. Our firm is here to discuss the matter at Mr. Glint's alma mater. He is adamant about not letting any felon besmirch Vellichor's name. Mr. Glint is talking with the Headmaster while the cops and I scope out the area and speak with any witnesses. Mr. Nexus is still on leave, of course. I also had to see how my dear nephew was doing during his freshman year.”

Chess and Tenny looked to Sage, who was a completely different person. The furious energy in his eyes radiated as he turned to Mr. Wenge.

“I told you numerous times I didn't want to see you,” Sage gritted through his teeth.

“Poor boy. Your emotions are still on the fritz. Even when you've made it here-”

Sage stood on a table, catching everyone by surprise. He cupped his hands over his mouth.

“HEY EVERYONE, THIS MAN-”

Mr. Wenge immediately backed out of the cafe, two cops waiting outside, standing on each side of him.

“Always a pleasure, nephew.”

He left with the cops, the cafe falling silent.

"What a disgrace. Just like his mother,” Wenge muttered to himself.

Sage got down from the table, Chess and Tenny looking at him in worry. Chess looked to Tenny.

“Don't ask him anything about it,” he whispered.

Sage got in Chess' face, eyes still in a fury.

“You got something to say?”

Chess got back in Sage's face.

“I'm helping you out. Back away from me.”

Sage looked at Chess, then to Tenny.

“I don't need that man's help. Now, thanks to him, I'll bet I'm the new rumor of nepotism. But it's not even that. He's just-”

Sage took a breath. Chess and Tenny looked at him with concern.

“Forget it. Chess, thanks for the twenty. I'll see you guys later.”

“Later. Take it easy. I'll text you after dinner.”

Sage walked out of the cafe, Chess rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“They have a complex history. Let's leave it at that. So, you all done with your classes for today?”

Tenny nodded, Chess looking around the cafe.

“Good. Some staff said that Alistair Glint should be at the center of the campus to address the students about the assault in about thirty minutes. We don't know each other well enough, but are you interested in going to see what it's about?”

“Yeah. Let's go.”

A large gathering of students surrounded the campus fountain, awaiting Mr. Glint's arrival.

Tenny and Chess could barely find a place to stand, the crowds growing thicker by the minute.

Chess grinned at the scene.

“The power of a big name, huh?”

“Yeah."

“What's the problem? You don't talk much, do you.”

Tenny looked at Chess, letting out a small laugh.

“I get that a lot.”

Chess smiled, seeing some faculty walk over to the fountain, standing on the sides of it. Seems like they were getting ready.

“So, how did you get the exclusive GNW tour? I heard they have to be chaperoned.”

“Well, I met Mr. Glint down at a precinct-”

“Whoa, whoa. You met Mr. Glint as well?! And at a precinct, wow.”

Chess placed a hand on his head in disbelief.

“That tops any drama I've been watching lately.”

Tenny laughed.

“I was picking a suspect out of a lineup. Believe me, I was in as much disbelief as you when I saw him.”

What was typical of Tenny, was when discussing natural topics, the fluidity of comfort becomes her zone for speech. It wasn't as hard to speak with her as people throughout her life assumed. The fact that things were coming so naturally to her, even shocked her at this moment.

That was when she realized that when it comes to things her ability allows her to discuss, she can enjoy them without repercussions. She may not be a conversation starter or even a conversationalist, but such talking can happen when she discusses topics that don't forbid her from being at ease about. But still, can this bond with these many people be formed when she hardly starts any of the conversations? It is nothing short of a miracle to her.

Usually enjoying being alone, Tenny did not know that this atmosphere was what she had been missing.

“Of all places, and the timing! Truth truly is stranger than fiction,” Chess said.

Tenny nodded as more faculty rolled in towards the fountain.

“So how do you know Mr. Wenge? You also seem to know about his and Sage's history,” Tenny asked.

“Well, their history is personal, so I don't think I can share it even if I wanted to. But, Mr. Wenge has donated to my father's charities on several occasions. You see, Sage's dad and mine have been good friends for nearly a decade now. Sage's dad owns several hat shops in the country and helps my dad's charities whenever he can. His dad, being Mr. Wenge's brother, recommended my father's charities to him. Next thing you know, my dad and Mr. Wenge are best friends, while Sage's dad drifts into the third wheel. But their connection became even worse after Sage's dad got sick.”

“Dead?” Tenny asked.

“Hmm? Oh, no! Appendicitis. He's fine now. He moved to New Hampshire, where his hat shops are making their most profit. But…"

Chess looked at the sky.

“It has me a bit worried for the future, you know? How friendships can just teeter off like that. Sage has been through some things we can never imagine…”

Tenny looked at Chess. She saw how nice it was for Sage to have such a friend.

The crowd began to go into an uproar when Alistair Glint finally came out of a building, and to the center of the fountain. Juniper and two other assistants walked behind him, looking over the crowd. The team stopped in the center.

Adjusting a clipboard in her arms, Juniper looked up at the cheering students, seeing Tenny behind a few of the ones in front.

Tenny noticed her gaze, looking back at her. Juniper nodded several times, putting a hand to her mouth. 'Wait there,' she mouthed to Tenny.

Tenny realized that she must have already gotten to her e-mail, nodding back. Chess looked at their exchange in confusion.

Alistair Glint was happy with the ecstatic reception he received, but held his hands out for them to stop. The applause died down, an assistant handing Alistair a sheet of paper. He looked it over, handing it back to the assistant as he shook his head. Alistair wanted to speak from the heart.

“For this unspeakable travesty to occur at my alma mater, or any college for that matter, and during the beginning of the semester is appalling. Vellichor University has always been a place of welcome for me since the very first month I've been here. The engaging classrooms, enthusiastic students, and encouraging teachers, those experiences have gotten me where I am today. We would like to commend Fallow's faithful police officers for convicting the suspect.”

The students clapped happily, Alistair smiling.

“And, we'd like to applaud our heroine, Marian Richmond, for her outstanding courage in this time of trouble.”

The students clapped louder, cheering when Marian Richmond, the short-haired brunette victim walked over to the motioning Alistair, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Chess and Tenny clapped, Marian smiling at everyone, a genuine smile that showed she was recovering.

A half hour went by, as Alistair and the faculty went over safety precautions for the students, telling them to immediately approach a campus security guard if such a situation arises again.

Marian stood to the side of the assistants, while the students asked questions that may help fill any loopholes.

As soon as he got here, Alistair shook the hands of the faculty and waved to the students as he prepared to leave. They give him a rambunctious sendoff, full of uproarious cheers and applause. The students began to disperse, Chess as well turning away. He noticed Tenny hasn't moved, and began to wonder if there'll be more discussion at the fountain. Chess looked around, seeing faculty walking further away from the area.

“What's the problem? Aren't they done here?”

“Tenny!” Juniper yelled, waving and running over.

Juniper came to a halt in front of Tenny as Tenny smiled at her.

“Ms. Na.”

“Sorry about that. Had to wait until Mr. Glint finished addressing the crowd-”

She looked to Chess, not knowing that he was a new friend of Tenny. He seemed like a curious stranger to her.

“Oh, um, sorry, do I know-”

“Oh, my apologies! Tenny, I'll see you later,” Chess said.

Tenny nodded at Chess as the blonde walked off.

“That's Chess Creede, isn't it? His father donates to many of our causes,” Juniper said.

"Wow,” Tenny replied.

She looked back at Chess.

“Guess big names really do get you around."

Juniper smiled.

“That's the story of over half the lawyers at our firm. Now, I got your e-mail…"

Juniper withdrew her phone, tapping the screen until she got to the mail Tenny sent.

“It says here that you think the culprit could still be at large?”

“Yes. However..."

Tenny looked over to her left, where the victim, Marian, conversed with some friends.

“I need some insurance.”