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Trein had immediately noticed something wrong with one of his newest freshmen. Silver was his name, no surname on file, and he’d taken up the habit of falling asleep in class.
It apparently happened in every class. Crewel said the boy had fallen asleep during labs on more than one occasion. Vargas said the poor boy had once fallen asleep in the locker rooms, causing a classmate to report him.
Trein’s first instinct was to tell the housewarden. But when Crewel told Malleus, he simply shrugged.
“That’s just how Silver is,” Malleus said.
The condition continued. This was a tell tale sign of something bad happening at home, something the poor boy hadn’t quite recovered from yet.
So, Trein made a risky bet. With Crowley’s approval, he sent an email to Silver’s listed guardian to discuss the situation. Trein, Vargas and Crewel waited in a classroom for Silver and his father to arrive.
“To be honest,” Crewel admitted, “I’m a bit excited to meet the parents of one of our students.”
“I know,” Trein said. “We never get a chance to meet them. Our students are always so well behaved. Or the parent says no.”
Vargas added, “I wonder what kinda guy could possibly raise a kid like that. I mean, Silver’s a sleepy little airhead, but he’s serious and muscular! I gotta know who—”
“I’m here!”
The teachers looked up to the classroom door. In came Silver, who they expected, and Lilia Vanrouge, the vice housewarden of Diasomnia, both still in their dorm uniform.
“Ah,” Crewel managed. “Thank you for dropping him off, Mister Vanrouge. But you can’t stay, this is a parent teacher conference.”
“I know,” Lilia said. He pulled his hand up and pinched Silver on the cheek. “I just couldn’t miss this for my boy.”
Silver ignored the pinching as if it was normal.
“Lilia,” Trein tried to reason. “This is no laughing matter. We must meet with Silver’s father.”
“I know,” Lilia repealed, now slightly annoyed. “That’s why I’m here. I’m his father.”
“Excuse me?!”
They knew Lilia’s invitation was old, they didn’t think it was ‘have a child’ old!
Lilia sat down in the chair left for him. Silver took a seat next to him. “Now,” Lilia continued, “What do you want to discuss?”
Lilia seemed almost excited. “Father?” Silver asked.
“I’m sorry, kiddo,” Lilia tried to calm down, “I’ve never gotten to do this before. Sebek’s mom made it seem so boring but I’m having a lot of fun.”
“Lilia!” Trein shouted. “Is this an elaborate joke? Has Silver paid you to play the part of his father?”
“I have you know Trein, the only payment I expect from raising Silver is eventual grandchildren. But not yet, right kiddo?”
“Of course!” Silver said. “I have to finish my academics before I can even consider it.”
Lilia proudly smiled. “Such a good kid!”
The teachers sat there in shock.
“Lilia!” Trein repeated. “This is no time for joking! We know this is a game! I just graded your tests!”
Lilia’s face shifted from excitable to serious. He opened up his briefcase and smacked a piece of paper onto the desk. “Is that enough proof?”
The paper was a certificate of adoption from the Briar Valley, listing the legal guardian as Lilia and Silver as the child’s name. The document was also signed by Queen Maleficia herself. Trein took a look over, it seemed legit.
“I have more,” Lilia said. He pulled out a collection of photos, held together with a rubber band. He splayed a few of the photos over the desk. One depicted a much younger Silver, maybe three or four, holding a plush rabbit. Another showed a much older Silver, fourteen as the photo showed, in front of a very disgusting looking birthday cake. Another showed Lilia in the picture, with a toddler Silver walking towards him, his young age and Lilia’s face of pure joy giving the photo a warm hue. On the back, a caption added to the warmth, with “Silver’s first steps” written in a black marker.
“Lilia…” Crewel managed.
“Listen, I know it’s complicated, and a little strange, but I’m his father. I’ve always been his father. And you called for me.”
Vargas turned to Silver. “Is this true kid?”
“Yes,” Silver said. “That’s me in all those photos.” He took a step back. “You still have that?”
Lilia held up the picture of Silver, no older than 2, his face covered in cake, looking up into nothingness with the derpiest face ever seen.
“Oh my,” Silver said. “That’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Anyway,” Lilia said, collecting his photos, “I think you’ve seen enough. This isn’t about me, this is about my son. Tell me, what was so important that you called me here?”
Trein took a heavy sigh. “Your son has been falling asleep in class a lot lately. We wanted to bring this up to you…his father.”
“Oh, that’s just how Silver is,” Lilia excused. “He’s been like that ever since I adopted him. He falls asleep very easily.”
“Did the orphanage say anything about this?” Trein asked.
“No,” Lilia said, “I found Silver abandoned with only a few items in his cradle. I took him in immediately. That’s why her majesty signed it, not another official. She owed me a favor, so I had her legalize his adoption.”
“She was quite charitable about it,” Silver added. “Always said it was nothing compared to all she owed Father.”
“Yeah,” Lilia said, somewhat awkwardly. “Silver was always like that, falling asleep non-stop. He was a very well behaved child in that way. I hoped he’d grow out of it…he didn’t.”
“Do you know what causes his narcolepsy?” Trein asked.
“Probably a family condition,” Lilia said. “Again, since I found him abandoned I have no access to genetic medical history. I find it easy to wake him up, but I suppose it would present a problem in class.”
Trein offered a smile. “Silver, would you be interested in taking a DNA test? It could give you access to a medical history and explain your narcolepsy?”
Lilia briefly flashed a face of sheer horror.
“No, I’m good,” Silver said. “To be honest, I thought Lilia was my biological father until I was…older. I’ve never had a desire to learn about my biological family.”
“Really?” Crewel asked.
“Well, do I wonder about it, sure. But I don’t need a replacement. I have my father, and I have many happy memories with him. Why think about someone else?”
Lilia sighed in relief.
Trein thought for a moment. “Okay, Silver, I can only recommend you go to a doctor about this. Make sure it is truly natural. Aside from that, I can only recommend coffee and other energy drinks.”
“But not too much!” Vargas added. “They’re bad for your health! And when it wears off you’ll crash harder than a bull with red sunglasses.”
Lilia ignored Vargas’ strange metaphor. He collected his items and looked to Silver. “I think we’re done. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. Come on, let’s get back to the dorm before dinner.”
Silver stood up and followed Lilia to the door.
“Are you mad at me, Father?” Silver asked.
“Of course not,” Lilia said. “It was bound to happen eventually. I knew the game I was playing. I’m just happy it wasn’t anything worse. I thought you were fighting kids!”
“What?” Silver asked. “Father I would never!”
“I know,” Lilia smiled. “My sweet little boy.”
Lili got on his tippie toes and ruffled Silver’s hair.
“Now, come on!” The father and son rushed out into the hallway.
The three teachers were left in shock. What exactly were they going to do with this information?