It had been yet another long day at the office. Not a single car was in the parking lot as I locked up the office in Blizzaria. As I headed towards the subway station I checked my phone. Ten new messages. All from dad. I sighed, and didn't even bother looking at them. I didn't need to, I already knew what they were. A check up to make sure that I was ok. It was something he always did ever since I told him I was going to major in geography.
I don't even remember why I got interested in the field. It was probably my mother, she was a librarian, a very stereotypical one at that with the thin framed glasses, and large searching green eyes, always dressed in a full length mono colored dress. She would share the world with you, but beware ever crossing her because she noticed everything. She gave me and my siblings books. Books on history, language, science and those that would transport you to other worlds and times completely. Dad on the other hand was a lawyer. He wanted us to be lawyers and eventually join his firm as possible successors. Both of my older siblings would follow that line of thought. But for me, I took an alternate route. I chose to major in Geography because I wanted to know how the world moves. I laugh at the thought. I described Geology as a child, and as an adult I know that's what I meant, but as a child, geography was the umbrella class that taught such things.
I also probably took interest due to the war. Reports over the radio always mentioned other cities; Phoenecia, Mintaka, Selena, Stella. And sometimes places further afield; Old Ras, Khurdan, Zildari. I wanted to know where these places were, but my father did not share such sentiments. He always maintained that Geography was for those who were unsure of their life's path. Both of my siblings had entered Law School by the time I declared I would not follow in their footsteps. Dad was mortified, but more than that, he thought that I would be fickle in my choice. He constantly asked if I was sure of my choice. As I grew and pursued it, and learned of the places and the languages he always worried that I'd wind up dead in some backwater. And so he kept tabs on me, always telling me to make sure my residence was secure, he even brought me a car so I'd have less chance of being exposed to someone kidnapping, robbing or killing me as I walked the streets of Xelha.
For her part, mother never discouraged my adventures. She was more the opposite, for the more I inquired about places, the more research material she would provide. She was, afterall, a librarian. Books, maps and even language programs, she gave it all to me. 'Show your dad what a Geography Degree can do,' she always said. She always wanted to travel, but having my oldest brother early put a damper on those plans, so I think she may have wanted me to experience all that she never did.
Dad has had to eat his words on occasion. Afterall, law degrees don't usually include language courses other than old, ancient dead ones. And when they wanted to set up offices in Zildari, they needed someone who both knew where to go and spoke the language fluently. Still, he worries. When I was made Foreign Liaison Officer of Xelha, he didn't even attend saying it would make my life even more dangerous. I would be the second biggest Xelhan target after the high Queen and he didn't like that. I'm not going to say that Xelha is completely safe, but I don't think I'd have been cut out for a law career either.
As I approach the subway station, I look to my left and see the lights on in the National Library. My phone buzzed again as it received yet another message. I smile to myself as I head down to the underground. I very rarely saw my parents at odds over things, but I guess my career path will forever be their one unresolved quandary. And I can't really say I'm all that sorry about it either.252Please respect copyright.PENANAz5aZbGFGqq