Neve stood at the terminal waiting for the arrival of Seth and Dale. Twelve months had passed since the council meeting and Neve’s exile to Perth. Overall, it had not been as bad as Neve had thought but it still hurt separated from his family and friends. Dale contacted Neve a few weeks back to invite himself and Seth over to catch up and Neve had been looking forward to their reunion.

When the passengers disembarked from the plane, Neve watched for his cousins and when he saw then he beamed and waved. Dale waved back and Seth nodded. After the council meeting, neither Seth nor he had said anything about it, as if what happened was now in the past and should stay there.

Dale embraced Neve with gusto lifting him from the floor, “Damn I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Neve responded as Dale dropped him.

Neve turned to Seth his hand out, and they shook.

“Good to see you Seth.”

“Like wise.”

“Well, shall we get going or do you have luggage we need to collect?”

“Nope, we’re good.” Dale said patting the backpack he carried over his shoulder.

Neve led them both out to the car park and with Dale in the front and Seth in the back he took them back to his apartment.

“Kind of small isn’t it.” Seth said as he walked into the one-bedroom apartment.

“I warned you but the couch pulls out into a bed so long as you aren’t too concerned about sleeping together….” Neve left his sentence hanging and then started laughing.

“Ha, ha, you’re a funny guy.” Seth said without humour.

Neve and Dale both continued to laugh.

“I’d give you a tour, but this is it. Nothing fancy but home for the time being so I can’t complain.”

All three men sat at the small square table, bottles of alcohol beverages in front of them and a bowl of BBQ chips Neve put in the centre of the table.

“So how are things at home?” Neve asked.

“Seth’s got some news for you.”

Neve lifted his eyebrows and looked over at Seth; he could almost guess what that news was going to be.

“I’m getting married.”

“Ahhhh.” Neve said, “So it’s time then. Moving forward to maturity, becoming an adult.”

“Shut up. You have to go through it to you realise.”

Neve shrugged and drank down the rest of his drink, then lowering the bottle said, “This calls for a celebration, let me get the wine.”

Once Neve had retrieved several bottles of wine and glasses, they sat around talking about Seth’s wedding.

“So who is she, are you happy with who they picked for you?” Neve asked.

“It’s Daisy and I could have done worse.”

“Yes you most definitely could have done worse.” Dale replied.

“Daisy’s nice, quiet and you know what they say about the quiet ones.” Neve told him.

“Shut up.” Seth snapped back, and they laughed at him.

Seth then broke out in a smile and said, “We met up last week and she seems pleased with the choice as well. So I’m not too worried.”

“Of course not and besides it’s not like you have never done it before, not like our poor Neve here.” Dale joked.

“Hey, who says I haven’t done it yet.” Neve defended himself.

Dale leaned onto the table and said, “Oh please do tell.”

Neve rolled his eyes and Dale burst out laughing.

The smile then dropped from Dale’s face and he asked, “So how are you going, really.”

Neve shrugged, looking at both men, “Alright, things are a lot different when your mind is a lot clearer to think things over.”

“Yeah, wished you’d said something sooner. We might have been able to help.” Dale replied.

“What’s done is done.” Seth told them.

“Yeah.” Neve murmured and drank another glass of wine.

“So has there been any word.” Neve had been eager to ask since his cousins first got off the plane but he had to bide his time for the right moment.

“We haven’t heard anything; we’re not in any position to be privy to that type of information.” Dale said looking at Seth.

“After my ceremony I’ll be lackey’d off to one of the elders who will be responsible for my further education. Not sure who it will be yet but I think we actually get a say about whom it is. Thank God.”

Neve ran a hand through his shaggy hair and let out a big sigh, “I really messed up didn’t I.” Looking back up he said, “I’m sorry.”

“No harm done Neve. As a result a decision was made to evaluate all adolescents after they turn to access they abilities both mentally and emotionally to find them fit for the role of seekers.” Seth told them.

“It’s a damn good idea and I can’t believe it took them this long to make that decision.” Dale replied.

“There were several council members who were opposed.”

“Of course.” Neve cut in sourly.

Seth continued, “But the majority decided with the expanding population, the need for proper training and assess the skills of all adolescents before maturity, was necessary.”

Neve nodded his agreement, but it was a little too late for him.

“Since they implemented the decision three months ago four people were removed from the role.”

“Really.” Dale said surprised, “Do you know who?”

“All were women. When they arrived for their evaluation, they asked to be removed from the role because they didn’t enjoy nor feel comfortable in being reasonable for the finding of half-breeds. Much like you Neve, they didn’t think if faced with the possibility of reporting them, they could do it.”

“I guess some good came out of all of this.” Neve said but his tone was nothing but sardonic.

The room fell silent for a moment and then Neve asked, “So when is the wedding and am I invited or am I still in exile.”

“You’re not in exile Neve; you can come home anytime you want.” Dale said to him.

“Really, that wasn’t the impression I got.”

“Neve you’re invited to the wedding I bought your invitation with me. I wanted to give it to you myself.”

Neve looked at Seth and even though a small part of their relationship was damaged after Neve didn’t report Cory, Neve realised Seth still took on the responsibility of protecting him.

Neve smiled and replied, “Thank you. I am glad you are both here.”

“We thought a stag’s party this weekend might be in order seeing as the wedding is only four weeks away.” Dale told them, the look of mischief in his face.

“It’s a shame it’s only a new moon this weekend.” Neve commented, “There are some great places here to go wild. You would both love it.”

“Another time maybe.” Seth replied and Neve nodded, yes another time it would have to be.