JP - Another Problem

Riley followed Klaire into the living room " we might have another problem on top of Canestone" he whispered.

“What’s that?” Klaire asked, obvious annoyance in her tone. It was not at him, but at the situation around Loreen. “What else could possibly go wrong, Riley?”

"I've been talking to Loreen trying to see what she remembers so far nothing pre amnesia" he explained in a low voice not to alert anyone else "Post amnesia she remembers waking up and being experimented on by Thrane which means he's back from hiding since the village. And it makes sense now when you think about it Loreen would never bring back Canestone she had considered him a failed project."

Klaire pinched the bridge of her nose. “This isn’t good…” She muttered and looked toward Loreen’s room. “She really isn’t the woman we used to know, is she?”

"It's really not Thrane was dangerous enough but now he has Loreen's playbook" Riley sighed "as for Loreen I honestly believe her memories been totally wiped, Thrane wouldn't leave anything behind." Looking away he blushed for a moment "plus with all the surgical scars on her body it looks like he took her augments as well."

“Thrane has never been kind to anyone he deems unworthy of his time…” Klaire sighed heavily, quickly cleaning Leon’s face off. “Maybe Loreen can try to remember where she came from…how she got free of him.”

"I'll try to help her as much as I can but it's something you can't rush without the possibility of damage" Riley sighed before smiling at the kids.

“I know, but anything is better than nothing at this point.” The dog eared woman insisted.

Riley reached over and petted her head "relax we'll figure it out we always do" he replied giving her a smile "no matter the timeline."

“If only we could help Tzeitel calm down and stop being angry at everyone…Riley, I feel like she’s pushing me away…all of us away.” Klaire explained as she stared at her food.

“She’s been extra hateful toward me, that’s for sure…I’m used to it, though.” James said with the wave of a hand.

"We need to get her to the underground to talk to Frisk and Leimomi " Riley sighed "she was already starting to relapse and now the news that her worse nightmare is back alive isn't helping."

Klaire could only nod.

“Then I suggest we do that sooner than later,” James replied. “She’s pushing almost everyone away, Riley. I’ve seen the disappointment in Cody’s eyes, the distress in Ami’s…Tzeitel can hate me all she likes, but pushing Klaire away? I’m not going to tolerate that much longer…”

"I'll take her with me today I was going to go anyways to check on Ryan" Riley replied still feeling a bit weird on the situation.

“Your…brother?” James inquired. “Right? I’d suggest taking Loreen, but something tells me that would just end very badly. Though, she does need a medical examination. Those surgical scars…”

“Those are definitely Thrane’s work…it means he worked on her himself.” Klaire explained, hugging herself. She had similar scars all along her backside.

"Trust me I got a pretty good look at them" Riley shuddered "I'll talk to Frisk and explain the situation see if she can make a house call."

“That’s a good idea,” Klaire replied as she slowly ate her food.

Lotus and Leon, however, were having no issue eating their food. The little pups seemed to be happy to have something in their bellies, even constantly thanking everyone for it.

"They've definitely grown a lot these 5 years" Riley chuckled.

“Yes, they have,” Klaire smiled. “It feels like just yesterday that I was changing their diapers and now they’re running around talking.”

“I can’t wait for Susi to see Amber” Riley replied with a sad smile as he thought of Esther “just one member of my family to bring back.”

Klaire looked at Riley. “We can’t help what Esther chose to do, Riley…it’s not your fault she was…betrayed.”

“I should have been there for her I’m her father ” Riley sighed “but I’ll bring her back soon I’ve almost figured out the frequency to phase into the hellscape.”

“How could you have known when she didn’t tell us anything until it was too late?” Klaire replied.

“Klaire’s right,” James said, looking at the front door with a pensive expression. “I couldn’t save any of my children…”

“I know Klaire’s right Esther has a habit of hiding her feelings” Riley sighed before looking at James “we all did the best we could during the attack you helped save Leon and Lotus.”

“I helped save everyone but my own children, you mean.” James sighed and shook his head. “Sorry, it just…I feel like a bad father for it. Hell, I’ve felt like a bad father most of my life simply because I never was part of their lives until it was too late…”

“I was the fastest of all of us and I still couldn’t save everyone, I still feel guilty about it” Riley admitted “still it doesn’t change the fact you’ve been a great to Lotus and Leon.Juliet and Kent would be proud of you.”

James looked at the twins and smiled slightly. “I just want them to be happy…them and their mother.” He said.

Klaire’s cheeks flushed and she looked away.

“You’ve done that time and time again over these five years” Riley replied with a smile “you’ve also helped me and River with Amber plenty of times as well.”