The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 35

Clef looked at Celeste and then back at Kinabrick. His panicked expression weakened as he leaned on a nearby tree. He still didn't feel well. "Let's get inside." Kinabrick stated with a softer tone, seeing Clef struggling. He offered him a hand. Clef looked at Kinabrick's hand and took it after staring for a moment. He could feel his body finally yelling at him for getting up before the cure had time to work. Kinabrick helped Clef back inside and helped him sit back down where he was previously laying. Celeste was helped back inside by Alagatha. "Clef, what's wrong??" Celeste asked as Alagatha helped her sit down on the couch. Clef was silent. Nibble was still laying in his spot when he nudged Clef's leg. "Clef, sssay something." "I really... I thought you'd all be upset by now..." Clef said with his head down. "Why would we be?" Celeste asked with concern, carefully moving from the couch to the floor beside him. "We love you, Clef." Clef was silent for a moment before looking over at Celeste. "My... My real name is Sefton..." Alagatha squinted at him before her eyes widened. "... The 'Pied Piper'? That Sefton? I've heard stories about that character." "Yes... and... Captain Sealen is my father..." Clef looked down at the floor once again. Cynthia gasped and covered her mouth. "Y-Your dad...?" Clef sadly nodded. "Wait," Celeste looked confused, "What's a 'Pied Piper'?" "It's someone who is deceitful and charming. Pied Pipers lead people astray for their own gain." Kinabrick explained. "Sefton was--or still is--known in Skree as the biggest swindler in the land." Celeste looked at Clef. "Is this true?" Clef nodded but kept his eyes from meeting hers. "Yes... but that's not then worst part..." Celeste scooted closer to him and grabbed one of his hands. "What else is there??" "You all already knew I was a strander but... You don't know how bad I was. I was aggressive and had a horrid temper when things didn't go my way..." Clef paused a moment before continuing, "I was on one of my... Well... I was sent on a mission to rob from this rich old man's house... When he saw what I was really there for, he put up a fight and... I hit him on the head..." Clef choked up upon his last statement. "I never meant to..." Celeste looked shocked. "You... You..." "Killed him?" Clef's eyes filled with tears. "I did..." Kinabrick sighed with disappointment, seeing how much more serious Clef's past was. He thought to himself, "Maker above... That explains the feral expression he had when I said his real name..." Clef started to sob, realizing his darkest truth was finally revealed. "I couldn't... I couldn't believe what I had done... That's when... I had the fall out with my father... I couldn't... I couldn't live like that anymore..." He awaited judgment from his closest friends, fully expecting a harsh verdict. Celeste felt disturbed the most by this news. Clef had been at her side longer than any of the others and come to find out this? Sure, she had known he was a strander but she somehow disassociated him from other stranders. Despite all these feelings swirling in her mind, she didn't let go of his hand. She didn't want Clef running off again because she still cared about him. The sound of Clef crying took up the empty air. No one said a word for at least a full minute. "Clef..." Celeste gently squeezed his hand. "Look at me..." Clef shook his head. "I can't..." "Look at me, Clef." "No, Celeste, I can't..." Clef whimpered with heavy guilt and shame in his heart. Celeste suddenly grabbed him by the sides of his face and pulled it up to look at her. Clef was shocked but he looked back at her, seeing as she wasn't going to stop until he did. "Now that I know who you were, do you think I'm going to... abandon you?" She asked, looking into his sorrow filled eyes. Clef looked at her in such a way that answered her question. "Clef." Celeste began again, "You are still part of my crew. The Maker has changed you. You've saved me countless times and helped us all. I'm not saying anything you did is condonable... because it's not... but what I am saying is you've been forgiven for all that happened in your past." Clef shook his head in disagreement. "I'm... I'm a horrible man..." Celeste suddenly pulled him into a hug. "You aren't that man anymore, Clef." Even though it was sudden, Clef hugged Celeste back tightly. "I... don't deserve forgiveness... I... don't deserve you..." "None of us do." Alagatha piped up. "We're all a lot of messed up folks who found a shining light." Nibble groaned because of his head pain but spoke up anyway. "I bit my ssshare of creatures but I tells ya, this bitesss the most. Clef, you're not much off from us, ya know. We've all done horrid things... The Maker forgave us, you gots to forgive yourself..." Clef became quiet and thought about what his friends were saying. He didn't hear justification of his actions or applause for it. He heard the truth- the way he used to live was wrong but that wasn't where it ended. He heard a beautiful song from everyone there. Clef heard the same theme throughout the room. The same beautiful word. 'Redemption.' Cy gingerly stepped forward. "Mr. Clef... I know I just met you... But You saved me from Captain Sealen. Don't you remember?" Clef looked over at Cynthia from over Celeste's shoulder. "Yes..." He responded, "It was just last night..." "I don't think that 'Mr. Sefton' would of done that but you did." Cynthia softly smiled. "I'm grateful for you." "And..." Kinabrick added with Clef's attention shifting to him, "If you never saved her... We might of had more people to bury. Till wouldn't of come without Cynthia." Till stood there shyly to be mentioned. Clef was shocked to see Kinabrick being so gracious considering the last time he spoke with him in the ship was him being threatened. "Don't misunderstand." Kinabrick added, "I don't know if I trust you but I can't deny you've done some good for everyone here." Celeste brought Clef's attention back to her. "You're different now, just like all of us. Let your heart let it go. We still love you... I still love you. You don't have to hide any longer." With all the love and grace given to him by his friends, Clef's soul was at last consoled. He cried still but he was at peace knowing he was still accepted. Before anyone had a chance to turn in for the night, Cynthia asked, "What will we do about Zarabean?"