(Conor's POV)
Conor tried to get back to Vokrizin on Tuesday but that morning had brought massive storms. He called Colonel Eli and learned that a small team had stayed the night and were the only ones there Tuesday. Thankfully, the weather cleared by evening and Wednesday when he came in, everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
Conor found Colonel Eli and ask, "Do you think we will be able to take miss Lokir to the community center today?"
"The weather is cleared out nicely. From what my people say, storm damage is minimal, just some flooding that is mostly in the lower city so I don't think it will be an issue. If anything, it might be a good day to go. I bet my niece will be there organizing the kids to clean the place up after the rains while any reporters and such will be focused on the docks to notice us heading that way."
"Good deal. If you would, go ahead and send a team. I will go find miss Lokir and meet Parker down at the van."
"Very good, sir."
Conor made his way up to his office - well he supposed it was currently Kerrigan's make shift hotel if he was being honest. He still wasn't sure how he felt about her and her team living there. It had been his home for a few months not long ago. It was still supposed to be his office. Now he couldn't even enter his own study without knocking, which he did now.
"Come in." came that tantalizing lilt. Conor couldn't help but love the way her light accent sounded. He tried his best to tease a bit of conversation out of her when he could just to listen to it. Reilynn's accent on the other hand was down right enchanting, though hard to understand sometimes. Conor wasn't sure if a group of sirens had moved into his office or if he was just losing his mind.
He opened the door to a now familiar scent of light apple blossom and cinnamon. "Miss Lokir, I am sorry the storm kept us all away yesterday but, assuming you are up for it, I have arranged for us to go to the community center today."
Kerrigan rotated her chair to face him. Her smile told him he likely had just made her day. She had her hair done again in an elegant set of braids that started near either temple and flowed around her head like a circlet and connected into a single wide braid down the back. She had on that same long light gray sweeter dress she had worn a few days ago and Conor wondered if that was all her team had managed to get for her or if it was just the only thing that worked well in the chair with her shoulder injury.
"So, we can go today?"
"Yes, if you are ready, the van is downstairs."
"Excellent. Reilynn?" Kerrigan inclined her head to her guard, Reilynn, who helped wheel her chair out into the hall.
Conor gave Reilynn a wide space to pass. She was an attractively tall woman, only half a head shorter than his own 188cm. However, she gave Conor such a feeling of pending death, that he felt it best to avoid contact with her as much as possible. He much preferred when Evelynn or Gabriella were the ones on duty with Kerrigan. They at least seemed friendly most of the time, and not like they were contemplating ten unique ways to slice his throat.
When they reached the van, Parker jumped out of the driver seat and opened the side door to assist Kerrigan. They had found a special van that had been equipped with a ramp on the side for her use and it was perfect for this. Conor noted that even Parker seemed to keep Reilynn in his line of sight at all times. He has seen them spar together under Colonel Eli's direction on the roof a few days ago and wondered who would actually win in a real duel. Hopefully, they would never need to find out.
Soon they arrived at the community center. When Kerrigan finally got out of the van and situated, Conor eagerly watched her reaction. The community center had become such a big part of his life the last few months, and his passion for these kids and their families meant the world to him. Kerrigan's impression of this venture would be a huge factor. Not only would she be the conduit for all of dragon corporation, but Conor found he really hoped she could find a passion for this place as well.
"Umm. This is where you have been spending your time?" came the lilt beside him. Conor looked down at Kerrigan to see a concerned look on her face as her eyes bounced from place to place around the outside of the center.
Conor looked up and winced. The Community center had not weathered the storm well. Several windows near the top floor had blown out and there was a group of kids collecting trash that had been blown across the front lot. It looked like one of the vacant warehouses might have flooded and every bit of scrap material had flood out into the street before the center.
"Hem, well. It's normally a bit cleaner than this. That storm yesterday must have done more than I realized. But this is part of why I am working to fundraise for a new site for them. After all, the building is just that, a building. The ministry is what is important."
"This is what you are wanting to do over by the park?" she asked.
"Very good. I see you were paying attention. Yes. I am hoping to build a brand new center there. Here. Let me introduce you to some of the kids. I see Cara over there." He handed her a face mask again. "Likely best we conceal your identity even here."
Conor helped wheel her over and was about to introduce her to little Maggie and Hannah when Hannah rushed up to them with a wide grin on her face.
Hannah grabbed Kerrigan's handed and exclaimed, "Eibhlin! You came!"
Everyone stared at Hannah.
Kerrigan's eyes went wide as she said, "Wh- what? Eibhlin? Who is Eibhlin?"
"You are silly. Come and see." Hannah tried to lead Kerrigan away and Reilynn had to step up and assist with her chair as Conor stood dumbfounded watching after them.
Cara came over to him and asked, "what was that all about?"
"I have no idea. Hannah had a name for her, as if she knew who she was."
"Has she been here before?"
"I don't think so." Conor said absently, watching as Hannah led Kerrigan and Reilynn to her wall drawings.
"I had better go check in with Johnathan. Will you make sure they are ok?" Conor asked, still watching Kerrigan.
Cara looked at him quizzically, "Sure. Are you ok?"
"Yea. I just need to ask him something. I will be back."