Decisions, Decisions

Later that day, Liana was walking around the Bazaar in the city center of Sonic's capital, Aeolia. Then, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sor- oh, it's you."

"Just couldn't stay away from me, could you?" Preston laughed.

"Whatever."

She walked away and soon passed a stall filled with different clothing materials. Liana walked over and perused the merchandise.

"It's a pity that Raevyn was poor. I used to have more money than I needed. Now, I barely have anything to my name."

Her eyes alighted upon a beautiful, shimmering, spray blue silk.

"How much for this fabric?"

The vendor said in reply, "430 fluets."

"Oh, wow. Umm, okay..."

She watched as someone handed the vendor money and got the silk in return.

"Thank you."

"Oh for mercy's sake," Liana groaned.

Preston turned to her and held out the silk.

"What?" she asked.

"Can I not just give you a present? No strings attached?"

"No, you're not my suitor, nor a relative. It wouldn't be proper."

"Wouldn't be proper?! May I remind you, Princess, this island is under my jurisdiction now. I decide whether you and the other mages live free or not."

"Are you threatening Sonic?" she growled.

"If I have to be."

"Listen here, 'High Governor,' "I remember you, Preston Simmons. You used to run around the palace all the time. So I'm going to present you with a truce."

"Alright. What is it?"

"Leave Sonic, along with all the other Mainlanders who don't belong here, and never return. Do that, and I'll accept the silk."

Vander chuckled, "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Then I won't accept the silk."

Liana turned and walked away, an arrogance in her raised head and the sway of her hips.

"Insolent woman," Preston grumbled. "Eventually, she'll come around."

~~~

Liana went in search for her brother. She reached out to him telepathically but he didn't respond. Then, an idea came to her. She found him down in a rocky cove lovingly called Shipwreck Cove by Sonic natives.

"Vander," she murmured.

"What, Liana?"

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want for you to be hurt."

"Well, I am now."

"Do you really want to consider them our family? We haven't seen them in thirteen years."

"They're our parents and brother. Why wouldn't I?"

"Because they haven't fulfilled their familial duties. Father sold us off, and Mother didn't even protest. And Harmon? He was glad to see us go. We're nothing to them."

"Stop, just stop with the lies, Liana. I remember now. It was you they wanted gone. Just you. I asked to go with you so you could have someone with you."

Liana's bottom lip began to quiver.

"Fine! They loved you! Is that what you wanted to hear?!"

She continued to sob.

"I wasn't wanted! Not even by Mother! She was so proud of her sons and horrified that her daughter was a disgrace. Well, you can go and re-accept them, but I won't. They forsaked me, so I'm forsaking them. If you want to go and gain the acceptance, then go right ahead! I won't stop you. But know this, brother: if you go, you will lose me forever."

"Liana..."

She shook her head and began to back up.

"You're my family, Vander. You're all I have left. But I understand if you choose them, because you're right. I've lied and lied."

He saw the tears glistening in her eyes. She turned around and as she did so, magic swirled around her, illusioning herself back to Liana and not Raevyn.

"I'm Liana Davies. Never again will I hold the Davine name."

She teleported back to Aeolia and made her way to the High Governor's mansion.

"I'd like to speak with the High Governor."

"Name?" a guard asked.

"Liana Davies."

"Go on in. A maid will take you to the High Governor."

Liana nodded in thanks and stepped in. She was led to an office by a maid.

Inside, she looked around. There were some Sonican items, but most were things found only on the mainland. Liana grumbled unhappily.

"Looking for something?"

"It's you," she said in a monotone.

"Liana?"

"Yeah. Figured that since the secret was out, I might as well look like my previous self."

"If you're here, does that mean you've come to accept my offer?"

"No. I'll never accept working with you. I'll always hope for Sonic to be free again."

"Then, why are you here, Liana?"

"Because... I've come to assure you that you won't have to worry about me."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I won't be a threat to you... for now."

"Why do you saw that?"

"Because," Liana took a deep breath. "I've decided to leave Sonic."