Cerie drew the shade as the sun got higher in the sky with the approaching noon hour. It was midmorning. She sat back down across from Dr. Swhint, who sat looking at the little puffs of steam floating from his old teacup. "Now that you have fresh tea, Dr. Swhint, is there something you wanted me to know?"
"About what?" the professor joked. His mind was as sharp as the point of a compass. "Really, Ceres, I've been in the same place as you. Do you know how I learned so much about those wings?"
"Not really, professor, and I never could find a good enough reason to ask," Ceres reluctantly admitted this and nervously stirred her tea, sloshing it sloppily in her saucer.
"Well, the first thing you should know is that you should never"-the professor pointed and shook his finger for emphasis--"never neglect the pursuit of answers. If you have a question, ask it. If you have a hunch, follow through and see if it's a good one. It's better to invest a little and risk a little than to be careful and poor in knowledge."
Ceres nodded as Dr. Swhint continued. "I was a young professor at a university not far from here. I was on top of the world. Science was my world, and I would stay up all night sometimes studying and learning more. Sometimes, i would even neglect preparation for my classes and keep studying the new concepts and discoveries that seemed to be devouring me. Some of the colleagues at the university took notice of my appetite for learning and decided to sort of 'induct' me into their group. That's when I found out that the wings existed. It started out innocently enough, it seemed. We were just a tribe of curious men feeding on whatever information we could find. One night in late summer, we had a conference with a renowned scientist from out of the area...he from one of the big schools someplace far away. Anyway, he knew a lot about the wings, too. But there was something different about him, he was...cruel, crude. He never seemed to be rested, was edgy, do you know what I mean?"
Ceres nodded and said "His hunger was...something different? Somewhat frantic?"
"Yes, yes Ceres dear. Quite frantic. And he was entirely preoccupied with money, security, the economy, and what the wings might "mean" to the scientific community. A few people had disclosed to us in good faith and confidentiality that they were bearers, and he contacted one of them, though I cannot remember his name... Anyway, this particular scientist began to experiment on this young man, and though the man's condition was declining, the professor never stopped his tests. Eventually, the young man died. We were then sworn to secrecy and offered large sums of money to cover up the man's death. Of course, I was horrified. I declined the money and called in an anonymous tip. After this, my life was threatened. I swore to never speak another word, but I was demoted to an adjunct position within the university, and ended up leaving it entirely for another teaching job nearby after a professor emeritus had read and endorsed my journals on new technologies in air travel."
Ceres was speechless. That's why Dr. Swhint knew just what to watch for and who could be trusted. That's why Dr. Swhint knew so much. She wondered why she hadn't made the connection before between the professor and the scientists, knowing full well that both his background and his passion were science. Cerie gathered herself and asked, "So the feelings of purpose?"
Dr. Swhint cleared his throat and began again "After I left the other university, the bearers that had disclosed their gift needed protection. With my technical knowledge and big heart"-Cerie grinned at the professor-"I became their resource. I worked with my brother-in-law, Daniel Jones, and secured new identities for the bearers. Over time, I acquired some wealth from teaching and writing and was able to devote more time to research and to building this house. Throughout the years, bearers have come here for help and comfort, and I was always able to help in some way. The feelings of purpose were there and still are. You just need to find your niche. Knowledge is just as much of a gift as wings are. I was given the gift of knowledge of the wings, and I helped others. Now you can do your part. But"--Dr. Swhint patted Cerie's hand and smiled a little--"you don't need to fret about it. Just keep building your fleet for now. You'll find out soon."
Cerie smiled at the professor and thanked him for the tea. "I have much to think on, doctor, and some boards to sand. I best get to work."
The kind old gentleman shook his head and said "Just like me, you're a workaholic! Alright, dearheart, but keep your chin up and your brow straight."
Cerie walked back outdoors and resumed work, wondering if Lex had ever heard about the professor's roots as a scientist.
