"He battered his tiny fist to feel something...

Wondered what it's like to touch and feel something..."

- Meg and Dia, Monsters

II. Eve

Every word he said was chosen carefully, every detail on his face carefully woven together to form the perfect expression, his gentle voice as he explained why Altera was needed in the war. He did everything perfectly. Only his eyes. The cerulean orbs did not match the rest of his actions. They were hard and cold. Occasionally, his perfect form would waver for a millisecond. No one would've noticed, but she did.

"First of all, I must say that Penensio sent quite an ambassador. Does he usually try to make alliances with other countries by sending the most feared assassin?" Eve tilted her head, curious to see his next well-calculated response.

He laughed. The perfect volume, the perfect length. "Please call me Chung. I was just as shocked as you were."

"Oh, I think I was just a little more shocked," she replied, not missing a beat.

He laughed again.


II. Chung

She knew he was faking. She was also seeing how far he could go, constantly flattering him, but her golden eyes gleamed with curiosity. She analyzed his every response, then gave him hers. Another challenge.

Surely, even a recluse like her should know to never challenge an assassin.

He was going to play her little game and win, and then he was going return to his glorious solitude.


II. Eve

If she were to be honest, this wasn't actually a bad idea. If Altera and Hamel did come together, Elrios would prosper much more than it already has. But water and technology never really worked well together.

She blew a piece of hair out of her eye and surprised herself by actually thinking very hard about it. She was puzzled by how much the assassin intrigued her. If Hamel had sent anyone else, she would've declined immediately and nothing would've changed.

But something did change. And she suddenly wanted to go along with it.


II. Chung

"I have considered your proposition," she began, "and I have decided to accept - but on a few conditions."

"Name them," Chung immediately replied. He just wanted to go back and dump all of this political crap on Penensio.

"I want to meet with Penensio myself. I don't mean any offense, but it's hardly settling to send an assassin back with confidential paperwork."

"Paperwork?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Of course," she replied, "Altera has conditions and I expect them to be followed."

He laughed, for real this time.

Sacred El, what a woman.


II. Eve

His real laugh sounded nice. A laugh that would make you flush for no reason. Which is exactly what happened to Eve. How does a Nasod even flush? She didn't know. She felt the blossom of heat in her chest.

Clearing her throat, she said, "I supposed I'll go get my things. Make yourself comfortable."

He bowed and found a chair to sit in. Ophelia rushed to pour him tea.

x.

She decided to not wear her giant empress gown and something comfortable instead. Eve put on a tartan, military-styled outfit on. An long-sleeved olive coat with large cuffs and golden accessories, paired with a brown, plaid skirt. She quickly threw on white thigh-highs with green pattern, and green and brown plaid ankle boots.

She unwound her hair from the tight buns and let her wavy hair fall onto her shoulders. She felt silly doing it, but she checked herself in the mirror. Several times.

"What's gotten into me..." she muttered.


II. Lucy

I was delighted when Chung came back. That delight quickly morphed into an angry ball of envy when I realized he brought back a woman. And by the way her platinum crown glittered on her head, she was the Queen of Altera. Which was not fair. Why was a recluse queen that pretty? Perfect skin, piercing eyes, petite figure. She looked perfect standing next to him.

"Lucy," Chung called to her, she immediately turned.

"Yes?" Lucy stole a glance at the Nasod Queen, who was taking everything in. Her golden eyes darted everywhere, curiously peering at everything—even though she tried to hide it.

"Can you get Penensio?" His eyes darted to the girl. "As you can see, we have company. Your Majesty, this is Lucy. Hamel's accessory shop owner."

The Nasod immediately stopped gawking and curtsied. "Nice to meet you, my name is Eve."

Lucy scrambled to curtsy back, flushed from being curtsied to by a queen.

"Lucy," she mumbled.

Eve flashed her a small smile before dragging Chung over to Horatio, suddenly mystified by his beard. Lucy stared at them ruefully. Eve looked so interested as Horatio talked, Chung looked immensely bored but she kept a tight grip on his arm. Lucy clenched her fists.

Don't touch him so casually, she thought, especially when I've been trying for years.

She turned on her heel and marched straight back into her shop, not bothering to find Penensio like Chung requested.


II. Eve

Everything about Hamel was so intriguing. Eve studied Denka, Hamel's Alchemist for a full five minutes before Chung had to drag her away.

"Alright, Your Majesty. Let's go find Penensio," Chung smiled, although it was sloppy. He was obviously tired and irritated because the wryness in his voice gave him away. She didn't mind though, not even Chung's fake demeanor could ruin her day.

x.

"Your Majesty!" Penensio stood up from his desk immediately and bowed, then waving wildly to the chair in the middle of the room. "Sit, sit!"

She sat. Chung stationed himself at the doorway and was so still that Eve temporarily forgot he was there as she tried to keep up with Penensio's babbling.

"I came here only because I needed to discuss some conditions with you."

Penensio blinked. "Okay..."

"One: my people are guaranteed safety."

"Why, of course - "

"Two: the Altera Core be left alone when I'm away."

"Of cou—away?" He asked, a hint of alarm in his voice.

Chung shifted.

"Three: I want someone to take me to see all of Elrios."

Silence.

"Your Majesty - "

"I will not negotiate. All or nothing," she decided to copy Chung, and plaster on a fake smile. Penensio's shoulders sagged.

"Very well, Your Majesty. We will arrange someone - "

"No," she interrupted. "I have someone in mind."

Chung shifted again.


II. Chung

Eve turned herself around and her golden eyes met his blue ones.

"Him," she simply said.

He watched as his solitude floated away.


Author's Note: Yo, yo, yo! I'm not going to even apologize anymore. I'm ALWAYS going to be late. Gahhhhhh. Anyway, I'm actually kind of proud of this reboot! Let's just pretend the old one was just an awful, terrible, never-to-be-spoken-of-again nightmare. :D

Replies to my marvelous reviewers! (So many! I was not expecting this much feedback! I love you guys!)

DerpyKanshii- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHANOPEHAHAHAHAHAHA

Palutena- Thank you! Add and Ara, hm? Maybe...

Crossed Kermits- Me too! :D

Spirify- YAS IT IS! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Icebella- Thank you! Yes it does, I wish I could go back and slap myself for leaving such gaping plot holes.

Rosamanelle- I wanted Lucy in the story more because she could actually morph into a very nice side-antagonist. Or some kind of mental challenge for Eve to overcome. Thank you, Rosa!

HelloKitty55443- OMG OMG OMG THIS IS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM A MASTERPIECE. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU A LOT. It's ALWAYS been a while since I updated.

Kat Winn- Hey Kat! Thank youuuu!

Luster Buster- One word: Thank youuuu!

xXTheLegendXx- Thank you so much! I love Deadly Chaser too! I played on my friend's account and he's fun to mess around with. (I suck at it though.) I'll TRY not to drop it again, but there's a low chance it'll happen. :D Thank you again!