The people that Elsword has brought with him are strange, strange people.
He and Rena take turns to give an introduction of each person. Elesis watches and learns intently, trying not to seem cold and smiling when she can. It's kind of hard, though, because this group seems much more battle-hardened than hers.
Chung is the same age as Elsword. He's looking for his dad, who was stationed in the Denif Base in Hamel when hell broke loose. Beside him, the stern, serious girl wiping her shotgun is Eve, former heiress to the Nasod technological company.
Aisha is the genius medical school student in the black overcoat, her purple hair blooming out in waves. The way Rena's tone changes when she has to introduce her speaks volumes about their animosity to Elesis.
And finally, the wordless man who almost rivals Ciel in height is Raven. He nods politely, his empty sleeve swaying from side to side in the morning breeze.
"Now let me introduce my team," Elesis says, and turns to her team.
It's easy enough finding descriptions for everyone. Ara is the best girlfriend in the entire world. Add is just Add, the guy who fixes their stuff and makes them take baths. Ain is from ELIA, and his mum is the lady who spearheaded the relief effort. Lu is a sweetheart, but don't piss her off, because you'll regret it. And if you make her feel uncomfortable, you won't be getting dinner, because Ciel's cooking.
Elesis falters when it comes to Rose, though. "This is Rose," she says finally. "She's a little shy, but she's a great friend, and I'm sure you'll all come to love her."
She doesn't notice the way Rose beams at her afterwards.
Elsword's team has brought with them fresh vegetables that Rena grew while they were camping in the remains of a small town in Lanox. She and Ciel sit next to each other, chattering quietly about food and herbs and medicine.
Meanwhile, Eve and Rose exchange weapons and ammo in silence next to the Battering Ram, while Add sits cross-legged on the floor next to them, disassembling an assault rifle and picking out bits of zombie flesh with a flat-headed screwdriver. Occasionally he calls out to Raven and Chung, who are washing clothes with the water from the purifier.
Up on the roof, Elesis sits chatting with Elsword, as well as Ara, Lu and the new girl, Aisha. Lu and Aisha were supposed to go fetch water from the creek, but it was a quick task, and now they're "watching the roof" with the rest of them. The winter cold dissipates with the thirteen people moving about, and brings about an almost summery nostalgia.
"So then Mom and Dad went with the lady from ELIA, and we left the barn," Elsword chatters brightly. "And then we just kind of picked up everyone else along the way. The newest person to join our group was Eve, and she came during the Second Summer."
"We just got Add a month ago," Ara pipes up. "Actually, we just kind of crashed into this town and he gave up and joined us."
"You knocked him to the ground and pointed your assault rifle at his head until I came to stop you," Elesis says, punching her lightly in the shoulder. "But yeah, Ara and I kinda just bumped into each other in the wasteland and made a team."
"The fact that the two of you spent an entire year trying to deny that you were hot for each other still gets me," Aisha laughs, to which Lu giggles. "I don't think I could deny my own feelings for that long!"
Elesis smiles, pretends to not notice the way Aisha's hand tugs at Elsword's sleeve and how his hand lies just a little too far up on her leg. "We'd only just met. It would have been awkward to just confess on the spot," she chuckles, pressing a chaste kiss to Ara's cheek. "Besides, we're here now, aren't we? So-"
From below, there's a whistling noise, before it cuts off abruptly. "Lunch is ready," Ciel says, his voice distant. "It's minestrone."
Lu whoops and jumps to her feet. "C'mon, Aisha, you gotta try Ciel's minestrone!"
They dash down the trapdoor, and Elsword, not wanting to compete, goes down the ladder, leaving Elesis and Ara on the roof. "Today has certainly been more exciting than I'd expected," Ara says, lazily stretching her arms over her head. "But I gotta say something."
"And that is?" Elesis hums, getting up and pulling her up as well.
Ara grins. "I still haven't had breakfast."
The euphoria of reuniting with Elsword dies down, only to be replaced with the adrenaline to race to get a serving of the minestrone made with actual fresh vegetables.
(It's very, very good.)
A/N: i think i've mastered the art of updating even when i have like eight assignments and tests on my plate
after i finish the All that is Gold arc, i'll probably be taking a break so i can a) catch up on sleep b) finish writing Black Swan and c) get some more technical stuff in for WtWE involving planning and locations and character backstories. i'll most likely put up my reserve story during that time so that i keep up my schedule
and oh dear, i really hope these kids can learn to get along, it'd be a shame for bad things to happen because of their rivalries
~Marg