Chapter 5 Of Rings and Surprises

Trivia #5: Hinted in Book 1 Chapter 22 of Muse, the they/them mentioned by Yunuen were the employees of the Lavender Cafe on that Floor. And unsurprisingly they're all extremely loyal to Eve because she's saved them, one way or another. And she is often called the savior in her FUG Faction

Elio's lips were pursed and his gaze heavy as he watched Evolet walk away with Khun, not a single trace of his cheerfulness to be seen. "Are you sure it's fine this way…?"

No. Not at all.

In reality Lucio just wanted to scream his heart out. Yell at how dangerous of a plan Evolet was concocting and her recklessness for only herself. The way she predicted everything and designed a scheme that would let all their members stay safe, all except her . She's asking them for such a selfish wish, knowing fully well they couldn't refuse her and even smiling cheekily when they voiced it to her.

She wasn't aware of the pain it would cause them, she disregarded her preciousness to them. Lucio loved her beyond the depths of the sea and the flow of time. He despises the 25th Bam who didn't cherish her, and he hates his savior for all she's worth. He resents himself for being unable to stand by her side and replace whom she chose as her King. In the end all he could do was helplessly see her walk away from him again, he has always been powerless to stop her no matter how strong he became.

In another Floor, the aforementioned 25th Bam was wandering aimlessly in the market after finishing his grocery shopping. Unsure of what he's doing except spending the free time he'd been given by Hwaryun who was sick of seeing him sulk over Evolet's absence. He couldn't help but miss her since she's practically always by his side after all. Though Hwaryun called him a lovesick puppy and even shot a disgusted look at him… If he had a Point for every time Evolet passed his mind, he'd probably only have one Point since she never leaves his thoughts.

A near inaudible sigh was lost in the noise of the city as he walked away, intending to walk back to their rented house until something caught his eyes in a questionable way. Bam for one was sure that when he passed this path, there was supposed to be an empty alleyway instead of an eye-catching fortune telling shop. If Bam didn't know better, he would've thought this resembled a random plot of a movie he watched back then with the team. And just like any other normal person would, he let his feet lead him inside the shop. It had an eerily mystic atmosphere, tarot cards and various crystals on display along with a few other merchandise that he didn't recognize.

"Welcome~ the child of—…" He was still busy looking around when a ghastly voice called out to him, scaring him out of his wits as he turned around to the source. A hooded figure was standing near the cashier, a crystal ball in hand as they stared at him with a disappointed look and their voice trailed off unpleasantly.

Bam took a step back reluctantly as the mysterious person frowned at him, confused if he did something wrong without realizing it. Though all he got in response was a sigh from them, making him sweatdrop. "...I see you're not the child of the Tower. …but the string is connected to you indeed, yes, yes."

"I...see…?" Actually he had absolutely no idea what's going on and just smiled awkwardly, rooted at where he was standing. Then again he didn't have any particular intention going into this shop, and yet here he was. And it seems like the shopkeeper understood it too since they scoffed at him, saying that he was free to look around.

So that's exactly what he did, unsurely treading around while avoiding anything that appeared too suspicious. Like the jar of newt eyeballs in the corner he was desperately pretending that it didn't exist and ignored how the eyeballs were staring at him. After viewing around for a while and finding nothing quite to his liking, Bam was ready to apologize to the hooded person and quickly return. Though just as he turned around and about to speak, something glimmered at the corner of his eyes and caught his attention.

A pair of yellow gold rings were displayed silently in a plain black ring box, absolutely breathtaking in Bam's opinion with their simple design. And the most important point was the small amethyst center stone perched on it, gleaming with the tiniest hint of blue. He didn't notice the way the shopkeeper smirked menacingly as he was drawn to the rings, gently holding it in his hands as if it would break at the most fragile of trust as he stared at it.

"Just take it with you child, there's no need to pay. Though in return..."

Try to not let history repeat, would you?

The last thing he heard was a resounding snap of their fingers before the whole store disappeared as if it never existed in the first place, and he was once more standing alone in the empty alleyway. He gazed down at the couple rings in his hands, utterly puzzled as to the mysterious encounter he experienced. The Tower was indeed a mystic place regardless of his adventures up till now. In the end he headed back to the rented house reluctantly, wondering if Hwaryun could help him find materials to make a ring necklace so he could wear it without any worry in battles.

And when he meets Evolet again later on… His lips inevitably curled into an exciting grin, looking forward to their reunion since he's steeled himself to finally confess his feelings to her. One year was an excruciatingly long time, but he'll wait for as long as he needed to for her sake. Because the moment they were together again, he was sure that he'd feel the most safe and complete in the world. For now, he'll just have to figure out the words he would say to her later on. And… find a way to do so without getting embarrassed, he supposed.

Meanwhile in Evolet's mind, she was mentally apologizing to her allies whom she had burdened with her plans. It was by no means an easy path, regardless of her attempts to dwindle down the negative possibilities that may happen to them. The only thing set in stone was her own fate that she chose out of her own volition, all for the sake of Bam.

Though that being said, she was just the slightest bit hesitant and afraid of the path ahead of her. She had long dedicated herself to him and would willingly lay down everything for his sake. Yet a part of her laments over what she could never reach and what she'd have to leave for that. She was aware that it wouldn't be permanent, but it certainly didn't dull the pain. It's always been a losing game since the beginning, and she foolishly gave her all anyway.

Her blue-violet was tinted with a hint of sullenness as she walked, and Khun certainly took note of it. He didn't particularly recall anything that would make her glum during the meeting, save for what Lucio nearly spilled in his small outburst. Which he'll dig deeper eventually, in secret of course. Though part of him was telling that it was likely something that happened beforehand and she was reminded of it.

He was curious about many factors, especially her relation with the twins who were a little too friendly to her for his liking. It was… suspicious to say the least, considering that they were the co-owners of the infamous Lavender Cafe on this Floor. Not that he was in the place to say anything since his connections are just as questionable as hers was. They were probably the two most dubious members of the team, save for Hwaryun.

But it wouldn't do them well if the team saw her discouraged or feeling down now, would it? They'd try to maul him alive if she returned in this state. Or maybe it's because a small part of him was bothered to see her in the blues, the shade of the ocean and the night sky suited her far better than the gloomy rain clouds. "Here."

Evolet tilted her head lightly as she gingerly held the small box Khun handed to her, lips tugging into a fond smile as she found a single earl grey lavender cupcake in it. The Lightbearer smirked subtly beside her, proud of his own work of lifting her spirits. Even if it wasn't exactly him who did it. "That blonde chef gave it earlier, said there's only one for you and none for me."

A muted scoff abruptly escaped her, and it was clear that her eyes were gleaming with mirth. She couldn't help but think that it sounded exactly like what Lucio would do. She's willing to bet this was just another tease Lucio did out of pettiness. She probably shouldn't tell Khun that she had at least three boxes of the cupcakes that the chef also gifted earlier along with all the other assortments of sweets in her Lighthouse. So she split the cupcake in half carefully, offering one half of it to him wordlessly with an expectant gaze.

"Don't mind if I do~" Leaning down a bit, he didn't hesitate to chomp on the split cupcake still in her hands. Though he didn't receive the flustered reaction he was searching for from Evolet.

Her blue-violet orbs were still gleaming as she inquired if the piece of confectionery was tasty, to which he only shrugged and replied casually. "It's just so-so. The ones you make are more refined and delicious."

At this point Evolet was struggling to not show a teasing grin, amused over his obliviousness that it was indeed her recipe that Lucio used. She'll keep it as her little secret, just for Khun. With her mood now up in the stars again, they continued on their merry way back home with small banters on how to tackle the Floor Test from the information they attained.

Or at least they were supposed to head back straight after that if Evolet hadn't suddenly stopped, gazing in pure awe as feathery white snow descended from the sky softly. Enraptured by the angelic scenery, she wordlessly appreciated the moment of peace in the stillness. While Khun was a somewhat avid admirer of nature, for the purposes of scouting the area and getting familiar in order to set up traps, he gladly indulged the purplette with a little bit of time since she seemed to be enjoying it.

The soft gaze in his reigning blizzardy winter blue orbs were a telltale sign of how fond he was for her. Hands casually tucked in his pockets, Khun savored the time to admire how serene his Wave Controller looked and the effect she had on him. Noticing his gaze on her, she turned to him and smiled tenderly with an affectionate look in her blue-violet gaze. Khun could nearly feel the comforting solace of the night wrapping around his shoulders in reassurance that he would never admit defeat to the Tower's hysteria.

Except not even a split second later, the tranquility in her night gaze was shattered to pieces as her eyes widened in shock. Being the ever so cautious man that he was, Khun was right behind her heels the instant she broke into a run and headed straight to a nearby alleyway. Khun Aguero Agnis, as the rightful and exceptional ruler that he was, never regretted any of his decisions. Well technically there were a few that he already did, but apparently he was going to pile up more on it.

Most of the team excitedly rushed to the door as they heard it open, greetings to welcome back their two leaders at the tip of their tongue. Only to be stunned speechless as they saw Khun's blankly exasperated look and more horrifyingly what or rather who Evolet was carrying in her arms. Still with his cup of coffee, Arkraptor was finally at the doorstep with a raised eyebrow at his team who was frozen solid like ice cubes. Though one look at Evolet's soft grin and that mischievously loving look in her gaze, he knew exactly what was up.

In her hold was a hybrid of a fox Anima child, snoozing away cluelessly despite a few apparent bruises and perhaps other internal injuries. The child hadn't even stirred when the Wave Controlled had picked him up hurriedly in the alleyway and flawlessly convinced Khun to bring him home to treat him instead of going to the hospital. Or maybe it was just Khun being too weak against Evolet's caring eyes and she just dragged him back home in his confused state.

Arkraptor sighed helplessly as he sipped his coffee, at least grateful that Bam wasn't here since he'd throw a jealous fit every time the purplette paid too much attention to whoever victim with questionable circumstances she brought home. Though with Khun here… honestly, what hope did he have for a peaceful stay on this Floor.

"Well… here we go again ."