Chapter 8 Of Nonchalance and Pick-ups

Trivia #8: The Guardian of this Floor is *really* familiar with Eve and altered the whole test this time round to fit a certain past scenario

"Good morning, Khun-san!" The Lightbearer wasn't particularly happy when Evolet greeted him after returning from her short trip to the bakery, the reason being a certain someone sticking by her side. She took notice of his sour mood rather quickly, following his gaze to Eirwen who was grasping her hand with a neutral expression.

Evolet patted the shorter boy's head as he gripped her hand a little tighter. White foxy ears twitching lightly at the random show of affection, clearly not used to it though not exactly minding it either. "Right, I haven't introduced him to you yet… Khun-san, meet Eirwen."

The bluenette's eyes narrowed as he stared at the fox hybrid, who seemed to have tensed up terribly when he sensed Khun's gaze and quickly backed away behind Evolet. Which was to be expected since he's been faced with animosity for the majority of his life. If nothing else, Eirwen would be one of the fastest people to sense hostility and escape from it when it wasn't worth the risk. He'd make an excellent scout, she noted bemusedly. Though sometimes she couldn't understand why both Bam and Khun would always react like that to the people she "picked up".

"And~ we'll stop right there. I'll go make your coffee so can you toast the bread, Khun-san?" Albeit slightly souring at her subtle redirection, the bluenette complied anyway. She chuckled at his reluctancy, only coaxing Eirwen to stop hiding once Khun was out of sight. Though he clung to her side stubbornly regardless, insistent on following her since he knew no one else on the premises and he was the safest with her as of now.

So breakfast prep was spent somewhat awkwardly as Eirwen constantly stuck to Evolet's side while Khun was busy glaring at him from the counter. A few wooden spoons fell victim to Khun's grip, cracking every so often that Evolet rolled her eyes exasperatedly and told him to stir his coffee with whatever was left of the broken spoon. Khun most definitely didn't sulk at that.

The purplette didn't mind them one bit, just hustling around to get the meal done before the others woke up soon. True enough, her teammates did come pouring into the dining room with sleepiness once they smelled the food. Though unlike Khun, they were more keen on knowing the boy rather than spiting him. They were more used to the repetitive situation, more welcoming too. And they had full trust in all of Evolet's decisions no matter what.

Breakfast wasn't much of an ordeal except for the amount of spoons that Khun murdered, but his mood during the trip to the test spot afterwards certainly was. All for a different reason, that being how a certain foxy boy was seated on Evolet's lap and purring from how his tail was being brushed ever so gently by their talented Anima. Khun was genuinely considering throwing the golden-eyed boy out and just replacing his position. No— the future head of the Khun family shouldn't be that petty. He was perfectly civil and controlled. He held absolutely no petty jealousy at all and his mind was crystal clear for the test, yes.

The team was busy preparing themselves, making sure they're well equipped for the test in a few hours. Evolet chuckled as Wangnan and Yihwa argued over a literal flamethrower as a new weapon, crashes and shouts heard everywhere. She reckons they might accidentally cause another fire in the Floating Ship, but Arkraptor should already have a fire extinguisher in hand as usual. On another note, Khun was busying himself by concocting last minute strategies and checking his Lighthouse inventory.

She's yet to tell them regarding the possible changes to the test, only informing them of the floor's legend known to the public while keeping silent of all the events that led up to this point. There would be a time for that, perhaps in the far future if the Tower allows it. Their fate was sealed the moment she entered this Floor with them. The mischievous Floor Guardian already had its eyes set on them from that moment. Likely also the reason the Test Administrator arrived late on that day along with the hint she dropped.

The strings of the far past tangled and wrapped around her unrelentingly it seems, even if the past wasn't one of her own. And she was sure the future that awaits her would be the same, connected to the forgotten past one way or another. This winter Floor and its hidden truth was a bitter constant reminder of that. But she supposed this time it was a good thing that the Guardian had set its eyes on her. She had something to steal back from the ever so cruel trickster after all.

"Alright, let's stop the argument there for a while hm? You can bring the flamethrower with you Wangnan-san, just don't let Yihwa-san near it when you light it up." She smiled fondly as Yihwa took on a gobsmacked expression when Wangnan cheered for Evolet's permission. Quietly lowering Eirwen from her lap, she ushered them down the Floating Ship when they arrived.

Wangnan and Yihwa were still lightly glaring at each other. Miseng and Prince were running around with Arkraptor watching over them. And she had left a hesitant Eirwen with Arkraptor, apologizing softly since she had something to do first. Specifically with who Khun was glaring at after what transpired earlier.

The bluenette hadn't been overjoyed seeing a certain twins' presence when they arrived a while ago, strikingly obvious that they've been waiting for some time. And the smirk on Lucio's face when he greeted them only served to further irk Khun, as if taunting how he didn't know a thing despite being the supposedly team leader of the group. Though he was much nicer to the rest of the team, introducing himself and Elio as Evolet's friend whom she called in for a favor. Evolet's confirmation quickly won the team over. And if it hadn't then the sweets bribe the twins brought certainly did.

The team had gone their own ways after the pleasantries, which brings us back to the present again. Elio rolled his eyes at his twin's blatant trouble seeking, opting to pretend he never saw a thing and made a beeline towards Evolet who also left the two to their own devices.

"Thank you for coming on a short notice, Elio." She motioned to the small Anima who was with Arkraptor. She couldn't leave him alone during the test, nor could she bring him with the test. So her only option was to entrust him with the twins on this Floor. Which was what she intended to do since the start, if the fox hybrid accepted her offer that is.

"No problem, Eve-sama. Rather I'm glad we could be of use to you." The blond didn't hesitate to lean down slightly so she could pat his head, as always noting how her smile was a bit strained at his reply. Her line of thought was painstakingly obvious to him. He had no doubt that she was strong, stronger than anyone he's ever known in her own way. Yet he was also aware of her fragility and the way she hid it so desperately, pretending that everything was fine because all of it was meant to happen. But that was exactly why they're here to protect her, weren't they?

Evolet made a noise of confusion when Elio suddenly hugged her, welcoming it nonetheless despite the suddenness. She's never been the one to reject friendly affection after all. And it was something she rather needed right now. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, that much is for sure as she gripped the back of his coat lightly. Though she could've sworn she heard someone choking, not that she could check when Elio only hugged her tighter in reply. Said source of choking noise was actually Khun. And it was actually an indignant squawk rather than anything else when Elio had hugged the purplette out of nowhere.

He would've stormed in and stole her away if it wasn't for this other blasted twin holding him back. Though in a way the Lightbearer could see why the chef didn't allow him to interrupt. There was something about the moment that seemed so vulnerable for Evolet. It was a side that he wasn't confident she would show to him, yet at least. Perhaps in the future someday, when she trusts him and feels comfortable enough to confide in him. When he finally becomes a person she can rely on without a second thought.

The bluenette went lax in Lucio's hold, far calmer now as he gazed at the sight with an unreadable look in his eyes. She was still far away from his reach wasn't she?

"Sorry Khun-san, did you wait long?" He could only shake his head at that, unsure of the slight bitterness that he was feeling as she grabbed his hand with a gentle smile and pulled him along. He wonders just how much more of her was still hidden from sight and when he'll finally reach her.

Evolet stared in contemplation and loss as Eirwen refused to loosen his hold around her waist, the shorter child unwilling to go with the twins. Lucio and Elio stood at the sideline, waiting expectantly for the fox Anima to come over to them. In a way it feels like seeing a reminiscent of their old selves. And perhaps a few other people too. They've seen the scene far too often, believe it or not.

"Don't worry, I promise you can trust the twins. I called them in today so they can protect you while I take the test." Still he childishly refuses to let go, not even a single shred of trust for any other. Which she supposed would be a problem they'd have to fix fast if he was to work together with the rest of them. But that would be a matter for later. Right now she just had to at least convince him to stay with the twins during the test.

But it seems like there wasn't a need for further persuasion from her when Lucio stepped in, practically ripping off the smaller male from her. To which of course Eirwen retaliated, trying to wriggle out of Lucio's hold without success. The purplette sweatdropped at the interaction, unsure if she should take the chance to leave now.

"Just go, Eve-sama. We can handle the little imp."

"...make sure to not be mean to him, Lucio-san. And please keep an eye on your twin, Elio. I'll entrust Eirwen to you for the time being okay?" The elder twin sputtered in disbelief at Evolet's words while the younger snickered playfully.

"Of course, Eve-sama. You can trust me to keep watch on my brother and the small one!"

"I'm counting on you, Elio." God, he'd kill for that soft smile. Well he technically already did that a few times, but let's save that story for another time. He gently shifted the struggling little fox hybrid so that Evolet could pat the whitette without a problem.

It only made him trash harder in Elio's hold, utterly distressed and eager to go somewhere he trusted as a safe haven. Even if his trust for her was something built upon despair rather than time. Still Evolet made no move to pick him up, continuously patting his head in hopes to calm him down before she goes. "I'll be back before you know it. And I'll be sure to come back with something that should've been yours from the start."

That made the three male pause for a moment, having no idea what she was implying. But she chuckled without any sign of giving a hint, gazing with content now that Eirwen has calmed down considerably. The curiosity would keep him at bay for a while at least. Now she could take the test at ease. Considering how she was low on time, all they could hear was a faint "I'll be off now." and the rustling wind.

Then she was long gone, leaving them in the silence and alone once more. They certainly couldn't help but feel that she leaves without a warning as always, hushed and sudden as if she was never there from the start. It leaves them wondering if one day she'll truly be gone for good without a single word to them. Or rather in this case, the twins were already aware of what she had in store. It didn't make them less terrified either way.

A/N:

Ahaha... It's definitely shorter than what I intended. Traveling during covid takes a lot of work and I'm just tired after the whole trip :" I wanted to post this at like 4 or 5 am right after finishing it but I fell asleep. So...have a really late update instead ;-;