Chapter 3:
The three of them continue to be seated down by the table. Executor fiddling with his boomstick gun, Madam Ch'en almost finishing her soup, and the Doctor who was watching Exusiai wait for the food that he fetched for her and the one she wanted to order. However, looking back at the Doctor, Madam Ch'en watched him carefully while she readied to flick her finger on his hand. Her spoon is filled with soup, slowly moving her hand near his, and all the while Executor is properly seated as he watches them do so.
"Ack!", he suddenly reeled back his right hand, clasping it on his other to relieve it from a sudden pain. The Doctor, who was still having a gaze at a far-off Exusiai, felt a sudden jolt between one of his knuckles. Even with a glove on, he felt the pain run through his bone.
Surveying his surroundings if they were even anything that could harm the knuckles on his hand, he then turned to Madam Ch'en. As usual, Madam Ch'en was still on about her soup. Then he turned to Executor who was plainly looking at him. Though, he couldn't have been the one.
And so, "Aha, so it was you". He then turned to Madam Ch'en, whom he caught her attention, her spoon almost near her mouth. As to which she replied in a curious tone, "Hm?".
"Don't 'hm' me. What was that for?", the Doctor protested.
"Keep it down, will you?", she then took a sip off from her spoon. "And stop looking at her. You're grossing me out."
"Ah- I-, no I wasn't", he quietly hissed at her.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Doctor", Executor commented, followed by a nod.
"Like I said", he coughed. "I wasn't exactly gazing, I was-"
"Admiring? You're too simple", Madam Ch'en cut him off.
"What about it?"
"Beats me, not that I've admired people much in my life."
"What does your admiration mean towards Exusiai, Doctor?", Executor politely questioned him before he could reply to Madam Ch'en.
"She's—".
But before he could continue, Madam Ch'en answered his question before him. "Didn't you know? Exusiai was one of the first ones Rhodes Island recruited. Felt like an angel came to him, that's for sure."
And so, the Doctor continued after a short cough. "She actually was one of the first ones here. Been through a lot actually". He even smirked for a bit from the thought of that.
"Ugh", Madam Ch'en rolled her eyes, starting to poke on the soup with the spoon that almost reached the bottom of the bowl.
"I think I would like to know how long you have been together with Exusiai, Doctor", Executor suggested in a bit more interest.
"Well, I wouldn't say together but, of course", he gladly agreed.
The Doctor began during the time where he had just recollected his consciousness. The place where Reunion started to turn into a wasteland, Chernobog. It was at this time that everything felt like Terra had been scorched with flames. Well, somewhat literally. His team was able to fend off against Mephisto and W, and even a lucky escape against Talulah and her Flame Arts. However, that wasn't exactly the time when Exusiai had arrived. It was before the operation to retrieve a certain infected which unfortunately turned into a tragedy.
Before that operation, Amiya, the Doctor and all others who survived came back to Rhodes Island. And in a few days, the Doctor was given a folder by Kals'tit filled with ten pieces of paper. She said it was a list of those who were recruited by the higher-ups. But he suspected it was by Amiya and her who arranged it. Then the next day, the new recruits came into Rhodes Island. Among one of them was Exusiai, who he was apparently drawn to most of the time. Then the operation began. Exusiai excused herself and took a leave off Rhodes Island the day before and met with them again in the slums along with Texas, her colleague and friend from Penguin Logistics. Apparently, she had work to do in Penguin Logistics the day before and is now accompanied by Texas and them.
And so, by the following days after the tragedy of Skullshatterer and the so-called asset that the LGD could have gotten, Madam Ch'en joined Rhodes Island as well, along with more others that came over. Rhine Lab, Blacksteel, Kjerag, and more others that he apparently lost count of.
Apparently even solo operators from different regions came to Rhodes Island as well. All or most of them pledging to their alliance with Amiya and the Doctor. Those were fine times, he thought. But even so, people still come to Rhodes Island, whether they be to save the Infected or to ally themselves with the association. It seems that word came out pretty often and that the infamous Rhodes Island is one's go-to if one were to be treated as well.
"I am chosen to be recruited here, if I may", Executor calmly interrupted him.
"I-, uhm, yes you were", the Doctor replied after. "And so-"
"Hey, hey, what are you guys talking about here. That's unfair", a voice spoke from their right.
Seeing Exusiai appear already near them, the Doctor stopped and silenced himself. He didn't want to sound too eager talking about his 'admiration' for Exusiai. She even looked confused why the sudden quietness all of a sudden. As to which the Doctor swatted away the topic at hand. Unsettled by his worrying, she instead presented the tray that she held on both hands as she walked back to the table. On the tray was a medium-sized plate half-full of curry and rice on the side, a medium-sized bowl filled with ramen and it's colorful toppings, and another curry dish with an additional one quarter apple pie on the side. For starters, everyone at the table knew who ordered the apple pie and Executor picked up his curry and plopped it down near him.
The ramen was apparently intended for the Doctor. To which Exusiai remembered that Gummy herself handed it to her and that it was a surprise for the Doctor too. And finally, the curry and the apple pie for Exusiai, who gladly hummed picking up her own meal and placing the tray off to another table.
With a clap of their hands together and short nod, the trio began to chow down on their cafeteria-made food. The Doctor probably moved up a bit of his hood, revealing a small tuft of his dark hair that seemed to even glisten. Madam Ch'en even observed for a while before she finally finished up all of her soup. Executor poked his curry for a bit, thinking if it was poisoned or anything and even sniffed it if it was. To his relief, he scooped up a portion of the curry and opened his mouth. It tastes just like it always does, a bit of heat but still flavorful. Exusiai on the other hand, enjoys her meal very much. Well, too much to be exact. For a hearty girl like her, it seems that there's no food she couldn't eat. Unless of course, for any apple pie she gets ahold of. Finishing her meal pleasantly, she sliced a small part of the quarter pie and savored it in her mouth. It was sweet, rich in... apples.
In the middle of their meal, Madam Ch'en excused herself. She told them she had matters to attend to. Well, that and Miss Swire calling her through her phone and questioning her whereabouts why she was talking so long to return to headquarters. And as if Madam Ch'en couldn't seem anymore exasperated, she turned her phone towards a noodle-hungry Doctor and two other Sankti enjoying their curry. Apparently, it was a video call through Madam Ch'en's phone. The Doctor looked stunned that he stopped midway from slurping up a spoonful spoon, and so did the others.
"Aha, my, my. How rude of me", Miss Swire sounded like she wanted to excuse herself from the commotion.
Slowly, Exusiai and Executor went back to eating. While the Doctor still stared at the phone, slowly lifting up the spoon he slowly scooped from his bowl.
"Hey, Ch'en, you didn't tell me we are at a cafeteria", she muttered, sounding more annoyed than before. "And don't just show me people eating!"
"And whose fault do you think it is, Little Miss?", Madam Ch'en grinned, thinking of putting up a sly expression but dismissed it.
"UHH, why you-", she stopped and then sighed. "Either way, just get over here. And tell the Doctor I have to see him".
"While he's eating or a bit more later?"
"What do you mean later? Of course, right now. It wouldn't be more rude anymore", Miss Swire huffed.
Overall, the Doctor could even hear their conversation. Actually, everyone by the table could hear both of them. And before Madam Ch'en could hand him her phone, he wiped off a bit of soup on his mouth. "Here, Doctor", she handed him her phone as he was done getting ready.
"Hello? Doctor, that's you, right?", Miss Swire squinted a bit to see.
"A-ah, yes, Miss Swire. I've been handed the phone", he politely replied. "Is it the wifi not responding?"
"Ah, no, no. I was just teasing you a bit, hehe", she said impishly. "Back to the topic, it seems you are tasked to lead a Cargo Escort tomorrow in the afternoon. I informed Miss Kal'tsit and she accepted it, handing the responsibility which is no problem for you now, would it?"
"I don't think it may seem to be of any difficulty, Miss Swire", the Doctor agreed. "I'll be seeing Kal'tsit then afterwards".
"Yes, yes. Not to worry then. I'll be coming over there tomorrow as well just like Ch'en, so if she comes here now, we wouldn't be stuck here with work for tomorrow", facing to her left, turning to Madam Ch'en.
"And that's why you want me to get back so soon?", she sighed. "Poor thing..."
"Hey! Don't pity me, Ch'en! It's not just me who has all these heavy tasks. You do too, you know."
"I finished all my tasks before I even came here, not much else to do", she calmly said.
"Well, something just came up, and now I need you here!", she coughed and then turned to the Doctor. "I'll leave it up to you Doctor, and tell her to get up and get here. Now."
At last the call hung up and Madam Ch'en replied too late. "Tsk, curse her", she muttered, and then she also muttered something in Lungmen. Somewhat like a curse and other more nasty things. The other three then bid goodbye to Madam Ch'en for now. She fixed up her coat and patted her shorts, picking up her two blades, one that she slung around her with it's sheath and one on her hand. She then bowed shortly in front of them, commenting it had been a good time sitting around with, well, friends. The latter bid her off, and then continued on finishing their meals.
