Chapter 4:
Exusiai, Executor, and the Doctor were the last ones left at the table. The cafeteria didn't seem to be closing any sooner but they had a feeling that the room might start to close off for the night. Looking at the digital wall clock, the Doctor spoke, "Quarter to 12".
"Hm? You have somewhere to go?", Exusiai asked before biting down on the pie piece she poked with her fork.
"Not exactly but you know, I might oversleep this night", he said.
"Do you not get any sufficient sleep, Doctor?", Executor asked with some concern.
"Unfortunately", he paused to think. "Amiya told me to though, so I guess I am getting some sleep".
"Sounds like Miss Amiya doesn't like the idea of you not sleeping too", Exusiai giggled.
"Yeah, well, she's like the 'mom' for most of us here in Rhodes Island", he smiled.
Executor seemed to agree too, putting a short smile. Meaning that he has witnessed what Amiya really feels towards her colleagues/friends here at Rhodes Island. It was just about a month ago, a few days actually just after his recruitment to Rhodes Island. The Doctor and Amiya were both in the Reception Room and as Executor entered the room, he proceeded inside. Both of them asked him his common information, which was all easy for him. Then came his name on what they were to call him. He responded, "Executor". With that, Amiya extended her hand to him but he looked confused.
"What must I do with your.. hand", he asked.
"A-ah, it's a handshake people normally do like a form of greeting", she responded.
Still uncertain, Executor asked again, "So I do it like that? Your hand".
"Yes, of course", Amiya nodded, though her arm was getting sore.
He then slowly raised his hand then his arm until his hands under his glove touched hers, and then she shook it. He might have felt shocked by the sudden movement that she did but he felt at ease.
"From now on, you are a part of Rhodes Island. Happy to be working with you!", she proclaimed.
The Doctor who sat beside her nodded in agreement, and stood, saying that he'll be a really good help here in Rhodes Island. Once, the handshake was over though, Executor inspected his hand. Although it might be under his glove, he felt Amiya's words come through his hand, from that handshake. And on from there on, he began to learn more from just recon missions and escort missions. Though it might not be what he was initially expected, he now felt certain.
"Hm? Executor, you're done with your food?", the Doctor told him, as he returned from reminiscing.
"A-ah", he looks down on his plate to see small bits of rice and little curry soup. "I see".
"You all right?", Exusiai looks at him.
After a short grin, he answered, "Need not to worry. It seems that I am done".
"Why? Did you want more?", the Doctor asks while slurps up soup from his spoon.
"The meal was enough. Compliments to the chef", he nodded.
"Glad you liked it", a voice from Executor's side said.
From there unveiled a person wearing a long white sweater with his goggles covering up most of his slicked-back hair. The person held two glasses of water in two hands, and surprisingly, another glass held by his cerulean tail. He even smirked at Executor's remark. "Fancy you guys are having a blast at this hour".
"Yo, Ethan", Exusiai extended a fist to him. And he responded gladly, putting down a glass, and fist-bumping it.
"Hey, Ethan, this is really well-made", the Doctor commented as well on his cooking.
"Hehe, you gotta give Gummy some credit too, Doc".
"How long have you been standing there?", Executor asked him, sounding curious.
"I just got here actually", he answered. "Thought I'd spook you guys a bit with three floating glasses, but I guess you three are in a heated discussion".
"Nah, don't mention it. I think we're just wrapping up this night now after the food", the Doctor pointed down on his bowl.
"Huh, that was pretty fast", Ethan stared at the Doctor's almost empty bowl. "Well, here you guys go, three glasses of water since I guess Matterhorn forgot to hand you guys one". He then proceeds to pass them all the three glasses that he held.
"It's fine, it's fine", Exusiai relieved him. "Still, thanks".
"Sure, no prob. Then, I'll be heading back for now. I think we're about to close up a few minutes later so you can just leave the dishes there".
Ethan then disappeared, not being anywhere to be found just like when he got here. Well, it was until the Doctor spotted him by the kitchen's door, opening it as it closes behind him.
"You guys think we should bring it there or..?", the Doctor suggested.
"Yeah, sure. I'm about to finish this pie too", Exusiai answered.
Executor who started to stare at the Doctor after Ethan left was then noticed, having been asked by the Doctor what was wrong. To which Executor responded with a 'Hmm', and then excused himself, leaving the Doctor and Exusiai at the table while also swiftly grabbing his boomstick gun by his side and the dishes he used.
"Hey, what's-", the Doctor stopped, dumbfounded.
"Must be something that just came to him", Exusiai nibbled on her fork with the pie crusts still stuck on it.
"You done now, Exusiai?", he asked her.
Having one last chomp on a crust, she nodded happily. The two of them cleaned up after themselves, picking up some crumbs left on the table. The plates clanged on the table and the dishes clinked from being placed on top of the dishes. They then proceeded to the counter where Ethan was just wiping it off with a white rag. He even looked surprised that they cleaned it up for them but just accepted it instead in the end.
After that, the two of them, the Doctor and Exusiai, walked out of the cafeteria and began to walk slowly through the hallway that they once passed through. Everything seemed to be quiet except for the mellow noises that the whole establishment made.
"Ahh, I'm so full", Exusiai thought. "All that work in Penguin Logistics filled all the hunger in me".
"You were really that tired?", the Doctor sounded curious.
"Hehe, you bet. But now, I feel like melting on a comfy bed", she muttered in a sleepy tone.
"Say..", the Doctor began, then stopped walking.
"Yeah?", Exusiai looked back at him, noticing that he wasn't beside her as she continued to walk.
"You know, uh, some other time, if you're not feeling really 'tired', want to eat outside somewhere in Lungmen?"
"In a restaurant?", she thought.
"Well, if you're free, that is", he added.
"Hmm..", Exusiai pondered. "So it's like a date then."
"Yea- I-i mean, well, sorta", he nervously admitted.
Exusiai then giggled. "Well, if you're just going to ask me out, it would have been simpler like that".
"You sure?", he blurted out.
"If I'm free that is", she blinked at him with one eye. "But for now, I'm gonna head to the dormitories to get my sleep. See ya around, Doctor!".
And with that, the Doctor was the only one left. But even if he is the last one, he felt this kind of weird flare inside him. Somewhat similar to something like a victory moment or so, he thought. "It was.. that easy".
