"So now that's over!" began Lexis, "How 'bout all of us go and grab ourselves some dinner. Artis, since you are new, you might not know places where to eat and all that, so how 'bout it? Wanna join us?"
Artis paused, considering the invitation. It had been a whirlwind of a day, and he hasn't been able to rest properly and he was still processing the events of what happened in past few days. The idea was tempting, but considering his financial situation and his well being, he made his decision.
"Thanks for the offer, Lexis, but I must decline the offer." Artis said sheepishly, looking down as he scratched his head, "Maybe next time once I am feeling well."
"Wha-" muttered Lexis, not expecting to be rejected, "You're really going to pass up dinner? C'mon let's go na! It'll be fun with us three. Hell, I even invited another friend of ours to the dinner. Will you really not meet our other friend!?"
"Sorry guys...But I'll pass on the offer. I am really exhausted. Maybe next time."
Ray sighed, putting a hand on Lexis' shoulder, "Let's not force him Lex, besides, its not like we can't have lunch tomorrow together, right? Let him go for tonight."
Lexis looked down, biting her lip for a moment, before sighing, "Alright fine! But next time! You will join us and I won't hear no for an answer. If you say no, I'll beat you up and drag you there if I have to, got it?"
Artis could only weakly chuckle at that remark, "Yeah, Yeah....next time, I'll come. It's a promise!"
With saying that, Artis turned around and waved his hand saying goodbye leaving Ray and Lexis behind.
As he was leaving, he mentally checked his current balance which was currently 230 Grands and sighed thinking he has temporarily solved his financial problems. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to cover his immediate needs, and he felt a little more secure than he had earlier.
He remembered one of his times in Inloen where Alice once complained about their financial problems in one of their dinners.
'You have no idea how hard I have to work everyday just so I can earn 200 Sickles a week, Artis. Give me my flowers and acknowledgement now little brother, before you lose your chance to give it to me. Huhu.'
'You will get your acknowledgement once you learn how to act like an adult, Sis!'
A small self-depricating smile crept on Artis' face remembering this memory as mix of complicated feelings were forming and churning inside him. Keeping his emotions in check and walking with a straight face, he got himself noodles from one of the stalls for dinner as he returned to his apartment and went to sleep.
...
Palmer Restaurant, 9:00 PM
At Palmer Restaurant, the atmosphere was lively, buzzing with chatter and clinking utensils. The restaurant's decor was warm, with soft amber lighting hanging from the wooden beams on the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over the tables. Each table was set with simple white plates and basic cutlery.
The scent of spices and freshly cooked dishes filled the air, mingling with the low hum of lively conversation. The crowd was a mix of regulars and newcomers, all enjoying the jazz playing in the background.
At one of the tables, Lexis and Ray sat there eating a few pieces of fish cutlets and drinking few glasses of water.
"Damn!" muttered Lexis as she spoke while eating her cutlet, "I can't believe Artis turned down free dinner! Who in the world turns down free dinner?"
Ray chuckled, picking at his own cutlet. "Guess he's not as easy to bribe as we thought. But, to be fair, he did look exhausted."
Lexis rolled her eyes. "Still, though! He could've at least let us treat him for one night. It's like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."
Ray took a sip of water, thoughtful. "I don't know…maybe he's just got a lot going on. Sometimes when you're new, everything feels heavy."
Lexis sighed, leaning back, "Maybe."
There was a moment of silence between them as nobody spoke. Their eyes hardened and expression turned serious before they spoke at the same time.
"Ray." "Lexis."
""That Professor was hiding something from us wasn't he?""
Their voices overlapped, both of them pausing, surprised at their mutual thought. Ray leaned forward, lowering his voice as he continued, "I thought I was imagining it at first, but...the way he kept dodging certain questions? It was strange. Like he didn't want us to know the whole truth."
Lexis nodded, agreeing with the sentiment, "Yeah, and remember the face he made once Artis handed him that book? It's like he knew what that book was and only gave us 50 Grand each just to keep our mouth shut..."
"Is Professor in cahoots with whatever was in that Watch Tower? But...it doesn't make any sense why Professor would give us that mission then. Was it just for confirmation then?"
"Perhaps we are jumping the gun and blaming him when he might be completely innocent..." Lexis drank a sip of water as she looked around, "How about it, I tell Sarina what we found and she and her Patrol squad can go there and discover whatever the hell is going on?"
"~Whatever is what going on? Lexis? Ray?" Both of them flinched by the sudden callout of their names by the cold with a hint of mischief voice they were familiar with.
Turning around, they saw a young girl in her late teens with a round face with sharp facial features, blonde hair tied in a ponytail, having fair yet beautiful skin that was almost pale, wearing a pink jacket and short blue shorts, but the most striking feature of her body was the red ruby eyes that seemed like she could see through anything.
"Oh! H-Hey Amari...Wh-What brings you here?" asked Lexis stuttering while struggling to make eye contact with her.
"What brings me here? Girl you invited me for dinner! Saying you want to introduce to the new guy Ray keeps talking about. So, where is he?"
Lexis shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her face flushing slightly, "Uh, well, Artis… he's not joining us tonight. He, um, had some stuff to take care of."
Amari raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Stuff to take care of? Or just avoiding socializing? I swear, Ray talks about him like he's some sort of mystery, and here we are—he's not even at dinner!"
Ray interjected quickly, trying to ease the tension. "He really did look exhausted, Amari. We tried to convince him, but you know, maybe next time?"
"Next time, huh?" Amari's ruby eyes glinted mischievously. "I'll hold you to that. But don't worry, I'm here now! I could use a distraction anyway."
Lexis sighed in relief, thankful for the change in topic. "Well, at least you're here! So, how's your day been?"
"Oh, you know," Amari said, her tone lightening. "Just the usual but today was different. So you know, how I talk to my dad about his research and how in few days I'll be going to the forest...Well I had an argument with him before I bumped into Ray and was pretty annoyed the whole day. Well, my annoyance increased even more once I bumped into a mannerless person, Ugh!" she closed her eyes in annoyance and waved her hair, "Well after that, I went to library to read about Ancient Ferrum and other legends to make my notes. Found absolutely nothing, seriously why is history before Calamity so distorted!"
"And?" Ray pressed on.
"And after that, I went to BattleGrounds to let off some steam-which was very helpful by the way-and then I went back to my room and slept for a while. After that, I received a message from you that you invited me here saying the new guy will be here, and here we are!"
Lexis chuckled, shaking her head. "Sounds like quite the day. I'm glad you made it here, at least! So, what about this 'mannerless person'? Was he cute at least?"
Amari rolled her eyes dramatically. "Cute? Maybe? Insufferable? Definitely! If he ever shows up in front of me, I'll definitely beat him up!"
"Haha!" Ray couldn't help but laugh, "Wow, never seen you act like that before, Amari! That guy must've seriously pissed you off if you got this mad."
"Well?" Amari replied, grinning, "How did your days go?"
Ray and Lexis shoulders immediately slumped as they let out a long sigh, "It was exhausting! Haaaa..." replied Ray leaning back and looking up.
"Yeah, lemme tell you how my morning started. So morning, Sarina called me to meet up and discuss some details with me....I can't tell you what those details is sorry! It took hours in that meeting before Ray called me telling he needed help with a mission. Because of that, me, him and the new guy-yup, he joined us- went to meet Jax. After that we went to outskirts where we fought a Black Horned Rabbit-"
"Wait What!?" interrupted Amari, "A Black Horned Rabbit? Here? But-"
"We know Amari." Ray stopped her in a calm tone signaling Lexis to continue.
Lexis nodded as she finished rest of the story leaving Amari stunned as she slowly mumbled, "That Watch tower huh?" she looked up, "And you reported it back to my father right?"
"Yup! That's what we were discussing currently." said Ray deciding to keep an important fact to himself, 'Well I can't just say that we suspect her dad to be in cahoots with whoever those guys are right?'
Amari sighed, before speaking with a calm smile, "Guess we all had an eventful day today. And hey, about the new guy, how will you describe him?"
"Definitely mysterious and closed off! Why?" Lexis immediately answered.
Amari looked down fidgeting her fingers, "I don't know. Maybe I am just curious about him. Father keeps mentioning him saying how for whatever reason and since he recruited that guy himself, something that he rarely does, I will get along with that guy and how you and Ray mentioned his fighting style. You can say I am just curious. I only caught his glimpse once when he first visited the lab...But I bet he is definitely better than that guy I bumped into today!"
Ray, hearing her saying that couldn't help but chuckle, 'Oh man, I just remembered Artis mentioning he also met a mannerless girl today. One doesn't speak much and one does nothing but speak. If by any chance its them, then I pray to God they meet tomorrow. I bet they'll definitely get along!'
Thinking of how their interaction would go, the trio enjoyed their dinner while talking in their heartfelt conversation.