Xian stepped out of his room, the freshly made clothes draped neatly over his arm. The soft hum of voices reached him as he made his way toward the living room. The children were gathered there, their conversation buzzing with light-hearted topics.
"Do you think there's more food left?" Rico's voice carried, his tone both hopeful and teasing. The scrappy boy leaned back on the couch, his legs kicking idly as he spoke.
"Maybe if you didn't eat like a starving wolf, we'd have enough for tomorrow," Elisa countered, her light blue eyes narrowing playfully at him. Despite her stern words, the corner of her lips twitched with a smile.
"Hey, I wasn't the only one!" Rico protested, pointing at Tobi, who chuckled nervously, his yellow eyes glancing around the room.
"Leave me out of it!" Tobi waved his hands defensively, earning a laugh from Nia, who sat quietly on the side, her soft amber eyes warm with amusement.
"I think you both ate the most," Finn chimed in with a sly grin, his sharp eyes glinting mischievously.
"Traitor!" Rico barked, lunging playfully at Finn, who dodged with ease.
The scene was lively, their laughter filling the space, but as Xian entered the room, the energy shifted. The children noticed him immediately, their eyes drawn to the pile of clothes in his arms. The lively chatter quieted, replaced by a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
Elisa, ever the cautious leader, straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze flickering between Xian and the clothes. "You made those... already?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with disbelief.
Finn's fox-like features froze for a moment before he spoke. "That's... fast. Too fast," he muttered, his clever mind already working through the implications.
The younger ones, Mira and Tobi, exchanged nervous glances. Mira, always timid, clung to the edge of her seat, her green eyes wide with wonder and a hint of fear. Tobi, ever the optimist, tilted his head curiously, his wolfish grin fading as his mind raced with questions.
"How...?" Rico's blunt voice cut through, his messy hair falling into his eyes as he leaned forward. The doubt was evident, but so was the fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of Xian's abilities—though unspoken, it lingered in the air like a shadow.
Elisa's brows furrowed, her light blue eyes searching for answers. Her leadership instincts kicked in, and she was already piecing together possibilities. Finn, ever the thinker, looked equally shaken, though he tried to hide it behind a facade of calm.
Xian smiled faintly, sensing the unease in the room. "Relax. It's nothing strange," he said, his tone deliberately light. He set the clothes down on the table in front of them, the neat piles almost gleaming in the soft light.
"Nothing strange?" Elisa repeated, her tone skeptical. Her protective instincts flared, especially for the younger ones. She exchanged a glance with Nia, who looked equally unsure.
"It's just an art," Xian explained vaguely, shrugging as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
The children didn't seem entirely convinced. Rico opened his mouth to argue, but Elisa shot him a sharp look, silencing him. Still, their expressions betrayed their disbelief.
"Art?" Finn finally said, his tone doubtful. "I've never seen anyone make clothes that quickly—especially not like this."
Xian waved off their skepticism. "You'd be surprised what you can do when you practice," he said nonchalantly, folding his arms.
Mira hesitated, her soft voice barely audible. "But... your eyes," she whispered, her green gaze darting away nervously.
The mention of his eyes made the room go still. The children had all noticed them at some point—the unnerving glow, the way they seemed to pierce through everything. They had never spoken about it directly, but the fear lingered.
Xian sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. "Ah, that," he said with a small chuckle. "I already told, it's just a side effect. Nothing to worry about."
The children exchanged uncertain glances, their unease clear. But before they could voice their concerns, Xian clapped his hands, breaking the tension.
"Alright, enough questions for now," he said, gesturing toward the clothes. "Go ahead and take your pick. Get dressed—we're heading out soon."
"Heading out?" Elisa repeated, her brows furrowing. "Where?"
"You'll see," Xian replied cryptically, his smile faint but reassuring.
Elisa didn't look convinced. "Are you sure it's safe?" she asked, her tone more serious now.
"It is," Xian assured her. "I wouldn't take you somewhere dangerous."
Elisa bit her lip, clearly uneasy. Beside her, Mira fidgeted nervously, her silver hair falling into her face. "But what if—"
"Let's just get dressed," Nia said gently, cutting Mira off. Her soft voice carried a calmness that seemed to ease the tension.
"Yeah, let's not overthink it," Finn added, though his tone was more teasing. He nudged Rico with a smirk. "Besides, I'm sure Xian has it all figured out."
Elisa sighed, finally relenting. "Alright. Let's go." She turned to the girls, nodding toward the bathroom. "Come on."
The girls gathered the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom, their footsteps echoing softly down the hall. The boys stayed in the living room, dividing the remaining clothes among themselves.
Xian watched them for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I'll be waiting outside," he said simply, turning toward the door.
The boys nodded, though their attention was already on their clothes. Tobi held up a jacket, his yellow eyes lighting up with excitement. "This is so cool!" he said, grinning widely.
Rico snorted, rolling his eyes. "It's just a jacket."
"Yeah, but it's a nice jacket," Tobi argued, holding it up proudly.
Finn smirked, shaking his head. "You're such a kid."
Xian chuckled softly to himself as he stepped outside, the door clicking shut behind him. The cool evening air greeted him, and he leaned against the wall, waiting patiently. Behind him, the quiet hum of the house continued, filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.
Despite their doubts, despite their fears, Xian could see it—the tiny spark of trust growing between them. It wasn't much, but it was a start. And for now, that was enough.
.
.
.
.
.
As Xian stepped outside, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face. The faint hum of the city filled the air as he leaned casually against the railing of his front porch, pulling out his communicator. With a few taps, he called for a ride to take them to their destination.
"Should be here in about ten minutes," he muttered to himself as he slipped the device back into his pocket. Crossing his arms, he turned his gaze toward the street, watching the faint glow of streetlights flicker to life.
Minutes passed before the front door creaked open behind him. Turning his head, Xian saw the children stepping out, dressed in clothes that perfectly matched Lungmen's local norms, yet tailored for their individual personalities.
Elisa led the group, her white hair neatly combed and her light blue eyes scanning the surroundings. She wore a practical yet elegant outfit—a high-collared jacket over a modest blouse and trousers, fitting her composed demeanor.
Behind her, Finn strolled out with his usual sly grin. His reddish-orange hair was slightly tousled, giving him an effortlessly stylish look. His jacket had a more modern flair, paired with slim-fit pants and sharp shoes.
Rico looked less comfortable, tugging at the hem of his shirt. "Why does this feel so stiff?" he complained, his messy brown hair sticking up in all directions. His outfit, though well-made, was simpler, reflecting his brash and straightforward nature.
"Because you never wear anything that isn't covered in dirt," Finn quipped, earning a glare from Rico.
Mira peeked out from behind Nia, her silver hair shining faintly in the dim light. She clutched the edge of her skirt nervously, her big green eyes darting around. Her dress was simple but adorable, with a soft pastel hue that suited her shy nature.
Nia, ever the calm one, placed a reassuring hand on Mira's shoulder. Her rabbit ears twitched slightly as she smiled. She wore a light sweater and skirt, the warm tones complementing her gentle personality.
Tobi brought up the rear, his dark gray hair looking slightly neater than usual. His outfit was casual yet tidy—a hoodie layered under a lightweight jacket. His bright yellow eyes scanned the area with curiosity.
"You all clean up well," Xian commented with a smirk.
"You're the one who made these," Finn said, raising an eyebrow. "Where are we even going, anyway?"
The question hung in the air, and the others looked at Xian expectantly.
Xian tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "You'll see," he said vaguely, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Why do you keep saying that?" Elisa pressed, her arms crossed. "We need to know where we're going. And... why did you make us dress like this?"
"It's part of the job," Xian replied smoothly.
"Job?" Rico echoed, narrowing his eyes. "What job? You've been dodging that question since we got here."
Xian shrugged, his relaxed demeanor making it clear he wasn't planning to elaborate. "You'll find out soon enough. Just trust me."
The children exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Trust you?" Elisa muttered under her breath, her expression conflicted.
Xian caught the remark but chose not to respond. Instead, he gestured toward the street. "Come on, follow me. The ride will be here soon."
The group hesitated for a moment before falling in line behind him. As they walked, the tension began to ease, and the children started chatting among themselves.
"This city is so... big," Mira said softly, her eyes wide as she took in the towering buildings and bustling streets.
"It's nothing like the place we came from," Nia added, her voice tinged with awe.
"Yeah, but look at all the people," Tobi said, grinning. "It's kinda exciting, don't you think?"
"Exciting for you, maybe," Rico grumbled. "I feel like we're gonna get lost."
"You'd get lost in a closet," Finn teased, earning a playful shove from Rico.
Xian walked ahead, listening to their banter with a small smile. The city unfolded around them, shifting from the quieter residential streets to the livelier downtown area. Neon signs flickered to life, casting colorful reflections on the sleek surfaces of nearby buildings. The hum of distant conversations and the occasional honk of a car filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Finally, they reached the waiting area. A sleek, well-kept taxi pulled up in front of them, its headlights cutting through the evening haze.
"Hop in," Xian said, opening the door and sliding into the front passenger seat.
The children followed, piling into the backseat with some hesitation.
"Afternoon, Xian," the driver greeted warmly. The man was older, his gray hair neatly combed, and his kind eyes crinkled with a smile.
"Good to see you, Mr. Han," Xian replied with a nod.
"Didn't expect to see you this time of the day," Mr. Han said as he started the meter. "And who are these little ones?"
Before Xian could answer, Elisa spoke up. "We're... we're his assistants," she said hesitantly, glancing at Xian for confirmation.
"Assistants, huh?" Mr. Han chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Must be important if Xian's got you all dressed up."
"They're helping with a new business I'm starting," Xian explained casually. "We're on our way to finalize some preparations."
"A new business?" Mr. Han raised an eyebrow. "Well, you better let me know when it's up and running. I'll come by and give you some support."
"Of course," Xian said with a faint smile. "You'd be our first customer."
The two men exchanged a few light-hearted jokes, their familiarity putting the children at ease. Mira, who had been sitting quietly, whispered to Nia, "He seems... nice."
Nia nodded, her amber eyes softening. "Yeah. I think we can trust him."
Rico, ever the skeptic, muttered under his breath, "Maybe. But I still don't get what his deal is."
Finn leaned closer to Rico, smirking. "Relax. Worst case, we just bolt."
Elisa shot them both a look, silencing any further comments.
"Where to, then?" Mr. Han asked as he turned onto the main road.
"Downtown, near Sixth Street," Xian replied. "I've got a few errands to run, and the kids need to see the place."
The conversation flowed easily as the taxi made its way through the city. The children listened quietly, their initial doubts slowly giving way to a cautious sense of security.
For now, they were content to follow Xian's lead, even if they didn't fully understand his plans.