The reception room was exactly how Rachel didn't want it to be. Warm, cozy, and annoyingly silent due to the three of them sitting around a coffee table having tea at 9:15 in the evening. Gerard had quickly come back to give them two pots of tea, same ones in porcelain and caledon.
This time, Rachel took the chamomile, preventing herself from making the situation even more stressful in which L-theanine was useless.
"So," Will started. "It's been a while."
"It has," Rachel said.
"Sixteen months, if I recall."
"You recall correctly," the only reason why Rachel knew was because grandmother had reminded her. In her peripheral view, it was clear that Isla tried to hold back her laugh.
"The weather in Toronto is quite cold this time of year," Will said.
"It's January."
"Yes. January." Rachel grabbed the tea, reached for a pot, but then stopped. "Would you like chamomile tea or green tea?"
Isla's shoulders started shaking as she looked away. At least one of them was having fun.
"It's quite late, so chamomile tea please."
Rachel took the caledon pot, knowing full well it was the green tea, and then poured for Will, handing it to him after she filled it to the brim.
"Thank you," Will forced a smile.
"You're quite welcome," Rachel said. The 'quite' in that sentence didn't quite suit her diction, but Will probably wouldn't catch on. Isla, on the other hand, although she wasn't audibly laughing, was almost heaving. The thing she wanted to do the most right now was kick her under the table.
Isla took a deep breath and then cleared her throat. "So! How's life lately? How about them rifts, eh?"
Sipping on the cup, Will's expression visibly changed, but that disappeared just as fast. "Actually, yes. I just came back from one last month. A Class 4 rift located near Romania. A desert type."
"Desert type? That sounds awful. All that sand. Do you like sand, Will?" Isla made a face that looked like she was clearly interested. To Rachel, clearly not. She was humouring him.
"The sand wasn't the issue, surprisingly. It was the worms."
"Worms?" Rachel asked. Worm-type beasts were not too uncommon in rifts. Though she never ran into one herself. Thankfully too. Worms did sound like they were slimy creatures.
"Desert worms, yes. I went in expecting these massive creatures. The kind you see in films. Burrowing through the sand, large enough to swallow a building whole." Will waved his hand around to make himself look bigger.
"And?" Isla leaned forward.
"Instead, what we got were the size of dogs."
"Dogs?" Isla asked.
"Small dogs. Like the size of a pomeranian." Will laughed. "Though I say, it was a horrific twist. They kept trying to bite onto our legs. Hundreds of them at a time, chasing you like rabid dogs."
Isla burst out laughing, but then stopped as she noticed the glare from beside her.
"At least you cleared it," Rachel said.
"Barely. What about you? I heard you were rifted by the Silver Lions. A month, wasn't it?"
Rachel's grip on her teacup tightened slightly. She didn't particularly want to talk about the RAE rift, but she also couldn't just say nothing.
"It was an unclassified Rift. We got stuck inside for longer than expected. Time dilation was 5 to 1, rift to Earth. Technically, we stayed there for 5 months."
Will's eyebrows rose. "How was the rift?"
"It was a tech rift, though what was annoying were the inhabitants."
"Inhabitants?"
"Transhumans. A cult called the Tekanimantus."
"And those were?"
"Just crazy people using technology to replace their organs, limbs, and brains," Rachel said. "All in pursuit of immortality, I think that's how it went. Dunno. I forgot what the guy said."
"That's quite ambitious." Will looked fascinated.
"Their whole philosophy was about being 'free of the flesh's weakness.'" Rachel said it with air quotes.
Isla laughed. "Rid thyself from the weakness of thy flesh, become immortal, Tekanimantus!"
"That's basically what that guy said except for 2 minutes and 53 seconds."
"That's an oddly specific number."
"Just an inside joke. Nothing about it."
Isla chuckled and then asked, "Did you give idiot #1 his money though?"
"Yeah, and he was an idiot about it," Rachel said.
"Define how he idiot'ed about it."
"He took the bill, smelled it, licked it, pointed at everyone, and then smelled it even more with his own saliva on it."
"Ew, that's not a sight I wanna see."
"No one did. Even his brother smacked him in the head."
"Clyde's not that bad, right? Not as bad as him."
"Hell no. Those two are the same. Clyde's just quiet." Rachel closed in on her face. "Don't you dare think either of them have any redeeming qualities!"
"I'm not! But you all seem close now. You didn't even send me food pics of what you ate at Fran's!"
"You wanna see diner food? Really?"
"Yes."
"No, you don't."
"I send you a pic of my breakfast everyday and you never reply."
"It's always the same thing! 2 eggs and a toast. What do I say?"
"You could say: 'Oh Isla dear, how delicious of a breakfast you are having. It looks so good. Will you please make for me too?' Something like that, I don't know."
"That sounds dumb."
"You're dumb."
Will cleared his throat. Both of them turned their attention back to him.
"So I saw in the Aurian Times," Will said, "something interesting happened at Sterling Institute recently."
Rachel coughed.
"A student apparently escaped the barrier. The one erected by the caffeine transcendent." Will tilted his head. "They're calling him some kind of prodigy. First person to ever find a gap in that barrier's security."
"Oh?" Rachel said.
"Quite impressive, really. The article said the whole faculty was in an uproar about it. Had to restructure their entire security routines. The professors now are on a rotation to keep the perimeter secure at 2AM in the morning in case students try to exploit the weakness."
Isla glanced at Rachel with a look that said, 'Is this about who I think it's about?'
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Rachel told her to shut up with her eyes.
"Speaking of Sterling," Will said, "the upcoming tournament should be interesting. Sterling versus Ordo Trianguli Aurei."
"Ah yes, your school," Rachel said, grateful for the topic change.
"My alma mater, yes. I still keep up with the tournament results." Will smiled. "We've won the last three years running."
"Wow. Amazing," Rachel said sarcastically, though it seemed like Will didn't get it.
"It is indeed so. Though, I hear there is a promising senior year student this year at Sterling. The student named Mikael."
"Hm. Yes. Mikael. I don't know him. What about him?" Rachel asked.
"There's been some videos circulating," William said, pulling out his phone. "The man named Mikael was one shot by a feral."
He tapped his screen a few times, then turned the phone around to show Rachel and Isla.
On the screen was a video. Low quality, clearly recorded by the students spectating the fight. Two figures in an arena. One was Mikael and the other was clearly Gale while she was on the sidelines with the twins.
When the video played, a massive explosion occurred in the student made arena and next thing everyone knew, Mikael was on the ground.
"One punch," William said. "Knocked out a senior in one punch. And from what I understand, this feral is relatively new to Sterling."
"He's not a student there," Rachel said. "He was just... visiting."
"Visiting and decided to participate in a brawl?"
"It's complicated."
William put his phone away, but his eyes stayed on Rachel. "You seem to know him quite well."
"He's a friend."
"Just a friend?"
"Yes. Just a friend." Rachel looked away to Isla who was grinning.
"I see." William's tone suggested he didn't quite believe her. "And what about the Path twins? Kyle and Clyde? I noticed in the Aurian Times coverage of the Sterling incident that they were mentioned as well. Something about them being involved in the search for the student who broke through the barrier."
"They're also friends. We worked together on a few things recently."
"Friends," William said slowly. "You seem to have made quite a few new friends."
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. I'm simply curious about those around you. Also heard Oliver Glory was involved in the rift incident by the Silver Lions."
Clearly, William was doing some snooping around her. Rachel didn't mind. That was normal in her world, and one she was also guilty of.
"Speaking of friends," Isla cut in, "how's Mo doing?"
Will's smile faltered, almost stammering on his first syllable. "Mo?"
"Why yes, Mo, the French girl, the one who models for Rumi storages. So very French, blonde too," Isla said. "You two went official after that Romania rift, didn't you? Hand in hand too."
"We did, but... that rift was a long time ago."
"A long time ago? Now what does that mean, Mr. Elisworth?"
Rachel sipped her chamomile tea, leaning forward as she waited for Will's answer. Isla had a knack for provoking more information out of men who couldn't handle the prodding. From the looks of it, Will was off guard.
"It... means nothing. We were truly never officially a couple, might I say," Will said.
Isla pulled out her phone, searching for an article on 'The Daily Witching', an Aurian news site meant for celebrity and ranker gossip.
"Lookie lookie, what do we got here? You were seen visiting Neomie's home in France on almost a weekly basis." Isla turned her phone around to Will. "And guess what? There's also an article that says you stopped just about 6 months ago, which coincides with Rachel departing for Castle World Rift that was said to be a fairly dangerous rift."
"It wasn't that dangerous..." Rachel said.
"Shhh!" Isla slapped her thigh.
Will looked between both of them, unable to utter a word. For a couple of awkward seconds, he moved his head as if thinking to himself.
For celebrities, even for Rachel, The Daily Witching would never let go of them. They'd even run some articles already about the relationship between her and the feral of Sterling Institute. One quick call to the head of the press, and they changed the 'feral' to a much better name, 'the wild boy'. Though she tried to get all the articles removed, they had refused her, and that was all she could get.
Will sighed and then said, "Okay. Neomie and I... are no longer together."
"Oh?" Isla's eyebrows rose. "When did that happen?"
"About six months ago."
"Six months." Isla nodded slowly, as if she was doing math in her head. "So The Daily Witching was right, eh?"
"Right. So what?"
"You see, my dear man, brother, William Elisworth, The Daily Witching even called you two the power couple of this generation. Both of you, Mid-Resonant, powering through rifts together hand in hand, photo ops together." Isla smirked. "So what happened? You two seemed so happy?"
"Happy is subjective. The cameras can't see behind closed doors, can they?"
"So you two were faking it? Why?"
"We weren't. We just had a bit of disagreements."
"Disagreements that led to a break up. Rachel, does it make sense to you?" Isla asked.
"Definitely not. Which is even more interesting," Rachel said.
"What's interesting?" Will asked.
"Well whatever," Isla said, waving off the last question. "So who broke up with who?"
"I said we needed to talk about the future and what I need."
"Did you ask her what she needed?"
"I don't see a point in that. She can get what she needs from my family."
"Just because your family is bigger?"
"Exactly," Will confirms.
"So how did she see it?"
"She said it was unfair. But I don't see how. My family can provide her any equipment she needs to advance safely. What I need is what she needs."
"Rachel, thoughts?" Isla turned to her.
Rachel gulped at Isla's sharp question. Now that she thought about it, the way she treated Gale wasn't very fair. She wasn't exactly nice when she made him confess all the events that happened to him in the Eclipsed. It was her pushing him to get him to comfort her because she was the one that needed it.
Even now, she treated Gale as if all he needed to do was allow her to give him everything. Even told him to call her first whenever she needed to ask something. She never really asked him what he really needed or wanted.
That was completely unfair to him.
"Rachel?" Isla nudged her.
"Yeah?" Rachel spoke up immediately, shaking off the trailing thoughts. "Oh, yeah. Wouldn't that be an unfair relationship for Neomie?"
"Why would it be unfair? She's the one that is benefiting the most."
Rachel clenched her fists. Those were her grandmother's exact words. Her own benefits trickled down to those around her regardless if they wanted it or not. Just like the ring she gave to Gale.
"Rachel? You ok?" Isla asked.
"I'm fine, go on," Rachel said, gulping. Now, all she wanted to do was leave her house and go find Gale. But what would she even say? Sorry for pushing him to stay close to her?
For what? They weren't a couple.
"Ok, let's cut the b.s., Mr. Elisworth William boy," Isla said. "She broke up with you, didn't she?!"
Will shifted backwards into his seat. His expression remained neutral, but his body said otherwise.
"So I was right?" Isla said.
"Fine. She did. So what? It's her mistake for doing so and letting go of all the benefits. We were never compatible in the first place."
"You're starting to sound like a stupid young master, did you know that?" Isla asked.
"I graduated at the top of O.T.A. I'm far from stupid. Watch your tongue, Ms. Isla."
Isla's expression hardened. "I'm guessing that happened 6 months ago, eh? But here's what confuses me. Hypothetically, let's say you were the one who broke up with her and because you two weren't compatible, and it was your choice, and you're totally over her... the first thing you do is fly across the ocean to see another woman?"
"Why of course. I heard about Rachel's disappearance. That would be an obvious result. I've had my fair share of rift raids with the young lady."
"Rachel is not a backup option."
Rachel tried to nudge Isla away from the questioning, but Isla pushed her hand away.
"W-what do you mean?" Will said.
The slight stutter was clear enough to both Rachel and Isla.
Will continued, "She is someone I care about from fighting life and death with in rifts. Must I say more?"
"Oddly interesting choices of extended words." Isla leaned forward. "Rachel, what exactly did Gerard say when he announced Will's visit?"
"He said William Elisworth wishes to see me," Rachel said, emphasizing heavily on a specific word.
"Wishes, wishes, wishes." Isla turned back to Will with a smile that clearly put Will on edge. "Not 'wants to discuss family matters.' Not 'has business with the Ann family.' Just 'wishes to see you.' Very personal. Very... romantic, even."
"It's a formal phrasing that you wouldn't understand in our world, Ms. Isla. Being mundane and all has its limits."
Rachel's clenched fist sparked couple of times, but Will didn't flinch.
"Is it? Because when Abigail's business partners visit, Gerard says they're here for a meeting. When Rachel's grandmother's people come, they have 'matters to discuss.'" Isla turned her head to the side while still tracking Will's expression with her eyes. "But you just wished to see Rachel. We all know what this means coming from a man, don't we?"
Will reached for his tea and took a long sip, clearly stalling.
"Two years ago. That gala in London. You and Mo were on the floor. Rachel and I were eating our hearts out by a table. Guess what we saw?" Isla suddenly said as he sipped his tea. "Your eyes were all over Rachel. Didn't you even see Neomie's face whenever you looked away from her?"
"Idiot," Rachel said.
"This line of questioning serves no purpose. Ms. Isla, this gossiping needs to stop. All I wished for was to inquire about Rachel's wellness due to the Silver Lion's vile deeds."
Isla leaned forward. "It's a simple question, Mr. William Elisworth of the big big family. Rachel or Mo. Who caught your eye first when you first met them in the '65 Madrid Class 3 rift raid?"
"It's more of a matter of compatibility, Ms. Isla. The Ann family's prestige goes beyond the Mos and can certainly rival the Elisworth family. Therefore, is it not obvious that paving relations with the Ann family through the young lady is the best course?"
"So then, it's what you need, not what Rachel needs? Same thing you did to Neomie."
Will sighed. "I wouldn't expect you to understand Aur politics, Ms. Isla, but you are definitely stepping over bounds."
"More excuses."
"The situation of the reality isn't an excuse, Ms. Isla," Will said. "Speaking of relationships, I am quite interested in this feral that was seen with the young lady a couple of days ago."
"Oooh, you talking about Gale?"
"I see. His name is Gale."
"So what about him?" Rachel said, a note lower than normal.
"I'm just curious," Will said. "A feral with no background, hanging out with the vulgar Path twins. I take it they are charity cases for you."
Sparks started flying off Rachel's head, but then Isla took her tea cup and handed it to her, forcing her to sip. However, she pushed the cup away and stared Will straight into his eyes. She said, "So what if he has no background? I bet he'd give you a run for your money."
"Seriously, Rachel? Betting? That's a new one from you."
"Learned it from the vulgar Path twins."
"And that sounds like they're a bad influence on you. Especially the feral. Your charming demeanor has gotten a bit rougher and fiery." Will smirked.
If Isla wasn't in this room, Rachel would have almost certainly punched Will in the face for constantly calling Gale feral. Everything he was saying now was to get a reaction from her, and it was damn working.
But she wasn't going to lose this one.
"He's due for a test. Neutral Grounds in a week or so," Rachel said.
"So?" Will asked.
"Don't act dumb, Mr. Top Graduate at O.T.A."
"Hmph. I guess I'll see him myself in Neutral Grounds then."
"Of course. It's best you don't provoke him though," Rachel said. "For your own safety, of course."
Will forced a smile. "Right. My own safety. As expected. A feral doesn't know civilization."
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