Dylan and Robert proceed with their Rebirths.
“Where’s Robert?” Jimin asked, watching the Wordwraiths walk into the reception area. Mina and Bob were there too, waiting for everyone to arrive.
“He’s waiting for Chaewon,” Senia said. “Apparently she has some meeting with Gaeul right now and Robert’s afraid she’ll not survive the wait for the elevator because you know, gagging.”
“Ahhh~” Jimin nodded with a smug, closing her cookbook in her hands.
“He said they’ll both join us directly at Spellbound headquarters, so we can just go,” Dylan said. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
Jimin blushed.
“B-Bathroom. Had to take a poop.”
“Unnie…” Rei groaned. “That's too much information. I didn't need to know that.”
Right then, Voidborn walked out from the washroom, approaching the group.
“Heyo, Jimin’s boyfriend,” Dylan waved.
Voidborn gave a small greeting nod.
“Did’ya have a good poop?”
Senia smacked Dylan’s shoulder.
“You idiot! Why would you ask that?”
“I was just trying to be friendly!”
Senia shook her head and apologised to Voidborn.
“Please ignore him.”
“It's alright,” Voidborn said. “I don't mind.”
“See?” Dylan chuckled and poked Senia’s shoulder. “He doesn't mind. So… how was it?”
“It was good.”
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Why wouldn't I?”
“I don't know, some people don't wash their hands when they leave the washroom.”
“I do wash them. With soap too. Twice at least.”
“That's good… that's good,” Dylan muttered. “It wouldn't be nice if you didn't and held hands with your girlfriend.”
“Anyway, let's go already,” Senia said. “Joy is already at the headquarters waiting for us.”
“Alright then.”
Jimin stood up and called out to Mina and Bob, who acknowledged and joined the group, leaving the building. They took the bus like yesterday, making their way down the extravagant zone towards Spellbound.
“Why is it you again today?” Rei asked, looking at Bob as she sat behind him on the bus.
“I’m not needed today. Plus, I will be the permanent one following your group, so be prepared to be sick of my face.”
“Ehhh, why though? Didn't Gaeul say you guys will be rotated?”
“She needs the others more,” Bob explained. “There's been a surge of criminal incidents such as infighting, assault, domestic violence and even homicides. She has her hands full just trying to manage the countless reports coming from most of the Empire’s detective branches.”
He waved his hands in the air and made a translucent air barrier.
“I’m more attuned and specialised in defence rather than offense, so I’ll be the perfect fit to protect you guys.”
“That make sense,” Rei said.
Silence.
“That's it?” Bob asked.
“What?”
“You ended our conversation just like that?”
“Yes? I asked my question. You gave me the answer. I have no more questions. Of course I would end the conversation. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Err no?”
“See? Then there's no issue right?”
“I guess?”
The bus ride returned to the awkward silence. Jimin was drawing shapes on Elian’s thighs, Senia playing with Dylan’s rebirth stone. Bob just sat there watching everyone in awkward silence, hoping someone would talk to him, but no one did. Rei scribbled in her tome without stop, Derrick fiddling with some gadget, even Mina was occupied with just staring at Voidborn.
“Maybe I should have just rejected this assignment…” he muttered.
Just one more stop and they all alighted the bus. They headed into Spellbound, seeing Joy already there, waiting for them while seated in the couch.
“Robert?” Joy asked.
“He’ll be late,” Senia said.
Joy frowned. “He's not chickening out right?”
“Nah, he's waiting for Chaewon.”
“Alright then. We can start with Dylan first. I’ll let them know to shift Robert’s appointment to a later slot and let others go first.”
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