Lunch in the Village

“Come on Derrick, don’t interrupt me!”

“I didn’t—okay maybe I did, but I’m just notifying you guys.”

The group looked down the path, watching the village in the distance enlarge with every passing second.

“ETA is ten minutes, you can continue with your question,” Derrick said.

“So? Your favourite food?” Jimin looked at Voidborn and asked again.

“Mango ice cream.”

“What? You? Mr Emotionless? Mango ice cream?”

Voidborn nodded.

“What do you like about it? Isn’t meat a much better choice? I looove meat — chicken, beef, fish, seafood. Gosh, thinking about it makes my mouth water.”

“It’s sweet. I like mangoes.”

“Why are you judging him? I like rainbow sherbet ice cream too!” Rei said.

“Anyway, ice cream doesn't count,” Jimin pouted. “Another one.”

“Mango cheesecake.”

“… You really like desserts, huh?”

“And mangoes.”

“Fine,” Jimin said with a grin. “I shall take note of that.”

“Why? You interested in Voidborn?” Derrick asked.

“N-no? I'm just simply curious.”

White, purple and a faint trace of yellow. Honest curiosity. Yellow perhaps due to embarrassment.

“I really like desserts too, by the way,” Jimin batted her eyelids at Voidborn. “I like sweet stuff, especially glazed donuts and jellies.”

“Okay.”

Voidborn stared at her blankly, unsure what to do with the information.

“Are you done with your question?” Derrick asked as he slowed the cart slightly.

“Yes. Why?”

“Do I get to ask anything?”

“Fine. Ask away.”

“I have three questions.”

“What? Why do you get three!”

“You guys played three rounds, of course I get three questions. And don't worry. I did my job. Once we stop for lunch, I’ll make something for your butts. I already have the blueprints.”

“Hmmph,” Jimin crossed her arms but nodded reluctantly.

“So, first question. Are you interested in joining the Machinist Union?”

“No.”

“Oh? Why not? We can offer you a proper job along with information. Our archives and networks are deep. Don’t reject me outright and give it some thought. The offer stands until your escort mission ends.”

Voidborn nodded.

“For my next question… how much do you actually know about Reborn types and factions”

“I only know the types,” Voidborn said. “Savage, Scholar, Mechanist, Apothecary, Architect, and Shadow. I do not know much of factions other than the three main ones in Zylos.”

“Hmm… Perhaps we’ll explain later. You’ll need to understand them eventually if you’re going to continue protecting Jimin during her event.”

“Okay.”

“And my final question,” Derrick grinned. “What do you think about Jimin?”

“What?!” Jimin nearly jumped. “Why are you—”

“Shush. It’s my question. Now if you don’t mind, Voidborn?”

Voidborn looked at Jimin.

“She’s beautiful.”

Silence.

Jimin froze.

“Anything else? Derrick pressed smugly. “Her personality, perhaps? What do you like about her? Do you like her?”

“Derrick Yoo!”

“She’s a bit dumb, but she’s kind.”

“You—ugh.” Jimin covered her face. “I’m ignoring the dumb part and focusing on the beautiful and kind.”

Voidborn observed her quietly. Red, blue, pink — anger, embarrassment, happiness.