A/n: What i need is something to read to keep moving, this applies to all of fanfic authors as they reverted to what they originally are.
Ed: Yep, he's on quotes again.
____________________________________
Xian and Mr. Frank stepped out of the pickup truck, the morning sun casting at the clouds warm at it gives a glimpse of glow over the quiet glooming streets. In front of them stood Mrs. Ein, a welcoming smile on her face as she greeted them.
"Good morning, you two," she said, her voice carrying the familiar warmth of someone who had known them for years.
Xian and Mr. Frank responded in unison, "Good morning, Ein/Mrs. Ein." Their voices blended naturally, a habit formed from countless visits to her restaurant.
Mrs. Ein was a Vulpo, her brown hair flowing down her shoulders with black edges that framed her face. She wore a simple yet elegant long-sleeved blouse with a neatly tied apron over a dark brown dress—practical yet fitting for the owner of a cozy home restaurant. Her black eyes carried a motherly warmth, though there was always a sharpness in them that spoke of years of experience running a business.
She clasped her hands together, her gaze settling on Xian with gratitude. "Thank you again for fixing my fridge, Xian. I don't know what I'd do without your help."
Xian chuckled, shaking his head. "It's nothing, really. I'm just glad I could help out." His words were casual, but there was sincerity in them. He had always felt a sense of responsibility when it came to the people around him, especially those who had supported him in some way.
Mr. Frank smiled, rubbing his stomach as he let out a light chuckle. "Well, since I'm already here, might as well grab something to eat." His tone was relaxed, as if he had been waiting for the right moment to say it.
Hearing this, Mrs. Ein's smile widened. "Of course, Mr. Frank! Come in, come in," she said warmly, gesturing toward the restaurant entrance. She then turned to Xian. "What about you, Xian?"
Xian shook his head slightly. "I'll just get a takeout for two," he replied casually.
Mrs. Ein nodded in understanding. "The usual?" she asked with a knowing look.
Xian returned the nod. "Yeah, the usual."
Mrs. Ein chuckled, already making her way inside. "Got it! I'll have it ready in no time."
Mrs. Ein smiled again before turning toward the kitchen, raising her voice so her husband could hear. "Dear! We've got two more customers! You need to finish the soups already!"
From the kitchen, a gruff but familiar voice responded, "Yeah, yeah, it's almost done! Just give me a minute!" The sound of clattering pots and bubbling broth filled the air, a sign that the morning preparations were in full swing.
Mrs. Ein turned back to them, her warm smile never fading. "Come inside and take a seat. Make yourselves comfortable."
Both Xian and Mr. Frank nodded in response, stepping forward as Mrs. Ein led them into the cozy restaurant. As they walked, Mr. Frank's thoughts wandered to the menu. _What should I get this morning?_ He mulled over the choices. Something light, or maybe a full meal? The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering soup only made the decision harder.
As the three entered the restaurant, they were immediately greeted by the rich aroma of freshly cooked food wafting from the kitchen. The dining hall had a few customers scattered around—not too many, but enough to give the place a lively warmth. Some people sat quietly, savoring their meals, while others chatted in soft tones. In the far left corner of the dining area, a television played, drawing the occasional glance from diners.
Mr. Frank and Xian quickly spotted an open table and took their seats. As they settled in, Mrs. Ein dusted off her apron and turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go assist my husband. Perach will serve you both in a moment," she said with a smile before heading off.
Mr. Frank gave a nod of approval as he reached for the menu, flipping through it with a thoughtful hum. Meanwhile, Xian simply sat back, waiting without much thought. His eyes occasionally drifted across the hall, observing the people around him. A couple at the far end spoke in hushed voices, an older man sat alone enjoying his soup, and a group of three seemed engaged in a lively discussion.
After a moment, his gaze shifted toward the television. The screen flickered with moving images, showing a news segment covering an incident in the city. He watched in silence, letting the voices of the anchors fill the background as he waited.
As Xian sat, his eyes remained fixed on the television, though his thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. What if the investigators show up at my shop? The question lingered in his mind. He knew they would come eventually, and when they did, they would ask questions—ones he needed to be careful about answering.
He mulled over possible responses, weighing his options. Should he act like he knew nothing? Or should he play along just enough to avoid suspicion? A plan started to form in his mind, a way to handle them without drawing too much attention—
"Excuse me," a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Xian blinked, slightly surprised, and turned to his side. Standing there was a girl dressed in a waitress uniform, her posture straight, expression neutral. It was Perach, the daughter of Mrs. Ein and her husband. Like her mother, she was a Vulpo, but unlike Mrs. Ein's brown fur, Perach had striking orange hair, tail, and ears. Her green eyes held a calm, almost unreadable gaze as she looked at him.
She wasn't the type to smile often, but she wasn't rude either. She had a composed and cool demeanor—what some would call a kuudere.
Without much change in her tone, she turned to Mr. Frank first. "What would you like to order?"
Mr. Frank lowered his menu slightly, then flipped it around to show her while pointing at his choice. "I'll have this," he said.
Perach gave a small nod, taking note of the selection before shifting her gaze toward Xian. "Your order is still being prepared. You'll have to wait a little longer," she informed him.
Xian simply nodded. "That's fine."
With that, Perach turned around and walked off, the empty tray in her hands resting against her hip.
Mr. Frank had already begun eating, enjoying his meal with satisfied bites, while Xian returned his attention to the television. Just as his thoughts started to drift back into planning, the news broadcast suddenly shifted, and a new segment popped up on the screen.
The news anchor maintained a composed expression as she continued reporting, her voice steady and professional.
"In a recent development, discussions surrounding the reestablishment of Chernobog's legal framework have reached a crucial stage. One of the leading parties involved has outlined a plan to restore law and order within the city, beginning with the reinforcement of its judicial system. The proposed measures aim to address the power vacuum left in the aftermath of past incidents, ensuring stability for its citizens."
On the screen, footage displayed officials gathered in a meeting, some reviewing documents while others engaged in heated discussions. The news anchor continued, summarizing the key points of the plan.
"Among the proposed changes are the reinforcement of law enforcement presence, the restructuring of the local judicial offices, and the reimplementation of key Ursus administrative policies. Furthermore, additional rules have been suggested by Ursus authorities, seeking to integrate Chernobog more closely into the empire's broader governance structure. These include stricter regulations on commerce, enhanced oversight on resource distribution, and renewed guidelines for citizen registration."
The broadcast shifted to a statement from an Ursus representative. The screen showed an official speaking before a panel, his expression serious.
"The integration of Chernobog's law with Ursus policies is a necessary step for long-term stability," the official stated. "We must ensure that lawlessness does not take root again, and that all citizens are properly accounted for under our administration."
As the news continued, interviews with locals flashed across the screen—some expressing cautious optimism, others voicing concerns over the potential for increased government control.
Perach, who had returned momentarily with a tray in hand as she placed one of the customers order on their table before glancing briefly at the television. Her green eyes lingered on the screen for a second before she turned away without a word, resuming her work.
Xian, meanwhile, absorbed the details with a neutral expression, but his mind was already piecing together the implications of the report.
Xian continued to watch the news on the TV, his gaze drifting to the screen as the image of Chernobog flashed before him. The city was chaotic, a storm of civil unrest and violence. He couldn't help but compare it to the Chernobog from the game, and though the differences weren't immediately clear, he was sure that it wasn't much worse. But deep down, he knew that it was only a matter of time before things escalated further.
The signs are all there, he thought, his eyes narrowing as the news anchor's voice became a distant murmur in his mind. It's just a matter of time before things get completely out of hand.
He recalled the grim moments in the game when Chernobog was on the brink of collapse, a city torn apart by the relentless fighting between the Reunion and the civilians caught in the middle. He remembered the bloodshed, panics ever, the desperate scramble for safety. Rhodes Island was making its escape, the Doctor barely getting away while fighting wave after wave of Reunion members, trying to protect the innocent. Xian could almost hear the sound of gunfire and the distant cries for help that echoed in his mind.
The news anchor's voice snapped him back to reality, but Xian's mind stayed on the past, on the game, as his thoughts began to shift back to the present. _It's not as bad yet, but I can feel it. It's gradually escalating..._ he could tell, was inching closer to that same point of no return. I just hope it doesn't go that far.
His mind wandered further, thinking of the city of Lungmen, a place not too far from Chernobog. Lungmen held the promise of safety, and with his sibling already there, it seemed like the perfect destination. But then, reality hit him like a cold wave—his financial struggles. Lungmen was expensive, and with the situation the way it was, he had no choice but to reconsider his options.
_There's no way I can just rush off to Lungmen like this_ he thought, eyes shifting to the papers scattered across his desk. His fingers drummed anxiously on the edge of the table. _I need to figure this out as soon as possible before everything gets worse._
As his mind raced, Xian was already revising his plan, carefully considering each step. His sibling's safety, the financial hurdles, and the uncertain future of both cities weighed heavily on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't rush into anything, but the pressure was mounting.
Xian was deep in his thoughts, his mind swirling with the weight of everything. The city, his plans, the uncertainty that seemed to press down on him more with every passing day. He hardly noticed the sound of footsteps approaching until a voice broke through his reverie.
"Your order's here," Perach said, her voice light but with a hint of amusement, as if she knew he hadn't been paying attention.
Xian blinked, shaking off the haze of his thoughts. He turned to see Perach placing two plastic lunchboxes on his table. He hadn't even realized how hungry he was until now.
"Thanks," he replied, his tone a little more distant than usual, but not ungrateful. As he stood up to grab the lunchboxes, he glanced over at Mr. Frank. "I'll be heading to visit my sister now."
Mr. Frank, mid-bite, looked up at him and waved, his movements slow but friendly. "Take care, Xian," he mumbled through a mouthful of food, smiling with the warmth that only a regular could offer in a place like this.
Xian smiled back, a brief, fleeting moment of warmth cutting through the weight in his chest. "Goodbye, Mr. Frank," he said, his voice softer than before as he walked toward the counter.
As he approached, Mrs. Ein was busy behind the counter, arranging the display of food in the glass cabinet with careful precision. Her focus seemed absolute, though she still looked up as Xian came closer.
"How's it going?" Xian asked, his voice quieter now, a tinge of melancholy edging in. He'd never quite figured out if it was the atmosphere of the place, or something else, that always seemed to make him feel so distant.
Mrs. Ein offered a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Same as always," she replied, her tone a little more weary than usual. "Trying to keep things in order."
Xian then took out his money from his right pocket to pay the two lunchboxes and then gives it to her.
"Thanks for the payment," she said, her voice warm as she took the money from him. "And tell your sister to come by here whenever she's free. I'm sure she'd enjoy it."
Xian gave a small nod, his lips curving up slightly in appreciation. "I will. I'll let her know," he replied, his voice quiet but steady, the weight of his thoughts not far behind his words.
He lingered for a moment, feeling the familiar sense of calm that this place always provided. But as he turned to leave, the doorbell jingled and he stepped outside, greeted by the sharp bite of the cold wind. It stung against his face, pulling him back into the reality of the world outside. The warmth of the restaurant already seemed distant, and the wind seemed to amplify the silence around him.
He adjusted the lunchboxes in his hands, walking down the street, the chill biting deeper with every step as he just recalled his current situation and sigh. _What a troublesome day_ he thought, but even as he walked, it didn't feel like it.