After getting their fill of the city view, Lynx and Orea decided to head back to base. On arrival, they found their friends back from hunting, all sitting round and chatting while Rowynn prepared something on the fire.
Orea walked expectantly towards them,.. Finally you guys are back, what took you so long?
Hunting was a little more tedious than usual today, Rowynn explained amidst cooking.
What about you, Kymani spoke up as he leaned by a tent, where're you guys coming from?
Oh, we checked out the hologram they put out there, she casually replied while glancing at Valtor who had his eyes fixed on a certain someone with an unfriendly gaze.
Lynx tilted his head as he whispered to her, Why's he glaring at me like I stole from him?
Ignoring him, she began to approach Valtor, as she asked, hey is..everything okay?
Valtor shifted his gaze to her,.. You know what, I'll just say it...'I don't trust him', he stared back at Lynx as he continued, I don't trust him at all.
Lynx scoffed,...'Distrust' is way too understated to describe my perception of you, he spat with disdain.
Yeah you already made that clear when you attacked me, Valtor narrowed his eyes.
You've never liked the sights of us, he continued, you made that obvious by distancing yourself the same night we got here.
So I guess I'm wondering why you decided to hang out with Orea when no ones around. What's your game?, he sat up,.. To poison her mind with your weird illusions?
Valtor no one's poisoning anyone, Orea tried to explain while Lynx chuckled, gaining everyone's attention.
Wow, he spoke up,..Tell me, are you that insecure, you're afraid I'd steal your girl or are you just scared that I've found out who you truly are?
What's that supposed to mean!, Valtor slowly stood up in anger
Alright that's enough you guys, Rowynn stepped between them on noticing the brewing tension,..we just got back and I'm so not in the mood to break up fights.
Well I am, Zara who seemed to be enjoying the exchange joined in, earning a shoulder nudge from Kymani,..Not helping, the green-eyed youth chided, while she rolled her eyes in response.
Getting sick of the confrontational exchange, Valtor walked off in annoyance while Lynx scoffed again,
"Can't handle the truth huh?", he yelled out
Will you stop it!, Orea began to grow annoyed,..as she glared at him, his assumptions might be wrong but you're not helping matters either!, she also stormed off while the others remained in their positions, wondering at how events surprisingly unfolded.
Well who's hungry?, Rowynn suddenly announced after a few seconds, immediately shifting everyone's line of thoughts as they began to gather round the delicious aroma of soup.
After searching through each tent, Orea finally walked in on Valtor sitted down, he held up a ball of fire in his palm, seeming lost in thought.
She sighed as she approached him, I just wanted you to know, we left to check out the hologram because I got bored, there's no 'mind poisoning' going on.
We even discussed a possible way out of here
Valtor glanced at her as she remained behind him,..So what, you guys are friends now?
Isn't that better than being enemies,..she replied before turning around to leave.
Orea wait, he urgently spoke up, stopping her in her tracks.
I need to know, what did he mean by...
"I was afraid he'd find out who I am?"
She hesitated before speaking up, don't worry about it,
But I want to, he insisted,..If there's really something he knows about me, I deserve to know what it is.
Orea sighed as she sat next to him.
Without looking him in the eye, she replied, he said you were in his vision
And?, he asked expectantly as his gaze remained on her.
And that you were with 'them',.. the people who abducted us.
Glancing at him, she continued,..He said you were on their side.
Valtor paused in shock as he earnestly searched her features,
'Please tell me you don't believe that', he finally spoke up
I.. I'm trying not to, she replied, causing his expression to sour, worried that she might even be considering Lynx's assumptions. He sighed heavily as he looked away.
That's why I didn't want to bother you with this, Orea continued as she placed a hand on his shoulders.
Lynx had some visions similar to mine and he keeps insisting on what he saw but it doesn't matter, she tried to lift his mood. You're here with us now and I know you'd never betray us,.. right?
Valtor spun his head towards her in shock,
Why would you even ask that?, sadness and disappointment lay evident in his blue eyes, his fists clenched subconsciously..
You believe him, he concluded in a low tone
I didn't say that
But a part of you does, he cut in, his tone rising in frustration as his gaze intensified.
Orea's expression tensed, struggling to respond, her eyes dropped in thought..
does he really think I'd believe Lynx over him, do I?..of course not, Valtor would never betray us,..but maybe there's a bit of truth to what Lynx saw?
She sighed, unable to find the right words to say
Dumbfounded by her reaction, Valtor stood up and left the tent.