(ONE DAY LATER)
|Simulation Ground|
Sparks flared each time Jeff's blade and bullets collided with a holographic projection, while Rover danced effortlessly between the constructs of Tacet Discords.
Jeff, meanwhile, was struggling to keep up.
Man, I feel like such a freeloader, he thought, watching Rover pull off another one of those flawless strike of hers, using all the Echoes she worked so hard to farm for herself… and here I am, barely keeping up.
"Man," Jeff panted, sheating his blade. "This is exhausting."
Rover turned toward him, her chest rising and falling with light breaths, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "But it's fun, right?"
He couldn't refuse her, not when she looked at him like that.
"Yeah, fun… sure."
Over the past few days, something had changed between them, a quiet, and unspoken closeness that didn't need words to explain.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere—
"Hey, Jeff!"
The familiar voice made him turn. Danjin was walking over, waving casually, her light sword slung across her shoulder and a friendly smile on her lips.
Rover's expression immediately darkened.
Her hand instinctively went to her hip, as if ready for combat.
Jeff blinked, a little surprised. "Oh, hey, Danjin."
Rover's tone came out sharper than intended. "Who's this, Jeff?"
"Just a friend," Jeff said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "And, uh, a sparring partner of mine."
Rover's eyebrow twitched. Sparring partner?
I swear, she thought, I took my eyes off him for one minute and he's already acquainted with half the female population of Jinzhou.
Sensing the storm approaching, Jeff tried to smooth things over, flashing Rover a nervous smile.
Before he could speak, Danjin beat him to it. "Wanna spar with me again, Jeff? I've been practicing that technique you showed me last time!"
Jeff opened his mouth, caught somewhere between uh and sure, but Rover's voice beat him to the punch.
"No."
Rover crossed her arms, eyes narrowing just slightly not enough to be rude, but enough to make her point crystal clear. "He's already exhausted from training with me, and he needs to rest. Right, Jeff?"
Jeff hesitated. One wrong answer, and he might not survive the night.
"Y–Yeah," he stammered. "She's right. I'm wiped out. And, uh, we're supposed to meet up with Chixia and Yangyang anyway."
Danjin's smile faltered just a little. "Oh… I see. Maybe next time then?"
"Yeah," Jeff said gently.
"Next time it is then. And, uh, say hi to Senior Yangyang and Chixia for us."
"I will,"
Danjin forcing a small smile before turning away, her figure fading into the glow of the simulation lights.
As soon as she was gone, Rover puffed her cheeks out in a pout, glaring at Jeff without really meaning to.
"Let's go," she said curtly, grabbing his wrist.
"Wait—Rover—ouch!"
She dragged him out of the simulation room without a word, her pace was quick, and her grip on his wrist was firm.
Jeff couldn't help but chuckle through the mild pain. "You know," he said, glancing at her with a teasing grin, "you get kinda scary when you're jealous."
Rover didn't slow down, but the faintest blush colored her cheeks. "I'm not jealous," she muttered. "You're just… bad at saying no."
Jeff smiled softly. "Yeah… maybe I am."
—————————————————
| Panhua's Restaurant |
The smell of roasted duck and warm broth filled the air as Jeff and Rover stepped into Panhua's Restaurant, their usual spot in a cozy corner tucked away from the busy streets of Jinzhou.
Jeff spotted Chixia waving from their booth, her cheerful grin lighting up her whole face. Beside her, Yangyang sat on the chair, sipping tea with a calm smile that only barely hid her amusement at something Chixia must have said before they arrived.
"Hey, you two!" Chixia called, waving a chopstick like a little flag.
Rover gave a small smile, tugging Jeff along by his sleeve until they sat down.
They ordered food and began swapping stories about the last few days: the strange events, the strange encounters, the victory against the dollmaker. Laughter filled the air between bites of dumplings and sips of tea.
But Chixia's eyes were sharp, always noticing more than she let on. She leaned her chin on her palm, smirking. "Is it just me, or is Rover way more clingy than usual?"
Rover's eyes widened, her chopsticks pausing mid-air. "Wha—what are you even talking about?!" Her cheeks flushed pink as she avoided eye contact, pretending to be intensely focused on her food.
Yangyang chuckled softly, setting down his cup. "I sensed both your emotions the last few days," she said in that knowing tone of hers. "Looks like what happened recently brought you two a lot closer."
Jeff nearly choked on his drink. "What? No, it's not—" He started laughing halfway through the denial, which didn't help his case.
"Shut up," Rover muttered, glaring at him while her ears burned red.
Jeff raised his hands in surrender, his grin softening. "Alright, alright." He cleared his throat and leaned forward, changing the subject. "Anyway, on a more serious note… there's something I've been meaning to talk about."
"An organization called the Black Shores has been watching us," Jeff said quietly.
Rover nodded, grateful for the topic shift, though her brows knit in concern. "We don't know much yet, but I've got a feeling they're connected to everything that's been happening."
Jeff's gaze dropped to the table. It's time to get things moving. We've been sitting ducks here in Jinzhou, twiddling our asses. We need to find the Shorekeeper and get some answers ASAP, he thought.
Chixia tilted her head. "The Black Shores? Doesn't ring a bell. Sounds more like a place than an organization. But I've never seen it on any map."
Rover pulled out a small holopad, showing them an image a flower, dark and ethereal, its petals marked by faint glowing veins like constellations.
Yangyang leaned closer, studying it. "This flower… It's only a photo, and my ability can't trace where it came from. It's like it's been severed from any origin."
"The Black Shores studies the Lament. Every member wears a flower like this."
Yangyang hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Hmm… We're still in the dark about Fractsidus' plans, and the Norfall Barrens are too dangerous right now. The Black Shores might be our only lead."
She looked up in wonder. "But if all we have is a photo of a flower, it's going to be difficult."
Chixia perked up suddenly, her eyes sparkling. "Since it's about flowers… we should go ask Grandma Lin!"
Yangyang's face softened with realization. "That's right. She runs that flower shop near the old plaza. She might recognize it."
Chixia giggled, her tone playful. "Hehe… You're making me blush a little, calling my idea brilliant like that."
Jeff smiled, feeling the warmth of camaraderie again despite the weight of their mission.
Chixia continued, enthusiasm bubbling over. "Grandma Lin loves talking to travelers and storytellers! I think I saw her earlier near the market square. Let's go find her before she closes up shop!"
Rover nodded, standing and grabbing me by the jacket. "Then it's settled. Let's move before we lose the trail."
—————————————————
| Penjing Shop |
The little Penjing shop sat at the corner of Jinzhou's old district. The scent of wet soil and blooming petals filled the air. Wooden shelves lined the walls, each holding carefully tended bonsai and glass jars of preserved blossoms.
Behind the counter, a buxom woman looked up from watering a tray of seedlings. Her face lit up the room the moment she smiled.
"Oh, hello! Chixia, Yangyang, what brings you here?"
"Hey, Grandma Lin!" Chixia chirped, bounding over like an excited child. "We're here for some stories today—and we brought our new friends!"
She spun dramatically toward Jeff and Rover, her eyes sparkling. "Ta-da! The ultimate badasses! The ones who crush Tacet Discords, cook up Echoes, knock Inferno Rider flat, and KO Feilian Beringal with one punch! The legendary Rover and Jeff!"
Jeff rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Uh… sup."
Rover managed a polite wave. "Hello."
Grandma Lin laughed heartily, a melodic sound that matched the chime of her hanging orchids. "So you're the famous Rover and Jeff! Oh, youngsters these days are truly something!"
Jeff shook his head quickly, cheeks slightly pink. "No, I didn't—please don't listen to her—"
Lin chuckled again, her eyes creasing at the corners. "Haha, that's just Chixia talking. Please don't mind her."
Jeff found himself smiling despite his embarrassment. "You look too young to be called Grandma, you know that?"
Rover shot him a sideways glare, lips pursed into a pout. Her eyes seemed to say, Really, Jeff?
"Oh my," Lin giggled, covering her mouth. "You're such a sweetheart!"
Chixia, still grinning, clapped her hands together. "Grandma Lin, since you're the flower expert, we've got a favor to ask!"
Rover stepped forward, pulling out her device and showing the holographic image of Blake Bloom.
Yangyang spoke calmly. "Have you seen flowers like this before?"
Grandma Lin squinted, leaning closer. Her fingers traced the air near the image as though she could feel its essence. "Hmm… I'm familiar with most of the flowers here in Jinzhou, but this one…" Her brows furrowed softly. "It doesn't match anything I've seen not even in the plant encyclopedias."
Chixia's shoulders slumped. "Oh no… If not even you can recognize it, who else could help us?"
Lin chuckled, shaking her head modestly. "Oh, Chixia, I'm far from an expert. But we do have a plant-type Resonator here in Jinzhou, remember? She knows plants much better than I ever will."
Yangyang's expression softened. "Ah… the young lady who helps you at the shop?"
Jeff's eyes flickered with recognition. That must be Verina, he thought.
"Yes, that's her!" Lin's smile grew fond. "She's been such a blessing to me. Always helping, always smiling. She reminds me of the lovely Starflowers so bright, and so full of life.
Her eyes misted with affection at the memory. "What a lovely girl."
Rover leaned in, eager. "Where can we find her?"
Jeff added, "Do you happen to have her number?"
Lin blinked, then laughed, tapping her forehead. "Oh dear, I'm afraid not. I'm far too old for those fancy devices. My memory isn't what it used to be either."
Jeff chuckled. "That's a cute nickname though. Lil Starflower."
"Oh, how I wish she were my granddaughter…" Lin sighed wistfully. "She's probably up in the back mountain doing some field research right now. I mentioned I wanted to plant a new field up there, and she offered to help right away. Such a kind soul."
Chixia's eyes brightened. "So she's up the mountain?!"
Lin nodded, pointing toward the distant hills beyond the city roofs. "Head in that direction until you reach a waterfall. Walk right through it, and you'll find the back mountain."
Yangyang gave a respectful bow. "Thank you so much, Grandma Lin."
"Anytime, dearie!" Lin replied warmly. "Oh—and don't forget to stop by my Penjing shop again! I'll have tea and treats ready for you next time!"