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| PANHUA'S RESTAURANT|
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( JEFF'S POV)
The restaurant had become significantly louder. Mostly because Chixia was laughing so hard she was practically folded over the table.
"Hahaha—! No, no, hold on—"
She pointed accusingly between Jeff and Rover while trying to catch her breath. "You two looked like someone got caught with the pants down!"
"Chixia." Rover's voice carried a warning. The golden-eyed girl sat perfectly straight in her chair, arms crossed over her chest, though the faint pink tint creeping across her cheeks completely ruined any attempt at appearing intimidating.
Chixia only laughed harder.
"See?! She's doing it again!"
"Doing what?"
"That face!"
"I don't have a face."
"You absolutely have a face."
Jeff rubbed his temples. "Can we please stop discussing our faces?"
"No."
"Please?"
"Definitely no."
The little white creature floating beside Rover copied Chixia's posture, crossing its tiny arms. "Yeah. Definitely no."
Jeff stared. The creature stared back.
"…I already regret meeting you, you little shit."
"Hmph." The little thing turned away dramatically. "I regret meeting you too."
"You're literally living inside both of us."
"Exactly. Worst landlord ever."
Yangyang quietly covered her mouth to hide a small laugh. The atmosphere around the table softened considerably.
After everything they had endured—the Threnodian, the war, the losses—it felt strangely comforting to sit here and argue about nonsense.
Yangyang adjusted her glasses before continuing. "Moving on."
Everyone immediately quieted.
Well. Mostly anyway. The little creature was currently trying to steal food from Rover's plate. Rover gently pushed it away. It immediately tried again.
Yangyang pretended not to notice.
"As I was saying… the bond between you and this creature is symbiotic."
Her expression grew more serious.
"As it becomes stronger, both of you become stronger as well."
Jeff nodded. "Okay. That part I understand."
Yangyang continued. "However, if one of you is harmed, the others may suffer consequences as well."
That wiped the amusement from Jeff's face. Beside him, Rover straightened slightly. The implications were obvious.
Yangyang quickly added, "Fortunately, it cannot permanently leave your side. If danger appears, it can retreat back into your shared space for protection."
Jeff leaned back in his chair.
"I think I understand the concept."
Rover sighed. "It still sounds ridiculously complicated."
Yangyang smiled apologetically.
"Unfortunately, that's because it is."
Chixia suddenly raised her hand.
"Question!"
Nobody was surprised.
Yangyang nodded.
"Go ahead."
Chixia pointed dramatically at the floating creature. "So this tiny thing helped Rover fight the Threnodian?"
The creature puffed up immediately.
"That's right!"
Chixia squinted.
"…Really?"
"Really!"
"That little body?"
"HEY!"
Jeff chuckled. "One thing I've learned in life…" Everyone looked toward him.
He shrugged. "Looks can be deceiving." He nodded to himself as if he dropped some age old wisdom.
The creature immediately floated higher. "Hmph! Finally! Someone with eyes!" It pointed proudly at itself.
"Don't look down on me." Then it struck a heroic pose. "One day you'll all regret doubting my greatness!"
Nobody looked particularly convinced.
The creature continued anyway.
"That poker-faced researcher was absolutely shocked when she examined me."
Yangyang blinked.
"Baizhi?"
"Yep!"
"What exactly did she say?"
The little creature puffed its chest out.
"She said I'm a super-duper amazing, incredibly cool, ultra-rare special Echo!"
Silence.
Then— Jeff deadpanned.
"You added extra words."
Rover nodded immediately.
"A lot of extra words."
Chixia nearly fell out of her chair laughing. "Baizhi would never say that!"
She straightened up and began imitating Baizhi's monotone voice.
"'Subject displays unusual frequency composition.'"
"'Further testing required.'"
"'Insufficient data.'"
"'Probability inconclusive.'"
The resemblance was disturbingly accurate. Even Yangyang looked impressed.
The little creature pointed furiously.
"Character assassination!"
Yangyang giggled softly.
"To be fair…"
Everyone turned toward her.
"While those weren't Baizhi's exact words…"
The creature immediately perked up.
Yangyang smiled. "That was more or less what she meant."
The creature froze. Then slowly turned toward everyone. "You hear that?"
Nobody answered.
"I WAS RIGHT."
Jeff groaned.
"Right about what?"
The creature was becoming unbearable.
Yangyang continued before it could start celebrating. "Baizhi mentioned intelligent Echoes from other nations."
Rover tilted her head.
"Intelligent Echoes?"
Yangyang nodded. "Echoes capable of independent thought, learning, and communication."
"Those actually exist?"
"Apparently." Yangyang folded her hands together. "According to Baizhi, some regions have integrated them into everyday life."
Chixia's eyes sparkled immediately.
"That's awesome!"
"It is."
"But they're incredibly rare."
Yangyang glanced at the floating creature. "Which means…"
The little creature gasped dramatically.
"I'm special."
"Yes."
"I'm unique."
"Yes."
"I'm amazing."
Yangyang hesitated. "…Sure."
"HA!" The creature pointed at everyone. "Vindication!"
Jeff immediately grabbed a dumpling and stuffed it into its mouth.
Its tiny eyes widened.
"…Mmph?!"
"Eat." The creature chewed. Paused. Then gasped. "OH MY GOD." Another dumpling vanished instantly. Everyone laughed. Soon Chixia was leaning forward again. "Okay, okay." She pointed. "Important question."
The creature swallowed. "What?"
"Do you have a name?"
Silence.
The creature blinked as if it heard something alien. "…A what?"
Yangyang answered. "A denomination. A designation used to identify special Echoes."
The creature stared blankly.
"My…" It frowned. "My denomination…"
Everyone waited. Its tiny face scrunched up in concentration. "My…" Then—"…I don't know."
Silence. "Oh." The creature's eyes widened. "Oh no." Its entire body visibly trembled. "WAIT." The panic escalated rapidly. "DO I NOT HAVE A NAME?!"
Several customers turned to look startled at the outburst. The creature floated upward dramatically.
"NO WAY!" It pointed at itself. "That's not fair!" It spun around. "Every cool legendary Echo gets a cool name!"
It pointed at Chixia.
"You have a name!"
Then Yangyang.
"You have a name!"
Then Rover.
"You definitely have a name!"
Finally Jeff.
"Even YOU have a name!"
Jeff looked offended. "What's that supposed to mean you little shit?"
The creature ignored him completely.
It dropped onto the table. Shoulders slumped. Defeated. "…All I've been called is 'Little Shit' this whole time."
Nobody spoke. "It doesn't sound cool."
Its lower lip trembled. "Not even a little."
For the first time since meeting it…
Everyone actually felt bad. Especially Jeff Then suddenly the creature brightened. "I know!"
Everyone immediately became nervous. Whenever it had an idea, trouble followed. The creature pointed at all of them. "You help me pick a name."
Then it grinned. "And I'll share my food." It looked down. Its smile disappeared. There was nothing left on the plate. Not a single crumb.
The creature stared.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
It turned toward Jeff. "…You ate my food."
Jeff blinked. "Bitch I ate my food, I ordered it."
The creature pointed dramatically.
"THIS IS TYRANNY."
And Chixia immediately burst into another fit of laughter.
The little creature stared mournfully at the completely empty plates scattered across the table.
Not a single crumb remained. Its ears drooped. Its tail sagged. Its entire tiny body looked devastated. "...There's nothing left." A dramatic sniffle escaped it. Then suddenly it shot upright.
"Erm... Next time!" It pointed a tiny paw at everyone around the table. "Next time I'll definitely save some for you!"
The creature's voice cracked with desperation. "Just..." Its golden eyes widened hopefully. "Give me a name!" It slammed both paws onto the table.
"Please!"
Chixia blinked.
"A name?"
"Now?"
"YES!"
The tiny creature floated up and down impatiently. "I want one NOW!"
It pointed at Chixia.
"Your name is Chixia right?!"
Then Yangyang.
"Your name is Yangyang!"
Then it turned toward Rover and immediately froze.
"...And you..."
Its ears twitched.
"...Uhhh..."
Rover smiled faintly. "Rover." Then she gestured toward Jeff. "And that's Jeff."
The creature repeated the names quietly. "Rover...Jeff..." Its eyes sparkled. "Those sound interesting."
Then realization hit. "Wait." It pointed accusingly. "Didn't you both forget everything? How do you still remember your names?"
Rover's expression softened. For a moment, she glanced toward Jeff.
A look passed between them. "Jeff named me when we first woke up."
The creature asked. "He did?"
Rover nodded. "It's my name now."
A small smile touched her lips. "My new beginning."
Yangyang folded her hands neatly on her lap. "With your memories gone, adopting a new name can help."
Her voice carried the same gentle wisdom it always did. "It makes things simpler." She smiled. "And it represents a fresh start."
The little creature immediately pointed at her. "Exactly!" It spun around dramatically. "That's exactly what I mean!" Then it pointed at itself. "Everybody has a name!" Its ears flattened. "And I don't!"
The injustice clearly wounded it. "I just want one that's cool." It floated higher.
"A little special." Higher. "A little epic."
Higher. "SUPER SMOKIN'!"
Jeff rubbed his forehead.
"That's... a lot of requirements."
The creature gasped. "Names are important!" It pointed at him. "Once you've got one, it's stuck with you for life!"
Then it crossed its arms. "So it better be a good one." Its eyes narrowed dramatically. "People should be intimidated when they hear it."
"Intimidated?" Rover repeated.
"Absolutely."
The creature nodded.
"No regrets."
Jeff chuckled. "Fair enough." Then he shrugged. "Honestly, giving you a name would make things easier."
Chixia nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh! I've got one!"
Everyone immediately became nervous. Chixia pointed dramatically.
"What about..." A dramatic pause.
"Echo the [Title Card]!"
The restaurant fell silent.
The creature stared at her as if it heard something stupid.
"..."
"..."
"...Absolutely not."
Chixia gasped.
"What?!"
The creature looked horrified. "That's just as bad as calling me Little Shit!"
"No way!" Chixia pointed proudly at herself. "Hey! That's hero material!"
She jumped from her chair.
"I AM ECHO THE [TITLE CARD]!"
She struck a pose. "See?!"
The creature physically recoiled. "No."
"Absolutely no."
Chixia refused to surrender. "Then how about..." She pointed.
"Righteous Raptor!"
"No."
"Valor Hawk!"
"No."
"Flying Fury!"
"NO."
The creature buried its face in its paws.
"Why are they all so cringy?"
Chixia looked personally attacked. "Hey! I like being called the Jinzhou Speedster!"
The creature laughed awkwardly.
"...Sure." Its expression clearly said otherwise. "Those sound like titles."
It crossed its arms. "Not names."
Rover sighed. "Absolutely no this. Absolutely no that." She raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you want?"
The creature opened its mouth.
Then immediately closed it.
"...I don't know."
"Exactly," Rover replied.
Jeff watched the exchange for a moment. Then something came to him.
Why not just give it it's original name from the game plus it's simple, short, easy to remember.
"Why not Abby?"
The entire table turned toward him.
The creature froze.
"...Aha." Its eyes lit up. "I knew Jeff would come up with a good—"
It paused. Suspicion filled its face.
"Wait." Its eyes narrowed. "Why does that sound so random?"
Jeff smirked.
The creature pointed dramatically. "You just mashed together random sounds, didn't you?!"
Rover chuckled. "I don't see the problem."
She rested her chin on her hand. "Simplicity works."
The creature hesitated. "I mean..." Its ears twitched. "It is easy to remember."
A pause. "And it's better than Chixia's suggestions."
"HEY!"
"But..."
The creature frowned. "It doesn't sound majestic enough."
Then Jeff spoke. "It's from a language where I came from. Abby means joy." It's Hebrew, Kuro really likes to make references. Abby's name means Father's Joy or " My Father's Joyful".
The creature froze not expecting much thought put into naming her.
His voice had softened. "It's what you bring to us."
The creature blinked.
Then blinked again.
Its mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
"So..." Its voice became suspiciously quiet. "...I didn't expect that much thought into naming me, Do I really bring you joy?"
Nobody answered.
The table fell silent again.
The creature stared at them.
Then looked down.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Jeff smiled. Why isn't it saying anything?
Beside him, Rover tilted her head. Why did it suddenly get quiet?
The creature floated lower. Almost thoughtful.
"Hmm..."
"Abby..."
Its voice became distant.
"Abra..."
Another pause.
"Abraxas..."
Chixia asked breaking the silence. "What are you muttering? Are you casting a spell?"
The creature ignored her. Still thinking.
Still testing the name. Finally—Its ears perked up. Its tail swished. And a huge grin appeared on its face.
"Abby."
The creature pointed proudly at itself.
"I like that." Its grin widened. "That's my name!"
Rover raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't like it."
Jeff smirked. "Good. Saves us from thinking of another one."
The newly named Abby puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course I like it!"
She pointed accusingly at Jeff.
"You gave it to me! Take responsibility."
Then she looked away. Embarrassed.
"I was just..." Her ears twitched. "...getting used to it." A tiny smile appeared. "And now I feel attached to it." She spun around happily.
"My name is Abby!"
Then she pointed dramatically at everyone. "And nobody is allowed to call me Little Shit anymore!"
Chixia laughed. "Sure. Got it."
She leaned back in her chair.
"Abby." Then she sighed. "Still..."
Her expression became thoughtful again. "I was hoping we'd get answers."
She glanced at the tiny Echo. "But looks like we're back to square one."
Abby's ears drooped slightly. The mystery remained. Only now...The mystery had a name.
The little creature floated onto the center of the table like a performer stepping onto a stage. Its tiny chest puffed out. Its tail flicked proudly behind it. Then it cleared its throat. Loudly said.
"Alright!"
Abby raised both tiny paws into the air.
"Ahem!" The entire restaurant turned toward her. "All eyes on me!" The next second, she froze. Her confident grin twitched. Then vanished completely.
"…W-what's going on?"
What the fuck is Abby doing. Jeff thought puzzled by the action.
Abby's ears drooped. "I…" She coughed awkwardly. "I'll try again!"
The little Echo straightened herself.
"You'll see!"
Oh my god, I'm getting second hand embarrassment from this. Jeff thought cringing at the display.
Chixia blinked not knowing what to expect. "What?" She leaned forward.
"Did something happen?"
"N-No!" Abby waved her paws frantically. "Just a little slip!"
Her tail lashed behind her. "I can do it! You gotta trust me!"
Nobody looked convinced.
Especially not Jeff.
The little creature immediately pointed at him. "Hey! I'm serious! Just you wait."
Jeff raised both hands. "I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"…Fair."
Chixia snorted.
Abby huffed before floating higher.
"Anyway!" She struck another dramatic pose. "Back then…" Her expression grew serious. Or at least as serious as a tiny floating cat-thing could manage.
"I stood in front of…" She pointed toward Rover. "…her." Then she spread her arms dramatically. "And that giant ugly Threnodian thing just…"
Abby paused.
"…just…"
Another pause.
Everyone waited.
"…left."
Chixia disappointed by that anticlimactic explanation. "…That's it?"
Abby blinked back.
"…What do you mean 'that's it'?"
Chixia tilted her head. "So…"
She pointed. "You didn't actually do anything?"
Abby's entire body shook. "HUH?! I DEFINITELY DID SOMETHING!" She floated up and down angrily. "I think!"
That didn't help her case.
Jeff rubbed his forehead. "Oh, we're doomed." He said jokingly
Abby ignored him. "Look!" She pointed at herself. "Like I said, I was asleep!"
Her expression became animated as she recalled the memory. "And then suddenly…" She sniffed dramatically.
"I smelled something."Her eyes widened. "Something REALLY good." The way she said it sounded almost religious.
Jeff exchanged a glance with Rover.
Neither of them liked where this was going.
Abby continued. "It kept getting closer."
She floated closer to Rover. "Closer."
Then closer to Jeff.
"Closer."
Then she hovered between them.
"And closer."
Her eyes sparkled. "It smelled better than anything I'd ever smelled before!"
"What smelled good?" Chixia asked.
Abby immediately pointed at both Jeff and Rover.
"You two."
The couple froze.
"…Us?" Rover asked.
Abby nodded vigorously. "Yep!"
Jeff looked disturbed. "I don't know how to feel about that."
Abby ignored him. "I didn't even have time to think!" She threw her tiny paws outward. "I just HAD to go get it!"
Yangyang thoughtfully placed a finger against her chin. "Then perhaps…"
Everyone turned toward her. "…your ability activates automatically under specific circumstances."
Abby eye's widened.
Yangyang continued. "If that's true, then maybe you don't consciously control it yet."
The little creature froze.
"…"
"…"
"…Oh."
Chixia nodded. "That actually makes sense." She pointed at Abby. "You can barely maintain your physical form for long."
Abby immediately exploded. "HEY!"
Her fur visibly puffed up. "Stop looking down on me!" She pointed accusingly at everyone. "I told you already! It was a little slip! I'll show you how great I am!"
She crossed her tiny arms. Then smirked. "But think about it."
Everyone immediately regretted letting her continue. Abby grinned proudly.
"I literally did nothing." She pointed at herself. "AND STILL BEAT A THRENODIAN."
Silence. Then— "…That's actually kind of terrifying," Jeff admitted.
Abby's grin widened. "Exactly." She floated over and landed between him and Rover. Then proudly planted her paws on her hips. "So next time we run into trouble…" She pointed dramatically behind herself. "You two get behind me."
Jeff nearly choked. "What?"
"I'll protect you."
She pointed at Rover.
"And you."
Then back to Jeff.
"And your companion's."
Her eyes sparkled.
"I promise."
Something about her confidence was so absurdly sincere that nobody could even laugh immediately.
Then Chixia finally broke. "Hahaha!"
She slapped the table. "Abby!"
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "You're so real for that."
Abby nodded proudly. "You bet I am."
She raised one tiny paw. "I said I'm strong." Then she pointed toward Jeff and Rover.
"I'll protect both of them with my life!"
For a brief moment…The table fell quiet. Rover's golden eyes softened.
Jeff's expression became gentler.
Because despite all the bragging…
Despite all the chaos she brought…Abby meant every word of it.
Yangyang smiled warmly. "That's very reassuring to hear."
Abby immediately basked in the praise.
Then Yangyang sighed. "Unfortunately…"
The atmosphere shifted bringing everyone back. "…we're still at a dead end."
Jeff nodded. There were still too many unanswered questions. Too many missing pieces. Too many gaps in their past.
Yangyang folded her hands together.
"We still don't know where Abby came from. We don't know the full extent of her abilities. We don't know how the three of you became connected. And we still don't know what happened before either of you lost your memories."
Abby slowly lowered her ears.
Even she couldn't answer those questions.
Jeff leaned back in his chair. The tension threatened to settle over the table.
So he shrugged. "We'll figure it out."
Everyone looked at him. Jeff smiled faintly. "We've already made it this far."
His crimson eyes drifted toward Rover.
"No reason to rush now."
Rover returned the look. A small smile touched her lips. "…Agreed."
Chixia groaned dramatically. "Knew it." She flopped onto the table. "Nothing about you two is ever simple." Then suddenly she sat upright again.
Eyes gleaming. "I know!"
Everyone immediately became concerned. "We bring in Baizhi."
"No."
"Xiangli Yao."
"No."
"Every researcher in Jinzhou."
"Absolutely not."
"Every researcher in Huanglong."
"CHIXIA."
Abby slammed both paws on the table.
The restaurant shook slightly.
"ABSOLUTELY NO."
The fiery ranger blinked. Abby pointed at her. "I already told that poker-faced researcher."
She crossed her arms. "I am staying with them." Then she pointed at Jeff and Rover. "Period."
Yangyang nodded. "I agree."
That surprised everyone. Yangyang smiled. "Abby can't leave their side anyway." She glanced at the couple.
"And we can't imprison them for research."
Jeff visibly relaxed. "Thanks."
"Of course."
Rover nodded in appreciation. "We still need to uncover our past."
Yangyang's expression turned thoughtful. "Which is exactly why…"
She paused."…perhaps you should speak with Magistrate Jinhsi again."
That immediately caught their attention. "The Threnodian crisis is over. Our Sentinel, Jué, has already guided you before."
Jeff remembered the strange chain of events that had led them to the Norfall Barrens. The feeling that unseen hands had been nudging them toward something. Toward a truth.
Yangyang continued. "Nothing deviates from Jué's predictions. If anyone can provide new guidance…" Her smile returned. "It's probably them."
Rover nodded first. "We'll speak with Jinhsi once she returns."
Jeff agreed. "For now…" He shrugged.
"…we wait."
Abby immediately waved her paw.
"Relax!" Everyone looked at her.
She floated proudly above the table. "You've got me now." She pointed at herself. "Getting your memories back?"
"No problem." She pointed upward dramatically. "Meeting Jinhsi? No problem." Then she gasped. Her eyes widened as if just realizing something.
"WAIT."
Everyone recognized that look.
It was never good. "This Jué thing predicts the future?"
Yangyang nodded. "Yes."
Abby's eyes sparkled. "That's AWESOME." Then she paused. "Jué."
She tested the name committing it to memory. "Jué…" Her tail swished. "That's a cool name." She crossed her arms. "…Almost as cool as mine."
Jeff groaned. "There it is."
Abby ignored him. "What does Jué look like? Where is it? Can it talk? Does it eat? Is it edible?"
Everyone stared. Bamboozled by the barrage of questions. Abby puzzled by the stares everybody's giving her. "What?"
Chixia pointed. "Why are you talking about food again?"
Abby looked genuinely confused.
"Because I'm hungry."
"You literally ate everything on this table."
"I'm still hungry."
"How?"
Abby pointed at herself. "I don't know."
Then she looked down at her tiny stomach. "Maybe it's broken."
Jeff buried his face in his hands. Well be broke asf with this guy's appetite. We need a steady income of Shell credits stat, better ask Jinshi again for employment this time.
Rover sighed.
Yangyang laughed and Chixia nearly fell out of her chair again. Somehow…Against all odds…The mystery surrounding Abby had only created even more questions. But for now—The four of them sat together beneath the warm morning lights of Panhua's restaurant.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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Hello everyone, feel free to leave your collections, powers, reviews, and comments as you see fit. That's all; thank you for reading this fanfic, and I hope you have a good day.