Jett Fulgen - Book 3, Chapter 11: Two-Tone
infoAbout This Title
Author's Note: I've made a small revision to Book 2, Chapter 67. If you first read that chapter on or after July 15, 2026, you're already caught up.
Some of the explanation for Jett’s growth toward Tier 4 was delayed until early Book 3 so the ending of Book 2 doesn’t get overloaded. However, one important detail felt better to reveal and lock in sooner rather than later: the boon Jett selects after completing the “Save the Next Kid” quest.
That boon ties directly into Jett’s habit of running off alone, the consequences of the docks incident, and the evolving meaning of Team Firelance’s motto.
The main events of the chapter are unchanged, but if read Chapter 67 before July 15, you may want to revisit the revised van scene.
Yeah, I got the two-tone
Red and black, that’s how I roll
’Cause everybody knows
Two is better than one
So let’s get together
That’s how we make it better
Yeah, we’re unforgettable
We’re two-tone forever
—“Two-Tone,” 5/LRM
Thera Phel was the queen of Old Town.
Not all agreed. Not yet. Even as she held court at the top of Tower Leon, tallest of the Headless Kings, some doubted. Even as she lounged on a throne of fur and bone surrounded by guards and sycophants, some still dared to think she was just one of the five.
Even as her creations watched from every crevice, some thought they could attack her people and get away with it.
She gently scratched Paka behind the ears as she listened to the two Riveters blubber. The black cat, as usual, sat on one of her armrests and watched the proceedings with marked interest. She liked that about the animal. Intelligent, engaged, barely like a house cat at all. So she had chosen not to modify her. One of the few animals that didn't need her touch.
These two enforcers would not be so lucky.
“We were set up!” one of them sobbed. “We didn't attack anybody!”
“There were other patrols out!” said the other. “Newer members! I can describe them!”
Thera yawned. It was an intentionally cat-like gesture, displaying long fangs. Her panther ears twitched. She didn't need to repeat the evidence. One of her scouts was dead, and these two were found stumbling away from the scene. It was near the border, so no doubt they had planned to claim the scout had trespassed.
“Frankly,” she said, examining her claw-like nails, “even if there were merit to your attempts to rat out your friends—who were several blocks away, by the way, and you’re full of shit—policing and punishing your people is Pop’s responsibility. My only concern is blood for blood… or replacing lost bodies.”
She stood, her fur-lined coat draping long, and strode toward them with a quiet click of heels. The two men cowered, and Thera’s guards leaned in threateningly.
[Yes, transform them. Make them yours.]
She smirked. She thought of the voice as her other little pet. Always so excitable. The amulet had been quite a gift. Its counterpart was meant for her too… if she could only find the thief.
Thera let out a guttural growl like a stalking tiger. The sound reverberated through the room, and the enforcers cowered. She extended a clawed hand. “Who will accept my gift?”
Both of the men looked at each other. One lowered his head. Two guards pushed him to his knees. The other stepped forward, terror clear on his face.
“What will I become?” he asked.
“Stronger,” she said. “The specifics? They are different for everyone. Kneel.”
One didn’t stand to be knighted, after all.
The enforcer trembled as he got to one knee. His breath came out in shaking rasps, and sweat poured from his forehead. She inhaled, taking in his fear. The predator in her craved to kill, but no; this wasn’t prey worthy of her time. She placed her hand on top of his head.
He hissed as her claws dug in.
Thera’s aethervoir dropped by more than half, and the effects began immediately. The man groaned. He convulsed. His shoulders swelled, his shirt split, and scaly skin pushed through from beneath.
She stepped back to observe. His snout elongated. He grunted, screamed, and then a sinuous tail burst through his pants. A lizard, then, and with a muscular rather than an agile build. Not a one-to-one replacement for a scout, but he’d make a good guard.
The transformation wasn’t thorough, of course. It never was. It started at his head and ran down one side. One of his eyes remained human, along with a patch of skin around it. His left arm and leg became scaled and clawed, while the other side remained as it had been before.
“Someone send for Katy,” said Thera. “This will require cleanup. Oh, damn it, Paka!”
The black cat immediately leapt off the throne and ran from the room. Her damn cousin. The mere mention of her name caused Paka to flee. Perhaps she should take that as a sign. Paka seemed to be a good judge of character, and Katy certainly was worthless. But she was family, and Thera had made a promise. Might as well keep one of those. She doubted it would make a difference if the Shones ever judged her, but one never knew.
“I’ve changed my mind!” croaked the newly created mutant. “I want to die!”
“Oh, don’t be a baby,” she chided, clicking her tongue. “You will still be able to switch back to human form. Mostly. Expect some scales to linger; that seems to happen with reptiles.”
“Turn me back now, then! Please!”
“I will allow it. But first, you have a job to do.”
She pointed at the other whimpering enforcer, and the man’s terrified human eye followed.
“Kill him,” she said. The other man howled, and a puddle formed beneath him.
The former enforcer let out a mournful animal groan. “He… he’s my friend.”
“Kill him!”
The man’s eyes dilated, both human and reptilian. He fell to all fours, his human hand fidgeting as if unsure what position to hold.
The beast mind was taking over.
The guards released the other man and backed away. He fell onto his back, scooted a few feet, then tried to stand.
It did him no good.
The lizard man lunged. His jaws and his teeth had been fully affected and strengthened by the transformation. That was arguably fortunate for the man he killed. The job was done that much faster.
“Eomma, annyeong. Appa, annyeong.”
Eunbi smiled for her parents as she spoke to them by video call. She had to. She talked excitedly, because she had to. About Imo Fu becoming a Guardian, about Samchon Jett having to take a boy band crash course, about how Julian smiled. Above all, about how excited she was for Trillium Nexus.
And she really was excited about that. Just not about what would come after.
They talked about how cold the winter was, how interesting it was that the Gigopolis ziggurat had a snowline this time of year.
They talked about what separated them. Hwa-eum, whom everyone else thought was just some lunatic girl hiding somewhere in the city. They were, she supposed, partly right. Eunbi stayed optimistic. “We’ll take care of her soon. I have a few ideas that might bring her out.”
“I sure hope so,” her mother sighed. “We miss you so.”
Eunbi fought viciously within herself. “You too,” she said, and a single tear trickled down her cheek. Just one, like a solo performer let out on stage. Just sad enough.
She hung up and rested back against the couch cushions, her arms going limp. Poor Kumi wasn’t on her shoulder as usual. The little lecti was finding all of this too difficult. She felt horrible. With her death, Kumi would be released into the Aetherverse. She should be able to find her way back to Tomaquin, the Shone who had birthed her and Eunbi’s own patron. She might become a lecti for another sorcerer. A better one. Perhaps even Eunbi’s own successor. She’d be fine. Right?
Eunbi inspected Hwa-eum’s prison. She felt her counterpart's anger like that of a caged animal. Everything still seemed to be holding. Probably. She was fairly certain no one had ever done anything like this. A mind-to-mind battle with a part of herself? The rules were unknown. They were both making this up as they went.
There was something that bothered Eunbi. A hint of smugness radiating off Hwa-eum. She should be desperate or defeated. Once Eunbi was done, so was she. Perhaps she thought Eunbi wouldn’t be able to go through with it. Well…
Could she?
At times she felt like nothing but hesitation. Hesitating to join the Guardians. Hesitating to intervene when Jett had nearly died. Hesitating to reveal Hwa-eum’s existence at all. And now? Beyond hesitating to let anyone know what Hwa-eum really was, and what was really happening to her. Would she suddenly become decisive when facing the terror of her own end?
She hadn’t always been this way. Had she? No, it had started when… yes. When she’d split. She had acted quickly in a moment of fear, and she hadn’t only cut away the cancer. She’d cut through healthy things too. Ambition. Anger. Defiance. Things that were attracted to the Destroyer’s darkness. Things LCUNA sang and sometimes screamed about. But they weren’t evil by themselves, were they?
“Hey there, baby girl.”
“Oh. Hi, Imo.” Eunbi smiled, and it wasn’t completely fake. Imo Fu could always lift her up, if only a little. She also seemed to have everything Eunbi lacked. She liked LCUNA. She wasn’t afraid to act decisively, tell people to shut up, or scream in anger—even at the people she loved. But she wasn’t Hwa-eum. She was kind, loving… and way too perceptive.
Fu sat beside Eunbi, wrapped a blanket around both of their legs, and pulled Eunbi into her arms. Eunbi tensed. She still felt like a child when Fu did that. Then again, what else was she, especially now? Just a helpless child. And being near Fu really was comforting.
“Bumblebee?” she asked gently. “What’s wrong? Really. You’ve been down for a while.”
“Nothing.”
“We had a deal, remember? You know me, and you know Fu makes jokes. But you also know Fu don’t joke about something this important. I didn’t tolerate when Fireman tried to put me at arm’s length. You are no different. I don’t pretend to know how a real mother loves her child. But I am trying my damn best. You’re doing good? I rejoice. But when you hurt? I hurt worse, ‘cause I wonder if there’s something I should be doing that I’m not.”
Fu sniffled, and Eunbi wished she could flee the room. Why? Why did this have to happen?
“Girl, I got a confession to make,” Fu continued. “I hug, I love, and I support, but there ain’t a whole lotta people I really let in. One is Bee-ho. Jess. Another is Fireman. Sabaton and Surprise, they’re also up there. And you. You precious, precocious little thing. Ya know, we talk about music, and about people. Light and dark. We all got a bit of both. You bring out my Lumina Wonder. Fireman, big well-meaning oaf that he is, brings out my 5/LRM. But when I think about anything happening to those I love? Especially you? That’s when the dark comes out. That’s when I go full, screaming, ear-bleeding LCUNA.”
Eunbi leaned against Fu. “I’m scared, Imo.”
“I don’t blame ya, girl. But can I hear why?”
“I’m scared of myself. There are things about me you don’t know. Things I’ve done. Things I… am. And if you knew, I don’t know if you’d love me anymore.”
Fu was silent for a moment. “We all got dirt. This damn fight. I ain’t gonna question just ‘cause you’re young. But you pulled Jett outta that nightmare, right? At the gala?”
Eunbi nodded, shuddering at the memory of it.
“So you saw…” Fu swallowed, squeezing Eunbi tighter. An angry quaver entered her voice. “You saw what makes him wonder if he’s unlovable. But we love him anyway, don’t we? We damn well love him. Not only that, we’re out to prove him wrong, aren’t we? It still hits him now and then. He’ll have a nightmare, or he’ll forget some little thing we don’t even notice, or maybe nothing’ll happen at all, really. And suddenly he’s back to being an angry kid who got his own mother killed, or a jobless loser, or any of those other lies, and I gotta remind him who he really is all over again. Doesn’t matter. I do it for him, and I'll do it for you.”
“Yes, but… I don’t know if I can explain it, Imo. I just don’t. Please don't be mad at me.”
“Oh, girl. Whatever it is, it's yours. Jett's shoulda been his choice to tell or not tell as he pleased. Instead he had it ripped outta him by an evil man. I swear if I ever meet that asshole again… But the point is, it's yours, and I won't force it outta ya. Just know you can share it when you're ready. And whatever it is, I won't love you any less.”
“Thank you, Imo.” They sat in silence for a while. In a way, crazy as it seemed, Eunbi almost wished Fu would keep prying. Make her say it. Get it over with.
Instead she said, “Do, um… do you wanna talk to Yuki about it? Or some kinda counselor, or even Squid? Somebody like that? I know sometimes the closest people are too close.”
“Maybe. Maybe after the concert.” She winced internally. Shones, this was horrible.
Worse, it mollified Fu. “Okay. We’ll do that. Promise? Fu’s honor?”
No. Why did she have to say that? “I—”
The door opened. “Fireman?” said Fu. “Where the hell were ya? I’m tryin’ to—oh, shit.”
Eunbi felt Fu convulsing as she suppressed laughter, and it was easy to see why. Eunbi also fought not to laugh, and even Kumi popped in to see.
Samchon had done… something to his hair.
“So uh, how does it look?” he asked, running a hand through his unruly red mop. Only it wasn’t completely red anymore. He had gotten his tips colored a yellow-orange color. Clearly it was supposed to look like flames. He’d gone two-tone.
«Imo?» she sent. «I think you talked Taeo up too much.»
Fu exploded into laughter. “Oh, damn it, Bumblebee!” she gasped. “I almost kept my composure!”
Eunbi started laughing too, and Kumi joined in.
Jett groaned. “Come on guys, it’s not that bad. I went to a reputable stylist, and I got recommendations! Do you know how much this cost?”
“It’s—it’s wonderful, Fireman!” Fu said, wheezing.
«Wait, is it really Taeo? Is he copying Julian? Oh! Is he copying Lys? Maybe all three?»
Fu howled.
“Jett,” said Habby, popping in next to his head. “I told you so. You owe me twenty GCreds.”
“You can’t use money!” Jett groused.
“You may make a purchase on my behalf.”
Jett crossed his arms dejectedly.
“Oh, Fireman!” Fu stumbled to her feet, wiping away tears, and wrapped him in a hug. “Don’t be like that, baby! It just caught me off guard, is all! Then Bumblebee made a comment and…”
She ruffled his hair. “I swear it’s cute. Stinkin’ cute. Ohh, did you do that for me?” She kissed him. “I’m sorry. You adorable dweeb. You’re hotter than Taeo, I swear. I’m still gonna tease you like hell over this, but you are.”
Samchon relaxed. Funny how some aggressive affection from Imo could always do that. He met Eunbi’s eyes. “Well, at least the kid’s smiling.”
Eunbi giggled. “I… I like it, Samchon!”
“You’re a bad liar,” he said.
Not always.
He motioned her over. “Get in here. Should I change it back, Fu? Seriously.”
Eunbi got up and joined the group hug, still laughing. It did feel good to laugh.
“I’m still recovering from the shock,” said Fu. “Gimme a day or two to get used to it. Then I’ll tell ya; you know I will.”
Shones. Eunbi wished this could last longer. She wished her parents could meet Samchon and Imo—at least, when she was around to see it. Inwardly she focused on the prison, on the source of her downfall. Hwa-eum would lose, but she would also win. She wouldn’t get what she wanted. But she was stealing everything that mattered to Eunbi. Eunbi glared at her alter ego.
Wait… were those aether tendrils? Eunbi focused more closely on the prison. No, no aether flowing in or out. No obvious breach in the bars. Had she imagined it? Hwa-eum watched her with that sullen, yet slightly smug look. What was she doing? What was she planning?
Should Eunbi say something? Should she ruin this happiness now? Was even surviving until Trillium Nexus just a crazy fantasy? No, she decided. She had too little time left already. Hwa-eum was still locked away. Eunbi would not let her steal one more thing from her.
She almost believed it.
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Author's Note: I've made a small revision to Book 2, Chapter 67. If you first read that chapter on or after July 15, 2026, you're already caught up.
Some of the explanation for Jett’s growth toward Tier 4 was delayed until early Book 3 so the ending of Book 2 doesn’t get overloaded. However, one important detail felt better to reveal and lock in sooner rather than later: the boon Jett selects after completing the “Save the Next Kid” quest.
That boon ties directly into Jett’s habit of running off alone, the consequences of the docks incident, and the evolving meaning of Team Firelance’s motto.
The main events of the chapter are unchanged, but if read Chapter 67 before July 15, you may want to revisit the revised van scene.
Yeah, I got the two-tone
Red and black, that’s how I roll
’Cause everybody knows
Two is better than one
So let’s get together
That’s how we make it better
Yeah, we’re unforgettable
We’re two-tone forever
—“Two-Tone,” 5/LRM
Thera Phel was the queen of Old Town.
Not all agreed. Not yet. Even as she held court at the top of Tower Leon, tallest of the Headless Kings, some doubted. Even as she lounged on a throne of fur and bone surrounded by guards and sycophants, some still dared to think she was just one of the five.
Even as her creations watched from every crevice, some thought they could attack her people and get away with it.
She gently scratched Paka behind the ears as she listened to the two Riveters blubber. The black cat, as usual, sat on one of her armrests and watched the proceedings with marked interest. She liked that about the animal. Intelligent, engaged, barely like a house cat at all. So she had chosen not to modify her. One of the few animals that didn't need her touch.
These two enforcers would not be so lucky.
“We were set up!” one of them sobbed. “We didn't attack anybody!”
“There were other patrols out!” said the other. “Newer members! I can describe them!”
Thera yawned. It was an intentionally cat-like gesture, displaying long fangs. Her panther ears twitched. She didn't need to repeat the evidence. One of her scouts was dead, and these two were found stumbling away from the scene. It was near the border, so no doubt they had planned to claim the scout had trespassed.
“Frankly,” she said, examining her claw-like nails, “even if there were merit to your attempts to rat out your friends—who were several blocks away, by the way, and you’re full of shit—policing and punishing your people is Pop’s responsibility. My only concern is blood for blood… or replacing lost bodies.”
She stood, her fur-lined coat draping long, and strode toward them with a quiet click of heels. The two men cowered, and Thera’s guards leaned in threateningly.
[Yes, transform them. Make them yours.]
She smirked. She thought of the voice as her other little pet. Always so excitable. The amulet had been quite a gift. Its counterpart was meant for her too… if she could only find the thief.
Thera let out a guttural growl like a stalking tiger. The sound reverberated through the room, and the enforcers cowered. She extended a clawed hand. “Who will accept my gift?”
Both of the men looked at each other. One lowered his head. Two guards pushed him to his knees. The other stepped forward, terror clear on his face.
“What will I become?” he asked.
“Stronger,” she said. “The specifics? They are different for everyone. Kneel.”
One didn’t stand to be knighted, after all.
The enforcer trembled as he got to one knee. His breath came out in shaking rasps, and sweat poured from his forehead. She inhaled, taking in his fear. The predator in her craved to kill, but no; this wasn’t prey worthy of her time. She placed her hand on top of his head.
He hissed as her claws dug in.
Thera’s aethervoir dropped by more than half, and the effects began immediately. The man groaned. He convulsed. His shoulders swelled, his shirt split, and scaly skin pushed through from beneath.
She stepped back to observe. His snout elongated. He grunted, screamed, and then a sinuous tail burst through his pants. A lizard, then, and with a muscular rather than an agile build. Not a one-to-one replacement for a scout, but he’d make a good guard.
The transformation wasn’t thorough, of course. It never was. It started at his head and ran down one side. One of his eyes remained human, along with a patch of skin around it. His left arm and leg became scaled and clawed, while the other side remained as it had been before.
“Someone send for Katy,” said Thera. “This will require cleanup. Oh, damn it, Paka!”
The black cat immediately leapt off the throne and ran from the room. Her damn cousin. The mere mention of her name caused Paka to flee. Perhaps she should take that as a sign. Paka seemed to be a good judge of character, and Katy certainly was worthless. But she was family, and Thera had made a promise. Might as well keep one of those. She doubted it would make a difference if the Shones ever judged her, but one never knew.
“I’ve changed my mind!” croaked the newly created mutant. “I want to die!”
“Oh, don’t be a baby,” she chided, clicking her tongue. “You will still be able to switch back to human form. Mostly. Expect some scales to linger; that seems to happen with reptiles.”
“Turn me back now, then! Please!”
“I will allow it. But first, you have a job to do.”
She pointed at the other whimpering enforcer, and the man’s terrified human eye followed.
“Kill him,” she said. The other man howled, and a puddle formed beneath him.
The former enforcer let out a mournful animal groan. “He… he’s my friend.”
“Kill him!”
The man’s eyes dilated, both human and reptilian. He fell to all fours, his human hand fidgeting as if unsure what position to hold.
The beast mind was taking over.
The guards released the other man and backed away. He fell onto his back, scooted a few feet, then tried to stand.
It did him no good.
The lizard man lunged. His jaws and his teeth had been fully affected and strengthened by the transformation. That was arguably fortunate for the man he killed. The job was done that much faster.
“Eomma, annyeong. Appa, annyeong.”
Eunbi smiled for her parents as she spoke to them by video call. She had to. She talked excitedly, because she had to. About Imo Fu becoming a Guardian, about Samchon Jett having to take a boy band crash course, about how Julian smiled. Above all, about how excited she was for Trillium Nexus.
And she really was excited about that. Just not about what would come after.
They talked about how cold the winter was, how interesting it was that the Gigopolis ziggurat had a snowline this time of year.
They talked about what separated them. Hwa-eum, whom everyone else thought was just some lunatic girl hiding somewhere in the city. They were, she supposed, partly right. Eunbi stayed optimistic. “We’ll take care of her soon. I have a few ideas that might bring her out.”
“I sure hope so,” her mother sighed. “We miss you so.”
Eunbi fought viciously within herself. “You too,” she said, and a single tear trickled down her cheek. Just one, like a solo performer let out on stage. Just sad enough.
She hung up and rested back against the couch cushions, her arms going limp. Poor Kumi wasn’t on her shoulder as usual. The little lecti was finding all of this too difficult. She felt horrible. With her death, Kumi would be released into the Aetherverse. She should be able to find her way back to Tomaquin, the Shone who had birthed her and Eunbi’s own patron. She might become a lecti for another sorcerer. A better one. Perhaps even Eunbi’s own successor. She’d be fine. Right?
Eunbi inspected Hwa-eum’s prison. She felt her counterpart's anger like that of a caged animal. Everything still seemed to be holding. Probably. She was fairly certain no one had ever done anything like this. A mind-to-mind battle with a part of herself? The rules were unknown. They were both making this up as they went.
There was something that bothered Eunbi. A hint of smugness radiating off Hwa-eum. She should be desperate or defeated. Once Eunbi was done, so was she. Perhaps she thought Eunbi wouldn’t be able to go through with it. Well…
Could she?
At times she felt like nothing but hesitation. Hesitating to join the Guardians. Hesitating to intervene when Jett had nearly died. Hesitating to reveal Hwa-eum’s existence at all. And now? Beyond hesitating to let anyone know what Hwa-eum really was, and what was really happening to her. Would she suddenly become decisive when facing the terror of her own end?
She hadn’t always been this way. Had she? No, it had started when… yes. When she’d split. She had acted quickly in a moment of fear, and she hadn’t only cut away the cancer. She’d cut through healthy things too. Ambition. Anger. Defiance. Things that were attracted to the Destroyer’s darkness. Things LCUNA sang and sometimes screamed about. But they weren’t evil by themselves, were they?
“Hey there, baby girl.”
“Oh. Hi, Imo.” Eunbi smiled, and it wasn’t completely fake. Imo Fu could always lift her up, if only a little. She also seemed to have everything Eunbi lacked. She liked LCUNA. She wasn’t afraid to act decisively, tell people to shut up, or scream in anger—even at the people she loved. But she wasn’t Hwa-eum. She was kind, loving… and way too perceptive.
Fu sat beside Eunbi, wrapped a blanket around both of their legs, and pulled Eunbi into her arms. Eunbi tensed. She still felt like a child when Fu did that. Then again, what else was she, especially now? Just a helpless child. And being near Fu really was comforting.
“Bumblebee?” she asked gently. “What’s wrong? Really. You’ve been down for a while.”
“Nothing.”
“We had a deal, remember? You know me, and you know Fu makes jokes. But you also know Fu don’t joke about something this important. I didn’t tolerate when Fireman tried to put me at arm’s length. You are no different. I don’t pretend to know how a real mother loves her child. But I am trying my damn best. You’re doing good? I rejoice. But when you hurt? I hurt worse, ‘cause I wonder if there’s something I should be doing that I’m not.”
Fu sniffled, and Eunbi wished she could flee the room. Why? Why did this have to happen?
“Girl, I got a confession to make,” Fu continued. “I hug, I love, and I support, but there ain’t a whole lotta people I really let in. One is Bee-ho. Jess. Another is Fireman. Sabaton and Surprise, they’re also up there. And you. You precious, precocious little thing. Ya know, we talk about music, and about people. Light and dark. We all got a bit of both. You bring out my Lumina Wonder. Fireman, big well-meaning oaf that he is, brings out my 5/LRM. But when I think about anything happening to those I love? Especially you? That’s when the dark comes out. That’s when I go full, screaming, ear-bleeding LCUNA.”
Eunbi leaned against Fu. “I’m scared, Imo.”
“I don’t blame ya, girl. But can I hear why?”
“I’m scared of myself. There are things about me you don’t know. Things I’ve done. Things I… am. And if you knew, I don’t know if you’d love me anymore.”
Fu was silent for a moment. “We all got dirt. This damn fight. I ain’t gonna question just ‘cause you’re young. But you pulled Jett outta that nightmare, right? At the gala?”
Eunbi nodded, shuddering at the memory of it.
“So you saw…” Fu swallowed, squeezing Eunbi tighter. An angry quaver entered her voice. “You saw what makes him wonder if he’s unlovable. But we love him anyway, don’t we? We damn well love him. Not only that, we’re out to prove him wrong, aren’t we? It still hits him now and then. He’ll have a nightmare, or he’ll forget some little thing we don’t even notice, or maybe nothing’ll happen at all, really. And suddenly he’s back to being an angry kid who got his own mother killed, or a jobless loser, or any of those other lies, and I gotta remind him who he really is all over again. Doesn’t matter. I do it for him, and I'll do it for you.”
“Yes, but… I don’t know if I can explain it, Imo. I just don’t. Please don't be mad at me.”
“Oh, girl. Whatever it is, it's yours. Jett's shoulda been his choice to tell or not tell as he pleased. Instead he had it ripped outta him by an evil man. I swear if I ever meet that asshole again… But the point is, it's yours, and I won't force it outta ya. Just know you can share it when you're ready. And whatever it is, I won't love you any less.”
“Thank you, Imo.” They sat in silence for a while. In a way, crazy as it seemed, Eunbi almost wished Fu would keep prying. Make her say it. Get it over with.
Instead she said, “Do, um… do you wanna talk to Yuki about it? Or some kinda counselor, or even Squid? Somebody like that? I know sometimes the closest people are too close.”
“Maybe. Maybe after the concert.” She winced internally. Shones, this was horrible.
Worse, it mollified Fu. “Okay. We’ll do that. Promise? Fu’s honor?”
No. Why did she have to say that? “I—”
The door opened. “Fireman?” said Fu. “Where the hell were ya? I’m tryin’ to—oh, shit.”
Eunbi felt Fu convulsing as she suppressed laughter, and it was easy to see why. Eunbi also fought not to laugh, and even Kumi popped in to see.
Samchon had done… something to his hair.
“So uh, how does it look?” he asked, running a hand through his unruly red mop. Only it wasn’t completely red anymore. He had gotten his tips colored a yellow-orange color. Clearly it was supposed to look like flames. He’d gone two-tone.
«Imo?» she sent. «I think you talked Taeo up too much.»
Fu exploded into laughter. “Oh, damn it, Bumblebee!” she gasped. “I almost kept my composure!”
Eunbi started laughing too, and Kumi joined in.
Jett groaned. “Come on guys, it’s not that bad. I went to a reputable stylist, and I got recommendations! Do you know how much this cost?”
“It’s—it’s wonderful, Fireman!” Fu said, wheezing.
«Wait, is it really Taeo? Is he copying Julian? Oh! Is he copying Lys? Maybe all three?»
Fu howled.
“Jett,” said Habby, popping in next to his head. “I told you so. You owe me twenty GCreds.”
“You can’t use money!” Jett groused.
“You may make a purchase on my behalf.”
Jett crossed his arms dejectedly.
“Oh, Fireman!” Fu stumbled to her feet, wiping away tears, and wrapped him in a hug. “Don’t be like that, baby! It just caught me off guard, is all! Then Bumblebee made a comment and…”
She ruffled his hair. “I swear it’s cute. Stinkin’ cute. Ohh, did you do that for me?” She kissed him. “I’m sorry. You adorable dweeb. You’re hotter than Taeo, I swear. I’m still gonna tease you like hell over this, but you are.”
Samchon relaxed. Funny how some aggressive affection from Imo could always do that. He met Eunbi’s eyes. “Well, at least the kid’s smiling.”
Eunbi giggled. “I… I like it, Samchon!”
“You’re a bad liar,” he said.
Not always.
He motioned her over. “Get in here. Should I change it back, Fu? Seriously.”
Eunbi got up and joined the group hug, still laughing. It did feel good to laugh.
“I’m still recovering from the shock,” said Fu. “Gimme a day or two to get used to it. Then I’ll tell ya; you know I will.”
Shones. Eunbi wished this could last longer. She wished her parents could meet Samchon and Imo—at least, when she was around to see it. Inwardly she focused on the prison, on the source of her downfall. Hwa-eum would lose, but she would also win. She wouldn’t get what she wanted. But she was stealing everything that mattered to Eunbi. Eunbi glared at her alter ego.
Wait… were those aether tendrils? Eunbi focused more closely on the prison. No, no aether flowing in or out. No obvious breach in the bars. Had she imagined it? Hwa-eum watched her with that sullen, yet slightly smug look. What was she doing? What was she planning?
Should Eunbi say something? Should she ruin this happiness now? Was even surviving until Trillium Nexus just a crazy fantasy? No, she decided. She had too little time left already. Hwa-eum was still locked away. Eunbi would not let her steal one more thing from her.
She almost believed it.
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