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Loir’s jaw fell, and he stared at her with his black, creepy eyes wide open.
“I’m sorry, Kitty, but my earwax must be piling up. I thought you said something like me summoning the Edge...?”
“Because I did say that. If you and Circé survived, maybe there are more hackers out there in hiding. Even if they aren’t part of the old Edge, we might need more people on our side when we go up against the Core.”
“We’re going up against the Core?!” screeched Loir. “Since when are we going against the Core? Who’s ‘we’? I’m not going against the Core! Did you forget what they did to my toes?!”
“I’m going to do something worse to your fingers if you don’t listen to her,” hissed Dante.
Loir’s face grimaced, rolling his chair a bit farther away from them. He shivered, and turned back to his screen, mumbling as if they couldn’t clearly hear him.
“Those two are just acting like mean Kitties now. So scary! My poor little toes, I already miss them so much... Nobody loves me or my toes, they are all bullying me! Master Pan, you raised a little monster, and now the Kitty is acting like a tiger! Damn tiger, I wish there was a whip around... All they do is purr together and bully poor me! And I don’t even have any pizza left... Poor me, poor me... Not even the shadow of an anchovy...”
Despite his complaining, he was obviously working hard already, all his screens flickering and displaying new data one after another. If it was Loir, she knew he would be able to gather some hackers’ attention. They always had. His unusual way of coding and her exceptional skills as a Dive Hacker had built them a reputation that gathered attention each time they made an appearance in the Dark Reality. Eden sighed and turned to Dante.
“No need to bully him, he’s already crazy enough as it is... and he will do what we ask without threats. But I do believe we’re going to need more hackers. If things keep going like this, we’re really going to have a massive fight against the Core.”
“The Hare will provide some.”
“I don’t trust anyone whose name is just an initial, Dante. Especially after today...”
“We don’t need to trust any of them,” he said. “The Dragon doesn’t, either. The Old Man is gathering us because he’s the only one with the power to do so. It’s the first time in thirty years the Zodiacs will gather again.”
“I guess you’re not going for his oolong tea!” exclaimed Loir.
They both glared at him, and he made a grimace before turning back to his screens, muttering complaints again.
“...You don’t have to come,” Dante whispered. “You can stay here.”
“Oh, no, Dante. I’m coming,” she retorted. “Don’t even think about leaving me here.”
“...Alright.”
He smiled, and she realized he didn’t really want her to stay behind either. He had intended on bringing her all along. Whatever was going to happen next, it was clear they would stick together from now on. Dante slowly leaned his forehead against hers, acting as if it was just the two of them in the room. His skin was already dry and cold again. His touch helped Eden calm down a little. She still felt nervous, but for now, everything felt incredibly calm. The calm before the storm, perhaps. She took a deep breath in, while Dante left a quick kiss on her forehead.
“...Let’s go back upstairs,” he said softly. “I’ll cook you dinner again.”
“I’m hungry,” she admitted, only paying attention to the familiar sensation now.
“I know. I’ll fill you up... here and there too,” he smiled.
Of course, his hand went down on her butt, and Eden groaned, grabbing his chin between her fingers.
“You never stop, do you?”
“You’re the one making me do this. And I’m tired of just imagining you on my kitchen counter...”
“Uh... Excuse me,” mumbled Loir, raising his hand. “I’m still here... and I’m hearing all your dirty talk... Please get a room...”
Ignoring him, Dante wrapped his hands around Eden, beginning to kiss her neck. She wondered if he wasn’t doing this on purpose to discourage Loir from spying on them, or if he really didn’t mind an audience... She also didn’t want to know the answer. With a sigh, she put her hand on his shoulder, but turned her head to Loir, trying to ignore the relentless kisses she was attacked with.
“We’re going upstairs. Loir, can you also send a message to my master?”
“I’m not your mailbox, Kitty!”
“Just try to leave something in the Dark Reality, something he’ll recognize us by. If he’s been watching us, he might hear we could use his help...”
“I don’t want to be mean, Kitty, but if Pan was interested in what we’re doing, don’t you think he would have appeared by now? It sounds more like your master is enjoying the show from afar right now...”
