Chapter 42 - Morning preparations
The next morning, Scarlett found herself walking into the dining hall of the Elystead mansion and saw both Allyssa and Shin, along with Fynn and Rosa, already sitting at the large rectangular table that took up most of the room. That didn't surprise Scarlett, as she had given them the freedom to treat this place as their own during the time that they stayed here. What did surprise her, though, was the fact that Evelyne was also here — in the middle of a conversation with both Allyssa and Rosa as they all ate what looked like a hearty meal consisting of bread, soup, and some kind of meatloaf with different sauces on the side.
Everybody's attention turned to Scarlett as she walked up to the head of the table and took a seat. While being in the same room as Evelyne this early in the morning wasn't the most comfortable way to start the day, she wasn't going to leave just because of that. "I see that all of you have already awoken and seem to be prepared for the outing later today," she voiced, moving aside the large silver lid on top of the plate that had been prepared for her to reveal her own meal.
"Who'd miss a free feast and service like this?" Rosa said, pausing whatever conversation it was that she had been in with Evelyne and Allyssa to wave a white piece of bread around. "I'd get up even earlier if this was what was waiting for me every day."
Scarlett saw Evelyne's eyes widen a little at that, but ignored it. "I am glad that you are enjoying the accommodations. You can expect more of this in the future, should you choose to continue being in my employ." She looked toward the two Shielders working for her. "And you? What are your opinions as of now?"
Allyssa looked slightly surprised by the question, the young blonde putting her hands up in front of her. "We're used to sleeping out in the forest when we have to. We can't complain."
Shin, who sat next to her, simply nodded his head. "We appreciate the generosity you're showing us. But like she said, it's not our place to object as it is right now. We aren't afraid to get our feet dirty when needed, though."
Scarlett turned to Fynn, who was in the process of wolfing down the food before him. He already had a couple of empty plates beside him. The sight did bother Scarlett's instincts somewhat, but at least he was using a fork. "And you?"
It took him a moment to stop his eating and look up at her. "It's very large here," he stated.
Scarlett waited for him to say something more, but that was all. "I suppose you are correct," she admitted. "And I suppose there has not yet been much time to form an opinion exceeding that degree either." Her eyes shifted to the white ring around his finger. "And what of my gift? Have you succeeded in familiarizing yourself with it?" In the game it took a while before he unlocked any of the special abilities related to it, so she wasn't expecting it to do that much for him yet.
His yellow eyes also turned to the ring. "...No, not yet."
As she expected. "I am sure you will eventually," she said before turning back to her meal.
"He got a gift?" Rosa asked from the other side of the table.