Shouri laid in a hospital bed. Bandages were wrapped around his mid-section which ached with a dull pain. Healing magic wasn’t absolute as he had informed his Resonators time and again, though it did keep him alive long enough to get to the hospital to patch him up. He glanced over at the IV affixed to his arm, painkillers and fluids flowing freely into his body; he was thankful for that – getting stabbed straight through the abdomen hurt like hell on his own admission.

At his side was Pacifica, who was manifesting her guilt in a near physical form. She sat in a chair next to the bed, her head lowered, fists balled up, and resting on her lap.

“You need to stop putting yourself in harm's way for us - we're the expendable ones,” the otter spoke up.

Shouri whipped his head in Pacifica’s direction. “WHAT the fuck? Who the fuck put that idea in your head?”

“Nobody. You're just too precious to let get hurt or worse.” She raised her head, their eyes meeting.

“That’s not right, If I can do something to help, I'm not going to just stand by and let you get maimed,” he argued back, the beeping of his heart monitor ticking up.

“Shouri, there's only one of you! There are countless Resonators that NEED a Maestro like you! Taika and Rebecca need you! I need you!”

“I can’t stop, I will do everything in my power to protect you!”

“Idiot!!” she shrieked, rising to her feet. She glared daggers at the stubborn boy, her vision growing misty with each passing second.

Shouri braced himself, expecting to be struck, or even for her to storm off. Instead, Pacifica pinned him by his shoulders, and leaned in, pressing her lips against his. She pulled back only slightly, twin rivers sliding down her reddened cheeks. “Idiot,” she whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion. “Do you think I want to see you like this?” she sniveled.

He opened his mouth to retort, but that only ended with her silencing him with her lips once more.

Again she pulled away, the shoulders of his gown balled up in her trembling fists. “You stole my heart, you big dumb idiot. Take responsibility and stop trying to throw your life away.”

“I'm sorry Pacifica,” he whispered ruefully. “You're everything to me... I just... Doing nothing and losing you, any of you. I can't go through that again; I'd rather die.”

Pacifica continued to tremble. She opened her mouth to continue arguing, but no words came out - only a soft, despairing squeak and then she collapsed on him, sobbing loudly into his chest.

And through this entire performance, there was an audience of one: Rebecca. It took everything in her power to suppress her Rhythm, as she knew Pacifica would sense her in a heartbeat if she allowed her emotions to run wild.

For that, Rebecca rushed away, her mind taunting her with the images of Pacifica's lips pressed against Shouri's. Why did that make her heart race? Why did she feel anger towards Pacifica? Why did she want to be in her place?

She kept her head down, struggling to hold back the frustrated tears that wanted to spill. Finding the elevator, she continued to focus on the floor while smacking the call button. A beep and a hiss and the elevator door opened. Before she could rush in and hide in the privacy of the cab, there were already occupants. Rebecca happened to glance up, locking eyes with an intense pair of brown.

This duo was oddly matched, she observed as she stepped away from the elevator. The Maestro of the pair felt almost like a flickering candle – a stiff breeze could knock him over; whereas the Resonator, while not particularly strong rhythmically exuded a primal, bloodthirsty aura. Studying his features, the only thing that stuck out was his tail, which wasn’t anything she had ever seen before – strong but covered in feathers? The radiant rhythm that wafted from his form was rocky, dirt-like. If that didn’t give it away, the brown tuner affixed to the Maestro certainly would.

Rebecca stepped back, allowing the pair to exit.

“What are you looking at, mammal?” the earth Resonator snarled.

Before Rebecca could offer up her own retort, the Maestro raised his hand. “Zino, that’s quite enough.” The boy’s voice was gentle, demure – matching with his frail rhythm. Everything about the boy was soft: his height was about around Taika’s (if not shorter), he had little musculature to him, and even his straight blond hair appeared as soft as a cloud. This was one who couldn’t harm even a blade of grass.

The blond boy chuckled nervously, placing his hands on his chest, resisting the urge to grasp his neck. “My, you must have a wonderful Maestro to radiate such potent rhythm,” he chuckled sheepishly. He suddenly lowered himself, bowing deeply his right hand sweeping across his chest in a graceful arc – this position was held for a moment before he rose. “My name is Elijah Klein.” His eyes met with Rebecca’s. “This is Zino.”

A gruff grunt followed the introduction, with a quick head-turn shortly after. Rebecca nodded uneasily – she’d have to keep an eye on the strange Resonator.

“Don’t mind him, he’s just like that,” Elijah chuckled. His eyes scanned the fox before him. “Your Maestro-” The boy studied Rebecca once more. “-is mister Tomoshibi, no?”

Rebecca’s eyes widened, and her heart began to race as one possibility came to mind: was this boy one of the people who were at the airport – the hitmen who came after them? Her heels sparked as she slowly drew a foot back. “Wh-who wants to know?” she quietly inquired.

“My, I thought I already introduced myself,” Elijah smirked.

“Who sent you?” Rebecca re-phrased her demand, maintaining her guard.

A raise of the brow. “I suppose technically that would be Zino. I tried to tell him to be nice, but he’s such a wild child.” Elijah patted his Resonator’s back, which only served to foul the mood of the earth elemental further.

“What the hell are you going on about?” Rebecca’s heels were only one good spark away from igniting.

“I’m the one who put your Maestro here,” Zino admitted without hesitation.

BWHAM!

In the space of an instant, Rebecca whipped a blazing foot at Zino’s side. The Dinosaurian managed to catch the attack but slid from the sheer force of the blow.

“Oh my.” Despite his Resonator being attacked, Elijah simply noted the power behind Rebecca’s kick.

“Tch!” Zino was less impressed and more annoyed at the sudden attack – not that he didn’t deserve it, but it still hurt.

“Now now now.” Elijah separated the two Resonators, putting himself between them. “If you should strike anyone, it should be me. I am his Maestro and it was my negligence that led to Zino catching that dreadful ailment in the first place.”

Rebecca glared at the shorter man. “Mrrph.” She lowered her foot but remained fixated on the other Maestro. Her rhythmic sense told her his words were genuine – he did accept blame for Zino’s attitude and even his affliction of Feroce. The flames at her feet died down, snuffing away and leaving light charring on the backs of her shoes (nothing that couldn’t be wiped away with a damp paper towel, mind you.)

“Why are you here?” Rebecca asked gruffly. Certainly, the vixen was still boiling over the fact that these people were directly responsible for almost killing her Maestro, but was just under the point where she’d at least hear them out.

Elijah responded in kind with a small nod and a smile. “Despite my dearest Zino’s failed attempt at diplomacy-” (The dinosaur-man turned his head away in a huff) “-Mister Tomoshibi’s methods are not to be dismissed.” The blond Maestro caressed the brown tuner affixed to his lapel. “Zino was quite thoroughly cured of his affliction. That is to say, working with Maestro Shouri for a mere evening cured Zino fully. Quite impressive.”

The fire fox’s eyes wandered away as Elijah sang her Maestro’s praises. “Uh-huh,” Rebecca said flatly, not bothering to feign interest. Of course, her Maestro was amazing - he was a one-of-a-kind idiot who threw himself into danger for their sake! His recklessness frustrated her to no end, but she’d be lying if she said his bravery and commitment to them didn’t make her heart flutter.

“Still didn’t answer why you’re here,” the fire-fox pointed out.

“Ah yes, certainly I have no doubt you or he wishes to see his attacker,” Elijah chuckled sheepishly. “I wish to meet the man who cured my dear Zino, and understand his particular brand of madness.”

Rebecca’s irritated gaze drifted back to the earth Maestro. “His madness?” she questioned, voice rising ever so slightly. This man’s roundabout and pretentious manner of speech had overstayed its welcome and only served to further grate on the fox’s nerves.

And yet he continued: “That is to say, I want to learn his method of caring for Resonators. You’re a shining example of that. Even without his presence, you’re willing to defend his honor and health.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Finally, he came out with it, thought Rebecca. However, that presented a new dilemma: should she humor this guy? Mulling it over, if this airhead was genuine in his want to learn how Shouri took care of them maybe there would be fewer Lyles in the world; those who only saw Resonators as objects or weapons.

“Fine,” she acquiesced. “His room is this way.”

Turning on a heel, Rebecca began walking back towards room 409. Though in doing so she was reminded why she was even leaving in the first place. Images of Pacifica’s lips planted firmly upon Shouri’s jumped back to the forefront of her mind. She shook her head, attempting to dismiss the intrusive thoughts.

She’d have no time to think of an exit strategy as she stood in front of the door to the room.

“Rebecca.” Shouri was taken aback by the sudden visitor. The fox remained quiet, scanning her beloved Maestro – laid up in a hospital bed, dressed up in the thin loose gown, hooked up to multiple machines and an IV drip. His complexion was pale, with dark bags around his eyes. And then there was her; the one who failed to protect their Maestro. At that moment, a blaze of fury erupted in the fox as she stared hatefully at the weak otter.

How did she let Zino overpower her? How was she put into a compromising position to allow Shouri to get hurt like this? Why did she force herself on him while he was bedridden like this?!

She couldn’t take it anymore – she had nothing to say. Rebecca pushed Elijah and Zino aside and stomped away.

“Rebecca wait-!” Shouri tried to move, but as soon as he moved his torso a wave of pain shot through him. “Sho don’t!” Pacifica pulled the boy back to a neutral sitting position. “B-but Rebecca-!” he groaned through the hot ache of his stomach muscles.

“She…” Pacifica trailed off. It was certain what the otter felt radiating from her fellow fox:

ENVY

LOATHING

HATE

Pacifica was the last person Rebecca wanted to see right now. Taika was nowhere to be seen either; she must not have come with. None of this helped the otter’s mood – she was already wracked with guilt about everything that happened.

To make matters worse, he was back. Zino raised a brow, apathetic to the dramatics unfolding around him. Some other guy was standing next to the dinosaurian, but it mattered not – her tear-laden eyes were focused entirely on the reptile-tailed man standing at the door.

In her compromised state, Pacifica spoke from the pit of despair that was her heart. “What?! Back to finish the job?!” She shrieked. “I won’t let you!” The hysterical Resonator threw herself over her Maestro in a last-ditch attempt to protect him from their attacker.

Elijah stroked his chin in thought. “Zino, sit,” the blond Maestro ordered. The earth Resonator looked around the room and found a suitable chair in the corner. He walked over and threw himself back into it, making the legs squeal from the force he exerted on it. Finally, he propped one leg up on the other and leaned back.

Still tightly grasping her Maestro, Pacifica turned her head back to address the newcomer. “Who are you?” Her voice cracked as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

The young man curtsied for the pair laid up in the hospital bed. “Elijah Klein. Otherwise known as your VIP client.”

----------------------------------------

SLAM

The door to Shouri’s room at the Lyreann Maestro Affairs office suddenly bolted open, hitting the adjoining wall and taking a chunk of the drywall out in the process.

Colette jumped, unable to suppress a squeal from the sudden noise. “O-hoh… it’s Rebecca.” The ginger-haired Maestro held a hand over her heart, gripping her blouse tightly in a vain attempt to calm the blood now racing through her.

Kaira rose to her feet, inserting herself between Colette and Rebecca. “I doubt your Maestro will be pleased with paying for damages.” The jackal advised the fox, a hand slowly reaching back and tugging the string of the sand pouch at her waist.

“Shut the fuck up,” Rebecca snarled.

For just a moment, Kaira was put on edge. What happened to Rebecca while she had been out? The earth-jackal quickly regained her composure. Rebecca was wearing her emotions like a neon sign: she didn’t want to see anyone at the moment, at least not outsiders. “Colette, we should take our leave,” the Resonator advised her Maestro.

“But why? Won’t they need help?” Colette did raise a good point – Taika and Rebecca were alone, without Shouri to deal with the bureaucracy of Resonator ownership. However, they did have their tuners on them, so getting food from the cafeteria would be easy if they just acted like they were picking up food on behalf of their Maestro. Did they know that though?

Once more the aura Rebecca was putting out silenced Kaira. “They’ll be fine,” the jackal managed to get out.

“If you say so.” Colette didn’t seem convinced but acquiesced to her Resonator’s advice. She stood up from her chair. “If you need me, I got a room here – I’m in fifty, down the hall and around the corner.” The guilt in her voice was palpable, though at the time, Rebecca cared not; she just wanted these unrelated people to leave.

A desire that Kaira picked up on. “Good day.” She nodded to Rebecca while ushering Colette from the room.

Click

And then only two were left. Taika was where she had been left: bedridden and annoyed she couldn’t go with. Rebecca stood at the foot of the bed, trying to sort through her complicated emotions.

“What happened?” Taika questioned uneasily. Even if it wasn’t her strong stave, Taika could sense that Rebecca’s mental state was being broadcast on all frequencies – the maelstrom raging in her mind was plain for all to see, even those with a weak rhythmic sense.

The fire Resonator’s jaw locked, her head spun while her lungs felt tight - not able to give her as much oxygen as her body was demanding. Too much had happened in such a short span of time, where could she possibly even begin?

“She kissed him!” the emotional vixen shrieked. “That bitch has the audacity to kiss him after she put him there!” Rebecca continued, the dams bursting to allow her tears of frustration to flow like rapids down her cheeks.

“Rebecca, calmati, per favore,” Taika finally spoke. The lunar fox swung her feet out of bed. She tested her strength before putting weight onto her legs. Thankfully they didn’t immediately collapse like before, but she still rested an arm on the bed to support herself while she made her way over to her fellow fox.

“Calm down,” the lunar repeated, placing a hand on her companion’s back.

Then Taika had Rebecca’s fury turned on her. “Why aren’t you mad about this?! I know you have eyes for him!!” the fire element shouted.

Taika maintained her cool. “It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just one kiss,” she replied, keeping her voice low, but even.

Rebecca studied the other fox until it clicked. “Wait…” she paused, her ire turning on her comrade. “Y-you’ve kissed him too, haven’t you?!”

And Taika was caught, a hand whipping up to cover her lips, and a head turn to refuse the accusing gaze of her contemporary – it was all but impossible for her to deny it.

What came next from Rebecca was a laugh, not a genuine chuckle or giggle fit, but a hollow empty laugh. Who did she think she was? What a fool this pitiable fox was. Of course, she couldn’t entertain the notion of being something more to Shouri. All she was good for was her abilities as a Renard, nothing more.

“Rebby.”

The fire fox looked up, just in time for her shirt to be grabbed. The other hand slid under Rebecca’s chin, holding her in place. And then Renard’s eyes widened as there was a sudden warmth against her lips. A small smack signaled a brief retreat from the assailant, Taika. Her mind went blank.

“T-Taika?” was all she managed to utter.

“Zitta.” Once more Taika gently pressed her lips against Rebecca’s. The poor distraught fox could do nothing to stop her fellow Resonator and just submitted to her whims. Throughout this whole performance, Rebecca found her heart fluttering, a certain tingle surging through her body as Taika worked. An involuntary hum of satisfaction escaped despite Rebecca’s trepidation.

Taika pulled away. “Ora va meglio?” The vixen smirked, licking her lips and failing to suppress a giggle.

Rebecca simply stared, her expression vacant. She blinked once, though nobody was home. Upon completing a second blink, she fell like a ton of bricks.

Poor Taika had to catch the rapidly descending Rebecca. “Oh, come on! I’m not that bad!” the lunar cried out, easing her fellow fox onto the carpet. She let out a sharp breath, shaking her head while she sat back on her legs. “What a mess,” she complained. Though at least Rebecca was calm now, fainted, but calm.