Remember Me?

~Chapter 3: The Meeting~

Many years later...

Ajak's POV:

"Evening Phastos, any new inventions?", I questioned.

"I have many ideas to improve their progression, such as electricity systems", the engineer proudly stated.

"Don't you think it's a bit.. advanced".

"Well, they have only just started writing in books, instead of stone in the past hundred years" Druig joined in, entering the room and making his way to a seating area in the corner.

"Mind your business stalker and I was showing my invention to Ajak but all I hear is the depths of my disappointment", Phastos glumly noted.

"Phastos don't think like that, they will advance when the time comes. Anyways the others should arrive soon, I am staging an important meeting with everyone", I announced.

As if on cue, Makkari zoomed into the lab, golden trinkets piled up in her arms as she made her way to Druig, ready to display her thieving antics, I just shook my head, there is no way to stop her sticky fingers. Kingo, Thena, Gilgamesh and Sprite entered shortly afterwards, Kingo and Sprite arguing on whose the better prankster within the group. 

"Everyone make yourselves comfortable while we wait for the rest to arrive", I stated, watching as the group spread off into pairs, all in their respective conversations as I notice Phastos sulk in the corner.

"That could take forever, Sersi has never been on time in her entire life", Sprite snickered, her patience obviously running thin after losing her argument with Kingo.

Shortly after Sprite's comment, Ikaris and Sersi bursted through the hallway into the lab, grabbing everyone's attention. 

"I'm so sorry Ajak, I got distracted and".

"It's fine Ikaris, everyone come around", I announced. The group making their way into the centre of the room, forming a circle.

"As some of you know, the deviants are multiplying daily and are targeting humans more strategically in larger clusters, I've spoken to Arishem, we both agree that everyone is to help with the deviants, not just the fighters".

"Wouldn't that be too dangerous?, some don't the abilities to protect themselves", Ikaris questioned.

"I didn't ask for your input Ikaris, remember where you stand", I warned. "Any other questions?".

"If this meeting was so important, how come Andromeda isn't here, you requested for everyone to attend, why not her?", Sprite questioned, annoyance laced within her tone.

"She was already informed and I sent her on a task I needed to be completed by nightfall", I answered, knowing that her absence would create a diversion with this meeting.

"Why does she get the special treatment, unlike the rest of us", Sprite expressed, her anger starting to rise.

"Why don't you mind your business", Druig interjected, obviously bothered by Sprite's sudden outburst towards his friend.

"Why should I? We constantly drop everything to come to these meetings and she doesn't even bother, on top of that, the days we aren't spent fighting deviants, she's gone before sunrise and doesn't return till after nightfall. What could she possibly be doing that's more important than this team", Sprite expressed, her voice raising in volume as her anger only rose.

"Sprite, it's none of your business of how she spends her time", Makkari signed, visibly upset that people were commenting about her best friend.

"She has a point, we all hang out with each other and talk but she's constantly absent", Kingo chimed in, understanding Sprite's argument.

"It's no shock she doesn't talk with you guys, as all that you do is attack her any chance you get on any decision she makes", Gilgamesh argued. Thena nodded her head in agreement, providing her answer that she sided with Andromeda and why she stays on the outside. 

"Enough, this meeting was about the deviants and the deviants alone, if you wish to make any comments on other members of the team, speak to me privately". With that, I exited the lab before any interruptions and made my way to a viewing point in the Domo.

Third Person's POV:

"Of course she would defend her, like every other time".

"Sprite that's enough, if you keep going, it seems you have four people ready to fight you", Sersi warned, directing her attention to the four individuals who defended their friend.

"Why should I, if they want to fight over 'Miss Perfect's' actions, then come at me", Sprite challenged, her anger practically steaming from her throat.

"Sprite that is ENOUGH", Ikaris yelled, finally fed up with the arguing.

Everyone's head snapped in his direction, many questioning his outburst, while others annoyed that he was going to defend Andromeda.

He swiftly turned away and followed in the direction, which Ajak left minutes ago, in search of his leader. After wandering through many hallways, he found her staring aimlessly into the distance.

"If you have come to question my reasoning of today's meeting and Arishem's decision, please exit", Ajak advised, not ready to have another argument of another eternal.

"I'm sorry Ajak, I never meant to question your decision. I was just thinking about the protection of others, my apologies", Ikaris sincerely stated.

"It's okay Ikaris, I know your loyalty to Arishem is strong, I've never doubted that but is there anything you would like to tell me?", Ajak asked, partially already knowing what was on his mind.

"No, my full attention has been on the mission and I won't allow any distractions", Ikaris responded, believing Ajak wanted him to be mainly focused on the mission and nothing else.

"That's not what I was asking about", Ajak blandly stated, knowing it would take convincing before he told her.

"Then what is it?"

"I've noticed the way you look at two of the members of the team".

"Who? Are you talking about Sersi?".

"Yes and the other one, which I'm sure you have realised I already know who".

"Andromeda? Is that who you are thinking, why do you think that?".

"I'm not blind Ikaris, I've seen the way you are drawn to them. Although they are alike, you view them with different emotions and you just confirmed the second person without me guessing", Ajak responded, smirking as she tricked Ikaris into revealing his liking to Andromeda without realising. 

"What do you mean different emotions, what emotions? And you also tricked me into saying her name".

"The emotions you feel are love and lust".

"But which emotion is associated with which one?".

"That's something you will have to find out on your own", Ajak stated, only hoping that the small advice would help him without forcing him to decide and allow him to work it out on his own.