Fortnite: Island

Chapter 15: Phase 2

"It can't be real." Drift panted.
"Drift, I know you're stressed but you need to breathe." the Scientist whispered.
"How do I tell her?" Drift mumbled.
"You don't have to." the Scientist answered.
"But I should."
"Well, yes, you should. That still doesn't mean you have to." the Scientist shrugged, "Do you like her now?"
"Of course I do! Oh... this is so confusing."
Drift slumped down in his chair. The Scientist watched him, probably trying to think of a response that was both comforting and reassuring. Shanta stood beside him, a hand on his shoulder, and Aura stood in the corner of the room, just surveying the situation. Then, she started to gravitate towards them.
"I might have an idea, but you need to trust me." Aura said.
"Go on, agent." the Scientist sighed.
Aura scowled at him before saying, "I can't say. She might hear."
"I trust you." Drift murmured.
"Thank you." Aura smiled, "Be right back."
Aura left the room like a shadow, making no noise and barely leaving an impression on anything. Shanta and the Scientist turned back to Drift, who had slumped back in his chair. The Scientist stood up and startd to pace around the room.
"The first phase of my plan is done, Drift. Thanks to you." the Scientist clapped his hands once, "But plans don't just end that quickly, and now that you remember your past, it's time to initiate phase two."
"Do I need to go back to the IO base, then?" Drift asked.
"Maybe I could get that Aura girl to say something about you heroically dying, but I don't know." Shanta suggested, "Unless the Scientist here has other plans?"
"Actually, I need her for something else, too, and that something involved you too, sorry. But I do feel that it's better to build trust now than later."
"Of course. Would you like me to gather everyone at the coastline?"
"Yes please. Thanks, babe."
"Oh? Are you two together now?" Drift raised his eyebrows.
"I never thought I'd end up falling for him, but I guess life sometimes gives you a suprise. You should know that better than anyone, Drift." Shanta smiled before exiting swiftly.
"I guess I should." Drift said, mainly to himself.
"Come on, let's head out." the Scientist waved Drift forward.
"Why are we meeting at the coast?"
"I'd like to initiate phase two in style."

***

The door clicked behind Aura as she stepped out of it. She had never been to a place like this before. The naturalistic stone walls, painted with red and blue in some places to match the Seven's style, gave the place a rustic feeling. The domed rooves made the buildings appear so oddly shaped, like balloons.
Aura started to pace down one of the corridors. The place was a maze, but she knew that Lynx wouldn't be that hard to find. Her bright pink hair would stand out in a place like this. But she may also not sit still. There was always a chance that she may just appear around any-
"Oh! Hello." Lynx jumped.
"Hi." Aura replied.
"You're, like, the person who was with Drift in IO, right?"
"That'd be me, yeah." Aura nodded.
"Were you going for a little exploration?" Lynx asked.
"Actually, I was looking to socialize."
"Well, I can talk."
Aura knew that straight up asking her wouldn't work. And any sort of hints towards liking someone would sound odd at the start of a conversation. So, she decided that she would just talk normally and then ease into it. She wouldn't suspect a thing.
"How was IO?" Lynx asked.
"Looking back, I'm realising I enjoyed it a lot less than I thought I did." Aura sighed.
"Oh no!" Lynx frowned, "I know that the Scientist doesn't trust you just yet, but I do."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
"So, umm, tell me something random about yourself." Aura said, "I don't know. It was what came to my head first."
"My sister is a model, for one thing."
An image of Aura's friend Sparkle Specialist came to mind, and she asked Lynx, "I have a friend who reads lots of fashion stuff in newspapers and online. I might know your sister."
"Her name is Alli. Ring any bells?"
"I think so."
"Oh, wow! I'll have to find time to tell her."
Now was the time.
"Does Alli have a partner?" Aura asked.
"Not as far as I know." Lynx sighed.
"What about you?" Aura added.
"Heh! As if."
"It's a shame, you're quite pretty. Do you have a crush?"
"Thank you, and..."
"And?"
Lynx looked around, checking that nobody was there, before she leaned into Aura's ear. She looked serious, but also a bit playful. It was odd. Lynx then said what Aura wanted to hear.
"I don't know why, but I'm quite attracted to Drift." Lynx giggled.
"Ah, cool."
"Did you fancy anyone?" Lynx asked, "In IO, I mean."
Aura tried to think, but all she could think of was Fennix's stupid face. She sniggered as she thought of him in Drift's closet. It felt good that he'd finally been bested. But that wasn't what Lynx had asked, so she said;
"No, actually."
"Sad." Lynx shook her head.
Suddenly, Shanta appeared around the corner. She walked up to the girls and looked from one face to another. Lynx waved subtly and Aura smiled as she realised that Shanta's timing was perfect.
"You two need to come with me to the beach." Shanta waved them forward.
"Why?" Lynx asked.
"The Scientist wants you."
"And I want specifics." Aura retaliated harshly, before remembering that the Seven were her allies now, "Sorry, that was a bit mean."
"No matter. The Scientist wants to suprise you."
"Oh! Exciting. Come on, let's go!" Lynx cheered.