A Lumen Ripple | An Elemental Story

Chapter 31 - Him

Leaving the ugly moment in her incomplete project house, Ember exited, looking down with a stern stare as she did so.

Phil - as well as the judges in the background - raised an eyebrow at her in concern.

He could see something within her was beginning to shift. After all, he had grown to get to know her quite well over the last week. He chose to carefully approach her at a slow pace. As she noticed him approaching, she stopped in her spot, a cold shiver tingling down her spine.

"Ms Lumen-- I'd urge you to take a break." he recognised.

Not one to take any kind of orders well, Ember shot him a headstrong, grumpy stare.

"No-- I'm in the zone. Just-- please let me keep on it." she pleaded.

Partly expecting her reaction yet still disappointed, Phil stared at her, mouth falling slightly agape in reaction. Yet still, he felt it was right to get out of her way - to capitalise on her so-called 'zone' while it was there. He let out a gentle nod with an air of hesitation.

"Please be careful." he pressed.

She let out a semi-childish exhale, moving past him with a cold shoulder of sorts. As she went off to retrieve her clipboard, Phil gently gazed in a growing concern.

Reaching down and grabbing the checklist, she moved forward with her exam, entering the final process...

"Begin the roofing process." she read.

As she read it, something couldn't quite click with her. She stared at it blankly for a few moments, looking up at her project in daunt.

"How the heck am I supposed to do that?" she questioned herself.

In a state of near-shock and frazzle, she stood still like a statue. She began to pander ways to get the job done, settling on a slight alternative. She promptly took a deep breath, sharply turning and rushing to Phil.

"A question," she asked.

Phil looked over at her, raising an eyebrow. He sharply shrugged, leaning to look over her checklist.

"Roofing process. Where do I begin?" she asked.

Phil let out a smirk and a light chuckle, surprised that she had even gotten this far without asking for a thing until now. Allowing her one get-out-of-jail-free card, he nonchalantly pointed over to the workers in the distance.

"They have a ladder, right?" he queried playfully.

She sharply burned white in surprise, looking over at them. She bruxed her teeth out of embarrassment, shaking her head.

Everything she required for the activity was provided - including the ladder, roofing utensils and beyond.

She chuckled further out of nerves, disappointed in herself for not realizing it.

"Yeah-- right. I knew that." she stammered.

She took a breath, slowly walking over to the workers rather middlingly.

For just a moment, Phil pursed his lips in worry, his concern for her growing. Each hour that passed proved more stressful for most involved - most evidently Ember herself.

She returned to the worker's huddle, a bit of a flat, unenthused look about her.

"Alright, boss. Where to next?" Brock queried enthusiastically.

Ember didn't hesitate for a second in her process, walking past the huddle and grabbing the things she needed to fly solo. She shot the three a look; cocky with a tinge of passive-aggression.