Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 2.1 - Who Is He Really?

Jorah sat at the corner table of the small, stylish café that had become a favorite spot for him, Avalon, and Jade over the years. Sequestered in the VIP area, he adjusted the crisp white sleeve of his shirt peeking out from his navy suit.

While he waited, his thoughts swirled. He'd been to this place more times than he could count yet as he sat alone to be joined by his friends, there was an unbidden anxiety in his chest. He'd been here with Avalon and Jade but he felt like there were other important memories he'd made beyond that which were now missing from the movie reel of his life.

Avalon was the first to arrive.

When Jorah saw him, he raised a brow in surprise as he stood to greet his friend. "What the hell happened to you?" He appraised his friend dressed in a simple blue button down with a pair of jeans, his mess of black curls soft and glistening.

"What?" Avalon asked slipping into the seat across from Jorah after their embrace.

"You look..different.." Jorah observed.

Avalon gave him a little smile.

"But I like it." Jorah added quickly. "I think it suits you."

"Thanks." Avalon replied. He looked about. "Jade's not here?"

"I'm here..I'm here." Jade arrived breathlessly on cue as though conjured . "Sorry. I was late wrapping up something with a vendor." He shook his head in exasperation. "I swear, this is so much work."

"The charity?" Avalon queried.

"Yeah." Jade replied as he slid took the empty chair beside Avalon.

"Wait... what charity?" Jorah's eyes narrowed in genuine surprise. In his head, the words Jade and work did not go together often.

"Mine." Jade beamed. "I was going to tell you.." he glanced to his left. "I just ended up telling Avalon first."

Jorah rolled his eyes. "Or you just really wanted Avalon to be the first one to know."

Jade's eyes dipped and he picked up the menu for a place they'd eaten at too many times to count.

"Anyway." Jade redirected the conversation. "I only have like an hour or so before I need to meet with some donors."

Jorah's eyes widened. "Well aren't you busy."

"I can be busy too Mr. Eren." Jade teased. "Speaking of which. I do expect a sizeable donation from Eren Industries."

"Do I look like I'm made of money?" Jorah smirked.

Jade gasped dramatically. "Isn't that what all Erens are made of?"

The three exchanged glances before erupting into laughter as the waiter came to take their order.

Before long their orders came and the three settled into comfortable conversation as they sought to bring each other up to speed on their recent ventures and share in their memories.

As the three settled into the comfort of each other's company, Jorah leaned back in his chair, eyes distant as he traced the rim of his glass. Jade was taking the final sip of his drink when out of nowhere, Jorah broke the stillness.

"Who's Kailen Kim?" he asked, voice low but cutting through the ambient noise like a sharp blade.

Jade sputtered and quickly covered his mouth as he slowly lowered his glass to the table.

The question hung in the air, electric, unsettling before Avalon cautiously asked. "What do you mean?"

Jade's pulse quickened, though he did his best to hide it, watching Jorah closely. Does he remember? Hope bloomed in his heart as his thoughts spun.