Everyone stared at the red-eyed girl.
“Whoa. You’re really fast, Miss Yor.” Zoe blinked, adding a rare prefix of respect one usually doesn’t expect from Zoe of all people.
“Yes. That was impressive.” Jasmine nodded.
“That was...preternaturally quick instinct. Thank you for saving Animus.” Gwen frowned before smiling in gratitude.
“I-It isn’t a big deal. I just practice martial arts in my free time,” Yor said shyly.
Animus stared at the dead mole rat. It was stabbed cleanly. He looked back at the now slightly blushing girl.
‘Is she also an avatar sent by Robert?’ He thought.
‘Regardless, this is...some insane gap moe.’ He nodded to himself.
“Yor!” A tiny voice called out.
A young girl with pink hair and drill cap-like head accessories ran and clung to Yor’s leg. She wore a tiny blue and yellow jumpsuit.
“Anya!” Yor said before lifting the little girl in her arms. “Do not worry. The rats are gone.”
“Ah, Anya! Hey!” Zoe smiled.
“Hi Zoe!” Anya turned and waved happily.
“A...child? Zoe, you know her?” Animus asked.
“Yeah, Bro. That’s Anya. She sits in the classrooms and studies in the same area as me. She’s pretty funny!” Zoe smiled.
“I see. Hello, Anya. My name is Animus. I am Zoe’s older brother.” Animus smiled and waved.
“H-Hello!” Anya squeaked.
“Ah, so cute!” Jasmine exclaimed and stepped closer.
“Hello, Anya! I am Gwen!” Gwen said before joining Jasmine.
The girls crowded the young child. They all talked excitedly, fawning over the cute pink-haired girl. Anya beamed.
Animus watched fondly.
“Excuse me. Are you okay? You were really brave there!” A voice emerged behind him.
Animus turned.
A beautiful young woman stared at him. Her emerald eyes gently looked at him. Her long red hair was tied in a ponytail.
‘There are way too many beautiful women in this vault.’ Animus thought.
“Yes, I am fine. Thanks for asking.” Animus smiled.
“That’s a relief!” The girl said, stepping closer to look at Animus. “I was so impressed when I saw you stepping in to protect everyone.”
“It wasn’t a big deal.” Animus shook his head. “By the way, I’m Animus. And you are?”
“My name is Malty.” The girl smiled perfectly. Her white teeth shone under the light.
“It’s nice to meet you, Malty. Do you want to meet my friends?” Animus smiled.
“I’d love to!” Malty smiled and stepped even closer to Animus.
Animus stepped back a little to make space.
Gwen turned back upon hearing Animus speak to someone else. She frowned. She walked up to Animus and stood right next to him.
“Who’s this, Animus?” She asked.
“This is Malty. We just met,” Animus explained.
“Hi there! It’s nice to meet you.” Malty waved, smiling.
“Hello. My name is Gwen.” Gwen nodded.
Malty was quickly introduced to the rest of the group. Like the rest of the girls, Malty fawned over Anya.
“Aw, such a cute kid! Anya, do you want to sit with me?” Malty asked.
‘Fucking brat. Don’t say yes.’ She thought.
“Geh!” Anya grimaced.
“Anya?” Yor asked, turning Anya so that she faces her. “What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing. Yor, let’s sit together.” Anya said, hiding her expression.
Animus watched the interaction in confusion. He shook his head.
“We’ve had enough action for one day, guys. Daphne, you can collect your plates. Let’s move to the table in the corner. It’s one of the biggest and should accommodate all of us.” Animus said while tilting his head to point at the table.
Everyone responded in agreement. Daphne collected her plate and Jasmine’s plate. The long table had four benches. Animus sat on the furthest bench with Zoe, overseeing the entrance of the dining area. Gwen sat on his left. Jasmine sat on his right. Yor sat next to Gwen, Anya on her lap. Daphne sat next to Jasmine. Malty sat on the opposite side.
Malty frowned briefly, noting the distance between her and Animus.
“Alright, so introductions are in order.” Animus clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention. “My name is Animus Spero. Several of you already know that. This is my sister, Zoe Spero. As for family background, our father is a Major in the army, and our mother an archaeologist. We are natives to our state.”
Zoe puffed her chest.
“And I’m Zoe! Although Bro already said that.” Zoe deflated dramatically.
Everyone shared a few chuckles.
“I didn’t know you’re the son of a Major in the army, Animus. I suppose that’s where your expertise with guns comes from. And don’t worry, Zoe. We all love you.” Jasmine said, placing elbows on the table and tucking her chin above her hands.
“Thanks!” Zoe grinned.
“Yeah. You’re not bad with the gun,” Daphne agreed tersely.
“It is impressive, but what I appreciate more is your decisiveness to join the defense.” Gwen smiled and looked at Animus.
“Thanks, guys.” Animus smiled. “Now, on to the rest of you. Who wants to go next?”
“I will.” Jasmine said, her voice gentle as she looked at everyone. “My name is Jasmine Badrolbadour. This is my twin sister, Daphne. We’re the heiresses of Agrabah Enterprises, though it may not mean much with the end of the world.”
“Hi.” Daphne muttered, her voice bitter as she looked at Jasmine.
“The heiresses to Agrabah Enterprises...” Yor said, her eyes wide in surprise and awe. “It is nice to meet you.”
Yor then shifted awkwardly. She said, “I have already shared my name with all of you. Um, Anya is my adopted daughter. I adopted her a year ago. I also have a younger brother. He’s also in another vault somewhere. He was studying in Seattle, so he couldn’t join us here.”
Animus nodded. “That makes sense. What vault did he go to?”
“Vault 77.” Yor smiled.
Animus’ heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.
“I hope it’s nice like our vault,” Zoe muttered lazily.
A lump formed in Animus’ throat.
“Animus?” Jasmine asked, her voice laced with an undercurrent of worry. “You’re staring off into nowhere. Are you fine?”
Animus snapped out of it forcefully.
“Yeah.” He said, forcing the word out with a strained smile. “I am fine.”
‘That vault... It’s a disaster.’ He thought in pity.
Anya suddenly turned her head to look at Animus. Her eyes widened.
“Anya, will you introduce yourself too?” Yor asked gently.
Anya quickly looked up at Yor before looking at everyone bravely.
“I-I am Anya! Six years old! Nice to meetcha!” She said cutely.
“Aww!” Gwen said.
The girls fawned over the cute kid. Anya smugly enjoyed the attention. When the girls quietened a little, Malty spoke up.
“I am Malty Melromarc. I don’t have any special background. Well, my parents were descended from European royalty.” Malty said innocently.
“Whoa. We got royalty too now? What’s left, the CEO of Ice Corp herself joining us?” Zoe muttered in surprise.
“That’s impressive.” Gwen nodded, her voice containing an edge. “Is your family with you here?”
Malty’s smile turned a little stiff.
“They... They passed away. They died during the Resource Wars between the European Commonwealth and the Middle East.” She said, giving a dramatically hurt look.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Gwen said.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Animus said, giving Malty a sad look.
“Malty, you are not alone.” Jasmine said sadly. “Agrabah fell because the Middle East lost the Resource Wars. Daphne and I escaped with our father to America. We tried to rebuild, but then the bombs fell.”
“Yes. My brother and I left Germany to reach America during the height of the Resource Wars, a couple of years ago. Ever since then, we have been living here.” Yor added with a look of shared suffering.
‘So, Miss Yor’s German? Well, she does look pretty and different. We’ve got a lot of people from different countries here in the vault. Odd.’ Animus thought.
Nobody asked what had happened to Jasmine and Daphne’s father. After hearing Malty’s story, they assumed the worst.
“Well, it is good that we all know each other now,” Animus said, getting everyone’s attention. “Let’s have breakfast together.”
“That sounds good. Let’s go get some food.” Gwen smiled.
“I’m famished!” Zoe groaned.
“Yes, let’s eat.” Yor smiled.
The group got food from the mess hall. Malty tried to sit next to Animus, but Zoe and Jasmine had taken his flanks, much to the redhead’s chagrin. The group ate and chatted about daily life and adjusting to vault life.
Then, as breakfast wrapped up, Beatrice of the Vault-Tec staff approached the group.
Zoe tensed.
Beatrice stopped before Animus.
“Animus Spero, you are called to the Overseer’s Office. We would like to discuss your actions today and assign you a new Pip-Boy.” She said quickly, feeling everyone’s eyes on her.
“Okay.” Animus said and got up.
“I’m coming with you.” Zoe added and got up, clutching the cloth bag with her closely.
“No.” Beatrice shook her head. “Animus is to come alone.”
Zoe frowned. Her hand went inside the bag, gripping the Glock 17 inside. She growled.
“Why?”
**
Author's Note: Hello, everyone. I would like to share that I will be uploading four chapters a week now. I'm finding it difficult to maintain quality while keeping up with my other commitments. I will now upload chapters on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If you'd like more chapters, please review the novel. For every review, I will upload one extra chapter.