He walked with a confident grace, his body slimmer, leaner, and more muscular. He was heading to dinner with Zoe, easily matching her pace as they reached the dining area. He helped push open the door to the hall, his bicep flexing as he did so.
Zoe blinked.
“Bro, is it just me, or are you really a bit muscular? You couldn’t open that door even if you prayed to Jesus on Sunday mass.” She asked, tilting her head.
“I think I’m a little fit now.” Animus smirked.
“And it’s already going to your head.” Zoe snarked before smiling. “And it makes me so happy.”
Animus chuckled and hugged Zoe before they entered. Zoe hugged him back. He waved to a few people in the dining area. Animus had begun to make friends and connections; mostly people in the science and engineering labs.
Zoe happily waved to a few people working in the dining area and to a few teenagers sitting around the place. She had made a lot of friends among the diner’s chefs and staff, not to mention those who studied with her or taught her.
The sibling duo sat down on the group’s usual table in the corner.
Jasmine and Daphne soon arrived after them. The pair of dusky beauties were a charming reflection of each other, in blue and red. Jasmine was waving to several people from the water treatment rooms and the food farms. She was one of two librarians, yet she still managed to form a variety of acquaintances in the vault thanks to her natural charisma. Daphne nodded to a few fellow teachers, but greeted no one else.
“Hey, Animus. Hello, Zoe.” Jasmine smiled before quickly sitting on Animus’ left.
That seat was usually occupied by Gwen.
“Hi guys,” Daphne said.
“Yahallo~” Zoe waved cheerily.
“Hey, Jasmine. Hello, Daphne. How was your day?” Animus smiled.
“It was nice. Especially when you came after work to read with me. We’re almost nearing the end of Pride and Prejudice. I can’t wait to get back to it with you.” Jasmine smiled, winking at Animus.
“Yeah, me too.” Animus smiled and nodded.
“My day was okay. Except for Zoe being a menace with Anya.” Daphne deadpanned.
“Oh, come on. That’s part of the fun!” Zoe grinned.
“By the way, where is Gwen? Doesn’t she come to dinner with you guys?” Jasmine asked, curious.
“She went to the– Oh, there she is. Hey, Gwen!” Animus waved.
A beautiful blonde woman with a black headband walked towards the group, flanked by several women. She waved them as they sat on another table. Gwen smiled at Animus.
“Hey, Animus! I was just visiting the–” Gwen started before abruptly stopping and staring at Jasmine, who had occupied her seat.
Gwen gave a strained smile before sitting next to Zoe, a seat usually taken by Jasmine. Jasmine smiled back, triumphant.
“Ahem. So, as I was saying, I was visiting the medical labs to exchange notes with the researchers there. I think Stimpak development is an interesting avenue of exploration in the future,” Gwen said.
“I agree. You’re doing something really important, Gwen. I’m also glad you’ve made friends in the medical labs.” Animus nodded and smiled.
“Thanks. It’s all for us.” Gwen smiled, putting an emphasis on ‘us’.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes. She turned to Animus with a smile.
A beautiful black haired woman with red eyes reached the group, accompanied by a young girl with cherry blonde hair.
“Hello, everyone.” Yor smiled and took the seat next to Jasmine.
“Hiya!” Anya said before jumping on her seat.
Everyone greeted them back. Two waitresses brought food for everyone to eat. Everyone dug in.
While eating, Zoe noticed Animus sharing some of his food with Jasmine.
“Brother dearest, you must eat more. How will you continue to grow?” Zoe asked, mimicking the accent of a Victorian-era noblewoman.
“Dearest sister, I had a rather heavy lunch today. My dinner shall remain light to prevent upsetting my stomach, lest it protest in displeasure.” Animus replied without pause.
“You two have such a funny way of talking. It makes me desire a sibling of my own.” Gwen giggled.
“Yes. Daph and I don’t speak like that, despite coming from a place where we were treated like royalty.” Jasmine joked.
“Lady Gwendolyne, you and I may be no different from siblings. The blood of the covenant runs thicker than the water of the womb, sometimes.” Zoe intoned, dramatically leaning into Gwen.
‘Damn. My little sister has some epic lines in store, as always.’ Animus thought, nodding in silence.
“I shall be honoured, sister Zo.” Gwen laughed, catching Zoe.
Zoe nodded proudly.
“Zoe, what about me?” Jasmine asked in a sing-song voice.
“Our bond was sealed too, sister! Thou shalt not worry, for our covenant holds strong.” Zoe gasped.
Jasmine chuckled. “Thank you, dear.”
Jasmine then turned to look at Animus.
“But I must agree with Zoe. You’re growing. You look...good.” She said, and traced her finger over Animus’s arm, from his forearm to the bicep.
Zoe waggled her eyebrows at that. Daphne lifted an eyebrow too.
“Thanks, I-”
Screech
Jasmine and Anya winced. She turned to see Gwen had dragged her fork across her plate, the sound of metal on metal grating together.
“Yes, I agree. But I do not agree that it requires a physical demonstration. We can all see that.” Gwen said, glaring at Jasmine.
Jasmine pouted in response.
Animus cleared his throat.
“No worries. I’ve just been working out a lot in the gym and the athletics room.” Animus smiled.
“That’s wonderful.” Jasmine smiled back.
Animus felt a prickling sensation on his skin. He felt a few lingering gazes on the group, particularly him. When he turned, he couldn’t see anybody. Zoe noticed it too.
“Hey, is it just me, or are people staring at us?” Zoe asked.
“Maybe it’s because we are a large group?” Yor said, sounding uncertain.
“I’ve been feeling it for a few days. Are we too loud, or is it something else?” Gwen admitted, looking around.
Just then, a beautiful platinum blonde haired woman with icy blue eyes approached them, holding a tray of her own.
“Mind if I join you guys tonight?” Elsa asked.
“Not at all.” Animus said before gesturing to the seat on the opposite end.
“Thank you.” Elsa nodded.
Elsa sat down, waving to Gwen, Zoe, Yor, and Jasmine.
“I have news to share.” Elsa said, staring right at Animus.
“Alright. Please go ahead.” Animus nodded.
“I don’t know if you have noticed it yet, Animus, but you are the only man that has been seen in the vault,” Elsa said, her voice serious.
“I know. I even mentioned it to the girls once. Not to Miss Yor, though.” Animus nodded.
“I haven’t seen any man from the water treatment rooms or the library. I thought you might have been wrong when you said it a month ago, but I am not sure anymore.” Jasmine said, looking around to confirm her doubts.
The dining area was getting full. It was a sea of women. And there was not a man in sight. Animus was the lone man in the place, like a small island in the vast ocean.
“I’ve had that suspicion for a while now too. It shouldn’t be realistic, but there’s no other proof.” Gwen’s eyes narrowed.
“I’ve checked the entire directory of the vault’s contacts. Each profile, each face, and each name. There is no man in the vault except for Animus.” Elsa said, a grim look on her face.
“How could that be...?” Daphne said, eyes wide.
“That’s problematic.” Zoe muttered, frowning.
“It’s not merely problematic.” Elsa shook her head. “The vault cannot realistically survive centuries on such a narrow gene pool. It doesn’t matter if we have the food and resources to last 200 years.”
“So, Vault-Tec did this on purpose.” Yor said, her crimson eyes narrowed like a sharp blade.
“Why would they do that?” Anya asked.
“It’s because Vault-Tec is not a good company, Anya. I don’t trust them,” Animus said gently.
Elsa nodded in agreement.
“That’s not all,” Elsa said, her voice grim and low. “I’ve formed my own group in the vault. And right now, there are people who are waking up to this realization. They are demanding Animus be shared among them.”
“WHAT?!” Zoe replied, getting up and slamming her hand on the table. She gripped her gun in her cloth bag. “Who the fuck are those bitches demanding my brother like he’s a slice of cake? I’ll dice their flesh!”
“Zo, calm down.” Animus said, pulling Zoe down and into his arms. His eyes were cold and narrowed.
“They are here, aren’t they?” He asked.
Elsa nodded.
“They are right here among us.”
**
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