“You were going to mix in some French cuisine, right?” Gaius eyed the huge plate. “But just because it’s called French fries…”

After completing some blueprints and drawings, the Memory Sifter had produced a huge dining table in the middle of the room, where a huge spread of food had already been laid out. In the middle was a plate slightly larger than his abdomen, and it was full of French fries. To its left was a pizza half a metre in diameter, while a plate carrying eight burgers sat at its right.

“It’s the thought that counts,” the Memory Sifter replied. “This is the essence of American cuisine, fast food!”

“That sounds like a stereotype,” Gaius murmured.

“Don’t sweat the small details.”

Gaius felt full just by looking at the sheer amount of food. It was a spread that would probably lead to obesity, if eaten regularly, and the Lost Star found himself dreading the prospect of eating everything. However, as guests, food laid out for them was supposed to be eaten up, so…”

“Mother, did you cook too much?” Lia asked.

“There’s a lot,” Isabelle added. “And there’s only four of us.”

“No, not for long.” The Memory Sifter rubbed their heads with a hand each. “Sit tight. There’s quite a few people headed our way as we speak, so this is also in part for them.”

“Quite a few people?” Gaius asked.

“Yes.” Her eyes drifted over to Gaius. “It would seem that you used to be someone famous in the old Ark City. A few important visitors are headed your way as we speak.”

“I see,” Gaius replied.

“We’ll wait for them to arrive, then. They’ll feel left out if we don’t include them for lunch,” said the Memory Sifter. “That alright with you?”

Everyone nodded.

“Good. Take up your positions!”

Gaius blinked.

“What positions?” Isabelle asked. “We’re just sitting around this table, right?”

“Silly daughter, sitting’s for noobs. No, we must seem impressive. Gaius, head over to my writing table and sit on it.”

“On the table?” Gaius repeated her words, which didn’t seem to make all that much sense.

“Yes, hurry up. You like the idea of looking cool, right? Here’s your chance to show off.”

“O-okay.”

Isabelle’s mother continued to arrange their postures and positions. Within moments, everyone was positioned in a way that did indeed look cool to Gaius; Isabelle was looking out at the window, casting a long shadow onto the room’s entrance, Lia was adopting a pose like that of the Thinker.

The Memory Sifter herself had thrown on a cloak, which began to billow wildly, despite the absence of wind whatsoever.

“Feels like we’re putting on a show,” Gaius muttered.

“Shush. Just leave the rest to me,” the Memory Sifter replied.

Gaius exchanged amused glances with Isabelle, and then focused on looking like a delinquent smoking his last cigarette. It was not how he died on Earth, but with his current sensibilities, it was probably one of the cooler postures Gaius wished he’d died by…even if he didn’t smoke as a matter of principle.

The doorbell rang a minute later, and the doors parted to reveal a group of people.

“So you’ve come,” the Memory Sifter spoke. Her voice was quiet, deadly. “What business do you have here?”

The newcomers, led by General Degurechaff, froze up at those words.

“Wait, did we enter the right place?” Leaving behind those words, the general ushered everyone out and closed the doors, only to open them up with a vengeance a heartbeat later.

“Emily Lorenze, are you trying to prank us?”

“It’s not my fault if you got intimidated by a buncha people posing coolly, you old coot.”

“I’m not old!”

“Alright, enough, the both of you. What are you, three?” The woman bringing up the rear of the group sighed, and Gaius’ attention turned to the others behind Degurechaff immediately. He recognised a few of them immediately — Nalus, the late Campmaster’s son, Warmaster Chamberlain, and a bunny-eared girl whose name Gaius had promised to forget.

Her name was Mai, but a promise was a promise.

Their eyes fixated on him, and smiles bloomed on their faces.

Gaius looked at them, and then got off the writing desk. “It’s been some time, guys.”

Nalus, with his characteristic silver streak in his hair, nodded heavily. “Yes, lecturer. It’s been some time, hasn’t it?”

“Mm.” Gaius looked at the young man, whose eyes were lined with the hallmarks of grief and age. “I went to the monument earlier. Heartfelt condolences. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Nalus replied, a wan smile on his face. “He died a hero’s death. It’s my turn to carry his legacy.”

Gaius relaxed somewhat at those words. “Good. Good. How are the others?”

“They haven’t heard about your arrival yet, lecturer.”

Shaking his head, Gaius looked at the white cloak he wore, which was worn and tattered. At the same time, he could feel the eyes of everyone else watch him as he interacted with Nalus. Some of them were filled with curiosity; others, a quiet understanding.

“There’s no need to, Nalus. And…well, the Harvesters’ initiative is now defunct, so calling me lecturer is a bit wrong,” Gaius replied. “We’re now all equals in this combined battlefront.”

He gestured at the dining table, where the Memory Sifter was observing him with a twinkle of interest in her eyes. “Let’s catch up over some food, shall we?”