Resonant Rewrite

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast greeted Rin as she stepped into the kitchen. Evelyn was already there, standing by the counter, flipping through a stack of documents with a distracted look. Her presence was a mix of composed authority and subtle nervous energy, something Rin had come to recognize as Evelyn's version of "trying to act normal."

"Morning," Rin said, sliding into a chair at the small dining table. She reached for a slice of toast, deciding to play it cool. No need to dive into the heavy stuff just yet.

Evelyn glanced up, her expression softening. "Good morning, Aria. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a rock," Rin replied, taking a bite of toast. "Though I think I've officially hit my limit of staring at the same four walls. I need to get out of here before I start naming the furniture."

Evelyn chuckled softly, setting the documents aside. She carried a plate of scrambled eggs and toast to the table, sitting across from Rin. "We can't have that. Naming furniture is a slippery slope."

Rin smiled, letting the light banter settle between them for a moment before shifting gears. "So, about the next test for my guiding ability…"

Evelyn froze, her fork hovering mid-air. Her expression flickered—something between discomfort and alarm—before she quickly schooled it into neutrality. "There isn't going to be another test," she said firmly, setting her fork down. "It's all sorted out. They've collected all the data they need."

Rin raised an eyebrow, her tone casual. "Really? Just like that?"

Evelyn nodded; her voice unwavering. "Yes. You don't have to guide anyone else. It's been decided." She emphasized the last part, her eyes locking onto Rin's with an intensity that left no room for argument.

Rin tilted her head, feigning acceptance. "Okay, if you say so." She took another bite of toast, masking the thoughts whirling in her head.

Gotcha.

Evelyn's initial flinch and the way she'd rushed to answer confirmed Rin's suspicions. She didn't like the idea of me guiding others. Not one bit. And if Rin's hunch was right, Vera hadn't told Evelyn about the experiment beforehand, either. It explained so much—the abrupt way Vera had whisked Evelyn out of the room during their introduction, Evelyn's anxious behavior afterward, and her insistence that Rin go ahead without her.

Evelyn must've figured it out. And when she did, she probably went straight to Vera and laid down the law. Rin could almost hear Evelyn's words: "This was the first and last time."

And Vera? She wasn't the type to let something like that slide without noticing the underlying tension. Evelyn's behavior would've been a dead giveaway. Rin sighed inwardly. Great. Vera's probably suspicious now, too.

But dwelling on it wouldn't help. Rin pushed the thoughts aside and focused on her next move. She needed to get out of the house and gather information. If she could learn more about imprints and S-class Guides, she might be able to piece together a plan.

"Hey, Evelyn," Rin said, breaking the silence. "Are you free today?"

Evelyn blinked; her confusion quickly replaced by a pleased smile. "Yes, I am. Do you need something?"

Rin leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands and adopting her best pitiful expression. "I'm bored out of my mind. I haven't had a chance to explore the city, and I don't remember anything about this place. Will you come with me? Please?" She added a hint of wide-eyed innocence for good measure.

Evelyn's face turned a shade pinker, and she fumbled with her coffee cup. "Oh! Of course! I should've thought of that sooner. I'm sorry, Aria. I didn't realize you'd feel cooped up."

Rin smiled, her tone light. "It's okay. I get it—you've been busy keeping everything running smoothly. But I'd really appreciate it if you could show me around. I might even buy you lunch as a thank-you."

Evelyn chuckled, her flustered expression softening into something warm and genuine. "You don't have to thank me. I'd love to take you on a tour. Let me get ready, and we'll head out."

"Perfect," Rin said, her mind already shifting gears.

As Evelyn left the kitchen to prepare, Rin leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. Step one: get out of the house. Step two: gather intel. And step three? Figure out how to keep all of this from spiraling into disaster.

She glanced at the faint glow of the imprint on her hand, hidden beneath her glove. The mark pulsed softly, a constant reminder of the bond that tied her to her beast companions, Onyx, Aurelis, and Evelyn—and the dangers it carried.

One step at a time, Rin thought, finishing her coffee. Let's see what the city has to offer.

The City Tour

The city buzzed with life, its streets filled with vendors, performers, and citizens going about their day. Evelyn walked beside Rin, her usual composed demeanor tinged with a subtle excitement as she pointed out landmarks and shared snippets of history.

Rin listened, nodding and smiling in all the right places, but her mind was elsewhere. She scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for anything that might lead her to the answers she needed. Libraries, information brokers, shady alleyways—she'd take whatever she could find.

"So," Rin said casually as they passed a bustling market. "What's the best place to learn about Guides and Espers? You know, if someone wanted to brush up on history or lore?"

Evelyn tilted her head, considering the question. "The Central Archives would be the most comprehensive resource. They have records dating back centuries. But access is restricted—you'd need a guild-issued pass or special permission."

Rin filed that information away. "What about bookstores? Any good ones around here?"

"There's a shop near the plaza that specializes in rare texts," Evelyn said. "I've been there a few times. The owner is… eccentric, but knowledgeable."

That's a start, Rin thought.

As they continued their tour, Rin couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn't Evelyn—her presence was steady and reassuring. This was something else, a subtle prickle at the back of her neck.

She glanced around, her gaze sweeping the crowd. Nothing seemed out of place, but the unease lingered.

"Something wrong?" Evelyn asked, noticing Rin's distraction.

Rin shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, just taking it all in. This city's bigger than I expected."

Evelyn smiled, her expression softening. "It can be overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it. And if you ever feel lost, just let me know. I'll always be here to help."

Rin's chest tightened at the sincerity in Evelyn's voice. She nodded, her smile genuine this time. "Thanks, Evelyn. I appreciate it."

But even as they walked on, Rin's mind remained sharp, her thoughts circling back to the imprint, the guild, and the unknown threats lurking in the shadows.

The city might hold the answers I need, she thought. But I'll have to tread carefully. One wrong move, and this whole thing could blow up in my face.

The Bookstore Encounter

The bell above the door chimed softly as Rin and Evelyn stepped into the bookstore. The scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air, the kind of warm, nostalgic aroma that could only belong to a place like this. The shop was deceptively small at first glance, with shelves packed tightly together and books of all shapes and sizes lining every available surface.

Behind the counter stood the owner, a tall, wiry figure with sharp features and an ageless quality. Their piercing amber eyes seemed to lock onto Rin the moment she entered, and a small, knowing smile played on their lips.

"Welcome, outsider," the owner said, their voice smooth and oddly resonant. "How can I help you?"

Rin froze mid-step, her heart skipping a beat. The way the owner said "outsider" felt too precise, too intentional. It wasn't about her appearance—it was as if they could see through her, into the core of who she was.

Before Rin could respond, Evelyn stepped forward, her tone brisk but polite. "She's with me. A friend. We're just here to look for some books."

The owner's gaze lingered on Rin for a moment longer before they inclined their head slightly. "Of course. Feel free to look around. If you need anything, just ask."

With that, they gestured toward the shelves and stepped aside, melting into the background like a shadow. Rin exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she followed Evelyn deeper into the store.

The shelves were arranged in a modern library style, neat and well-organized, but the sheer variety of books was overwhelming. Evelyn picked out a few volumes, handing them to Rin with a smile. "These are good for general history. They'll help you get a better sense of this world."

"Thanks," Rin said, her voice distracted as she scanned the titles.

They wandered the aisles together for a while before splitting up to cover more ground. Rin found herself drawn to a section labeled "Lore and Myths," the titles promising tales of ancient heroes, forgotten wars, and arcane mysteries. She was scanning the spines when the owner appeared again, their presence so sudden and silent that Rin nearly jumped.

"Do you need any help?" they asked, their tone polite but tinged with something deeper—curiosity, perhaps.

Rin hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "Actually, yes. I'm looking for books about the history of this world. Particularly… lore."

The owner's eyes gleamed, and they nodded. "Follow me."

They led Rin up a narrow staircase to the second floor, where the atmosphere changed entirely. The air felt heavier, charged with a subtle energy that made Rin's skin tingle. The lighting was dimmer, and the shelves here were filled with books bound in leather and cloth, their spines embossed with intricate designs.

In the far corner of the room, the owner stopped in front of a door. They pushed it open, revealing a secluded section that seemed untouched by time. The books here were older, but impeccably preserved. The room itself had an otherworldly quality—quiet, still, and steeped in an aura of ancient knowledge.

"This is where you'll find what you're looking for," the owner said, stepping aside to let Rin enter.

Rin's breath caught as she took in the sight. The books were arranged by size and color, their covers adorned with symbols and patterns she didn't recognize. She ran her fingers along the spines, marveling at the craftsmanship.

One book in particular caught her eye. It was small and thin, its green cover reminiscent of a forest canopy. The intricate design on the front seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light. She pulled it from the shelf and opened it, her curiosity growing as she skimmed the contents.

The book was about beasts and tamers.

Rin's brow furrowed. She hadn't included anything about beast tamers in the world she'd created. In fact, she'd asked Evelyn about them once, and Evelyn had been adamant that no such thing existed. So why was there a book about them here?

She tucked the green book under her arm and selected a few other volumes on history and lore before leaving the room. As she descended the stairs, her mind buzzed with questions.

Evelyn was waiting for her near the entrance, a small stack of books in her arms. "Where were you?" she asked, her tone curious but not accusatory.

"I was upstairs," Rin replied, keeping her voice casual.

Evelyn frowned slightly. "Upstairs? That's odd. The owner doesn't usually let anyone go up there." She shrugged, brushing it off. "Well, whatever. Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yeah," Rin said, holding up her selections.

They approached the counter together, where the owner was waiting. As they placed their books down, the owner's gaze flicked to Rin, their expression unreadable.

"Please feel free to come back anytime," they said, their tone warm but laced with an undercurrent of something deeper. "If you need help with anything—anything at all—don't hesitate to ask."

Rin nodded; her throat dry. She had the distinct feeling that the owner's words were meant specifically for her.

"Thank you," Evelyn said, her tone light. "We'll keep that in mind."

With their books paid for, they left the store and stepped back into the bustling city streets.

Evelyn glanced at Rin, a small smile on her lips. "So, what did you think of the bookstore?"

"It was… interesting," Rin said, clutching the green book tightly.

And full of secrets, she thought.

As they walked away, Rin couldn't shake the feeling that the bookstore—and its enigmatic owner—held answers to questions she hadn't even thought to ask yet.

It reminded her of the others she'd encountered since arriving in this world. Lila and Ash—both cryptic figures who seemed to know more about her than she did about herself. They'd appeared, said their piece, and vanished, leaving her with nothing but more questions. At least the bookstore owner wasn't going anywhere.

Rin glanced at Evelyn, who was happily chatting about their next stop, and tightened her grip on the green book. If Evelyn weren't here, she might have pressed the owner for answers. But as Aria, she couldn't risk drawing attention—not to herself, and definitely not to Evelyn.

The owner's parting words echoed in her mind. "Please feel free to come back anytime. If you need help with anything—anything at all—don't hesitate to ask."

The time wasn't right now, but she'd be back. Alone. And when she returned, she'd make sure to get the answers she needed.