Chapter 15
Back at Elliot Mansion...
Adam and V were sneaking down the aisles.
They didn't want Tessa to discover them ahead of time.
Each one carried something:
Adam was carrying a small, well-wrapped box.
V was holding a bag of colored paper peeking out.
They stopped in front of the main room.
Ready? whispered Adam.
V nodded nervously.
Yes, Adam.
Adam took a deep breath.
Then he pushed the door with his foot.
Inside, Tessa was sitting on the couch, reading a book of old strategies.
When he heard the noise, he looked up, frowning.
Now what?
Adam approached, throwing the box into his lap without much ceremony.
Take it.
Tessa blinked, surprised.
What is this?
V also approached, timidly spreading his bag.
A gift for you...
From us.
Tessa put the book aside, confused.
Why...?
Adam crossed his arms.
Because you are an idiot and you do not know how to accept help even if they put it in front of you, he said, sarcastic, but with a soft smile.
Tessa looked at him, between funny and excited.
With careful hands, he opened the Adam box first.
Inside was a special set of reinforced training gloves.
They were light, tough, designed to withstand chakra loads and cursed energy.
On the sides, embroidered in red thread, were two small initials: T.E.
Tessa held them in her hands, silently.
Then he opened the V bag.
Inside, carefully wrapped in shiny paper, was a small metallic figure:
A miniature of two people standing together, back to back, with crossed swords on their shoulders.
It was crude, imperfect... clearly handmade.
Tessa immediately recognized what she represented: she and Adam.
His eyes opened wider, surprised.
Did you do this, V?
V lowered his head, shy.
-S-Yes...
I thought you and Adam...
They always fight together.
So... I wanted you to remember it.
Tessa squeezed her lips, containing a smile.
He looked up, first at V, then at Adam.
Thank you, he said, in a softer voice than he intended.
Adam shrugged.
No big deal.
It is, Tessa corrected, putting on her new gloves.
Much more than they think.
He got up from the couch, approached V first and gave him a short but sincere hug.
V was stiff, surprised, but then she reciprocated.
Afterwards, Tessa turned to Adam.
For a second, they looked like two soldiers waving in silence.
But Tessa broke protocol.
He really smiled.
You are the best idiot brother in the world.
Adam laughed through his teeth.
And you are the most dangerous and stubborn sister in the universe.
V, watching them, smiled timidly as well.
For the first time, I felt like I really belonged to that little girl.
Tessa was still looking at her gifts, excited, when she suddenly frowned.
But that was a secret!
Even for J.
Adam, calmly in the world, replied:
Sister...
Are you blind or what?
Don't compare my sugar tenrosito to your walking time bomb.
Before Tessa could reply, Adam turned to V, hugged her excessively, and lifted her up a little from the ground.
Right, my sugar tenrosito?
V blushed so loudly that he seemed to be about to smoke from his ears.
Adam is right, Tessa said, all nervous but convinced.
Tessa opened her mouth, astonished.
He put a hand to his forehead as if his head hurt.
Oh, no...
You are already corrupting the drone!
He shouted, pointing dramatically at them.
What did you do?!
Adam smiled with a false expression of innocence.
I just taught her the value of true love and companionship.
Tessa snorted, turning around.
This is a circus.
A real circus.
As she grumbled away, Adam let out a low laugh, still hugging V, who was still shaking with nerves and happiness.
Adam muttered:
Don't worry, tenrosito de sugar.
You are in good hands.
V nodded shyly, her synthetic heart beating at a rate that almost left her without a drum.
Later that afternoon...
Tessa called Adam and V in an excited tone:
Adam! Come on, I want to teach you something!
Adam and V, intrigued, followed her through the long corridors of the mansion.
The echo of their footsteps broke the silence as they moved forward.
Tessa was walking to the front, almost jumping from excitement.
They arrived at a large metal door: the private workshop in Tessa.
There, among loose pieces, holographic screens and scattered tools, was a figure they did not expect to see.
A male drone.
Standing, with a straight back, waiting for them with a calm attitude.
It had an elegant and robust structure: black armor with silver details, eyes of a luminous blue, and short, neat metallic hair.
When Adam and V entered, the drone smiled softly.
Hello, she said in a calm voice.
I am N.
I really like to meet you.
V looked at him in surprise, as Adam raised an eyebrow, evaluating him.
Tessa smiled proudly and crossed her arms.
I repaired it myself.
It was badly damaged, but I managed to reactivate it.
And I gave him his name as well: N.
Adam tilted his head, sarcastic:
What about, have you run out of creative names?
Tessa ignored the comment, smiling even bigger.
Now N is my personal drone.
Loyal, efficient...
And much more polite than you or you, little sugar.
V blinked confusedly, while Adam put his arm around her shamelessly.
Not just kidding, sister! protested Adam.
My sugar tenrosito is unique.
Incorruptible!
Perfect!
V blushed violently as Adam pressed her a little against his side, proudly.
N, meanwhile, watched everything silently, slightly uncomfortable.
Tessa let out a light laugh.
Don't get so excited, Adam.
I wouldn't want your drone to rebel against you because of emotional abuse.
Adam feigned indignation.
Never!
My sugar tenrosito is completely happy with me!
V nodded quickly, nervously.
Yes, I am very happy.
Tessa rolled her eyes, funny.
Anyway,...
We now have another member on the team.
And believe me, N is going to prove that he is just as useful as any human.
Adam looked at N sideways.
We will see...
He muttered, half-jokingly, half-seriously.
He did not just smile politely.
I hope I can be of help.