A Special Request

"I was hoping we could catch up since it's been quite some time since we last met," Shroud calmly stated.

"Still, this..." Robert, on the other hand, couldn't help but glance at the opulent arrangements around him. Similar sentiments were shared by everyone present, except for Shroud.

"What? I understand this reunion isn't of the highest standard, but I was in a rush as well." Shroud expressed his apology for the modest arrangements.

"Wha-? No, it's not that I am complaining about that. Rather, I'm saying you didn't have to make it so elaborate." Robert explained that Shroud didn't need to go to such lengths for a reunion.

'This is grand?' Shroud inwardly questioned, as if to him, this much wasn't even worthy of being called a meetup, let alone a reunion.

"Well regardless, I have called you all to hear what you guys have been doing after the eruption," Shroud tried shifting the topic back to his initial question.

*sigh*

Robert let out a sigh, acknowledging that Shroud indeed just wanted to talk. His brows furrowed a bit as he began, "Well, I did manage to secure a retail job, but the conditions could be said to be less than ideal."

Emery looked at her husband with a concerned gaze as she reached for his hand and gently squeezed it, silently reassuring him that he didn't have to worry too much as she was there to help.

Emery then turned her attention to the group before sharing her story after the eruption, "Well, recently, I did get a job as a secretary but left it at the last moment after reading the terms," she said with a helpless smile.

"Was there a problem with the terms? Was there anything inappropriate labelled on the terms?" Amelia asked with furrowed brows.

Emery shook her head as she elaborated, "No, rather than anything being wrong with the terms, it was the pay that was less appealing."

She continued, "I knew that I wouldn't be able to earn big bucks at the start, but still, the pay didn't seem to match the workload, there was a huge disparity between them."

*sigh*

She let out a sigh as she further added, "It seems that the economy is dwindling nowadays since resources are being purchased in huge bulks by large companies for research."

Though Emery said that resources were being purchased in huge bulk for research by "big companies", everyone at the table knew that it was a complete lie.

There was not a single company that would purchase so many resources that it would hamper the global economy unless the company itself was global, and there was only one single global company that had this power - The Fire Moth.

"Well, that's my part of the story," Emery said with a helpless smile. It seemed Robert and his family were affected a lot after the eruption.

Amelia was the one who presented her story next, "Hmm, before the eruption happened, I owned a small store in NYC which was later destroyed. However, I still had some funds with me but..."

Amelia paused, a frustrated expression forming on her visage as she continued, "After the eruption, I didn't have any idea what to do with it. I am just living my life with my previous earnings," she said with a long exhale.

She continued, "Initially, I did wanted to start a small business, but, just as Emery said, due to the economy dwindling nowadays, you can't even begin a startup." Amelia also gave a helpless smile.

The world had undergone significant changes since the eruption, and the ongoing transformation showed no signs of slowing down.

Meanwhile, the common folks were forced into a position where adaptation was the only viable response to the evolving circumstances.

Julie, exhibited a hint of hesitation when it was her turn, but she gathered her courage and began sharing her story, "I recently completed college and have been offered a position at Fire Moth."

"..."

A brief silence enveloped the room before Robert broke the quietude, "Really? Congratulations then, that's great," he said, a genuine smile gracing his face.

"That's fantastic news, Julie," Emery added, punctuating her words with a subtle clapping motion. Amelia joined in with a smile and a nod.

Shroud, while maintaining his usual stoicism, found a measure of reassurance knowing that someone had successfully navigated a path forward in these changing times.

Julie could only bow her head and look down; she felt a bit guilty, knowing that she had it relatively easy even after the eruption. However, there was still another person who hadn't shared their story after the eruption.

The crowd directed their gaze at Shroud in unison, and Shroud returned their looks as he began, "I will be frank. It's been a rather smooth sail for me, except for occasional hurdles now and then."

He proceeded to share how his small organization, Veritas Bureau, had made a name for itself due to its exceptional information-gathering ability.

Shroud further explained that he had also finished high school and would now be dedicating himself full-time as the founder of the organization.

"That's an excellent choice," complimented Amelia. As a former businesswoman, she knew the importance of dedicating time to one's company.

Robert and Emery were also pleased since Shroud was their benefactor, and they were happy to see him doing well. Julie, too, extended her congratulations, highlighting the varied fortunes within their former group.

Observing how the mood had become somewhat melancholic, Amelia decided that it was better to shift the atmosphere.

She clapped her hands twice trying to shift the focus towards her before saying, "Alright, enough reminiscing about the past. Let's first savour this meal; I am absolutely famished."

"Feel free to indulge," Shroud responded, encouraging them to enjoy the culinary delights before them. While a tinge of sadness lingered moments ago, the delectable food swiftly worked its magic, lifting spirits.

Suddenly, Emery decided to introduce a change of topic with finesse, "Oh, by the way, Shroud, may I make a special request?"

All eyes turned to Shroud as Emery, after clearing her throat, delicately put forth her wish, "Could you, perhaps, grace us with the enchanting melodies of your violin? We never know when our paths will cross again."

After Emery requested Shroud to play the violin, everyone looked at Shroud with anticipation. Everyone shared a collective desire to experience the musical prowess of Shroud ever since the first eruption.

In response to Emery's request and everyone's anticipation, Shroud gave a nod of acknowledgement. He promptly summoned a staff member and instructed them to bring a violin as a special request.

Understanding the potential for a generous tip, the staff member enthusiastically agreed. They even offered to arrange for a professional violinist, a proposal Shroud politely declined, expressing his intent to be the one performing.

The staff hurriedly left to fetch the violin. The instrument, having been untouched for quite some time, required tuning. Shroud took a moment to excuse himself briefly, opting to clean his hands while the staff prepared the violin.

Upon his return, the staff member presented a sleek, black violin case. The room buzzed with anticipation as Shroud carefully opened the case, revealing a stunningly crafted violin.

Simultaneously, in the adjacent dining area, a person carrying an air of significance arrived. The staff greeted this guest with profound respect and admiration, "Welcome Miss Eden."

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.