Just keep going forward

Not back!

Rain staggered towards the half dome terrace enclosed in glass until it embraced the walls of the hallway. The grand piano seated at the center of the half dome yearned for her before she could wander off to explore the rest of the mansion. Enraptured by the beauty, Rain looked at the keys with a longing. Sitting down on the seat she let her hand run through the keys, a touch so light, that not a sound escaped the piano. She had always wanted to learn the magnificent instrument but circumstances didn't let her. 

Jimin had left her alone for some time to roam the house after an urgent call. He had just finished showing the passage on the second floor that contained all their rooms and Rain had returned to explore the floor that held her room. With the library to the left of the staircase and the study to the right and this perfect instrument straight ahead she felt comfort in this unfamiliar place. Though all of them had shown and told her quite unbelievable things she still needed time to trust them.

She was about to go to her room when Jimin called out to her.

"Wanna go out for a drive, you can also ask a leave from your job while we are at it"

"Yeah sure"

"Cool, go get ready while I go get my car"

Rain nodded and went to her room as Jimin swooped down the stairs. Opening her wardrobe she stood still for a moment. Other than her old clothes Ashlene had added a whole new collection of dresses from the most luxurious brands that could have existed, some of which she couldn't even pronounce. Rain held back the string of profanities as she chose a white shirt, black pant and a cream jacket on top- the simplest from all present. 

Sitting in front of the dresser she opened the drawers in search for her phone but instead found pendants and earrings. Sighing, she realized that her phone would most probably be resting in peace from the run that night. A honk resounded just as Rain stepped out of her room. Running downstairs and out she got into Jimin's charcoal Audi. 

"You look lovely", Jimin chirped as he stepped on the accelerator and the car shot ahead. 

"Thank you, but that does not pacify me from wanting to kill Ashlene for murdering my wardrobe"

Jimin laughed and said, "It was my idea to change it, Tae selected the styles and clothes while Ashlene helped out with the sizes."

"Taehyung sure is one expensive boy"

"Oh, he definitely is!"

"So. where are we off to?", Rain asked, looking at the lush green fields passing as a blur with trees in a distance. They were truly on the outskirts of the city. 

"First we'll go get you leave, then buy you a new phone, then-"

"Wait how- "

"How did I know? Well any noob being chased by a lysander would obviously lose their phone somewhere along the way," Jimin shrugged.

"Right" Rain agreed scowling at being called a noob. 

The sun had turned a shade of californian poppy from banana yellow. Opening the window, Rain stretched her hand out and laughed as the swift breeze slapped her face and hand. The pastel rays kissed her and she closed her eyes as Rain imagined the world to stop for a second. Jimin looked at her and smiled as he drove on. 

"Jimin, what do you do?"

"I am unemployed. But, I did win shares in Jin's company so I don't want to work anyway. I do try to hunting down as many lysanders as I can that come to Seoul and speaking of shares Jin left something for you", Jimin said as he reached forward and opened a tiny draw in the car. Removing a black card he handed it to Rain.

"Jin had already assigned shares in your name since a year so you must have over a billion won in that card"

"Holym-!", Rain swore as she held an actual black card in her hands. The metal felt cold against her fingers. It was said that only the richest people could afford a black card but holding one in her own hands just made her stare at it in disbelief. What kind of fiction was her life turning into?

Jimin's smile grew wider with her reaction and he said," Jin also has something else ready for you back at the house, I'll take you there when we head back."

"Goodness he shouldn't have done all this", Rain said exasparated. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. 

The green fields soon turned into tall buildings, and the sun turned a rosy red as it kept sinking. The Audi passed by with the breeze as laughter filled the air.

~

"How do we know she will stand on our side when the time comes?", Jungkook asked, his eyebrows were furrowed with worry. "All that I know she could leave to join Zander when he has a better offer for her. There is no reason for her to stay with us except maybe that her mother was there for us"

"Jungkook, we should not care about whose side she takes in the future for all I know is that we are five years too late to keep our promise to Aurelia", Jin said as he looked out of the window in the study. 

"Ok. I understand that we promised Aurelia to find Rain and help her whenever she needs it on our own accord but what if after all that I teach her, the combat techniques, about all the powers the others hold she turns to Zander? We will be fighting a losing battle after that Jin!"

"I know how much you and everyone else want to get Velros back, even I want to. But we should trust Rain. I trust her. I trust that the connection between Aurelia and us will continue with Rain as well and grow even deeper than it, and that possibility alone brings a beacon of hope. You should know Jungkook, more than anyone else, she would want to know more about her real mother, her birth land, her childhood and her powers. This outweighs even the gift of immortality Zander may offer her", Jin explained.

"You know who Zander is Jin! How are you so sure about her?"

"If you had observed her from the first time she met all of us you would pretty well know that her love for her friends and family outweighs everything else. Even after knowing how Ashlene had betrayed her Rain still cares for her. She is way kinder than any of us could ever be Jungkook."

Jungkook let Jin's words sink in as he finally understood what he meant. Nodding absentmindedly he left the study after saying, "I'll start training her from tomorrow then"

A slow smile crept onto Jin's face as he saw how even after all these years Jungkook was still a caring child at heart. Looking out he saw Jimin's car glide towards the entrance of the house. 

"Wait right here till I bring your present out!", Jimin told Rain. Nodding she stepped out and waited. Her new phone peeked out of her pocket and she smiled at the cool breeze. Jimin had even bought a simple dinner of pizza and cola on their way back.

She squinted when two bright lights emerged out of the garage. Having adjusted to the brightness she gaped as a midnight blue with silver streaks Porsche lulled to a stop right in front of her. She remembered seeing a Citroen GT concept of the same color the night of the ball but the car was definitely not alive after the night.

"Jin actually did buy you a car the night of the ball but unfortunately it got destroyed by the lysander after you went out of it's reach so he bought you another", Jimin said as he stepped out of the driver seat. 

"Are you kidding me?!", Rain exclaimed. This feeling of being pampered like a rich brat made her nervous. Whether there was an ulterior motive behind these actions would be tested by time.

"Go see for yourself, he has planned the interior himself", Jimin said as he tossed the keys to Rain.

Fumbling with the keys, Rain walked to the driver's side and slid into the seat. The black leather seats provided an unexplainable sense of luxury, the sturdy steering wheel like the other car had a silver 'R' engraved in it's centre instead of the company logo. The car had a digital display and a navigation system, with the final touch of a coffee cup holder. Revving up the engine, Rain fell hard for the car - a sense of security calmed her nerves. If there were two things she loved other than her family and friends then they were music and cars. 

Jin had come down by the time Rain further explored the car's technology. Standing beside Jimin he smiled at the excited girl. 

"She loves it", Jimin whispered.

Jin nodded with content, "I was really nervous whether she would like the interior and the colors."

Rain stepped out of the car and ran to the two boys. Colliding with Jin, she gave him a three second long hug and stepped back with a smile reaching her ears. Jin stood frozen into position while Jimin snickered. 

"Thank you so much Jin! Would you mind me taking it for a round, I'll be back within half an hour", Rain piped out.

"N-no", Jin stuttered and cleared his throat. Jimin burst into laughter while Rain was puzzled for a bit. "No" he repeated with a now sturdy voice.

"He meant he doesn't mind, go ahead and have fun Rain", Jimin said while still smiling wide. It was the first time that Jin was hugged by a girl and he felt so good to look at his hyung being so flustered. 

"Thank you!", Rain said and ran back to the car. Soon she drove off and out of the house's gate.

"This is the first time I ever saw you frozen hyung", Jimin said still snickering. "Did you think we were playing Red Light, Green Light?"

"Yah! Don't you have work to do? Go!", Jin said as his ears turned red. With that Jin strode off back into the house. Jimin buckled over, laughing harder. 

~

The Sun had yet not risen above the horizon when Jungkook knocked on Rain's door, however no answer greeted him. After a few more knocks he opened the door to an empty room. Did we already scare her off?  Worrying a bit he sprinted downstairs to the garage but found Rain's car contrary to his expectations. Heading back inside he decided to go wake Jin up to look for her. As he neared Jin's room which was the closest to the staircase leading to the rooftop he heard a soft lull of music.

Climbing to the rooftop he found Rain crouching near the edge of the roof with her phone playing soft music, violin notes filling the void air. Hearing the footsteps behind her she hastily wiped her face and turned. Jungkook stood awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as he very well knew that she had been crying. But before he could ask, Rain smiled and stopped the music.

"It's time for training I suppose"

Dear Readers,

Rain is slowly getting to know all of our guardians, but as Jungkook said what guarantee do we have that when the time comes Rain will stand by their side. Whether she fights for Velros or she fights against the guardians will be a story that time will tell.

I'm pretty sure Jimin with his playful and happy nature has already found a cosy corner in Rain's heart while Jin continues to spoil her with the rich gifts. Let's see what the others do going forward.

Being a bit busy with reality I'll be a bit late to enter this world of fantasy. So till next time,

Adios!

~RV