The first one was sitting at a window reading a book. She had short blue hair and blue eyes. They sparkled like the ocean in the sun. Even her clothes were blue with white, she wore a white blouse with a blue suit vest and a skirt that went to her knees. Rue had a wild guess on what her favored color was.

The next one was a man sitting on a couch. He had short black hair and was wearing simple combat clothes. He was buff and looked like he could crush Rue like a twig. But at the same time, they seemed impossibly gentle and soft.

The third one was a women talking to the man also sitting on the couch. They had brown hair that faded into a mint green color and went a little past their shoulders. Their outfit consisted of a necklace that looked like an eye, a long robe that was mostly white with light green accents. They also had some kind of blind fold. They appeared calm. They seemed weirdly familiar, but Rue can’t figure out why, so they discard the though.

The last person was a woman with short white hair even shorter than the hair of the blue haired girl and her eyes were a beautiful light purple color. Her ears were pointy and she wore a dark green dress with a cloak. She was standing to the side looking at everyone like they stabbed her mother, spit on her father and burned their house while singing horribly off key.

“Who are you?” The judgmental one addressed Rue who jumps back.

“Don’t be rude” Reprimands the calm one.

“OH! Hi! I didn’t see you! Are you new? I don’t believe that I have seen you before.” The blue one rants.

“Hello!” The buff but gentle one simply says.

Rue does not answer anyone but instead waves with a small, nervous smile. The blue one and the gentle one coo. In response Rue tries to hide by pulling their head down as far as it allows.

Rue peeks out a little just in time to see the judgmental one’s eyes sharpen. Just then everyone seems to realize what Rue is wearing. Though they aren’t sure if the calm one can see with the blindfold.

They all look wearing degrees of perplexed to quiet horror and complete and utter shock. Rue wonders how they would react if they still had the blood from a previous incident on their face.

“The emperor requested to see you in 2 hours.” They are all informed by Rues escort who leaves afterwards. Rue silently rolls their eyes at the word requested after all it’s not like they had a choice.

“Please inform me once you have finished introduction yourselves so that I may bring the chosen one to their room.” The escort quickly says before finally closing the door. Everyone talks extremely stiff Rue notes with distaste.

“So, who are you, short one?” the gentle one asks. Rue takes a second to decide whether this is meant in a mean way or not.

“Who do you think they are, moron? Gee a star necklace and referred to as ‘chosen one’ must be the janitor.” the judgmental one rolls her eyes so hard that Rue feared that they would pop out.

“Oh! MY!” The blue one jumps forward. Her expression was something between overwhelming pity and genuine excitement. A strange combination.

“It’s great to meet you! You must be tired from the journey. Say where did you come from?” Rue slowly and subtly backs away from the blue one. They look out the windows and try to remember how high up they are. 3^rd floor. Not too high. Maybe. Perchance.

“My name is Liora. What is yours, child?” The calm one, Liora, says her smile not betraying any thought. She looked perfectly composed but too fake. The blue one took over when Rue took too long to respond.

“Right! Right! Where are my manners. I’m Mira!” The blue one holds her hand out. Rue hesitantly takes it.

“I’m the great Cael.” The gentle one says while proudly putting a hand on their chest. “That over there is Aylin. They don’t really talk a lot.” Cael points to the judgmental one.

“I would if any of you were smarter.”

“Now children don’t fight.” Liora interjects.

“I’m older than you.”

“So then why do you behave in such a childish way.”

“She got you there.” Mira laughs quietly behind her hand.

Aylin mockingly raised her hand like she was going to use some kind of magic. This made Mira squeak and hide behind Rue who jumps away from Miras touch.

“Coward” Choughs Aylin. Rue looks over to her trying to decide which of the two they meant before concluding that it’s probably both of them.

“You still didn’t give us your name, kiddo.” Cael reminds Rue with a small smile and affection and fondness displayed on his face. Confused Rue furrows their brows before discarding their thoughts. Three seconds after processing what was said they jumped back. They had to get out of this without revealing their name! Time for their great lying skills!!!

They laugh a bit too awkwardly and squeaky.

“My name? Don’t mind that for now.”

“What-”

“You know I must leave and like go somewhere else. But I will see you when we see the emperor and I must tell him my name so why repeat it a bunch of times when you will hear it during our visit to the emperor.” Rue was backing up more and more towards the door.

Cael had a polite smile which was very strained and Mira looked anxious and overwhelmed. That Seer was still smiling perfectly composed while Rue was crumbling more and more by the second!

Aylin, the judgmental bitch, was obviously about to call their bullshit and just when she opened her mouth Rue ripped the door open and bolted.

Later Suckers Rue thought while sprinting through the corridor like a feral cat. Suddenly they were grabbed by the arm. Out of instinct they whirled around and just as their kick was about to land they stopped themselves, recognizing the person who escorted them earlier.

“Hello. What a pleasant surprise.” Rue stiffly said slowly and inconspicuously bringing down their leg. Smooth.

“May I inquire what you were doing, chosen one?” They were so dead.

“You know…”

The escort raises their eyebrows.

“Stretching…my legs?”

“I see. If you are done with you current activity, may I suggest bringing you to your room to get ready for your meeting with the emperor.” Rue internally gaged

“Of course.” Not. ‘Please let me leave’ they cried on the inside.

And so, their totally legit escape plan was foiled by one nosy escort. Rue was going to get their revenge one day. The escort continued walking ignoring the murderous intent directed at them. They finally arrived at another room. The inside looked like a guest room. It was fancy as fuck. 99% of the room looks like it was made of gold. With just one of these things, they would be set for life!!!!!!

“I will be just outside your room. I ask you to inform me should you require any assistance.” The escort bowed and left after Rue mumbled an agreement.