Extended Families

John, Alex, and Lila strolled towards Eastons', the casual chatter of the bustling street forming a backdrop.

John turned to Lila, offering a sincere nod. "Hey, thanks for the advice back there. I'm giving this energy stuff a shot."

Lila awkwardly replied, "Um, yeah, sure. I'm, uh, glad I could help."

Alex, observing her timid demeanor, chimed in, "You know, Lila, you've got to loosen up a bit. We're not as intense as you might think."

Lila nodded in response.

As John, Alex, and Lila entered Eastons', the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the warm atmosphere welcomed them. Mr. Easton, the amiable owner of the cafe, spotted them and waved them over to an available table.

"John, Alex! Good to see you again," Mr. Easton greeted with a welcoming smile. "And who's this?"

John gestured toward Lila. "Mr. Easton, this is Lila. She's a friend, and we thought we'd introduce her to the wonders of Eastons'."

Mr. Easton extended a friendly hand to Lila. "Ah, a new face! Welcome to Eastons', Lila. I hope you find something you like on our menu."

Lila, still a bit shy, managed a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Easton."

As John, Alex, and Lila settled into their seats, they noticed Anne sitting at a corner table, engrossed in a book. John nudged Alex, nodding towards Anne.

"Looks like Anne beat us here," John remarked.

Alex grinned. "Well, let's not keep her waiting." They gathered their things and approached Anne's table.

"Hey, Anne! Mind if we join you?" Alex called out.

Anne looked up from her book, surprised but welcoming. "Oh, hey! Not at all. Pull up a chair."

As John and Anne headed to the counter to place the order, Alex found himself sitting across from Lila. She seemed a bit nervous, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.

"So, Lila, right? What's your deal? You seem a bit... shy," Alex said, trying to break the ice.

Lila looked up, her eyes meeting Alex's for a moment before she glanced away. "Yeah, I guess I'm not great with new people."

Alex leaned back in his chair, studying her. "No worries. We're all friends here. You know, you should loosen up a bit. We're just having a good time."

Lila offered a small smile. "I'll try. It's just... I'm not used to this."

"Well, get used to it! We're a fun bunch," Alex said, grinning. "So, what's your story, Lila? What brings you to this exciting world of benders and cafes?"

Alex chuckled. "As for me, I'm here for the thrill of bending, the excitement of training, and, of course, the occasional drama like today's showdown. It's like being in an action movie every day."

Lila's gaze remained fixed on the table, but she seemed a bit more at ease with Alex's casual demeanor. "I'm just... trying to learn. I've always been fascinated by bending, and Chris thought it would be good for me."

"Ah, Chris. Good ol' strict teacher," Alex said, nodding. "But hey, it's not just about the bending. We're also here to enjoy life. Have you been to one of these meet-ups before?"

Lila shook her head. "No, this is my first time. I usually keep to myself, and the others are Unit 3 aren't really keen to go out either..."

"Well, you picked an interesting day to join," Alex remarked. "But hey, we're all friends here. You'll get used to the chaos."

Alex grinned, taking a playful tone. "You know, being part of this group is like having a second family. A weird and chaotic family, but a family nonetheless. We're here to support each other, have a good time, and maybe throw in a bit of bending chaos for flavor."

Lila managed a small smile, appreciating Alex's attempt to make her feel more comfortable. "I've never been part of something like this."

"Well, you're in for a treat," Alex said, leaning back in his chair. "We're not just training partners; we're comrades. And we look out for each other, no matter what. So, welcome to the family, Lila. Your pals are invited too!"

Meanwhile, as John and Anne approached the counter to place their orders, Mr. Easton, the cafe owner, looked up with a friendly smile.

"Good to see you, John," Mr. Easton greeted.

John nodded, "Same here, Mr. Easton. We've got a group today; they're still deciding. I'll let you know in a bit."

While waiting, Mr. Easton observed Anne, a thoughtful expression on his face. Then he grinned, "You know, Anne, you look a lot like your mom."

Anne smiled, "Uncle Easton, you always say that."

Mr. Easton chuckled, "Well, family traits are strong. Your order will be up soon."

As John overheard this, his eyes widened in realization. He straightened up, looking at Anne with surprise. "Wait, Uncle?!" he exclaimed.

Anne nodded, amused by John's reaction. "Yep, small world, huh?"

John scratched his head, "So you really are the heir to a cafe empire...."

Anne laughed, "Guess so. My family has been running this place for generations."

Mr. Easton noticed the surprise in John's expression and decided to share more. "Speaking of family, my son Collin is planning to visit during the Grand Energy Festival," he said, looking at John.

John's eyebrows raised, and he grinned, "Your son? Well, that's pretty cool."

Mr. Easton nodded, "Yes, indeed. Collin thought it would be a good time to reconnect with family. You'll get to meet him soon."

As John and Anne waited for their orders, a familiar warmth enveloped them. John couldn't help but express his curiosity about Anne's relationship with Collin.

"You seem close to Collin," he remarked, eyes fixed on Anne.

Anne's eyes lit up with nostalgia. "Collin? He's the adventurous type, always seeking new challenges."

Leaning in, John prompted her to share more. "Any memorable adventures?"

Anne chuckled softly. "We used to explore the woods near our hometown. Collin had this knack for finding hidden spots."

Intrigued, John listened closely. "Any particular spot you remember?"

Anne's face brightened as she recalled. "There was a clearing with the most beautiful view. We'd spend hours there, lost in our own little world."

"Sounds like you've got some great memories with him," John observed.

Anne's expression softened. "Indeed, unforgettable memories."

"Tell me about your family, John," Anne asked, her eyes reflecting genuine interest.

John hesitated briefly, his gaze drifting as memories resurfaced. "You know, my parents were renowned benders—Andrew and Samantha Will. I'm the only son, and they were quite well-known in Stronghold."

Anne's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Famous benders, huh? That's impressive. Did you always plan to follow in their footsteps?"

John scratched his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Honestly, it just sort of happened. Bending runs in the family, you know."

Anne's curiosity deepened. "And your childhood? What was that like?"

A subtle smile played on John's lips. "Simple, really. Lots of neighborhood adventures, occasional family outings around Stronghold."

"Orders!" Shouted Mr Easton, balancing plates as he walked out.

"Thanks Mr Easton," said John, and took some plates in his hands

"Don't worry kid, let me do the work," grinned Mr Easton as he helped them carry the plates to the table.

Alex's eyes lit up as Mr. Easton approached with the tray of steaming plates. "Finally, the much-awaited feast!" he exclaimed, grinning. He grabbed a plate and looked at Lila, "You ready for this, Lila?"

Lila, typically reserved, gave a small nod, but her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity. She glanced at the array of dishes, seemingly more at ease in this casual setting.

John, carrying the last plate, noticed the change in Lila's demeanor. "Seems like someone's warming up to the food," he remarked, giving her a friendly smile.

Anne, sitting down with her own plate, added, "You'll love Uncle Easton's cooking. It's one of the best parts of coming here."

Alex, already digging in, nodded enthusiastically between bites, "Absolutely! This place is like a second home."

The evening breeze greeted them as they exited Eastons'. John and Anne decided to head home, leaving Alex and Lila standing outside.

Alex stretched contentedly, "Great meal, right? Mr. Easton never disappoints."

Lila nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "It was nice."

"Hey, we should do this more often. You know, grab some food, hang out, with everyone," Alex suggested, a genuine warmth in his tone.

Lila hesitated for a moment before agreeing, "Sure, that sounds nice."

As they walked together under the night sky, Alex glanced at Lila. The Nexus bathed them in its gentle blue light today, creating a serene atmosphere. He sensed a subtle change in Lila's demeanor — a bit more at ease.

They reached the Nexus, its radiant glow enhancing the moment. Lila paused and looked at Alex, "Thanks for tonight. I'm glad I came."

Alex grinned, "Anytime. It was fun. See you around, Lila."

As Lila walked away, Alex remained near the Nexus, captivated by its brilliance.

As Alex stood alone before the Nexus, its radiant blue glow casting a serene atmosphere, he was interrupted by Max's arrival. Max's easygoing demeanor hid a subtle challenge as he inquired, "So, my friend, how was the dinner?"

Alex, sensing the underlying challenge, replied with a smirk, "It was good. You should join us sometime."

Max chuckled, "Sure. But, before we dive into dinner dates, how about a different kind of date? Ten days from now, at the fighting grounds. Let's see who's got the upper hand just before the Grand Energy Festival kicks off."

Alex looked at him, "You really want that?"

Max grinned and extended his hand, issuing that challenge, "Indeed."

Alex grinned back, grabbed his arm and shook it, "Done deal. See you in ten days!"

And so the challenge was official, and both trainees headed their ways, the Nexus continuing to bathe the city with its blue light.