26 1st Lifetime: Being a Leaf In a Forest

With each passing day, Mai and Nicholas grew ever into character. Before, they failed to answer when their fake names were called. Now, however, the minute the first syllables of "Elijah" were called, Nicholas had his head up and alert. Mai had it easier- she already had to get used to the name Maybelle and Maria. Margaret was just another addition to the list.

Although the two of them weren't assigned any jobs, Mai was able to tag along with the menial tasks that the others would do. In this way, she managed to get information about the Revolution which she would then pass onto Heith.

Soon, she learned that the food was usually simple, and it wasn't always edible. She learned that Ava was the second-in-charge while the man, Ross, was the first-in-charge. She learned when was the appropriate time to go to the nearest stream to do laundry, and the personality traits of the people she spent more time with. With the passing of time, the two's camouflage as part of the Revolution became an accepted thing.

It was also during this time that Mai began to get used to whispering softly to the voice. This was the longest she had ever gone without hearing the voice, and she was at a lost. Although she knew that the voice couldn't hear her, it still didn't stop her from talking about her day or other miscellaneous topics to the one being she knew would always be there for her.

Nicholas had called her out on it, once. However, Mai only slightly smiled- she didn't care if the boy thought that she was weird. After noticing her smirk, he never commented on it again.

Another week passed until Nicholas and Mai were given a job by Ross. He had noticed them when they were quietly eating.

"Why are you guys so comfortable here?" His voice held a mild anger and helplessness.

Mai and Nicholas shared a look before they turned to the man and shrugged.

Sighing, Ross held a hand to his forehead. "Fine, whatever." He halfheartedly moved his hand. "Why don't you guys work for the food you're given." He paused and thought for a while before an idea flashed through his mind. "Why don't you recruit others?"

""kay," Nicholas said.

"'Kay'? Kay! Is that all ye have to say to me, young man?" Ross grew even more angry. Ava noticed, and she walked over to them.

"What are ya doing, Ross?" she said, her voice demanding.

Ross looked up in a guilty fashion. "Nothin'."

Ava placed her hands on her hips. "Nothin'? I think it's somfin'." She used her chin to point at the children before her. "I think youse been bullyin' these two kids."

"No," Ross shook his head multiple times, panic seeping through his eyes. He frantically looked at Mai, his desperation and call for help clearly seen in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Ava," Mai warmly said, "He was just giving us a job."

"A job?" Ava hmphed and glared at Ross. "Better be somfin' they can do."

"O'course!" Ross sputtered.

"It is, ma'am," Nicholas said. "We just have to recruit other people."

"Oh," Ava relaxed, "Is that all? I'm sure it would be fine for you, Marge."

Mai smiled, "Thank you, Ava."

Nicholas pouted, "Why don't I get a fancy nickname?"

"'Cause you're unfriendly and stupid," Mai stuck out her tongue.

"So you say, Marge." Nicholas chuckled. He swept his eyes towards Mai's disguise. "I think you look more like a-"

Mai sent him a threatening look.

"Sarah," Elijah balked. "You look like a Sarah."

Satisfied, Mai continued to eat her gruel.