After Lucifer had stepped away, Phelan continued to sit down, thinking of possible ideas for his and Lucifer's plan. No, no, that won't work, Phelan thought to himself, shaking his head. Each idea that he had thought was reckless and bound to get them killed since it would only be two people against an entire armed squadron. They'd have to be careful to keep from alerting everyone.

"Hey, Phelan."

Phelan lurched forward in his chair, being yanked out of his thoughts. "Oh my god! Espio! Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry," Espio said with a laugh. "Collin just wanted me to tell you that the competition Dante so rudely entered us in without asking us if we were interested prior is about to start in five minutes."

"Oh, okay," Phelan began. "Tell him I'll be there in a little bit."

Espio just stood there.

Phelan raised an eyebrow at him before trying to wave him off.

"Listen," Espio began to say. "When Collin says that he wants us out there, he means at that very minute. He's not a very patient man, it seems... As I'm sure you well know."

Phelan nodded. "You're right, he's not. He used to push others around until he got what he wanted. But, I guess that was all some sort of facade, no matter how vivid those memories.... Those emotions were."

Espio paused and sat down. "Yeah, uh..." He looked down. "Facades like that can be powerful. And I know pretty well that sometimes you've gotta be someone else to hide in plain sight."

Phelan adjusted how he was sitting in his chair and then raised an eyebrow at Espio, wanting him to continue with whatever thought he wanted to express.

Espio sighed. "You know, Esperizion Lopez... He's a whole hell of a lot different than Espio Kev, as you might've figured. Esperizion... He wasn't able to dye his hair, paint his nails, anything like that. Esperizion was always urged to 'be a man' in every way possible... In every sense of the world. And oh did it fucking wear him out. All he ever wanted to be is himself... At that—-- That was a quiet boy who didn't give a fuck if he wore 'girly clothes' because to him, there was no right or wrong way to be."

Espio paused again and swallowed. "But when your folks beat and drill into your brain on repeat what way you should be, everything gets a whole hell of a lot harder. They forced it on his brother too... And all of that ideology built up and up and up... It made me who I was... This whole 'Espio Kev' thing? It's all of what my parents wanted for me. Some sort of playboy that chases every girl his age, no matter what." He sighed. "And it hurts me.... Kills me to think they think I'm wrong for liking both—--men and women, regardless." He held his breath for a moment before saying, "So, yeah, I know a thing or two about facades."

"Espio," Phelan began to say, softly. "I'm sorry about your family. ...They, um, sound terrible."

"I can't help it if they try to take cues from Daskanlasc," Espio remarked, quietly. "My parents were truly pieces of work, no doubt about that. My brother though, he's probably the one good thing I've got back there."

"Do you ever think about going back? To find your brother?" Phelan asked, voice gentle.

"I—--" Espio stopped when he saw more Bloodwall residents pool outside into the manmade courtyard. He stood and wiped his eyes. "We should get out there before Collin starts pissing out of his eyes."

Phelan nodded, standing as well. "We should." He then followed Espio into the group of citizens of the community.

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

"To begin this series of challenges, we must say the full names of the challengers, for us to be able to properly get their names down for judging to properly commence," Collin said, "There's me, Collin Askins... As usual, I shall be your guide through these series of taxing but fun challenges." Collin continued to list names for the next five minutes before saying, "As well as Phelan Hosklensky, Espio Kev, Lucifer Shado, Kingston Anoketo, Markus Yappelle, and Dante Graye.. Now, everyone gather by the large oak."

Many people approached a rather small tree that they had planted.

Phelan wasn't quite sure how they managed to keep a plant like this alive, but he figured there must be someone within Bloodwall tasked with the sole job of maintaining these things. Phelan fell into pace with Espio and Lucifer as they reached the other group of people near the tree.

"How about I brighten the mood before the contests?" Collin asked the crowd, earning enthusiastic cheers. Collin then smiled. "So, I was thinking... We all remember Element Dovor, right? She was a pathfinder that worked with us, helping people escape Arcon and end up here or out in the wastes. You know, before everyone's favorite strapping guardsman, Dante Graye, took over for her."

Lucifer stiffened and murmured, "Element..."

Espio put a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her.

"Well if Element was such a good path finder, then why the hell did she go missing?" Collin asked, laughing—--making the rest of the crowd laugh.

Lucifer paled.

"Ignore him," Espio told Lucifer.

Phelan told her, "Yeah, Collin doesn't know what he's even talking about."

"Element was so pathetic when you really think about it," said Collin, earning more laughs. "She failed at the one job she was supposed to be good at. Good riddance, right? Not like any of us actually miss her. Dante does a better job than she ever did. She probably was selling our information to Anoketo anyway. I mean, do you guys even know how many times we got ambushed by small patrols?" He snickered again.

Lucifer clenched her fists before breaking free of Espio's grasp and running off.

"Luci?" Espio began to call, not quite sure if he should go after her or give her time to herself.

A girl named Kingston decided for Espio and went after Lucifer. "Hey!" she called, running to catch up with Lucifer, who was storming off. "Hey!" she called again.

Lucifer turned towards her, stopping dead in her tracks. "What do you want?"

Kingston explained, "I just wanted to see if you were okay. I know some of the things Collin says at these things can be a little harsh."

Lucifer scoffed. "More than harsh. ...I'm done with this dumb competition anyway. Not really interested in it in the first place."

Kingston nodded at that before opening the door for her. "Sit down... It'll make you feel better. ...take all the time you need."