The Sound Garden's laughter faded as Evergarden approached—four figures cutting through the midday sun like royalty. Harmony and Sugarpetal froze beneath their presence.
"You're… the Evergarden," Catherine murmured.
Victoria smirked, leaning lazily against the wall. Her blue-red mixed eyes gleamed with challenge.
"Don't you want our autographs?" She drawled, "Like everyone else?"
"We're not fans, you know." Cherry bristled.
"Oh?" Victoria's grin widened, her gaze narrowing playfully.
Catherine stepped forward, firm. "We don't need your signatures."
"We're not here for that." Evelyn's voice was calm; her tranquil blue eyes met theirs without fear.
Celestia tilted her head slightly, her long white hair cascading over her shoulder.
"Mm... Then why are you standing in our way?" Her voice was soft, but sharp as glass.
Fluffy shifted awkwardly, vivid blue eyes glancing around.
"We… weren't trying to block…"
"Then move." Victoria snorted.
Eluera stepped back instinctively; but Celestia raised a hand, stopping her sisters mid-step.
"…Wait." Her gaze locked on Eluera.
She stepped forward, her towering frame casting a faint shadow over Eluera.
"Your presence piqued me, little one."
Celestia's black-and-white eyes gleamed faintly.
"…A peculiar white hair. You remind me of someone."
The hairs on Eluera's neck rose as Celestia stepped closer.
Victoria leaned against the garden wall, arms crossed. Her blue-red eyes flicked between them with a lazy sort of amusement.
"Looks like Celestia found someone she likes." Her tone lilted teasingly.
Catherine narrowed her orange eyes.
"We're not here to entertain you."
Victoria's gaze snapped to Catherine.
"Oh?" Her smirk deepened.
"You've got spirit, guitar girl."
Catherine's jaw tightened.
"I've got more than spirit."
Victoria pushed herself off the wall with a single kick, taking a slow step forward.
"I bet you think you're strong."
Celestia's voice drifted between them like a breeze.
"Victoria."
Victoria paused, her gaze lingering a heartbeat longer on Catherine before she stepped back.
"Yeah, yeah," she murmured, "…You're lucky my oldest sister is here."
Catherine's hands relaxed at her sides, but her eyes stayed locked on Victoria's retreating form, "We're not afraid of you."
Celestia tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Not afraid...?" she mused, her lips curling into a faint smile, "Good. But you should be."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Serenia's voice broke the tension—composed. Her magenta-green eyes shimmered beneath the dappled sunlight.
"Many claim strength… few carry it to the end."
Cherry scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
—
There was a brief silence as Evergarden observed them. Then, with a fluid motion, Celestia spoke again in a low voice, her gaze still lingering on Eluera.
"Now, little one…" she murmured, a faint curl of amusement at her lips.
"May I be inclined to know your name?"
Eluera hesitated, the weight of Celestia's gaze pressing down on her. She didn't bring her little notebook this time as the medium.
And as she froze in place, Catherine cut in.
"She's Eluera Valentine, our leader. And sorry for interrupting, but she's a mute."
For a moment, Celestia's expression stilled.
"I see." Without further words, she turned.
"Let's go." commanding her sisters to follow.
Victoria and Serenia, silent now, drifted behind her.
Elysia lingered for a moment, her blue-pink mixed eyes soft, her voice a gentle balm to the hostility.
"Forgive my sisters' attitude," she murmured, a quiet kindness shining through.
"…I wish you the best of luck." She gave a fleeting smile, then drifted away, her presence fading into the distance.
Harmony and Sugarpetal were left standing in the silence.
Catherine exhaled sharply. "Unbelievable."
Cherry clenched her fists. "They're so full of themselves…"
"At least one of them was kind." Evelyn said softly.
Fluffy—who had been frozen the whole time—finally spoke. "T-they're… s-scary…"
Eluera's gaze lingered, watching Evergarden disappear down the garden path; their presence still clung in her mind.
As Celestia walked away, a faint smile curved her lips.
"Eluera Valentine, now a mute?"
"Interesting, on how much you've changed."