Elara held the limp main vine in one hand while occasionally dispatching precise spatial blades with the other, efficiently trimming off any small offshoots attempting sneaky counterattacks. Her movements flowed with practiced ease, displaying a mastery of timing and anticipation of the vine's attacks that seemed incongruous for someone who had supposedly just entered the apocalypse.
For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed Zephyr's ice-blue eyes. His silver-white eyelashes trembled like snow butterflies as his penetrating gaze fixed on Elara. Only now did he truly begin to take measure of this woman.
Previously, he had likely viewed her as merely one of Cassian's old acquaintances—a survivor with special abilities and some cleverness. But now, everything about Elara was challenging his initial assessment.
From her unusual composure when they first met at the storm's edge, to her enigmatic space-time abilities that defied classification, to her current display of combat expertise in handling the mutant vine, along with her mysterious knowledge about zombie crystals and mutant plants that seemed to come from privileged sources...
All these details pointed to one conclusion: Elara Joyce was far more than she appeared. A thick fog of mystery surrounded her.
Zephyr's gaze fell on Elara like a physical weight, filled with scrutiny and investigation. Though Elara pretended to focus on the vine, ignoring his obvious examination, she was secretly breaking into a cold sweat. She hoped her "performance" was convincing enough.
While lost in these thoughts, the seemingly subdued mutant vine suddenly sprang to life! Its remaining roots contracted like a coiled spring before launching toward Elara's throat with desperate ferocity!
"Still rebellious!"
A low shout rang out as Cassian intervened. Having kept watch over Elara and the vine, he swiftly dispatched a concentrated water blade that precisely severed the attacking root. Green fluid sprayed out with a pungent odor.
Elara snapped back to attention, frowning at the vine's rapidly regenerating cut surface. This creature was far more troublesome than the "Foam" orchid she'd encountered in the forest. Not only was it more aggressive, but its regenerative abilities were extraordinary. Despite being shredded by Zephyr's wind blades and repeatedly cut by her and Cassian, it still had the strength to counterattack and showed signs of regeneration.
"Is this due to accelerated apocalyptic evolution, or is this species naturally more powerful?" Elara muttered, puzzled. In her previous life, such advanced mutant plants typically didn't appear until months after the apocalypse began.
Cassian, seemingly sensing Elara's thoughts, stepped forward and naturally took the still-writhing vine from her hands. "Don't let it disturb your thinking," he said gently, with subtle consideration in his voice.
Clear water flowed from his palm, forming a transparent sphere that completely enveloped the vine. Though it struggled violently within, the lack of oxygen gradually slowed its movements until it finally went limp, floating in the center of the water sphere. With a flick of his wrist, Cassian precisely deposited both the water sphere and vine into a specially made alloy sampling box, sealing it shut.
"We'll take it back for research," Cassian turned to Elara, his gaze inquisitive. "You seem quite knowledgeable about these mutant creatures' behaviors."
Meeting his gaze, Elara once again felt that subtle sensation. This man consistently demonstrated his attentiveness and... a kind of reliability she found difficult to describe.
When questioned by Cassian, Elara blinked and showed a slightly self-deprecating smile. Her tone was deliberately casual as she offered a response that mixed truth with calculated revelation: "I did my master's in bioengineering, so I have some understanding of biological behaviors. These mutated creatures... no matter how they've changed, they're still essentially 'living' organisms with life cycles and behavioral patterns. They're certainly more predictable than those mindless zombies that act purely on instinct."
She paused, her gaze falling on the alloy box containing the mutant vine. She lightly tapped the box's surface, producing a soft "knock-knock." The vine inside seemed to sense something, twitching slightly before quieting down again due to lack of oxygen.
"Thanks for blocking that one earlier," Elara said lightheartedly, as if the dangerous attack had been merely a minor incident. "It's quite the troublemaker, full of energy."
Then, shifting her tone, she allowed an indulgent yet slightly exasperated smile to play across her lips, speaking as if about a mischievous child: "Come to think of it, our 'Foam' was just like this too. Before we brought it home, it caused quite a fuss on the way, always trying to pull little tricks. But after getting home and receiving some 'education' about who's boss, it became much more well-behaved. Quite docile now."
This seemingly casual conversation was carefully crafted. By using personified terms and an affectionate tone, Elara subtly conveyed several key pieces of information: first, she possessed a mutant plant; second, this plant had some degree of intelligence and mobility, even capable of "interaction"; and third, she had experience in taming and controlling such special mutant plants.
Sure enough, the typically silent and seemingly disinterested Zephyr's silver-white eyelashes flickered again at Elara's words. His previously downcast gaze slowly lifted, actively studying Elara for the first time with clear investigative intent. In the depths of his icy eyes flashed a hint of curiosity and... wariness.
For a professional like Zephyr, skilled in reconnaissance and assessment, the intelligence about "tameable intelligent mutant plants" held obvious value. It could represent a new resource, a unique combat asset, or even a potential game-changer in the future power dynamics among survivors.
Standing nearby, Cassian's deep blue eyes showed a flash of understanding. He neither interrupted Elara's "casual revelation" nor showed any surprise, as if he had anticipated such cards up her sleeve, or perhaps welcomed her proactive demonstration of value. He merely curved his lips slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement, seemingly appreciating Elara's subtle "baiting" technique.
The atmosphere in the villa shifted subtly following Elara's words. What had been simple cooperative exploration now carried undertones of information exchange and power assessment.
Elara inwardly smiled - the fish had taken the bait. This was exactly the effect she wanted. Strategically revealing her capabilities and assets would help her gain more leverage and initiative in working with someone as shrewd as Cassian. She knew that from this moment, both Zephyr's assessment of her and Cassian's trust in her would quietly shift.
She casually shrugged, pretending she had merely made an offhand comment, seemingly oblivious to the subtle changes in their demeanor.