Eve was someone to look up to, to admire like a painting. She was the role model of women and men alike. Most aspire to be just like her; calm, collective, meticulous, and strong. Just like every role model, she made sure to be just as perfect as everyone wanted her to be, always ready for a camera or a sudden question.
But sometimes… it was hard to keep up this personality. Every stick breaks and she knew that. What she didn't know was that she would be caught breaking.
It was a perfect spring day. The cold sky being a cool gray, the grass in patches on the sidewalk peeking, refreshing air, fresh winds; the perfect day for Mayday and Zuke to take Ellie for a walk. Mayday carried the tattered bookbag full of bags for… er… droppings and some dried meat sticks for Ellie.
"So," Zuke started, gazing at the sky. "Think we'll get rain again?"
"I hope not!" Mayday spat, groaning. "We don't need another leak in the sewers! That drip kept me up forever!!"
"I told you I fixed it," Zuke tried to call her down. She looked at him as if he just told her shoes were for hands.
"Yeah duct tape seems like a sure way to deal a water leak."
"It'll do until we get the time to board it up," he shrugged. "You wanna go to the Natura District? I heard it's really cool this time of year."
"Sure!" she nodded eagerly. "Ooooorrr… the metro!! Did you hear they're modeling their new spring wear line!? And they have a big blowout sale on any last minute winter merch and I NEED to have all of the 1010 beanies!"
"Ooooh no. I am not going to stand around and listen to you gawk about jacuzzis and parties and you fantasizing about living with them in their limo. Besides, the bright lights hurt my eyes…"
"Aww boo! Where would YOU go then?" she sighed.
"Maybe the Dream Fever," he smiled. "I heard they have new pieces out that symbolize the life of spring and the death of winter. You know, there's this one piece there that truly shows the pure intentions of every single blade of grass, how it would transition the once dreary cold landscape into a truly-"
"Boooooring!" she buzzed it out. "Come on, let's just go to the Plaza and grab some burgers then."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
They went to the Plaza, on their way to auntie when they saw someone in line, ordering.
"I'll take… two large fries, not salted, and give me a bacon burger. Add some tempura and… mm… a large cherry cheater soda," they ordered. The voice sounded familiar… but the duo couldn't put their finger on it. Auntie happily wrote down the order on a piece of paper and ripped it out, puncturing it on a needle stand.
"Okay, deary! It'll be done in five minutes!"
"Thank you."
They sat on a booth chair, slouched down. They had in sweatpants, what looked like worn out white sneakers, a ragged, stained hoodie that had the Dream Fever symbol on it. Any indication would've been the hands, but they were shoved into the pockets. But… they did sound female. Zuke assumed this was someone already in the city, just hard to see in the crowd.
"Yeesh, talk about a bad day…" Mayday thought out loud. The figure perked up at that.
"May…!" Zuke whispered in a hiss. "She heard you…!"
"Oh… hey you okay?" May decided to ask. They didn't move a bit for a minute or two, then they slouched back down.
"... Let's leave them alone," Zuke suggested.
Nodding, Mayday got to her usual seat by the window, Ellie scampering onto her lap. Mayday giggled and cradeled Ellie, who beeped happily and nibbled her owner's hand gingerly.
Zuke cooed along, brushing his rough nails against her scales. With a prr, she leaned into his touch.
"Mayday, Zuke!" Auntie waved. "The usual with a gator cup for Ellie?"
"You got it!" Mayday held a thumb's up. Zuke… didn't respond back. He gazed at the hooded figure, thinking.
"... Who could that be?" he wondered. Mayday met his gaze, then rolled her eyes.
"Heey Harry Hypocrite, leave 'em alone, remember?"
That snapped him out of whatever zone he was stuck in, making him shake his head, but still busy with his thoughts.
"I-I know I know… she just… sounded so familiar," he muttered. Mayday huffed and began to stack the salt and pepper shaker.
"Okay, but let's not be a stalker?"
He knew she was right. It was extremely rude to stare at someone, he surely wouldn't like it. But his eyes kept glancing every time to the individual. When their order came, the mystery lady got up and grabbed the bag, paying. She was so close to going out the door undetected if it wasn't for…
"Have a good day, Eve!"
Auntie knew all her customers well, so name basis was no challenge for her. But it was an utter shock to Mayday and Zuke.
"Eve!?" they both gasped. The hooded figure sighed and turned in place, looking at them. It… was her, for sure. Those green eyes, freckles, even the skin. However, her makeup was off, and that fine line between the colors of her face was gone, being a gradient between the two split in the middle.
"... Nadia?" Zuke proceeded to stand. Eve tensed up but when Zuke got close… she couldn't help but loosen a little. "Did something happen?"
"Did you commit a murder!?" Mayday gasped, then got an eager smile. "Need shovels or body bags!? We got these huge trash bags! Zuke and I found out they can fit a body since he wanted to see if they did and we went inside them!"
"N-no no!" Eve shook her head. "No, nothing happened… this… is how I am sometimes."
"... How about you sit with us?" Zuke offered. "We can talk and see if we can help."
"There's nothing to help," she mustered out as she took a seat. "Sometimes… I need a break from it all. Being a powerful person, a role model… it ages me and sometimes, I need a break from it."
"Oooohh," Mayday nodded. She… was actually interested. Eve was acting like a true person, which pleased her greatly. "Yeah I'm like that sometimes! One time, I rolled up a pizza like a burrito and shoved it down my throat while washing it down with a tub of mint chip ice cream! Although I couldn't find the spoon, so I used my hand."
"That sounds like something I would do," Eve giggled, feeling less alone from this feeling. But then, realization hit her and she groaned, letting her head fall onto the table. "But now you saw me… this will ruin my reputation forever…!"
"... No it won't," Zuke shook his head. She peered up through her messy, greasy locks.
"Yes it will… this will be the biggest news for you to spread…"
"What makes you think we're telling?" May snorted. "We sometimes need to do nothing to do something. Doing nothing is TECHNICALLY doing something, right?"
"She's got a point," Zuke agreed. "We all have our days. So… what makes you any different? We won't tell anyone."
He put a comforting hand on her back. It was still as cold as Eve remembered it, but it warmed her heart greatly. Ellie even offered her own support, gnawing on the worn sneakers. She chuckled and pet the gator carefully, then lifted her and placed Ellie on her lap.
"I… suppose," she nodded to herself. "Doing nothing is… doing something. And doing nothing can help do something… right?"
"Ya got it!" Mayday held two thumbs up. "So you roll that pizza into a burrito and eat it like a taco! You down that soda like your throat is a straw! And you take those slippers and wear them in the shower! You do what makes you happy…!"
"... Mayday, that was really inspiring," Eve gasped in, eyes sparkling. "That sounds like a perfect art piece for the spring!" But then she frowned, looking at her attire. Breathing in… she nodded. "But first, I'll relax the best I can. I'll… wear my slippers in the shower, as you say."
"That's the spirit!" Mayday applauded her. Feeling light as air, Eve took her food, got Ellie off her lap, and went out, giving a supportive smile to the two before leaving to her place.
"Wow, May… you inspired Eve's art…!" Zuke proudly told Mayday.
"Yeah! I think I actually get some of her art now!" she pat herself on the back.
"And I think I might like the bright lights at Metro now."
Mayday gasped, looking at Zuke with such eagerness.
"Really!?!"
"No."