Man, not needing to sleep makes nights rather dull. Mimi was laying down on her bed starring at the ceiling. The curtains were closed so no moonlight was coming in, but it was a chance to not have to wear something. Although, for someone who could see in the dark it wasn't an issue. She sighed, and stopped scratching her shoulder. Even though her new cloak was shorter it still itched just the same. I hope Sandra takes me. Traveling with the Wolves was the only plan she had at the moment, and Mimi hoped that, with her display during the battle, Sandra would allow her to tag along across Vacuo. Idly, Mimi lifted a clawed hand into the air grasping at nothing. Her limbs still felt a little alien to her whenever she had downtime to truly look at herself. She turned her hand over a few times thoroughly inspecting it. Even though she had killed those soldiers with a spear the feeling of tearing through their aura, and flesh was lingering in her claws. Anything I make is still a part of me, I guess. Her mind wandered to the rapier the enemy commander wielded, and it conjured in her outstretched hand. Even something like this. Previously she could only mimic someone for a few minutes before she started feeling tired, and that was just with an opponent's muscle memories. Now, here she was hours later still able to materialize the weapon. The muscle memories are gone, though. I guess those still go away after a time of inactivity. While she could materialize the rapier, Mimi found she couldn't bring out the spear. Only the most recent is available. She let the rapier dissipate into black smoke, and allowed her arm to fall onto the bed. I could pretend to sleep. Mimi turned onto her side, and closed her eyes. She allowed her breathing to slow, but her consciousness wouldn't fade into sleep. Despair still lingered in the air from the attack, and ensuing battle which kept drawing her mind back. She buried her face in the pillow, and sighed heavily. Maybe a snack before bed would help. Sitting up, Mimi looked to the window to find a small stream of negative emotions leaking through the curtains. With her head raised, and mouth open, she began gulping at the stream. Drinking the negative emotions of others was still unnerving, but she couldn't argue with the refreshing taste. As she drank, Mimi found she was far thirstier than she originally thought. Her body wanted more. Then, it hit her. My 'semblance'… She ran a hand through the stream of emotions in the air. It runs on emotions since I don't have an aura anymore. So, the more I use it the more parched I'll get. Finishing her drink, Mimi again tried to go to sleep. It didn't help that her enhanced senses picked up a lot during an otherwise 'quiet' night; namely whatever that racket downstairs was. It sounded like wood being quickly scrapped against sandstone. What are they doing down there?
The sun had risen, but Mimi decided to stay in her room for a while longer to give everyone a chance to wake up. When she opened her door there was a neatly folded robe sitting outside in the hall. It was tall enough to cover her down to her ankles, and had a hood, and sleeves so she wouldn't be as restricted. It still itches, though. Due to the robes bagginess it wasn't always touching her skin which helped it to not itch as much, but it was still an annoyance she'd have to live with. After dawning the robe Mimi headed downstairs as a commotion had started. Sounds like the Wolves are enjoying breakfast. Mimi took a sip of the emotions that hung in the air, and paused. She'd never tried drinking in a place filled with such positive emotions before. It wasn't filling at all, and it didn't have a taste. It was as if she'd never taken a drink in the first place. So this is why they're drawn to negative emotions.
"Oi, Mimi!" Mimi found herself taken out of her thoughts as someone was calling to her. With her presence now known she felt all eyes on her. The place was filled with nothing but soldiers. Soldiers whose eyes didn't hold the same fear they once did towards her. Hesitating at this new development Mimi was taken aback by the man who walked up to her, and started leading her to a table that a few others were already sitting at, including Tom. And, just like that, everyone else went back to chatting, and whatever else they were doing. This is…odd? Mimi looked at the one who led her to the table, and cocked her head to the side. "Oh, right," he said, and handed her a blank journal, and pencil, "These're for you, from Sandra."
"Right." Mimi wrote still nervous. "Not to be rude, but, why is everyone suddenly okay with me around?"
"Ah, that. Well, while you slept in this morning Sandra brought the lot of us up to speed on you. Well, as much as she could given how much you've been through." The man extended his hand, "Bengul." Mimi hesitantly shook his hand still not fully sure. "Also, you can take off your robe, here. We've the place to ourselves for the day, and you're among friends." …Friends…? Slowly, she put down her hood.
"You've probably heard this before, but anyone who can survive the desert, and is willing to lend a hand is a friend to all of Vacuo. And, you've been doing quite your fair share of Grimm hunting from what we hear." Tom gave her a smile as he raised a glass.
"A whole year of hunting those bastard centaurs by yourself," Bengul, and a few others clanged their glasses against Tom's with hearty laughs, "And, you even had them running scarred. What I wouldn't give to have seen it with my own eyes." A sentimental tear rolled down Bengul's cheek as he imagined a Grimm actually running in fear from something.
"Not to mention how you saved Sandra's life the other day." Tom gave her an approving nod.
"Aye. For that you not only have the thanks of Vacuo, but of all the Wolves as well, Mimi." Bengul clasped his hand on her shoulder, and gave a friendly squeeze. Mimi, to say the least, was completely taken aback by everything. She thought they would've tried to push her away. To leave her, or worse kill her, the first chance they got. She'd come expecting to have to beg for them to allow her to stay. But, here they were; the Wolves of Karsk offering a drink, and laugh to her. Her body softly trembled as an old emotion, an old feeling, surfaced inside Mimi. Comradeship. It was here that Mimi learned she was still capable of crying as tears of joy began streaming down her face at this long lost feeling's return. She brushed the tears away with a shaky hand, and tried to recompose herself.
"Come on, Ben," came a shout from another table, "You've gone, and made the pour girl cry."
"Those're tears of happiness, Jessica. And, they're a lot more than what you've done for her." Jessica stuck up her middle finger, and both tables laughed.
"What's this I hear about making our guest of honor cry?" Sandra walked in with a calm smile on her face, and raised an eyebrow to Bengul.
"Oooooh," came a low chant from the other table.
"The girl's just happy to have some friendly faces, is all." Bengul went back to eating as Sandra waved Mimi over.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" Mimi hastily wrote down, and looked at Sandra with pleading eyes.
Sandra gave a chuckle, "I've never kept a secret from anyone under my command, and since pretty much everyone saw you yesterday I figured it was only right they know about who you wer-… who you are. It was a unanimous decision to let you come along." Mimi's eyes lit up, and a toothy smile danced across her lips. Sandra motioned for Mimi to take a seat with her at the bar. "I can't guarantee you we'll find Fox. I'm still a commander in an army, and have a duty to uphold. But, if you come with us lending your strength, and if we hear anything, and we have the means to pursue it, you bet we'll back you up to take down the Desert Fox of Atlas. On that you have my word." Mimi shook Sandra's hand, and the deal was struck. Satisfaction swept over Mimi as she leaned against the bar. Her path forward had become clear. My revenge is doable… Her hand went into her belt pouch, and stroked the family photo. They won't get away with it. Giving a sigh Mimi looked onto her new companions; the Wolves of Karsk. They were giving off positive emotions, and some of them even had scents that weren't their own. Most people had a specific scent to their emotions that usually gets muddled up when they pool together. But, with her new abilities, Mimi was able to 'see' a person's emotional scent as it wafted off their body before it got mixed together. A few of the soldiers scents were mixed with each other which caused Mimi to raise an eyebrow. She looked over to Sandra, who had walked over to Bengul, and Tom's table, and sure enough, she too had two scents on her. Giving a scan of the room Mimi found the origin of the other scent. She walked over, and gave Sandra's sleeve a soft tug. Sandra turned around, "Yes?"
"Why do you smell like Lily?" Bengul spat out his drink as he, and a few others who were close enough to read the page erupted into laughter. Sandra's face went completely red.
"OKAY. You, and I are going to have a little talk. Now." Sandra grabbed Mimi by the shoulders, and took her back to Mimi's room where she gave a rather flustered talk about the Nevermores, and the Lancers.