Subaru: I'm getting sick of this room.
Subaru opened his eyes and promptly got to his feet. He took off Echidna's crystal calmly and tossed it onto the unused bed. Eyeing the nearby clock, he wondered, If time slowed to a crawl in that Witch's Windows XP background of a home, does that mean she waits years for me to put the necklace back on?
He smirked to himself, I honestly hope that's the case even if it's unlikely. Damn Witch is privy to my innermost thoughts.
A knock came from the door, "Subaru-sama, dinner is ready!"
He cleared his throat and put on his calmest, least insane voice, "I'll be there in just a moment Petra. Go on ahead without me."
Petra: Okaaaay… I mean, Understood Subaru-sama!
Her footsteps could be heard walking away from the door.
Subaru: Cute kid. Obviously, Meili is easily my favorite loli but still.
Leaving the room and heading towards the dining room, Subaru thought to himself, I wonder if Meili and Elsa are alive in this timeline. Elsa's real tough so I'm sure she's fine but I wonder about Meili. Well, questions for later I guess.
Standing before a side entrance to the dining room, Subaru took a deep breath. He arched his back and did a series of long unused stretches. He then placed his hands on his face and rubbed his skin around like it was wet clay. Adopting a neutral expression, he cast his mind back to one of his few happy memories. Not his death by Emilia, not his Birthday Surprise to Reinhard, and not the sound of Regulus burning alive. He closed his eyes to recall a truly, purely, sanely, happy thought.
Subaru sat alone in his makeshift office. Well, office was a generous word. It was more like a random shack in the slums he had… appropriated from a local well-feared thief. No one would approach that man's building so no one would approach Subaru's "office", even if they didn't know it was now his.
And to say he was purely "alone" is also not quite correct. He had the stalwart companionship of his pet cat, Blue, who was laying on a tattered pillow a few feet from Subaru, taking a nap. The passive sound of soft purring served to calm Subaru and help him focus.
What he was working on is irrelevant. He was likely just organizing his thoughts for his next mission. Thinking up workarounds and plans to address Authorities and authorities alike was difficult work after all.
The sound of soft sobbing.
Subaru put down his quill and listened intently, blocking out Blue's purrs.
It sounds like it's coming from the other room. That's… odd. Either I have an unexpected guest or someone I know is having an emotional breakdown. Considering the type of people I know, the former is far more likely.
Subaru stood up from his desk and grabbed his orange knife from his bottom-left most drawer. Each drawer contained an identical orange knife but this one was special. It was named Todd. He didn't like the name Todd. And he was sure his guest would also grow to dislike Todd too.
Blue stirred from its sleep at the movement and looked up at Subaru, "Myaster?"
Subaru walked over to Blue, Todd in his left hand, and gave it a gentle headpat with his right. He whispered in a calming voice, "Hush Blue. Go back to sleep. I'm just taking Todd out for a walk."
With that, Blue slumbered once more as Subaru and Todd sneaked their way into the other room. Well, Subaru was doing all the sneaking. Todd was a knife after all.
Subaru cautiously turned his head around the corner and spotted a young girl with green hair and green eyes sitting on the floor, covered in blood, and weeping.
Todd I found you a new Best Friend.
Subaru revealed his presence with a light cough and stared down at the bloodied girl before him. She looked up, and instead of screaming or shrinking in fear, she just sobbed a little quieter.
That's… not a normal reaction.
Subaru: Kid. Hey, kid.
The young girl looked up into his eyes, tears slowing but not stopping.
Subaru: Who are you? Why are you here? And what can I do to get you to leave?
Little Girl: I- My n-name is Plum. I'm here be-because I have nowhere else to go. I'm sorry for bothering you Thief-san.
She bowed her head courteously to Subaru, still crying a bit.
Man this is depressing. Sorry Todd, change of plans.
Subaru: Kid, do you have parents? What's their names? What do they do for a living?
She seemed unsurprised by his questions. She seemed like she felt really nothing at all but a numb grief. So she answered him without hesitation.
Plum: One day M-mom disappeared so I don't know what she works as now. B-but Dad's name is Kadomon. He sells fruit.
Ohhhhhhh. The Save Point Guy! I remember him! Good Times. Well, actually, they were awful times but still.
Subaru kneeled on the floor next to Plum and asked her in a lighter tone, similar to one he uses for his cat, "Where is he now?"
Plum started to sob harder as she recalled the memory, the numb grief coming to life again as she spoke, "H-he was drafted by the army. He was going to f-fight the bad guys. H-he was going to bring me a p-present from Vollachia. But he… he…". She trailed off as her tears became uncontrollable.
Subaru looked at her with apprehension.
My only two living friends are a psychopath and a deeply emotionally disturbed child. Both are assassins. I really don't know how to comfort people anymore do I?
He sighed, and decided on a course of action. It would be awkward and lack any sincere warmth but it's better than nothing.
He pulled her close and gave her a tight hug, likely tighter than was comfortable, and tried his best to speak pleasant words, "It's okay. You're okay. I'm here. Todd's here too if it matters to you."
Plum: T-todd?
She felt slightly uncomfortable in the rigid embrace but the unfamiliar name served as a good distraction.
Partially releasing her from the hug, Subaru showed her the orange knife he held. She instinctively reached out to touch it.
Plum: Todd-san is very cold...
Subaru: He's shit at child-care.
Subaru took the day off. He carried Plum around on his shoulders as he wandered the city, earning weird looks. He was still wearing a black and orange cloak that looked suspiciously witch-culty after all and she was still covered in blood. He showed her the sights to see that were left standing: Fountains, Bridges, the distant Royal Castle. Each one slightly improved her mood and she became fast friends with Todd, even if he was being a Kuudere at her.
As much as he wanted to bring her to the alley where he got mugged nearly a hundred times, he made a point to avoid passing by the old site of the fruit stand that was once his save point, even if it was the part of the city he was most familiar with. Even the Sin Archbishop of Pride knew that it wouldn't do any good for the little girl's emotional state.
Eventually, after a long journey where he had to resist the urge to throw away Todd and leave him in some slum dweller's chest, he arrived at a particular building in the city's noble district. It was a place he despised. It was the city house of the Astrea family.
He raised the hood on his cloak to activate the unfamiliarity charm the damn clown put on it and walked to the door. He knocked hard three times.
Plum: Where are we Thief-san? I don't think Todd-san would like this place very much...
She seemed anxious about coming to this well-to-do neighborhood but Subaru's nonchalant attitude brought her a strange sense of comfort.
Subaru: As we've established, Todd can go fuck himself.
?: Who is it?
Subaru tensed at the voice and let out a silent prayer that the bastard didn't have a Divine Protection that saw through his cloak.
The door opened when no response was given, revealing a handsome red haired man. He let off an impression of elegance and class, even if he also looked very, very tired.
Reinhard: Who are y- ARE YOU OKAY MISS?
Reinhard quickly knelt down to check on the safety of the bloodied little girl. To his relief, she was safe and sound. He turned to the man beside her.
Reinhard: Why is she covered in blood?
His question was filled with more worry and confusion than anger yet Subaru responded coldly anyway.
Subaru: It was Todd's fault.
Reinhard: Todd?
Subaru pointed at the orange knife in her hands.
Reinhard: Sir... with all due respect, that knife is both clean and seemingly unused.
He just shrugged at the Sword Saint, brushing off his infinite expertise in all things blade-related as nothing too special.
Subaru: Todd's just built different.
The little girl readily agreed with the cloaked man, an excited and determined smile forming on her face as she showed off the knife.
Plum: Yeah! Todd-san's really special!
Reinhard looked like he was at a loss for words. Strange things like this were occurring all too often in recent months. He eventually settled on saying, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Instantly, as if nothing weird was going on, the Witch Cultist replied.
Subaru: This girl's lost her family and she can't stay with me. I was hoping you can take care of her for a bit. Maybe find her a home. You can sell Todd if you need money for it. In fact, I insist you sell him at your latest convenience. It'll be tough to get rid of a slacker like him but-
The little girl eventually caught up with her new care-taker's words and interrupted him, a betrayed look on her face.
Plum: Thief-san! B-but my home is with you now! And Todd-san!
Man, I knew this was coming but... I didn't expect it to affect me like this.
Subaru knelt down and pulled her into another hug. It was far less rigid and forced this time. There was a genuine warmth and care being conveyed through it. An expression of guilt and true human sadness came to his face, even if no one but Reinhard could see it.
Subaru: I'm... I'm sorry Plummy. Take good care of Todd for me. Lord knows he can't take care of himself.
As she began to try and object again, Subaru turned to the red haired knight, "Reinhard, please."
He let out a small sigh and used some magic to put her to sleep. He picked her up, held her in his arms, and placed the knife on her stomach.
Reinhard: As a knight, I should arrest you for abducting her, stealing this knife, and whatever other crimes you may have committed.
Subaru stood to look at Reinhard, crossing his arms and scowling at him.
Maybe it was his old optimism, that had died in the recent past, having a second wind or maybe it was the strange remorseful expression the hooded man held just a moment ago but... despite his harsh words, Reinhard gave him a soft smile.
Reinhard: But I'm on my day off. And it seems like Todd-san is in good hands now.
Subaru tried to say thank you but couldn't bring himself to. He did not know if it was because he couldn't thank his nemesis or because, for a reason he didn't understand back then, he was saddened to see her go.
Instead, he simply turned around and walked away, a handful of tears littering his face.
A seemingly sad memory. But it was happy in a very special way. It was the last time I can remember being human. Being normal. Feeling… regret.
Subaru gave the same sad, tired smile Reinhard gave a timeline and years away and walked into the dining room.