Felix
« ixniononeoincioenfifiziqnffe ! » What in the world?
Incoherent sounds came out of this boy's mouth. Just a moment ago he was sitting quietly letting me finish my work and now he is there, on the floor, convulsing and clawing at his own face.
As he was shaking on the floor his eyes fell on me and he suddenly sprung up and pinned me back on the bed. His-
« Hey stop that-Urgh » his weight was all over me and his knee pressed on my abdomen... « I can't -breat- »
His eyes were mad-No that's not correct. They weren't anything. His sockets were open but he wasn't seeing anything. I started panicking as I was going to pas-
I need to stop him or els-
He suddenly stopped strangling me, his eyes starting to regain some color. He sounded utterly confused at where he was, he shook his head in disbelief.
« Get -off me! »
I pushed him on the floor by reflex, and he let himself fall, this time utterly immobile.
We both panted, but he then began to vomit bile on the floor, Looking utterly terrified.
« Hey...Uff...Ufff...What the hell was with the panic attack »
It wasn't some sort of bad joke. If his attitude didn't give it away, his mana flow also became chaotic out of nowhere. His eyes were no longer mad, but they were lost and he darted his gaze across the room, in disbelief for some unknown reason.
He then bolted out of the room.
Subaru
Where are they?
Need to find them,
Just run and find them,
Don't care about your footsteps' noise. Just run and find them,
I'm in the mansion... Maybe it was a dream...As if. There's no way the truth of this curse is something so lame.
When is it? I don't care. Where are they?
Let's go to the kitchen. Maybe...
« Subaru ?! » a silver bell image flashed his mind « why are you running? »
That sound!
Behind me
She …
She is here
« Barusu ? » a lone, small, pink figure was chatting with her, her constant frown being quickly replaced by utter surprise.
« Subaru kun?! » a voice came from below the stairs, blue, small, worried.
Is it real?
« Hey, where are you going! »
Pressed footsteps, a stranger voice, confusion replaced the teasing it was used to spout.
Need to confirm
Need to prot-
A mean eyed boy was holding three girls in his arm,
Two felt their cheeks heat up and another had her brain freeze at the unexpected event,
Or rather all of them could not process why this was happening.
Because to their dismay, it was not caused by a man with no personal space or holder of uncontrollable urges.
The one hugging them was not the goffer butler anymore but just a sobbing mess.
The scene was of course not ordinary. While the crossroad between the stairs going up and down the mansion was often a spot for idle and casual talk, never has it witnessed the collapsed form of a boy, and the concerned frown that grew as they grew to realize what was happening was also a rare sight on their face.
His sobs were loud at first but now after exhaustion started to hit him he slowly released his embrace arms on the floors, until he finally seemed to stop. The entire time the room was silent, as none knew what to say, or thought it would be appropriate to say it.
In the meantime, the cat spirit exited his crystal home, alarmed by his daughter's emotional distress, and witnessing a scene which, under normal circumstances might have made him angry, but even his overprotectiveness could not justify moving on someone who was already down.
The feline-looking guest also joined this awkward scene. Were the colored magician and the small librarian aware of this event and present the « family reunion » would be complete.
The first to break the silence was the azured-eyed oni, a hand to her heart, another on his shoulder.
« Subaru-kun...What happened? »
He didn't seem to immediately react to her tentatively reaching out. He then lifted his head in some sort of euphoria, but when he tried to open his mouth, no sound seemed to be produced, then.
« rebzbfafubfyfabyibabif'iybfyiyyyyyyp »
His answer was an incoherent grumble. Or rather unbeknown to them, and most likely himself he did try to give an answer but his jumbled mind and mouth stopped him from doing so.
Her sister sat beside her and stared at the boy. She touched his face and put his head in her hands, forcing him to look at her,
He was incredulous but he let himself be guided. She approached herself, her stare devoid of her usual harshness. Their faces were now close and his breath was now calmer. Her hands touched his cheek in comfort and he did shudder a bit at the unexpected care.
She then headbutted him,
« What the hell was that for! » He was on the ground, swearing he would never think of her as caring again.
«Barusu is still barusu after all. Your nonsense is more tolerable when it tries to be intelligible » she tried scoffing however she lightly smiled. Her sister sighed as she felt arguing would be a lost cause
« Ram! » The silver-haired girl was going to be obfuscated but seeing the result she chose to drop it.
« Who is the bigger clown... » the cat spirit sighed in his breath, more focused on what would happen next.
« So what the hell was this about? »
As he was calmed, the guest asked the question that was on everyone mind,
He looked at Felix with a stern glare, unusual for him, and then stood up,
« Ah ah... Well, this was... You see... It was a joke aha... »He accompanied his embarrassment with a smile « I just wanted...Yes, I sensed Emilia-tan's presence and couldn't - »
« Barusu »his rambling was interrupted
« Do you want me to hit you again? Stop joking around » Her stern voice gained back her usual countenance and left no room for talking back
«I .. ?What do you mean I »He tried looking for support around him
However, everyone agreed with the spirit of what she said
« Subaru...Please...Don't try to hide it with a smile. Tell us what happened » Emilia tried to reach out with a softer wording, pleading with a worried stare
« ... » Silence came back, and he began biting his fingernails, nearly hard enough to draw blood.
Despite everyone's impatience, however, they stood not saying anything more and limited themselves to looking at him. It was quite a sorry sight, as the stalemate was saddening for all participants.
« Ok...We need to leave now. We need to get everyone to leave, you all, the villagers, right now, as quickly as possible »His tone was slow but resolute and filled with hurt. However,
« What ? » was pretty much everyone's reflex answer. Of course, he expected it but he was past the point of being shocked by it. Or rather he was not in a state where he could concern himself with it.
« We need to leave now! If we don't we're all screwed! The more we wait and the more inevitable it will be! » His eyes found color again but to anyone else, he looked like a crazy person.
But unexpected by him he was not met with rebukes, and he only earned from them slight disbelief in the form of twitched eyebrows
« hum...Subaru-kun...why are you saying that. No, I mean » she tried to correct herself but...
«So you don't trust me uhh...Figures... » His face sunk for a moment
She tried to assuage it wasn't her meaning but the one who pushed the conversation forward was her pink-haired alter ego,
« Hoy Barusu »She stepped in front of his now stand up form « I don't appreciate you guilt-tripping Rem. We can't work with you giving half-baked conclusions you don't deign to give us the origin. So if you want us to listen seriously take us seriously too »
« Oh, you want explanations uh... His face began to flare hot « It would be nice if we could all get explanations, wouldn't it! » He then began repeating himself with frustration
« Why why why why? »
« Would solve every fucking problem if we could answer wouldn't it? I can't believe I never thought of that! » Mock face-palming, he showed no sign to wish to stop his rant
« Subaru »
His rant of frustration was interrupted by a feline yet male voice. The temperature hadn't changed, proof of his self-control, however, the pressure he gave off was no less massive.
But It didn't intimidate its target.
« Oh? So you have a problem with my tone too, is it? Unhinged his newly found disregard unnerved all the witnesses. Aside from the boy's now aggressive-looking presence, He split his audience in two, a silver and blue-haired confused side, and another mirrored his frustration and anger, faces and mind tense and full of anticipation.
« I do. However there's something more important right now. Isn't that what you said from the beginning? » The two were now in eye contact
Subaru was taken aback by this sudden acknowledgment, and could not find any rebuke, so the spirit continued to take over the conversation
« I was listening to you the whole time and you are not joking at all. So how is that? What do you know that we don't Tell me what's coming, I need to know »
« …. » After sighing, the butler found it hard to open his mouth, as the lingering anger didn't subside, however, he would take any opportunity to be heard, so he spat his next words without pause.
« I -I don't know. I just don't know, okay? I just know that if we're not gone before tomorrow late at night, everyone in the village will be killed. We won't fare well either. I don't know what's coming but I don't wanna wait and die to find out! »
His admission had stunned everyone, as they did not expect such a situation. They hoped for it to be a delusion, a bad dream, or one of his weird intuitions, but his statement of ignorance was paradoxically way more convincing.
« I see ... » The cat shut his eyes for a small moment, before looking back, the hostility gone but the sternness nonetheless lingered « I have one last question. How do you know that? I have held back on asking those kinds of questions because you are not a bad person, however, I can't ignore it's not the first time you know of things without proper foundation. How? »
The question surprised the guest knight, however, the ordinary inhabitant of the mansion looked at the scene with anticipation, as it was a curiosity that also crossed their mind multiple time
And the holder of the wanted knowledge...grew a distorted face,
« How ... » He clenched his fists « I...I just know those kinds of thing- » but he was cut off calmly, but sharply
« Subaru we both know this is a lie. I will ask this just to make sure, so don't resent me for this. Do you know in any way shape or form, the culprit? Do you have contact with them? »
His answer, unlike the previous one, was instantaneous
« What the hell! I don't know what happened but I would rather jump off than be associated with criminals like that! Do you think this a joke ! » His anger was almost as high as at the start of the conversation however his interlocutor continued without skipping a beat
« Good. I'd rather not find out you were an enemy. Then why did you lie? »
«Why did you accuse me! »
« Answer the question. According to you, we don't have all day »
« St-Stop this just stop! »Subaru's head slumped, along with his head. « Stop conveniently deciding what is a lie or not. Whether you are listening to me or not! I can't tell you all, do you think this a fucking joke, do you think I just get off at being an obtuse asshole? Do you- »
« I see. »
For the second time in a short period, Puck interrupted his ranting, but this time what made everyone stop was the look he took once hearing the first part.
« I will have to pry into it later...But now I know there's nothing to be done about it «
He then turned towards the girls he called his kin.
« Lia we need to leave. Everyone else as well we need to pack now »
His sudden shift of attitude caught everyone off guard for the second time.
The reason for this is that in both cases the shift came from a place internal, rather than a change of mind mid discussions. Rather, you could say the reasons behind the change of heart looked as mysterious as the danger itself.
« Dad wait why did you change y- » shaken by this new stance was Emilia,
« Staying brings nothing and we already established that we don't know what the enemy is. It's not like it comes from nowhere, we sensed that too, we just need to act more harshly than we would like »
« But it's not just about me! The villagers are the ones in danger, we need- »
« And what I need is to keep you safe. Besides, I never said we need to leave them behind. »
« But my responsibility is to protect them. I can't!
« And you are going to do so without knowing anything ? »
His gaze didn't let up, and his question brought silence to the hall. At that point, no one centered the attention more than another
« We know nothing about what's coming and there's a limit to how well I can defend both you and other people. You know full well what would happen if they are strong enough I would need to go all out. My powers aren't like Roswaal. If we stay, we won't be able to do what you want, and I will not let you in more danger than necessary. We run.
His statements were absolute. He explained reasoning however it was clear to anyone that he was past the point of changing his mind. As such no one said anything back,
Except for Ram,
« Great spirit sama please wait a second. We can't just evacuate without a clear reason I-
« Ram is it? Tell me do you think you can stop absolutely anything from happening while also staying here? We're leaving »
He bothered to give the appearance of rhetoric however his meaning was clear. His world would go. So the maid simply bit his lips.
The one who first raised the alarm in the first place didn't seem to know if he belonged in the scene any longer. If he had to say whether he truly thought he would be believed he would say of course. Or rather he would say he would have kept screaming until it worked. That would have been his answer at that specific time.
But he didn't expect Puck of all people to suddenly shift to his opinion. It was also only the second time he ever saw the paternal spirit showing forcefulness. Much like his own shift from his cheery self, what he was seeing was the same spirit that fiercely fought in the loot house a month ago...no it would be more correct to say this was more serious looking
As for the guest he didn't plan on involving himself in the conversation more than necessary. He was a mere guest, and this was clearly not his role to step in. Still, while silent he could in had confirmed the "spectacle" back in the capital was not so much of an act after all, and that he should think twice before putting expectations in strange persons
As the course of action was « decided » the problems of logistics came up. Starting from where to go,
Rem was the first to breach it, in an attempt to make the situation move, and break the awkwardness,
« Where should we go? If we have to leave on such short notice, it's not possible to relocate the villagers to any big city. Nowhere would such an influx of refugees would be taken well,» She pointed, ruling out the impossible options
Her sister answered a question with exasperation, though her exasperation at the lack of details was still present.
« In case of emergencies we should go to Miload mansion...is what Roswaal said. But it's impossible here. »
« Why is that? What's so wrong about that place »
« Nothing, Barusu. But think for a moment. Do you know any mansion nearby? » She did not wait for the obvious denial, however « Exactly. Miload mansion is not that far from here but it's still not a reasonable distance to transport people of all ages on foot. And we don't have enough carriages for that. That's why- »
« If you're going to suggest we shouldn't run because of that, you should know that her safety rules over that so think again» said Puck, matter of factly,
« ….Yes of course Great spirit sama. »
« Dad, stop acting like that! We can't »
the girl pleas were utterly ignored, except by the wind,
« If that's the case there's only one viable alternative. We'll need to split up » She continued her expose, which looked rehearsed even though the situation was unexpected,
Her proposition puzzled everyone, as the reason why it would solve the problem wasn't obvious.
« One group can go to Miload mansion, while the other would go to Sanctuary. Sanctuary is a harsher place to be, but it's closer so it's adapted to a retreat. »
Rem looked at her twin in disbelief, as surprised as the other people in the conversation, ignorant of one simple fact,
« What's this sanctuary place» Subaru asked,
« It's... » Rem began explaining, but her elder took over. « All you need to know is that it's another settlement that's near here. If anything its very purpose is for an event like this. It would take a few hours to reach the place from here on a carriage, but even on foot, it would not take more than a day to reach that place. If we begin to depart now, we should reach it before tomorrow.
He took in the time to digest the info before going on again,
« If that's the case I'll go tell them now and - »
« No »She simply cut « You barely convinced us, do you think you can scream and make them cooperate into submission? It disgusts me to do your work but I have to do it. Stay here with Rem and begin packing. '' Taking her turn to assert authority, she then turned towards Felix, taking her professional tone
« Dear Guest, we're sorry for those unexpected circumstances. As we are currently shorthanded it won't be possible to continue hosting you in the same way. Would you wish to accompany us temporarily or return? We will assure your safety whichever your preference may be.»
« I would highly prefer it if we didn't have to move ... He started eyeing the spirit « But it can't be helped. Our contract with you still stands, as far as I'm concerned. At the rate I was going, the treatment should be over in one more week. But how long do you think it would take? I don't like the idea of being cut off from the exterior with no way out » He said, looking at Subaru,
« We can't provide a date...But we'll contact Lord Roswaaal by messenger bird, and his trip wasn't supposed to last more than 1 or 2 weeks. Once he comes back there won't be any problem »Rem took over, however, her answer made Felix eye's twitch,
« You don't have a communication mirror? »
« No. More often than not we accompany lord Roswaal, and the few times he leaves without escort are never longer than a week or two so he never felt the need »
« Is that so...Even the greatest can be careless. No, I shouldn't say that. There was nyooo way to expect it after all » He mumbles, biting his fingers `` . ..I'll stay with whichever group has Subaru. It should be alright.. . » He said, trying to convince himself,
His reasoning was that, unless of express order from her, leaving would cause more trouble than not. Still, he couldn't help feeling uneasy at either option.
« Wait Ram I'll come with »
« Lady Emilia »she cut off again « I know this is what you were talking about doing but if Barusu is to be believed we have no time to waste. Though it is not fair to you we do not have the time to deal with the complications your presence would bring, »
Her explanation was without malice. It was the truth and not pointless cynicism.
However...It didn't mean it didn't clog her throat
It didn't mean Subaru wasn't offended. But unusually he didn't begin to shout
Because he was tired. And because having heard it from her own mouth, he knew it was a truth shouting wouldn't change. He could not muster indignation anymore. Even the anger he thought was the only thing filling him was replaced... by nothing.
Silence came but everything was said.
Sighing, Ram, closed her eyes and said an « Okay then » before starting to leave the scene,
As decided previously Ram was tasked to tell the villagers of the sudden retreat
Of course, it was a difficult task for anyone. Were it Roswaal himself, though reluctance would be there, doubt and questioning would have been lesser, as he was a popular and reliable lord. For servants and other guests however, even those that had been known by the villagers for a long time, the responsibility to tell a population to give up their home was an unreasonable task.
That is why only unreasonable people could succeed at such a task. As such, Ram did not waste time in overly complicated explanations or deceptions. In fact she didn't have enough information to do such a thing, and wouldn't do so even if she could. Her voice was an order and her words never hinted at a joke, protest wouldn't be considered when her own were ignored. Her authority is her lord's authority, and his will would become reality.
She just hoped that his will was not annihilation,
The two groups were decided like this,
The elderly, the children, the sick and physically weak as well as the parents would use the few carriages available. Ram would accompany that group, going to Miload mansion. As a known maid of Roswaal, she would get the approval of the owners, who were part of Roswaal's family. That group would leave as soon as possible, taking a well-frequented path, passing through Flugel's tree.
Meanwhile, a smaller group, made primarily of young and not yet married adults, as well as some older but yet still in shape men and women would go to Sanctuary on foot. That group would accompany Subaru, Emilia, Felix, as well as Rem. If left the choice the two sisters would have preferred not separating, however, it was necessary as they were the only one knowing the way to both places.
Which only left
« Why has your stench increased again I suppose ? » a small blonde let out, at the now habitual intruder
His eyes were tired and threatened to close. Weird, as just a moment ago he was his usual self, standing at the door, towering her from a distance as she was sitting in a chair.
« Even though it's true it hurts to hear it» he said, lacking the usual energy « Look Beatrice I know it's sudden but we need to leave »
She continued to look at him but closed the book in her hands
"Betty doesn't mind following your antics once or twice a day but there's a limit to-"
"It's not a joke. Something is coming to the zone right now and we can't stop it at the moment. Everyone is leaving. It's real" Cutting her off he states the state of things. As expected he didn't get a favorable response.
"...It doesn't concern Betty I suppose. Betty will stay here in fact"
Her refusal was nothing unusual. This was exactly why,
"It's not an acceptable answer today. Beako I'm serious " He said with a hoarse voice, a face looking like he aged prematurely. But in the eyes of the spirit, he was still as much of a child, and she talked to this child solemnly, as,
"And Betty is always serious in fact. I do not know what you humans are up to you suppose. But Betty's responsibility has always been and will not change to be to look after this library."
" You can go disappear and leave it behind as always" Her voice lowered on that last note.
The boy frowned at the rebuttal, however, by virtue of his previous outburst he regained some composure,
"Beako. Please… I know it's important to you." He began trying to be as convincing as he could be, as he knew she was a stubborn person, or rather than both were.
But then he realized he couldn't do that. Or rather than were it him he would refuse,
"No I don't. I seriously don't know why this library is so important. If i told you a tornado was coming would you leave,"
"Is one coming in fact?" she deadpanned.
"Answer."
"No" she spat " Besides a simple thing as a tornado wouldn't make me afraid.""
She then saw his frown and continued,
"But Betty isn't so obtuse she doesn't see what you mean i suppose. However the answer doesn't change. Protecting this library at all costs is Betty's mission. No matter what comes, Betty won't waver, ever!"
Her voice and assuredness shocked him, as it was the first time they talked about her mission to such length,
"Even-...Even if you couldn't stop what's coming?"
"I don't know what happened to make you suddenly so afraid. But yes. This place is Betty's home. Betty won't compromise. I will never leave."
"..."
He tried to form words of rebuttals. And almost got to voicing them. eloquent speech that would make her change her mind.
But the truth is that he couldn't. Because he wasn't convinced himself.
" Beako...If you stay...Can you just do one thing?" was the words he decided to say
"...Betty can hear it i suppose"
"Can you...Can you cut off access to the library" earning her eyes to narrow
"To begin with it's only by my goodwill you can enter so willy nilly. Why?…"
"I told you why. Something is coming. I don't know what. But it's dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt! We are running for a moment because we need to. If you insist on staying… Don't open the door for anyone but me"
"...(Saying such convenient thing)"
"What did you say" he said, unaware of her mumbling,
"If you want Betty to start promising things, how can you make it up to Betty I wonder?
"I uhhh…" was all he could scramble for an answer
"Could you be they I wonder "
"They?"Embarrassment was replaced by incomprehension
"Forget it in fact. Betty is magnanimous so she will do as you say.
"Please leave Betty alone"
Emilia
As the preparations were complete we stepped out of the mansions holding the few belongings we wanted to take.
According to Subaru, Beatrice decided to hold the fort. I can't say I was particularly happy with that fact but it's a given she would not be so easily convinced. Besides Puck assured me that the only way someone could pose a danger to her was if she wanted them to. Not that my worry would change her mind...
At that moment the group coming with us to that Sanctuary place had walked alongside us for 3 hours with Rem leading the way. Everyone only packed lightly, as the on-foot nature of the journey naturally limited how much one could really bring. My own case was mostly holding clothes.
Nobody was really happy with that arrangement. I could sense the villager's glare however unlike what I expected they stayed mostly silent. The group was made mainly of single and well in shape young persons, so their ability to endure the inconvenience of the march was strong.
Still for the most part their annoyance was limited to mumbling things about the mud, or leaving long sighs from time to time. I could see groups of friends sticking together but the situation made it so no one was in the mood for talking. Unless that's how friends groups act normally? Maybe I just annoy everyone.
As for the mansion resident...They were mostly distracted. Puck was silent and on alert, while rem was looking ahead, opening the march. Subaru was looking at his own feet, his gaze lost. He never did that.
As for Felix, he had an unreadable face.
« Bang !! »
Light flashed from all directions, blinding me and others and getting me out of my thoughts. Once I reopened my eyes I saw a dome of eyes. Some spots were pierced and burned through, and some droplets fell on my face as well
Everyone had instantly reached for the ground but as much as I could scan, nobody was actually hurt.
Rem adopted a combat posture and had already pulled out her morningstar from an unknown place. Felix as well was standing ready, although he was mostly looking out for any wounded.
Lastly, Subaru was startled and tried to access the situation like me,
The barrier was erected by Puck and his aura was now similar to that time in the royal election,
Except that this time it wasn't mock anger.
« Who-are you? Show Yourself » he growled.
But nothing came. The barrier stood still and proud but nothing past the initial onslaught came.
The silence was only broken by the sound of droplets falling, and cinders crepitating
No one was thinking the crisis was over, however. Of course, that common sense was right
« How loving of you... But aren't you too slothful in running away? »
The voice came from ahead of the path, from a man walking with calm.
No, the term was wrong. One look at him would tell you he was anything but calm. But his mad nonchalance stood out as eerie,
As he came close I could see he had green hair, as well as a black robe. A small black head tom covered his cup-like cut. His face was wrinkled yet his facial expressions were more vigorous than they ever should, with him putting up a mad smile.
On the sides, hooded figures appeared suddenly. Or rather maybe they were always there. They did not make a sound, not even breathing. Some held daggers, while others seemed to be ready to fire spells.
It was my first time meeting them,
It's a given, because,
The only day you see the cult is your last.
Despite this, I should have known,
The reason everyone keeps away from me,
There was no way i would never,
« Now now... How disgusting a spirit came to interrupt the trial. That won't-that won't do, won't do won't do ! »
He said, scratching his head until blood came out. But he then righted himself, before offering a slight bow, as if nothing happened
« However it would be SLOTHFUL to not present myself! »
The glass-like ice around us shattered, making a deafening sound, despite no one having moved, neither him nor his subordinates.
« I am the disciple of love, and the overseer of the half-elf trial, The Archbishop of SLOTH, Betelguese Romanee Conti ! »
Betel...Geuse?
AN/Subaru here is pretty confused and short fused. Since he is in a less bad headspace and the circumstance he found out the strategy are a bit "better" he isn't totally mindbroken, though how functional he is is basically a toss up