After being possessed by Ecolo, Arle realizes their chaotic influence over her hasn't exactly diminished. When she looks at Ringo, she feels something special stir in her heart, and words she would never say come tumbling out. She'll cackle and jeer only to end up as a blushing mess, but thankfully, Ringo is quite understanding. Requested by huskynator on tumblr!

Intermix

Arle gazed at her reflection. Staring back at her was a girl she tried to recognize. The same auburn hair framed her face. The slight point of her chin, the cut of her bangs, and the armor that covered her shoulders and chest, it seemed recognizable to her.

Yet, there was something wrong. Feelings stirred inside of her and refused to die out. They pricked and tormented her heart, propelling her into wildness which would have shocked her old self. The way she reacted to seeing a certain girl made her cheeks flush red, and words would spew out of her faster than she could think them over. The other girl would laugh it off, understanding her situation, but Arle knew something was wrong.

After she had been saved by Ringo, she realized Ecolo's influence never left her. She felt as if her spirit had been overridden with Ecolo's passion for Ringo. Even though she had only known her for a few weeks, she felt like she had loved her for her entire life. Looking at her made her heart flare up with an adoration she never felt before, an ardent love burning like an endless supernova.

She would cry out for her any time they made eye contact. She'd react like a little girl seeing her idol playing a massive concert, screaming without a care in the world. Not even the strange looks Ringo would occasionally send her would deter Arle from lavishing her with praise and requests to play Puyo or other games, but when she was alone, her own shock was enough to leave her feeling colder than a block of ice.

She gnawed on her lower lip as her reflection leered back at her. Arle knew she couldn't go on behaving in such an immature manner. Acting like an obsessive fan gushing over her savior made her almost feel like Satan, and she reprimanded him every single time he tried lavishing her with marriage proposals and other deceptions. She didn't want to push Ringo away especially when they were getting to know each other, but Ecolo's influence remained, and looking down at herself, even her clothes reminded her of them.

Under her armor, she wore the same heavy robes. The darker colors compared to the white and blue hues of her regular attire spotted her eyes. She felt like that alter ego was slowly corrupting her, taking over with subtle differences in speech, clothing, and personality, and Ringo faced the brunt of it with Arle's overzealous love.

Tugging at her long skirt, Arle sighed. She wondered how she would react to Ringo tonight. She was supposed to come over to her cottage for dinner. Curry was her specialty, and she was glad Ecolo hadn't diminished her own love for the spicy delicacy. She only hoped Ringo liked it pipping hot, and as the spices wafted in from the kitchen, she turned away, the clothes heavy on her sturdy frame.

The doorbell rang. Her heart skipped a beat, and her lips stretched into a wide grin. She pivoted on her heels, tripping over her skirt. Stumbling forward, she uttered a yelp powerful enough to pierce the heavens. Clutching the doorknob, she twisted it and fumbled into Ringo, her legs kicking up behind her as they toppled down on the grass.

As Ringo screeched, her expression twisting in comical shock, Arle sighed. Her embarrassment swapped for softness, cupping the other girl's cheeks and crooning, "We have got to stop meeting like this, Ringie."

"Gee, that's forward," she said, gently pushing Arle off her and sitting up.

Arle internally screamed. She thought she could at least try to control her feelings, but there she went saying something so outrageous. Hearing that line from Satan or Schezo would have sent her to the moon, but with her voice slathered over the words, all she could do was burn bright red.

Ringo offered her hand, and Arle covered her face. Chuckling as she groaned, she grabbed her arm and lifted her up. "Hey, it's okay. I know you're still recovering from Ecolo."

Her heart skipped another beat. Glancing at her, she took in her gentle smile. Her eyes shone, knowledge and perception brimming in her irises. She accepted Arle's peculiar predicament, knowing what trauma she endured from Ecolo and the crisis she had inadvertently caused.

Swallowing, Arle bit back a crafty reply. Her cheeks colored to the bright scarlet of Ringo's hair, curls that she wanted to run her fingers through, those tresses seemingly so soft and fluffy. Managing a grin, she snatched her arm when it went to loop around Ringo's waist and stiffly nodded.

"Yep! Curry! Spicy enough to melt your tongue off." She snatched Ringo's hand, pulling her inside and cursed herself, her new impulsive nature getting the better of her.

Ringo glanced around Arle's cottage, delighted in its quaintness. The firm oak wood walls stood out to her compared to the tiles and furnishings of her own home. She skipped over to the kitchen, the interior likened to a hobbit's home with a metal stove, straw baskets filled with fruits and vegetables, wooden cabinets, and a lit floral candle in the center of a round table. Taking her seat, she marveled at the steaming curry plated on handmade bowls, the breaded chicken juicy and the scent of the spices making her mouth water. "It smells so good! I can't wait to taste it."

"Ufufu! Make yourself at home forever!" Arle left her mouth hanging open, the proposition implying something much greater than she expected.

Chuckling, Ringo took her first bite and hummed, the curry melting on her tongue. "Delicious! If you make curry this good, then I think I will."

Squealing, Arle bounced to her seat. Another cackle split past her teeth, one she had uttered when she was truly dark. She pulled her chair closer to Ringo and set her hand to her cheek, hearts in her eyes.

"You're drooling, Arle," Ringo said, gulping down another bite.

As Arle yelped and wiped her mouth, she couldn't help but snicker. Her new friend really was so eccentric and cute. She was sure to tell Maguro and Risukuma all about their antics when she returned to Suzuran. Watching Arle blush and giggle behind her palms, she leaned back in her seat and beamed, Arle's odd affection slowly winning her over.