Amitie and Ringo meet a woman who Arle says will now be living with her. While Amitie accepts her, Ringo isn't exactly trusting of this doppelganger and decides to question her. Requested by a tumblr anon!

Housemate

"I didn't know you had a sister!" Amitie cries, her head jerking from left to right, taking in the subtle differences of the duo.

Arle chuckles, sitting on her couch with her doppelganger. She glances over at the darker-haired woman, who is currently inspecting her nails. In her lap is Carbuncle, resting against her stomach, and she follows Doppel's gaze down to their treasured pet, watching her stroke between his long ears.

"We aren't exactly family, but I guess you can say we're close enough," she replies, crossing her ankles and setting her hands on her knees. She flicks her gaze back to Doppel. "Right?"

She nods, her attention fixed on Carbuncle. Sighing, she hugs him to her chest, her armor poking his face, but he doesn't seem to mind. As he continues sleeping, she snickers, low and almost ominous, a tone that makes the hairs on the back of Ringo's neck raise.

"And you're fine with being called 'Doppel?'" she asks, folding her arms over her chest.

Another nod, but this time she lifts her head to stare at Ringo, her gaze seeming to go through her. "That's right. We're trying out different names, but until we find one, Doppel is fine." She sighs, sinking into the plush cushion nestled next to her. "The Goddess knows how many of our other mutual friends have already caused trouble for us by not specifying which Arle they mean."

Ringo slowly nods. She hadn't expected such a twist in their normal day. She and Amitie were invited to hang out in Arle's world, but seeing Doppel lounging on her couch initially threw her off. Considering they had heard Doppel tried replacing Arle many times, Ringo and Amitie thought they needed to battle, but Arle quickly intervened, saying they had come to a truce and were living together.

Needless to say, Ringo isn't exactly sure a lifelong grudge could be satisfied with a sudden peace. The bored, neutral expression remaining on her face seems to mask her true feelings. Her posture and speech appear to hide something. If her suspicions are correct, then she knows Doppel won't be satisfied with a mere truce and home, craving stability as the true Arle.

"Hey, hey! I think it's really great that you guys have put your differences aside. Now we have two Arles to hang out with," Amitie says, clapping her hands together.

"What were your plans for today?" Doppel asks, glancing at Arle and beginning to pepper Carbuncle's head with soft kisses.

"Oh, I was gonna show them the Mokemoe Labyrinth. Wanna come?"

"No thanks. I'm going to play with Carbuncle today." She presses her chin on to Carbuncle's head, his gentle snoring filling the space between them. "I haven't had the chance to have some private time with him yet, so I'd like to have the day to myself."

"That's fine. Just make sure you finish the laundry, okay?" She smirks as Doppel glances away. "I'm only reminding you so you don't forget like last time."

Clicking her tongue, Doppel scoffs and mutters, "I know, I know. I forget one time, and you keep nagging me about it."

"Only because it started raining and drenched my good skirts!" Arle flicked her cheek, earning a grumble in return.

"If you wanna join us later, you definitely can!" Amitie exclaims, an octave higher than usual. She leans forward in her seat, beaming like a star. "Any friend of Arle is a friend of mine! Right, Ringo?"

"I'd need to settle my wariness with supplementary questions," she says, leaning back and crossing her legs, Amitie humming in confusion.

Keeping her eyes on Ringo, Doppel leans closer to Arle and whispers, "Does this one always talk like she's reciting a textbook?"

She gasps and lightly swats her arm. "Don't be rude!"

Another thrum of a chuckle presses against her lips. She inspects Ringo, taking in her observant stance and wary gaze. Compared to her bubbly friend, her uncertainty is understandable. Doppel hadn't been the kindest person. Some sarcasm here and there, a little mayhem for their friend, she isn't an angel, and she lets her lips twitch into her cheeks as Ringo frowns, fiddling with the hem of her sweater.

"You're not trying to steal Arle's place anymore, correct?"

"Correct."

"And you're really satisfied with living with her even though you tried on multiple occasions to steal her place, right?"

"That's right."

"And you have no more schemes up your sleeve?"

"I'm not wearing sleeves."

Ringo groans and rolls her eyes as Doppel chuckles. She knows exactly what she means, but she couldn't resist joking. Setting Carbuncle in Arle's lap, she stands up and crosses over to them. Crouching, she cups her knees and grins, her brilliant scarlet eyes gleaming and drawing the girls in.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm fine with this place." She pats Ringo's head as if she were a dog. "Though, it's smart to maintain your hesitation. Who knows what I'm going to do next?"

"The laundry if you know what's good for you," Arle huffs, puffing her cheek out.

Chortling, Doppel rises and shrugs. She plucks Carbuncle off Arle's lap and sets him on her shoulder. Hearing him yawn, she sighs and smoothes her skirt, offering a quick wave as she leaves the trio alone.

"She seems like a lot of fun," Amitie says, and Ringo sighs, her theories hardly quelled.

Arle watches Doppel and Carbuncle leave, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, she's happier now, so let's leave it at that and get a move on to the labyrinth!"

As Ringo and Amitie cheer, Doppel lingers in the doorway. She closes her eyes and grins to herself. Opening the front door, she breathes in the crisp pine scent, stretches, and sets out to bring in their laundry.