Subaru had no time to react before he was tackled to the ground. Normally, he shouldn't be fazed by something like that happening to him due to the rigorous training he'd undergone with Clind since becoming Emilia's knight. After all, he'd been through much crazier shit than that since he was summoned to this world.
However, this situation was unique.
The act hadn't left him rattled nearly as much as the person responsible. The question in his mind wasn't 'What happened?', but instead 'What is she doing here?'
"Big Bro!"
'Crusch and Felt are here too? What the hell is going on?!'
"Wah! It's great to see you again, but could you maybe ease up a bit?!"
Subaru had only just recovered from his last near-death experience and he definitely wasn't eager to face another. Of course, it did warm his heart a little to see Felt and Reinhard after such a long time. They were some of his first friends when he arrived here and he hadn't had the chance to apologize to Reinhard for his behavior a year ago.
"Big Bro, I didn't know you had it so rough!"
She had tears in her eyes as she spoke, but Subaru quickly gathered his bearings and picked the two of them back up.
"I-It's nothing! Really! My arm should be fully reattached in ab-. . ."
Subaru's misunderstanding quickly redirected everyone's attention to the makeshift sling around his arm. The potential implications of this injury began to set in on Crusch and the members of her camp.
"Huh?! Big Bro! What happened?!"
Subaru seemed confused.
'Huh? Wasn't she referring to the injury on my arm?'
"Don't worry about it, the problem has already been tak-. ."
"No it hasn't."
Emilia growled before Subaru could get another word out. Garfiel was out right now hunting for the man responsible and when they found him, even Emilia wasn't sure what she would do. Subaru's damage control wouldn't be enough to save him from this one.
"Subaru-dono. . ."
Subaru turned his attention to Crusch. Beside her was her knight Felix and benefactor Wilhelm. He was glad to see them again as well, as he owed them so much for all they sacrificed to help him save Emilia.
'It's weird that she addressed me that way, I'm not sure why but it makes me pretty nostalgic. .'
Even though he hadn't consciously picked up on it, the change in her demeanor and mannerisms reminded him of the old Crusch. It was clear she must've worked really hard to try and recreate her old personality. Or at least. . . that was the only explanation that made sense.
"T-Thank you so much. I-. . .'
Crusch paused. She looked to be embarrassed to finish the sentence, but by this point she had already grabbed Subaru's attention.
'I never knew that you sacrificed yourself to try and save me.'
"Subaru-dono, I can say with certainty you are a man beyond speakable praise."
Wilhelm startled everyone with his heartfelt words to Subaru. Normally, Subaru would've picked up on the abrupt shift in tone and actions of the remaining camp members, but he was too busy trying to push down the butterflies forming in his stomach.
"W-Wilhelm-san. . ."
Subaru had to turn away to hide the tears forming in his eyes. It wasn't everyday that a person received such immense praise from the person they respected most.
"Subaru, i-it's really nice to see you again."
Reinhard put his hand on Subaru's shoulder and beamed a smile at him that Felt swore she'd never seen on him before. There wasn't a lingering sadness or fear behind his eyes, only pure joy. Reinhard knew he had some culpability in everything Subaru went through, but for now, he was simply too happy to see Subaru alive and well.
"Y-You guys! Umm. . . I_I don't want to come across as ungrateful, but what are you doing in Priestella?"
Felt took the opportunity to punch him in his side.
"Oi!"
Subaru rubbed the spot where he'd just been socked.
"Whaddya' think we're doing here?! Are you seriously going to play dumb?!"
Felt rubbed the sides of her head in frustration. It was pretty typical of Subaru to act this way! Even after he learned that everyone knew of his world-shattering ability, he still thinks of himself as a completely useless pawn!
"I seriously don't know! Was this Anastasia's doing?"
Everyone looked at Subaru in confusion. Sure, he wasn't awake during the viewing, but he was still *technically* present. It had been long enough by this point for both the Crusch and Felt Camps to encounter the taboo, but they didn't expect Subaru to be included in it.
The looks on their faces slowly turned into dread. What was the point of watching Subaru's struggle if they were unable to talk with him about it? It was bad enough that he would be forced to carry on all alone, but now they were expected to watch his suffering from a distance and do nothing?!
"W-Wha. .? Big Bro? You tellin' me you don't know about the v-. .?"
Time froze.
Only those who saw the viewing can know the truth. Speaking with anyone else is forbidden.
All of them could feel a dark presence looming over them. It was the Witch, no doubt about it.
Even Reinhard couldn't keep his hand from twitching in fear.
But luckily, just as quickly as it came, it went.
Time unfroze.
Subaru wasn't a fool. He'd understood what happened to Emilia and the others since that moment in the carriage, at least partially. The emotions on his face couldn't keep themselves contained, as he donned a familiar expression.
"N-No. . N-Not you too. . ."
Subaru couldn't believe that everyone had been subjected to this cruelty. Ever since that moment, he'd seen Emilia and Beatrice break down, Julius abandon his post in shame, and Garfiel and Otto mask an untold amount of pain. It disgusted him to learn that the other camps were dragged into this mess too.
Everyone quickly realized how this looked and threw on their usual masks of stoicism or friendliness.
"Felix, can you do something about Subaru's arm?"
Emilia broke the silence with a pretty straightforward request. She had been silently watching Subaru get showered with praise (that he rightfully deserved!) and started to feel guilty. After all, he'd been the one to save her and everyone here sooo many times and she, out of impulse, had considered sending him away. In her heart, she still desired his safety above all else, but the seed of doubt had already been planted in her mind. At the very least, she could get his arm healed before he inevitably charged off to do something reckless again.
". . .o-Oh! Yes! Feli-chan can heal Subaru-kyun's arm!"
Felix hadn't said anything since they came upon Subaru. He seemed to be hesitant to make eye contact with him or even look in his general direction.
"Emilia-tan! Don't ask for any favors on my behalf! I'll figure something out on my ow-. ."
Emilia gripped his hand and tried to hide the tears coming out of her eyes.
"D-Do you think we don't care about you?"
Subaru's mouth hung open, seemingly surprised at Emilia's unexpected (but completely understandable) outburst.
"N-No Emilia-tan! I-I just don't want to be a burden to you, that's all!"
She shook her head and put her arm around his back. Subaru felt pretty uncomfortable that such a private moment was happening in front of all his friend's and associates, but he knew this was his fault, so he didn't resist.
"If that's how you feel. . . we don't deserve to be your friends."
Reinhard spoke up, trying to show Subaru why his comment had hurt Emilia so much. This mindset is one that is conditioned into someone, not natural. If anyone would understand, it would be Reinhard. For whatever reason, perhaps their ugly behavior in previous loops, Subaru had been conditioned and trained to receive no compassion from others. Not even his friends.
In that sense, they were all to blame. But of course, Reinhard, having felt that way since the tragic loss of his grandmother, was particularly heartbroken at this revelation.
"Reinhard! Don't say stuff like that! You've saved me so many times! All of you have! Is it really so bad tha-. . ."
"Subaru-dono, do you believe the relationship we have with you is purely transactional?"
He paused for a moment. Wilhelm had hit the nail on the head. While Subaru would never admit this to himself, this was what he believed at his core. His usefulness, his tenaciouness. . . those were the only reasons that things ever worked out. And to a certain extent, he was right! Nearly everyone here would be dead if it wasn't for him and his cheat ability. His ability was the only reason it was possible to have friends like these to begin with.
If he was no longer useful, would they remain around? He didn't know, but had made himself believe, for his own sanity, that they would.
However, no matter what he did, the fear remained. The fear that these new friends, just like his old 'friends', would leave him in the dust.
You could call this insurance.
"N-No! It's not like that! It's just that friends don't needlessly burden one another w-. . ."
"That's exactly what friends do!"
Emilia's feelings spilled out of her mouth.
"At the Sanctuary, you told me I was a 'pain in the ass'! That I wasn't doing what I needed to do! B-But that. . .you loved me anyway. . ."
Subaru couldn't believe how quickly this conversation spiraled out of control. While he understood Emilia's feelings, he simply had no way of internalizing the words he spouted off to others.
'I am such a hypocrite, aren't I?'
"Subaru-dono, regardless of how you feel, your injury isn't an 'unnecessary' burden. Please let us help you."
Crusch put an end to this despair session and indicated to Subaru that her help was not something to be rejected.
"Nya! It's my duty as a healer to help anyone in need, that includes you Subaru-kyun! This is as much for my sake as for yours!"
Felix had tried to appear upbeat, but his sentiment was only truly genuine in his last sentence.
To put it simply, Felix was the guiltiest out of everyone there. Just like Subaru, he'd come to internalize the 'transactional' nature of human relationships. That was why he became a healer. There would always be a necessity for someone like him around. It helped placate his fears of loneliness.
But now, being faced with a debt that he'd never be able to repay, Felix could only look upon Subaru in shame. A person who was just like him, throwing his life away only to receive no recognition or appreciation. Felix's initial reaction when he found out is what twisted the knife in, however. As he put himself in Subaru's shoes, he could only bring himself to feel anger towards him for not saving Crusch. Only later did he learn what an impossible burden it was. How Subaru had died in vain to try and help her.
'And to think I greeted him with scorn. . .'
Felix had never felt like such scum.
'At the very least, I can do this for him. . .'
Crusch put her hand on Felix's shoulder and rubbed it.
"Why don't we all head inside?"
"When will Priscilla-sama be arriving?"
A group of Emilia, Otto, Reinhard, Crusch, Anastasia, and Felt were gathered in a large pre-arranged meeting room. This was where Anastasia had originally intended to host the multi-camp negotiations at Priestella. Naturally, after the odd interruption, the subject of these negotiations was bound to shift.
"I apologize Emilia-sama, but I do not know."
Reinhard was the first to confirm Emilia's suspicions. Nobody was even certain if Priscilla would be coming to Priestella in the first place, even more so after the viewings. She had been suspiciously silent about the whole matter and hadn't informed the other candidates what she planned to do with all the information they discovered.
"Can you stop apologizing for once? Seriously! You're a knight! Mine to be exact! Act like it!"
Felt tried kicking Reinhard in the shin, but he simply maneuvered himself out of the way.
Anastasia turned her attention away from their little squabble and spoke to Emilia.
"To be honest with ya', I've got not idea if she's comin' or not. It's probably better for ya' to start negotiations with us early."
'It's not like I even sent an invitation to that b**** in the first place.'
Emilia didn't want to start discussions without everyone there, but the issues they'd uncovered were simply too important to leave unaddressed, so she deferred to Anastasia's advice.
"Alright. But before we discuss the things we saw in the theater; I want to fulfill the original purpose of our negotiations."
Emilia wanted to include Subaru in as much of the negotiations as possible. He deserved to have a seat at the table, especially after everything he's done. She hoped this would help to reassure Subaru of her absolute trust in him, but after the last few hours, this might be interpreted as a throwaway gesture.
'It's better than nothing. I know it's wrong but. . . I-I can't risk losing him, I can't!'
"Big Sis. . .I've been meaning to ask something but was kinda afraid of the answer. . ."
Emilia looked over to see Crusch, Reinhard, and Felt looking at her expectantly.
"W-What is it?"
Crusch mustered up her courage and spoke the infernal question.
"Subaru-dono was attacked shortly after arriving here. Did he. . .retu-. . ."
"No!"
Emilia quickly shut down that train of thought. She realized how foolish she'd been for leaving that point unaddressed.
Reinhard, Felt, and Crusch each breathed a sigh of relief.
They hadn't failed him yet.
And hopefully, never will again.
"Alright, can ya' recall everyone so that we can conduct negotiations?"
Emilia hesitated for a moment. Bringing Garfiel in could mean losing an opportunity at bringing in the man who had attacked Subaru.
'Once I inform the other camps, we can organize a full-fledged search for the attacker ourselves.'
This was a better course of action.
"Why did I get stuck with you guys!"
Subaru lamented his recently (continuous, let's be honest here) terrible luck. After derailing all of their plans for Priestella in a single day, he'd been blindsided by two other candidates and their lackeys. Sharing his quarters with him was the sleeping Beatrice, Felix (currently healing his arm), Wilhelm (silently standing in the back of the room), Joshua (who had only just recently arrived with no understanding of the current situation), and the two of the modern-day three stooges, Ton-Chin-Kan!
"Not like we fucking enjoy bein' around you either!"
One of those street thugs who jumped him his first day had appeared again under Felt's leadership. Subaru wasn't particularly happy about it, but after a weirdly timed apology, things seemed to go back to normal. If he had to guess, Reinhard must've put them up to it.
"Oi Chin! Weren't you just apologizing at my knees begging for my forgiveness?"
This taunt seemed to irk the former thug enough to stand up and take a step towards Subaru.
"My name's not fuckin' Chin! It's Larkins. Remember it before I have to beat it into ya!"
Subaru scoffed at this clearly toothless threat. This guy was literally just bowed over in front of him, head to the floor, pleading for his forgiveness. Just because Felt wasn't in the room with him didn't change the fact that these guys were all talk.
"Subaru-kyun! Please don't move around so myuch, it breaks my concentration!"
He sighed and put his free hand into the sleeping Beatrice's hand.
"Hey, Felix, instead of focusing all on me, can you see if you can do something for lil' Beako here?"
Felix looked like he was not listening to anything Subaru was saying and had instead completely immersed himself into his work. It was actually quite the deviation from the usually playful expression he saw on the healer's face.
"H-Huh? Oh, Beatrice? She'll wake up in about a day or so."
Subaru grimaced. It looked like even Felix wouldn't be able to speed up Beatrice's recovery. If that was how it was, then he'd just have to apologize extra hard when she woke up.
"Subaru-dono, if I may ask you a question?"
"Sure!"
"I've recently been made aware of the fact that you hail from beyond the Great Waterfall. I was wondering if you could tell us what it was like?"
Wilhelm hoped to redirect Subaru's feelings of helplessness away from Beatrice's condition by having him reminisce on pleasant memories. Subaru had exhibited all the signs of homesickness during those viewings and had never had the chance to properly address them. It wasn't that Wilhelm seemed to be genuinely interested in the subject, certainly not!
"That's a bunch of crap. Stop makin' shit up and tell the truth like the rest of us."
Subaru glanced over to see the other thug from his first day in Lugunica.
"Did anybody ask, Ton?"
The large man balled his hands into fists and leaned back against the wall of the room.
"I told ya' already, my name's Gaston!"
Unlike Larkins, this guy seemed to hold his composure a bit better than before. If he hadn't been such a jerk, Subaru might've even commended the guy for it.
"Subaru-dono, I believe your claim. Please tell us more about where you come from."
Wilhelm didn't even seem to register the presence of the other two men in the room with them.
"Ah! R-Right! I'm not exactly sure where to start. . ."
Wilhelm put his hand to his chin and reflected for a moment.
"How about explaining the function of that strange metia you gave to Russell Fellow?"
Subaru seemed delighted to oblige his questions, but something about it felt weird to him.
"Ah well, from where I'm from the device is called a 'cellphone'. It doesn't employ the use of magic or mana, rather it uses electricity and wireless technology to broadcast messages between users. While your metias can only link with one other metia at a time, ours allowed for communication with multiple different groups in different locations. I suppose the current 'metia' technology here could be likened to the older models of phones we had that weren't portable. We called those 'landlines'. While I'm at it I could also tell you about tele-. . ."
As Subaru continued dropping mind-blowing information to everyone loitering around the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd overlooked something important.
'What is it? Why did Wilhelm-san's question unnerve me so much?'
". . .they allowed for one-way communication to an uncountable number of devices at tons of different locations. It's arguable whether or not the adoption of television or the radio was the advent of 'mass media', but they allowed for advanced new forms of information sharing and communication. Oh! I almost forgot to mention the most common use of these inventions! Aside from practical services, such as news updates, they also had broadcasted fictional 'plays' that we referred to as 'television shows' which had a large impact on the culture of. . ."
'Did I ever tell him my metia was from beyond the Great Waterfall?'
". . .some of the most well-known televisions shows of all-time would be: M.A.S.H, The Simpsons, Law and Order, The Brady Bunch, The Twilight Zone, and Jeopardy. And then there are more modern shows such as Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. . . well, actually these names probably mean nothing to you. . ."
'If I was him, I would've asked about the 'White Whale tracking function' I had on there. . .'
". . .My apologies, I'm rambling. In retrospect this stuff seems pretty lame, huh? We all just sit there watching the lives that we want to lead without making any real efforts to make them a reality. I doubt you want to hear anything more about this."
Subaru finished his long explanation with a bit of a sobering reality check. The media he'd watched all his life is what deluded him into thinking he was 'chosen' to be some sort of hero when he got summoned to another world. It took a hell of a lot of struggling, along with a heartfelt confession of love from a certain girl, to snap him out of the learned helplessness instilled in him by fantasies like that. The real world could be a cold, cruel place.
"Your homeland sounds like a seriously advanced nation Subaru-dono. I appreciate you indulging an old man's curiosity like this."
Wilhelm flashed a smile to Subaru, signaling his rant had been received well. Subaru was relieved, but he didn't think that most of the life he led before coming here was something to be proud of.
"Wilhelm-san, a quick question for you, how did you know that my m-. . ."
"Everyone, please gather in the meeting room!"
Abruptly, Otto came in and interrupted Subaru's question. The man had a talent at unintentionally annoying Subaru, that's for sure.
Wilhelm seemed poised to let Subaru finish his question, but Subaru decided that the moment had passed.
"Otto, why is everyone being gathered here? I thought we came here to pick up a housing crystal."
Otto seemed just as unsure as Subaru. Of course, he knew the new reason for everyone to come and speak with each other, but he had no idea what Anastasia's original plan was for when they arrived in Priestella. They would have to figure that out once they entered negotiations. That's why it was imperative that Otto be present for such a meeting.
"There's a meeting with the other three camps underway, so anyone of notable rank should be attending."
His interest was piqued, but Subaru didn't expect anything good to come out of these negotiations. Call it a gut feeling.
"Alright, Wilhelm-san, Felix, let's head over there then."
"Hey! What about us?!"
Larkins and Gaston called out from behind, confused as to whether or not Subaru was making fun of them.
"So everyone has gathered?"
Anastasia began the meeting with a simple glance around the room to take attendance. After everyone was recalled, the room was oriented as follows. On the left side of the table (from Anastasia's perspective) sat Emilia, Subaru, Otto, and Garfiel, in descending order. On the right side of the table sat Crusch, Felix, and Wilhelm, in that order. And finally, next to Garfiel, sat Felt, Reinhard, Gaston, and Larkins.
Anastasia was sat at one of the ends of the table with Ricardo, Mimi, Julius, and Joshua all standing behind her. Her position in a seat of authority left no one confused of the purpose of this meeting.
"Th' hells' this meeting 'bout?" (Except Garfiel)
Garfiel seemed particularly grumpy at being recalled to come back for negotiations. He had a bad feeling when Subaru had left the group earlier and it had turned out to be right. Until he could get even with the man who attacked his Captain, he wouldn't feel secure in his position as 'The Strongest of Shields'.
"Calm down willya'? We're here to discuss things that each of ya' want from my camp and to get to know each other better."
Garfiel didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but Subaru gestured for Garfiel to tone it down. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene in front of all five candidates again (even if Priscilla wasn't here).
"What are you offering the other camps?"
Otto was the first to speak up. He wanted to make sure they weren't the only camp with their desires broadcast to the entire nobility. It was only fair, as it was Anastasia's choice to involve the other camps in their negotiations.
"I can't speak for everyone, but the initial deal I had for attending this meeting involved receiving information on the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony."
Crusch freely divulged her motives to the other three candidates. While she had lacked memories, her and the camp's priorities had been singularly motivated on taking out Gluttony. With her memories returned, the only reason she had to pursue Gluttony was a vendetta.
"Ah, this is interesting! So ya' still wanna find and take down Gluttony?"
Crusch slowly nodded her head in affirmation.
"While my situation may be fortunate, there are many others that aren't. I will prevent what happened to me from happening to anyone else ever again."
As this interaction ensued, Subaru picked up on some confusing signals.
'Anastasia seems surprised that Crusch still wants to go after Gluttony. She had her memories eaten! Isn't that. . .'
"Hold on a moment! You had information on Gluttony?"
Subaru was still working with an incomplete picture. All he knew was that he was getting closer and closer to figuring out whatever it was everyone was hiding. But not yet. . . there were still things he was unaware of.
"Yep! I planned on givin' it to Crusch and inviting ya' here seemed like the perfect way to get ya' interested in working with me!"
Everyone noticeably tensed up at this revelation. While Anastasia had already made commitments to Emilia about letting Subaru remain in her camp, this proposition reeked of foul play.
"What do you mean 'planned'? Is there some reason you decided to change your mind?"
Anastasia realized that this question would have a larger impact than she'd initially expected. However, there was no way she would be able to talk herself out of this situation without seeming even more suspicious.
"Ya' could say that Natsuki-kun!"
"If I may. ."
Crusch spoke up before Subaru had the chance to interrogate Anastasia any further.
"Subaru-dono, my memories were returned to me a short while ago."
The room went silent.
He couldn't believe what he just heard. Before he knew it, he'd stood up out of his chair.
Possibilities raced through his mind, all of which he'd never thought he'd be able to entertain.
"T-Tha. . D-Does that mean. . .?!"
His hands shook at his sides.
'N-No! Don't jump to conclusions! If I get my hopes up. . .'
Subaru tried to compose himself and wrapped his hand on the backrest of his chair.
"R-Rem! D-Do any of you remember Rem?!"
Crusch gave him an affirmative nod.
The gesture made Subaru fall backwards.
"S-Subaru!"
"C'apn!"
Emilia and Garfiel tried to catch him, but they were a moment too late.
"A-An entire year. . ."
He felt tears stream down his cheeks. There was finally some hope.
The audience in the room watched Subaru with warm feelings in their chest. After watching Subaru's journey, they fully understood the impact that Rem had made on him. She had pulled him out of his darkest pits of despair and gave him the strength to walk again.
Watching Subaru lose her had broken nearly all of them. But now, they got to see his deepest regret lifted away.
"Subaru, please, let me help you."
Emilia wrapped her arms around Subaru for a deep hug and helped him stand up.
"S-Sorry for the t-theatrics. . ."
Subaru sniffled.
"It's fine kid! I'm glad that badass demon chick is back too!"
Ricardo broke the uncomfortable silence with a quick bit of comedy, much appreciated by everyone.
"W-We don't know that yet."
Subaru was quick to raise his hand.
'Both Rem's Name and Memories were eaten. Even if we know her name was returned, there's no way to guarantee if her memories returned, like Crusch.'
"But the odds are looking good for ya'!"
Anastasia cheerfully interjected.
"W-Wow. . ."
Subaru sat back in his seat absolutely dumbfounded. He had no idea things had changed this much since he had left for Priestella. It had only been a few days!
"Do you have a way to contact someone at the Manor?"
Reinhard wanted to do everything in his power to facilitate Subaru's meeting with Rem. If they had a metia, they could use that to contact the maidstaff and confirm their suspicions.
"Sadly, we don't. There was a letter sent earlier today concerning Subaru's condition, but it will take at least two days for any replies."
Otto had to be the one to break the bad news to everyone. There wouldn't be an immediate reunion, it seems.
"Oh! Thanks Otto! Ya' reminded me of a very important issue!"
Anastasia wanted to wrestle back control of the conversation.
"There's a madman on the loose in Priestella! I was hopin' all of ya' might be willing to lend a hand?"
The question was worded in such a way that it would be difficult to refuse. Not that anyone there was going to decline after what happened to Subaru.
"I see you filthy commoners were unable to restrain yourselves for mine arrival! At least you've prepared a stage for my debut."
All eyes shifted to the entrance of the meeting room, which had been bisected by a certain fiery haired matriarch.
"I shall make my demands simple for you plebians to understand. The Half-Devil's Knight will be joining my camp."
Author's Note:
I know I had Subaru bring up Crusch in Chapter 1 when he said he wanted her to verify that Beatrice was telling the truth, but please note that he had no expectations of the other camps arriving in Priestella. In canon, only Anastasia was aware of all five camps being invited to Priestella, but of course, things changed a bit here. Subaru was never informed about this, so that is why he was taken by surprise at the beginning of the chapter.
Some insane reveals this chapter!
Subaru is getting ever closer to the truth,
He learned Rem was awake,
And now Priscilla wants him to join her camp?
I toyed with the idea of having Subaru figure out that the Emilia camp had been withholding their newfound memories of Rem from him, but ultimately I just want him to be happy this chapter, so I don't want to plant that seed of distrust to sour such a joyous moment.
I hope there was no OOC scenes in this chapter and I hope Emilia didn't come off as abrasive or insensitive. Remember that she is still grappling with her decision to send him back to the manor.
There were some characters who were unusually silent in this chapter, but its really hard to find a way for everyone to naturally speak together when there are like 10 characters in a scene.
I really want to write more for this fic, so I think the next chapter I drop will be for this fic too. Maybe even the next two depending on how eager I am.
Any advice or criticism is welcomed! I also invite any speculation you may have for future chapters!