Oh boy, here I go with the latency!
My apologies, since, well... I've been caught lacking and have went ghost recon for a good while. And to that, I say: probably nothing new! Problems kept pilling and as to expect, university has become gradually more demanding as time went.
Therefore, here is I, oh God of dumbasses, see me!
But more on point now, I've barely managed to squeak by and finally enter the stage I've painstakingly setup (watch it be a total flunk) for this story to experience. I can move from boring to action and to finally giving some answers!
Naturally, because I've returned like an overslept student to the course (nothing new here), if you see something that can be tweaked or worked on to be better done next time, please do tell!
Please enjoy!
Nothing to be worried about
"I'm fuckin' pissed."
"Hi to you to, Felt!" With a shaky smile, Subaru waved Felt and Rem the second they entered. With the sun highlighted bright orange over the horizon, Subaru almost wanted to say this little morning greeting would be something pleasant… but then Felt spoke and his expectations changed but a smidgeon.
"Not exactly my place, but make yourself at home!"
"Shadap!"
"…" Subaru rose his eyebrows with a nervous energy and tried to maintain his easygoing air. "That's the energy, Felt! …How about you, Rem? Got some rest?" Quickly changing the person talked to, Subaru staunchly maintained his unwavering disposition.
"Rem isn't quite at ease enough to joke yet, Subaru-k-…" Rem uneasily looked around, faltering at the end. "How is Subaru feeling? By Sir Felix's estimates and Heinkel's talk, you must have done something very thoughtless."
"Well I wouldn't call it thoughtless for one."
"True, true, I'd call it fuckin' retarded. Just to start off right." Casually interjected Felt as she made her way across the room to plop on his bedside and assume her usually unhealthy pose.
Either Subaru spent too much time with Reinhard or his earned 'big-bro' instincts developed enough to disapprove of Felt's habits.
"Ah, so everything's just fine then, huh? 'S good to know you're ok Felt." Noting the blonde's harsh speech but open behavior Subaru felt further relaxed that problems died down.
"Eh, I'm about as good as good can get, Rem. You may not remember Felix, but he did as stellar a job now as he did during the Whale hunt. No worries here."
"The Whale hunt…" Rem slightly frowned to mumble through pursed lips. A delicate pout settled on her mien as she tried to recall the here and there mentions from Subaru. During their travels, she never really settled to mull over all the things he hinted and left to be puzzled together. Most likely out of consideration for her condition but nowadays, Rem felt progressively more curios the more they approached the capital.
"W'dya look at that, another dumbass instance ya pulled off! Nice streak, bro." Snidely remarked the ex-thief as she swung her legs up and down the bed's side. "Man! You deserve a special kind of award, ya know?"
"O~h, getting progressively more active-aggressive there, lil' brat." With an equally snide smile, Subaru huffed and thought nothing of Felt's antagonism. Rather, he just saw it as another escape to ease the tension.
"What? Rein's gotten busy and that cuts in your joking time? Tough problem, huh?"
"O~hhh, ye~ahhh-" with an unnaturally sweet and cheery expression, Felt brandished a happy tone as she regarded Subaru. Still swinging her legs playfully, this kind of behavior soured Subaru's initial read of her mood.
"-Rein got just a lil-itsy-tiny-bit held up checking the old dutchy part for…well, ya kn~ow big bro."
"I know?" A little off-put, Subaru slowly and subtly pulled on the covers to be at the ready and shield himself. Felt began to sound like a happy-go-lucky kid and that began to send chills down Subaru's spine. She was a kid, fair enough. But that also meant her getting off scot free with bullshit only kids get privilege too. And Subaru could attest to having already had his fill of ankle bitters literally biting him. One second you tried being nice, the next one Felt tore of your hand!
"Ya kn~ow! No big thing, right?" Shrugging with a lopsided smirk, Felt looked at him and huffed a confident breath.
"Yeah. Right." Nervously replying, Subaru tensely smiled back with an unchanging face. "So… What do you think of the duc-"
"I mean, downright horrendous monsters ain't anything to really be bothered 'bout, no? Naaaw! I'm sure there's another reason they fuckin' recked our journey and aimed ta bloody run ya threw!"
Suddenly exploded Felt from her cheery façade into a hellish demeanor!
"Wait! Wait! Blame it all on Vincent! Or… anyone else! Rem! Rem thinks the same, just ask her." Defending himself with a pleading call for help the moment Felt's face flushed red with anger and his paled with dread, Suabru rose his arms to gesture Felt at ease.
"Rem is of the same opinion regarding the emperor, Subaru, however Rem doesn't believe blaming it on him will suffice this time." Awkwardly after some time Rem pitched in, much to Subaru's disservice. "Even though I can see why Subaru would badmouth that man."
"Da faq got some dude with this?! No! Big bro, explain!" Felt slid over and jabbed Subaru with her fingers in a try to be intimidating. "You and that shitbag, Heinkel, what did you do?!"
"Calm, calm, Felt!" Pinching lightly, Subaru scratched his chin, close to a pose he'd assume when thinking. He figured that immediately answering Felt wouldn't sell the deal as well as if mimicking to think it over.
"It's just a cheap magic trick I coined recently I pulled."
"Go on-." Flicking her fingers, the blonde incentivized for more details.
"In abridged version: Carriage went up in splinters, so I reasoned to use 『Cor Leonis』 to at least make sure no one died. Fortunately, only our ride got hit, and from there I kind of lose film. That should be the total gist." Indifferently revealed Subaru with a complete lack of seriousness.
Should he not have been under the excuses on injury Felt would have instantly slammed her foot against him for that sort of discarding air.
"You used what?! Since when did you had that? No, why didn't you talk about it?!" Felt's eyes could be said to boil! The crimson of her irises flared at the downright retarded 'trick' as Subaru put it. "Why would you even fucking do that?! Out of all the magics to make, why would you think making shit like that?!"
"Ah, my bad-my bad, it was something developed under some tough conditions. Can't say I had the luxury to change it back then." Speaking frankly though not all to invested, Subaru relied the essential ideas of why 『Cor Leonis』 was the way it was. "That and Yoruna… Didn't want to start comparing when my trick was like a piss poor attempt to what she could do."
"Yoruna… 『Cor Leonis』, that piece of shit…" Mumbling a list of irritating factors, Felt could reasonably start wondering if she was ever let in on anything important by her very own brother. "Got anymore skeletons in the closet? Od damn! I ask about one thing only to get more questions!"
"That's a little out of nowhere, don't you think?" Though warbly, Subaru adamantly kept his joyous appeal.
"Look, big bro, I can get it. Ya have stuff to keep hidden, I should know 'bout that best from my escapades. But… hell, don't you trust me at all?"
"…"
And there it went.
A complication that would inevitably popup at a point. Be it now or later. For all it was worth, Subaru appreciated it to be during a more… 'relaxed'… time? Therefore, he couldn't exactly complain about this happening now.
"Subaru." Hearing his name uttered so close beside now, Suabru slanted his head away just enough to not look at Rem once she crouched closer to be leveled.
"Subaru; while more than thankful for having proven wrong Rem's past judgements… Rem wants to be given the trust to be confided in. And Rem thinks what lady Felt has just asked is just right to accentuate myself."
"I mean… can ya at least answer a few things? Just a bit…?" With doubtful yet irritated voice, Felt pressed further. "It's kinda unfair, ya know. Ya spilled ta Rein… I mean, sure ya did some cool shit together, though… Fuck, you trust that asshole Heinkel more!"
"How's that?" With some regained vigor, Subaru finally asked back. "Thought I was making a pretty good impression not running my nose on everyone's sleeves." With a sideways offered smirk, the black-haired knight figuratively jabbed back at Felt, defending his unexplained methods.
"You're both here asking me to stop doing my job and just act like some big baby, no? C'mon Rem, Felt, have you got no faith in me?"
"Stop doing you job? Hell you're talking about?" Confused, Felt rose a brow and showed a canine in sign of displeasure. "'M here asking ya wha's it ya hiding from everyone!" Annoyed, the petite blonde relaxed and flexed her hands repeatedly. "Ya talk with those two about some seriously dark stuff like 's some conspiracy! I heard ya!"
"So you did eavesdrop on me and Rein that night! Felt!"
"Ya, I did! So wha'? Nuthin's gonna change that now! Cat's outta the bag!" With enough shame to blush and peek away, Felt maintained her steadfast approach to move forward.
"You too got you nose in my biz first day we met! So out of anyone ever, you're the last to talk!"
"That was that and this is this, Felt. Don't mix them up."
"Why, 'cause it's convenient for you?" At last Felt pointed out a thing she always deep down could never appreciate Subaru for. "If it suits you, all's fine and ya can barge and do whatever ya like. But if I try and help, oh n~ooo, 'Felt how could you?'!"
"Felt, look, if it's about that you can drop any feeling of debt or whatever. I don't know where you got the idea from, but I'm not going around on a quest for favors." Retorted Subaru with a disregarding tone.
"Debt? You're fucking serious?" Felt's brows dropped and her expression became livid. "Look who's gotten the wrong ideas from!"
"Felt y-"
"Subaru… Captain, please leave it as is. Felt is right."
Stunning Subaru, Rem cut their back and forth with an objective outside view.
"Rem, what? C'mon, who's side are you on?"
"Is this not the issue? Rem is without doubt on Subaru's side, however Subaru doesn't seem to acknowledge this." Inching shyly a hand forward, Rem slowly patted a particularly red area over Subaru's shoulder where Felix expertly dressed.
"Rem fails to see why Subaru would think our care is transaction based."
"Uh-huh, nicely put in words, Rem. But I've had it with the proper manner of going about." Folding her arms and sitting herself fully on the bed to face Subaru, Felt scrunched her nose and suddenly clamped her mouth shut!
Like a lightning strike, a realization came to the blonde and with maybe the direction she was looking for.
It wasn't her business? Alright, fine. Fair enough.
Was she forgetting what she some good days ago claimed to Rem about not injecting herself where not to? Thinking back to when they waited just outside Louanna's room, Felt bit her lip. Hoping for Louanna's curse to be dissolved and giving Reinhard the needed privacy for that aweing moment now seemed to go against her better judgement.
Either that or Subaru was now twisting the story again to obfuscate the subject she tried addressing.
With a sigh, the emotional blonde reluctantly spoke.
"Guess you're right, big bro…" With a clam but unsure face, perhaps afraid of choosing wrong, Felt accepted Subaru's distancing. "Maybe… maybe looking back you're not that much better, huh? Maybe ya are among that same special kind of idiot. When it's down to the actually important stuff like trust, expectations and relationships, ya flunk it bad in the dumps."
In the small girl's morose admittance Subaru could tell the unspoken bothers she kept to herself.
In Felt's bitter surrender, it went unsaid the type of unease she had. It especially went unsaid the 'why's'. It went unsaid 'why he creeped around while everyone emotionally celebrated to give Reinhard vague and ominous directions'. It went unquestioned 'why he got that horseshit-sack Heinkel as his lacky'.
And most of all, it went unspoken the 'why is everything he'd done start to seem more miserable and less as glorious as it was portrayed by others.
"When I asked 'bout ya? I wasn't askin' 'cuz of any jumped-up reasons you might say. …Debt and bullshit. Thought ya took me seriously 'nough." With a pointed look and disappointed tone, Felt hopped off the bed.
With the girl mindlessly patrolling the room, Rem raised herself and regarded Subaru with a wordless question.
"I'm not choosing to exclude anyone, Felt. Wouldn't even want to." Replied with a small amount of regret the knight. "It's only… something that would do worse instead of better. That's all." With an expert twist of his words, no small amount of courtesy from Vincent's example, Subaru sneaked his way to stave Rem's and Felt's moody thoughts.
"That and I don't think it's really the time. Heh, I'm in no rush, yeah? Trust I only gotta work up the courage and we'll be golden."
Subaru's last addition of a forced joy soured a bit his attempt at looking over this slight issue.
"Rem is in no position to command Subaru otherwise. However, do try and not forget lady Felt's point, yes?" Carefully agreed Rem, more out of necessity than want. "Rem wagers to say this is not of light importance."
"Yeah, sure, big bro. I guess…" Dismissively gave Felt her word, not even turning to look at the two.
"But just so we're on the same page at least!"
With her hands on her hips and head kept high in a show of rebellion, the small blonde resolutely informed the waiting Subaru.
"I'm telling big sis. And just like I ain't pressin you 'bout your stuff anymore, don't try and sway me otherwise too."
"Ah." Subaru affirmed simply. As if it were only an agreeable transaction.
Subaru understood he after all wouldn't escape scot free.
But his light budding smirk did indicate he wasn't exactly as worried as Felt would've hoped.
"Cocky, ain't ya?" Playing it cool, Felt folded her arms and gazed impassively. "All that time in Rupgana got ya forgetting bunch'a stuff, huh." Spoke the girl with puffed cheeks and pursed lips, lightly mocking her brother.
"No, no, I get, I get. It's just… Well, it doesn't really matter." Pressing his palms together like in a prayer, Subaru winked and continued with a sarcastic voice. "Just please don't chew me up too bad in front of the others, ey Felt?" Roguishly kept Subaru his attitude without even sketching the tiniest amount of worry. In fact, he looked more inconvenienced than sorry for what Felt warned.
And that only infuriated the blonde further.
"Subaru, Sir, may Rem ask why having one's liege informed of her knight's worrisome actions be of little interest?" With curiosity, Rem widened her eyes in a confused way.
How lovely, she tried to ask as politely as possible. But!
Her disappointed expression said otherwise.
"Ah. It's all right, Rem. The situation just happened to parallel a funny thing so the notion didn't really hit me in full. Ahem! But you're not wrong. I'm sure I'll get the proper scolding I'm sentenced, no worries there."
But Subaru offhandedly replied seeming far too confident in his attitude.
"I'll be sure to gra~ciously ask for my friend's forgiveness on the problem." Smirked Subaru to himself after using a pattern of speech only a certain stuck-up would.
Of course, more crucially what he didn't mention was what he recalled of his faction too.
Sure, Subaru would expect to get the more loaded side of his scolding from Beatrice, per say. Maybe. And it wouldn't be all that bad either way. But Emilia? Hah! Subaru was sure he'd get off without even a single worry! Maybe something like a 'be more careful' or a 'try not to repeat this' type of deal scolding.
After all, Subaru didn't remember Emilia as the most decisive when it came to taking problems like this oh so seriously.
Sure, his recollections were fuzzy and more than probably skimmed through ever since Priestella's end. Too many worries and events in general made him look over the finer stuff that had no weight.
But what he did remember was that Emilia was a-ok with an 'I'm sorry' from Roswaal and everything went smoothly. So him doing the same would be as easy a deal as a walk in the park.
All in all, he had nothing to be worried about.
Thinking about his faction now, as in their personalities and they themselves in full… felt a bit off.
He didn't really sit throughout his journey to properly ponder of what they'd say or think.
He just set a goal and went for it. Everything else after was white noise. He single-mindedly lost himself by choice in that time so not to deal with these kinds of weighing stuff.
The harrowing effects of re-living the years of his youth though the same lens as a kid that age would have shook him something fierce! Especially because it happened where it happened.
However Subaru was certain he forgot only unimportant stuff. Nothing truly crucial.
Yeah!
Struggling for a second rewarded him with a recollection of Emilia striving to mature and become wiser. And following some essential mentions off the top of his mind since Echidna's grave, Subaru thought he distanced himself enough from Emilia in order for her to grow into her own. Without any outside effects.
An endeavor he was sure didn't mean she suddenly fulfilled it.
Yeah… he was pretty sure, right? It was still difficult, but with some focus Subaru painted himself some kind of passable picture of his crew. …Erm, friends. Or alternate world- eh, whatever!
He…
He recalled Garfiel recovering back in Priestella with Otto. They most likely were better now so they must've regrouped with the rest of the faction.
Subaru recalled… Uhh…
Subaru remembered that… Ram was still worriedly looking for her sister, yes!
'Damn, this is a bit tougher than I thought.'
"Ya good?" Eyeing him sideways, Felt chirped from the center of the room, one hand on hip.
"Like I said, prime condition!" Boasted Subaru after massaging his temple from the unrequired action of recollection. And in one smooth motion he thoughtlessly rose from the bed to stand!
"Felix outdid himself again!"
"Subaru!"
"Oops-"
Said and jinxed, Subaru like the famed tower of Pisa only he and Al knew in this world, slanted and fell back like a statue over the mattress.
"You were saying?" Smugly called the blonde.
"The moment got to me, nothing else." Waving off a hand in a show of dismissal, Subaru huffed and with a focused effort rose to stand.
"Phew! 'k, that's better. Now! Where are my clothes?"
"You mean the sack 'o horseshit's clothes?" Spat Felt with a disgusted expression.
"Lady Felt?!" Exclaimed Rem aloud, busying herself by warily keeping her hands around Subaru should he nosedive again in the bed. "Uu-um… is this not going a bit too harsh on Subaru?"
"Wha? Hell no! That jerk gets to be called as he deserves!"
"Lady Felt-!"
"She means Heinkel, Rem." Intervened Subaru by patting the surprised oni's head. "Or so I hope. I know I'm bad, but don't know about where to compare yet." Faked Subaru a cool smirk.
"Yeah, well, why d'ja had to use that fuckup's old wardrobe?" Felt immutably pressed for some clarification.
"Well, when you go through clothes like socks and then are gifted others because… well, it was the only fitting measure, what do you think?" Gave Subaru a smartass reply to the equally smartass behaving blonde.
"Isn't that however Subaru's fault for always ending up dirty and tattered?" Thoughtfully mumbled Rem much to Felt's advantage.
"Really, big bro? Can't go adventuring even once without the hobo-knight shtick?" Snorted Felt after patting her leather jacket.
"You, are literally the last person on this realm that should preach about that." With such a deadpan tone and face it was surely enough to cause even Felt to rethink her stance.
"Ey! …'S not fair to compare steeling and this! You're a knight and all that shit! Shouldn't ya talk my ear off with codes of conduct and proper etiquette? …Like Rein annoyingly does."
"Hasn't Subaru talked about prim and proper knights quite the numerous times also? Uuhh… had Subaru given a name at some point?" Was Rem to quickly back up Felt with a tangent on the matter. Wrinkling cutely her nose, Rem struggled to remember the fine details of sometimes whispered stories from Subaru in odd moments.
"No!" Frowning and gulping from embarrassment, Subaru hobbled along the room, guiding himself by sight towards the place suggesting 'here should work throwing bloodied garbs just fine'.
"I wouldn't be caught dead talking about some stick up the ass knight!"
"Wait, ya mean that guy, uuh…**… what was it**-" Snapping her fingers persistently, Felt tapped her foot energetically. "'M sure if I ask Rein he'd remember what big bro said, ah!" Suddenly spinning to him, the young crown contender lightly grabbed Subaru.
The dressed wounds were a bit difficult to get around.
"Ya do talk about that guy, big bro's the only one who remembered him!"
"Get the fuck outta here, you're just spinning that instance to better suit your dull tease! Stop jinxing!" With hollow exasperation but obvious annoyance Subaru hollered back as he rummaged with the pieces of clothing.
'Damn… this is gonna suck to feel scraping around the patches but eh.'
Drawing a breath to steel himself once dawning layers of old knight's garb, Subaru had the excruciating honor of experiencing the scrape of fabric against raw wounds. Delightful.
"Can't we just ask Crusch for clothes? Since ya know, we're just about her doorstep." Disgustedly mumbled Felt. "She'd pick better than… that."
"I don't get you sis, what's so bad about this look? Not my usual, but not bad either. Isn't it just another knight's getup?" With another umph, the knight slid over rows of red stained cloths the pair of buckled trousers. "I kinda dig it. Not very typical for today's standards but it has some character. More on the rough side. To perfectly match my ugly mug, ey?"
"Rem doesn't know how to say she doesn't like where the joke hints to… Rem feels trapped for the correct answer." Displeased, Rem clutched her hands together and furtively peeked at Felt.
"Say what, the look? Since when did we care about it to discuss?" Ignorantly, Subaru carried on by gingerly, very gently using just the tips of his fingers, layer himself with the tunic.
"That is not what Rem referred to…" With a smoldering indignance, Rem frowned. "Subaru should not comment so lightly, it can give the wrong impression. At least Rem hopes it to be only jesting."
"Oh, come now, since when did we all jump in the same age-carriage as Wilhelm and start making rules against humor?" With a satisfied smirk, Subaru released a breath and gave an easy pat to smooth over wrinkles in the tunic. "Actually! I'm even speaking bullshit, Wilhelm's way more youthful and fun than you're being now."
"Gee, don't try and impress us now with the allegories, big bro. Keep those for the stuffy nobles." With great boredom Felt dragged her feet and jumped in place.
"I'm not about to start arguing, 'cause I sure as hell know what ya're thinkin'. Even if it's weird coming from me to say…-" Releasing a sigh of exasperation Felt rolled her eyes and clancked her boots. "Where to? Ya don't plan for once to actually listen and sit tight, huh?"
"O-oh, my! Is- is this maturity I hear from you?" Brandishing a smug simper, Natsuki wearily stepped over, like testing again how to walk, just so he could tower over Felt.
"You're such an arse!"
"Said the reflection in the pond."
"GAH!"
Red in the face, and frothing with Volcanica-knew how many swears in her head, Felt stomped her foot just as she seemed ready to treat Subaru as an indoor rig of monkey-bars.
That was until the glass knight was graciously saved by a blue oni's intervention.
"Although Felt-sama and Subaru refer to themselves as siblings, is then not wrong for them to fight so much?" Rem was confused enough to voice her thoughts. Such a great discrepancy to exist between siblings? Was that not a terrible thing?
"Whatchu' talking 'bout? This 's ideal!" Came the stunned answer from Felt.
"Don't feel this surprised Rem." With an understanding expression but unsure smile, Subaru faced the oni and rested a hand on a less aching hip. "I know you and Ram set a special standard when it came to your relationship, probably the twin effect is what I always reasoned for. But in general, this is about the best part in having siblings! And I always wished to know how it was."
Palming his left temple, Subaru awkwardly noticed his disheveled hair and halfheartedly brushed some hanging strands back.
"Seeing the prior moments leading up to this, Rem can't quite readily accept this."
"Fair enough." Mumbled Felt.
"Anyway, out we go! C'mon, I can already feel myself sick enough to sit in one place."
With a lazy clap of hands, the decision was set. Unceremoniously, Subaru hop-scotched his way out the door, thus forcing Rem and Felt to follow.
"Got your brains back inside?" The morning's chill air greeted him as suddenly as those gruff words.
"Nice seeing you're ok too, Heinkel." Gingerly walked Subaru over the muddy ground, eyeing curiously the gritty surroundings.
"Not so nice seeing uhm… this?"
"Heh. No shit." Smirking knowingly, Heinkel turned to see the disheveled black-haired in tow with… company. "This ain't the managed Duchy Meckart pulled from the mud." Giving a pointed gesture with a nod, Subaru complied to observe the old and rugged wood buildings of the quaint but dirty area.
"This 's a historical corner where some Karsten was given land from the crown way back ago."
"Homely!" Raising his arms as if mimicking a big hug, Subaru spun slowly to really appreciate the old fashioned, even by this world's standards, environment. "Sentimental value?"
"Whatever's the reason I don't give enough of a dragon's shit to care." With a complacent simper and relaxed attitude, Heinkel shrugged his shoulders. "What's actually important is that the real bulwark and complex start showing up the further passing Meckart's manor. We're only passing the ugly attraction, so to say."
"Wha'? You actually know something outside the year date on a booze bottle's ass?" Those were the prickly words of Felt, standing left of Subaru, eyeing with clear distaste the Astrea family head.
"Like I said-" Huffed Heinkel after a second to blink his eyes with a dead tone. "The ugly attraction, like its unwritten name, begets other ugly things." With a hand flourish he showed to Felt. "As per example."
"Grew back bollocks enough to talk back now?!" Felt's enraged gaze lit up without a second to even consider ignoring the reply.
Peace was never an option.
"Felt-sama, think better." With Rem having quickly spoken up, a hand placed on the young girl's shoulder. "Not here and now." The oni made the royal candidate aware of the many people passing by. "If not for the sake of posterity, then for the sake of principles. Don't play along when you've already stated your opinion."
"Tch! Little-!" Pursing her lips and considering the oni's advice, Felt spat to the side and glared at the man she loathed. "Keeps getting lucky."
"…" Only rolling his eyes without sketching a sign of care for the infantile tantrum, Heinkel moved an arm at his belt and unclasped a snaked object.
It's sable surface, so perfectly unchanged, caught Subaru's eye.
"Try and not make a game of 'how fast can we lose our weapons'. By luck I found it, nothing else."
Extending his gloved hand, Heinkel handed Subaru back his well and abused bullwhip. The Guiltylow fibers still sturdy and flexible, at length's end revealed the where a jagged tear had to be mended.
"Hmh, forgot all about it." With a small note of embarrassment, accepting the weapon envisioned as a hallucination last time he grasped it, Subaru set its coiled body at a buckle.
"Not as crucial after Cecilus, huh?" Rhetorically questioned the deputy Commander after observing the slight waver in taking the bullwhip. "To be honest, I don't get why even keep it this long? It's a waste really. Prone to tear too. Better leave it. …Vincent's gift by far outshines it."
"Thought about it too." Quickly picked up the young man, speaking over the royal Commander's suggestion. "It's just that it comes in handy, even if selectively. …Just in case, better to have than not." Explained Subaru, trying to name a reason for keeping the whip.
Deep down, he had to admit to himself. It was as the Astrea pointed out. Too impractical and fragile for someone with his predisposition to brutal danger.
Moreover, even Subaru felt weird about it. That hallucination trip sent him to a very weird place where the subconscious said enough for him to interpret many nights.
But it also had its niche uses that came in clutch. And following his trend of unending- better stop thinking that!
Subaru just wanted to be sure! Nothing wrong with that.
"Whatever you say…" Dryly accepted Heinkel, not bothered and not pleased. Simply going with it. "Say, is there anything more-" Pointedly regarding the two beside Subaru with a frown, Heinkel gestured with a thumb behind. "-anything more that will make a scene and cut me off? Or ya finally wanna hear actually important stuff." His last look was especially meant to refer to Felt's list of priorities. With Heinkel openly hinting at how other matters clearly took precedence over her discardable worries.
It was no secret how bad the two got along. With all the past instances and events, who could judge?
"You wanted to inform me, you're right. Sorry about then, I couldn't spare the brain power to get a word in edgewise." Schooling his features, nearly gaunt and disheveled as they became, Subaru assumed a serious air. "But I know you had something important to talk about. Please, clue me in."
"Eh well, first off, it's better than I made it seem at first. Fortunately." Looking over his shoulder, Heinkel seemed to scout for things Subaru was not yet aware of. "But with the demi-beasts in tow and those clowns about? It was a given they'd look unwelcoming."
"Don't tell me now one-eyed robe wearers creep around here." Sucking his teeth, Subaru expressed annoyance at a possible cult interference. Catching the Astrea's line of sight, it became easily noticeable how marron cloaked individuals wandered about strangely.
"Don't think so, no. These 'r different." Rubbing his chin, Heinkel supported his weight mainly in one heel. "First off, they seem to be followers of the cloth. The air around them is saturated with mana. Traveling like pilgrims, you'll spot them easy; hiding doesn't strike me as their thing. Spirits fly all 'round them. Heh- They even use 'em as light sources. A sketchy bunch… but not psychos. At first glance at least."
"Recognize those features?" Associating the descriptions with some of the present subjects of discussion, Subaru stepped closer as he squinted his eyes.
It came to his awareness how his distinguished 'unsightly' eyes tended to get some kind of reaction out of those who firstly paid attention to him.
And pleasantly to his method, a result emerged!
Subaru had yet to find someone who would not avert their eyes from his.
"So, they have an interest on us since arriving." Observing how a number of pilgrims squirmed in place or hastily turned their faces away was enough of a sign. "How flattering Boss!" Heinkel's smile turned mocking and wide enough to fit the bill of a dung-eater. "Ya've started a following. Ain't that a nice touch on the regional culture?"
"Rem regrets not having participated more actively upon Subaru's missions. However, Rem also does not regret staying behind if she was spared this dynamic." With a sour attitude, Rem shot towards the deputy Commander's back.
"Right?" Mumbled Felt with deadpan eyes.
"Well if they're only gonna ogle us we can move on saying we've had worse." Still scouring the wood carved and gravel layered streets, Subaru picked up from where they left off. "Let's carry on with why we came here. …Heard from Frederica everyone's here. How's regrouping all sound?"
"Don't even dare say it like ya had a chance to ditch this! 'Course that's what we're doing!" With more pep in her voice was Felt who answered.
"Although Rem must admit to feeling a bit nervous after meeting… Frederica(?), Rem does want to meet everyone Subaru has mentioned about." With a gulp and a determined face Rem resolutely answered.
"Still going for the capitol after though, yes?" Dispassionately asked Heinkel.
"That's the plan. Regroup, then get off with the weight of events officially."
"Good enough…" Scratching the stubble budding on his chin, Heinkel shook his left shoulder and rolled off a folded coat. "If that'll be all, I'll go get Reinhard." With a smooth motion the coat of arms was left to rest in Subaru's hands. "Wilhelm is at the gateway by the vineyards. That's where we entered from."
"And Ton-Chin-Kan? Ezzo I expect to be smart enough and stay with Reinhard. But the other bozos? …Eh…" Pondered Subaru as he familiarized himself again with the garment.
"Hey!" Rebelliously yelled Felt. "I mean sure, not wrong." Yet just as quick as she was to anger, the royal contender realized who they were talking about. "I'll just signal them when we're ready to meet with the rest and it should be well enough."
"Sounds about right." Sketching the traces of a smile on his unrested features, Subaru draped himself with the coat of arms baring a beast's thrice struck head. The orange fabric felt homely and although looking the part of a war surviving possession, it exuded a warm appeal.
That and all the more layers between his trembling bones and the cold air was very welcome!
"Rem, you probably want to retrieve Louis, is it fine if you take Felt along? Once we get Wilhelm, we'll return to Felix and organize."
"Won't lie, I saw it coming a mile away, but fine." Deadpanned Felt with hands on hips. "Guess you want some space to think, so I'll cut ya some slack."
"O~w, I knew you weren't all bad, sis. Maybe you did mature some-some up in the noggin."
"SHADAP!"
*Click-clack**click-clack*
A rhythmic noise filtered in her sleep.
*Click-clack**click-clack*
The distinct feeling of a bothersome presence showing off worked to annoy her. And she could oddly enough feel like it was meant to be done in her spite, yes, very much so targeted.
How rude!
*Click-clack**click-clack*
Why did this little annoyance had to pester her further? Couldn't it see she was dead-asleep here!? Didn't it know repetitive white-nights left a person smooth brained?
*Click-clack**click-clack*
"Mmmm-!" Infuriated enough to mindlessly kick with her feet in exasperation, Emilia spoke with numb cheeks. Her face pressed against a cold surface left her babbling what she meant to complain of.
"Subaru~uuu… why is Shaula allowed to leave without Meili scolding her…!"
"Neither Betty finds any charm in this creature her contractor wished to adopt, but neither are you, foolish girl, presenting much of a better contrast."
Like ice water dunked over her, Emilia jumped from her chair! Her cheek, glued over the window's sill, separated free with a plopping sound.
Squishy.
"Ag-gh… Beatrice…" Rubbing her eyes and coming to terms with the sudden cut out of la-la-land, Emilia regarded the equally tired spirit girl. "How do you feel? It's a bit early to say a quick rest helped you enough."
"Eee~hhm… Me thinks 'a bit early' was a bit too much for us all. Minus the weird tiger onii-san and coward onii-san, I think we should hurry and find da-… Subaru-… Shouldn't we?" With a flustered and shy speech, Meili bounced on her feet anxiously as she looked at the half-elf posted by the window.
Emilia had braved once more another night for as long as possible, holding on to her dimming vigor to spot Subaru should he enter the Dutchy and reach him.
Unfortunately for her withered focus, Emilia happened to determine her new limit of sleepless nights clocking in at around five days! Yosh-yosh, a new personal record, only beating her last pulled off streak in Augria.
The reason was all the same, but technicalities.
"Ugh-" Blinking repeatedly, Emilia took hold again of her mental faculties and with just the tiniest amounts of pettiness: flicked off the small crimson scorpion that pestered her while getting up.
"It's daybreak." Despondently remarked Emilia. "Wait." Tapping her head to quell a fleeting headache, her amethyst eyes fixed Meili in all her nervous splendor. The gears in her head turned rapidly. "Find Subaru? Saying it like that…"
The half-elf turned quickly to Beatrice as if in search for confirmation.
"You don't think wrong, I suppose- Betty woke up feeling closer than yesterday to her contractor. -Enough to believe reaching out in sleep is like being face to face, in fact-" Clearly still suffering from a detrimental lack of mana, Beatrice explained lethargically.
The repeating pauses and dull mien were strong indicators of the little spirit's condition.
"Then…" Awkwardly looking around, Meili dragged her words as she dragged a foot's digits in place over an old carpet. "We can go and loo-! Ah!"
"This was something Betty was hoping for, in fact."
With Meili cut off by surprise and with Beatrice very happy to be spared the extra effort of walking along, the royal candidate grabbed ahold of the two little girls as suddenly as hauling sacks but as gently as treating a baby.
Like so she barged out the inn!
"Garfiel, Otto!" Her invigorated voice signaled the fighter and thinker alike from their lookout stroll. As expected, with an early riser like Garf, them checking the surroundings was a given.
"Hah! Mah amazin' self didn't wanna gambit, but Otto-bro judged well! Payin' in advance when ta mornin' came was good ta do!" Roaring with a joyous laugh, Garfiel glanced back at the shocked inn keeper when a mist of silver stormed from his reception.
"Wasn't like any of us would stay longer either way, so it was a given." Sucking a breath to still his nerves, Otto regarded Emilia, along with her recent cosmetic addition of little girls. "Hurrying it is, then?"
"'S only a good thing ta mean, bro!" Smiling brightly, Garf smacked like only a friend would to send ripples across the ex-merchant's back.
"Yeah… Hooray! I can't breathe… of elation." Hoarsely squeezed Otto past pursed lips. Grasping tight his hat as he assumed the old man's arching back pain posture.
"Have either of you recognized Subaru? He should've returned with Wilhelm, meaning their carriage is modeled like the rest under the Karsten family." Easily slipping into a cool composure, Emilia already raced with options to go by locating her missing knight.
"Can't say ma' amazin' self spotted 'im." Shook Garf his head slowly. "Bu' hearin' 'bout Cap'n 's a different tale!" Brandishing his jagged smile, Garfiel flicked his focused ears.
"'S talked 'bout like a spreadin' fire!"
"Just so we're reasonable, I'll play the witch's advocate and say we didn't hear specifically about Subaru-san, per say." Added Otto quickly, assuring themselves not to rush conclusions.
"Specifically." Picking up on it, Emilia squared her shoulders and better nestled the girls she had picked up. "What clues were spotted? With Beatrice confirming Subaru is here, and thinking of his return company, we can assume he should have reached Crusch-sama. I can imagine Wilhelm to inform her if nothing else."
"O~h, silver haired one-san is lit up!" Awed Meili at the spike of energy exuded by Emilia.
"Fair 'nough. Meself reasoned though ta see Cap'n with tha' garrison by the entrances."
"…" Emilia stopped to think over the demi-human's idea. "I can see Subaru making a stop, if only to check the demi-beast ruckus. Yes, somehow that threat could reach his ears." Frowning lightly, Emilia did see the value in Garf's point.
"It's important to mention, about clues, people all around this part talk over how Vollachia's coat of arms was fluttered when a small envoy entered. Since Subaru was lost in… well." Otto did not finish; there was no point to.
"Indifferent to what the emblem means…" Emilia's eyes trembled and averted to no place in particular as she swept away meaningless ideas. "Either Subaru could be found by the entrance where you say the envoy used. Or he should be with Wilhelm at the manor."
"An' since we got precious cargo-" Pointed Garfiel at the barely awake Beatrice and nervous, doe-eyed, Meili. "-wha's ta plan?"
"Garfiel, it's alright to use some strength to reach the gates faster. It's less populated the farther down. Take Otto with you." With the warrior reaching there swiftly, Otto would make quick work of information. "Check there and if you find nothing, then it's obvious where to return."
"Aye-aye!"
Without needing any further elaboration or incentive, Garfiel went to execute!
"Oop, and up we go." Lightly patting the faction minister's back, Garfiel hefted the man and without a second word, dented the earth beneath as he raced to their destination.
"Garf. Sometimes, you are an Od sent!" Otto smacked his hands into an exaggerated prayer pose.
"Heh! 'Course I'd be, don' wax poetics like ta Heavenly Sword ta ladies! Who ya take me fer, Otto-bro!"
"And then I change my mind." Later came Otto's downtrodden retort.
…
"Betty had already minimal tolerance to annoyances before her current mood. But after dumb and dumber spoke, Betty has no more patience for detours. Let us go, I suppose."
Was heard muffled in Emilia's shoulder. Beatrice's head smack-dab still like a rag doll.
"We~eeeel, not to sound pretentious…" Fiddled Meili with the crimson scorpion atop her head. "Apologies, one-san, can we hurry!" With a small whine but understandable wish, Emilia didn't need any extra reasons to get going.
…
"Ah! You saw that?!"
"Od, help us, I wanted to think I didn't see her."
"Oi, were those…"
"Stolen kids… why do you feel surprise at that?"
"Creatures tend to do that. Better thank the spirits it's not ours in their place."
"We're just allowing that?"
"Don't interfere. We were instructed not to. Endure it."
"We didn't come here to just ruin everything."
…
"…" Beatrice squinted her eyes with each passing whisper heard from the foreigners. "Witless barbarians, I suppose. Nothing changed in them. Detestable."
Beatrice's butterfly irises flickered with a melancholic shine. Her mother's words echoed the centuries to her now. It was both as expected and regrettable for the truth in her prediction to become real. Or rather, her foresight.
"These weirdos make my skin crawl. …Don't listen one-san." Hollowly stated at first Meili. Distinguishing a familiar aspect from those recent foreigners spotted last night. The fervor they spoke with, in specific.
That kind of blind dedication to their belief.
It made her back crawl with anxiety. That same trait was the most valued by ma- by that filthy abomination.
Meili resolved to ask Subaru for something to placate her worries when they'd meet.
He promised anyway to do that part. So, it was expected he'd carry it out.
"Don't listen, One-san! It doesn't matter." More heatedly repeated Meili, grasping lightly the half-elf's shoulder.
"Oh," Slightly turning her head as she walked with hurry towards a carriage set for them; wouldn't want to alert the Duchy's soldiers by freeze-skating her path; Emilia gently smiled.
"You and Beatrice are very sweet to think this, thank you."
"Absurd. How did you hear Betty?" Still flat with her mouth against her back, Beatrice complained for the sake of amusement.
"Don't take it as a need to restate what your opinions are." Continued Emilia with a soothing voice. "I like to believe I know everyone enough to not require you encouraging me at every inconvenience. Though you are very-very adorable for doing it nonetheless."
"Diabetes, I suppose." Retorting with a Subaruism, Beatrice let herself be practically puppeteered on a seat.
"Almost there brOtto. An' in stellar time ta boot! Hah! I can outpace a bloody dragon fer Od sake!"
Boasting with a wide grin as the environment swished past them, Garfiel steadily slowed down, preparing to leave the poor land-lover Otto to take control of his own fate again.
"I'll still pick Frufoo at any point!" Feeling the wind rush down his throat so fast he could swear he'd choke, Otto still defied the wild tiger boy.
"Ah, ya're just bein' a wuss now!"
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅!
A screeching deluge of noise washed over the area!
Garfiel dug with force his heels in the graveled earth.
His eyes widened, his irises narrowed.
His face pulled itself taught and his breath hitched.
"Garf, that noise-!"
"Demi-beasts? Don' know." With astounding gentleness, Garfiel mindlessly let Otto off his back and tensed as if he'd vault over the high walls of the Duchy's vineyards.
"But the ambient mana wave…"
"…" Otto hurriedly fished for a handful of resplendent gemstones from his pockets.
"Emilia-sama put some serious oomph in them statues." Garfiel began walking over to the entrance garrison, recognizing this kind of chill when it spilled in the air.
Carefully following, Otto stood prepared for something to jump out at them. Hearing something about how those soldiers went to dust couldn't be good.
But confusingly enough, their sight was greeted with a group of soldiers gathered around what seemed to be the commotion. Luckily enough there wasn't a single sign of demi-beasts.
The great walls, converged in an arch, exposing an almost burnt-by-age giant entrance in its masonry. Their destination was reached. But now came the part of questioning.
And on the unfortunate side, that felt difficult to do freely when on the ground lay decapitated and disfigured one of Emilia's ice soldiers.
"Da hell?" Garfiel confusedly voiced.
The soldiers and anyone he saw in this place had zero reason to do that.
"Maybe there were some bad news after all." Jumping at Garfiel, Otto gabbed hold of his friend to drag them aside.
"Oi-!-"
"Shhhh…"
Pointing ahead, the two kept back and observed the figures regarded attentively by the soldiers.
"Is this not a way of aberration?"
Calmly, inquired an old and tall knight. His humble garb, consisting of a deep dark butler suit, contrasted the armored company. His well-kept silvered hair, tied in a tail at his back, rested over a shoulder.
"Or in the least, worrisome to do?"
"…"
Another figure, the one talked to by Wilhelm, disgustedly recoiled its fingers. Subsequently letting go of the torn ice carrion to hit the ground with a chunky resonance.
"Mmm… Felt right enough to not lose thoughts over." Grumbling with a grumpy tone, as far as it could be understood with the distance, the figure moved towards another ice soldier. "I haven't the foggiest what these can be-"
"And continuing is something correct?"
"Yes."
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅!
Another harrowing noise rang as a second frost statue was savagely rendered limb from limb.
It was a horror exposition for how vindictively the construct was ripped! Thank the Od for it to be made of ice and not flesh. Otherwise even the garrison around would feel queasy.
For the magic constructs, born of a candor directed to help this domain's inhabitants, exposed first to a sincere appreciation upon creation, this end was unlike anything it could have been made to experience.
Should one be felled at the claws and teeth of demi-beasts, it was only animalistic. Instinctual. An end not too dissimilar to how survival was dictated in the wild. Nothing particularly aimed to instill certain pain. Simply a deceive fight.
But this?
The ice constructs born of a sincere candor, molded after a longing emotion, met an end their existence could never be justified for.
Their meagre comprehension bestowed to fulfill their task was exposed to a torrent of malignant will. A deluge of voluntarily inflicted scorn tore at their existence, drowning it suddenly and cruelly! Like a bug, meticulously crumpled in a toddler's hands.
They're end was as if designed in way of execution.
Unlike their hands of creation, cold but gentle, delicate and welcoming. These bare hands felt like the scorching sun. Rough and brutish. Vicious and unforgiving.
The ice didn't even melt to leave behind something.
It merely returned to the atmosphere as the invisible force it was once composed of.
"It feels therapeutic. And besides, who cares about them?"
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅!
This statue's eyes were aimed for, in particular.
I always wondered what kind of reaction those ice soldiers would earn under the specific circumstances.