Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belongs to their awesome owner. I do not own anything.
"Dosvedanya"
-Rain from SAO Lost song
Ren Amamiya wakes up on a bed with a steady ache in his mind. The pain his feeling is similar to a buzzing drone. Ren needs to blink several times to clear the throbbing haze away. He looks around but his surrounding is muddled and distorted.
He shakes his head to make sure that they stayed there.
The decorated walls and furniture added with a perfume scent tells him that his suspicion was right. His in the hotel that they stayed in, it was a surprise for him to woke up here. Last time he remembers his on the ruined palace of the lord impaler Vlad III.
Ren notices that he's not alone in this room. The mop of blond hair was his first clue. The sleeping form of Jeanne slouched over her chair, her head resting on his bed. He couldn't bring himself to wake the sleeping saint, but just looking at her bring a smile on his face.
He tried to stretch a little to feels his entire body again. It feels stiff at first but Ren soon becomes comfortable after some little stretches. But no matter how much he wanted not to wake the saint up he still failed. Jeanne slowly raises her head, still half asleep and released a yawn in front of Ren.
She blinks several times to stay awake. "You're awake.." Jeanne said with a sleepy voice. After several seconds she finally realizes what she just said and look shocked at him. "You're awake." She whispered. "You're awake!" she shouted next.
"I can tell from the droll in your face that you sleep peacefully."
"Huh?" The saint of Orleans checks the side of her mouth. She found out there really is. Jeanne quickly wipes it away from her mouth, but she felt embarrassed from it. Slowly regaining her composure, she cleared her throat and started once again.
"You are finally awake. You made us worry Ren." She said in a composed manner. But the boy started to laugh softly and it breaks the composure the saint build instantly from embarrassment. "What are you laughing at?" She asks while making a pouting expression.
"I just find it funny that you suddenly become serious after wiping the droll on your face Jeanne."
"It is not funny at all!" She said but the boy continued making soft laugh. "Stop it or else." The saint started to become more embarrassed from the boy's action, she then gets closer and grab his cheek and pinch it. "I warned you!" Jeanne said while pulling Ren cheek on his face.
"Who's laughing now?" Jeanne said with a smile, enjoying the expression Ren making when she pulled his cheek. But Ren will not let the saint go without a payback on his own. Slowly he grabs Jeanne cheek and pulled it as well. "It not you," Ren replied while his cheek and getting pulled by Jeanne.
The two started to pull each other cheeks and may not end for a while if it wasn't for Astolfo who they didn't notice entered the room. The paladin stared at what the two doing at each other. Slowly walking toward them, Astolfo smack the top of the head of the two to make them stop.
"Just what in the world you two doing?" He said after releasing a sigh. "Let me remind you that you both have bruises," Astolfo said as he scolded the two. Ren and Jeanne look at Astolfo, feeling guilty about what they have done. "We're sorry." They apologized.
"Apology accepted." Astolfo then smiled after hearing their apology. "Also Jeanne I think you should sleep on a proper bed now. You have been sleeping here for three days." Jeanne got taken by surprise, she didn't expect that thing will come up.
"You been here for three days?" Ren asks. The saint doesn't what the boy knew that she was. Thinking about a way to response while not making it awkward to the boy. Jeanne was about to answer but Astolfo cut her off. "Yes, she is. Jeanne is so worried about you that the first thing she did was to find you and after that, she stayed here and watch over you! Let me tell you how hard it is for me, the acting nurse to take care of this girl? When all she cares about is you over her health."
"Astolfo!" Jeanne shouted in embarrassment.
"What? I'm just telling the truth."
"You don't have to tell that much!" She then looked at Ren and tried to explain. "Also Ren, that not, well. What happens is." Jeanne tried her best to come up with an excuse. But for the first time, she is lost in word and cannot find a way to respond.
"You did that?" Ren asks the girl who's hiding her face to avoid further embarrassment. But she cannot avoid the question anymore, the saint nods her head to answer. Ren was shocked at first and didn't expect Jeanne to care about him this much. He also felt sorry for making her worry in the process. But his more than happy to know about it. "Thank you, Jeanne." He said with a genuine smile on his face.
Jeanne saw the smile on his face and felt a fluttering feeling inside her. She felt happy as well from being thank by him. But regardless that didn't help her from embarrassment as she felt something hot building on her head. "Are you okay Jeanne?" Ren asks her in concern.
"I'm fine. I'm just glad that you are awake now and away from danger."
"I'll make up to you I promise and return the favor one day."
"No, no you do not have to Ren."
"She looking up for it, Ren do not worry." said by the paladin after joining their conversation.
"Astolfo!" The saint protest looking straight into the paladin's eyes.
"Kidding!" He laughed it off then sit on the bed that Ren using. "You should be thankful for me as well. Jeanne might be the one watching you here, but I've been your nurse for three days!"
"Oh thank you very much as well Astolfo."
"You should! Without me, no one going to change your bondage every day! Since Jeanne cannot do it, I volunteered for it, Ren! I better get a reward soon."
"Do you need to say that?" Jeanne protested once again.
"Now that I think about it," Ren said as he peeks a look on his body. "Why I'm covered in bondage like a mummy?" He asks while looking at the one responsible for it. "It is for safety measures! To be honest it should be a full-body but Jeanne stopped me for some reason."
"The look on your face while doing it scares me."
"Yeah like how you keep mumbling to yourself for an hour when we ask you to patch him up with bondage. For me, that is scarier than what I made." Astolfo replied. "It wasn't even an hour! Also for your information, I was thinking about how to properly do it," answered Jeanne.
"With wild fantasies? Yeah, that would help."
"Your the one who have wild fantasies when you patch him up!"
Ren just sits there and watch the two argue about things he wasn't sure about. But regardless of his happy that both this two and perhaps everyone took care of him while he's unconscious. Little by little his starting to feel like he's gonna have another family. Besides the phantom thieves and the church. He's looking forward to being with them more than ever.
Three days have passed since then. Ren Amamiya finally recovered from the wounds and bruises he gets against Vlad III. The group went into a long break in France as they waiting for Marie Antoinette decision. Without anything to do the phantom thief decided to went into shopping and help the saint of Orleans with her stuff.
The two returned to the hotel they staying and notice that everyone is in the hall. They also notice some few French soldiers inside and the appearance of the white lily, Chevalier d'Eon. After noticing the arrival of the two ruler class, Hakuno greeted the two with a smile on her face.
"Good now everyone is here," d'Eon said. The white lily cleared her throat to get everyone attention before continuing. "The reason why I called everyone here is because of the queen order."
"Did something happen?" asked by the sovereign of Seraph.
"Nothing to worry about. The queen invited everyone to a ball, at the Queen mansion, tomorrow evening. It's about the successful battle against the lord impaler and everything that your group help for France. Her majesty wanted to give her thanks and celebrate with all of you and the people of France tomorrow."
"That is so sudden," Hakuno said. "She doesn't need to do this."
"Her majesty insist that a party should happen. Also, it is to late to withdraw after everything has been set," d'Eon replied then took off her hat and bowed. "I'm sorry if it's all so sudden. The fault is on our part, we faced some difficulties at making the invitation on your group your highness."
"Difficulties? What sort of difficulties your group face d'Eon?" asked by the Roman emperor Nero Claudius. The white lily keeps her head lowered and seems to have trouble answering. "We manage to perfectly make this invitation card for everyone. But the queen insists on making one and that took some time before she got satisfied with it."
The white lily then showed and handed an invitation card to Hakuno. "Your highness this is your invitation to the ball, we hope to see you and everyone there." d'Eon then signal the soldiers to hand over the invitations on everyone.
Everyone in Hakuno's group gets their invitation letters except for the leader of the phantom thieves of heart. Ren Amamiya thought that the soldier accidentally forgot to give him his card. But it looks like it doesn't as the soldiers returned to their position afterward.
"Wait what about him?" Jeanne pointed out. "Is he not invited to the ball?"
"I'm just about to present it to him." The white lily walks toward the phantom thief. "Before I give it to you, the queen wanted me to give this to you first." d'Eon look behind her and one of the soldiers walk forward with a black feline on his arms. "Her majesty wanted to give this feline to you Ren Amamiya. She hopes that you will take good care to it," d'Eon said before bestowing him the black feline cat.
Ren took the cat on his arms and noticed that it look familiar. He realizes its the same cat he carried at the pet shop the other day. "It doesn't have a name yet, but her majesty is waiting to hear what name you decided for the cat," d'Eon said as she looks at the two who are staring at each other.
"Next is this." she then hands over a beautifully folded invitation card at him. "Made from the finest material and personally written by the queen of France. It may take some few days before it finished and now it is on your hand, Ren Amamiya. Her majesty is looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening." d'Eon said as she remembering the mess that her majesty made just to create this.
Not only they need to wait for days for her to finish. She also saw how embarrassed the queen is as she thinking what to write inside. She isn't aware of what happened, but from d'Eon observation starting from the gift and the way her queen act, the white lily can only assume that something did happen on this two.
'Is he hitting on her majesty!?' She asks herself. But looking from the evidence that must be it. 'Wait that means there are three of them!?' the white lily realize that she needs to deal with him, Mozart, and Sanson courtship on her majesty.
"Thank you. But why are you staring at me like that?" Ren pointed out from d'Eon. "Its nothing at all." The white lily made her excuse. "But if that is the case then perhaps I need to." She whispered under her breath, d'Eon then looks at Ren. "I'm watching you."
"Huh?" Was all the phantom thief could say.
"Well, that is for today. We hope to see you tomorrow, I bid farewell and have a great time." The white lily leaves with a bow at the group and found her way to the exit.
"Ren, what was that?" Jeanne asks as she stared at the completely different invitation on his hand. "Your invitation is very different from what we have here. Even though I and Praetor are with the queen for the whole week, we still ended up with this." Nero decided to join and ask the man in question.
"We also haven't introduced all of you personally so how did her majesty know you," Tamamo said with piqued curiosity. "That is true, Ren perhaps its time to answer," Hakuno said agreeing at what Tamamo said.
"Yeah, we have been together for the whole week. You can't meet the queen unless you ditch me and Charlemagne." Astolfo asks adding more pressure at Ren. "Perhaps we let him play around behind our back." Medusa jokingly said with a soft voice.
"Well?" Jeanne asks once again.
"Well, it happened a few days ago." Ren slowly starts his explanation in the group. He told them how he and Marie accidentally bump in each other at the town. He continued with Marie asking him to join her at her plan on exploring the city, which he agreed upon after some consideration. Ren then listed all the places they went into.
"I see. It may lead us to some problem, but then again it came directly to her majesty so I guess it is fine." Nero commented after hearing his story. "I'm not aware that she is stress about all of this but then you help her. You are very kind Ren Amamiya. This might lead Marie on trusting us more and join us on our goal."
"Oh is that the reason why her smile is much brighter these days.? But anyway is it just me or does it sound like a date?" Tamamo ask.
"It sounds like a date, to be honest," Astolfo answered with a disappointed look on his face as he looks at Ren.
"Wait I just help her to relax," Ren replied.
"Oh come on~ there is nothing wrong on that! Everyone is free to look for a love interest! But mikon~ The queen of France! you are aiming for something this high already Mr. Ren." Tamamo teased the thief.
"So you're into someone with royalty," Jeanne whispered on his side a bit hurt on her voice. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just help her, that is all." Ren answered and cleared the misunderstanding they thought.
"Don't mind what caster said, she just likes to tease people," Hakuno said as she giggled. "Anyway, we need to prepare for tomorrow. From what written on the side note of the invitation. We can get our suits and gowns at this shop. We girls will go first so you guys will follow afterward okay?" she reminded everyone.
"Everyone the food is ready." told by one of the hotel butlers.
"Yay I'm hungry!" Ren heard Astolfo said before everyone goes their way to the dining area. He lifted the cat on his arms and stared at it before releasing a sigh. "That almost become a disaster." He said at the cat and the feline meowed to replied.
"Now what should be your name," Ren said as he lying down on the bed while looking at the black feline on his arms. "You are not going to force me to sleep aren't you?" He asks the cat who looks confused about what he said but it made a cat sound to reply and that made Ren chuckled to himself.
"You need to go to sleep." He heard and got surprised by it. "That is not you right?" He asks the cat that is on his bed but the cat just tilted its head in confusion. "Who?" He heard once again but this time it sounds like a female voice. But he didn't saw the cat opened its mouth when he heard it.
Ren felt a hand on his arm and quickly turned his head to see who it was.
"Boo?" Altera said after Ren saw her. The phantom thief sighs in relief after seeing that it was Altera all along. "What are you doing here Altera?" He asked the girl who sat on his bed and started petting the cat. "I heard your talking inside, so I check who it was. Ren why are you talking to a cat?" asked by the little girl.
"I'm also not thinking of petting the cat." She said while petting the cat who purred when she touches it.
'Cute' He chuckled to himself. "I'm thinking about what it's named," Ren answered. "Should you return to your room now? Hakuno will be worried if she notices your not there."
"It fine. Altera is very sneaky you know!" She said after picking up the feline cat at the bed. "It has a soft fur. It feels like I'm hugging a pillow." commented by the girl as she hugs the feline cat. "Don't hug it too hard Altera." Ren reminded Altera.
"I will not," Altera replied as she feels its fur in her face. "This smell, it reminded me of Marie's mansion."
"They probably give it a bath during its stay there."
"Cat is a good civilization. But this one needs a name." Altera then looks at Ren which surprises him to see how cute that stare was. "Well, we could go and name him, Morgana," Ren said offering a name for the cat. "Morgana?" Altera ask.
"It the same name of the cat that I took care off and help me on my journey."
Altera lifted the cat on her hand and stared on its eyes. "Do you miss Morgana, Ren?"
"Of course. His one talented cat and very close friend of mine. Well, I equally miss everyone as well."
"Do you think I can be friends with Morgana as well, Ren?"
"Of course, there is no doubt that you two will be friends."
"Even though I'm different?"
"He's not normal either, I don't think there is an excuse for the two of you to not become friends."
"I see." Altera then smiled after hearing that. "Then we will call him Morgana. Altera will have more friends and that will leave me with good civilization."
"By the way Altera, can you take care of him while I'm gone? You know that I need to help Hakuno and I cannot bring him with me."
"I can!?" Altera asks with a wide eye and smile on her face. She quickly cleared her throat and calm herself down. "Well, It cannot be helped. Altera needs to step herself up and become an adult at this time. So I will take care of Morgana while you're out."
"Thank you very much, Altera."
"In exchange, you are going to call me a big sister from now on!"
"Aren't you too young to get call big sister, Altera?" Ren stated while staring at the young girl in question. "I'm technically older than you and everyone," Altera said as she raises her chest and chins up showing profound confidence at the phantom thief.
"It also about the time that everyone starts not treating me as a kid anymore." The girl said with a pout on her face. "But then I won't be able to eat candies anymore." She muttered to herself. "But I want to pat everyone on their head, like how master pat my head when I did a well-done job."
The girl seems conflicted about the topic. Ren and the feline cat Morgana could only watch the girl as she began to have a debate on herself. "No, I made my decision! Patting someone head is a good civilization!" She shouted after reaching her answer.
"Now then Ren! Become a good civilization and call me a big sister!" The little girl commanded. Ren swallowed his embarrassment and pride to not make the girl feel bad. After all, she going to take care of his cat while he's gone. "Yes, big sister." He said and make the little happy and started patting his head.
"Good boy!" Altera giggled as she pats the phantom thief head. "Come on one more time!"
Ren makes a sigh and realizes that this going to be while before Altera stop. But then his happy that Altera enjoyed getting called big sister and able to take care of Morgana.
Jeanne d' Arc wakes up early morning to get ready for the ball tonight. She also needs to pick up her dress with Hakuno and the other female servants. Finishing her morning routine, the saint of Orleans exited her room and made her way to the hotel meeting hall, where she meets Hakuno who just finish ordering their breakfast.
Hakuno told her that after getting their dress, they are going to a parlor to get makeup on. One by one the group started to get up on their bed and prepare as well for tonight. After they finish their breakfast, they take a bath and meet once again to the meeting hall and made their way out on the hotel.
They get into a stagecoach and ride through the shop that has their gown. "I'm so excited for tonight!" Tamamo said as she giggling left and right. "The feeling is mutual, caster. I'm excited to be on a ball and for the first time it is not about me!" Saber replied.
"It is my first time attending one. But what should I expect on a ball?" Hakuno asks in curiosity. "Wait, Praetor, you never been a ball before? Wait, those that mean you never experience getting invited to a ball dance as well?" Nero asks in disbelief.
"That is right."
"I wanted to ask the same thing," Jeanne commented as she joined the conversation. Medusa look at her in surprise "So even the saint of Orleans never on such event before?" she asks. Jeanne nod slowly to answer the rider class servant.
"Do not worry. The pretty and beautiful caster servant, Tamamo-no-Mae got you covered! Not that I'm boasting or anything, but I'm an expert when it comes to the ball." Tamamo assured the two. "For starters, the ball is a formal dance party."
"Formal dance party!" The saint of Orleans startled after hearing it.
"Yes, commonly it was a dance between two individuals. But for me its a sign of love! When you and the one you love, dance around, holding each other and whispering romantic words to each other! Yes, that is it!"
"Sign of love!" She startled once again.
"Yes, Jeanne d' Arc you heard it right! This event is not just for simple celebration or party. This kind of event is one of the best moment to confess your love."
"Confess my love!?"
"Well, you can dance with your friend at this event. But then the moment will be wasted to just a casual dance. Both individuals should show their love at each other as they stared at each other eyes." This time it was Nero who speak. "I agree that an opportunity should be used to confess one love."
"Eh!?" Jeanne after hearing their explanation started to turn red. "Do you perhaps have a person in mind Jeanne?" Medusa asks with a mischievous smile on her face. "Huh! There isn't anyone on my mind!" Jeanne answered while blushing much harder from the question.
"Oho~ this reaction! I knew it! Jeanne, there is no need to hide your feelings, it is just us girls here." Tamamo teased the blushing saint. "We can perhaps help you to find the love of your life."
"There isn't really." She whispered while hiding her face on the smile of Tamamo and Medusa. "So it wasn't Ren? To be honest I thought you two are more than friends. I mean from the way you took care of him and the way you treats him generally." Medusa stated.
"No, we're just friends."
"So you do not like him then?" Tamamo asks this time with a serious tone on her voice. Jeanne didn't answer but even though she hiding her face from Tamamo, she could tell that she won't get away from her. Mentally preparing herself, the saint of Orleans answered caster question. "I don't know."
"We've been together for a long time now. He helps us saints on protecting that town. His a great friend to me and been there when I need him. He also saves me in danger many times now."
"But about my feelings to him. I don't know, I'm not sure either whether or not I like him." Jeanne felt a hand on her shoulder afterward. She looks up and saw Tamamo in tears. "I understand you, Jeanne, I do! I'm in tears seeing personally a slice of high school romance happening in front of me!"
"Do not worry Jeanne! Maybe your too dense to realize your feelings! I'll help you with all my Tamamo-shipping-power! I promise to all Japanese gods and goddess that you will help you to realize your feelings!" Tamamo made a promise in front of the confused saint.
"Seeing a potential romance that may not bloom. I simply cannot let that happen, I also will help you saint of Orleans. With all my power I will make that flower bloom with romance and love!" Nero joined in and made the saint even more confusing.
"Wait um."
"No need to thank us, Jeanne. We're not looking something for return, we just wanted to make you happy." Nero said and stopping the saint from talking further. "They might not look that much. But those two are passionate when it comes to love, they may help you." Commented by Medusa.
"Now then for pointers! The most important thing about ball dance is the last dance! Listen carefully Jeanne, the last dance is the most important since its the last moment to gather all your courage to ask the person you like!" Tamamo started to carefully explain the importance of the last dance to Jeanne. The saint of Orleans sit there and listened carefully to what the caster has to say.
In all honesty, it made Jeanne d'Arc more nervous on a coming evening. Perhaps tonight is the night where she will realize her feelings.
After getting called by Tamamo through talisman that she made. The male member of the group finishes getting prepared and ride the stagecoach that will lead them to the shop. While on the road, Roland decided to make a conversation about the ball tonight.
"You know that we need to have a partner to escort tonight right? Do you guys have any girls you want to escort!? come on now no need to get shy and embarrass about it." Roland asks everyone in a teasing manner. "For me, I should ask that rider chick on our group. But then I'm more interested in that chick yesterday. You know the one that gives us invitations."
"No shame whatsoever huh, Roland?" Charlemagne asks in disbelief.
"Don't give me that crap now. How about you Charles do you have someone in mind?"
"I do not have anyone in mind."
"That is a total lie, Charles," Roland stated but then make a smile on his face as he's about to tease his king. "Perhaps its the sovereign of Seraph you have taken like to huh, Charles?" Charlemagne's eyes grew wider from surprise and embarrassment. "That is not true!" The paladin denied.
"Come on now!" Roland then pulled Charlemagne on his shoulder. "We're not some strangers to hide this kind of stuff! There is no need to hide it, Charles, I can see from how you stare at her." The paladin laughs it off while shaking Charlemagne on his shoulder.
Roland then stops from his laughing pit and look at the white-haired archer across him. "But it seems your gonna have a rival over there Charlemagne. Hey there Archer, from your reaction you like her as well do you?" said by him with a mischievousness smile on his face.
Archer close his eyes and remain a steady composure before answering. "I do not have any idea what you are talking about Roland." Hearing his answer Roland laugh once again while pointing at him. "That is hilarious Archer! But please do not play dumb now. You won't make that expression it wasn't."
"I'm just surprised to see that the king of paladin likes Hakuno Kishinami. That is all."
"So you do not mind if Charles makes some move tonight?" He asked. But Archer didn't answer and remained quiet while staring at Roland's eyes. "Your no fun Archer. You won't get a girl from acting quiet and cool forever." Archer just chuckled from the paladin comment.
"Plus you are looking old now with that long-white-hair of yours. You should have realized that attitude is not working." Astolfo said.
"I'm not that old yet!" Archer shouted at the pink-haired paladin who covered his ears after getting shouted at. "Besides its better if a girl accepted me for who I am. Don't you all agree?" he asked everyone inside the stagecoach.
"I agree with that. But remember the longer you wait the more chances you miss to get the girl you like." Roland commented with in a serious tone. "Why are we talking about love? Can't we talk something else?" Astolfo asks and looks beside him. "Don't you agree, Ren?"
"That is right. What about our new brother-in-arms. Do you have someone you like?" Roland asks with a grin on his face. "Yeah, do you have someone you like Ren?" Charlemagne asks in curiosity and fear to know another potential rival on Hakuno.
"What!? why are we still on this topic!" Astolfo complained. "Curious in personification I may be towards everyone love interest, but we cannot have someone right now, I mean our adventure is just getting started!" said by the pink-haired paladin.
"Isn't more interesting to have someone to look forward into after returning to an adventure?" Roland commented. "Come on now Astolfo, look at that guy his a lady killer we cannot stop him." He jokes around and then laughs along with it.
"Wait that is not true," Ren replied with a soft smile on his face.
"But still the queen of France and the saint of Orleans? You are going to have a hard time to pick someone between them." Roland said with a grin but immediately wipe it away and become serious. "But consider their feelings, do not play around it okay?"
"I'll always be keeping that in mind."
"Then that is good for me." He laughs once more.
Astolfo looks at Ren as he chuckled alongside Roland. Seeing him smile make Astolfo more curious about Ren love interest. Well, he has someone in mind that show interest in Ren. Maybe he could mess around for giggles and fun with it.
Author Note: Okay back to writing again! been busy participating at Nero Fest in FGO [NA]. Sorry if this chapter looks a bit rush, originally a different event should have happened and continuing what happened in the last chapter. But then I read some reviews and saw a lot of readers wanting to see more of Ren and Jeanne, So I decide to change the entire chapter and make it into a two and a half chapters about them! [To be honest, I like this scene more than the original since I wanted to lighten the scene first before sliding down to the climax] Well hopefully you find this okay! and wait for the ball dance next chapter!
Well I better stop now before I ended up spoiling some stuff! Welp leave a review and follow the story to get updated! Favorite it as well if you happen to like this story and Bye-bye! [Back to farming T_T]