So FFN decided to visit the Shadow Realm for a few days and didn't bother to leave a note. But that's fine. I was able to iron out this chapter for you all.
I'll explain things further once you get to the bottom but let me assure you: this is intentional. I didn't introduce this story with Caelus coming back with Cocolia to ignore that. I have plans.
Alright, enough gabbing from me. Let's get to the meat.
Honkai Star Rail is property of Hoyoverse. I own nothing.
"dialogue"
"call"
system
:text:
"altered"
"mental conversation"
"flashback"
SOUND EFFECT
Dan Heng found himself in an unusual state of conflict, a rarity for the former Vidyadhara High Elder.
Emotions were a perilous indulgence for someone of his stature. He had learned that lesson the hard way when Baiheng was lost during the Abundance Wars. That singular lapse had cost him his position, his friends, and ultimately led to his banishment from the Luofu.
The repercussions of his well-intentioned actions were severe, leaving him adrift and isolated.
The Astral Express had taken him in, but it was a double-edged sword.
To others, the chance to explore the cosmos aboard Akivili's pride might have seemed like a grand adventure.
For Dan Heng, previously known as Dan Feng, it was an escape and a form of self-imposed exile.
The crew respected his need for solitude, letting him rediscover his humanity on his own terms—everyone except the Conductor, who tirelessly tried to draw him out of the Archive.
Then March 7th and Caelus joined the crew.
March was the embodiment of exuberance, a perpetual motion machine of smiles and snapshots. Unlike Welt and Himeko, she dragged him out on whimsical errands, determined to integrate him into their makeshift family. For a girl with no memories of her past, she was remarkably determined to build a future.
Caelus, the latest addition, was the subject of Dan Heng's ruminations and, to his surprise, his worries.
At first, Dan Heng didn't know what to make of him. The enigmatic stranger from Herta's space station had nothing but a name and an unexpected bravery that shone during their fight against the Anti-Matter Legion. Caelus proved to be a reliable comrade, someone Dan Heng trusted to watch his back, just as he would return the favor.
Yet, their relationship was complicated.
Caelus, along with March, intruded on Dan Heng's solitude, bombarding him with messages and dragging him into their activities. If he thought it would keep them from his door, he might have blocked their numbers.
But he didn't. He couldn't. It wasn't that he disliked their company. March was relentless, yes, but Caelus respected his space while still seeking his advice on matters beyond his experience. In turn, Dan Heng admired Caelus's altruism, even if it was sometimes considered excessive.
Their arrangement had grown comfortable, even enjoyable.
Caelus's unpredictable escapades often inspired Dan Heng to apply his vast knowledge practically. The gray-haired trailblazer's presence became a welcome routine, something Dan Heng eventually found himself looking forward to.
Against all odds, Caelus, like the rest of the crew, had become his friend.
And then, just as he was able to process this revelation, Caelus vanished.
A month of sleepless nights and relentless searching ensued. Dan Heng scoured the archives, helplessly watching their tight-knit family unravel.
And just as easily he had walked out of his life, Caelus walked back in, except it wasn't just him.
A dead woman now sat beside him. She alone represented the anomaly Dan Heng couldn't even begin to dissect.
Standing in the Parlor Car, he could only listen as Caelus recounted the events that had led to his mysterious disappearance, his words hanging in the air like a suspended breath.
Dan Heng wasn't alone in his conflicted feelings; a glance around revealed the myriads of disbelieving, guarded, and suspicious looks from the rest of the crew—particularly directed at the blonde woman sitting beside Caelus.
"That's…" Himeko began after Caelus finished, licking her lips as if tasting the incredulity of his tale as though trying to gauge the flavor of it. "That's quite the story, Caelus." Her voice held an undercurrent of skepticism that rippled through the room.
Caelus, still visibly shaken by the knowledge that he'd only been gone a month, nodded patiently. "It sounds crazy, doesn't it?" His voice was strained, the weight of his experience pulling at each word.
Crazy was certainly one way to put it.
The dreams he described weren't even the strangest parts. When they first arrived in Belobog a year ago, shortly after meeting Cocolia, Caelus had confided in them about the strange dream he'd had of her.
At the time, March had dismissed them as just that, but Dan Heng knew they were signs of the madness lurking beneath the supreme guardian's benevolent facade—a fact that had been chillingly confirmed when Cocolia deemed them all "sinners" in the eyes of her self-proclaimed god and tried to have them killed, even her own daughter.
Seeing that same woman here, as though nothing had happened, was jarring to say the least.
March's reaction to Cocolia's presence, however extreme, was understandable. The girl was fiercely protective of those she cared about and she clearly still thought of the woman as a threat to Caelus.
"Soooo, you just flung yourself through a portal and ended up in front of that tree thingy?" March blurted out, her eyes narrowing as they flicked suspiciously towards Cocolia.
Caelus rubbed the back of his neck, his usual composure frayed at the edges. "It was either that or get vaporized by Herta's safeguards."
"But wasn't it her that broke that curio in the first place, causing all of that?" March retorted, her glare pointed and accusatory.
Cocolia returned the look with all the grace grace of the ruler she once was, unyielding yet serene.
Dan Heng could practically feel the tension between the two. There was certainly no love lost there.
"That's… more complicated," Caelus admitted with a troubled expression, his shoulders slumping. "Even now I'm still not entirely sure if it was really her, despite remembering it all vividly. But whoever—or whatever she, it, was… I'm here because of it. I wouldn't be here otherwise."
"Then why don't you thank the one right next to you?" March pointed out snidely, her tone biting, making Caelus flinch as if she had struck him.
Dan Heng noticed how Cocolia's eyes flashed warningly, a brief window into the depths of the woman's soul.
"MARCH!" Himeko chastised, her voice sharp.
"Oh, come on! I can't be the only one who doesn't buy all this!"
Much as Dan Heng wanted to disapprove of her words, March had a point. Had it not been for Caelus vouching for her, he might've been much more hostile towards Cocolia. But the fact was that this Cocolia was different… somehow.
It was still a bit confusing.
Remarkably, Caelus didn't react as harshly as March did, which only further demonstrated that he was not the same friend he'd seen just a month ago. "March, I know it's hard to believe—trust me, it still gets to me. But I was gone and a lot of things happened… and the woman sitting next to me played a big part in them. So please, just hear me out. When have I ever lied to you?" His voice was earnest, his eyes pleading.
"Well, there was that one time you tricked me into playing with Hook and the Moles," March drawled, crossing her arms defiantly.
Dan Heng had no idea what instance she was referring to, but Caelus clearly did and winced. "…ok, besides that."
March stared him down for a long moment before letting out a sigh. "I do trust you. It's just…" her gaze flicked to Cocolia again, the blonde sighing softly.
"You do not trust me," Cocolia stated, her voice calm but firm.
March didn't bother to deny it, meeting Cocolia's gaze with a challenging glare.
To everyone's shock, except perhaps Dan Heng, Cocolia actually smiled. "Then I will work on changing that in the coming days."
"Days?" Himeko parroted, her eyes widening before turning to Caelus. "Does that mean you-?"
"I haven't seen you all in so long," Caelus said softly, his voice raw with emotion. "Do you really think I'm just going to dip and run off on another adventure after this? You're my family, and I've missed you all… so much." His words were laden with sincerity, his eyes glistening.
"And what about her?" March's voice was softer now, but still wary.
Dan Heng observed the newfound bond between Caelus and Cocolia as she took firm hold of his hand. "I've heard stories of you all, so when the chance came that he could come here, I wasn't about to let him go without taking me along."
"Translation: she invited herself," Caelus added with a teasing smirk, earning himself a slight admonishing glare from Cocolia.
"You hush," she said, but there was a warmth in her voice, a subtle shift that hinted at a deeper connection.
"And speaking of that," Welt finally spoke up, having remained curiously silent throughout the whole affair, "just how did you get back?"
Caelus's lips parted, but a conflicted expression crossed his face, and he shut them a moment later. He shared a glance with Cocolia, the two somehow managing to have an entire conversation with their eyes alone—a sight that made March pout in irritation.
"I could tell you, but it wouldn't make sense unless I explain everything else first," Caelus said. "All I can say is that it has something to do with the Stellaron."
"What about the tree? Can you tell us more about that?" Welt pressed, a rare intensity burning in his usually laid-back eyes. Dan Heng noted the fire with interest.
Maybe he hoped Caelus's experiences could help glean the truth behind his own circumstances.
"Not much more than what I already have. Cocolia—or whatever that shadow was—exchanged its existence for mine. And it ended up sending me to some alternate version of Jarilo-VI."
"So it's true," Welt murmured to himself, his expression contemplative. "Caelus, I believe I know the specifics of what you encountered and would like to share them with you in further detail at some point."
Caelus seemed to agree to that idea, if perhaps a little lost as to the urgency of it. "That sounds great, Mr. Yang, but," he yawned, cutting himself off, "I think we should wait until tomorrow or something. It's been a long day, and I bet all of you could use some rest actually. You look terrible."
"And whose fault is that," March grumbled sourly.
"I believe I speak for all of us when I say that's a splendid idea," Himeko chirped, letting out a little yawn of her own. "My eyes are square from staring at reports all day, and knowing you're back lifts a weight off my shoulders."
"But-!" March tried to protest, clearly not enthused with the idea of letting Caelus out of her sight so soon—especially with Cocolia now in the equation.
"Don't worry, March. 'Lia and I won't be going anywhere for a while, though we might be making a few stops soon to check in with everyone else."
"Still-! Wait, what makes you think they know?"
Caelus said nothing, merely pulled out his phone—which looked like it had seen far better days—and tapped a few times on it. Within moments, a symphony of notification pings erupted from the device, some overlapping each other into a garbled, jingly mess.
Welt visibly cringed just hearing it.
"Just a hunch," the trailblazer remarked dryly.
"Then it looks like we'll be making some pit stops," Himeko said, turning to Pom-Pom. "Would that be alright?"
"A few detours won't derail our travel schedule, provided we don't get comfy while we're there," the Conductor replied before looking at Caelus. "Since you're making rounds, I take it you'll want to head to the space station first?"
"Much as I'd like to avoid Herta, I need to check in with Asta and Arlan," the trailblazer remarked. "I have a feeling she'll send a fleet out after me before long if I don't."
Given it was Asta, that wasn't an impossibility actually.
"I'll go prepare the train for warp," Pom-Pom said before tottering off, only to come to a stop a few feet away. "And Caelus... don't go disappearing like that again. I'm serious. We've lost enough passengers already…"
"I'm sorry I worried you, Pom-Pom. I'm sorry I worried all of you," Caelus said to him, his gaze sweeping over everyone there. "I tried to get back as soon as I could but..." he glanced once more at Cocolia, the woman offering him an understanding and grateful smile.
"What matters is that you're back," Himeko said gently, a warm smile gracing her face. Dan Heng wouldn't admit it aloud, but it was a relief to see the woman finally back to her old self. "Now then, we should get some rest. We'll have all the time we need to catch up and I do expect to hear every little detail, especially where you and 'Lia are concerned," she added with a Cheshire grin.
Both Caelus and Cocolia flushed slightly at the insinuation but made no move to dissuade her.
Himeko giggled softly before walking over to Caelus, pressing her lips to his forehead, and smiling down at him in a motherly way. "I'm so glad you're okay, Caelus."
"Yeah... I'm fine, Himeko," Caelus told her, though Dan Heng didn't miss the haunted look that flickered across his face. The young man gave Himeko a tight hug around the waist, which she returned with maternal warmth. Cocolia, for her part, remained unperturbed, signaling her awareness of Himeko's close relationship with Caelus and the burdens he now carried.
Dan Heng also noted the intense look Himeko directed at Cocolia. It wasn't necessarily hostile but more of a silent warning not to harm the trailblazer she had all but adopted—just like she had with all the younger members of the Express.
Immortal or not, that included Dan Heng as well.
Cocolia met Himeko's gaze and nodded firmly, squeezing Caelus's hand in her gloved one. This seemed to satisfy the redhead, who then beamed at Cocolia and the blonde returned the smile just as naturally, as if the animosity between them had never existed.
Speaking of animosity…
"You better be here in the morning, Caelus! I'll hunt you down for sure if you aren't," March swore, jabbing a finger at him like one of her arrows.
"I'm not going anywhere, March."
"You better not," she grumbled before hurrying over to hug him herself, pointedly ignoring Cocolia. "I'm not kidding."
"I'll be there," Caelus assured her, brushing some of her hair back from her face.
March stared at him for a few moments, her gaze a mix of concern and determination, before releasing him. She cast one more glance back at him before scurrying off after Himeko, leaving Dan Heng and Welt as the sole remaining members of the Express still with them.
The air in the Parlor Car was thick with the residual tension of unresolved emotions. Dan Heng watched as Caelus and Cocolia shared a silent exchange, the weight of their experiences hanging between them. Welt, usually so composed, had a contemplative expression, his thoughts clearly racing.
Himeko's earlier warning still lingered in Dan Heng's mind. Her protectiveness over Caelus and the rest of the crew was fierce, a trait that Dan Heng had come to respect deeply. As he stood there, he felt a rare sense of solidarity with her, a shared understanding of the importance of their makeshift family.
Cocolia, sensing the scrutiny, turned her gaze to Dan Heng. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, he saw something in her—a mixture of determination and vulnerability. It was a stark contrast to the authoritarian figure he had known before.
"Madam Cocolia," Welt suddenly addressed the supreme guardian, earning her undivided attention. "Please allow me to apologize for earlier. It was insensitive of me to use your daughter like that."
Cocolia merely waved it off. "You were distrustful of my presence so I bear no ill will towards you, or Miss March for reacting the way she did. Were the roles reversed, I would have likely done the same since it is clear you care greatly for Caelus."
"The Express looks after our own," Caelus recited with a small grin. "Even if I didn't have a stellaron inside me, I doubt I'd be treated any less."
Dan Heng's eyes nearly bugged out at the casual admission of something so secretive, Welt mirroring his own shock before they directed their eyes to Cocolia. She didn't look fazed in the slightest, as if what Caelus just said had since become public knowledge.
For all they knew, it could very well have been the case.
"She knows about the stellaron too?" Welt questioned, giving Caelus a hard look.
Caelus just shrugged. "There's little she doesn't know about me at this point and vice versa."
Dan Heng blinked at that. Well, that was quite the loaded statement. Just how long had these two known each other?
"Forgive me for asking this, but when exactly did you two encounter one another? It's clear that when you ended up in that strange world, you were alone at the time," Welt prodded, voicing Dan Heng's thoughts.
"We didn't cross paths until much, much later Mr. Yang," Cocolia answered, shuffling a bit in her seat. "And I'll admit, our first meeting was... not the most ideal."
"Meaning...?"
Before she could answer, Caelus put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head – and astonishingly, she relented. "I know you have a ton of questions, but we really should settle in for the night. Getting here took a lot out of us to begin with. Besides, I want everyone to hear what happened since you all deserve an explanation."
Welt looked like he wanted to argue further, but in the end he saw reason and backed off. "I suppose that's fair. We can pick this up later on, alright? Though, about Madam Cocolia..." he trailed off, his gaze landing on the blonde.
"If the concern is to my lodging, I will stay with Caelus. It would be discomforting to separate us, nor would I allow it," she declared, and it was this that finally made Welt lose grip on his cane.
"You... are you two-?"
Cocolia's flush returned full force, but her eyes were anything but bashful. If anything, she was proud of the insinuation. "We are. Is that a problem?"
Caelus just scratched his cheek next to her, equally as red, not denying a thing.
The situation was lost on Dan Heng for a moment before he put two and two together... and immediately commanded his mind to completely derail that thought before it could reach its next stop. There were some things he just didn't need to know, like the intricacies of how deep his friend's relationship with Bronya's mother went.
He was just thankful March and Himeko were already gone. He didn't want a front row seat for that bombshell when it dropped on the two. The fallout from March alone would be catastrophic, nevermind how Himeko would take it.
Between loving the idea or detesting the very existence of such a thing, Dan Heng wasn't sure what was worse to contemplate.
Welt cleared his throat pointedly, trying to salvage what was left of his dignity along with his cane. "No, not at all. That said, I must insist you be discrete about the... specifics of your relationship, for the time being at least."
"We can do that," Caelus blurted out with a few vigorous nods, hurrying to his feet. "Come on 'Lia, I'll show you my old room. It might be a bit cramped compared to what you're used to."
"Then it's comforting I won't be suffering alone. Misery does love company, after all." The blonde allowed him to drag her to her feet, the two departing the room leaving only Dan Heng and Welt alone now.
That... was certainly an interaction. Of all the scenarios Dan Heng had imagined, his fellow passenger showing up on the Express with Bronya's mother in tow had been the absolute last. And that didn't even fathom the nature of their current relationship.
"Dan Heng, what do you make of all this?" Welt's voice broke through his thoughts, his tone contemplative.
"Of Cocolia or Caelus?" the Xianzhou native replied, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Both, as well as their talk of an alternate Belobog."
"I confess that the complexities of alternate realities are a bit beyond my understanding."
"Point taken. Cocolia and Caelus, then."
"I don't know for sure about Cocolia herself, but she seems markedly different from the one we faced. There are similarities, but she seems more open, more expressive, one could say. I don't believe she's a threat to us."
"I share the same thoughts," Welt nodded, planting both hands atop his cane. "Aside from that spat earlier, she doesn't bear any hostility towards us despite being practically strangers. She only summoned her weapon when March attempted to attack her and stood down when Caelus got involved."
"She trusts Caelus, and he trusts her," Dan Heng pointed out, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Which is something I am struggling to wrap my head around. Those dreams of his shouldn't have been enough to foster such loyalty to her alone."
"Do you think that other Cocolia had something to do with it?"
"It's a distinct possibility I wouldn't rule out. The fact the Tree is involved is more than enough cause to suspect foul play. If so, what would she have to gain? She couldn't have done it solely to enter a relationship with Caelus, doubly so if this was indeed the Cocolia you all fought. Some things just don't add up."
As much as Dan Heng didn't want to entertain the thought, he couldn't help but voice his own misgivings. "You believe he's lying to us?" It rankled him to doubt someone who had stuck by him, even after his dark past had come to light. But Caelus keeping secrets was unnatural, especially with them.
To his profound relief, Welt shook his head. "Not lying per se. Keeping things close to the chest—absolutely. Himeko and March might still see the boy that vanished, but that's not who came back. You see it too, don't you?"
Dan Heng knew Caelus was one of the most determined people he'd ever met, as well as the bravest. To face down all the entities he had… that alone spoke of someone who was truly remarkable in and of itself. It was why people as renowned as Jing Yuan and Yukong had taken such a shine to him, despite him not being of Xianzhou descent.
But for all his strengths, Caelus had not been a warrior. He was strong and could stand with the mightiest like he belonged there, but he had never truly fit the bill as someone of their caliber.
That Caelus hadn't, at least. This one, on the other hand...
He now carried himself like those who had fought in the Abundance Wars and had suffered because of it. The innocent, optimistic, and—much as he hated to admit it—naive gleam that once sparkled in those amber eyes had all but been snuffed out. It didn't mean that the person who had become his friend through sheer persistence was now dead and gone.
It just meant that the person he now was someone Dan Heng didn't know how to properly judge. That said, he'd be damned if he allowed that to taint Caelus's connection to the Express as a whole. He had come back to them—that alone earned him the benefit of the doubt.
"There is a weight that was not present before with him now, that cannot be denied. But it is still Caelus. Nothing will change my mind on that." With every word, Dan Heng met Welt's gaze with one that dared him to challenge his belief.
Welt didn't, thankfully, and even looked a bit relieved. "You're right. I shouldn't let old habits fall on his shoulders when he hasn't deserved them. Himeko would have a fit if she heard me like this."
"So would March—the two of them would likely take you to task over it."
"No argument here. Let's just say this conversation never happened and let it be. And that should be my cue to get some rest of my own. Try not to stay up too late, okay?"
Dan Heng nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I'll try. Goodnight, Welt."
As the elder trailblazer walked away, Dan Heng lingered for a moment, letting the quiet of the Parlor Car envelop him. Briefly he let his gaze wander to the stars blanketing the space outside the train, watching them for a few moments before retreating back to his room.
Dan Heng was a little surprised March hadn't tried to ambush him the second he set foot in his quarters. No doubt I'll hear about it soon enough, if not from her then via messages, he thought with a sigh before turning his attention back to the object he'd all but cast aside for the last month.
The music box given to Caelus by Bronya—their Bronya, not Cocolia's; and that distinction was going to get old fast—had also served as his main drive to find the wayward trailblazer by any means necessary, even if it meant nearly resorting to invoking the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath. Jing Yuan would've understood his reasons, he was sure of it.
Letting out a sigh, he walked over to the music box and carefully lifted it, studying the device for what felt like the billionth time. Just like all the other times, nothing outstanding popped out at him. It was just an old music box with the engraving of the Silvermane Guard emblazoned on it.
Even still, he could feel... something from it. This wasn't just some heirloom of the supreme guardians but something more, something else...
Just like the one who gave it to him, except now it was the former who seemed to hold more mysteries.
The desire to know ravaged his insides like a disease, drowning out everything else until there was only the single demand that threatened to consume him. It was only through sheer force of will that he shoved it back, letting his mind calm.
No. He wouldn't demand anything from Caelus, not now or ever. He trusted Caelus wouldn't keep secrets to hurt those he cared about, even if it was for a good reason. Caelus always put others above himself—something that annoyed both himself and March to no end. This would surely be no different.
Either way, I have a feeling we will know more than we wish to soon enough...
Dan Heng's thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of his communicator. He glanced at the screen, half-expecting a barrage of belligerent messages from March. Instead, it was a simple note from Caelus:
"You really helped us out back there. I promise I'll explain everything to you soon."
The ghost of a smile touched Dan Heng's lips. This was yet another reminder that while Caelus might've changed in many ways, his honest heart was still very much intact. He placed the music box back on the shelf, its mysteries still unsolved, but with a promise of revelations to come. He dimmed the lights and lay down, letting the hum of the Express lull him into a restless sleep, yet for once without the presence of the lone, psychotic swordsman he'd once called friend.
Proper rest had been a scarce luxury for March over the last month, but last night's attempt at sleep was particularly elusive. It wasn't that she wasn't relieved Caelus was back—she was, over the moon about it even. Her best friend had returned, and now everything would be fine again. They would embark on countless more trailblazing adventures, creating unforgettable memories along the way.
That was the plan... until she showed up.
Cocolia. One of their first real enemies, the one who had nearly killed Caelus that day in Belobog. She was supposed to be dead—they had all watched her die.
Yet here she was, alive and well... and now hanging off Caelus like some parasite. And what's more, he didn't even seem to mind!
Of all the people you chose to settle down with, why did it have to be her?! she ranted mentally, punching her pillow a few times for good measure.
She had half a mind to call Bronya and have her confront the woman, but the second that notion entered her mind, she ruthlessly smothered it.
No, she couldn't do that. As angry as she was at Cocolia, she couldn't—wouldn't—do that to Bronya. The poor woman was only now starting to move on with her life, if Caelus's words were to be believed. Tossing in her should-be-dead mother would open up a can of worms she really didn't want to think about.
Speaking of the resurrected blonde, because that's really all she could see the woman as—what was all that talk about another Belobog? Did that mean if Cocolia existed, was there another Bronya there too? Was there... was there another Express? Another her?
March flopped back on her bed with a frustrated cry, clawing at her eyes in the process. "Argh! All this stuff is making my head hurt!"
The room around her seemed to close in, the dim light casting long shadows that danced on the walls, mocking her confusion. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts spiraling. The image of Caelus with Cocolia, the very woman who had once been their enemy, was a bitter pill to swallow.
Her mind raced with questions. What kind of bond had formed between them in that alternate world? What trials had they faced together that had led to this unexpected alliance? And most importantly, how could she ever reconcile the image of the ruthless Cocolia with the one who Caelus was prepared to defend her from?
March's frustration boiled over. She shot up from her bed and began pacing the room, her thoughts a whirlwind. She could feel her pulse quickening, her heart hammering in her chest as the implications of Cocolia's return gnawed at her.
The very idea of an alternate Belobog was unsettling. If another Cocolia existed, then what about another Bronya? Another March? The thought of multiple versions of themselves, living different lives, facing different challenges—it was almost too much to bear for her sanity.
She let out a long, weary sigh, collapsing back onto her bed, hugging a pillow to her face. "I just wanted things to go back to normal," she murmured, her voice tinged with melancholy. "But I guess normal doesn't exist anymore."
The room fell silent, save for the distant hum of the Express as it sped through warp. March rolled over to stare up at the ceiling, hugging the pillow tightly like one of her plushies.
Why couldn't he come back without throwing everything out of whack? And how had he come back to begin with?
I'll get the truth out of him one way or another, she vowed. She could be very persuasive when she wanted to be.
Her dark thoughts were interrupted by the vibrating noise of her phone. She picked it up, tapping the screen a few times to open her messages.
Caelus's face hugged the corner of her screen, with a little red indicator next to it showing he'd messaged her. Another tap brought up their chat log, revealing a few lines he'd sent her earlier this morning.
:March, sorry about last night. I know everything's a little weird right now but if you want, I can explain myself. I'll be in my room waiting for you. Hope to see you then:
March stared at the message, rereading it a few times before letting out a scoff.
So, he wanted to explain himself, did he? He'd best do that and more if he wanted to get back in her good graces. She had an entire month's worth of grievances to lay into him.
After rattling off a quick response, she hurried to her closet and dressed herself, checking her reflection in the mirror before giving herself a wink.
A short walk later found her outside the room that Caelus had claimed for his own. The door remained shut before her. She thought to knock but figured that Caelus had unlocked it for her, so she waved her palm over the hidden sensor that triggered the door's release.
The door slid into the wall, permitting her entry, allowing her to barge in and prepare to blast Caelus with the little speech she had planned on her way here.
Except, Caelus wasn't there, but someone was.
"Good morning, Miss March," Cocolia greeted pleasantly, dressed in a set of pajamas that March had suspected the woman would have. She couldn't very well wander about with just one dress, could she now?
Her hair was also undone this time, letting her luxurious blonde locks fall past her shoulders in silky, shimmering waterfalls of gold.
For a second, March forgot who she was dealing with before reality came calling.
"Where's Caelus?" March demanded, her hostility returning in waves.
Cocolia, unfazed, maintained her serene composure, which only ruffled March's feathers further. "He volunteered to help Pom-Pom with preparing breakfast for everyone. We shall see him then when it's time."
Any thoughts of a swift retribution towards Cocolia were swept away at what her friend had thrown himself into. Kitchen duty with Pom-Pom was about the most stressful job on the Express since the little conductor was very meticulous about his tasks, and how to go about them. One wrong move on anyone's part, be it his or another's and the conductor would force them to do it all over again. "He actually volunteered for that?"
"He wanted to make up for being gone so long and figured this was a good first step of many."
A good step? If that's what he thought, then maybe she wouldn't need to lay into him after all. Kitchen duty… she balked at the mere thought of having to deal with Pom-Pom in that setting.
"Then why are you still here?"
"Am I meant to be everywhere Caelus is?" Cocolia returned with a smirk, catching March off guard.
"D-don't turn this around on me! I'm asking the questions here, not you! Besides, Caelus told me he wanted to talk."
"Oh? Caelus messaged you then?"
"Yes! So it's none of your business!"
"Are you sure?" Cocolia pressed.
Just as March was about to double down, she noticed what Cocolia was holding in her hands.
Caelus's phone. If she was the one who had it...
"You stole his phone?!"
Cocolia scoffed lightly at the accusation but didn't deny it. "I would much prefer the term 'borrowed without permission,' if you wouldn't mind. Though I highly doubt he would mind it even if he were aware of it. That aside, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss a few things with you."
March's eyes narrowed; fists clenched so tight they were starting to tremble. "What could you possibly have to say that I'd want to hear?"
Cocolia's gaze softened, and for a moment, she looked almost remorseful. "I understand your anger, Miss March, truly I do – and I accept it all. But regardless of how you feel towards me, there are things you need to know before we go any further. About Caelus, about me, and about everything that has happened."
March hesitated, torn between her anger and her curiosity. Finally, she crossed her arms and huffed. "Fine. But this better be good."
The woman visibly relaxed, presuming her to be much more defiant beforehand. "Thank you. I know it's difficult to trust me, but I hope to change that. For Caelus's sake, if nothing else."
March's resolve wavered as she looked into Cocolia's eyes. There was sincerity there, a depth of emotion that she hadn't expected. Whatever her misgivings about the woman, it was to March that the blonde genuinely cared about her friend, though the exact nature of that was still up in the air for the moment.
"Just so we're clear: don't think for a second that I'm letting my guard down around you."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Cocolia replied with a small, appreciative smile, gesturing for the girl to take a seat.
March obeyed, taking one of the chairs from the table Caelus had in his room, twirling it around so she could sit in it with the back facing Cocolia. In the off-chance this was a trap, she could hurl the chair at Cocolia before she could make a move.
"First and foremost, you should know that Caelus and I are in a relationship, and have been for quite some time." March must've left her emotion on display at that moment, because Cocolia's eyes narrowed at her. "He has become an important part of my life and while I will respect your boundaries, I ask that you do not treat Caelus any differently than you have previously – even if he might do the same with the rest of you."
"What's that supposed to mean? He's my friend – why would I treat him any differently? And more importantly, why would he?"
Cocolia shuffled a bit in her seat, her profile implying a sense of distress that March, surprisingly, found odd. This woman was supposed to be unflappable yet here she was, fidgeting.
Bronya would have kittens if she saw this, March thought idly before shaking the thought from her head.
"To you, Caelus was gone for a month – thirty days, give or take. But in my world… I've known him for well over twenty. Time passes much differently there than it does here, and whether he wants to admit to it or not, it has changed him… and not entirely in the best of manners."
"I don't believe you."
Cocolia sighed. "I expected as much. In that case, consider it a heads up of sorts. I merely wished you to have some expectations in case it occurs."
March shrugged the warning off. Caelus was Caelus – that was the end of it. "Kay, whatever. What else?"
"As with my counterpart – your Cocolia, to be precise – I am the supreme guardian of Belobog in my world, with some slight variations. The Belobog I rule is a haven for my people, and all those that reside outside of it, due in no small part to Caelus's efforts. And if you choose to disbelieve that as well, you may asks Caelus himself though he will likely tell you he didn't do much."
Of that, if nothing else, March could agree with. Caelus often undersold himself when it came to others. Himeko and Welt called it being humble or modest, but March just thought he was an idiot – an idiot she would defend tooth and nail for, but still.
"All this stuff you're talking about sounds nice, but you just look like the woman who nearly killed my best friend. I may be a ditz, but I'm not gullible. Cocolia Rand is a monster to me and it'll be hard for anyone to change that in my mind, let alone someone that looks like her long-lost twin sister."
Admittedly, she was being harsh now but she couldn't find it in herself to care. She wanted to see Cocolia hurt, to see that mask of ice crack like glass, if only for a moment – to demonstrate that she really was no better than the one she claimed to be.
And yet, Cocolia lowered her eyes to her lap, staring at her hands that, March noticed for the first time, were not marred in any way. The strange ice-like growth was absent, leaving nothing but a pair of unblemished limbs that were indistinguishable from anyone else's.
"Trust is earned, Miss March. It is a lesson I have learned in the most painful of ways. If you wish to hate me-"
"HEY! Don't go putting words in my mouth!" March shouted at the woman, stunning her into silence. "I dislike you, I don't trust you and I don't like how you're practically hanging off Caelus, and vice versa. I don't hate you, and I don't hate the woman you resemble either."
"But… I'm basically the woman you fought," Cocolia protested, blinking a few times. "Can you honestly say that you don't feel even some slight bit of enmity to me, Miss March?"
Honestly? Probably not, or at least not right now. But Caelus seemed to be pretty happy with her, despite it all, so she could at least try to get along with the woman – if only for his sake.
"Maybe, and cut it out with that Miss March business would ya? It makes me feel old."
She had some expectations for how Cocolia might react to this in her mind, but one of them involved the woman bursting out into hysterics – well, sort of. She did seem to double over in her seat though, clutching her chest laughing.
Maybe I'm the one that's dreaming here, she mused dryly as Cocolia got herself under control.
"I am beginning to understand why he treasures you so, March. You are indeed a blessing to those around you."
Aaaaand now the woman was speaking in riddles. Great. She'd gone and broken Cocolia. Settling this with a fight might actually have been easier in hindsight.
"In return, please call me 'Lia," Cocolia told her with a jubilant smile.
"Fine, 'Lia then. Don't expect to hear it right away either, or I'll start sounding like Serval when I do."
She had meant in a half-joking manner, something of a way to ease the tension between the two that had steadily building, if only on her part.
But the way Cocolia's exuberance shattered like glass in that moment made March's stomach drop. It was a look she had only seen once before, one of abject loss and misery – Bronya had worn it the moment Cocolia's life ended, and still did from time to time.
"Yes... yes you might, but that is fine too," Cocolia uttered quietly, as if not trusting her own voice. "I... forgive me for asking this, but I must know... your Serval – this world's I mean – is... is she happy?"
It was such a simple question to answer and yet March, for all her distrust of the woman before her couldn't find it in her to treat this as anything but important.
"Serval is doing fine. She's Belobog's biggest rock star and is even starting to get famous across the galaxy now. There's even talks of her doing a collab with Robin," she briefly swooned at the mere thought of her beloved idol showing up in Belobog before catching herself. "But yeah, she's got Gepard, Lynx and Pela all there to support her."
Cocolia's expression right then was hard to decipher at the moment. One second it teetered on overwhelming joy and relief, then the next it shifted to grief… anger, something nearly made March draw her weapon unconsciously, and finally, resignation. "I… I see. You don't know how much I needed to hear that, Miss March 7th. Thank you."
Getting thanked by her old enemy – at least in appearance – was about as unnerving as it could get for March, but she accepted it all the same. The tension was still there between them, but it had eased, somewhat. "I said to call me March," the girl reminded her, to which the blonde nodded with glassy eyes.
Once more thoughts ran rampant in her mind: just what had happened in that other Belobog anyway?
"My apologies. I got swept up in the moment and fell back on old habits. But I mean it – thank you for telling me."
"I'm not heartless to deny someone some closure like that," March admitted but she still felt some guilt all the same.
Here she'd been about ready to tear into the blonde, but all that fire had been doused to an extent. As strange as it was to admit it, this Cocolia, or 'Lia, seemed more human and down to earth than the one they were familiar with.
Whatever the case, it wouldn't be enough to make March leap into the woman's camp like Caelus apparently had. She still didn't trust the woman but she would at least tolerate her, until she showed her true colors.
Then all bets were off and if she had to fight Caelus to protect him… so be it.
GRRRRWL
March shot a death glare down at her stomach, trying to force back the heat in her cheeks that only intensified at Cocolia's giggle.
"Perhaps we can shelve this discussion for another time, yes? I believe the others must be well awake by now and are awaiting us. Please go on ahead without me – I'll be along shortly once I'm properly attired, that is," Cocolia smiled deviously at her, "you'd rather stay and watch?"
"HARD PASS!" March couldn't leave the room fast enough, but she still heard Cocolia's laughter from just outside as she leaned against the door. Her face burned bright red, and her heart was thumping like a drum in her chest.
That woman was insane. She had to be. And Caleus was just as mad for getting involved with her!
"March? What are you doing out here? Did you need something?"
Speak of the devil…
Her eyes homed in on the new target for her fury, already calculating all the creative and delightful ways she could absolutely murder him for putting her through this.
Sealing him forever in her ice seemed like a deliciously tempting idea. But Pom-Pom would pitch an absolute fit if Caelus was found frozen in place right out in the hall. And after all that, she'd get scolded by Himeko – again.
In the end, taking a deep breath, March stormed up to him and jabbed a finger into his chest. "Don't forget your phone next time," she all but hissed at him but striding off, only just barely catching his squawk of surprise.
"Wait, my phone's gone?!"
Breakfast on the Express was always a curious spectacle, but even more so today.
From an outsider's perspective, it might have seemed like any other ordinary morning, with everyone deeply engrossed in their daily rituals.
Himeko cradled her steaming cup of tea, savoring each delicate sip. Across from her, Welt leafed through a newspaper, his brows occasionally knitting together in silent contemplation. Dan Heng, ever the loner, scribbled furiously in his little booklet, guarding its secrets with the intensity of a dragon hoarding its treasure.
March, meanwhile, fiddled absentmindedly with her camera. She wasn't planning on capturing any moments today; rather, the device served as a convenient distraction to keep her from staring too openly at the last two members of their table.
Caelus's phone was, as ever, a fixture in his hands. But today, there were no familiar blips or beeps from his usual games. Instead, he sipped thoughtfully on a cup of coffee – Himeko's special blend, no less – to the shock of his companions and Himeko's visible delight. His fingers practically danced across the screen, likely in the midst of taming the mountain of messages clamoring for his attention.
Beside him sat the blonde she had decided to tolerate, a picture of grace and poise. She moved with a quiet elegance, her every action infused with an effortless sophistication that made even the most hardened aristocrats stop and take notice. Her gloves, usually a staple of her appearance, were now neatly folded beside her plate as she ate with meticulous care. One look at her, and it was impossible not to see the regal air that surrounded her like an invisible cloak.
As the minutes ticked by, the silence was occasionally broken by the rustling of pages or the soft clinking of cutlery against china. Each member of the table was lost in their own world, yet there was an undeniable harmony in their coexistence.
At least, until another loud ping erupted from Caelus's phone followed by a muttered curse from the gray-haired trailblazer.
"Popular aren't we, Caelus?" March asked, glancing up from her camera with a playful smirk.
Caelus glanced up, an unamused scowl tugging at the corners of his lips. "You don't know the half of it," he replied before shooting a glance at Cocolia. "Don't you have your own phone? Why did you have to get mine?"
"March's info was in yours," the blonde answered with nary a look in his direction.
"I would've given it to you if you asked, and what did you two even talk about?"
March caught Cocolia's eye, the blonde's amethyst orbs crinkling a bit in silent amusement. "Just a little girl talk, that's all. Isn't that right March?"
"Yup."
"I don't know if I should feel happy or terrified right now," Caelus remarked dubiously, glancing between the two of them.
March's reply was cut off as another barrage of pings came from Caelus's phone, rediverting his attention back to the device.
"Oh good, more of them."
Himeko set her cup down with a soft clink, her eyes sparkling with barely veiled amusement. "Must be quite the task, managing all that attention," she commented idly.
The blonde, ever observant, glanced at Caelus with a knowing smile. "My, my, it seems you have become quite the center of everyone's universe," she said softly, her voice carrying a melodic quality that added to her mystique. She leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Should I be jealous?"
"Don't act like you aren't enjoying this either," Caelus rebuked, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. The woman merely smiled back, her demeanor calm and collected.
"Well, it's not often I get to see you so frazzled," Cocolia drawled huskily, her eyes gleaming like a predator's catching sight of its prey as she leaned in, gloved hands roaming his shoulders.
Caelus's cheeks flared a deep crimson, and even March was starting to consider pulling a Dan Heng and eating in her room for once.
"You two are so cute together!" Himeko gushed, her voice dripping with affection. Her words only made Caelus's face flush more intensely. Cocolia did too, but the unrepentant little smile she wore spoke volumes. "I absolutely cannot wait to hear how you two met."
March, trying to suppress a similar curiosity, found herself leaning in, her camera momentarily forgotten.
"L-let's not get ahead of ourselves, Himeko," Caelus stammered, though he didn't pull away from Cocolia. "There's more to the story than just Lia and I."
"Lia and you~? My, my, and what brought you too so close to together, hmm?" Himeko purred, her lips curling into a gleeful smile. Her eyes danced with delight at the slip of the tongue.
The two flushed even harder, their faces now matching the vibrant red of Pom-Pom's uniform.
"Himeko, let's save the teasing for later," Welt suggested, his voice calm and measured, offering the couple a reprieve from their escalating embarrassment. Even so, March didn't miss the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.
"I intend to!"
"So what happened next? You left us on such a cliffhanger earlier!" March blurted out, her voice tinged with impatience and curiosity. She hoped to divert attention from Himeko's incessant gushing. It was already unsettling enough that Caelus seemed so comfortable around the blonde; Himeko didn't need to add fuel to that fire.
Caelus, visibly relieved by the change in topic, shot Himeko a wary glance before clearing his throat. "Well, since I was stranded, I figured I needed to find some sign of civilization to get some answers. It turned out that Belobog wasn't the only settlement on the planet like it is here."
"There were others?" Dan Heng pressed, leaning forward, his eyes wide with interest. Welt mirrored his posture, equally engrossed.
"Not as many as you might think," Caelus continued, "but there were enough outside of Belobog that it could be considered the capital city on the planet. Regardless, I planned to head out and find some way to get home."
"Hang on a sec. What about your mission – the one Cocolia gave you?" March interjected, her eyes darting between Caelus and Cocolia.
Caelus glanced at Cocolia beside him before he sighed deeply. "That'll take some more explaining. I wasn't even sure where I was till later on."
"What about the dreams you were having? Did they stop?" Himeko's voice was softer now, her eyes filled with concern.
Caelus went still, his hands clenching into tight fists. Cocolia, noticing his distress, laid her hand gently across one of his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He breathed in shakily, as if recalling a particularly intense memory.
"No," he finally said, his voice low and trembling. "They only got worse."
Alright, welcome to the full overview of this fic.
This will be one of many interlude chapters that will revolve around how others view Caelus's return, and his relationship with Cocolia. As such, there will be plenty of cameos from other characters Caelus has a connection with in the story, some of which that haven't gotten any screen time... yet.
Speaking of which, I hope I portrayed Cocolia alright here, but I'd like to stress that this Cocolia is much, much different than the one in canon. She's not as tormented as canon Cocolia and it's partially thanks to Caelus's presence in her life. Don't get it twisted; there will be plenty of stellaron fuckery in the times to come, but Cocolia will not follow the same path as her "predecessors".
Welt and Dan Heng I hoped I portrayed well, same goes for Himeko. March... I think I got her pretty well, but I'm always open to criticism.
Well, that's about all I got. I hope this one wasn't too jarring for some of you and that you'll stick around for what's to come. We haven't even scratched the surface of this iceberg. I'll be playing with the settings a bit but not too radically that it'll completely change the universe its set in.
Till then,
Take care.