Chapter 123: Season Of The Witch
YN: — — —
His consciousness floating in a soupy black nothingness, YN knew well and true that something had made Subaru perish, causing the world that had unfolded to cease to exist.
Reflecting back on it, YN truly hadn't conceived how monumental Rem's erasure had been to not just him, even having remembered her, but to others as well.
Ram's entire memory of their own relationship had been completely altered and changed; the former themes and motives behind it becoming warped to the point it was almost like living in a different future than he had worked to achieve.
While what Ram had said to me at the end there has been unspoken, and even though Roswaal will be alive again, it seems the only thing standing between Ram and saying her new, truest feelings is just one catastrophic event, like Roswaal dying...
Obviously a Loop with Roswaal dying would be unacceptable. His backing was needed for Emilia to have any chance at winning the Royal Selection, as well as preventing any other headache his loss would cause.
He might be a massive scumbag for setting all that shit up, but we still need him.
Perhaps some kind of hold or control could be put over him... A check to balance the power of the camp and keep Roswaal from doing whatever he pleased.
But for now, that wouldn't be something YN could devote much time to—
?: It is rude to invite yourself to a Witch's Tea Party.
The moment his mind began to drift back into what felt like his body, where he believed he'd still be lying on the damp, dirty floor of the Tomb, a sinisterly familiar voice sounded out from all directions.
Where have I heard that voice before...?
Soon enough, YN would find out...
Subaru: AAAAHHH!
YN: Whaaa?!
Quickly lifting his head from the ground, YN was forced to squint and shield his eyes from his bright surroundings as nearby, Subaru yelled out in distress.
What the hell? A new Return point?!
Trying to get a handle on his situation, YN went to brace himself to stand. Doing so though, his hand felt an unfamiliar sensation.
YN: —?!
At first recoiling his palm at the unexpected feeling, it was at least familiar enough that he returned his hand to let it inspect the sensation once more.
Grass...
Running his fingers through the blades, YN managed to open his eyes enough to look square at the ground, and was greeted by a lush, green lawn he was now sitting on.
YN: Where is this—?
Subaru: *Cough* *Gag* *Cough*
Still, as if dying off to his other side though, Subaru was on all fours, spitting into the lawn and hyperventilating between dry-heaves.
YN: Woah-Woah, hey.
Squinting still, YN navigated to Subaru's side on his knees and patted him on the back.
YN: Take it easy, Subaru. Deep breaths.
Following his guidance, the black-haired boy sat back, sitting up and fanned himself while trying to breathe in a more relaxed fashion.
Subaru: Gah—! *Huff* *Pant*
His body had broken out into a cold-sweat, whereas his eyes were bloodshot and wide open.
He had a pretty tough death, didn't he?
As Subaru was calmed though, YN took a better look at their surroundings. Gone was the dark and dank tomb. Where they sat now, reminded YN of their time on the Lifaus Plains.
For as far as the eye could see, rolling hills of green grass reached out in all directions, and up above was a brilliant blue sky with the warmth of a mild sun, bathing them in warmth they could feel.
As YN finished taking in the new, although simple surroundings, Subaru too had gotten a grip on himself finally, and now croaked out his first clear word.
Subaru: YN...
YN: Feeling better?
Subaru: A bit...
Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Subaru rubbed his eyes and gently patted his own face, trying to regain his composure. Not being one to beat around the bush though, the black-haired boy looked to YN with a curiosity.
Subaru: So uhh, did it get you too? The hares.
Taking only a minute to realize what Subaru meant and implied by that, YN opened his eyes wide in horror.
YN: D-Don't tell me... They—?! That's what killed—?!
Subaru: —Out of any of my deaths thus far... That has been the worst...
Recalling the wound a single hare had given him, YN felt a chill run down his spine as he imagined what surely had happened to Subaru.
YN: Holy shit... D-Did they swarm you?
He didn't know why he asked that. There was a sick cruelty in inquiring to Subaru the specifics of such a gruesome death, especially this soon after, but thankfully he wasn't chastised for it.
Subaru simply could only nod "yes" as the answered question painted a horrible scene in YN's mind. As if choking back the trauma itself, he weakly looked at YN, knowing that by his answer too, he had been spared such a terrible fate, to which he was genuinely happy for his friend.
But, while he was happy YN hadn't perished so morbidly, it was mostly due to the terrible news he now had to tell him; two such awful things would not be stacked on his friend's psyche. To Subaru, "it wouldn't be salt in an open wound" he thought.
Subaru: I uhh, found out some pretty disturbing details. But I'm afraid if I tell you, you're going to really lose your cool.
While his voice was still slightly hoarse, Subaru had a tinge of thankfulness and apprehension mixed in with it.
YN: Does it involve why Garfiel kidnapped you?
Subaru: Yes. Well, no. —But actually yes. It's uhh, complicated.
Scratching the back of his head as he said that, Subaru looked down at the windswept grass as he said that.
Both of these two were still sitting on the ground, but Subaru moved to sit cross-legged whilst he now went on to explain.
Subaru: I lost my cool too when I found out, and I paid the price for it. But since this affects you a lot more than me ultimately, I'm just thankful we're far away from Roswaal when I tell you.
YN: — — —
Subaru: If it makes you feel any better, I tried punching him in a fit of rage over it. That's when Garfiel put me in jail basically.
YN: You tried what?
How could Subaru be moved to such a violent action? And against Roswaal too?
This made no sense. Just how bad was whatever Subaru had learned?
Subaru: Yeah... That earned me a few days in a dark room with no toilet, and no freedom to move my hands. And I was gagged.
YN: That last part explains a lot...
Subaru: I tried signaling you when I could, but I was only visited a few times for either feeding, or sanitary purposes... It was pretty degrading, really.
YN: Historically, certain nobility would have you gutted alive in a way that would have made Elsa blush for striking at them like you did at Roswaal.
Subaru: How kind of him then, to let me shit my pants in solitude.
YN: ...Anyway, you said you learned something?
Subaru: Sorry, sorry. I'm putting it off. *Sigh.*
Lamenting greatly in relaying such information, Subaru steeled himself as he sat up straight.
Subaru: Speaking of Elsa... remember how Roswaal said he hired her, forced Emilia to go to Saluzzo, made us deal with the Whale, the thieves, and then intentionally left during the Witch Cult attack and fled to the Sanctuary and got us stuck in the situation we're in? All on purpose?
Listing off the long stack of intentional blunders, YN nodded slowly in reply.
YN: He justified it by wanting to prepare you or something if I remember right? For being Emilia's knight I'm guessing.
Subaru: That part is true, but it's the reason he did those things specifically.
YN: I guess he's just got good connections?
Subaru: ...It's so much worse than that.
YN: — — —
Lowering his voice as he said that, Subaru tried to reason with YN, how they hadn't realized something crucial.
Subaru: YN, how do you think Roswaal knew to do any of that stuff? When has a spy or anyone else come to the Mansion to inform him of stuff like that? How would they even find that sort of stuff out for him? How did he so perfectly orchestrate it all?
YN: I guess I just assumed—
Subaru: —That's right. We assumed. We didn't realize how that was all possible, but I learned how...
Locked in eye to eye contact, Subaru told of how this was.
Subaru: Everything Roswaal has done. All of it. Every last thing, —from sponsoring Emilia, to hiring us, Elsa, Saluzzo, the Whale and Sloth, Sanctuary... his Gospel told him to do it.
YN: — — —
His mouth going dry and his heartbeat slowing to a mere snail's pace, YN doubted his very ears, and sanity at this moment.
YN: H-He's not a Witch Cultist... is he?
The idea Roswaal was some kind of turncoat from the Kingdom to the Witch Cult was the immediate fear in YN.
Roswaal saving Rem and Ram wasn't part of that... right? He wasn't told to bring the Witch Cult to their village and attack it, right?
That one question is what compounded the most with YN.
Rem couldn't stand being brought up by a Witch Cultist... If she knew that... it might break her...
What everything truly boiled down to for YN at that very second was how this affected Rem.
Did his Gospel tell him to abandon Rem?! Did he know?! Did he know Rem was going to be attacked and he did nothing?!
Simmering in anger now, YN's stunned demeanor was quickly turning to rage.
His hands grabbed fistfuls of the grass beneath him, the dirt from the soil beneath getting right under his fingernails as he clenched his teeth as well.
About to stand, and throw clumps of lawn in rage as he yelled to the sky above, a familiar voice cut that thinking short.
?: —I would prefer you not make such a crass scene. The last time you did that it took some serious skills to get you under control.
Sounding out, both YN and Subaru stopped everything, and turned to look up the grassy knoll to their side.
Upon the hill, was an umbrella'd table. Covering its top was a confection of treats not unlike a fancy tea-party, one that may be found in a noble's garden patio on a sunny day, to be shared between two samplers of high stature.
But sitting at the round table, dark in dress, was the one who spoke, who's hair was a stark contrast of colorlessness upon the natural scenery and the table she sat at.
Staring up at her in disbelief, while she had already been remembered by Subaru, recalling her identity entirely, YN had it all come back to him now.
The end of the first trial... and the second...
Her attention, or more so, her scorn was aimed directly at him. The Witch looked upon YN as the memories of who she was flooded into him, and thus, she spoke.
Echidna: It is incredibly rude to barge in on a Witch's tea party when not invited. At least behave yourself when doing so.
Standing up and brushing the grass off himself, Subaru made his way up the hill.
Subaru: What? Do I not get a 'plus-one' on my invitation?
Sarcastically saying this to the Witch as he sat down at her table, Subaru set the tone of the conversation moving forward.
Echidna: Not for anomalies. No. Especially ones who break and override the rules of my Trial.
Deciding to get up himself and brush his hands off on his pant legs, YN trekked up the hill too.
'Breaking trial rules?' Well, I guess that all but confirms it, I guess.
Step after step, YN could only come up with two theories.
Either the respawn point has moved up ever so slightly, right after we've both passed our Trials, or, us being here and what Trials we've passed circumvent our Return By Death and basically work a separate Save file or something.
He hated summarizing it to himself as something as trivial as a video game mechanic, but really it was no different.
Reaching the tea party table as he concluded his thoughts on that, YN saw he was without a seat for himself.
Subaru: C'mon, you can make whatever you want appear here, so make a third chair.
Echidna: *Sigh...*
YN: I'm fine standing, thanks.
About to snap her fingers and make it so, Echidna stopped.
Echidna: I suppose it's only fair to make you stand.
YN: Weren't you the one who said me and Subaru shared a connection of sorts? Since we can both take the Trials and all...
Now firmly recalling the conversation he had with her after his failed first Trial, but successful second, YN posed this question to the impatient Witch.
Echidna: I suppose I did, now didn't I? However, I never realized it would be so annoying. Even taking the Trials outside of their proper order... What an annoyance you've caused.
Subaru: What's that all about?
Turning to look at YN, he knew that Subaru and Echidna had to be familiar with one another, meaning they might have spoken after his Trial too, and now only remembered her like he did, that much was apparent.
But it seemed this notion that YN was somewhat not playing by the rules, was a new one for Subaru.
YN: I passed the second Trial while you were... uh... indisposed.
Opening his eyes wide at learning that, Subaru also understood what YN meant by that.
"It's going to be hard to dance around the topic of Return By Death." is what they both thought here.
Subaru: I uhh, thought you failed your first one.
Echidna: Oh, he did. But at the same time, he passed too.
With a sip of her tea, the Witch looked upon YN with disdain.
Subaru: Huh, really? How's that work?
Echidna: Not even I have an answer for that.
Clearly upset, Subaru tried to change the subject so as to not further rustle the feathers of their host.
Subaru: YN, I guess I should apologize... I recalled Echidna as soon as I passed my first Trial, this is actually my third time meeting her...
YN: 'Third?' When was the first? Not at the end of your Trial, obviously...
Subaru: When the pendant Emilia-tan had begun to glow and it teleported me, I stumbled into the Tomb and first met her. She didn't let me keep my memories until I saw her next. But there was a catch. She told me she also spoke to you after your Trial, and made you forget it like she did to me originally too. I was allowed to remember her on the condition I didn't tell you about her, or tried to help you remember.
Knowing they'd gone through a few Loops like that now, admittedly, YN understood.
YN: You needed that information, and it would have been detrimental if you forgot it. I can't fault you for that. I can only trust you don't share with me certain things only when the situation demands it...
In the back of YN's mind, he couldn't entirely fault Subaru, as he was much more guilty of the same then he was.
Between Saluzzo's death Loops, Rem knowing about Return By Death, and our backgrounds, I can only hope maybe one day he'd understand if I admitted all that to him.
While the differences in what was kept secret was monumental, ultimately, it was the same Sin, just different weights.
Smiling back at YN weakly, Subaru thanked his steadfast ally.
Subaru: Man, I'm glad you're not one to get too temperamental. Anyway—
Subaru turned back to Echidna with this, who was silently sipping her tea while the two had spoken among themselves.
Subaru: The reason I think I'm here, —or rather, why I wanted to be here, is that I've got some things I really want to find out.
Echidna: Ah, yes. That is something I can assist with. It is after all, why you are here.
Echidna spoke to Subaru much more politely and cordially than she did when she addressed YN. Hearing her switch tones at the drop of a hat like this somewhat unsettled him.
Echinda: I'd be happy to lend my knowledge, however, the Tea Party hasn't begun yet.
Subaru: The 'Tea Party?'
Unsure of what she meant by that, Subaru furrowed his brow at the odd contingency.
YN: What does that even mean? We don't have time for these sorts of games. Answer us or don't.
Not one to go along with her song and dance, YN crossed his arms and was defiant towards the Witch, which, only earned him more of her ire.
Echidna: And now our uninvited guest is too proud to participate? Believe me, I would have cast you from this place a long time ago if I did not fear you'd take my other guest with you.
Echidna's tone darkened to a newer low now with YN. While he was unphased by it, Subaru definitely was to a lesser degree.
Subaru: U-Uhh, Echidna. What should I do to start the uhh, 'Tea Party?'
Turning to him with a friendly grin, the Witch gestured to the small steaming cup of tea before him on the table he sat at.
Echidna: Simply act like a guest would.
Smiling as she said that, Subaru got the clue what he should do. Taking the cup into his hand, he raised it to his mouth, but halted just before it touched.
Subaru: —I'll partake. But I have a small condition of my own first.
Echidna: Oh? And that would be?
Still speaking as bubbly as she could to him, Subaru set the cup back down, and spoke his request.
Subaru: No more screwing with our memory. Let me continue to remember our meetings without any extra rules. And that means including YN. Make it so he remembers too.
Echidna: Phewah~~
Seemingly upset at the offer, the Witch rested her head on her hand which was on its elbow at the table.
Echidna: But it's so much more fun for me if he's out of the loop. His frustration is amusing, don't you think?
Subaru: —Echidna.
Echidna: Fine, fine.
Waving any concern he might continue to have away with her hand, she sat back up straight.
Echidna: Consider the vow modified.
Subaru: You'll stop hiding in our memories?
Echidna: I swear.
Subaru: Good. Let's not waste any more time then.
With that, Subaru brought the cup up to his mouth, and took a healthy drink of the tea before setting it down, which was met with much surprise by Echidna.
Echidna: Oh! Last time you said you weren't a fan of the body fluids, but here you are—!
Subaru: —Blah!
Falling off his chair, Subaru ejected out what small amount of the tea still remained in his mouth as he spat on the grass.
Subaru: I can't believe I forgot from last time!
Unable to keep himself from looking between Subaru, the tea, and the Witch in rapid order, YN was just as surprised.
Did she say... 'body fluids?!'
While YN tried not to imagine just what fluid it could possibly be, Echidna put her hands to her cheeks and mockingly acted bashful at Subaru's harsh, but rational dislike of the added ingredient.
Echidna: You shouldn't hurt the feelings of a maiden who offered you her body fluids.
Picking himself off the ground, Subaru pulled himself up by placing one arm on the table and wiped his mouth with the other as he objected back.
Subaru: No proper maiden would offer someone her body fluids!
As Subaru returned to his seat though, YN quickly found himself in a moral quandary.
She wouldn't... Would she?
When YN thought of the term "proper maiden" only one person came to mind; the adorable maid he loved more than anything. But—
I seriously don't know if Rem would try and do that to me or not...
Would the maid try to feed him her body fluids?
A scarlet red expression went across YN's face as the idea danced in his mind whilst Echidna and Subaru spoke of more serious subjects.
Who's to say she hasn't already done it?!
Getting to the point of it all though, Echidna leaned forward and grinned a sinisterly Greedy smile.
Echidna: Now then, what was it you wished to ask of me?
A lot was revealed to the two in the ensuing conversation.
Subaru and Echidna did almost all of the speaking, with YN getting only a verb or noun in here and there, and only to Subaru. Echidna paid YN no mind, and he refrained from asking any questions of his own.
I don't want to interrupt Subaru... Like Echidna said, we're really only here while time outside ticks by slowly.
But ultimately, YN kept his mouth shut entirely once Echidna had revealed that she was in possession of something she liked to refer to as "The Memories of The World."
While Subaru had inquired if it was a Gospel like they were familiar with, something they both only just recently learned that Beatrice and Roswaal were each in possession of, only YN had realized Echidna had dodged the question, something Subaru was oblivious to.
I don't like how she danced around answering that...
It seemed only YN had caught this faint feeling, as he was unsure if her not clearly saying one way or another was a hidden intention or not.
But what bothered him more, was what Echidna was implying this "Memories of The World" allowed her to do.
She's reading that almost like it's a transcript of our memories...
Thankfully though, that notion wasn't lost on Subaru.
Echidna confessed she preferred to not use the book out of principal, but in her looking just now, she had hinted on something they both couldn't ignore or overlook; with this, she saw the general understanding of their disposition. Coupling this with what she had explained about their Trials and how she had peered into their memories to form the world's they had found themselves in—
Subaru: —Just how much do you know about our situation?
As if baiting her into saying it aloud, YN felt a lump grow in his throat.
This is really similar to how Rem found out about it all...
Was Subaru about to uncover a potential loophole in others finding out about Return By Death?
Shit! Do I say something to stop this?! Or do I—
Clearing telling he was in the midst of making of a crucial decision and panic, Echidna turned her gaze to YN while Subaru had his own gaze turned away in thought.
Echidna: — — —
Meeting YN's troubled eyes, the Witch grinned as if immensely satisfied by his silent terror.
That's right! If she can see memories... she already knows that Rem found out! And if she tells Subaru that—!
YN found himself in the palm of the Witch. His worry and fear were her entertainment now.
Subaru: Given you can see our memories more or less...I gotta wonder...
Trying to continue to prompt the Witch into answering, Subaru's own tone became lower.
YN: S-Subaru! You should be mindful of what you say..!
Subaru was just as aware as YN that a Consequence, or worse, could be looming at any moment.
YN: ...We don't want a repeat with what happened with Emilia-sama... do we?
YN hated to bring up such a pained memory for Subaru, but given it's relevance, he felt it was begrudgingly appropriate.
Taking what he said into consideration, Subaru held his tongue, but still nodded to Echidna, who was remaining suspiciously silent, and wished for her to answer him nonetheless as the curiosity and prospect was simply too high to not investigate.
Echidna: I know what I know. But—
Grinning in an even darker way as she said that, as Subaru had tried to bait her into saying she knew, the Witch sprung a trap of her own back on Subaru.
Echidna: —why don't you give it a shot and see?
Through vague suggestions, the Witch spoke of only the most precise thing. Subaru right now, in his moment of weakness, was also putty in her palm, just like YN was with his fear.
Subaru: Echidna...
No...
Subaru: —when I die...
No, no, no...
Subaru: —we both...
No—!
How dangerous was it to let the Witch of Greed know this information? Was Subaru unsatisfied with just YN knowing? Or did he want everyone to know? Was YN right in guessing he'd try whatever he could to tell someone else about Return By Death if the possibility presented itself, damn the consequences?
Taking one final, deep breath, Subaru steeled his nerves.
Subaru: —When we die—! We—!
Subaru!
Unable to stop him, YN felt as if he was watching a dam burst before his very eyes. As the foundation cracked, soon, a tidal wave of—
Subaru: —Return to a previous time to try again!
—a tidal wave of nothing.
The dam collapsed, but there was nothing behind it. There was no flood.
YN: —!
Prepared for a terrible Consequence, none came.
As nothing happened, YN's jaw slowly dropped as the Witch shot him another sly grin.
With Subaru stunned speechless, YN was forced to speak up.
YN: H-How...? How?! Is it this place, —where it is? How aren't we writhing in pain, o-o-or even dead?
Keeping her same grin, an air of great self satisfaction radiated from Echidna.
Echidna: It is because I am the Witch of Greed who wants to know everything, that's why.
Her ego on full display, she concealed the method from YN under the justification that she was just that magnanimous. It was clearly something she had done to allow Subaru to say such a thing, as if in anticipation, but the exact method it seemed she kept hidden.
Patting his body as if still not believing his own eyes, Subaru looked to those around them to make sure they weren't a standing corpse or something.
Subaru: You're all... We're all—!
Echidna: —Unharmed. Yes.
Subaru: B-B-But I said the words! The words I shouldn't say!
Echidna: Why don't you try it again? Maybe that time was a fluke.
Gulping hard again, Subaru clenched his fists and tightly shut his eyes.
Subaru: When we die, the world resets backward in time! We keep our memories of previous lives when we do!
Still, no consequences.
Looking down at his open hand now as his eyes opened too, Subaru was in utter disbelief.
Subaru: There's really nothing bad happening...
As he cast his eyes back to the Witch before him, seeking an answer to this, she leaned back ever so slightly, crossing her legs as she did.
Echidna: It is quite the rare situation you both find yourselves in. Although, I will admit I did read about it before all this too.
Gesturing like she was holding up a book, she recalled this "Memories of the World" tome she had conjured from thin air before.
A hand to his face now, Subaru sighed.
Echidna: Did confessing to such a cute girl take it all right out of you? Or are you still having trouble processing it?
Subaru: The only girl I'll confess to will be Emilia-tan, but as for processing it... I guess I'm done.
Sitting up more, he went on.
Subaru: I'm sure I'd be a lot more emotional if I had to just bare all this on my own from the start, but thankfully I've got an ally.
With a nod to YN, Subaru turned back to the Witch.
Subaru: You might have even gotten me to ugly cry all over the place if I had somehow made it all this way on my own, carrying the burden with no one to share it with.
Echidna: I do feel for you nonetheless... Such agony to bare on its own would awful. You have my dearest sympathies, having died so many terrible ways.
Reaching across the table to place her hand over Subaru's own, as if trying to console him, Echidna looked to YN with am expression of mild contempt.
Echidna: The anomaly however has been given a much easier path though, with his deaths being unrequired to escape a world gone astray.
Basically saying her sympathies did not extend to YN, he only rolled his eyes in response to her uninspired jab at him.
From there, the conversation drifted to other related topics. Subaru, of course, asked question after question regarding Return By Death, and what input Echidna might have on it.
When asked on how he was able to tell her though, to him, she answered. The place they currently were in, —this place of rolling hills of grass, a blue sky, and a tea party, was a domain of Echidna's own creation. None could enter without her consent, spare of course, YN. While she liked to have used that point to lessen Subaru's worry the Witch of Envy might show up, she had to acknowledge that YN had been brought in to, for reasons she did not have the answer to.
Any reason to take a jab at me, huh, Echidna?
The conversation also mentioned who this ability was bestowed to them upon by. Subaru brought up the Witch of Envy, which, Echidna admitted, was the one responsible for her, and all the other Witch's Deaths. She went on to theorize her "love" for Subaru was the root of this power, and even played with the idea that Satella's death might mean an end to Return By Death, which Subaru lamented, thinking he'd have better luck getting her to fall out of love with him. Speaking on such high unknowns though, the topic on that avenue, was at an impasse.
Moving on though, Subaru asked more intensive questions on the matter, namely, if Echidna thought Return By Death was truly an infinite number of attempts. She had gone on to answer that according to their memories, she saw nothing to suggest otherwise, but that with infinite lives and attempts, that also could mean infinite death and suffering.
YN: —So really, the only limit to Return By Death would be our own psyche, at that point. We have until our minds break from bashing against a wall.
Echidna: As much as I hate to give you credit on the matter, yes. That would be your biggest limiting factor.
Hearing this though, Subaru slumped a bit in his chair as he stiffly shook his head.
Clearly upset, YN inquired to his fellow wayward traveling companion why this was.
YN: Seems like that bothers you a bit... Does it concern you that much?
Subaru: It's not really that part so much, but it does makes me wonder something.
Elicited by the potential of someone agonizing over an unknown answer, the Witch took a sip of her tea before speaking.
Echidna: And what would that be?
Hands in his track suit pant pockets as he replied, Subaru shook his head as he replied.
Subaru: What is the point of this power if all it can do is set us back to a certain point? We can't even control where it takes us back to... but that's only one of the things that scares me about it.
Echidna: What other parts of it are you afraid of?
Subaru: A lot of it, really. The biggest though, is the potential to change and remake destiny. It sounds stupid, but it really frightens me.
Echidna: You don't strike me as someone who fears overusing their power.
Subaru: It's the opposite, really. I've already found myself regretting that I didn't go farther... Why didn't I use it save more people? When I subjugated the White Whale, a lot of good people died, just not the ones I was focused on... And even then... Maybe if I had tried harder, despite what I thought were overwhelming odds, maybe we could have saved Rem too.
Looking to YN as he revealed the weight of a guilt he had tried concealing for a long time now, Subaru gave him a weak expression before turning back to Echidna.
Subaru: I think YN would have tried harder to save Emilia-tan if it was him who Return By Death focused on, and not me. Maybe he could figure out a way to better control where we go back to but... *Sigh...* I just don't know...
Clearly struggling still, Echidna tried to voice support to him.
Echidna: I think I understand what you're saying now... This source of regret you feel, it's rooted in Greed after all. Wanting to save everyone would be that, wouldn't it?
Before either could question what she meant by that, Echidna went on with another related topic.
Echidna: Besides, I highly doubt you have any real control over this ability. Rather to say, you're at the whims of Envy.
Subaru: So what you're saying is... the Witch of Envy more or less decides when I've saved enough people.
Running a hand through her long, white hair, Echidna answered.
Echidna: The Witch of Envy cares not for anyone else, only yourself. Her goal is to make sure your fate does not meet a dead end.
As she finished hand-combing her hair, she looked Subaru in the eye, and tensed her tone of words slightly.
Echidna: Ultimately, I don't think it matters what gets in your way. You've been given the power to overcome whatever it is. Though, if you're willing to sacrifice too much...
Subaru: —I won't give up.
Spoken with defiance, Subaru clenched his fists at his side.
Subaru: If it means saving everyone... I'll die no matter how many times it takes. I'll save everyone I can. —On my own if I have too as well, even though I know I can count on YN's help. If we're both given this power... I'm going to use it to it's fullest. I can say that, because at least with the way things are arranged, I don't need to make YN suffer to try again. The pain starts and ends on my part of things.
YN opened his eyes wider at Subaru's declaration of motive, but he couldn't help but notice the Witch before them seemed rather pleased he came to this conclusion too.
Echidna: Well, I must admit, I'm glad you see it that way.
She's got some kind of second motivation going on here...
Unnerved by her support to things that could not begin to effect her in the slightest, YN tried to at least play devil's advocate to Subaru, if only to make him challenge his own beliefs.
YN: Subaru, don't you think that's a bit wreckless?
Subaru: — — —
Putting the first chip into the bulwark that was his own bullheaded determination, YN had at least made Subaru put a hand to his chin. Rather then let Echidna weasel some sort of justification for it though, YN struck the verbal iron while it was hot.
YN: And don't you feel like someone's encouragement of that is a little... unfounded?
Taking the lightest, most excusable jab he could at the Witch, it earned YN an icy glare.
Echidna: It sounds like to me you're saying you wish the power was more in your hands than his.
Trying a diversionary tactic now, YN thwarted it.
YN: Nope. I trust it more in Subaru's hands than my own. It's been his thinking and his determination that's gotten us out of plenty of situations where I don't know what I could have done.
Saying this, it caused Subaru to turn and look up at YN as he was rained in praise by someone who he felt had let down.
Echidna: I would suspect those words are rather hollow since it was your beloved whom he failed to save.
YN: Even if I had held the power fully, than what? What could either of us have done differently? At least with Subaru wielding it, I know that gives me the best chance at getting Rem back still.
YN could tell by the look in Echidna's dark eyes, she knew she wasn't at the advantage here. He'd won this, for now.
Echidna: *Sigh.* What a boring answer.
Resting her chin on her hand as if having her interest in something destroyed, she reached for her tea, and took another sip before changing the subject.
Echidna: Such a swap in that ability though would be impossible, so it's useless to fret over, especially considering how you two are inexplicably linked.
Subaru: You mentioned that before, in regard to the Trials mainly. Can you elaborate more on that by chance?
Echidna: Certainly.
Perking up at Subaru quest for more knowledge, the Witch seemed happy to go along.
Echidna: The Witch of Envy seems rather deadset on keeping YN in his role as a supporter. Afterall, he was only brought to this world after you struggled in the Capitol.
Subaru: I guess since I showed up on episode one, and have the power, that makes me the protagonist, doesn't it?
Trying to understand it himself the best way he could, Subaru admittedly felt stupid having to use such a dumb analogy.
Echidna: You two ended up discovering too that you were already loosely acquainted, correct?
Subaru: Yeah... We did... Which was a really odd revelation.
Looking to YN for a second as if analyzing him, Subaru turned back to Echidna.
Subaru: Out of all the reasons to choose someone else to bring along... And on the third Loop in the Capitol no less.
Echidna: Since he truly possesses no memory of your two very first attempts, we can either surmise that the Witch of Envy brought him here when she did on purpose, or potentially in retrospect.
Subaru: She either wanted me to get somewhat of a feeling for the situation I was in... or she felt bad I died to so pathetically on the second go around...
Building on what the Witch speculated on, she went on with not of her ideas.
Echidna: Or it could even be your connection that exists now lingering from your old world. Perhaps it could have even been as simple as the Witch of Envy took pity on this poor little anomaly and went back to bring him along, fearing he'd be lonely —Like the last two kittens in a box labeled 'free.'
As they both looked to YN now for his input on all this, he could only shrug.
YN: I just all of sudden saw her in the backseat of my car begging me to help her 'beloved,' so work up whatever theory based on that, because that's all I've got.
Subaru: I'll admit too, it was shocking to me to find out we both had inadvertently known each other before hand, but never realized it...
Hearing that, Echidna could only lean back in her chair and lift both hands, palms upward and shrug.
Echidna: Is it not obvious there's a connection between you two? If the mistreatment of the Trial didn't make it apparent enough, I don't know what else could.
Subaru: I guess that's a little too consistent of a thing to happen to be a red herring... Congrats on passing the second Trial though.
While Subaru did say this with genuine fondness towards YN's triumph, his brow quickly furrowed following that.
Subaru: But wait, didn't you fail your first Trial? When did you get the time to take two Trials like that?
Echidna: That is precisely my irritation; for he did not pass two Trials. In fact, he didn't even need to pass the first to take the second.
With a glare shot at YN by the Witch, Subaru pressed for more information.
Subaru: And that's due to us being linked? What, did my success in the first Trial let him take the second Trial somehow?
Echidna: As far as I can tell, yes. What irks me more however, is that your failure of the second Trial, should it happen, will not impede his qualification to take the third Trial from my findings.
Subaru: The third and final Trial...
Looking to YN, a glimmer of hope beckoned on his typically scary looking expression, all thanks to his narrow eyes, but was quickly dashed away.
Subaru: It would solve our problem with freeing the Sanctuary... But, if it's freed suddenly... That might create problems with Garfiel...
As YN heard Subaru make this excuse though, he understood that wasn't his biggest issue with that course of action.
YN: You also want Emilia-sama to be the one to free the Sanctuary, don't you?
Subaru: — — —
He hated agreeing with something Roswaal had wanted too. They both did. But—
YN: You think Emilia-sama also needs to face the Trials as well. —To face her past.
Subaru: — — —
And it was a cruel fate to condemn Emilia to such a high responsibility, especially one that meant so much pain for the half-elf.
"But was it not a crueler fate to keep her sheltered forever?" was the counterargument in both of their minds.
YN understood wanting to do everything he could for Rem, and he knew Subaru felt the same way for Emilia.
Subaru: —At a point though, she needs to come to terms with it. That's part of one of the many things she'll need to do if she wants to win the Royal Selection, and rule the Kingdom.
More or less coming to a unspoken agreement, they both knew it needed to be Emilia who liberated the Sanctuary.
Subaru: If we can just focus on everything else besides the Trials, we can create a place where Emilia-tan can take and pass the Trials because she won't feel so overwhelmed.
Looking to YN, Subaru felt he had a plan.
Subaru: We should take advantage of this connection though. Any scouting of the Trials you can do for Emilia-tan might help her pass them.
Talking among themselves though, the Witch cared little for the repercussions of outside events pertaining to her Trials.
Echidna: I'm a little worried if it took this much thought between you both to finally come to the realization you're indeed linked in strange ways. Were things before this not making it apparent?
YN: It sounds like you've got a pretty good idea about something we overlooked.
With a look of contempt, the Witch acted as if his ignorance had greatly offended her.
Echidna: Was the place your conciseness shelters upon your death, but not his, not enough to convince you there was a link before I ever mentioned it?
Taking only a second to know what the Witch spoke of, YN put a hand to his chin in contemplation.
YN: That's right... the White Room.
Even while YN had told Subaru of its existence, they both figured the purpose behind it was simple enough; YN's mind had to go somewhere while it waited for Subaru. The significance of this place never bore any sort of notable aspects of concern. As far as they knew, it was just a place in YN's own imagination, rather than an actual place.
But that can't be right, can it?
YN had seen, spoken to, and held Rem in the White Room. He knew it best; what he experienced was in no way, shape, or form a figment of his imagination. He had interacted with Rem in her entirety, authentic as ever.
Which, now in retrospect—
—how did that happen? What caused Rem to be there?
With the need to hold his tongue though, since Echidna obviously knew from his memories he had met Rem in this space but had also kept that information from Subaru, YN chose the words to his inquiry on it carefully, if not just plainly and open to feign innocence.
YN: Echidna, what is that place exactly? It's not an actual, actual place, right?
Asking her outright, the Witch grinned as she felt the Greedy sensation of the yearning for knowledge radiate out from him.
Echidna: Interestingly enough, based upon your memories, the only conclusion I can draw is that since your soul cannot obviously be allowed to pass on, it is held where all souls ultimately return to—
With a brief pause, a look of sinister enjoyment was spread upon her grin.
Echidna: —Od Luguna.
YN & Subaru: — — —
While both outsiders in this world, they were ultimately still somewhat familiar with the name. And even if they both didn't fully understand what it was, they still knew the word carried a great weight with it.
Echidna: —the heart of the world, where all mana originates from, and goes back to.
Subaru: Is there any reason YN's consciousness would go there of all places? Why would the answer to his question be so cryptic?
Echidna nodded to Subaru as she reached for the tea pot between them on the table, as if understanding why he was skeptical about her explanation.
Echidna: Normally I wouldn't be so sure of such a drastic conclusion either, if not for what had happened in his most recent trip there.
The Witch gave YN a look with half-closed eyes and a smirk that could only communicate: "I know."
YN: —!
Doing his absolute best, YN kept his composure nonetheless.
No way... She means Rem! The fact that I saw Rem in that space, the White Room, er, a... Od Luguna, was the proof she needed to know exactly what and where that space was...
Subaru: 'His most recent trip?' Was there something different about it that time?
Looking to YN for the answer, a bead of sweat ran down the opposite side of his face from Subaru.
Shit... If Subaru learns I saw her there... It might lead to him asking other questions... And eventually asking if Rem knew about Return By Death...
Thankfully though, the Witch spoke back up before YN had to choke out a lackluster response.
Echidna: Unfortunately, my issues with the anomaly are still fresh, so I don't entirely feel interested in entertaining any further answers for him.
Finishing her declaration of disinterest, the Witch shot YN a momentary side eye glance as she poured herself a new cup of tea. "You owe me." it said.
She has to know that I keep all that a secret from Subaru...
Fully aware that Echidna could easily spill those secrets to Subaru, especially since it was clear she had a disdain for him, YN was puzzled as to why she was choosing to not do that.
Echidna: That isn't to say I won't give him any more answers. He simply needs to earn them is all.
Taking a sip of her fresh tea, YN questioned her by what she meant. A deep desire to know more had been stoked inside him since it involved Rem.
YN: And how do I do that?
Echidna: It is simple, I will use this uncanny ability of yours to break my Trial's rules to my advantage. Attempt the third and final Trial, and I shall share my knowledge with you on all the things your heart yearns to know.
Gulping back a lump of nervousness in his throat, YN knew without a doubt what Echidna spoke of.
As much as I hate to say it... She might have the answer to why Rem had ended up in the White Space now...
But, before YN could give the extended offer any thought at all, Subaru spoke up again.
Subaru: I hate to be a killjoy... but I'm not sure if I'm too keen with YN taking the third Trial...
And admittedly, so was YN at his core level.
YN: We do both agree that it should be Emilia-sama who liberates the Sanctuary...
With the topic still fresh in their minds, they both knew it had to be Emilia to take the credit in Liberating the Sanctuary. Even if that meant going along with Roswaal's plan for it too, even broken clocks were right twice a day.
–Or does that analogy not apply to this world and it's RGB-gaming-accessory based approach to time telling?
Waving her hand though as to dispel the worry between her two visitors, Echidna quelled them next with her words.
Echidna: An attempt is good enough. I will garner enough of what I desire even with a failed attempt. And even if you do pass, the choice to lift the barrier is still made afterwards, it only grants you the ability to do so. Tis' not an automatic thing.
YN: If that's what it takes...
Turning to Subaru before completing his answer, he was given a nod by him to go ahead with it.
YN: —I'll do just that.
Echidna: I look forward to your struggle.
The Witch glared at him coldly as she said that, taking another sip of tea right after.
Subaru: Echidna, thank you for answering our questions thus far, but I'm afraid I've still got a lot of things left to ask you. I'll repay you in whatever way I can for your wisdom.
Short and polite, Subaru's determined words were said in a no-nonsense manner. He had a goal he wanted to reach, and he was willing to do what he must to reach it.
Echidna: Wuuaahhh~~...
With a flash scarlet running across her face, for a moment YN wondered if Echidna had spiked her own tea.
Echidna: *Sigh* Between the Witch of Envy and this, you might just have a talent for wooing Witches~.
Echidna had decided to respond quite flirtatiously to Subaru's honest determination, gushing like a young girl in smitten interest with whomever it was that had caught their fancy.
You've got to be kidding me..
To YN though, this only reeked of a cover up to some other kind of hidden ulterior motive. Before Subaru himself could respond to such a hollow appraisal, YN sought to counter that tactic by the Witch.
YN: —You're nothing special in that regard. Subaru seems to have that effect on a lot of women as of late.
Subaru: —tch! W-What's that supposed to mean?! I may be the son of the greatest potential womanizer in history but that doesn't mean it's as simple as the 'apple doesn't fall far from the tree!'
YN: Oh please, Crusch of all people was practically gushing over you after the Battle, I heard.
Unable to deny the charge, Subaru fired back.
Subaru: Oi, it's not like I've got Frederica and Ram practically hanging off me.
YN: They aren't doing that at all. Where are you getting that from?
With the embers of a bickering match beginning to cinder, Echidna was the one to put to rest.
Echidna: Enough, enough. It's one thing to belittle a maiden's heart, but this is just salt in her poor wound.
Not wishing to prove her right, YN held his tongue to any retort he might have wished to voice back at her.
Echidna: Now, as the Witch of Greed, who wishes to know everything; tell me—
Opening a hand up to him, palm upward, Echidna gestured for Subaru to be as forthcoming as possible.
Echidna: —what do you wish to know?
Taking her signified offer to be honest and then some, Subaru took a deep breath before responding.
Subaru: I guess my largest, most concerning question, is just... what the hell killed me?
Bluntly asking this, he went on as he stared down at his own hands as they seemed to try and interpret his own loss for words.
Subaru: Something... Something ate me. These rabbits just swarmed me... They devoured me... They crawled up places!
Subaru's words were filled a traumatic fear behind them, as YN could hear the uncharacteristically shakiness in his voice as he recalled the experience.
YN: That's... one hell of a way to die.
At the same time though, YN couldn't fathom what sort of horrid feeling experience that could be.
I'd be mind broken afterwards...
As Subaru rubbed his temples trying to calm himself down, YN delivered his experience with the swarm of miniature beasts.
YN: One bit me... but that was the extent of it after Ram saved me...
Subaru: —Ram?!
Surprised to hear her name mentioned, Subaru looked to YN wide eyed.
Subaru: —s-she wasn't killed by—?
Subaru didn't know where to start in regard to explaining all that he had learned in the final moments before his death. From Garfiel's sudden and terrifying transformation into a golden tiger, to the odd sensation that he had been saved by something unknown during the large beast's rampage, Subaru had been certain Ram had perished alongside Otto.
But, to his relief he wouldn't need to retell such traumatic events, YN was already familiar with the worst of it.
YN: —By Garfiel? Or at least... what he turned into? No... She was alive, but just barely.
Looking down in a shared remorseful memory, YN shook his head before going on.
YN: According to Ram, what saved her was Garf getting swarmed by the hares himself... She said that's what did him in...
Subaru could only stare down at the table before him at the empty tea cup with a blank expression. For as terrifying a monster as Garfiel had morphed into... to go out in the same way as he did... It wasn't just humbling, but rather showed how much of a powerful foe they were now up against.
Subaru: This is bad enough on its own... but then you remember Elsa is something else we have to deal with...
The black-haired boy was ready to explode with questions as he looked up to the Witch on the opposite side of the table before him. Before he could utter a single word though, she anticipated this.
Echidna: —One thing at a time, please.
Reining in his desperation, Subaru recomposed himself as he took a calming deep breath.
Subaru: This... thing that ate everything. —Me, Garfiel, the villagers... everyone... what was that?
Calmly taking a sip of her tea, the Witch answered without a hint of alarm on her side of things.
Echidna: It sounds like you had a run in with the second of the Great Mabeasts, the Great Hare.
YN: A 'Great Mabeast?'
Subaru: Just like the White Whale...
Lament filled Subaru's words as he cursed the situation they were in.
Echidna: That's right. To meet two of Daphne's three most notorious creations though in such a short time... What poor timing.
Dropping lore like this, Echidna set her tea cup back on the table, and went on to explain the facets of each of the Great Mabeasts.
The White Whale.
The Black Serpent.
And the Great Hare.
All were terrible inventions created by the hands of the Witch of Gluttony.
Echidna: I must say though... The Great Hare is the worst of them.
YN: H-How is that one the worst?! The Whale erases people from existence!
Shooting him a cold look, Echidna scoffed at his exclamation.
Echidna: I don't expect you to understand strength versus difficulty. The Whale could be slain through enough dealt damage, the Great Hare infinitely multiplies.
That was where its hunger lied. To be infinite in creation, meant it was infinite in consumption.
Echidna went on to describe the Great Hare's habits. How it roamed the land, finding things to feast upon, and how it would even cannibalize itself to sate its own hunger, but was always drawn to large centers of mana.
YN mentioned to Subaru how he had felt a large surge of mana far away in the direction of the Sanctuary in the heightened state he had found himself in during the Loop he fought with Elsa. Concluding that must be what draws in the Hare, they at least found a reason for it to show up so suddenly.
YN: So to kill it outright, you'd need to destroy them all at once...
Reminiscent of a pink, bubblegum-like adversary he'd seen people much stronger than himself fight in a certain Shonen, the premise was ultimately the same.
We have to vaporize every last bit of it, —kill every last copy to actually end it...
Echidna: That is correct. To kill it, all must be slain at the same time. Should a single one remain, it will instantly re-multiply.
With the goal set before them, and a lengthy one at that, Subaru pinched the bridge between his eyes and shut them as he shook his head. The stress was clearly getting to him.
Subaru: Everything seems to snowball by the fifth day... If we don't remove the barrier by then, no one can escape from the Great Hare. Everyone in the Sanctuary dies... But even if we do that, Elsa will show up at the Mansion and kill everyone there too, which she does anyway on the fifth day.
Looking to the white-haired Witch before him, Subaru let the sound of desperation creep into his voice.
Subaru: We're out of options... Do you have any idea of how we should start to deal with this? Regardless, the Great Hare needs to be dealt with...
Echidna: I do not recommend that course of action... Your goal should be to lift the barrier and flee with reinforcements to fight this assassin. However, I doubt you would accept that outcome. If dealing with the Great Hare really is a requirement, than the only way I feel I can convince you of otherwise is to have you speak directly to its creator—
With an air of ominous intent behind her now, the Witch Spoke lowly.
Echidna: —The Witch of Gluttony.
YN: —tch!
Tensing up upon hearing that, YN could only picture the entity of Gluttony that had taken everything from him.
Rem told me of them... Rai Baitenkaitos...
Seeing YN bite his lip at the mention of Gluttony, Echidna slightly rolled her eyes at his rash conclusion.
Echidna: Do not be alarmed. Daphne's soul is innocent of what has transpired against you by the current holder of the Witch Factor. Do not blame the Sin, rather, blame the Sinner.
Somewhat actually managing to quell YN's anxiety at its mention, he rationalized his own thoughts, knowing she was correct.
Hearing what she said though, Subaru questioned her on it.
Subaru: Her 'Soul?' The first time we met, I remember you saying something about having parts of them all...
Echidna: Before we all perished, I had managed to preserve the smallest fragments of their beings into this place. I was hoping to lend my presence here to Daphne in hopes she could convince you of abandoning your goal of vanquishing the Great Hare, since it seems I am unable to.
Subaru: If we can talk to the one made the Great Hare... maybe she can tell us of a weakness! It's worth a shot... Yes, please let us speak to her!
Eager to have this opportunity, Subaru saw the Witch change her demeanor as she responded.
Echidna: You must be warned though... Daphne is not as... mellow as I am. There is a real danger for your continued safety should you take the risks in meeting her... Permanent damage could occur.
Hearing this, the two boys remained silent as Echidna said this. It was only YN who could muscle up a response.
YN: Like... death? If only our minds are here in this space right now... how would we be permanently damaged?
Echidna: There is a key difference to death of the body, and death of the soul. You could be twisted and mangled to pieces here, and your body outside of here would have none of it upon your return. You would feel pain, yes, but you would not parish here. What you should be fearful of, is damage to your mind.
Subaru: What you're saying is... if our minds break, —if we go insane, that'll carry over once we return to our bodies...
Echidna: Yes. And not even your ability to Return from Death may solve that. Your memories would be forever etched in agony.
Looking to YN, Subaru second guessed his previous gung-ho intentions.
Subaru: Is it even worth it then do you think?
Genuinely asking for YN's input, rather than return his words to Subaru, YN looked squarely at the Witch of Greed, and spoke with an utmost determination in his voice.
YN: Bring her in. We'll speak to her.
Subaru & Echidna: —!
Catching them each off guard, YN's boldness was unexpected, as he had even managed to surprise Echidna.
Echidna: That is rather brave of you. But I shall not reject it. However, before you meet her... I have a few very specific warnings for you both that you should adhere to if you wish to remain unharmed...
Getting a nod from them each, the Witch raised her hand from her tea cup, and lifted just her index finger to them.
Echidna: First...
Setting the tone, a seriousness entered her voice. There was no joking here. The things she was about to say were to truly be followed for their own good.
Echidna: Under absolutely no circumstances are you to unhinge her from her bondage.
'B-Bondage?!'
Hearing this warning, a small chill ran down YN's spine.
What the hell?
It wasn't clear if Echidna meant bondage or just something as simple as light restraints.
Maybe only having part of her soul saved left her with some sort of need for support?
Not being given much time to comprehend to what extent that meant though, Echidna raised a second digit, the one next to her index finger to illustrate her next caution.
Echidna: Both of you are absolutely not allowed to make physical contact with her, for any reason at all.
Okay... That's pretty reasonable for anyone...
Lifting a third, and final finger, the Witch gave them their most crucial piece of advise.
Echidna: —it is also best practice to avoid making direct eye contact with her.
Subaru & YN: — — —
The seriousness of the way Echidna had said that was nothing to shake a stick at...
YN: That sounds rather... threatening.
Did this mean the Witch of Gluttony was territorial? Was she easy to agitate? Or was there another reason?
Subaru: I was going to say those first two warnings... It sounds like you take us for a couple of creeps... But that last bit is something creeps do...
Echidna: Well, consider yourselves warned.
Disregarding both of their nervous responses, Echidna's figure began to blow away like a petrified statue of dust in the mild breeze that now swept across the rolling grassy hills.
Echidna: Gooood luuuuck~~!
And just like that, the white haired Witch of Greed had vanished.
But, materializing in her place, right where she had just been sat at in her tea party chair—
?: —It's about time I get to meet you both!
YN: —?
Sat in a white sundress, with flowers adorning her hair like a modest crown a princess might wear, this young girl now inhabited where Echidna had just been. Immediately striking YN as odd, this person did not carry the same pressure he had expected of the Witch of Gluttony. She was barely even tall enough to be sat this table too, but it was through these initial observations, YN noticed one key abnormality;
—where are those restraints or whatever Echidna warned us about?
Were they already in danger, with her free of them? Or was there something else going on here...
Subaru: H-Huh? A child?
?: 'Huh?' 'A mere child?' You're real rude, mister!
Pointing like a normal child would at such a balking response, YN tried a more direct approach to communicate.
YN: Umm, you wouldn't happen to be a Witch, would you?
?: Hmm?
Turning to him now, YN still followed the advice he was given. Averting his eyes to the table between them, he avoided having eye-to-eye contact.
?: Dona-Dona told you about me?
Asking this, before either could answer, she continued to speak.
?: Hey, you guys are...
With resounding enthusiasm, the girl now pointed directly at Subaru.
?: You're 'Baru! Yeah! 'Baru!
As if deciding that was his new nickname in the same moment as recognizing him, she now pointed a finger back to YN again, to which he flinched in response.
?: Yu! Yu is you!
Doing the same for YN now, he had been dubbed Yu by this little girl.
At least it's a more affectionate name than when Ram would call me NY...
Subaru: Huh? D-Do you know us—?
?: Dona-Dona told me!
'Dona-Dona' must be her name for Echidna...
Subaru: Uhh, I see then... Well, that makes things easier then. *Ahem.*
Regaining his composure, Subaru sat up straight and folded his hands on the table.
Subaru: I— er, We were hoping you could help us out a little bit... See, we're dealing with a problem, —a big problem. One that keeps multiplying. I'll get right to the point though. The Great Hare is—
?: —Say, I've got a question for the two of ya.
Speaking right over Subaru as if not hearing him at all, the little girl's voice was loud and imposing.
YN & Subaru: —?
With the two fully on her terms now in the conversation, it took a sudden, and completely unexpected turn—
?: I've been wantin' to know...
—like the rumble of distant thunderstorm, a great question of judgment was asked of them—
?: —are either of you evil?