A/N: This chapter features art by RelpamaKun on twitter! So if you're an FFnet reader, you'll need to look at WP or AO3 for the art.
Chapter 144: Identity Crisis
Sat in a fancifully ordained, and expansive tea room, YN watched as the many members of this estate and the Emilia Camp flooded in after he had gone ahead into this place at the suggestion of all who had been present for the... discovery of their latest guest.
For now, everyone who had left the Sanctuary was to take up residency in the Miload Mansion temporarily as Roswaal's main estate was readied. With the previous Mansion's destruction in the events following Elsa's defeat there, it was still hard to believe that the place where YN had fatefully met Rem and spent so much time with her in, was gone.
It'll never be a place we can go back and visit... —To reminisce...
The abandonment of the Mansion also meant its gardens too, and the time YN and Rem had spent there in their earliest days of knowing each other.
It was with a heavy heart that YN had looked upon the ashes of the Roswaal Mansion, having to pass it and Arlem on their way out of Sanctuary. Fate, it seemed, wished to rip away everything that reminded him of Rem.
In rare form though, his mind couldn't be troubled, as the reason everyone was beginning to filter into the tea room now for this impromptu meeting was to discuss the one that was currently sitting on his lap, just as Beatrice was on Subaru's just one couch over.
Freely swinging her feet as they dangled off YN's knees, the pink-haired elf, seemingly, his contracted spirit, had a rather carefree and bubbly outlook in her new consciousness and vessel of sorts.
Algol, the lackadaisical white spec of a Yang spirit that YN had secured a contract with had somehow come to be in possession of one of the many Ryuzu clone's bodies, specifically the one in fargone Loops that Subaru had dubbed 'Pico.'
With Rem's pink hair clip still in her bangs, Algol watched the room begin to fill with her wide eyes of cerulean. To YN, this happenstance was still completely unfounded. After all, Algol's sudden introduction was still fresh, happening only earlier this very day.
While the need to depart Sanctuary had been drawing close to reach the Miload Mansion by sunset, the call was made by Roswaal that this business would need to unfortunately be sorted out later, but would be top priority once they had arrived at their destination. It was also at Emilia's advice that Algol should simply ride with YN, alone, in his 'dragonless carriage.' Given how this was uncharted territory for her in terms of knowledge about spirit arts, she suggested this simply so Algol wouldn't get potentially overwhelmed.
Algol: —Aniki.
Looking to the person who's knee she sat on, Algol had chosen this title to refer to YN as in their solitary car ride together. He had tried during that drive to better understand just how Algol had ended up in this situation, but far too much was this pink-haired elf's curiosity about himself and the many other things in this world that were so new for her to answer any of his inquiries. —Even if he could get the word in.
However, since arriving, and with Subaru telling him the discussion regarding Algol would happen simply as soon as everyone could gather in the tea room, YN was able to easily get Algol to understand what was about to happen. Reassuring the small elf that all the people she was going to meet were also going to be her new friends too, she seemed not the least bit worried. In fact, she seemed to understand the need to have a cool-headed demeanor about this.
As YN was simply staring off into space now, as his mind continued to go over half a million things at one time, a small tug was had at his shirt by an even smaller hand, trying to get his attention.
YN: A-Ah, sorry... What's up?
Innocent eyes now looked upon him from his lap as Algol spoke what she wished to say.
Algol: Rem-Nee-sama will be here too—
Reaching up to gently touch the hair clip in her bangs, Algol more quietly concluded her question.
Algol: —right?
Just as concerned about Rem as YN thought he himself was, Algol's soft expression was full of a unique worry, unlike YN's own.
YN: Ram is getting Rem into some different clothes. Even though she's still asleep, Ram wants her to be present for this meeting too.
Nodding to his words, Algol went back to freely kicking her legs as she sat, but after a moment, she spoke back up.
Algol: Is Ram-Nee-sama a nice Nee-sama?
Bluntly asking this, it was at the same time both he and Subaru answered it.
YN: The nicest.
Subaru: The polar opposite.
Looking between the two as if questioning which one was correct, she finally settled on it being YN, given the bias she obviously had to him in her sub-one-day of conscious life.
Subaru: It's easy for you to say that! She's always nice to you because of Rem. Sometimes it's to a point beyond even that and I gotta wonder if you got some sort of blackmail on her...
YN: Oh, I don't wanna hear it. Just as Nee-sama is amicable with me due to my own choices, the same can be days about you and Beatrice-sama there.
Subaru: T-T-That's a completely different thing! T-Tell him, Beako!
Beatrice: Ugh...
Beatrice sighed and pinched the bridge of her brow at this, not wishing to be a part of Subaru and YN's verbal squabble, even if it was very minor. As she did sigh though, Beatrice had given the small pink-haired girl on the next lap over from her a curious side eye for a moment before averting her gaze, pretending like she just hadn't.
Algol saw this, and while it seemed like she wanted to wave "hello" to the drill haired, fellow spirit, like a shy child on their first day at school, Algol opted not to after halfway raising her hand, and instead retreated her face halfway behind the tall jacket collar of hers that all Ryuzu replicants wore of the same white.
She didn't remain bashful like this for long though. Regaining her composure as more people came into the room, the next two were people even YN had not met before.
Short, and with her hair all up in one top-braid of dark blue, was Annerose Miload, the heir to this estate and Noble family. While YN didn't know much about her, he was aware that she was a relative of the Mathers. By her side, walked a personal servant of sorts, a man appearing to be about in his mid-twenties, perhaps around Roswaal's own age. He sported a monocle and hair that was almost the same darker shade of blue as Annerose's.
As they walked by, YN, out of the etiquette training bestowed to him upon Rem and Ram, bowed his head to the owner of the Mansion he now sat in. Being given at least a passing smile by her, it was at this nearby glance that Algol saw someone finally that was around her own height.
Prompting the small elf to give her wave of greeting, Annerose seemed to have taken the friendly gesture well.
Annerose: You must be Algol, correct?
With her mouth hidden behind her tall collar still, Algol nodded to the young noblewoman before her, still somewhat nervous.
Annerose: I'm Annerose Miload, please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your stay here more comfortable, Algol-chan.
?: We should take our seats now. Promptness.
With her servant ushering her along, Annerose returned the wave to Algol, and went to take their spots in this tea room as others now entered in too.
As more people entered, the ambient sound of conversation grew louder. With each new person she saw for the first time, Algol watched them with intense curiosity, only turning her gaze away if they looked at her.
She's pretty shy at first, isn't she?
Every now and again, she would look back to YN with a troubled expression, like maybe she was worried about something, yet when she did, he was able to reassure her that everything was going to be fine with a simple smile.
Most of the seats in the tea room were now occupied, and being the last two to arrive, Frederica and Petra each wheeled in a cart. With a set of cups and a pot of tea on each, the two maids were joined by Ram, who had just wheeled in Rem on a rather primitively functioning wheelchair.
The three maids now worked diligently in passing around cups to everyone present.
Approaching Subaru and Beatrice, Ram offered first a cup and saucer to Beatrice, to which the Great Spirit took it.
Ram: I'm sure Barasu would also like a cup of his own, wouldn't he?
Subaru: Don't worry about me. I'm sure Beako will be willing to share if I get thirsty.
Taking a sip of her own, Beatrice set her own cup back on the saucer and passed it back towards Subaru.
Beatrice: Subaru best not backwash into the tea, I suppose.
It was now that Petra approached Algol and YN. Offering out cup and saucer, it was more towards YN than Algol, but seeing how Subaru and Beatrice had gone about the offering—
Algol: —T-Thank you...
Taking it, thinking this was what she was supposed to do, Petra let the small elf girl receive the tea without any trouble.
Petra: That cup was of tea specifically brewed by Ram-Nee-sama, which I think has already all been poured out... I shall get her to make another for YN-sama so he can have one he can drink too.
Bowing her head as she said this, YN tried to wave off her worry.
YN: Ahh, don't worry about it. I'll be fine.
Looking back up at him with her cyan eyes full of worry nonetheless still, she almost pleaded with him.
Petra: YN-sama... I heard from Frederica-Nee-sama that you skipped breakfast this morning and probably haven't had anything since yesterday or even earlier... It may only be tea, but—
YN: —Really, I'm alright. I'll worry more about it later.
Not really wishing to make Algol think something was wrong, it was clear YN's lack of appetite, stemming still from his loss of Rem, was a continually concerning thing for those that were aware of it.
Petra: YN-sama...
Bowing now, Petra departed to work more at her maidly responsibilities.
Still, it wasn't as if Algol, being YN's contracted spirit, wasn't aware of this issue herself, even in a more vague way as it was.
Turning in his lap, she took the cup from its saucer and offered it up to him. Without a word, her own pleading eyes almost seemed to be begging for him to have some of it, out of the same concern Petra had.
Conceding to this, if only to make things easier for the already nervous elf on his lap, YN put his lips to the offered cup and drank.
At least it's Ram's tea...
Still, anything it seemed not made by Rem was not to his pallet anymore. This, made by Ram, who was extremely good at brewing tea, was at the very least tolerable to YN.
It was in the middle of this sip though that Algol was making him take that the three people who were the most curious about Algol's advent sat directly across from YN, Subaru, and their own respective spirits.
Managing to fit three bodies on a couch only made for perhaps two, just like the couch YN and Subaru occupied, these three had the benefit of not only being family, but also that one of them was exactly the same as Algol, making the cramped seating arrangement nothing out of the norm.
Frederica: Ahh, YN-sama, it's good to see you're having some tea.
Treating it more as if YN was helping himself to the tea, Frederica also gave a small smile to Algol too for her efforts. Taking the cup back into her saucer, it was now that Algol turned back to face these three. Sitting stiffly now, the casual swinging of her legs stopped.
While these three looked upon her not with hostile expressions, Algol definitely felt the pressure of at least curiosity upon them.
But unable to take her own eyes off them, it was entirely understandable as to why she was looking more keenly at one of these three than the other two.
Ryuzu: It's only normal that those eyes, identical to my own, would be so intensely watching me...
Sat directly across from her, Algol looked at someone who was identical to herself. Spare a color shift in wardrobe choice, even their jackets were identical.
Putting a hand to her chest, Ryuzu knelt her own pink haired head towards Algol.
Ryuzu: My name is Ryuzu Bilma. It is a pleasure to meet you, Algol-sama.
Garfiel: Granny...
Clearly wishing to set a precedent here with the chosen honorific to address Algol, who was a spirit, the choice had caught Garfiel off guard, yet he wasn't about to argue with his guardian.
Lifting her head, sat between her two family members, Ryuzu gestured to them both.
Ryuzu: These are two I consider my own grandchildren, —and perhaps could even be considered your family too. They're names are—
Algol: —Garf... And Frederica-Nee-sama.
Frederica: Kya~!
Immediately getting a positive reaction out of Frederica, just as when Petra first called her that, Frederica had an even more dramatic response, turning her head away, blushing, and holding her hands to her face.
Garfiel: Hey, what's gotten into ya?
Frederica: It's too much~... Grandmother calling me 'nee-sama' with such an innocent sounding voice... Too cute.
Garfiel: Uh huh... Seems Petra-chan is gonna have a real rival now.
Looking over to where she sat, the auburn-haired girl did seem somewhat bothered by this, but in her duty to keep her maidly composure, she only lightly fidgeted with her feet.
Garfiel: I will admit too, sorta strange to hear Granny's voice call myself what sis and Ram do, even if she does sound younger when she do.
Understandably, Garfiel and Frederica might be the two here who might have the hardest time accepting this new revelation. While they did have the experience with there already being multiple Ryuzu's to deal with, one that spoke and carried herself with a much more youthful demeanor could almost be said to be 'crossing the uncanny valley' in territory.
Knowing Algol might be getting two very different reactions to her existence, it was thanks to Ryuzu's grandmotherly intuition from raising these two that she could recognize the apprehension in Algol's youthful eyes, outside of the fact she was completely identical to herself.
Ryuzu: Algol-sama, please know that everyone here is just curious. No one is upset or mad at you for any reason.
While there certainly had to be an unexplainable complexity to how Algol felt, she nodded to Ryuzu's reassuring words.
Algol: It's good to meet you too, Nanna.
Referring to Ryuzu now too what Garfiel sometimes chose to call her, she looked all about the room, before returning her gaze up to YN, and then back to Ryuzu.
Algol: Aniki told me as much as he could about everyone here before we arrived. I'm aware I'm intruding by having this form, but I promise it wasn't intentional...
Emilia: You're not intruding at all, Algol-chan.
Shaking her head and speaking as softly and kindly as she could, Emilia really worked her charm with spirits well here. YN could tell by the way Algol sat that she was more at ease from it.
Algol: Emilia-sama...
From behind YN and Subaru now, came a new voice in this conversation.
Otto: I'm sorry, can we pause a second?
Raising his hand and speaking with a genuine concern in his voice, Otto was one of the few people in the room who was not sitting, opting instead to stand behind the couch the two wayward traveling and their spirits used.
Otto: I should say, not everyone here fully understands the properties of spirits and their nature. Even given my own ignorance on the subject, I feel Algol-san, with as little as she has said to us, has mentioned some things we shouldn't just glance over.
Garfiel: I get what ya mean on the first point there Brotto, but whatcha mean about the other part?
Otto: I won't want to make it seem like I'm putting undue pressure on her, but she did just say her occupation of this form wasn't intentional. Can we shed more light onto that?
Emilia: Algol-chan's original Contract with YN was already unintentionally done. To me, I feel she would have only done this unless she had to.
Roswaal: If I may—
Leaned up against the wall near the opposite end of the room as Otto, Roswaal stood straighter.
Roswaal: I do hold my own idea as to how this happened, but I will profess that out of conditions that were entirely my own doing, I created a situation that would have been hostile to Algol via YN.
Squashing most of Otto's suspicion with his own testimony, it was Beatrice now that spoke up.
Beatrice: Betty is nonetheless curious about the details. Especially how they exactly came to be in possession of this form.
Ram: It is as Roswaal-sama said, conditions were created to push this into occurring. YN was absolutely tarnished physically and without mana.
Being the last person to be standing still, Ram stood next to the slumbering Rem in the poorly designed wheelchair.
Beatrice: It is clear what the motivation was, in fact. What Betty is asking is how were they able to take this form? And why exactly this form?
Ram: She sits right next to you, Beatrice-sama. Why not ask her yourself.
As if trying to get Beatrice to stop referring to Algol as a simple object, like there was a social hierarchy of spirits at play here, it surprised YN just how much Ram was willing to defend Algol's honor in this sense.
Subaru: Time out, time out.
Emilia: Yes, please. Can we at least maybe let her explain for herself? Algol-chan has been a member of this Camp for just as long as YN has, we just haven't met her yet.
Looking to the pink-haired elf now, Emilia gestured to her.
Emilia: Why don't we start over, and let her introduce herself.
As Emilia gave Algol the courage she needed, she now hopped off of YN's lap, and took a few short, shuffled places forward.
Her hands at her sides, she took a deep breath, and steeled her nerves.
Algol: While I know many of you only know me as the Yang spirit that Contracted itself to Aniki, before today, I was aware of many of you, but for a lack of physical form like I possess now, any ideas or memories involving you all are blurry. Meeting you all here today is as new for me, as I'm sure it must be for you...
Realizing just how this must be for Algol, it was Subaru, and YN to that same effect now, who could most greatly sympathize with the small girl.
Return By Death was an implementation that could let them be familiar with people prior to a Reset, and could have them meeting these same people for the first time all over again, sometimes giving them a vague familiarity beforehand that no one else could ever really experience or understand.
—Until now, maybe.
Emilia: You... You don't have any memory of anyone here? What about YN?
Figuring with as often as Algol had liked to spontaneously show herself before, Emilia figured she couldn't be completely in the dark as to who everyone really was.
Algol: There are feelings, and emotions mainly that I felt while I had no body... With eyes and ears, I could not see or hear what anyone had to say...
YN: So you really are meeting everyone for the first time, including me, aren't you?
Algol: As cruel as it sounds, yes. But from what I've felt from your emotions, they're very familiar. They reflect who you are as I can see you now.
Turning back to face everyone else, she continued.
Algol: There is one set of words though, that held enough of an emotion to them I did feel like I could hear them...
Pausing for a second, she closed her eyes, and reimagined those words she had heard.
Algol: I'd like to get to know you all, not from where or how I was before, but from now, at this moment, in this form, —
It was now that Algol stole a glance at the sleeping, blue-haired maid that she knew her Contractor held the most sincere feelings for, and smiled softly as she did. After all, she was thankful to her for these words, as she had originally been the one to say them.
Algol: —from zero.
Bowing forward as she said that, somewhat managing to surprise everyone with her request, Algol straightened herself again, and like she had originally done, she held hand above her face, closed one eye, and smiled brightly.
Algol: It is a privilege to meet you all. My name is Algol, desu!
With a renewed energy, the small girl introduced herself.
Emilia: We're all happy to have you here.
To Algol's introduction, Garf tried to mimic the hand gesture she had made.
Garfiel: That was pretty cool lookin', I oughta try something like that.
Trying each hand or with different fingers or angles, Subaru made a half-hearted attempt to get Garfiel to halt this.
Subaru: The last thing we really need in the camp are two chuunibyous feeding each other this sort of stuff.
Garfiel: I think yous just jealous.
Subaru: *Sigh,* I promise I'll show you some sentai poses later if you promise not to copy Algol-san.
Garfiel: Alright, but they better be good Capt'n.
YN: I didn't figure you for a super hero squad fan.
Scratching the back of his head, Subaru felt a tad embarrassed admitting it.
Subaru: Haha yeah... When I was younger, I really loved watching Kamen Ride—
Otto: —Ah Natsuki-san, we're getting off topic.
Subaru: A-Ah! S-Sorry...
At this refocusing on the topic of this gathering, Emilia gently clapped her hands together.
Emilia: I think it's still fair to say there's some curiosity still regarding Algol. Let's start slowly though, okay?
Speaking to the rest of the group and taking everyone else's feelings into account, it was Ram that took the first opportunity to, now that Emilia had said this.
Ram: YN has been rather quiet this entire time. What can he share about his feelings as to why Algol-sama has ended up in the form that she has?
With the spotlight suddenly put on him, it took YN a moment to recompose himself before he could answer.
YN: Well, I do remember Algol being rather curious and friendly with the clones... Especially when Pico came around. As to why, I really have no clue.
Ram: YN means before, when Algol-sama was still a spirit floating about?
YN: Yeah. She'd usually float around them and act all ecstatic to see them. I just didn't think it would eventually lead to this...
Ryuzu: I can't ever remember spirits of any sort ever paying much attention to the replicants, which is strange, for one to all of a sudden be is very unexplainable...
Looking to Ram as she said this, as if supplementing her question with another answer, Ram nodded to the elder. Now turning to Algol herself, Ram poised a follow-up question for her.
Ram: —And as to why you're wearing Rem's hair clip?
Algol: T-This? It was already here when I gained consciousness... I didn't realize it was Rem-Nee-sama's...
Ram: —!
Whilst Algol was looking up at her own bangs, touching the "X" shaped clip of pink, she had failed to see the look she had put on Ram's face with how she had referred to Rem.
Given what she had called YN, Ram truly began to see where it was Algol saw herself. Answering her with a calmer tone, Ram's eyes also softened.
Ram: Is that so?
Content at leaving it at just that, Subaru now spoke up.
Subaru: I did notice Pico coming around once we got back from the Mansion with Rem... And even before she was taken back by YN, I had noticed her taking an interest in Rem before...
Garfiel: Huh? Whens was that? I thought yous both didn't know that stuff till yer Trials.
YN, knowing Subaru wasn't truly lying, figured he must have gotten events and happenings between Loops mixed up more than likely. With Subaru too, unable to answer without an egregious lie to cover up his misremembering, YN backed up his friend.
YN: Subaru knew about the clones from the moment he arrived in the Sanctuary.
Garfiel: Huh?!
Unsure if YN was trying to justify a notion of 'haha we knew from the beginning' sort of strategy, Subaru could only listen, wait, and hope.
YN: He got teleported from the carriage, remember? He immediately ran into one of the clones after he did.
Emilia: That's right, he did.
Ryuzu: The crystal meant for Emilia-sama...
Frederica: To be teleported right in front of one of Grandmother's replicants though... Truly a rare happenstance.
Roswaal: Who's to say that wasn't plaaaaaned?
As cryptic as he ever was, it was now that YN and Subaru both could only figure it was Echidna's doing; she had hoped for that exact chain of events to occur.
Echidna and her Book of Wisdom...
More or less managing to smooth that small hiccup over, it was Otto who again wanted to keep things on track.
Otto: I guess we should just come out and ask it, given I don't think any of us have really heard of spirits occupying bodies before... —Well, until recently with a certain Sin Archbishop that is. Just, how did this occur?
Emilia: Algol-chan already said she wasn't given a choice as to why it happened, and Roswaal too said he was the root cause of these conditions...
Trying to make it so that Otto couldn't just accuse and pressure Algol without any push-back or defense, Emilia made the merchant restructure his question to sound less accusatory. Clearing his throat, he asked again.
Otto: *Ahem* Algol-chan, what caused this to happen? Why did you suddenly take over the body of one of Ryuzu-san's clones?
Algol: All I really recall feeling was a big, sudden burst of mana being used up, it ate up nearly all there was around...
Emilia: I remember feeling that too. It came from where YN, Ram, and Roswaal were...
Algol: It did, and that's why I had to run away from it. It was scary, and it was just like when I met Aniki... The sensation is hard to describe...
?: As if all of a sudden all of the air to breath was gone. Suffocation.
With the monocle'd butler at Annerose's side answering this, Algol nodded enthusiastically to them.
Algol: Exactly, yes. Thank you, ummm..
Clind: Please, refer to me as just Clind. Introduction.
Algol: Clind-nii-san, thank you.
Turning back to Otto with this, it was Garfiel who also answered.
Garfiel: Yous was drownin' and one've Granny's replicants was like something to grab on to...
Getting the logic in his own way, Otto still wanted to critique this choice of Algol's.
Otto: So just like with YN-san, you dived at the nearest person you could for help. If it worked once for you, I can see why you'd try it again.
More or less coming to a consensus on Algol's origin, her fellow spirit spoke up in protest of that.
Beatrice: Except she should have known she wouldn't find another possibility to get help in the same way, I suppose.
With all eyes now on the drill-haired girl, she was not accusatory, rather, her tone and expression seemed to be as if she was trying to coax the true answer out of Algol; one she hadn't said yet.
Beatrice: You already possessed a Contract with YN, meaning you had to seek other methods to get the help you received.
Looking weakly over at Beatrice, Algol didn't wince, but rather met her words with a stiffer resolve.
Algol: What you say is true... I was aware of that, even then. Trying, I did end up doing something different.
Subaru: ...And just what was that?
Subaru manifested everyone else's curiosity of this into his one single question to Algol now.
Algol: After seeing the Earth Spirit, Petelgeuse, take over other vessels, that's what I attempted. I learned it from him.
Everyone who had dealt with the late Sin Archbishop now had their eyes go wide with surprise, and this information struck YN too.
YN: What do you mean you learned it from Petelgeuse?!
Suddenly, the hand gesture she made over her eye made sense. Only Petelgeuse did that.
Subaru: Talk about a helluva role-model...
In just as much disbelief as YN was, Emilia spoke up now, just as concerned as Beatrice had been.
Emilia: Spirits can't just take over bodies though... Subaru, didn't you tell us there was some Witch Cult enchantment that let him do that?
Subaru: Hmm, yeah that's right. There were other things at play to allow Petelgeuse to go from body to body...
YN: Of those things was having even the faintest affinity with spirit arts.
Recalling how close Rem herself had come to being taken over by Petelgeuse in the same way, YN knew that without a shred of doubt.
Ryuzu: The replicants should not have any such affinity...
As Ryuzu looked to a body identical to her own, seeking answers, all they could do was give her a weak expression of equal cluelessness.
Algol: I'm afraid I'm just as unsure how it all worked as well...
Roswaal: If I may—
As things it seemed were reaching a dead end, the Margrave once more stood straight, and spoke.
Roswaal: If the Yang spirit that would go on to become YN's contracted spirit was originally skilled enough to latch onto his Gate either through chance or uncanny ability, it is not a far stretch to think they could do the same regarding a being made entirely of mana.
Ryuzu: Hmmm, Ros-bo may be onto something here...
Ryuzu, with her speculation, now got everyone wanting Roswaal to go on, so he did.
Roswaal: The replicants are the culmination of one of Sensei's greatest breakthroughs; creating artificial Od. As beings entirely made of mana, this very well have been the reason a desperate enough spirit with the right knack for latching onto Gates might have ended up in this situation. The difference in constitution alone could explain the wiiiidely unpredictable result.
To everyone now, it made sense. Algol was a spirit, and she tried copying something that shouldn't have otherwise been possible for her to do, only she tried it on a subject that, because of how rare and dissimilar they were to a normal person, ended up with completely unaccounted for conclusion.
Enough light now had been shed onto just what had led up to this, and why it had occurred. With these two baselines of this meeting now covered, the remaining point to be discussed was—
Otto: —What is to be done now though? I will again admit I am ignorant when it comes to spirits, so I would like to ask Emilia-sama, Beatrice-chan, and even Ryuzu-san or the Margrave if they have any input or ideas. There shouldn't need to be a quarantine period or anything, correct?
Beatrice: She is not some delivery of some exotic fruit to the market from a far off land I suppose, merchant.
Finding even the notion he suggest such a thing utterly foolish, Beatrice was defending Algol where she had just been critical of her not even minutes ago.
Otto: I—! *Sigh...* I even tried protecting myself...
The butt end of the conversation yet again, Otto looked defeated at Beatrice's retort.
Beatrice: If Betty were to entertain your curiosity though, she does not believe there to be any further issue outside feelings offers might harbor for obvious reasons.
Emilia: I agree. As things are right now, even if this is permanent, it shouldn't pose any problems.
Subaru: Oh, hey you're right, Emilia-tan. Is this even a permanent arrangement?
As Emilia and Subaru both looked to Algol for an answer, her timid expression did not provide one, as Roswaal now interjected again.
Roswaal: Now, now, before we assume there's no problem —physically, to anyone, perhaps we should reflect upon the Camp's unity, no?
Saying that directly to the likes of Emilia and Subaru, the two looked at each before realizing what the Margrave meant.
Subaru: True... That's important to consider.
Surprised this suggestion had come from Roswaal of all people, Subaru said this as he looked back over to the family that sat across from him.
Emilia: Given Algol-san's new form is so closely related to you all, how do you feel about this?
Being first to answer, Frederica shook her head.
Frederica: I do not possess any strong feeling about it myself. So long as Grandmother is alive and well, and what she wants is respected, that is what I will be concerned over.
Jointly looking at Ryuzu, she could only close her eyes and shake her head.
Ryuzu: What is done, is done. I will not proclaim ownership over any one replicant. If its fate is that of saving and supporting another life, it has already found and fulfilled a purpose where now the rest of them have not.
Emilia: That's true, with the Sanctuary no longer needing its upkeep, the clones are without a real job to do...
Ryuzu: Besides, I think the person we should really be asking this is our newest addition herself. Now that she has taken this form, does she now seek a relief from it?
Directly speaking to Algol with this question, the small girl looked about bashfully.
Algol: I... I can leave this body, and return to my old form. I tried in the forest before... —Right after I had taken this vessel. But when I do leave it, this body falls completely unconscious, and it can't be woken up... It enters a state much like what Rem-Nee-sama is in...
Ryuzu: Then it should not be frustrated. Keep the body as a vessel of your own.
With her blessing it seemed, Ryuzu relinquished this replicant to Algol. Her eyes going wide with relief, the spirit had to recompose herself for a moment.
Algol: I'm overjoyed there's no issue with it... There are more limits to having a physical form, but being able to talk and interact with you all in a meaningful way, it makes me happy. Before, all my memories were cloudy and fuzzy... It never felt like I truly had a sense of self... But now I do. Feeling by emotions and mana alone is no way go through life after you see just how much more there is to everyone and everything.
Glad to see Algol so happy, Emilia also brought up another important point.
Emilia: Having this form too also helps YN. Now he won't need to try and seek out a crystal to house your form. Lacking that before might have made what you were describing before even worse.
Unwittingly, YN was spared that task it seemed.
Subaru: You've been awful quiet about this. Normally you'd have more of an opinion to share.
Subaru now said this to the one of the three on the couch they had yet to speak up when asked how he felt regarding all this.
Garfiel: Honestly? Even if Sis and Granny were okay with it, I woulda put my foot down n' stopped it. But since it's Ojii-san's own little tyke, I'll trust him. Same goes for if Cap'n was in the same situation.
Even being given the approval of Garfiel, it really did cement that there weren't any qualms from this new arrangement of things. With Algol looking back to YN with a smile that practically glowed with relief and happiness, he returned the smile.
Otto: If that's really everything, I guess we don't have as much to worry about as we all maybe had thought...
Otto wasn't wrong. With how sudden the timing was, and given how it involved the people it did, everyone had a faint worry there might be bigger issues that would stem from it.
Subaru: I think it's a good reflection, really. Emilia-tan's main convictions was to give everyone fair treatment, and I think the camp really proved that is a core tenant of backing her.
Algol: Emilia-sama... Everyone... Thank you.
Again thanking everyone for not immediately jumping to hasty conclusions, Otto now spoke again.
Otto: Well, I guess our biggest problem now is going to be telling Algol-chan and Ryuzu-chan apart.
Ryuzu: Oh. That is going to be an issue...
Emilia: Hmm, that's right.
Looking around in a small panic now that there was indeed an issue with her form, Algol's worried expression prompted Garfiel to reassure her.
Garfiel: We already are gunna need to keep the facade of there only being one Granny up'n bout. If there's two walking around with different names, that'll draw suspicion.
Subaru: Yeah... I guess we forgot about that till now, didn't we? What are we going to do then? I doubt Algol will want to become part of the Ryuzu-Rotation.
Ryuzu: It is not an issue of where she might fit in amongst ourselves, but rather, it is solely that she appears so much like the other replicants.
Frederica: That is true. She speaks and acts in a much more youthful way than Grandmother does. Were it not for the identical looks, this wouldn't be an issue.
With a small impasse beginning to form, Ram now joined back in.
Ram: This is a problem better decided upon now than later. A schedule of sorts may need to be decided upon...
Saying what they all feared might be the awful truth, such a daunting idea was immediately made obsolete.
Annerose: Why not simply give her a makeover? If her outward appearances is the biggest offender to her likeness, why should we not work to change that simply instead?
Emilia: Oh! That sounds like a really good idea!
Being given praise by Emilia, Annerose's small face blushed slightly at the recognition.
Subaru: A change in hair style and an outfit can do wonders. Let's give that a shot.
Annerose: Then allow me to go fetch what I believe maybe a useful tool. In the meantime, Clind, please prepare the powder room down the hall.
As the two stood, Clind bowed to Annerose, and they both left the tea room to retrieve something.
Ram: Ram shall fetch something of her own as well. She shall return momentarily.
With a bow had towards Roswaal, Ram too departed.
Petra: I-I have an idea too! Don't start without me!
With the youngest maid now jumping up from her seat to run out of the room, Frederica had been just slow enough to not be able to stop her.
Frederica: *Sigh...* She knows better than that...
Hands on her hips as she said this, now standing, the maid looked over to where Algol stood too.
Frederica: 'A change in hairstyle' as Subaru-sama said... Algol-sama, if you'd permit me, I think I may be of service too.
Garnering only a nervous nod from her, Frederica smiled while covering her shark-tooth'd mouth.
Frederica: Then please, allow me to begin.
Gesturing to her own seat, formerly, Frederica invited Algol over so she could begin.
Retrieving a comb from her blouse, Frederica went about combing Algol's long pink hair. Gathering the back of it all into one loch, she held it between just her index finger and thumb.
Frederica: Ahh! I always wanted to see what Grandmother's hair would look like when not just combed out when I was younger... She'd never let me though.
Ryuzu: You are aware it's important for myself and the replicants to all be identical... Any changes between us might have clued others in on the reality of the situation.
Needless to say, if each clone had a different fixed hairstyle, it could pose a problem in regards to keeping anyone from finding out about the other clones.
Just as it seemed Frederica was happy with this hairstyle, even if only as a test, she lacked anything to make it permanent with.
Frederica: If only I had a tie...
But as she said this, Petra came running back into the room.
Petra: I got it!
As she hurriedly returned to the tea room, the auburn haired girl waved about a white piece of cloth. Just like she herself wore a tied bandana in her hair, this was a similar article, just not like the red she usually chose to wear.
With the opportunity perfect for it, Petra handed off the cloth to Frederica, who promptly tied it neatly to keep Algol's hair up in a high ponytail.
Subaru: Hey, that's already a pretty big change from just doing that.
Emilia: It's still pretty similar, isn't it?
Garfiel: Yeah. She still looks a lot like Granny with her face.
Otto: Would the excuse that her and Ryuzu-san are siblings, or at least family be a good enough of one?
Frederica: I don't think so... Garf and I would have to fabricate entire backstories for it...
Subaru: I guess we need more of a difference here still. What do you think?
Posing this question to YN, now everyone had their attention back to him. As Algol seemed mildly entertained by the new hair style herself, he thought the same as Subaru.
YN: I don't really know... Maybe if—
Ram: —Allow Ram to decide.
Also now reentering the room, Ram approached the small elf who now had her hair styled differently. Bending her knees to match her height, Ram in rare form spoke softly and with a smile to Algol.
Algol: Ram-Nee-sama...
Ram: Normally there are only two people Ram would allow herself to be called that.
Algol: O-Oh, I see...
Ram: But since you have shown such respect for her, she will allow you to continue to call her that.
Algol: Really?
As the small girl's eyes lit up in surprise, Ram levied her condition.
Ram: Ram will need Rem's hairclip back, however.
Offering out her hand to take it back, Algol at first seemed defensive about it, but slowly undid the clip from her bangs.
Algol: I understand... It did make me happy to have it... There are many happy things associated with it.
Looking down at the pink "X" shaped accessory before handing it off to Ram, this prompted a sudden inquiry to her from Emilia as she heard her say that.
Emilia: Algol-chan, do you remember Rem? Like YN and Subaru do?
Unfortunately, she shook her head to this question.
Algol: I only recall feeling emotions from Aniki's time with her, and the feelings her memory provokes in him.
Looking both to Rem, asleep across the room, and back to YN, she returned her eyes to Emilia.
Algol: He cherishes her greatly, and trusts her immensely. It's from those feelings I too feel like I can.
Holding a hand to her chest, Algol closed her eyes.
Algol: This replicant too seemed like they could feel that. Perhaps they witnessed Aniki carrying or looking after her and were moved.
Well, that explains why Pico might have liked Rem so much...
In a simple way, if Pico had observed this, and later when YN took the Command Authority in those fargone Loops, that gave reason as to why Pico might have become intrigued with Rem.
And I guess Emilia took the Command Authority too, so maybe since she knew how much I loved Rem, that caused Pico to act too in this persisting Loop...
Finally, Algol handed the hairclip off to Ram.
Ram: Since Rem's disappearance, this is unfortunately the last of these color hairclips we possess, so it is rather precious. In exchange though... Frederica—
Standing back up straight, Ram asked for the comb the golden-haired maid still held with her outstretched hand.
Frederica: Here.
Now with the comb and in her own possession, Ram used it to sweep Algol's bangs downward more, covering her eyes.
Algol: Uhh, Ram-Nee-sama...
Ram: Just a moment.
Seemingly about to leave her hair like this, Ram placed Rem's hairclip back into her apron pocket, and from the same pocket, another hairclip emerged.
Also an "X" shape, this one was a cerulean blue, unlike the purple one she herself wore, or the hot-pink Rem would.
Using the comb, Ram aligned Algol's bangs much like Rem's would have been, and placed this blue hairclip into her pink hair to keep one eye visible.
Ram: There. Just like Rem's.
Stepping aside so all could see, the now asymmetric styling did a great deal to differentiate Algol from Ryuzu. While their side-lochs of pink still both remained on them each, the bangs, hairclip, tied bandana, and ponytail made them look a lot different now.
As Algol looked up at the new hairclip, she lightly touched it.
Algol: I'm happy to have a new one from Ram-Nee-sama... Thank you.
With everyone else thinking the visual difference might be enough, it was Otto again who spoke up.
Otto: I think that might be the ticket. Still, them wearing the same thing probably doesn't help either, does it?
As he said this though, it was now that the final departing member of the meeting now returned, her butler at her side.
Clind: The powder-room is ready to receive its occupants. Prepared.
Approaching Algol, Annerose stood before her, and took both her hands into her own.
Algol: —!
Annerose: Algol-chan, I shall open my entire wardrobe to your choice.
Emilia: Oh! That should really help her look different. Can I help pick some out?
Once more putting her hands on her face and turning away, Frederica blushed.
Frederica: Ahh, we never could get Grandmother to play dress-up with us in our youth, I cannot miss out on this either!
Petra: I-I want to come too!
Ryuzu: There shouldn't be any harm in joining for myself either.
Now all swarming around Algol at the perspective of this makeover, Annerose answered them.
Annerose: Anyone is welcome. YN?
Offering for him to come, YN could only wave off the idea.
YN: I don't wanna spoil all your fun. I trust you'll find a good look for her.
Petra: Let's go then!
Taking a hand of Algol's too, both Annerose and Petra brought Algol to her feet whilst Emilia and Frederica began to usher them all to the hallway.
Surrounded by them all, being pushed along, a small panic arose on the small girl's face.
Algol: Aaaahhh! A-Aniki!
Trying to reach out for him, Algol's worried words did still reach YN.
YN: Don't worry, you're in good hands.
Knowing this would be the perfect opportunity for the shy-at-first girl to get more familiar with everyone, YN was prepared to let her be whisked away by the other girls.
Ram: It seems Ram will need to come along too, if only to be an advocate for Algol-sama.
Now also joining the departing cohort, with them all gone, the tea room felt much emptier.
Subaru: You're leaving too, Roswaal? You're not going to stick around for the runway reveal?
Roswaal: I'm certain I will see her new chosen look later on. Right now, unfortunately, I must attend to oooooother matters.
With the Margrave departing, all who remained in the room now were Subaru, Beatrice, Garfiel, Otto, and YN.
Otto: What a strange turn of events...
Garfiel: Yeah... 'Course, Sis is getting what she always wanted when wes was younger, so I'm happy fer her.
Subaru: So, YN. What's it like being a new older brother?
YN: —Hk.
Pretty much saying it like it was now, YN knew from how Algol was talking to and addressing him, that was the conclusion anyone would draw from their relationship.
Otto: But does YN-san treat her like his imouto? I'm one of a few siblings myself...
Subaru: I think he will. Even as a single child myself, every guy wants a younger protege they can show off.
Otto: I don't know about that...
Subaru: Oh don't lie, I know I sorta always wanted a younger brother myself.
YN: Well, Garf is pretty much that, isn't he?
Garfiel: Cap'n is Cap'n.
Not exactly answering that either way, it did spark a topic YN was curious over.
YN: Given we're on the subject of siblings, how did the reunion between you and Frederica go?
Asking this of Garfiel, he downed the rest of his tea, lukewarm as it was, to stall for an answer it seemed.
Garfiel: 'Was alright. We still got some stuff to work out.
Subaru: It had been some time, hadn't it?
Garfiel: Yeah... Sorta awkward 'tween us. She was gone fer so long, so much changed. I'll think of somethin' though.
YN: Maybe ask Ram for some help? She's the one other person in the Camp that has a sibling actually here with us.
Staring down at his empty tea cup, Garfiel seemed to be deep thought before he answered.
Garfiel: It's weird, Ojii-san... My self feels like I shoulda known Ram's got a sis of her own, but my memories tell me otherwise.
Looking over to where Rem rested in her seat, Garfiel shook his head.
Garfiel: Can't picture 'er at all from my younger days. I remember Ram, but not her. Not at all.
YN: That's the Authority of Gluttony's power. It's a sick thing.
With another glance back at Rem, YN sighed.
YN: Even though she's asleep, all the things she was able to tell me about before this happened to her really helped... With you, with the Sanctuary, with Frederica...
Garfiel: Did surprise me how well you and Sis seemed to get along.
YN: It helps when you're the one person who doesn't suspect her of being involved with Roswaal's scheming.
Garfiel: I woulda suspected it too. Being gone for so long, who knows where 'er true feelings woulda lied.
YN shook his head to Garfiel though after saying that.
YN: Rem, in all she ever mentioned about Frederica, never spoke of any reason to distrust her. I trust Rem entirely, and that's why I had to go off that feeling.
Subaru: Ya know, to be fair, part of her getting along so well with you too was that you managed to woo her right after you met.
Confidently taking a sip of his tea as he finished saying that, Subaru made YN nearly bite his own tongue.
YN: —tch!
Without hesitation though, Garfiel replied to that.
Garfiel: Ya know she's not seeing anyone herself.
YN: —hk!
Now actually biting his tongue, YN waved his hands about in front of him.
YN: Woah woah, no no! The only maid I'm with is right over there.
Treating it like this was something Rem herself could hear right now, just in case, YN's panic'd words got Garfiel to lean back in his seat and laugh.
Garfiel: Ahaha! Sorry bout that, Oiji-san. Don't want Rem puttin' ya in the ground dragon stable once she wakes up.
Sat forward again, Garfiel looked between Otto and Subaru.
Garfiel: Gotta ask though, how'd he manage to do that?
Getting only a shrug from Otto, Subaru could only look to YN and say "Tell em." Forced to be honest, YN sighed.
YN: I inadvertently complimented her teeth since they reminded me of Rem's a little bit... I was uhh, having a moment when Frederica asked me about Rem and she covered her own smile.
Scratching his own cheek as he confessed this, Garfiel leaned back again and folded his arms, thoroughly amused.
Garfiel: And ya like her teeth?! Sis really got unlucky by yous fallin' for Ram's younger sister.
YN: D-Don't say it that way!
Looking back over to Rem, Garfiel turned to face them all again after he did.
Garfiel: She must got little fangs like Ram too, that explains it, huh? Most folks think Sis is scary from the moment they see 'er. Usually it's the height or the teeth. But if yer used to Oni, it's no wonder ya didn't get scared off.
Leaning in more forward, Garfiel almost whispered.
Garfiel: I hear Oni that got their horns can sorta transform. —Not like my amazin' self, but they turn sorta frightening lookin'. Ram's done it when she fought me. Kicked my arse when she did too.
Subaru: Oh we're aware, especially YN, aren't ya?
Clueing Garfiel into this too, YN spoke now.
YN: Rem has her horn, unlike Ram. Ram actually lost her horn protecting Rem, that's why she doesn't have one.
Getting Garfiel's emerald eyes to go wide at that, he sat back in his seat again, only going "No way..." as he did.
YN: With her horn, Rem can really multiply her strength... Sometimes she gets so deep into it she can't hear reason. It scared the crap out of anyone who has ever seen it, yet when I think back, remembering that form—
Picturing Rem with the horn atop her head, glowing, it oddly brought YN comfort. Even as her fangs were bared, her nails ready to rip and tear, and that beastly look of chaos in eyes, none of that frightened YN anymore.
So many times, Rem had become this way to protect or avenge him. Despite the times she'd waged this form against YN, either out of stunned confusion, or suspected malice, the times she'd put herself this way for his sake outnumbered those other times.
The idea of Rem swooping in for his sake as she commanded this power admittedly made his heart flutter.
YN: —I grew to actually like it.
Holding a hand to his chest, he looked over to the slumbering girl.
YN: I love that about her. —I love everything about her, even with all the stuff we've been through. I'd relive it over and over again if I could.
Stunning Garfiel silent with such a display, and leaving Subaru quiet with the subject of "reliving" things being mentioned, it was only Otto who spoke up.
Otto: You say that like she's tried killing you before or something...
Before such a topic could be dwelled upon though, a voice called in from the open doorway to where everyone had departed to.
Emilia: We're back!
With Emilia, Ram, Frederica, Annerose, Petra, Ryuzu, and Clind all filing back into the room, they all ended up standing in front of the one who had gotten them all to leave, blocking her initial view.
Frederica: Algol-sama is adorable like this! I wish I could have done this years ago with Grandmother.
Ryuzu: *Sigh* To think this fate could have awaited me had I ever given into your pleas to play dress up...
Ram: Algol-sama's appearance should be sufficiently different now, correct?
Ryuzu: I believe so.
Annerose: The change in wardrobe definitely helps.
Clind: They still boast a sense of resemblance. It is not too dissimilar. Familiarity.
With so many boasting over Algol's new appearance, none who had stayed behind could even see it yet still with so many people overshadowing her height still. Being the only one to realize this though, this person grabbed Algol by the hand gently.
Petra: Algol-sama! Let's show YN-sama!
With the only part of Algol's voice being heard was a brief "Uah!" before coming into view, the person who was ushered before YN did strike a resemblance to Ryuzu, but it was just as Ram and Annerose said, the difference was enough now.
Algol: A-Aniki!
As if worried that something would be wrong with this look, Algol slightly slumped her posture as she stuck her hands into the pockets of the new jacket she wore.
While her hair remained styled as it was upon her departure, her outfit had entirely changed.
Gone was the long, white, full-body length trench coat with its high collar. With that having been the only thing the replicants wore, an entirely new outfit was fitted for her.
While she still had a coat, it was open, and only half the length it was before. It still spotted a high collar, and was white primarily in color, but with it being open now, it added a new dynamic to her appearance. The jacket admittedly reminded YN of the kind Julius or Reinhard would wear, just with a few blue accents, and rather than cuffs, at the wrists it had exposed openings that showed she had a long sleeved black base shirt under everything.
Directly under her jacket, was a long white dress shirt of sorts that covered that base shirt of black. Across her waist with a black belt and silver buckle, it made this long, fancy, white, buttoned shirt almost act like a tunic or dress almost.
Rather than that trench coat acting like a dress, she now had a pair of black trousers, again reminding YN vaguely of the white ones worn by the Lugunican knights.
And now, rather than running around barefoot, Algol had been given a pair of black knee-height boots with blue lacing.
To say the least, she looked like a genuinely different person than Ryuzu now, and that was apparent as she now approached her again.
Ryuzu: With everyone else contributing, I feel it's only fair I do too.
Out from her own coat pocket, Ryuzu removed a small necklace on a black string. Adorned on it, was a roughly cut, fragment of a crystal.
Ryuzu: This is a shard of the larger crystal that housed our progenitor. It was through her sacrifice that the Sanctuary was able to be our birth place. Please, have this as a way to remember your origin.
Graciously, Algol accepted the gem into her hands. Putting the string over her head, she pulled her ponytail out from behind the string to let it fall upon her neck.
Now completing what was surely her new appearance, YN, with that, turned to Ryuzu herself now.
YN: Ryuzu-san, you really do think Algol appears unlike you enough now?
Ryuzu: Even if I were to not think that, I don't think I could bear to tell this child to change more. She does very much enjoy this new look.
Getting Algol to bush up, she turned her haze vaguely away from everyone.
Algol: I-I just said I sorta liked it...
Emilia: You should have seen her eyes light up when she looked in the mirror.
With Emilia sabotaging Algol's excuse, the short elf girl could only further stick her hands in her coat pockets and look back to YN.
Algol: W-Well? As my Contractor, you do have the final say I guess...
Smiling at the girl, YN nodded.
YN: If it makes you happy, that's what I care about. I think it looks good.
It was now that a sigh of relief came across Algol's face.
Petra: You see! I told you YN-sama would say something like that!
Reassuring Algol with that, it was now that Petra's attention was taken to another maid at the doorway to the tearoom.
Petra: Oh?
A servant belonging to Miload Mansion bowed while she was finally noticed.
Maid: Please forgive the intrusion, but it has begun to drizzle outside. If our guests would like to avoid their belongings getting wet, I would suggest they are brought in with haste.
With no one wanting what little remaining possessions they had still out in the ground dragon carriages to get drenched from the rain, the room's occupants quickly dispersed at this warning. With Clind, Ram, Petra, and Frederica all duty bound to prevent this, they were some of the first out.
Ram: Garf, Ram is still fatigued. Carry the heavy things expected of her.
Garfiel: —Tch, fine fine.
Getting Garfiel to come along too, he also grabbed Otto.
Otto: Uah-huh?
Garfiel: C'mon Brotto, yous got yer fair share of stuff to bring in too.
At this too, Beatrice finally scooted herself off Subaru's lap, and pressed her dress flat.
Beatrice: Betty is off to this manor's study to pursue its literature. Would Subaru like to join her, in fact?
Subaru: Go on ahead, I'll come find you in a bit.
Beatrice: Very well.
With Beatrice even leaving now too, this left Subaru, YN, Algol, and the Sleeping Beauty, Rem alone in the tea room now.
Entirely quiet, the air in the room felt stiff and still. But to YN's unaware self, Subaru, since the moment Algol had first spoken, had a genuinely burning question he felt he needed answered right away, and now with everyone else that could hear him gone, he went about quenching it.
Subaru: Soooo... Algol-san.
Algol: Hmm?
Turning to the black-haired boy, she acknowledged him.
Subaru: You and YN here have been together for quite a while, so it must be nice to actually be able to speak to one another, right?
Looking up to YN before she answered this, Algol nodded with a genuine keenness to her expression.
Subaru: I am curious about something though... Earlier when you said all you could recall were feelings and emotions, you really don't remember much else? Even though you might have been there for some of YN's more private conversions?
With a weak look, the pink-haired elf shook her head.
Algol: Anything I directly heard only ever stands out if it had a powerful emotion tied into it. Even most major events I saw are blurry, and I try not to remember scary things. Aniki's memories, are warm though.
A sudden look up at him, Algol now spoke to YN.
Algol: —Until recently, that is.
More than certainly referring to his mental downward spiral from the loss of Rem, YN felt a shiver of guilt run down his spine at her saying that.
I had no clue Algol to could feel all that too...
As she said this though, Subaru turned his gaze back up to YN.
Subaru: Seems my worry was about nothing. I'm going to go catch up with Beako.
YN and Subaru exchanged a knowing glance before the former departed. His angle here had been to inquire if Algol was privy to Return By Death, given she as a spirit had been "around" for conversations regarding it. Now clearly seeing that wasn't the case though, Subaru sought to not rock the boat, and chose to leave things at that.
Now with only spirit and contractor left in the tea room, Algol left YN's side, and wandered over to where Rem slept in her wheelchair.
Algol: Rem-Nee-sama...
Much like how Pico would just stand and stare at the peacefully sleeping girl, Algol did this as well. With YN moving to join her, the two looked upon Rem together.
After a moment though, Algol spoke again.
Algol: I felt Aniki begin to feel about her again, while I was in the dressing room.
YN: Is that so?
Getting a better insight into just how much Algol still could feel from his own emotions, given they were still contracted to each other, YN realized he had indeed become a bit emotional over Rem.
If Algol feels warmth from my memories and times with Rem, and can feel it too just from when I talk about her...
YN began to fear just how adversely it might affect his companion when he would begin to sorely long Rem.
Late at night when I can't sleep because I miss Rem... Is that going to put a burden on Algol? It won't hurt her, will it?
Unsure if even his own negative emotions might cause harm to Algol, YN swallowed hard. He feared too, that right now, his growing unease might have the same ill effect on Algol. Despite that worry though, she spoke up, which caused YN's thoughts to shift to what she said now.
Algol: She's pretty... I can see why you love her so much.
Saying these things about Rem, Algol spoke in a way that seemed to indicate she too could feel the same way YN did when he looked at Rem.
YN: That's not the only reason I love her. There's many, many more.
Silent for a moment, Algol responded by gently moving a stray piece of Rem's hair out from in front of her closed eye.
Algol: I'd really like to meet her one day. It would be good to be friends with someone who loves Aniki so much.
YN: You will one day, I promise.
Somberly, he said this, but hope was still under his breath.
YN: Ram might be busy for a while, so let's do her a favor and get Rem up to where she's staying.
Fully aware there was absolutely zero wheelchair accessibility, YN knew Rem would need to be carried up the stairs to her temporary room.
Getting behind her chair, YN awkwardly pushed the chair as he was too familiar with how easily one's from his old world functioned compared to this one. In motion though, Algol went ahead of them, and held the tea-room's door open for them both. But as they exited into the foyer area—
?: —Kya!
Algol: —O-Oh!
Stopped in their tracks by someone YN couldn't see yet as he exited the room, once he was in the hallway, he easily recognized who this was before Algol herself named them.
Algol: B-Beatrice-senpai...
Almost colliding with her, the two spirits now faced each other.
Beatrice: Betty would prefer if you would learn to look before running around a blind corner. Such reckless behavior, in fact.
Algol: I-I a-apologize, Beatrice-senpai...
Beatrice: Just what is with this honorific, I suppose? Betty does not remember why she would be referred to this way.
Having already chosen this, Algol obviously had a reason, but to be forced to say something about it aloud...
Algol: B-Beatrice-senp— Y-You are much stronger and long-lived than myself as a Great Spirit, so I only figured I was showing respect...
Algol, more than before, had lost her more bombastic way of speaking, and was now fully bashful when addressing Beatrice.
Beatrice: A-At the very least you know to give it.
In reply to her though, Beatrice had a hint of red paint her cheeks as she spoke, choosing to look away from Algol.
If I didn't know any better... It sounds like Beatrice is going all tsun' like she did when Subaru was teasing her before they took on the Great Hare.
It wasn't a normal, or even an overly cold reaction Beatrice now gave to Algol.
It's nothing like the venom she used to spit at me...
Algol: Umm, in that case, Senpai...
Her fingers poking together as she spoke up again, Beatrice only replied with a single "Hmm?"
Algol: Would enough respect earn me the right to... maybe... become your friend?
Beatrice: —Kya?!
Catching the drill-haired girl off guard, seeing this exchange reminded YN of something Ryuzu herself had told him.
Beatrice and the original Ryuzu Meyer used to be good friends... I wonder if this is part of that? Either Beatrice sees the familiarity, or Algol inherited some kind of latent desire trapped inside the clones...
Beatrice: To think Betty is being asked this all of a sudden when all she wished to do was go and read in the study...
YN: Ya know, from where you're coming from is the opposite way to the study, right?
Beatrice: —hk!
Truthfully, YN didn't know that, he was merely bluffing while hoping for a reaction like this.
Algol: I-I can lead Beatrice-senpai to it, if she'd like! W-We passed it on the way to the dressing room…
With that fortunate happenstance for Algol, she was able to coerce Beatrice now.
Beatrice: *Sigh* Very well, I suppose. In exchange, Betty would welcome a reading partner.
In a continued tsundere way, Beatrice even accepted Algol's want for companionship, in a sense.
Algol: Really? Thank you!
Overjoyed it seemed, Algol's happy expression ended as she put a hand over her mouth, causing her tone to lower too.
Algol: —Only it's just... I... I'm afraid I don't know how to read...
Professing her illiteracy, Beatrice's eyes seemed to open wide to this fact. While it was unknown to YN and Algol, right now, this pink-haired spirit before her ever so greatly reminded her exactly of her visual origin.
Beatrice: How disgraceful, for a Contractor to leave his spirit at such a disadvantage in the world. It seems it is up to Betty to remedy this since even Algol's Contractor is almost as illiterate.
Algol: B-Beatrice-senpai would do that for me?!
Almost unable to contain herself, Algol looked back up to YN now, as if asking for final approval. A hand to her head, he gently patted it.
YN: You should take her up on the offer. It's a good skill to have, reading. Besides, one can't scoff at the offer to be taught by Beatrice-sama herself.
Beatrice: Is that sarcasm Betty hears, in fact?
Giving YN a side-eye glare with her butterfly irises, he waved his hands in defense.
YN: Never, never!
Beatrice: Hmph. Now then, come along and show Betty where this manor's study awaits.
Starting down the hall in the opposite way the two spirits were heading, YN pushed Rem along to the end of that hall till he reached the corner. As he rounded the corner though—
Roswaal: YN-kun.
Halfway startling YN, the Margrave himself was posted up just around the corner, leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed.
YN: Oh, Roswaal.
Straightening his posture, he glanced around the corner back down to where YN had come from to see the two bodied spirits just now rounding their own corner in the farther away hallway.
Roswaal: May we speak while you head to your destination?
Not really in a position to deny his employer that, YN obliged him a nod as he pushed Rem's chair forward once more, the wheels of it disliking the plushness of this carpet.
Roswaal: Tis about a request I have to ask of you.
YN: A request of me? I didn't think I could have the power to tell you 'no,' even after the uhhh... punching.
Roswaal: Hmm, well, regardless, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to hear me oooout.
Stopping before YN, he halfway expected the Margrave to be scheming something yet again, but to his surprise—
YN: —?
The Margrave, in a rare way YN had never seen before, wore a somber expression, as if troubled by something.
Roswaal: It may be much to ask for so soon, but would YN-kun be open to allowing Beatrice-sama and Algol-chan to spend time together at their leisure?
Utterly lost on why Roswaal would be asking this of him, the one in clown makeup cast his gaze downward.
Roswaal: Tis a strange request I realize, however, recent developments have caused me to have a change in perspective. After so many centuries of pain bestowed upon her, I truly only wish to see Beatrice-sama happy for a change...
Roswaal too had to be aware that Beatrice and the original Ryuzer Meyer were at one point friends, so to him, just as YN had thought too, this burgeoning companionship between the two spirits seemed poetic.
Not one to thwart that or be difficult, YN smiled as he shook his head to the frowning clown.
YN: I don't see a reason to not be okay with it. Algol needs friends too, just like Beatrice does. Those two can't be joined at my or Subaru's hips all the time.
Giving YN a continuously somber expression, but now with a smile to it too, Roswaal nodded to his agreement.
Roswaal: It is reassuring you think this way as well.
Returning to their walk down the hall, the moment they ended up in the foyer, Roswaal turned to YN, thanked him again, and went about to somewhere else on the ground floor through one of the other hallways that connected into this entry way.
Now alone with Rem, YN looked down to the sleeping girl that held his heart.
YN: Alright Rem, let's get you to your room, okay?
Wheeling her chair to the grand staircase of the manor that reached up to the second floor, YN found that the chair's design was so primitive, it couldn't even be assisted adequately to roll up the steps due to its large rear wheels, constructed much like how a ground dragon's carriage wheels might be.
YN: What an awful design... It can't turn, it doesn't want to be pushed, you can't pull it up stairs, and I'm surprised with as much as this thing shakes as it rolls, Rem hasn't woken up yet...
Seeing too just how rigid her posture was, and that her elbows were a tinge of red from the hardness of the "arm-rests," YN had enough of this.
YN: I'm not keeping you in that thing any longer.
Lifting from her seat, YN opted to carry the one he loved to her room.
YN: Once things settle down... I'm getting Rem a better mobility solution.
YN didn't care what it would cost or take, his beloved would only have the best built, modernized wheelchair in the whole of this Kingdom, if not the world if he had his way about it.
YN (whisper): Nothing but the best for you, Rem.
Saying this under his breath to the girl he preciously held in his arms, YN began the walk up the stairs to find her temporary room, keen on doing all he could for her.