"Do I... Ring your bell?"

          “ What was your first clue? Was I being too noisy with my hands? “

   She coo’d as she let her golden eyes now show from the darkness. Nothing else 

   would she give him – Aside from the sound of her voice.

 So I was right...

 Seeing only her eyes was unnerving, but her voice and words were that of flirtatious coo. As much of a casanova as he was, Ringabel wasn’t unaware of his instincts setting off alarms.

 “I’d heard nothing madame, but as a seasoned soldier and man who’s viewed horrors I wish to never see again I have a knack for understanding when danger is afoot.” He explained. “Even though sometimes it’s not me who’s directly in danger. I must ask, to what do I owe a visit from a pair of beautiful and deadly eyes?”

 “I get the sneaking suspicion that I’m not alone tonight.”

 He whispered to himself. The feeling he was getting was quickly jotted down in his journal for the day. Something was amiss, but writing further would only distract Ringabel if there was trouble. So he called it there and looked about his camp.

—≪👗≫”M-Me? Really? Sure… I don’t mind. If you pass, I can work it out to where you can display in my shop and earn an extra percentage on creations you sell. Would that be fair?”

     She set aside the bolts of fabric she had been carrying moving closer to him. Oh gods, he was too charming.

 “I’m really perfectly fine on funds.” Ringabel assured with a dismissive wave. “I am perfectly fine working here without wages. Your smile would be payment enough.” He added. “As rude as it is, do you mind if I take your measurements... I am so sorry! I’ve already been fairly rude as it is. I never even asked your name.” The blond now apologized while retrieving a rubber measuring tape from his bag. “My name is Ringabel, may I have yours beautiful maiden?” He introduced while giving a bow.

—≪👗≫ “Oh, um… I wasn’t really looking to hire, but um… The wages might not be much at first… I’m just a small shop right now.”

     She looked around, trying to hide her blush. Oh… He was very handsome indeed. If he really was good with fabrics, it wouldn’t hurt to have him around to help charm more customers into coming. Plus, ah… It’d help to relieve the loneliness on slow business days.

 “I don’t mind low wages my dear, I’d even be happy working for free if it meant working alongside you every day!” Ringabel assured. “If you’d like, perhaps I could give you a demonstration of my handiwork. To ease any doubts, I’d hate for you to worry.”

 He had an idea in mind too. He’d make a wedding dress. However he’d need a model to base it around and thus the poor elf in front of him would be his lucky volunteer.

@journalofmaidens

—≪💐≫”Hey! I had my eyes on her first!”

 “Well my friend I’m sorry to say, but I know for a fact I can make her happier than you.”

@journalofmaidens

—≪👗≫ “Hello, may I help you?”

 “Greetings!” Ringabel greeted with a big smile. “I couldn’t help but notice your shop and it got me very curious. Are you perhaps hiring? I know how to work with many different kinds of fabrics as I had a great teacher to show me the ropes.” The blond explained.

≪☼≫ “You think so? Well, I’d say you’re biased, but unfortunately I know I’m packing good looks. It’s part of why I hit so hard.”

     She looked at him, her eyes were now more of their normal color now. She was feeling better… A lot better. 

      “Might need to use you as a test dummy.”

It felt nice for him to hear her make such a confident remark. Yang hadn’t made a single in the time that he’d spoken to her until now. She seemed to be getting back on her feet, something that only served to make Ringabel smile more. Her comment of needing him as a test dummy served as a reminder that he had his new Asterisk to show her and test out. After all it was the special job class that had been made for him to blend in and live out his life here.

≪☼≫ “Okay… I understand what you’re saying…. It makes sense…”

      Eyes stayed ever focused on the arm. Could she do it? Could she put it on? He was here and encouraging her to at least try. What was the worst that could happen? She could remove it if things went wrong, right?

      Taking a deep breath, she reached out, grabbing the arm and connecting it to the cuff on her arm. It clicked into place easily and a small hum was heard from the wires coming to life.

     “This feels weird…”

     She commented after a moment of flexing and moving it around. At first the movements were slow and halted, as she tried to figure out how to make it obey her command… Then it became fluid.

     “I suppose it’s not too bad…”    

    “See? It wasn’t made to limit your potential.” Ringabel answered with a smile. “Like I said, it was made to help you. There’s nothing wrong with needing a little help every now and then.”

 He was proud to see her take these first steps, and happy to have been able to help Yang in doing so. All she needed was the right push and it seemed Ringabel had found the way to do it. He’d also be lying if he said it didn’t add to her appeal, a compliment he didn’t plan to miss.

≪☼≫ “Yep… Designed for me as soon as Ironwood got back to Atlas. Apparently I fought well… And he wanted to reward me for it. I’ve gotten told a lot of people want to see me  back out there. It’s just… This is the normal me now and it’s hard to grasp… Something fake. If that makes sense.”

      She swallowed hard once more… She hadn’t realized just how difficult this discussion was.

     “In a way… I’m scared…. But I don’t know why I’m afraid of it. I don’t have many expectations for it… I know it will feel nothing like it was. At the same time… Part of me wonders if it will bring anything back for me… I’ve come so close to trying it… Hell I even am wearing the attaching cuff link for it… Yet I haven’t gone the full mile.”

Ringabel sat thinking about his next reply very carefully. Her words had merit and he understood her reasons very clearly. He didn’t want to trample on Yang’s feelings with whatever words he said and thus even made an effort to apologize for what he was about to say.

@journalofmaidens

≪❉≫ “I wouldn’t step any closer if I were you.”

≪☼≫”You really think so? Th-Thanks…”

     She hugged him tightly with her one arm, eyes slowly closing, concentrating just on his heartbeat… It was soothing. In fact… It brought her body to realize just how tired she was. When was the last time she had a peaceful sleep?

    “So… When are you going to bring it up? I know you’ve seen it.”

     She let out a sigh, as Zwei jumped up beside them, nestling up against them. At least the corgi seemed to like him.

 “I was waiting until the more important things were out of the way.” He answered softly. “I admit I’m curious as to what you plan to do with the arm. It’s a replacement right?” Ringabel asked.

≪☼≫”Honestly? Just… Just stay with me. That’s all I ask.”

     She paused, another thought coming into mind. She swallowed, trying to get up the courage.

      “And help me… Like… Get over what’s happened. It’s been really hard to deal with… I don’t even know what to do half the time. I… Keep having nightmares and flashbacks… It’s been awful. I’m not the girl you met that day in the club.”

      It felt horrible to say, but it was true. She felt like a major part of herself died that day… 

 Ringabel adjusted himself after hearing her request. He moved in a way that allowed him to hug Yang close to him, her head against his chest and near his heart. He held her in that embrace so she could hear the calm rhythm.

 “I won’t be leaving again Yang. I promise you that.” Ringabel swore. “I’ve been a soldier, a secret agent, a student and master, a friend, a brother, a lover and most importantly a man who once had amnesia and forgot all of these things. To have those sort of memories ripped from you after having gotten over the pain from them only to have to face them a second time was hell to say the least. I will do everything I can to help you so never stop fighting to move forward.” 

 It was painful to hear she had been suffering in such a way, but there was one thing she was wrong about in his mind.

And this is why pausing at the right time gets you the best screenshots in all shows. I call this one of two names;

 “Mmm girl you looking good.”

and

“Get on losers, we’re going shopping!”

Alternatively; “No you fools! THIS is how one does the hula!”

EDIT: I thought of two more;

≪☼≫ “You know, if anyone else tried to tell me a story like that, I wouldn’t believe them… Yet I know you’re telling the truth. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be… It makes sense with what I’ve seen of you… Even if it’s a little bit confusing.”

     Other worlds huh? Ruby would have a hay day with that knowledge.

     “You’ve described yourself as a Casanova before… Yet… If you’re staying here with me, wouldn’t that mean you’re not? I thought they made lovers and left them.”

 “I’d say I’m a Casanova in spirit. Like anyone else I’m always looking for the woman who would be the queen of my heart.” Ringabel replied. “I honestly think I found her so there’s no longer a need to play the lovesick fool anymore.” He added. “It’s time for me to more seriously pursue the woman I’ve truly fallen for and thus I made my way back to you. I even cut the flirting when I left Remnant.”

 The arm on the coffee table once more drew Ringabel’s attention, but he wasn’t ready to ask the question he had regarding that. There was still more to discuss.

≪☼≫”Hey as long as you’re sincere… I don’t see why we can’t make things right. It’ll just take some time… Especially since I’m still trying to figure myself out.” 

    She shifted a bit so she could comfortably lean against him, thankful for something someone at least calming to her.

     “So… This job… How do you disappear? It’s like you weren’t even here… Don’t tell me that joke you made about hopping worlds is true. That gadget you use to change… What did you call it? Jobs? Classes? Is that magic? I’ve never really felt the need to press you on it until now… I just want to understand, that’s all.”

 “I would disappear through portals made by my employer. Since dropping their name breaks a few rules we’ll call them the DB.” Ringabel answered. “As for my bracelet and the job classes that is indeed magic from my home. So yes, I was honest with you when I said I traveled through worlds and Dimensions.” He explained. “The magic in each stone is specific to a single job class. More links, and thus jobs, have been added since we last met.”

 Ringabel paused to let her digest everything he had just told her. It was a lot of information to take in and it would possibly take longer than this conversation to understand it all.

≪☼≫ “What was that you said about us once? We were a run away locomotive?”

     A wink was tossed his way as she lead him to the house, letting him move to open it, trying not to let it bite at her pride. Inside, on the coffee table, was the arm, Yang having yet been staring it down once more.

     “Make yourself at home.”

     Zwei came up and bounced around at their feet, wagging his stubby tail.

 “Indeed I did.” Ringabel answered with a laugh. “A runaway locomotive that punched through walls and made its own tracks.” He added further.

 The way he saw it there was two choices; break away or keep close. He opted to keep close and instead brought her to sit with him on the sofa. When he got the chance though Ringabel gave Zwei affection as well. It was during this time he also noticed the arm on the table, but now wasn’t the time to press it.

≪☼≫”You quit…? For me? Really? I… I don’t know what to say…”

      She wasn’t going to apologize for punching him, because to be honest she wasn’t sorry in the least. She shifted her hand from behind his neck to rest gently on his shoulder. She sighed heavily… This was all a mess. To be honest, she was probably just taking out some of the anger with herself out on him.

     “How about we go in and have a nice long talk? Luckily, for you, Dad’s in town so you don’t have to have that awkward conversation yet. I think… We need to talk though. Be as honest as we can.”

     A pat, before she dropped the hand to one of his, squeezing lightly. She had dated several other people, but none had stuck to her quite like the man in front of her. He was… quirky and stupid… Mysterious. At the same time though, he was compassionate and caring… He could deal with her. Her anger her stress, her ego… He didn’t care. He still wanted to be with her, even after she out right punched him without him being in one of his special forms.

      Maybe she had a keeper after all.

 “I did. I’d dare say I gave up everything to come back, and with a welcoming punch and kiss like that I’d be happy to do it all over again.” Ringabel stated with a chuckle. “I’d love to come in though. I’ve returned with not only new tools under my belt, but a very special one made just to blend better into your world and make a life for myself here. And you’re right, it would be best if we finally talked.”