Constellation

"Of course! Reading is a wonderful pastime when alone, but I prefer playing games with someone to it."

Her gaze shifted from Haru to their vibrating phone and fell silent, assuming it might be something important. And indeed, it had been. As if on cue, her phone also went off, vibrating continuously, and made her jump in her seat.

When she picked it up and looked at the screen, she saw a string of texts from her manager. Almost all of them were scolding her.

"Ahaha... I guess both our managers are prone to overworrying, huh?" She laughed a little, but immediately started trying to finish her drink quickly. She had no desire to get Haru in trouble with Hans and wasn't about to cause trouble...

Though Haru's pout told her they might not be ready to return just yet.

"...Wh-What if we make a stop somewhere before going back? Like, um, maybe we can pick up some nice sweets for Hans-san?"

Usually Haru would just ignore the call in case they really wanted to stay out, but the kitsune wasn't entirely selfish. They weren't alone here, Hikari was with them.

Their own snacks and drinks were finished by now, the idol consuming way too fast.

"A small stop to buy snacks...?" Yes, Haru did completely overlooked the part where it was supposed to be for their manager.

"Now that you mention it, I think I remember a donut shop not far. We should go there."

And then go back, right ? RIGHT ??? Would Hans if he heard his protegee.

That was simple how some people were, Daedra reminded herself. The fact-checkers and the dreamers...

"If you mean gold and riches, then no," she offered truthfully, her smile never waning in the slightest. "'Treasure' can be a bit of a subjective term, depending who you ask. However, I find it's always been the same no matter what your definition of it is. Anything worth finding will always take a bit of effort~ Afterall, it wouldn't be a 'grand expedition' if you found what you wanted in the very first room!"

Though, a lot of people would have preferred that, if Daedra were truly honest. She had to wonder if Niel felt that way, namely in terms of finding his special glowing bugs. The redhead had to imagine so, as this was more a 'special task' than a proper treasure hunt. Especially as they began their search with very little promise.

Daedra initially thought to bring out her own Pokemon, but found the inner tunnels were strangely just as sandy. And surprisingly more cramped than she remembered but.... well, last time she'd visited she had been even smaller. So, the redhead withheld her 'ace' in hopes that maybe their search would prove successful on their own terms.

Her and Niel did find something--- something very rollie and coiled but hardly what would be considered a small bug.

"Oh wow!! An onix," Daedra mused, clear excitement in her voice. Her voice remain quite low regardless, ever mindful of being in the cramped tunnels.

"It must have come inside to get out of the sun; it's pretty cool in here," she remarked but not directly in response to Niel's question. "They're pretty rare for this region. I wonder if maybe it lost it's trainer... or was a abandoned."

A very sad thought. However, while not the most dangerous Pokemon, Onix could be very territorial, and they were sizable. If they thought Pendra would be a problem in the castle, the Onix was worse. There was a chance it would move if they asked it but...

Daedra turned slightly and pulled one of the tiny white balls from her waist belt. Once in her fingers, she tapped the button in the middle, prompting the ball to grow to fill her palm proper.

"I think this might be better handled by Lulu," she said, before gently tossing the ball before her. With a single bounce on the stone floor, the pokeball burst open with a bright light as something came out.

The light took shape to a bipedal form, complete with ears, paws and a blue furred tailed. Once out, the canine-like Pokemon gave her head a little shake, prompting all the jewelry and accessories adorning her features to jangle pleasantly.

But it appeared to be a common thing in Daedra’s reasoning, from what Niel understood. She was still a reliable ally, and her will to help was something precious. She was a generous and kind person, something the android knew could be quite rare.

“It would be more practical if it was, though.” He still pointed out, just stating facts.

While her comrade sounded excited to the sight of the big pokemon, Niel was clearly not sharing her enthusiasm. He may be ready to face hardship, but right now something very close to annoyance was crawling in his gears. He wasn’t even reasonably convinced the bugs would be useful, and yet they had to face such a predicament…

He tilted his head as Daedra kept going. “Is it ?” It was sad he couldn’t just have a database access to know this kind of thing. He missed it.

The woman looked hurt by the idea that the pokemon was left behind by a trainer, and it took a moment for Niel to find something to answer that didn’t make him sound… Well, like a heartless machine.

“...It can also just be a wild pokemon who wandered here.” He tried, not sure it was as comforting as he wished.

Lulu ? Durant and Niel observed as Daedra was freeing a pokemon they didn’t meet before.

Oh, a Lucario. The android knew most pokemon, minus a few rare ones. He had no trouble recognizing this one - and it was a good option against Onix, if they’d have to fight.

Durant chirped in a rather displeased, grumbling way, even though her insect type made her neutral instead of weak against fighting types. But Durant was nearly always displeased anyway, so Niel stopped trying to find the exact reason when there was no clear one.

Stared at by the Lucario, Niel gave a little bow of his head in greetings, observing - studying - the pokemon with curiosity. It wasn’t an encounter you could get easily, after all.

This one looked pretty intelligent, from what he could tell. All pokemon were, of course, but by now the android noticed different levels of smartness - just like humans, actually.

"I mean, I know a little bit because I helped out Hayden once." He replied. He wasn't the best at it, but he had the strength and stamina to dig a hole or pull up weeds. Blacksmithing was more his forte, but he was tired of seeing Johanna on the brink of a total collapse. The farm was already in a disarray. There was no reason to make it worse.

Her gratitude made him blush despite himself, and he tried to cover it up by focusing on the task at hand. He had a habit of pouting when he got too embarrassed too, and sometimes that embarrassment erupted into unwarranted tantrums. Like now, when she suggested that she felt like she was always bothering him.

"You do bother me." He grumbled, remaining fixated on yanking the tool across the dirt to uproot the soil and soften the dirt, adding a long enough line for the amount of seeds she had to plant. Realizing how rude that might have sounded though, he added, "... but I came here on my own accord, and was the one who offered to help, so... I can fault you too much."

Calling him 'teacher' wasn't in the cards though, and while he might have hissed at her for trying to be silly when she couldn't even properly add a seed into the soil, and she had bigger things to worry about, he couldn't resist the smile that began to pull at the corners of his lips. Even if he did ignore the sudden promotion. From blacksmith, to farmer, to teacher. It was turning out to be an interesting day.

She chuckled awkwardly, deciding a little too late pointing out that she never stepped into a farm would only upset him more.

Despite how… Grumpy March sounded and looked, he was still helping her - even if it may be more for the village than for her - and was actually nicer than.

Than how other people acted towards her, one could say. After all, he didn’t try to kill Johann yet, so.

Though he looked like he was tempted to smack her on the head. But the blonde did kind of deserve it, so it was fine.

She only blinked at him agreeing to her being a bother, it wasn’t a surprise after all. But she couldn’t help but smile when he softened his own words. Yes - he was definitely softer than he let appear at first. At least, she decide to believe so !

As the tool was offered, she excitedly reached both hands to take it, slowing down at the last moment so she carefully took it from him as if it was a holy weapon.

“I’ll do my best !!!” Johann exclaimed, determined but looking happy and excited as if it was a game. She didn’t treat it as not important ! But she could help but just - enjoy it. Learning new things, working, accomplishing something with her own hands…

March may not understand how it felt for her. As if a bright light, always having to be dimmed until now, was finally allowed to shine and spread warm inside her.

With a serious expression - though the sparkles in her eyes wouldn’t vanish - the newbie farmer did what she could to mimic what she just saw and learned. Surprisingly, she was doing well. Far from perfect, not even as good as March - but good for someone who got this tool in her hand for the first time today.

One thing became clear after a moment though, one that was to be expected. She had very little stamina.

She had been training before his comrade arrived of course, even if it was magic, it was still a strain for her body. And now the manual labor…

But one thing Johann was was stubborn. As such, she decided to ignore the growing exhaustion in her body. Even when her weird ability started to pop warning, only visible by her. As if ignoring them meant she could last longer…

Of course not. And the dizziness, reaching her eyes and making them blurry, was obvious proof.

But did she stop ? No.

Nunnally blushed. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

“I… I know my father cares. In his own way. It’s not that he doesn’t. I even think…” – she hesitated, certain her cheeks had turned a deep red –  “…he loves me, in his own way. It might not be exactly what I would hope for, but it’s not that I don’t appreciate it. I do… it’s just…”

She felt, suddenly, like an ungrateful daughter; one who didn’t deserve what she had. And yet, as strange as it seemed in that moment, Nunnally thought Lukan might understand. His family, at least from what he had shared, sounded different from hers –warmer, more open – but not without its own flaws. Perhaps he, too, carried a sense of guilt.

“He is a proud man… One who usually gets what he wants…” – she paused – “But I mean that in a good way. Still… you’re right.” – she lifted her blue eyes to meet his – “You are right. He can be suffocating at times.”

“…as can the environment I live in. But I assume your friend has already told you enough about that.” – Nunnally meant it; she didn’t want to burden him with long explanations about her world. It was also an easy way to close a subject that felt too heavy.

“How --” – she exclaimed at his next words – “…how is that even possible…?” – then, after a moment’s thought, she softened – “You’re not selfish. You’re actually the least selfish person I’ve ever met. And I don’t think you’re a coward. Perhaps neither of us are.” – she smiled faintly – “Or perhaps those are just names we’re meant to carry.”

“…they still matter.” – she added quietly. She wanted to say she could see his pain; but could she really? So, Nunnally gave a small nod – “You might be right. It’s too beautiful a day for a conversation like this. But thank you…”

Lukan definitely carried some guilt in him. He was living with it like an old friend, a scar you can never forget but you learned to be at peace with.

He simply smiled, warm. “All families can be. It happens.”

Lukan tilted his head, thinking. “Not as much as you seem to believe. He was often grumbling about his mother, but rarely ever went into details.”

At her words though, he still shook his head slowly, then looked at her calmly. “It is a matter of opinion. And in a strict sense, I choose myself rather than my family - it is selfishness. But the question is, on this strange scale, how much weight must I put into my family’s happiness’s side, and my own happiness’s side ? In the end, one must just decide what option, what balance makes them the most at peace. There’s no perfect answer, because even doing some fifty-fifty could end with both sides unsatisfied.”

It was true, and he chuckled, shrugging. “We’ll always be someone’s selfish one, won’t we ?”

What had she expected by enabling him? Nunnally wasn’t sure. Perhaps it would have been better to rely on her own abilities? To step in, to force the men to retreat, and leave Gabriel surprised by how it all resolved? Or perhaps she should have let him act as he pleased. But wouldn’t that only deepen the lies between them? If he had chosen to reveal himself, what would she have done then? Continue lying, or tell the truth as she was doing now? It was difficult, and painful, but it was for the best. At least, that was what she decided.

His reaction… well, it was still better than Nunnally had expected. He simply insisted they continue with dinner, even talk about the movie. An attempt at something normal, almost casual. As casual as such a situation allowed. Yes, Gabriel was angry; she could see that clearly. But he was still trying to make the evening pleasant. And she appreciated it.

Nunnally barely ate. The food was good, but it tasted like ash in her mouth. It would be an overstatement to say she dreaded the conversation, but only just. Neither of them had been honest, and now was the moment to face it. They had begun to like each other; enough, perhaps, to forgive. Yet not enough for it to shatter them if they chose to part. The conversation about the movie was interesting, but Nunnally would have enjoyed it far more without the weight of what was coming. Sad, but necessary.

Gabriel’s question was vague, but she understood it perfectly. He was asking how she knew – how she knew what he was.

“What exactly would you like to know?” – Nunnally asked carefully – “Aside from the obvious… that you’re not human…” – her voice barely rose above a whisper – “But a vampire.” – she exhaled softly – “I’ve known from the beginning. I was raised among them… I can recognize them. Don’t ask me how… I’m not entirely sure myself.” – her gaze dropped to her lap – “I’m not human either…”

Nunnally paused, then repeated, quieter this time — “What is it you want to know?”

“I’m sorry…” – she added after a moment – “I regret lying to you. I should have told you when we first met.”

A faint, bitter breath left her.

The blonde frowned, clicking his tongue at her question. “The hell you mean, what do you want to know ? You’re the one owing explanations, why am I supposed to ask questions ?”

He looked displeased, but yet was thinking about it. She spoke more though, and the vampire listened, trying to decide how upset he was about the whole thing.

And why.

Of course he was annoyed she lied to him, but. So did he. In the end, it sounded more like a pride thing - as often, with him - than anything else.

“You were raised among them… But you aren’t one ?” It was confusing at best. “What, they were using you for your blood then ?”

But she said she wasn’t human. Annoyed once more, Gabriel hissed, eyes throwing daggers. “Okay, listen. You didn’t have to tell me what you are, technically. I feel kind of wronged that you knew what I was but I didn’t, I don’t know what you are. I also wish you told me earlier you knew about my nature but-.”

Gabriel sighed deeply, frustrated, hand lifted to mess with his hair - stopping right in time. He didn’t want his hair as messy as his brain !

He knew he didn’t have good reasons to be angry at her, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being treated like a fool.

“Whatever. Shit.” Arms crossed, the vampire was looking to the side, apparently sulking. In the end, all of this wasn’t to the point of getting angry, but since he couldn’t chase away the ‘upset’ feeling, sulking with a pout looked like the fitting option.

It was… Unfair. Yes, that was the right word. She knew what he was, but he didn’t know what she was and that she knew, and he couldn’t really get angry at her because she technically didn’t do anything wrong. Nunnally didn’t owe him to tell her true nature. It’d be different if the blonde revealed being a vampire on his own, but… He didn’t.

And she was at least honest about the not being human thing… Though a little clarity would be welcome.

Hikari knew why. She was the only one with such a restriction in place, but she couldn't well just trauma dump on Haru. It was impolite and extremely inappropriate. Perhaps if they became a little closer, and there was a chance to bring it up naturally, she'd tell them. For now, however... Their only answer to that question would be an apologetic smile and small shrug.

"Ara! It's no trouble at all! There must be something special about you that helped you pass the examination with HELIOSCRADLE. They can be... particular in general, but this is a first for me..."

"?"

She noticed Haru's gaze focused on her. It seemed like they were... studying her? Or perhaps trying to gaze into her soul?

She stared back at them, her head slightly tilted and smile on her lips. Her eyes studied their features; the shape of their eyes, their brows, nose, cheeks, jawline, lips...

They looked like the kitsune in paintings back home.

'Hika-chan'...?

They couldn’t help but snicker, highly amused at the idea they somehow managed to pass where many failed. “I really wonder why. I’m not exactly the dream collab manager wishes their idol would bring home !”

They sipped on his drink a bit while humming, thinkful. “Maybe because I’m particular as well. They felt related.” More snickering into their drink, as Haru guessed it surely wasn’t the reason.

Having her watching them back, it only got Haru snorting again. They had expected to shy away, but she was an idol after all. She had to be used to attention, somehow.

“Reading…” Haru repeated, not able to hide the expression of someone who tasted something sour. “It’s not really my thing. But at least we can play together when not working, that’s a good thing.”

||: “Which is the greater sin? To care too much? or too little?” :: K. Ritz

||: A collection of muses, inspired by Kisumi Shigino, tailored to her own tastes, written by Rose || selective, mutuals & 20+ only || multiship, multiverse, flexible

" ... " Each second of suspense was agonizing. What kind of task was he concocting in that crazy little brain of his, anyway? He seemed to struggle with it. Worrisome, since that implied he was trying to be creative.

Tick, tock, the seconds flew by with no answer. Her arms fold over each other as she just ... waits in silence. Don't be in any rush now, your majesty. It's not like you have to be considerate of others' time, or anything (what an exhausting man).

Oh well, as much as this sucked, this wasn't her first time being at the mercy of a rich asswad with too much free time. As long as it wasn't an assassination or anything unsavory, she'd—bodyguard?

" Huh, " she blinks. Not what she expected. As a traveling adventurer for hire, escort missions were her speciality. Shame she can't negotiate pay. " ... Doesn't matter who it is, that's fine with me. Though I'll need more details. If you want to discuss this elsewhere. "

Things could be worse. Probably.

“Sure, I can fill in the details. Let’s go to the castle.”

Though the castle technically belonged to him - since he beheaded the last owner - he rarely called it ‘his’, and even less ‘home’. There was really no homey feeling from this damn pile of rock… But it screamed power and was solid, so better than nothing. Easier to guard too.

The castle was on a hill, visible from the village but not close to it. Clearly someone didn’t care that people would have trouble running to the castle to get protection… Or maybe it was even intended this way.

But normal horses didn’t handle Léo well, so he had his own way to do things.

Similar to the ice guards from earlier, a horse-like figure started to form from the King’s magic, made of ice and snow. The white snow took the shape of bones and skull in some places, giving the creature a more creepy appearance than it could have had.

Satisfied with his summon, Léo looked at the other… Gears obviously started to spin in his head, before more magic poured, creating another horse.

No saddle, and obviously sitting on them would feel like sitting on a block of ice - though Léo did give the seat part some padding thanks to snow. 

“It should obey you. Probably. Now, let’s not lose more time.”