Traveler of No Return

Even as they stand there, even as his palms begin to sweat from the synthetic's warm flesh and the slight nervousness of holding hands with a pretty woman ( he's not attracted, but he's not immune to beautiful people [ hope Argenti is proud of him ] ), Caelus refuses to remove his gloves. Hell, he won't even remove his Trailblazing coat. Though, that might be because it has his ticket sown into a flap- that's kinda how they can keep tabs on each other ( among other things )- and he'd get in Big with a CAPITAL B trouble should he lose the ticket ( or become lost ). And Caelus is smart enough to not attract Pom-Pom's ( or the other Express member's ) wrath.

Besides, the gloves are.. a little different- far more personal. Being a synthetic with a Stellaron shoved in your gut has many benefits ( no it does not he hates each and every one-- ), such as enhanced self-healing. Which it, in itself, has a handful of flaws- like how the healing process gets speed ran with a Double Speed setting.. but, synthetic skin doesn't know how to make more flesh, like a normal living being's. No, it only knows how to repair- leaving scar after scar ( after scar after scar after scar after sc-- ) after recovery.

Pom-Pom has on multiple occasions seen Caelus' littered torso with pure concern etched in their eyes, even coming over to him with some form of healing ointment and offers to even put it on the silver in hopes of making the pain go away. It doesn't it never does, but Caelus doesn't have it in him to tell Pom-Pom their efforts are useless.. wasted on the likes of him- and pretends it makes a huge difference, even if just to see that worried expression vanish.

Caelus has learned his lesson to not let others see it- hardly even letting the few doctors the Nameless even trusts to see it unless it's absolutely necessary. He's scared one too many NPCs with his distorted form, so he will suffer through whatever discomfort to make sure he doesn't bother anyone else with it ever again.

❛ Peaceful, huh? Yeah, I can see what you mean. ❜

Caelus hums in response with a soft huff of amusement. His heart aches at his companion's reasoning- it's almost too pure for him to handle. His grip on the foxian's hand tightens ever so briefly in reflex as his smile both widens and softens as he trains his gaze upon emerald gems.

❛ Oh I see, so you want to learn my secrets, eh? Find out who's snagged the Hero's heart? Very cunning tactic, I must say. ❜

The silver teases with a snort before taking a few steps forward as the line slowly moves along as riders enter and exit the attraction.

❛ But.. I'm also flattered. I feel the exact same way, just so you know. I.. I feel like we didn't get enough time before the Express had to depart the Luofu at the time. Funny how we both ended up at Penacony's doorstep- as if the narrative decided we earned a second chance to bond. ❜

It stings her heart, how he brings up the Luofu. She didn’t remember meeting him there, because that had never been her. In another life, the real Tingyun would have met those of the Astral Express then. She would have happily befriended them, showing them around her home with a joyous smile on her face and not a hint of Destruction would be found in the end.

When they had first met here on Penacony, though they had only been beholding each other for the first time, it had felt like a reunion long overdue. At least for Fugue, she wouldn’t dare to presume how her benefactor felt. The past was behind them, her old self was no more. Hadn’t been for a long while now.

Kokomi loops her arm through Fugue's and leads the foxian down the main street, pointing out various traditions both old and new, giving a short explanation for each. Some small, traitorous part of her starts automatically planning how to organise a similar festival on Watatsumi, but she pushes that to the side.

They come to a stop in front of one of the stalls selling masks, soon enough, and she pulls her own mask out of her bag and starts tying it to her head. "This is another old tradition, originally started as a way to honor the yokai. It was always my favorite part of these festivals, when I was younger - I could let my hair down, put on a mask, and just...be free of everything that came with my family name, for a while..."

And oh, how she'd adored and longed for festival days as a child. She'll never be that carefree again, not even in a smiling kitsune mask, but she already feels distinctly lighter, and not just from the sake she'd sampled earlier. But, even then, Kokomi's still never been able to just...go to a festival with a friend before. The children of the Sangonomiya Clan weren't allowed to simply mingle under ordinary circumstances, and she'd been the only one in her generation.

And now I'm the last of my line-

She can’t help but long for those peaceful days when not a worry had been on her mind. She wants to be happy again. She wants to be as carefree as Tingyun had been able to be again.

Fugue can never get those days back, she can never live now without a heavy weight on her chest. The golden mark spilling across her shoulder was an all too cruel reminder of the Destruction that still brewed within her body. Phantylia had taken her happiness away from her, along with her life. 

It… it would never be so easy ever again.

No immediate answers came to mind. “Of course, Fugue,” Seele giggles, a little awkward given her current embarrassment, “a little mistake happens here and there- again, I know I’ve made plenty.” 

Hand in hand, the girls walk towards the Goethe Hotel, idly chatting as they had. Chatter about Fugue’s trip to Jarilo-VI, recent happenings in their respective lives, and a lot of silence between the words. The silence was comfortable, though. The silence between pages flickered like a leaf drifting in the wind, carefully finding itself to its next destination. Seele, ever so crimson still, smiled as she looked away from Fugue, not wanting the other to see her embarrassment. Hah, my fuck-up didn’t seem to hinder anything…

…Good. Good…I really hope she’s doing okay, despite everything…I really hope she likes me. I really hope this isn’t a fluke.

As they walk into Goethe Hotel, Seele (bag still in hand, keep in mind) gestures to the lobby. “My fair lady! Soon we shall claim your chambers~” Seele laughed, as she kept up the bit. She pulled her date along to the front desk, beaming in her expression. The clerk gave the women a welcoming stare, eyes lighting up in recognition. “Seele! Thank you for your help last week.”

Seele awkwardly laughs, shutting her eyes as she had. “O-Of course!” She didn’t wanna seem awkward in front of Fugue, or at least not anymore awkward than she already had. “My…date would like to book a room!” 

“I’m not certain of how long the duration of my stay will be, but a week or two on the reservation should be just fine. If I must check out earlier I will let you know,” She glances at her lover (though surely they could hardly be called that yet) tails swishing softly behind her as she pauses in thought, “What do you think, Seele, one bed or two? I fear my tails may take up quite a bit of room, though that’s not a problem at the Reverie so I am unsure exactly how much space I will need.”

The foxian blushes softly at the implication she had just made, of the possibility of her and Seele sharing a bed. Was that too forward? Too soon? She doesn’t know. Oh dear, she hopes that she hasn’t truly messed up this time.

It was a stupid lie, but Yelan couldn’t be bothered to think of other creative, subtle or even polite ways to say ‘please shut up’ without directly stating as such. With careful fingers, and surprising amounts of practice (considering Yelan’s hair was rather short), Yelan had set Fugue’s hair into a rather well-done ponytail. “There we go-! Right as rain.” A light laughter escaped her lips, a curiosity raking her brain – if I had siblings, I wonder if I would’ve done their hair like this? 

The Alchemist, fuming at having something of hers snatched ever so effortlessly, let out a huff as she reigned her annoyance in before giving further instruction; “So! Rude lady with the bob, measure out the equivalent of half a cup of Hydro Slime Essence, and add in just a bit of Pyro Essence. This should cause a reaction to melt the Hydro Essence, and create proper water!” 

Yelan blinked twice in confusion. “Isn’t that wro-” the Alchemist’s annoyed glare stopped the woman in her tracks. Fine, whatever, she can be wrong. Following the instructions to the best of her capability, Yelan measured out half a cup of Hydro Slime Essence, and upon adding just the slightest bit of Pyro Essence…poof! The combination rapidly turned to vapors; a vaporize reaction was not the intended result. Yelan gave the Alchemist a look of amused judgment, as panic gleaned her expression. “Oh no! Oh! Oh! Damn it, did I mix up my reactions??? I did! I did!”

Okay… maybe more than a little dumb. Wasn’t this her job? Surely the alchemist should know more than Fugue did about elemental reactions; right? Forget it being her job, simply being from Teyvat should make her more qualified on the subject. Of course, Fugue knew because of the science that she had been taught as a mere child. But that also didn’t include these little elemental “slimes”.

“Are… we sure that she is capable of giving us instructions…?” Fugue asks meekly, quietly, to Yelan standing beside her. But still she moves, as her cheeks slightly flush at the alchemist’s flattery, turning her gaze towards the cabinet with both confusion and curiosity brimming in her emerald eyes.

As the announcer finishes his introduction, a crowd erupts in applause as the two women are awkwardly shuffled onto stage. Seele’s mind and face was awash with crimson embarrassment as she found herself side by side with Bronya in such an unexpected way. The butterfly’s eyes scan the crowd, and briefly soften in recognition as she sees her Foxian giving thumbs up to both herself and Bronya. 

How in the hell did we let Fugue talk us into this… What was otherwise meant to be a moment of introduction after the Roboball tournament’s disaster, soon became another spiraling of events. Seele simply wanted to introduce her best friend to her girlfriend, and vice versa (especially after extensive and embarrassing girl talks between Seele and Bronya about the butterfly’s radiant flame), and then the three hanging out together before Seele and Bronya would have to return to Belobog. 

For a moment, Seele wonders if she was a woman so easily swayed. Is she someone so thoroughly convinced into something so sudden by the (admittedly adorable) whims of her girlfriend wanting to cheer her on? Is she someone so thoroughly convinced into something so sudden by the (admittedly hilarious) prospect of seeing someone as serious as Bronya crack a joke or two? Why did I agree to join?!

She looks to the crowd again, and stares at Fugue, a look of panicked ‘What do I do?’ dressing Seele’s expression. Then, realizing the futility of such a decision, turns to Bronya. She mutters, “how the hell do we open this up??” before turning back to face the crowd. Rather awkwardly, Seele laughs, then, after taking a deep breath, steadies herself. Here goes!

“Well gee Bronya, it’s great that we’re here in Penacony tonight eh?” She wraps her arm around Bronya’s shoulder, a mischievous (but rather disingenuous, as Seele is remarkably nervous right now) smile forming on her face as she had. “Have to say, it’s been a rather dreamy experience so far, eh??”

roll | crowd reaction: 9! (come on seele do better)

Following that (low hanging fruit of a) pun, Seele looks to the crowd. Only a few people chuckled at it, but the majority seemed to stare at them. Okay! Off to a great start! Seele turns to face Bronya with a frightened gaze, quietly whispering – “Please tell me you have a better follow up than that-?”

That got the crowd laughing, much to Bronya's surprise. She definitely was talking too stiff, but the actual joke seemed to land with the crowd. Deciding to test her luck, Bronya added onto it,

Fugue resists the urge to slam her face directly into her hands, offering a shaky, but encouraging smile, as Seele looks out desperately to the crowd. Truth be told she doesn’t have much hope after that opener, but if they can make it through without getting something thrown at them - and at this rate they really might - then she will consider their first foray into comedy a success.

A fellow patron leans over, a little tipsy if Fugue had to guess, and whispers to her, “They’re not great; now are they? Friends of yours? ‘Cause ya look real embarrassed for them.”

She nods quietly, trying not to draw too much Seele’s attention to her. She wouldn’t want her poor little butterfly to feel bad that she too thinks that joke was rather terrible.

Interesting. Could she possibly be like the Traveler, who had accidentally found themselves here? Or could she be here on purpose?

The next morning she wakes bright and early with a cursory comb through her tails and hair so she does not look like a total mess - she drags the brush through her now pink and white fur with a heavy heart, burdened by the memory of how this had once been one of her favorite activities, back when ‘Tingyun’  had still remained.

She returns to the same spot as the day before, patiently waiting for her benefactor to arrive. When he does, she greets him with a polite bow and a wave.

She had heard rumors of those going to other worlds and even some from those worlds finding their way to hers. She was admittedly curious. Which led her to a place known as Herta Space Station. The food left much to be desired, and she wasn’t quite sure how that girl seemed to be in every room at once… Yet what had really piqued her interest was the whispers of some sort of fighting ring. She was worried, not only was this (hopefully) illegal, it could lead to injury.

She had to stop it.

After making her way past researchers and creatures more akin to Honkai than anything, she made it to the place. The fighting ring. Only, she saw no humans in the arena. Instead, cute almost ghost-like creatures. She attempted to make her way closer, wanting a better view. Not wanting to make a mess, she did her best to keep petals off the floor.

In her focus she ended up running into an animal-eared lady. “Oh my gosh. I am so so sorry! I just wanted a better view. Did I break anything on your outfit? It’s very pretty, I’d hate to be the reason it broke.”

She trails off as she turns, expression quickly turning from accommodating to confused. Was this…

“Seele…?” Fugue mutters quietly, staring at the woman before her. She looked like Seele, Fugue’s Seele, but also not at the same time. Fugue can tell that this is not her lover, gentler looking and softer around and the edges. A different version of Seele perhaps?

Was that possible?

Either way, it didn’t matter much to Fugue, not at this moment. The foxian turns her attention back to the fighting ring, ears drooping as she lets out a small whimper at the sight of the wubbawoos being forced to fight against one another.

Kokomi stands in the fields just outside Konda Village, dressed in a simple yukata, her hair loose around her shoulders and a kitsune mask tucked into her bag for later. No ceremonial robes, no coral headdress, no weight of titles and duty and authority. Just herself, for these precious few days.

She spots a familiar face wandering down the road to the village, and goes to raise her hand and wave; well-trained habit stops her, but after a moment, she reminds herself she need not stand on such a level of decorum while on vacation, at a festival, relatively incognito. So she lets a smile bloom bright across her face, waves in greeting, and calls out to her friend.

"It's so good to see you, Fugue! How are you?"

She hadn’t been entirely sure what to wear to a festival like this, a festival that was for leisure and relaxation compared to the Xianzhou’s Grand Fair which she had once developed into an extravagant and famous festival. That was for trade, and she had always been dressed professional amongst the crowds. She is realizing now that even then she had always been busy in one way or another. When was the last time she had truly been able to relax?

With that in mind, she dresses simply in a quiet but elegant hanfu. Not extravagant enough to stand out in the crowd, but still formal enough that she does not seem rude if her assumptions on attire are off point.

Fugue smiles as Kokomi waves and calls out to her, walking over to the other woman. She bows her head politely in greeting before speaking, “It is good to see you again as well, Madam Kokomi. I have been well, thank you for asking.”

Warmth settles in his chest- not the usual heat caused by the Stellaron- at the notion that Fugue trusts him so much that she would only participate if she had Caelus of all people ( though that's not exactly what she said, he will take it as such [ it's nice to be wanted- ] ) by her side.

❛ Shoot, don't boost my ego too much. ❜

Caelus quips softly, grin bright but tugged awkward at the corners with his heart skipping a beat from the subtle flattery. Though he does take note of the slight change in the foxian's expression- that tighter than normal pull at her mouth even as the brunette takes a steadying breath. Now, Caelus may be may things ( stupid [ sometimes ] mostly ), but he's not blind. The Nameless is really good at noticing details ( even if he doesn't always understand what they are, he still picks them up ) so of course when he's so close to the woman it's so easy to see the tension building.

Not that Caelus blames her- the silver has just about the same reaction any time he visits Penacony ( Protag PTSD™ am I right? ). The Hero in him shoves his own discomfort in favor of providing some sense of security to his friend. Slowly, as if afraid if he moves too suddenly he might scare her off, Caelus extends his hand out, palm facing up in a conciliating manner.

❛ I tend to get lost, or go off on my own little adventure, if I don't have someone to hold my hand. Would you mind? ❜

Caelus offers his comfort in a way that doesn't stand so out in the open, even if what he says is true ( Caelus often gets in trouble and scolded by his other Express members when it happens ). And it seems to work as the foxian takes his hand, then letting Caelus firmly hold her hand in his own.

It's only after he gently tugs her along that they approach the attraction, making their way to the line like any other theme park attendee. The line isn't overtly long, thankfully, but that doesn't make it any less awkward to stand there with the brunette's hand still holding his. Aeons what does one do in these kinds of situations-

❛ I know we aren't exactly going in for the whole.. love aspect, but I gotta ask- is there something in particular you're hoping to see on the ride? I mean, if you are hoping to see whatever romantic thing in there, I'd be thrilled to hear it. I'm a little.. inexperienced in the area myself. ❜

The Nameless asks somewhat sheepishly- he doesn't want to pry if Fugue doesn't want to spill her desires ( even if Caelus thinks he's going to see them anyway once they get on [ he thinks keyword ] ), but he'd rather make a fool of himself than stand in uneasy silence.

“I’m not sure,” She giggles quietly, glancing around at the decor as a small sheepish grin begins to spread across her face, “In truth, it just looked the most peaceful. I’ve never been much of a thrill seeker anyway, even before…”

The foxian falls quiet, her fan cracking open to hide the way her smile just as quickly turns into a frown, the metal burning against her palm, accompanied by her tails catching alight at just their tips. She shouldn’t have to feel afraid talking about it to Caelus, he was one of the few people who knew the whole truth of what had happened to her, Phantylia’s escapades in her image included.

Yet, her beaming face slowly became that of worry as she watched Fugue’s mood slowly dampen, her radiant sunlight slowly dimming as concerns of railroading their date began to overwhelm Fugue’s figure. Seele had been confused, as she watched the display, though her expression hadn’t illustrated as such. She shouldn’t worry too much about it- we can just book a room now anyway…not like Belobog has had many tourists even since being open to the rest of the Silver Rail.

Seele didn’t state her confusion aloud, though, as she set the bag on the ground once more. She took careful, practiced and gentle steps towards Fugue, before enveloping her in a hug again. Seele placed a practiced hand atop of the Foxian’s head, messing with her hair a bit as she had. Her voice became a hushed, careful whisper. “It’s okay, we can just schedule a walk in…” ‘baby’, though the word remains unspoken. Seele didn’t want to rush things, yet something about Fugue’s presence evoked a yearning to speak such diminutives out to the universe. 

Her face flushed, a warmth radiating in her expression as the confession escaped Fugue’s lips. Seele wanted to celebrate the moment- giggle and kick her feet in response, but she couldn’t. She felt protective, more concerned with comfort than her own feelings, despite now being sure that they weren’t one sided. “I like you a lot too, Fugue.” Seele laughs, allowing herself a bit more honesty as a means of amenity, “seriously, if you could see how I reacted when you said yes to my date…” Aeons, I’m pathetic. “I was more scared of me being the one to fuck up reeeeal quickly. You didn’t fuck up…you were just excited and that’s really all a girl like me could ask for.”

Seele broke away from the hug, slightly, now choosing to gently hold Fugue’s face. Seele’s cheeks donned a deeper crimson, as she stared into Fugue’s sullen, yet gentle gaze. Her eyes are so pretty… “I can still take you to your chambers, my lady. We just need to properly claim them.” A smile radiates from Seele’s flushed expression. She felt a warm comfort, despite many words that remained unspoken. So much she wished to say, yet all of the words she held felt far too early- she still refused to scare Fugue off so early. “Would you like to claim your chambers,” ‘fair lady’, was what Seele wanted to say, yet her brain could not move faster than her tongue.

Seele is such a gentleman, the young lady from the Xianzhou thinks to herself as Seele breaks away from her too quickly for her liking, though her rapidly beating heart in her chest feels a little calmer after the other woman’s reassurance. It does not feel calm, however, from Seele’s confession in return, and the way the purple-haired woman softly calls her ‘love’.

The foxian laughs, reaching back for the younger woman, both hands grasping tightly onto one of Seele’s.

It was clear enough that hadn’t been what Seele meant to say, but Fugue still finds her cheeks flushing with pleasure, more soft giggles escaping from her.

Lowkey a little mad her vacation was ruined by Destruction. This shit sucks balls; can she not enjoy anything without it being ruined?

A Novel at Paperfold University: Fugue is curious, to say the least. She's always been a peaceful child, and enjoyed reading in her youth, so of course she's read this novel. Or, at least the version she had. She's not as willing to argue about it as Anaxa is, but she will definitely engage in civil debate. And is also rather curious to find out the truth behind it // N/A

Investigating the Empyrea: Fugue knows all too well what it looks like to be left in the aftermath of the Destruction. She still bears the mark on her body, and contaimination within it, after all. She feels pity for all of the innocents caught in this crossfire and wants to help them out. A little help would be nice // N/A

Konda Village: Yay, yippee! Please let her have a night of joy and fun, she really needs this. She'd love to just wander around and enjoy the sights, perhaps have a nice chat along the way. Requires Teyvat Muse // Kokomi

Seele was nervous. She was paralyzed with so many options she could take; she was paralyzed with the realization that her feelings hadn’t simply been fascination or obsession, they had been tangible, chaining her to the very spot of which she stood. Fugue had been enrobed in everything regarding her culture, regarding the place she had called home; Fugue had been ethereal to Seele, who felt like a fish placed in the vastness of Space. Her tongue was tied into a perfect knot, unable to utter even a peep. Yet I can’t stay silent forever. 

Driven by instinct, the reminders of all advice she acclimated over the course of the past few days playing on repeat in her head, Seele offered a smile, followed by a tight hug, one filled to the brim with eagerness, longing for this very moment. She’s so warm. Pulling away, Seele still held onto Fugue’s hands, beaming, radiant. “It’s so nice to see you again, Fugue.” The words escaped her lips naturally, a confidence in her gentle voice that would carry her to the finish line. “It’s still a bit early now…so we could walk around a bit? Chat and catch up, since it’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other.” 

A light giggle escaped Seele’s lips as she let go of Fugue’s hands, this time pulling out her phone. “I reserved a table at a small restaurant in the Administrative District in about an hour and a half from now. I figure you might’ve made a reservation at Goethe Hotel, yeah? If so, we could drop off your stuff there before walking around~! I don’t want you to have to carry everything around while we walk around, after all.” Putting her phone away, Seele walked over to Fugue’s bag, lifting it without any stress or question to the action. 

She giggles softly, and then freezes slightly as Seele’s words are contemplated. A reservation… at the hotel… Fugue’s ears fold down in fright as her mind races. She knew there just had to be something she had forgotten in her eagerness. Of course it had to be something as important as her accommodations upon Belobog. She had just been so excited to be able to see Seele again that the thought of needing somewhere to stay had all but escaped her mind.

Ah… whatever was a girl supposed to do when faced with something like this? It was trivial, she was sure. Fugue doesn’t doubt that they accept walk-ins, with how little tourists Belobog seems to get, but… her less rational self has already headed off to the races of panicking.

“I’m sorry…” The foxian whimpers softly, ears now folded flat against her head much like Huohuo’s always were, “It… I seem to have forgotten to book a room in advance. So I… I fear you cannot “take me to my chambers” as you say…”

The quintet tailed woman blushes slightly at the term of endearment, feeling like she was about to cry all the while. It was a terribly silly thing to get all worked up over; wasn’t it? She wishes Seele would hug her again, tell her that it would be alright, that they would figure it out, that she… that she hadn’t messed up at all.

In her past life, something as trivial as this would not have bothered her at all. Tingyun would have taken it in stride, fixing everything and making arrangements with a gentle swing of her fan and cheerful, but sharp, words dripping from her silver tongue. Fugue was no longer that girl, and all her fan knew how to do now was burn with the fire forced upon her by Phantylia.

As if on cue, two people walked away from the pop-up, one deflated – a sign of failure, while the other was radiant, with a loaf of bread in hand. Following that, Yelan and Fugue had been called up for their turn to try and bake. As the duo walk in, there’s a litany of different options for baking set out before them. The traditional ingredients you’d expect to see for bread baking- flour, salt and yeast. However, alongside that had been several vials of Slime Essence, from what could presumably have been Hydro and Pyro Slimes. Yelan cocked her head in surprise. Huh, I guess we’re incorporating slimes into the bread itself. 

An alchemist clad in glasses stared at the two women, shifting her glasses while doing so. “Okay, so you two! Today we’re gonna make bread! Yippee!” The alchemist stares excitedly, as Yelan gives an awkward applause. “So,” she points to the Hydro Slime Essence, “this will be your substitute for water. Should be easy enough to understand, and we actually expect this to go fairly well. However! We want to see if it’s possible to expedite the process of raising the yeast using Pyro Slime Essence. Understand? You see, theoretically, it’s possible to-”

Yelan held up a hand, feigning politeness, “excuse me…While your excitement is infectious, and I apologize for interrupting, but wouldn’t it be better to get to that step first before explaining it?” The alchemist nodded, repeatedly, as if understanding (which, honestly, Yelan doubted). “I see, I see! Then, are you two ladies ready to bake???” 

“I’m ready,” Fugue says with a gentle nod, trying her best to keep her voice resolute and not trembling. She hadn’t realized how terribly she missed this part of home until she thought of it, and her mother’s familiar cooking, cooking that made her heart ache terribly to remember.

Why does she only have to meet Madam Yelan in situations that make her remember the past and all that she had lost? What a cruel twist of fate their encounters had been so far.

…Who exactly am I going on a date with?? She’s friends with the Xianzhou Luofu’s General??

Seele then thought herself a hypocrite. Being friends with someone in high power wasn’t very crazy – after all, her best friend had been the current Supreme Guardian of Belobog. Still, the mention of General Jing Yuan gave Seele pause. It made her wonder more about Fugue’s friends, the people she called her loved ones back aboard the Luofu. Maybe I should consider gifts for them, some time? 

It briefly made her wonder why Fugue chose to move to Penacony. Yet, such a thought wasn’t Seele’s business, so she put it to rest. If Fugue wanted me to know that, she would’ve told me. Not really a first date sort of topic, either…

Her fingers danced upon her phone screen, composing a return text. The words came more naturally, comfort slowly taking hold of Seele’s being. She enjoyed speaking with Fugue, even if it had been mere planning for their soon to be date. Fugue’s energy was radiant, even through words alone, and that had made Seele’s heart skip a beat. She hoped this would last well into their date. 

Seele: Awesome! Then I hope the stories Jing Yuan gave live up to any expectations you may have. See you soon, Fugue <3. And thanks, you’re very sweet :) 

'You’re very kind, Seele, heart' I am going to faint on the spot. 

A grueling wait of several days soon passed. Every moment Seele woke up, she checked her texts to see how soon Fugue would arrive. Each passing day until the promised felt as long as an Amber Era. Her nerves began to build up once more, wondering how Fugue would look for their date, how Seele would act when she finally touched down in the Overworld. The thoughts of how things would go continued to whir Seele’s mind with worry, until the day itself soon arrived.

A text was all it took to spike the butterfly’s heart rate. Seele received a text indicating that Fugue was arriving soon. She could not have moved any quicker to reach the surface. She practically raced to the Overworld proper, soon finding herself waiting at the Central Station for Fugue’s arrival. So many thoughts raced through Seele’s head as the final wait began. Fugue’s safety, whether she’d like it here, whether Seele’s outfit was okay, whether the restaurant was open, whe-

All of those thoughts came to a halt, the moment Fugue’s train arrived. All thoughts halted to welcome a new, solitary one. 

The doors creak open, with a startling sound that makes Fugue wonder when the last time they did maintenance was. No. No. That wasn’t any of her business. She wasn’t the same bright girl who could offer advice about the workings of someone else’s planet, be it business or personal, as she once had. She had no room to criticize anyway, there had been plenty of things upon the Luofu that did not always work the way that they were meant to. As there was anywhere one could find themselves.

She steps out into the chilly air of Jarlio VI, hissing slightly as the freeze hits her skin, glad that she had chosen to wear a longer hanfu than her usual attire. And speaking of that attire, she had found an elegant long hanfu amongst her belongings, suited to the freezing temperatures she would find herself in. Adorned in bright colors, red for the top layer, and skirts that matched the white and pink of her tails - a mere coincidence - for the dress beneath it. She’s plenty warm, to say the least.

Her emerald eyes scan over the station, lighting up when she spots Seele amongst the people gathered there.