Chapter Text
There was a lot Artina was capable of taking on by herself. After all, she'd braved both empty glares and pitiful stares as she attempted to recruit members, and she'd celebrated the first few weeks of her new party by eating meals alone in an empty base, save for her Chirithy.
But this was different.
She didn't even know which world Yu had gone to. Artina may have been reckless, but she knew that to search everywhere in hopes that maybe someone had seen her and taken note would ultimately bear no fruit. Was she injured? Dead? Lost? Kidnapped? None of those seemed likely - the girl had a level head on her shoulders, and was frequently the impulse control for most of her friends.
So, despite how irrational it seemed, part of Artina blamed herself for Yu's disappearance. It had settled on what it found to be the most reasonable explanation, which also happened to be what she feared most - that she'd been too much. That she'd been too little. That she was too weak. That she was too proud. That she'd splurged her jewels on costumes one too many times. No matter how it could be framed, Yu was still the kind, strong, compassionate soul Artina had grown to know and love. And the darkness that leered at Artina told her she was little more than a leech.
Even so, Artina couldn't give up hope. With a heavy heart that fluttered every time she thought she caught sight of those familiar black pigtails, she continued searching for answers to questions larger than herself. And she found others who were looking for something - their memories, a legend, unconditional companionship. The very least she could do was ensure her companions wouldn't be forgotten.
And on one fateful day, something blurry filled her vision. Squinting, Artina attempted to bring the object into focus.
"Have you seen a girl with hair like this?" a gratingly cheerful voice belted out. She took a step back to examine the blur and its owner. A brown chignon bun, a little button nose, and dark eyes peered up at Artina. The girl was a tiny slip of a thing, barely tall enough to reach Artina's chest, but she carried with her the determined aura of someone on a mission.
She also carried a piece of paper with only a messy blue scribble on it.
"Have you seen a girl with hair like this?" repeated the gremlin, jerking the parchment toward Artina and creating a loud fluttering sound. She was donned in autumnal colors; reds accentuated by brown and white made up her whole outfit.
"Is that... Is that laminated?" Artina managed, still fazed by the entire situation.
She nodded, beaming eagerly. The beads in her hairpiece clinked together softly. "Yeah. Have you seen a girl with hair like this, though?"
"Hmm..." Brushing back a lock of lavender hair, Artina focused on the drawing. It looked like a turnip. "Are you sure that isn't a vegetable?"
The girl frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry , I didn't realize you were an avant garde! No, it's my cousin Yu, and I'm trying to find her!"
She froze. The drawing did look like it had pigtails... "You said... Yu? Like, Y-U?"
"Yes! Oh Lux, everyone always thinks I'm saying Y-O-U, and they get so confused." She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Anyway, you know her?"
"She, uh..." She got sick of me and left? She might be dead? "Yeah. She was in my party."
A ray of light exploded from the girl as her face lit up. "Yes!! I finally- wait." Her eyebrows furrowed. "'Was'?"
Artina adjusted her hat uncomfortably. "She was out fighting Heartless once, and never came back. We think she's still alive, because her Chirithy is around, but he doesn't remember anything and lost all his power."
"Huh..." Lowering the paper, she stared into the space behind Artina for a moment. Then, she haphazardly stuffed it in her bag as she held out a hand. "I'm Rui, spelled R-U-I. I'll be joining your party for the time being."
Flustered, Artina struggled to find words. Never had anyone ever asked to join the party like this. "Wait, I haven't even given you the spiel, or - or - I don't-"
Rui grabbed her hand and shook it. "No worries! Just give me a room and I'll pull my weight, I promise."
A smile slowly replaced the shock on her face. “Welcome to Starryholt, Rui. I'm Artina."