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Mumei blinked, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings...Has she always been here? How did she get here?
She sat in a booth seat in some sort of modern diner, a plate of partially bitten and slightly cold toast and bacon placed in front of her on a white plate with a light red rim. Her eyes, which stared in a owl-like manner, scanned around the building, the place wasn't overrun with people but there were a fair amount of seats occupied with people eating brunch, She turned her attention back to the specific seat she was in, it was then she finally saw the other girl sitting across from her, looking at her with an expression that for some reason showed just the smallest hint of sadness while the rest of the expression seemed to be one of caring look.
The person had an...interesting look to say the least. The girl had bright red hair with hints of black and white, a small mouse (how the heck did she even get it in here) laying between the two large rat ears that were atop her head, one of which having a mouse trap stuck on it while the other had dice placed in the hair next to it. The girl's eyes were astounding, a beautiful blue with what Mumei swears is a literal fire in the Rat's eyes on top of the duller shade of blue. Surprisingly, The Rat wore just a simple leather jacket on top of a crop top with the letters 'R A T', half circles on top of the words and lines on the bottom to represent ears and whiskers. The only other thing that caught the Owl's eye was the rather large collar...?....choker? around the girl's neck, having spikes around it except for the very front which had some plastic that was colored and cut to look like cheese.
"...Mumeiii~....Are you there, Bird Brain?" The Rat suddenly snapped in a playful and teasing tone, waving a gloved hand in front Mumei's face.
"A-Ah?....H-How do you know my name...?....Do I...Know you?" Mumei questioned in a quiet tone, the one she always retreated to when she was scared, shy, or nervous, all three being emotions that were present in the Owl.
"...So I assumed right.." The other mumbled with a upset sigh before giving a small smile and looking back at Mumei, "...Yes, We've met...multiple times!" She said with a smile
"O-Oh, Really?...Sorry...I-I forget a lot..." Mumei apologized softly.
"..Oh trust me...I know..." The other thought to herself while smiling at the other softly, knowing that it couldn't be helped but still found it hard every time it happened.
"That's alright, I would suppose you'd like to get my name, right?" She asked with a small tilt of her head, her Rat ears flopping a bit, the food on the table of the diner completely forgotten.
"..If it wouldn't be a bother!" The Owl replied with a soft expression.
"Well then. I'm Hakos Baelz, Bringer of Chaos!...and also your girlfriend." Hakos said with a smile that was all teeth...sharp...pointy teeth.
"Oh...OH!- I remember now...I-I'm so sorry....I- just forgot.." Mumei said, eyes widening as she got a look of worry on her face.
"Don't apologize, it's not like it's somethin' you can control!...Do you wanna go home for now? I think the food's cold now anyways." The Rat said with a playful laugh.
--
It started happening more often.
Mumei suddenly forgetting things, and unfortunately, she's been starting to even forget people more often now.
When hanging out with one of the other members of the council she would suddenly forget who everyone is and sometimes even where and who she was. Thankfully normally just telling her their names helped her remember.
The council understood. They weren't something Mumei could control, it couldn't be fixed or suppressed. Baelz knew she shouldn't feel upset when her girlfriend asks her for the probably millionth time who she was and how Hakos knew her since Mumei couldn't help it. But it was also an understandable feeling, it would hurt having to often remind the person you love most who you were.
Especially when she completely forgets you.
--
It happened on a rainy night, Hakos and Mumei were heading home after a date that had thankfully gone pretty smoothly, the latter's memory problems not being too much of a bother during it.
"...That was lovely...thank you for taking me, I enjoyed spending that time with you." Mumei said quietly as she held the umbrella up for the both of them to be under while the rain poured around them.
"..T'was nothin'! Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!" Baelz replied with a grin, tail swishing behind her. They were right outside of the Rat's house.
And then Mumei forgot. Forgot about what they were doing, about where she was.
Forgot who the girl unlocking the door to the house was.
"...Uhm..." The Owl shifted her weight onto one foot and then the other.
Hakos paused, cause she knew all to well what that probably meant. With a small sigh the Rat turned to face the girl behind her, who had dropped the umbrella accidentally.
"...Let me guess. You don't know who I am?" Baelz questioned with a raised eyebrow, recieving simply a meak nod as an answer.|
"Hakos Baelz, Bringer of Chaos, Your girlfriend." She then said with a smile.
"...Whoo?....Sorry that...Doesn't ring any bells...I don't think I have a girlfriend...either.." Mumei replied in confusion.
"....What-...But that-...that doesn't make any sense...you always remember after I tell you my name..." Hakos mumbled in disbelief, trying oh so hard not to cry over the mere thought of her girlfriend actually forgetting her entirely.
"...Huh?....Has this...happened before?...I don't remember meeting you at all." The Owl said bluntly, she didn't mean to hurt Hakos, she genuinely didn't remember.
"...Really?....Cause we've met each other plenty of times....We've done *this* countless times..!" Baelz spat dryly, the tears on the corner of her eyes thankfully being hard to spot with all the raindrops on her. It pained her that she was slowly cracking and snapping at Mumei, she knew it wasn't her fault, but it hurt so much to feel like your partner barely knows who you are a lot of the time.
"...I-I'm sorry...I-I really...Don't remember..." Mumei mumbled meakly, the quiver in her voice immediately making the rat freeze.
God Damn it Hakos.
"Wait-...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have gotten mad at you. You can't control it.." Hakos sighed, taking out her wallet and handing the owl a bit of cash, "...You remember how to get home, right? Then use this and get yourself a taxi. You have my number in your phone. It's the contact labelled 'Bae' with a picture of me, if you need me call or text me whenever." She said sternly before heading to go inside her house. "...See you later, Maybe."
--
Hakos sighed as she faceplanted onto her bed after having taken a shower, the events that had just taken place plaguing her mind. Her tail flicked in annoyance. She didn't want to think about it. She felt upset at herself for letting herself snap.
*BZzZt!*
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her train of thought as she picked the phone up, seeing a notification from Mumei.
[Heyy!...I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry if I bothered you...!]
Hakos stared at the text for a few minutes before quickly typing a response,
[Are you kidding? I should be the one apologizing. I snapped at you even though you had no control over what happened.]
She watched as the icon that the other person was typing popped up, heart beating oh so quicker the longer she waited.
[No No, don't worry! I...kinda can understand where you're coming!]
"...Kinda..?" Hakos asked herself weakly. It wasn't often she got this stressed or sad.
{Oh...Alright...I'm gonna...head to sleep for the council meeting tomorrow...]
Baelz sent the last message before turning off her lights and laying down, barely seeing and hearing the notification and chime indicating the Owl replied, but she was too tired to check.
--
The next day, Baelz sought out her other council members before Mumei arrived to tell them about the situation. And by the other council members mainly just Fauna and Sana as Kronii was busy with her own things.
All the Rat gained from that conversation was the advice of showing Mumei something that the two of them had a strong connection to.
"A strong connection, huh?...what's something *both* of us have a connection to.." She mumbled to herself.
It was hard when Mumei arrived, not because she didn't want to see the owl.
But because she apparently she still remembered the other council members and was talking and laughing with them.
Hakos left early that day, to rush back home and scour for items that would have a strong connection between the two.
And then she found it.
It was a small Owl plushie Mumei bought her so that Hakos always had something that reminded her of the Owl. She took a picture of it, immediately sending it to Mumei with a caption.
[Just a question, Does this seem familiar to you?]
*One Image Attachment*
She waited, seeing the typing indicator pop up for a few minutes.
[Sorry but it doesn't look familiar to me at all. It's very cute though!]
Hakos heart ached, it was starting to fully dawn on her that there might not be a way to get her girlfriend back other than starting from square one. She took a deep breath and decided to rest for the night, She'd figure something out..
--
Thankfully, She didn't need to wait long to find something that could work...
One of their senpais from the first HoloEN generation had invited them to a party to celebrate their debuts, and tonight was the date of the party. The perfect chance for Hakos to try getting closer to Mumei again.
The night actually was going well, Her and Mumei started talking about the things that attracted them to each other in the first place. (not that Mumei currently knew that.)
It was when the fireworks their Senpais had prepared were lighting up the night sky with colorful explosions of light. Mumei and Hakos stood next to each other, a bit of distance away from the others, their hands locking together.
"...Tonight was fun..thank you for spending it with me for most of it." Mumei said with a smile, leaning against the smaller girl.
"..It was nothin'...Glad you enjoyed it.." Hakos replied with a smile.
They looked at each other. They went quiet, slowly allowing themselves to get lost in each other's eyes. They didn't say anything, and they didn't need to, they were already doing it before they realized what they were doing.
Their lips pressed together subconciously, the feeling of sharp teeth lightly pressing against her lips making Mumei's heart race. Though she didn't seem to be against it, slowly relaxing as the kiss went on. They pulled apart for air, hot huffs being exhaled onto the other before they kissed again, this time, Hakos had an idea she wanted to try.
She licked the owl's lip, wanting to explore. She was granted access with a bit of hesitation. Baelz pushed forward, standing on her tippy toes, when they pulled away, it had gone according to plan, Mumei huffing for air.
Baelz leaned forward again, "going for the kill" as she called it, very carefully taking the tip of the Owl's tongue between her teeth and bit down as light as she could, only causing small punctures at most. Mumei flinched at the bit of pain.
But she also remembered.
Remembered the rat that stopped biting down on her tongue and moved back.
"Ah-...Bae...?....What was that for-" Mumei said, voice a bit weird due to the pain on her tongue from the bite.
The Rat Paused.
"...You...Remember me..?" Hakos said in disbelief, hints of relief weaved in her voice too.
"...What are you talki-....Oh no-...Did i-" Mumei started, looking worried as her girlfriend nodded at her, already knowing what Mumei was gonna say.
"Oh Dear-...I'm sorry....I-" The Owl's eyes were getting visibly teary, Hakos moved her hands up to wipe at the tears forming on Mumei's eyes.
"Hey Hey, Don't be sorry, You can't help it...It's not your fault...I'm just glad you did end up remembering." She said with a soft smile.
They stood there for a bit. Baelz reassuring Mumei that she wasn't mad and apologizing for snapping the other day. They ended up leaving the party together after it ended, heading back to the smaller girl's house like they did that one night.
--
Once inside the home, the two got comfortable, Snuggling on the couch to watch something together.
Baelz started getting sleepy, tail swishing tiredly, pushing her face against the Owl's neck.
"...Tired?.." Mumei asked in a hum, patting the Rat's head.
"...Kinda..." Hakos replied tiredly.
"Then sleep. I don't mind, I'll be here if you need me...Rest easy.." Mumei said with a smile.
And So Hakos Did.
She snuggled closer to the Owl and drifted to sleep faster than she had all week, Cause she knew Mumei was with her.
That's all that Chaos needed to know.
{End}