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He hadn't planned on meeting her again, much less show himself in public when he didn't need to, but fate could be truly arbitrary.
Here he was, crossing paths with the traveler whose eyes never made contact with his own. It's like she had no interest in him whatsoever. Well, who could blame her, really? After all, she still stewed in their run-ins from before. He could tell. The way she brushed past him, gave a cold greeting that shouldn't have hurt as much as it did. She appeared to have only tolerated his existence, so why did it matter to him whether or not she said his name?
Maybe it was because he wanted the past to be forgotten. For Scaramouche to be wiped from her memory, like he had done with so many others. Scaramouche was a pitiful sight that held nothing but anger and hate for those who abandoned him, unaware that the strings of fate had him being puppeteered into a monster's waiting mouth, to gnaw on mechanical parts and grind them to dust.
If Scaramouche were to be completely forgotten by her... then maybe he could finally shape his own fate. Right. That's all it was. Her being difficult with him was what kept him from moving on. So he shouted for her to stop walking, and when she did, he could practically feel her annoyance at him without having to pry. The corner of his mouth twitched. It's like she hadn't planned on sticking around for too much longer, didn't want to have a peaceful talk with him. Fine. He promised himself this would be quick, so she could get on with whatever else was more important. "I see you still won't look at me. Have you thought of how to get revenge yet?"
Lumine didn't turn around. Didn't say anything. Was she contemplating something? Maybe whether she should say anything at all or just leave? He felt like she might have just chosen the latter option, if she were smart, but the fairy by her side talked for her, a scoff left her tiny, annoying mouth. "You asked her that last time! Quit being annoying."
Annoying? He was being annoying? He knew he shouldn't have let the fairy get to him like this, but after having gained back his memories, his temper could be harder to control. He turned to completely face them now, a condescending smile on his face, the sound of bells hanging from the thin veil of his kasa harshly jingling with his swift movement. "How about you stop first? Maybe then I'll consider it."
Paimon shrieked in defense, only to be stopped by Lumine. Thank god too, he wasn't sure he could handle much more of that squeaky high tone the fairy used. Then, oh , Lumine turned and actually looked at him. He hadn't expected that.
Suddenly it felt as though he couldn't move. If he tried, his limbs would have felt more akin to them being trapped under a sea of unforgiving tar, but why? It wasn't like she scared him. Still, if he could breathe, he was certain his breath would have hitched at the mere way she looked at him. Eyes that rivaled the sun, fierce and looking as if they'd melt anything that got too close. Wasn't it a bad thing to stare at the sun for too long? That was mostly a thing for humans to worry about, he was sure. His own eyes could withstand something so harsh yet beautiful. If he were to melt under that gaze, though, he wouldn't have minded. Not at all. He'd even welcome something like that, a pleasant death he didn't think he deserved.
Golden hair fell in her face as she moved, and he thought, for a brief moment, if he should reach out and move the strands out of her eyes. If he touched it, would it feel as soft as he'd imagined? Would he be turned to gold to match the color? Forever become a part of her? Something snapped in his face, her delicate fingers breaking his concentration.
Ah–she was saying something? He stared blankly at her for a moment, her voice echoed back into his ears. "...[Wanderer's Name]? Are you even listening?"
Wait. Had he heard clearly? Did his name leave her lips? His true name? Indigo pools met the soft cherry red of her frown, glanced at the way her hands tucked themselves under her arms and covered her breasts. A shame. He wouldn't have minded getting a glimpse of her chest, though small as she was. He knew she was upset, but he couldn't care less. She said his name. The name she gave him to start his new life with. His new beginning. Whatever was said before didn't matter. "Say that again."
Blonde brow raised, she complied, but it wasn't quite what he meant. "I said, stop picking on Paimon and asking me the same stupid question all the time."
"No, not that." He paused, his sigh quivered with want, need. "My name."
The pair of suns glanced at the fairy beside them, but he didn't look at her. Paimon's existence was just as worthless as his own, as far as he was concerned. Despite the way Lumine's face screamed hesitation, she said it again, more of a question than a statement like last time. He demanded she say it once more, and he was grateful she indulged him, even if it held uncertainty, suspicion. It was as though a bard had been playing their harp in a sweet melody each time the name was said, a kind of harmony that could put him at ease, make him feel as though no one else was around but him and Lumine, and his ears yearned to hear more, but he didn't ask her to say it again. Could see her annoyance returned by the knit of her brows and crinkle of perfect skin.
"Good. So you still remember it, after all."
Paimon's voice, shrill and loud enough to break glass, threw him off, startled him into actually looking her way and cursing under his breath. Why did the two of them have to be joined at the hip? If he had it his way, he'd throw her right back into the ocean where the traveler found her, let the creatures of the ocean have a snack if they so wish. What a sight that would be. Maybe he should have even kept his electro delusion... just for situations such as this. Strike down obstacles that got in his way, aggravated him, made him mad. Had he though, he doubted Lumine would have been pleased.
"Why wouldn't she? She was the one that came up with it. Which, Paimon thinks she shouldn't have picked something so nice."
Was Paimon the reason Lumine didn't look his way? The reason Scaramouche hadn't been wiped from her memory completely? It could have been a second reason, he thought. One he'd gladly rid himself of if Lumine allowed it. He scoffed at Paimon's persistence at speaking for the traveler. "I don't think it's any of your concern, you Cicin."
"Cicin? Paimon is not a Cicin!" The fairy stepped on air and threw her tiny fists down in frustration.
"I beg to differ." A shit-eating grin to match his attitude.
"Enough, both of you." Lumine interjected, an exasperated sigh leaving her. "If that's all, [Wanderer's name], we'll be leaving now."
He hummed, pleased to have run into the traveler today after all. He didn't go out of his way to make her life miserable, but sometimes poking fun at her and her companion was amusing. The faces she made... priceless. "It's been a displeasure seeing you both again."
"Likewise." Lumine waved her hand dismissively as she urged Paimon in another direction, though the fairy didn't seem so keen on leaving when she had so much more to say to him.
Whatever.
Her words meant nothing to him, anyway. Only Lumine's, and he'd gotten what he wanted. After so long of being ignored, not being addressed by the correct name, she said it today. Now he was positive his past wasn't the reason behind her annoyance towards him. Rather, it was that annoying... thing constantly at her side. He put a hand up to his chin, his free hand rested on his hip. Should he go through with that thought from earlier and toss her back in the ocean? Maybe then Lumine would see him as more than someone just passing by.
Wait.
He blinked. A frown crossed his face when realization hit him like a ton of bricks. ...Why did he care about what Lumine thought of him, anyway?