Chapter Text
Qlipoth’s blessing of preservation came not just with the extraordinary power to defend, but the burning flame of The Trailblazer’s spirit given manifest. Which was a fancy way of saying Stelle got cool fire powers.
Usually, said powers could only be channeled through Qlipoth’s lance, which sadly meant she couldn’t set herself on fire on a whim for fun. What she could do, however, was produce heat. Lots of it. She basically never had to worry about being cold ever again.
A luxury that the rest of the Astral Express crew did not have, as proven when the train’s temperature began to drop and the thermostats failed to respond.
“It appears we’re having some problems with the internal heating…” Himeko sighed while cupping a warm mug of coffee in her hands, coat fully worn for a change. “It’s fixable, but it might take a day or two. Until then, I recommend everyone stays bundled up.”
The rest of the crew, having gathered for the briefing, was already doing exactly that. Even with her ice affinity, March 7th looked like a wad of clothing with a face, and Pompom was the same. Welt and Dan Heng, while not as extreme, also wore thicker layers than usual. Whether they were trying to hide it or not, everyone was shivering.
Except for Stelle, who was happily in her regular attire and having no issue with the cold whatsoever. In the corner of her eye, she saw March give her a dirty look.
The group dispersed, most returning to their rooms to hunker down, and Stelle watched Himeko leave for the engine room, forgetting her coffee on the nearby table.
Ignoring the smell (she wasn’t sure if the fact that she could tolerate the scent of garbage better than that of the scientist’s coffee said more about her or Himeko), she picked the mug up and channelled warmth into her hands to heat it back up, following after the scientist to return it.
Actually, that might have given her an idea.
Hmm…