Chapter Text
As a full moon rises over the edge of the Augria Dunes, a chill wind passes through the desert. A stark contrast to the heat present during the day. A certain carriage rests, it carries an assortment of individuals, unified in their purpose to seek the knowledge of a Sage’s from days long past. Inside rests a poor forgotten knight, the liege who doesn’t remember him, a combative maid, and an airheaded half-elf. (A/N: Meili’s also here, she just chose to ignore this shit)
All of them remain fully, completely, asleep. Until a certain cry from outside wakes them.
???:[AIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIIAIAIAIAIAIIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIIAIIAIAIAIAIAI]
A truly blood-curdling sound came from outside. Unknown to the individuals inside the carriage, this was a ‘laugh’ not meant to alarm any of them, but outsiders do tend to misunderstand her quite a bit.
Julius the first up, immediately grabs his sword, and darts around to check for everyone. To his horror, two individuals remain unaccounted for, Subaru and Lady Beatrice. Anastasia Hoshin- no, Echidna, the second up immediately joins Julius in searching for the source of that sound. As, the two of them, though reluctantly agree to peek outside the carriages window. What they find is lit fire slightly out of their periphery, but clearly identifiable by the warm light and shadows emitted by it. Those shadows are of a tall- VERY Tall Woman sitting, a Man or Demi-Human(?) standing tall, a small creature(?), and in the middle sits Subaru. Though Julius and Anastasia can’t see
Subaru:[But itssss true!!!]
???:[Were not saying we don’t believe you Baru! But you should still head to sleep. It isn’t for children to stay up so late!]
A mysterious voice, unknown to Julius and Echidna, replies to Subaru in a sickeningly sweet voice, while the shadow of her hand pats the boys head, signifying a level of familiarity unexpected to the Anastasia Camp.
???:[Myla! Let the boy relax a bit. He’s become a real gentleman, at least in age.]
A man responds, while putting a disquieting emphasis on the word ‘gentleman’.
???:[This Real Girl says I Agree, Baru Baru become quite the bachelor in terms of his body, but his mind remains so delectably innocent]
At that Thing’s comment, the man starts laughing, and the woman puffs. Meanwhile, those listening to this exchange start preparing to head out.
Julius:[They don’t seem hostile... at least, but they seem like an odd bunch especially-]
Ana-Echidna:[Especially out in the Augria Sands, right! We should still investigate with caution.]
???:[*yawn* what are you guys talking about?]
A voice like silver bells asks, having been woken by the muttering of the two magenta-haired schemers.
Julius:[Lady Emilia, we-]
Ana-Echidna:[We’r investigating ye’r knight’s friends! He seems to be chattin m’ up!]
Echidna rushed the words out in the worst impression of the Karagi dialect known to any living creature in the entire world. Julius probably would’ve caught on, had The Half-Elf not rushed out the door immediately after hearing about her knight’s friends.
Julius:[Lady Emilia!]
Ana-Echidna:[Wait up!]
She was trying to gauge Emilia’s knowledge on the individuals outside, however the Half-Elf immediately wanted to investigate these ‘friends’ and so ignored the question. Rushing through the door, she jumped onto the cool dunescape and immediately rushed towards the direction of the campfire illuminating the dunes. As she turned the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks, shocked by the scene she found.
???:[Oh! You’re one of Baru’s friends aren’t you!]
???:[Yes! She’s his gal ain’t you! Though, with a Boy like Baru she’s probably filling the role of a gentleman in the relationship.]
???:[This Real Girl agrees, Baru Baru was never really a ‘gentleman’, but he used to be so good! Remember when he won that track race back in elementary, he was so skilled back then.]
In front of the baffled Half-Elf stood 3 truly bizarre figures. First of all, sat a tall, no Very VERY Tall woman, she had long flowing black hair, skin whiter then the snow itself, and strangest of all an entirely naked body with no noticeable human anatomy. The main exception(s) being the hands, eyes, and a small mouth all matching a human. Second, stood a well built man, tall, but far closer to Wilhelm’s height than the ‘Woman’ sitting nearby, his clothes were even reminiscent of a butler, no skin was shown below the neck. Above the neck, you’d find a strange sunken lesion with was about 10cm in height, with above a stuffed and stitched together rabbit head which was clearly several sizes to big. Lastly, a certain ‘Real Girl’ as she claims sat- no was placed, this object looked like the standard teddy bear known to children all over the world. Brown ‘fur’, a blue bow-tie, and were the face would normally be, instead was a dog puppy head. It looked as if it had died were recently, some of it fur near the neck was stained red, as if to signify the point of decapitation.
Julius:[Lady Emilia! Slow down please- ....]
Ana-Echidna:[Julius is- ...]
The 2 companions rushed after Emilia only to stop in their tracks as soon as they faced Subaru’s ‘friends’. They, like Emilia, remain completely fixated and slightly disturbed by the guests surrounding the Half-Elf’s knight. Speaking of him, he plastered a childish grin, while holding in his arms his beloved spirit Beatrice. She dawned a completely still expression, showing no genuine emotion while staying completely silent. Meanwhile, her gaze remained off all three of their ‘guests’, as if she refused to acknowledge their presence.
Subaru:[Heyyyyy Guyssss!]
The Boy said, plastering on his smile further, and exaggerating his words in a childish tone. All the while, his eyes had deep shadows below them, and he barely blinked while facing them.
???:[Oh, how rude of us! We haven’t told you our name have we! Well don’t worry! My Name is Myla, but you children can call me Mother Myla! I Don’t Mind At All!]
The ‘Lady’, Myla, exclaimed in a pleaseant voice. To Julius, it sounded like an elderly maid who’d always shown him kindness, and been a surrogate mother in some aspects. To Emilia, the tone sounded vaguely similar to her ‘Mother Fortuna’ however with a hint of distantance, as if her individual identity was of no importance, but rather the role she played. To Ana-Echidna, nothing truly came to mind expect for the fact that the voice was strikingly human for a tall, slender caricature of a human.
???:[Don’t mind Myla! She’s rather eccentric, but I guess that’s to be expected of a woman of her age]
The Rabbit Man laughs, while moving to make eye contact with Julius.
???:[The Name’s Dr. Dùghall, a pleasure to meet a fellow gentleman so far from home!]
Dùghall moves his hand, signalling Julius for a handshake. Julius hesitates, unsettled by the stench from the Doctor’s ‘head’, as well as the sight of blood which stains the edge of the Rabbit Head.
Julius:[A- a pl-pleasure to make your acquaintance!]
Julius manages to get out, and as he tries to end this handshake, he feels Dùghall tighten his grip over Julius’ hand as if acknowledging his attempt to end this greeting, and refusing to let it end without his permission.
Dùghall:[A Real Gentleman Always, ALWAYS, makes sure he remains stoic!]
The Man, still tightly gripping Julius’ hand, moves back and starts laughing deeply, all the while Julius is pulled along, by the man’s surprising strength, as the Finest of Knights’ remains uneasy as he’s pulled along by the ‘good’ Doctor.
Dùghall:[You seem like a fine lad! So, take this as some advice. A Lady is the opposite of fine wine, she best when she still has difficulty with her time tables! So, make sure you remain committed to observing their growth. And tasting them when their ripe.]
Julius face turns into a snarl, with his eyes showing a justified disdain towards the individual currently crushing his hand. Emilia gains a feeling of digust, only comparable to the disdain she felt towards Regu-something? Echidna, in her spiritual nature is instead focusing on the man’s strength, and the sense of unease these ‘guests’ give their words.
Julius:[I WOULD NEVER RESULT TO SUCH DEPRAVITY!]
Julius yells out, in clear disgust towards the Doctor. The Doctor, however, just continues his guttural and repulsive laugh.
Myla:[Don’t mind him to much, Sonny! He has a strong appreciation for the young, like me!]
Dùghall:[Of Course~ That’s all my lad.]
Dùghall:[sigh Here I Thought I’d met a TRUE Gentleman! But you’re far closer to Baru then I’d like.]
???:[This Real Girl agrees, he seems like the type of person Baru used to be friends with back when he was cuter!]
Dùghall:[Come on Zanifah! Don’t you think its rude to not to introduce yourself.]
Zanifah:[This Real Girl guesses so. Baru’s friend from back when he had lots~ of friends, Zanifah!]
At this declaration of ‘friendship’ all eyes return to Subaru, with a certain Half-Elf approaching him while wearing a worried expression.
Emilia:[Subaru... are these your-]
Subaru:[THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED ME FOR A LONG TIME!]
The Boy says through gritted teeth, while forcing his face into a smile, and as his eyes remain twitching. The loud declaration, makes sure to avoid the word ‘friend’, and instead he uses the role of observer- no stalker. At this declaration, Emilia, Ana-Echidna, and Julius all seem to grow worried, clearly understanding that however these people are, they certainly have scared Subaru enough to tip toe around them.