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Originally Remielle just wanted to have some fun before being dragged to the boredom of treatments and restrictions that are waiting for her Vyrium. Fantasy Resort was just the only option she had what with Sigrid heading there (cause she’s technically still a criminal).
She did not expect to run into her dear Miss Phaethon there.
Nor did she expect the many…friends the girl has.
*****
1 - Lucy
Spotting the proxy siblings on the beach Remielle sneaks behind, wanting to give them a scare surprise.
As Wise turns to head to the hotel to check them in, Sigrid and Belle head towards a stall. With not a moments hesitation, Remielle follows Belle.
At the as yet unopened shop stands a short blonde, Remielle recognizes her from the Hollow Championship when she was still Ramiel.
“Lucy!” Belle runs up to her, enveloping the other girl in a hug. “You’re the resort’s liaison?!”
“I got roped in.” Lucy replies, “Alice wanted to go on her little road trip, but couldn’t stop worrying about the resort’s new business partner. So it appears I have a part-time gig for this week.”
“Judging by the new swimsuit, Lucy, you seem pretty into it.” Belle taps her chin.
The blonde girl mutters something under her breath.
Belle laughs, the melody of it ringing in the air. Remielle frowns to herself and moves closer to eaves learn more.
“That would be something Yuzuha would do.” Belle is saying. “Though I’d not have expected you to choose pink, you look good! It suits you, Lucy!”
What? Pink is her color! Remielle pouts, glancing down at herself. Should she have gotten the pink swimsuit?
“Well, enjoy it while it lasts. This is a one time only thing. That girl…” Lucy huffs, “Well, anyway you’re going to help me get revenge, right Pr- Manager?”
“That depends. On Yuzuha or Alice?” Belle tilts her head then adds, “Or Caesar like usual?”
“All of them!” Lucy crosses her arms. Belle leans in to whisper something with a mischievous smile. The blonde girl nods approvingly, “That’ll make our dear Overlord think twice before laughing at me.”
“I know when Yuzuha and Alice are back but when’s Caesar arriving?” Belle questions.
“The night of the bonfire party.” Lucy answers, “And speaking of that…”
Remielle has heard enough, slinking away back to the beach. It sounds like it’s time to make an appearance.
*****
2 - Astra
It’s the first time Remielle’s running the store with Belle, the younger girl spending practically all her free time crafting souvenirs to sell and raise funds for the bonfire party. The only ones more invested than her are Sigrid and Lucy; Remielle spent hours convincing the two of them to spend their time elsewhere. (Hours that were wasted considering Belle sent them off with a total of eight words - ‘Go enjoy your vacation guys! We’ve got this!’ - paired with a reassuring smile. Remielle wasn’t sure whether to be more attracted or more je concerned.)
So here she is. Legendary void hunter Colonel Dan reduced to an average sales person. Of seashells.
All because Miss Model Citizen doesn’t know how to take a break.
Remielle would complain more if she didn’t know how much Belle is enjoying her arts and crafts. And if it didn’t provide the perfect opportunity to get a special gift out of her.
“Manager~” A tall dark haired woman wearing sunglasses strides over to them with a beam on her face. Remielle’s brows furrow inadvertently, that voice is…not friendly.
Or too friendly.
“Astra!” Belle greets brightly, coming to stand at the counter beside Remielle.
“Astra? Astra Yao?! Where?” The customer suddenly lifts his head from his phone. The woman ducks behind a palm tree, finger at her lips.
“No, no, no.” Belle hurriedly waves her hands, “My friend Astra.” She laughs nervously, “Who’s definitely not Astra Yao.”
She’s definitely this Astra Yao person, Remielle thinks eyes appraising the other woman who’s currently stood waiting.
“Anyway, here’s your souvenir!” Belle is saying, “Hope you enjoy!” She waves the customer off, his attention once more on the screen in his hands. Breathing a sigh of relief once he’s out of sight, Belle turns to Astra. “Didn’t I tell you last time that this is a horrible disguise?”
Last time? Remielle tries harder to pretend she’s not listening intently.
“It was working until you shouted my name, Belle.” Astra points out teasingly, “I’d say this time is your fault.”
“You…That’s…” Belle tries to find her words, “…Okay, fair.” She appraises the other woman, “But if you’re in disguise….Does Evelyn know where you are?”
“I mean…She should know by now where I’m not?” Astra’s voice lilts upwards.
Belle stares…and then sighs, pointing to the side door. “Just get in here before someone else spots their favorite superstar.”
Astra gasps dramatically, “I’m your favorite?”
She’s your favorite?!!!
“Currently Aria is.” Belle deadpans.
Who? Never mind. Remielle frowns to herself before wiping the expression from her face. She moves to look at Belle, “Shouldn’t you introduce us, Miss Friendly?”
“Oh, right. Remie, this is Astra. She’s a super famous celebrity in New Eridu.” Belle turns away from her, “Astra, this is Remielle. She’s someone Wise and I met while we were away.”
Someone she met? Remielle huffs. What happened to partners?
“Remielle,” Astra repeats, “I could swear I’ve heard that name somewhere before.” She very quickly shrugs it off, “Nice to meet you, Remie.”
“That’s Remielle to you.” The pink-haired girl snaps, giving Astra her worst glare.
“Okay, okay.” But the other girl doesn’t seem fazed, just raising her hands in playful surrender as she reassesses the winged thiren. “I think Eve would get along with you.”
Belle reacts as well with a gentle nudge to Remielle’s side. “Hey, is something wrong?”
“No.” Remielle replies, her tone perhaps a bit shorter than it is normally, “I’m fine.”
“…Okay then.” And Belle moves onto convincing Astra to at least add a hat to her disguise. Especially if she's hanging around the shop.
Remielle huffs inwardly at the familiar banter.
*****
3 - Vivian
It’s the day of the bonfire party and Belle is still working at the store. Remielle is not this time, she’s savoring her vacation time with a cold mocktail in hand and a leisurely stroll on the beach.
It’s pure coincidence that she’s around the shop. And if she lingers its only because of…
“Lord Phaethon!” The purple haired girl yells as she approaches.
“Vivian?” Belle’s head jerks up from her crafting, “What are you doing here? Wise should be done with fishing soon if you want to find him.”
“Actually,” The purple haired girl flushes, “I wanted to find you.”
“Me?” Belle turns to the resort’s worker, murmuring a few words too soft for Remielle to hear. The girl looks from Belle to the waiting Vivian, smiles and leaves.
“Now, tell me honestly,” Belle looks back to Vivian, expression playfully wary, “Is this about fanart?”
If possible Vivian’s cheeks turn even more red, “That was one time.” Is what Remielle thinks she mutters, her voice nearly too soft to be audible.
“Okay then.” Belle relaxes, giving a bright smile. “Let’s see what I can do for you.” She invites Vivian in and after a few words of conversation the two of them bend over the crafting station.
Remielle turns away at the sight, taking a sip of her drink as she continues her walk. She frowns.
It’s not sweet anymore.
Remielle tosses the half-finished drink into the nearest trash can. She should have just gotten caramel tea milk instead.
*****
4 - Ye shunguang
Remielle takes a loop around the beach and rationalizes her mood as just a bad day. Maybe her enchainer transformation is acting up again, that always stresses her out.
So her solution is to treat herself to something sweet. Either another drink or ice cream.
Ice cream, she decides. She can’t be bothered to go to Lumina Square and buy tea milk.
While taste testing the flavors Remielle wonders what Belle would recommend.
Well, the only thing to do is ask. Remielle looks up at the dimming sky, at this time Belle should be closing down the shop.
Which is how Remielle finds herself stood before the store for a second time that day. In the exact same spot. Watching Belle talk with another woman. This one a thiren who is latched on to Belle’s free hand as the manager locks up the shop.
Remielle feels her eyes fix on that spot where they touch. Only breaking out of it when she hears… “Remie!”
Belle skips over to her, dragging the stranger with her. “What are you doing here?” She asks.
“I…” Their arms are still latched so Remielle takes a step and slides her hand into Belle’s other one, “I wanted to see if Miss Busy Bee had time to treat me to ice cream.”
“Ice cream? Sure!” Belle’s reply makes Remielle’s chest lighten. At least until she turns to the other thiren, “Xiao’Guang, you want to come too?”
Xiao’Guang (they have nicknames?!) nods, “I haven’t had ice cream since that time in Lumina Square.”
“What? That was months ago!” Belle exclaims, “Come on! I’ll treat both of you!” She leads them to the ice cream stall.
…
“You have too many friends.” Remielle mutters resentfully.
“What was that?”
“I asked what ice cream you’d recommend.” Remielle sighs as they reach the stall. Her mood is down again. She’s sure whatever she gets - if she chooses to get anything now - won’t be nice.
*****
5 - Miyabi
“Proxy.” Remielle turns at yet another voice. They had just finished buying ice cream. And Ye Shunguang had just left to invite her and Belle’s Seniors. And Belle had just offered her a taste of the strawberry sorbet cone she chose.
The spoon of ice cream falls from her lips.
At this point, Remielle would believe she’s cursed.
“Miyabi! You made it!” Belle waves her over. “Do you want ice cream?”
“Hm.” The fox thiren - with ears almost as large as another Remielle knows - hums before shaking her head, “I am undergoing training of ‘Avoiding cold things’.”
Ah. Remielle has a feeling of deja vu.
“Are you okay?” Belle looks worried.
“I am fine.” Miyabi reassures her, “Asaba had the flu two weeks ago. Yanagi caught it. And she would like for Soukaku and I to remain healthy.” She says that but stares longingly at the ice cream stall.
Belle notes that - of course she does - and offers, “One spoon?” She holds up the spoon of ice cream she previously offered Remielle. Miyabi takes it, lifting the plastic to sample the cold treat.
Would it be overkill to challenge the younger void hunter to a fight? Remielle wonders - and she will admit it now - enviously.
“How about you, Belle?” Miyabi is oblivious to Remielle’s sudden desire to maim her, continuing to converse with Belle. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great actually! My treatment has progressed really well!” Belle shares, “And I’ve met lots of new interesting people in-“ Her voice cuts off abruptly.
Right, Remielle nods, people in New Eridu aren’t supposed to know of Roscaelifer.
“In Roscaelifer?” Though Miyabi phrased it like a question it comes out like a statement.
Belle’s shoulders relax and she sends the other thiren a sheepish smile. “You know of it?”
“My father has mentioned it. He also mentioned that there are some complications up there currently.”
“That’s a way to put it.” Remielle interjects.
Miyabi eyes her before turning back to Belle. “If you ever need help, Belle, Section 6 is always here. I am always here.”
Belle is silent for a bit, expression turning serious. “I know.” She says finally. “But we don’t want to drag you into something that doesn’t concern you.”
“What about our investigation?” Miyabi questions. “You don’t think that applies only to sharing information, do you? We’re partners.”
Partners?! What?!
Remielle would personally state that she’s been very patient the past few days. Extremely patient. But this… this crosses her limit.
*****
+1 - Eous
Not even ten minutes after Remielle storms off she’s found by Belle at the Sailboat Drinks stand.
“Hey.” The other girl greets her softly.
Remielle is not going to look at her. Not for this conversation at least. “Hey.”
“So…” Belle leans on the railing beside her, “You’re jealous?”
Remielle rolls her eyes, “You finally get it, Miss Oblivious?”
Belle accepts the tease. “You know Wise and I are investigating the fall of the old capital right? Well, Miyabi is too. So we agreed to be partners - investigation partners - back when we were still operating as illegal proxies.”
“Is that what I want to hear?”
“Um…” Remielle doesn’t have to look to imagine Belle’s thinking face, “You’re my second favorite partner-in-crime?”
Remielle remembers a split second too late that she had sworn to herself to not look at the other girl for this conversation but she doesn’t care about that now. “Second favorite?” She pairs her threatening tone with a slow step close.
Belle shrugs unapologetically, a teasing spark in her eyes. “Eous is number one.”
Remielle takes another step, “I’m losing to a bangboo?!” This close now she can see the hints of a blush on the tips of Belle’s ears.
“Yeah.” Belle’s aquamarine eyes meet hers, “But… you’re my favorite partner. In everything.”
The root of Belle’s charm, Remielle realizes there and then, is the sincerity that shines through every word.
“Oh.”
“Oh?” Belle repeats, “I’m pouring my heart out here, Remie. Help me out please?”
Well, where’s the fun in that? Remielle pokes lightly at Belle’s shoulder. “I haven’t forgiven you yet. You haven’t even apologized for everyone else.”
“Huh?” Now Belle looks confused, “Everyone else? Oh! I invited Xiao’Guang for ice cream too ‘cause the desserts in Waifei Peninsula are really different. I can show you sometime.” She says.
“And how about her holding your arm?” Remielle questions.
“You know the side effects of the Qingming sword?” Remielle nods - the weapon gradually drains its wielders of their five senses and causes memory loss. “Yeah, so a couple months ago Xiao’Guang lost all her senses. After that she’s become more affectionate. See there.” Belle points to the bonfire party on the beach below where the Yunkui summit members are talking with Section 6. Ye Shunguang is playing with the hair of a feline thiren while the hand of a white haired woman is rested on her shoulder. “It’s probably a trauma response but since it doesn’t hurt anyone,” Belle shrugs, “Xiao’Guang gets as much physical contact as she requests.”
So in a hundred years the link between being Void Hunters and having Trauma with a capital T hasn’t changed. Remielle huffs, she supposes she’ll allow Belle to be affectionate. “And?”
“And…what?” Belle asks.
“Everyone else?” Remielle lists, “The swimsuit girl, the Astra girl and the purple-haired girl.”
“Swimsuit girl?” Belle repeats, “You mean when I complimented Lucy’s new swimsuit? You were there for that?”
“I was near enough to overhear.” Remielle valiantly brushes that off though judging by Belle’s widening smile it’s not working. She tries changing the subject instead. “What did you whisper in her ear?”
“I suggested a plan for revenge.” Belle says, “‘Cause Yuzuha and Alice - but mainly Yuzuha - decided to convince Lucy, Wise and I to ‘help out’ around the resort while they were on their road trip. Now, Wise is above revenge - or likes to pretend he is at least - so it was just Lucy and I scheming.”
“Belle!” A red-haired girl currently soaking wet yells up at them from where she’s taking cover to refill her water gun. “This was your idea wasn’t it?!”
“I resent that accusation!” Belle calls back, “It was Wise!”
“Belle, you-!” He’s cut off by the redhead blasting water at him, luckily the sneak attack is blocked by the person next to him lifting an umbrella.
“Don’t worry, Proxy!” A girl in a hot pink wetsuit shoots back with her own water gun, Lucy covering her at her side. “We got your back.”
“Now that was my idea.” Belle points to the outfit of the other girl.
“You put Caesar in pink?!” Suddenly a head pokes out from behind the building of Sailboat Drinks, “Genius, proxy! I’ll send you the blackmail pics in the chat.”
“Great! Thanks!” Belle notices the look on Remielle’s face right now, “Um, could you leave us Burnice?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going.” The other girl leaves. Kinda. Burnice just lingers out of sight.
“Go further!” Belle is very familiar with her friend’s tricks.
“I’m going! I’m going!” Now Burnice ducks away, “Hey Caesar, where’d you get the gun?”
“Right so that’s-“ Once she’s out of ear shot Belle turns back to Remielle and gestures to the intense water fight on the beach below, “The story with Lucy. As for Astra… just look over there.”
The girl from the store a few days ago is talking with a trio of teenagers near the stage. A blonde woman is stood protectively at her back.
“The blonde behind her is Evelyn, Astra’s girlfriend.” Belle says, “They’re the type of couple that’s so in sync that they could announce they’ve been married for years and I wouldn’t even be that surprised.”
Remielle remembers the special tone the nickname Eve had in Astra’s voice. It’s not unlike the note Remielle imagines is in Belle’s when calling Remielle’s own nickname.
“And the purple haired girl…do you mean Vivian? ‘Cause she’s Wise’s girlfriend.” Belle points. The umbrella that saved Wise earlier was wielded by the girl from this morning. And strung around Belle’s brother’s neck is a necklace crafted from seashells and a purple star.
“Did you help her make the necklace this morning?” Remielle asks.
“So you were there!” Belle exclaims. “I thought I saw you!”
Eying Belle’s grin, Remielle just gives up on concealment and goes for directness. “I heard mentions of fanart too. What’s that?”
“That… I…” Belle stammers. “Is this to tease me or like something you actually don’t know?”
“I don’t know.” Remielle shakes her head, “But looking at your reaction…I think I can make an educated guess.”
Belle squeezes her eyes shut, “Do me a favor and never let me know if you decide to test your guess, alright? I’m already scarred from Vivian’s showing.”
“Right. So Vivian’s your fan.” Remielle frowns in remembrance of a very passionate greeting. “Lord Phaethon?”
“It’s a title given to us by our fans. Since according to mythology Phaethon is the son of Helios.” Belle’s calm answer is a sharp contrast to her flushing cheeks. She changes the subject, “So am I forgiven?”
“Well,” Remielle hesitates, “I have one more question.” She looks away, “Why haven’t you been introducing me?”
“I…Well, I’m not sure how to.” This time Belle is the one to step closer, gently positioning Remielle to look at her. “Do you want to be recognized as original void hunter Remielle Dan or just be another anonymous nobody like Ramiel?”
That’s a fair point and something Remielle never really considered but… “You introduced me as Remielle to Astra.” She points out.
“I didn’t think she’d connect the name to your identity.” Belle explains, “On the other hand, Xiao’Guang and Miyabi as void hunters definitely would.”
Another good point. Remielle huffs, “And would that be so bad?”
“It would lead to lots of questions. About void hunter weapons which would bring up karma cores which is something that doesn’t need to happen while we’re on holiday.” Belle states eyes filled with understanding care, “And then there’d probably be some challenges to a duel. Of which the result I am interested in but not enough for you to use Thaumiel again.”
Remielle heart warms at the implication until she realizes with a frown, “You think I’d lose without Thaumiel?”
Belle’s face cannot hide anything. “…Well, I mean…”
“Be honest,” Remielle demands, “Do you think I’d lose?”
“Honestly?” Belle asks.
Remielle is not going to like Belle’s answer is she. “Yes, honestly.”
“I’ve seen Miyabi cut through a hollow. I haven’t seen anything that impressive from you. Apart from stopping time which is mostly Thaumiel.”
“I pushed back the dark wall!” Remielle exclaims.
Belle just shrugs, “I wasn’t there to see it though.”
Remielle huffs, swearing to herself that the next time they’re in danger (and there’s going to be a next time) she’s going to show off a little. Or a lot. Whatever it takes to get Belle to change this opinion.
“Remie?” Belle nudges her softly, “So, how would you like me to introduce you?”
Remielle thinks it over. “As Remielle.” She says finally, she’ll take any complications that come with that over hiding with a fake name. “And… as your partner?”
Belle’s eyes widen for an instant before raising a teasing eyebrow (maybe she’s spent too much time with Remielle that she’s picked up some of her habits). “Remie…Am I your favorite partner?”
“You're my second favorite dance partner.” Remielle returns biting hard on that one word.
Belle just smiles. “I’m hoping there’s a but.” She prompts.
“But…” Remielle smiles back, “You’re my favorite partner too.”