“You spoke of taking me up on a contract, did you not? It only stands to reason that I would arrange a proper meeting between the two of us. …Even if it is only in your mind for now.”
…The thought was a bit depressing, wasn’t it. The only way to experience even the most basic comforts of the world now for most was to dream about them. All of it gone in a flash just because some woman was stupid enough to-
…There wasn’t much use in dwelling in that part of the past. Not for this conversation at least.
You recall the spell that was cast, correct?” He asks, absently swirling his tea with a small spoon. “That cut off demon contracts and Persona users from their Personas? While such a limiter would be rather damaging if it ever occurred again, I feel it is rather likely that I would not be affected by the cut contact power-wise. While I wish to have full faith in…most of the people in your group when it comes to solving conflict, I believe it would prove beneficial if I could also be in play as a last resort. Stepping out into the world for combat, as it will.”
“…The problem with that being, that I can not leave the realm of the unconscious without a proper connection to reality.”
“Admittedly, I didn’t think you’d take me up that.”
She absently fussed with one of her side braids before lowering her hand, blinking a bit before she nodded. Rebecca certainly remembered that. She was still reeling from the loss of Feng, and she had nearly passed out cold when it happened.
“I remember.”
Instantly, her mind made the appropriate connections, and she quietly picked up her cup, sipping at the tea. Her hum was soft and happy, the taste was wonderful.
“I can sympathize. I don’t have the most faith in some of them either. Especially the one who keeps putting others in danger because he can’t stop killing demons. He just doesn’t seem to get it no matter how simply it’s spelled out. It’s frustrating and Grampa’s getting more pissed by the day.”
Her response was soft before she gently put her cup back down. She put her hand into her lap, looking up at Felix. Her sapphire eyes were filled with determination.
“I’m game for whatever we gotta do for that, Felix-san.”
“A while…? Guess I don’t have to worry about the usual reaction I get then, huh?”
Rebecca chuckled a little, her hands clasping under her chin as she also looked out the window on the edge of her vision. The light was rather beautiful, now that she was looking at it. Vibrant, sapphire eyes looked back at the other, her braids swinging a little bit.
“I’d hope not. It’d be a pretty boring reason if it was just about my hearing, or lack thereof as it were.”
She remembered curling up in bed without her headset to sleep after that long battle and then woke up here, in her normal outfit instead of her stolen nightgown. The tea cakes smelled delicious, so if she was dreaming, this was the best dream she ever had since ending up in the apocalypse.
The warm impression of this place made her feel safe, like she was home. The small cakes reminded her of her mother’s almost, the train itself of Inaba’s that she took to get to Okina and back.
“This is about what happened yesterday, I gather? Or was my guess off?”
The woman allowed herself to fall silent for a time, allowing her thoughts to run amok as her gaze drifted. She was quite grateful that Rise had a being as powerful as Susano’o protecting her, especially given the state of the world. And Bardot seemed more than capable of protecting herself and others, as well. Steely blues would return to settle upon the other once more, “I apologize if it seemed that I was doubting you, Bardot-san.”
“Hey, it’s cool. S’understandable why y’would. It’s nuts out there.”
Rebecca gently waved Naoto off, a warm smile on her freckled face. It was incredibly understandable why the other would worry, she didn’t blame her for it at all.
She tapped her naginata to her shoulder once more, this time more absently, almost habitual.
“So is there anythin’ I can help out with over here, Shirogane-san?”
“Bardot-san, are you certain that you are okay venturing between my home and Rise-san’s?”
It was not a long trip, and, other than the attack from Yamata-no-Orochi, this area had been mostly safe… And yet, Naoto still felt the need to worry. If a creature like that serpent struck again while in transit between the two strongholds, it would no doubt be disastrous. “I appreciate your coming to check on things here, but, surely it would be safer to stay with Rise-san and Susano’o?”
“Eh? Yeah, I’m A-okay.”
Rebecca tapped her hilariously large naginata to her shoulder, a grin on her freckled face. Sapphire blue eyes glanced up at the surprisingly clear sky before she looked back at Naoto.
“It’d probably be safer, yeah. I can take care of myself though, y’know? Suzy busy bein’ Rise-chan’s lil guard, they’ll be fine.”
She wasn’t some tiny princess to be locked up in a tower and never come out after all. The blonde was a fighter. She’d fight and protect as long as she needed to.
A concerned gasp slipped out of his mouth, perhaps more startled then he should be at the sight of tears. Considering the end of times was currently underway, one could hardly blame them.
“H-hey, everything’s gonna be okay, Bardot-san! You’re safe here!” He attempts to assure, lightly placing his hand on his arm.
“I’m sorry… I…”
Weakly, she wrapped a calloused hand around the boy’s wrist. The fact that he looked like a shorter version of her twin helped somewhat.
“I miss my f-family… Mama… Papa… my brother… I… M’sorry…”
She let out a choked sob, tears streaming down her cheeks before wrapping strong arms around the other blond, burying her face in his shoulder. She babbled a little in French, voice thick with tears.
Then, Rebecca finally pulled away, wiping at her eyes with her long sleeves and sniffling somewhat.
“Of course, Bardot-san, though, I’ll have to apologize on the condition of said fur. It’s… a little worse for wear.”
It wasn’t something a person who hadn’t met him would even realize, but it was a lot less pristine than usual. Somewhere in between all the shedding from stress and getting thrown into a foreign world, its typical glow had been lost.
This was it. The moment of truth.
Gently, she laid a calloused hand on silver fur, ignoring the stress shedding. Even with the stress and lack of glow, it still felt soft.
“…Fluffy…”
Looks like she had a weakness to cute or fluffy things.
“A-Ah, um… Thank you for letting me touch the fluff- I mean fuwa- I mean fur.”
“…Would you like to pet it, Miss…” he’s waiting for her to give him a name to work with. She has a nice, tough smell to her, and he’s doing his best to take it in. It might come in handy.
“Ah-”
She let out a tiny squeak. That was the first time since Rise that someone pegged her as female right off the bat. Now how about that? Right, name.
“Oh, um, Bardot. Rebecca Bardot. A-And um… Yes I would, i-if that’s alright with you?”
Back in the Game 
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