Rimelion: The Exploiter

Katherine moved first.

She was out of her chair before anyone else could react, crossing the distance to Lucas in three long strides. Her grin was enormous, unrestrained, and when she reached him she didn’t hesitate; she just wrapped him in a hug that lifted his small frame clear off the ground.

“YAR SO CUTE!” she bellowed, spinning him once. “Look at ya! Like little doll! So pretty!”

“Katherine—put me down—” Lucas’s protest came out higher than usual, which only seemed to delight her more.

“Ribbons!” Katherine continued, setting him down but immediately poking at the translucent bracers on his wrists. “And skirt! Moves when ya move!” She demonstrated by spinning him again, watching the layered fabric flutter. “Perfekt!”

“It’s a curse,” Lucas muttered, trying to regain some dignity.

“Is blessing!” Katherine countered, beaming. She ruffled his silvery-blonde ponytail, and the massive ribbon bounced. “Ya strong now, and cutest! Best combination!”

Lucy had recovered from her shock and was already moving in, her grin sharp and delighted. “Arrr, what have we here?” She circled Lucas once, theatrically examining him from every angle. “A fine addition to me crew! The wind herself, wrapped in ribbons and grace!”

“I’m not joining your crew,” Lucas said flatly.

“Nonsense!” Lucy threw an arm around his shoulders, which was easier now given his reduced height. “Every ship needs a proper maiden, aye? Someone to dance through the rigging, light as air!” She gestured dramatically. “Welcome aboard, Crewmaiden Windprincess!”

Lucas glared at her. Or tried to. With his eyes and softened features, it came across more as an adorable pout.

He raised one hand, clearly intending something threatening, and wind gathered around his fingers—

It puffed out weakly, barely strong enough to ruffle Lucy’s hair and send her hat tilting sideways.

Both women burst out laughing.

“Oh, fearsome!” Lucy cackled, adjusting her hat. “I’m quaking in me boots!”

Katherine was laughing so hard she had to lean on the table. “Earth is like... like baby sneeze!”

Lucas’s face turned red, which only made him look more precious. “It works better in Rimelion,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I’m sure it does, lass—lad—” Lucy paused, grinned wider, “—Windprincess!”

Frozna, still seated calmly, reached down to pet her dog. The shepherd mix’s tail thumped against the floor. “It’s funny,” she observed quietly, her tone matter-of-fact. “Watching them tease you.”

“Thank you, Frozna,” Lucas said with heavy sarcasm. “Your support means everything.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied, completely straight-faced.

I felt a hand slip into mine, fingers tightening. I turned to find Lola looking at me with a complicated expression: concern, uncertainty, something deeper I couldn’t quite name.

She pulled me slightly away from the group, her voice falling to a whisper. “Are you okay?”

I blinked, surprised by the question. “I...”

My eyes drifted back to Lucas, still trapped between Katherine’s enthusiastic hugging and Lucy’s theatrical declarations. He looked miserable in the way only someone wearing a magical girl outfit against their will could look.

“I don’t feel any anger towards him,” I whispered back, the realization settling as I spoke it. “I love who I am now, but...” I paused. “Crow thought it wasn’t enough, apparently.”

Lola pressed herself closer to me, her warmth reassuring. “So... you are okay?”

I looked into myself, trying to sort through what I actually felt. But my feelings for Lola were so strong, so present, they overpowered everything else. Like trying to see stars next to the sun.

“I feel fine,” I said finally.

“Truly?” Her grip tightened.

“Truly.”

She studied my face for another moment, then nodded, though her expression didn’t completely relax. I squeezed her hand once more, then stepped forward, raising my voice to carry over Katherine’s continued exclamations about how “soft” Lucas’s hair was.

“We should call Pearl,” I announced, “and tell her she’s a lesbian now.”

The entire room erupted in laughter.

Except Lucas.

His face went from red to crimson, his hands balling into fists at his sides. The ribbons on his wrists fluttered indignantly. “You are not calling Pearl.”

“Oh, I absolutely am,” I said, pulling out my holo with a grin.

“Charlie—Your Majesty—don’t you dare—”

Lucy was doubled over, her laughter filling the room. Katherine had actual tears streaming down her face. Even Frozna’s lips twitched into something that might have been a smile.

Lola, still beside me, let out a soft breath that might have been relief, might have been amusement, might have been both.

Lucas stood in the middle of the chaos, small and precious and absolutely furious, his ponytail bouncing as he shook his head.

“I hate all of you,” he declared.

“We love you too, Windprincess,” I said cheerfully, already pulling up Pearl’s contact. The surrounding wind puffed again, harmlessly ruffling papers on the table.

Katherine started laughing all over again.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and we stepped out into the cafeteria level.

The space hummed with its usual energy, the soft clatter of dishes, low conversations, the smell of fresh coffee mixing with something sweet from the kitchen. I spotted Yuki immediately, sitting at a table near the window with Phèdre, her hand already rising in a wave.

I waved back, grinning.

Frozna split off from the group without a word, heading toward the counter. “Frozna?”

“I’ll get coffee,” she said over her shoulder. “And Monk’s cakes. And something for him,” she motioned to her dog, who kept to her side.

Katherine’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Is good cake!”

Lucy adjusted her hat, which had somehow survived Lucas’s earlier wind puff. “Aye, sustenance for the voyage ahead!”

We claimed a table near the center, chairs scraping as we settled in. Lucas sat down with visible reluctance, his skirts pooling around him, ribbons still fluttering faintly with residual wind magic. His ponytail bounced as he slumped forward, resting his chin on his hands.

“Why do we need to come here?” he muttered, pouting. “Don’t we have to move? We’re supposed to be leaving for the mission.”

I leaned forward with a grin. “You need to eat to grow, Lucas.”

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I hate you.”

Katherine laughed, reaching over to pat his head, which was now much easier given his reduced height. “Ya need food! Strong warriors eat!”

“I’m a mage,” Lucas protested weakly.

“Strong mages eat too!” Katherine countered.

Lucy grinned, leaning back in her chair. “Aye, can’t have our newest crewmaiden faintin’ from hunger mid-battle!”

Lucas’s glare was completely ineffective through his adorable features. “I’m not your crewmaiden.”

“Not yet,” Lucy said cheerfully.

Footsteps approached, and I looked up to find Yuki standing at our table, her expression curious as she studied Lucas.

“Who’s this?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Lucas,” I said simply.

Yuki blinked. “Lucas? But he’s—” She gestured vaguely at his current form.

“I sent him to God,” I explained, keeping my tone casual. “And the crow punished him by turning him into Windprincess because Lucas turned me into a girl.” I paused, then added, “It’s temporary. A Rimelion battle form.”

Lucas shot me a look. “Except Charlie’s making Earth kind of Rimelion now, so it’s not just temporary anymore.”

“Details,” I said with a wave of my hand.

Yuki nodded slowly, processing this information. Then, without warning, she stepped forward and wrapped Lucas in a quick hug.

“Good luck,” she whispered, then turned and walked back to her table with Phèdre.

Lucas sat there, stunned, ribbons fluttering. “What just—”

“Yuki’s nice like that,” I said.

Katherine was already laughing again when the cafeteria doors opened.

Pearl walked in.

She was wearing … interesting outfit.

An oversized black hoodie hung off one shoulder, revealing a thin tank top underneath. Fishnet stockings covered her legs, disappearing into worn high-top sneakers that had seen better days. Her hair was pulled back in a messy half-ponytail, loose strands framing her face. No makeup today, but a collection of cheap tech bracelets jangled on her wrist.

She looked like every hacker stereotype rolled into one person, except somehow it worked on her. Casual, confident, and completely unbothered by anyone’s opinion.

She spotted us immediately—or rather, spotted Lucas—and her entire face lit up with unholy glee.

“Oh my god,” she breathed, crossing the distance in seconds. Her fishnets caught the light as she moved, her oversized hoodie hanging off one shoulder. “Lucas?”

He went rigid. “Pearl. Hi. This is—it’s not—”

“You’re adorable,” Pearl interrupted, circling the table to stand directly in front of him. Her eyes were wide, sparkling with genuine delight. “Like, actually precious. Look at you!” She reached out and flicked his ponytail, watching it bounce. “The ribbon! The skirts! The—” She gasped dramatically. “Are those fingerless gloves?”

“Pearl,” Lucas said, voice strained. “Please.”

“Please what?” She leaned down, hands on her knees, bringing her face level with his. “Please stop noticing how cute you are? Because that’s not happening.”

Katherine was grinning. Lucy looked like she was watching the best show of her life. Lola, seated beside me, had her tablet out but wasn’t even pretending to work, she was just watching with barely concealed delight.

Pearl straightened, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “You know what? This is perfect. You can sit on my lap now.”

Lucas’s face went completely red. “What—no—I’m not—”

“Come on!” Pearl grabbed his wrist, tugging him up from his chair. “Fair’s fair! You got to be the tall one before. Now it’s my turn!”

“Pearl, I swear—”

She sat down in his vacated chair and patted her thighs expectantly, grinning like she’d just won the lottery. “Don’t make me drag you.”

Lucas looked around the table desperately, searching for an ally. Katherine was laughing too hard to help. Lucy gave him a theatrical salute. Frozna returned with a tray of coffee and cakes, took one look at the situation, and set the tray down without comment.

I just smiled. “Better do it, Lucas. She’s not going to stop.”

“Charlie,” he hissed, “you’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am,” I said cheerfully. “This is for your own good.”

Pearl reached up and grabbed his hand, pulling him down with surprising strength. Lucas stumbled, his reduced weight making resistance futile, and landed sideways on her lap with a mortified squeak.

“There we go!” Pearl wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him in place. “Perfect fit!”

His ponytail draped over her shoulder, the massive ribbon brushing against her hoodie. His skirts pooled around her legs. He looked like a doll someone had carefully posed for maximum embarrassment.

“I’m going to kill all of you,” Lucas muttered, his voice muffled.

“Sure you are, sweetie,” Pearl cooed, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Sure you are.”

Katherine was wheezing. Lucy had her hat pressed to her face, shoulders shaking with laughter. Even Lola was smiling openly now, no longer bothering to hide it.

Pearl shifted slightly, adjusting Lucas’s position like she was settling in for a long stay. “So,” she said conversationally, addressing the table, “how long does this last?”

“Three hours minimum,” I said. “Every time he transforms.”

Pearl’s grin widened impossibly. “Three hours. Oh, this is the best thing that’s ever happened.”

Lucas buried his face in his hands. “I hate everything.”

“You love me,” Pearl said, squeezing him gently.

He didn’t argue.

Frozna pushed a cup of coffee toward them. “Drink. Mission starts soon and we need to go.”

Pearl picked up the cup with one hand, still holding Lucas with the other, and took a sip. “Thanks! She’ll be ready.” She looked down at Lucas, who was still hiding his face. “Won’t you, Windprincess?”

“Don’t call me that,” he mumbled.

“Too late,” she said cheerfully. “It’s your name now.”

Katherine raised her own cup. “To Windprincess!”

“To Windprincess!” Lucy echoed, her voice magically amplified just enough to make several heads turn across the cafeteria.

I raised my cup too. “To Lucas.”

He peeked out from between his fingers, looking at me with an expression caught between gratitude and absolute misery.

Pearl kissed his cheek. “You really are cute, you know.”

“I know,” he sighed, defeated.

Lola leaned closer to me, whispering, “We should probably intervene.”

“Probably,” I agreed.

From across the cafeteria, I heard Yuki gasp loudly. “I figured it out!” Her voice carried over the ambient noise as she turned to Phèdre with wide eyes.

“Charlie punished Lucas because he told everyone she was a real villainess!” Yuki whispered, though not quietly enough. “And if I disobey... will she turn me into a man?”

Phèdre’s response was too quiet to hear, but I saw her shake her head with a slight smile.

I blinked, then looked at Lola. “Did she just—”

“Yes,” Lola said, her lips twitching. “Your reputation is growing.”

“I didn’t punish him,” I protested. “Saevrin did.”

“Semantics,” Lola murmured.

Katherine, who had apparently also overheard, leaned across the table with a huge grin. “Yar scary now! Good for queen!”

“I’m not scary,” I said.

Lucy raised her cup. “Aye, terrifying! The Ice Queen who transforms her enemies into pretty maidens!”

“That’s not—” I stopped, looking at Lucas sitting on Pearl’s lap in his ribbons and skirts. “Okay, I see how this looks.”

Pearl, who had clearly heard everything, burst out laughing. “Oh my gosh. Lucas, your ex is a supervillain!”

“She’s not my ex technically,” Lucas mumbled into his hands. “And she’s a villainess.”

Pearl was already chattering away, still holding Lucas captive, explaining to Katherine exactly how adorable each piece of his outfit was. Katherine was nodding enthusiastically, offering her own observations. Lucy was taking mental notes for future teasing material.

Frozna sipped her coffee, unbothered.

I looked around the table, at my team, my partner, my friends, and felt something warm settle in my chest.

Yeah. We were going to be fine.

Even if Lucas was currently dying of embarrassment on his girlfriend’s lap.