-2: 95
It was chaos. Loud, bubbly, energetic chaos.
Everyone had scattered around the lobby, breaking off into groups to introduce each other and chat while also grabbing food.
But as for me... I was trapped on a sofa.
Marian leaned against my left arm and poked my cheek, teasing me. "I was wondering if you would be ready to be a Father... but to think you already decided to start practicing." After that, she shifted her gaze to little Indi sitting on my lap.
Indi huffed and turned her head to the side, pouting. "It's not fair. I was suuuper strong. But then meanie Chatterbox munched on my core. Daddy brought me back, but since I'm so weak, I'm like this! And my personality is kiddy too! I hate it! I was a noble lady! A strong woman!"
I idly ruffled Indi's hair and said, "Yes, yes. I know, Indi."
Indi let out a content sigh. But then she blushed and said, "I don't like that! St-Stop! I'm not a cat!"
Liberalio drifted close and giggled. "You say that, Sister. But you seem quite content in Father's lap."
"It's because he's warm! I mean- Uuu! It's not fair! You're all mean!" Indi teared up and then buried her face in my chest.
Marian looked amused.
But Anis, who was hugging my right arm the entire time and pouting, looked upset. Staring at me with her golden eyes, she puffed her cheeks out and said, "...You HAVE to spoil me now, Commander."
I kissed her forehead and said, "I know, I know. Don't worry, Anis. I'm all yours for a while after we resolve this mess. Besides, I'm looking forward to that concert of yours."
Anis's eyes lit up. "Really? I mean. Of course." She cleared her throat and said, "I'm a great idol, so I'll put on the best show you can imagine!"
"Mm... We'll see. I'm very picky about idols. I might just have to hop up there and show you what for if it's unsatisfactory."
Mustang walked over, holding a plate of pizza. "Mon commandant! Is that a challenge, I heard?"
I looked at him and said, "A challenge? It's a fact." I puffed up my chest and said, "It might not look like it, but I'm great at dancing. I can do idol step, breakdancing, classic dancing, tango... a lot of stuff."
Anis gave me a blank stare.
"What?" I smiled. "Don't believe me?"
"No. I do." Anis still kept giving me a blank stare. "...But why?"
"Sometimes, it takes a real man to be the best girl."
"What does that even mean?!"
Marian giggled and leaned against me, a content smile on her face. She looked over at Anis and said, "It means, Darling doesn't fear being seen as not manly."
Anis immediately snapped her head to look at Marian. "Darling?!"
"Well." Marian idly traced her abdomen, looking smug. "Darling is the father of our child. So... yes. Darling."
"Why you...!" Anis looked at me. "Commander!"
"Anis." I slowly said. "Whatever you're going to say next, remember that you are in a packed room with people who would absolutely love to roast you about a comment about having babies."
Anis immediately clamped her lips shut, turning a beet red.
Marian giggled.
Anis groaned. "...I hate how being shameless let her win."
Marian let out a bright smile and said, "There's no shame in love, Anis! And I didn't win anything. We all love Commander, remember?" She reached out and took Anis's hand. "My child is yours too, you know?"
Anis's breath hitched. Then she huffed and said, "That's not fair. And even if that's technically true, you still jumped the gun!"
I chuckled and said, "Well, don't get too upset about it yet, Anis. Labor is a thing."
Anis paused. Then she paled. "...Right. I forgot that." She eyed Marian's baby bump. Then she said, "...I'm guessing we don't get an easy way out for being Nikkes?"
Marian shook her head. "Not if you want a real baby with Commander."
"...Okay. Maybe I'll wait a bit..."
Marian giggled.
Indi squirmed in my arms and pouted. "Daddy. Are you just going to talk all day or eat? I'm hungry."
I laughed and said, "Alright, Indi. Let's get you food."
===
Across the room, Andersen and Dorothy sat with Siren, listening to her story.
"...So that's what happened." Andersen murmured. "I always wondered why Cinderella suddenly betrayed us. So it wasn't her, but Red Shoes..."
Siren let out a sad smile. "That's right."
Dorothy set down her tea cup and said, "Wait. So you're telling me that after Anachiro- Sorry. I mean, after Cinderella betrayed us... Your creator repaired you all? And then Cinderella went to fight the Rapture Queen alone and managed to sever the lift?"
Siren shook her head. "I don't know exactly what happened... but I think so! I remember seeing the space station explode a bit as I fell down into the ocean."
Andersen rubbed his chin. "...That would explain why the later fights were easier. No, I guess from the timing, it would be just around when Ark Guardian happened..."
Dorothy paused. Then her eyes widened. "...That's why they stopped sending reinforcements. Why we managed to defeat the Raptures, even if for a bit."
Andersen nodded. "That's right." He sighed. "...Dammit. So we were that close..."
It was a confluence of bad luck and timing.
If Andersen hadn't been taken out during Operation Ark Guardian...
"...No. There's no point in what ifs." Andersen slowly exhaled and looked over at his son.
Commander Hoopa was in the midst of juggling all his relationships, practically being mobbed by girls... Well, his Nikkes.
Seeing that, Andersen smiled. "...We can still rewrite the story. After all, we have a sequel now."
Dorothy looked over at Hoopa as well and smiled. "...Indeed. Though I do have to say..."
She watched as Hoopa teased Anis and Marian, just like Andersen did to Snow White and Red Hood in the past. Then she watched as Hoopa calmly reassured Indi and idly wiped Liberalio's mouth clean after she stained it with some tomato sauce.
"...It's odd. Seeing someone who's like yourself and also like Lilith, Commander."
Andersen watched Hoopa idly brush his hands off in the exact same way Lilith used to. "...Yeah. But it's proof, so I'll take it."
Siren smiled. "I can't say I know what you're talking about... but I kind of understand! It's like how I kept making bubbles of everyone! It's proof they existed, right?"
Andersen smiled. "Right. Although not... quite how I ever expected it to come about, my kid is proof that Lilith and I were together at some point. At least, that's what I'm saying and no one can say otherwise."
Dorothy looked amused. "You DO realize the implications of that, right, Commander?"
"Damned if I do, damned if I don't, so might as well sin like a boss and head to hell like a king, right?"
Dorothy snorted.
Andersen looked back at Siren and said, "But anyway, Siren. You said you saw Cinderella fall? Do you think she's still alive?"
"I think so! Cinderella is tough, so she should still be around... Oh! And if we find her, she'll be super happy!" Siren let out a warm smile and said, "You and the Goddess Squad are her heroes, you know?"
Dorothy winced. "...Oh. Then... at that time..."
Andersen sighed. "...Well. More reasons to rip that Queen's head off. Making Cinderella fight against her heroes..." He shook his head. "It's fine. We'll get it sorted. Now... how about some lighter things? Tell us more about your friends, Siren."
"Of course! Um... before then. Can I ask you something, Mister Legendary Commander?"
Andersen laughed and said, "It's just Andersen, Siren. You're probably going to be working with my kid, so Deputy Chief's off the table too. Andersen's the best way to address me."
"Okay! Then, Mister Andersen... Um. Have you ever met my friend, Levi?"
Andersen tilted his head. "Levi?"
===
Rose handed Scarlet a beer bottle and said, "You've grown up, Scar."
Scarlet took the beer bottle with trembling hands. "...And you're really here, Rose."
Rose took another beer bottle and nodded towards the exit. "Walk with me a bit?"
"...Yes."
Rose smiled and headed outside, trailing a bit for Scarlet to follow.
As they left the office building, the chaotic din quieted, leaving just the quiet evening breeze and soft hustle and bustle in the distance from the other inhabitants of the Outpost.
Eventually, Rose came to a stop at a flower park and sat down on the bench. She smiled and patted the spot beside here. "Come on, Scar. Sit with me a while."
Scarlet sat down beside Rose, not saying a word. Her usually calm demeanor was trembling, her brown eyes staring at Rose as if still looking at a ghost.
Rose chuckled and held up her beer to Scarlet. "Toast?"
"...Yes." Scarlet clinked her bottle against Rose's.
Rose smiled and took a sip, still staring into Scarlet's eyes. As she did...
"...You became a lot like me, didn't you? You're calmer now."
"...I suppose I did." Scarlet fiddled with the strap holding her hat to her back. "...It's been many years, Rose. A lot has changed."
Rose reached her hand up towards Scarlet's face.
Scarlet flinched. But then she stayed still.
Rose caressed Scarlet's cheek and said, "Your eyes changed colors. They're lighter now. Not reddish anymore."
Scarlet stared back into Rose's eyes and murmured, "And yet yours are the same. That beautiful hue so reminiscent of dawn."
Rose laughed and pulled her hand back. "You've gotten more poetic. I suppose the years would do that."
Scarlet kept staring at Rose.
Rose let out a teasing smile and said, "I'm not a ghost, you know. I'm real. Here." She took Scarlet's hand and placed it against her cheek. "See?"
Scarlet's hand trembled and then shifted over the brush the scar across Rose's head. The fatal scar that should have made her impossible to come back since it cleaved through her skull. "...How are you alive? And here? Are you a copy, or...?"
Rose chuckled. "Not a copy. Mm... it's complicated. But the commander said I'm me." She waved towards her body and said, "My body's like this... but the soul inside. It's me. I remember everything, you know? Even the before."
Scarlet paused. "...The before?"
"...Yeah. The before." Rose pulled Scarlet into a hug and said, "...I missed you. But I didn't think I had a right to see you again after what I made you do, Scar."
Scarlet's breath hitched and she hugged Rose back, holding her tight. "...I missed you too."
Rose placed her head against Scarlet's shoulder and murmured, "My dear sister. I'm so sorry for leaving you all alone."
Scarlet shook her head, tears streaming down her cheek. "No... No. Don't apologize." She held Rose tighter and said, "You're here now. You're here. So... stay. This time. Please..."
Rose leaned back and brushed the tears away from Scarlet's cheeks. "Of course, my dear sister. From now on and always. I'm not going anywhere." She smiled, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "After all, someone has to keep you in check. I heard you convinced Sophia to prototype you a flying sword like from those stories you read?"
Scarlet blushed and said, "I-It was for efficiency!"
"Right. Efficiency. And not because you said you always wanted to roam the murim and jianghu like a swordsman cultivating the truth..."