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The inner parts of H Corp die down in commotion and presence of other people, yet a lingering feeling of something else lurks in the shadows. Moonlight shines dimly within the cracks of the overhead buildings, barely cutting through the hordes of skyscrapers and buildings throughout, and the neon lights illuminate the dingy creaks that even the full moon can’t reach. The air is still. The smell of death creeps through the backstreets.
The only haven ever seen on site is a dingy building, illuminated from the inside, with still shadows standing inside, the sinners of Limbus Company, standing within the main reception of this rather spacious building. The interior is old but still kept in check somehow, the halls facing the left and right both spanning far with rooms adjacent to each other. Two lavish figures emerge from one of the rooms: Jia Xichun of the Jia family, as well as the family's servant and Xichun’s escort, Wei. With a clear startle and expression of surprise, Xichun introduces herself in a less formal way than usual, Hong Lu too showing gratitude and same informality. Slowly inserting herself in now, Don Quixote approaches from Hong Lu’s side.
“Ah! Is she still-” Xichun takes a defensive step back, now beside her escort, Wei. “Does she not remember or…”
Hong Lu peers slightly to their side, “Ah, Don Quixote? She’s still the same as ever, she remembers!”
“Verily!” Don Quixote adds on further, “Thine adventures haven’t slipped past I, Don Quixote’s, mind!” Her joyous voice charges through, clearly standing out in any conversation, but most of all this one, “I digress, wouldest lady Xichun partake mine hand in catching up?”
A slight murmur comes from Xichun towards Wei, something something airhead something something. Then, a response, “Yeah sure, I’d like to catch up!” She looks back onto Wei now, “Could you get us a room? And leave us some privacy, Wei?”
Much to everyone’s surprise, Don Quixote is completely oblivious, having a slight cheery smile plastered onto her face now. A few ways away, Dante and Faust observe this entire interaction, murmuring something to themselves, unable to be heard from Don Quixote.
“Dante., having one of LCB’s assets missing could lead to disciplinary action.”
Dante’s clock ticks, almost as if mimicking speech, “What's the worst that can happen? Wouldn’t Don Quixote or even the sinners getting friends be a good thing?”
Faust lay silent but still taking in Dante’s response, almost as if she's thinking about everything that can possibly happen.
Back onto the two now, Wei is a a bit confused, “Ah- but my lady, surely now isn’t a good time for something like this-”
Xichun sighs, slightly dejected now, “It won’t take long, and what's wrong with catching up with a ‘friend’ during our rest?”
The rest of the sinners begins to add onto the conversation, some saying it is a trap from Xichun to use Don Quixote’s supposed power, others think it’s adorable and they should, until-
“Would it not be equitable to let two distant companions ‘catch up’ after a long journey?” Don Quixote’s voice breaks through the crowd, silencing them all, “It must be sure that I am verily capable of keeping thyself safe!”
The rest of the crowd seems more than still now, all setting in on their thoughts.
“Well, stay safe then, let us know if anything happens!” Rodion breaks the silence with some happiness, the rest of the sinners not having much else to say, but Dante does tell Don Quixote something last. “If anything more does happen, your manager will always be here.”
Don Quixote has a clear expression of fulfillment, her cheeks flushed and smile as bright as the sun, “Tahaha! I verily will, manager esquire!”
And thus, the two take their leave away into a separate room, Wei standing just outside holding the door open for them both, gently closing it as they make their way inside.
The night begins to pass forward bit by bit, and the moon moves with it. Though from inside the room, only small rays pass through the blinds, the city all around providing more background light to the rather dimly lit room. Don Quixote and Xichun both sit at the edge of the bed. Don Quixote’s hands lay still at her thighs, tapping her hands up and down periodically. Xichun preens herself, tending to her looks and fidgeting around. The silence from both of them stays still, the outside commotion having already died down.
*Ahem!* A clearing of one’s throat is heard, Don Quixote having covered her mouth with a small fist as she did, “Is there anything in particular that pique thine curiosity? Her sunflower eyes beam with delight and joy.
Xichun is a little awe struck at first, the usual silence having been finally broken, her thoughts unable to fully connect themselves, “Ah… uhm… Have you ever been to H Corp before?”
A relatively simple question, Don Quixote hastily adds on “I haven’t ever set thine foot upon this place before, yet it has been… a thrill!”
“A thrill is something I wouldn't say but, I can see it. The backstreets can look nice at night.” Xichun adds on, dozing off to the window a bit of ways away from her.
Don Quixote chimes in once again, “Why are you here again Xichun, I swore you were off towards the lakes?”
Xichun is caught a little off guard at the, more personal question towards her, “Ah I was… called onto the Jia estate for some exams our family has to do, not all too excited for it.”
“Woah! I too had an exam of perseverance from the LCB teheh!” Don’s Quixote’s whimsy is still peeking through it all.
Xichun still holds curiosity in her body language and face, only now asking, “If it’s okay, how did everything go after I departed?”
Don Quixote is a bit put off by this, her face clearly a bit struck by her question, “Ahah! Whilst I haven’t expected such bluntness, I’ll be more than happy to share.” She clears her throat and begins, “It went… well. Many challenges and adversaries came across my companions and I…” Don Quixote stops for just a sec, gazing off into the distance before continuing again, “Thine self was forever changed by the conclusion of that chapter, in a rather positive way I would say myself!” She still tries to keep a relatively gleeful face, but clearly it stung a bit bringing it up.
Xichun still holds a sense of curiosity in herself, getting a bit closer now, “I see… that sounds… nice, I hope.” Xichun continues further now, “I’m sorry to hear about that, Don Quixote, it must be really tough after everything.” Don Quixote doesn’t have much else to say besides a small smile.
After a bit of silence passes, “Did you have to confront any of your family, and was that… hard to do?” Xichun continues to press onward, her bluntness continuing to slowly crack at Don Quixote, her tone in the moment seeming more unknowing.
“Miss Xichun, I….” Don Quixote cuts herself off, trying to hold something back. “Xichun, I don’t know if I can retell this story to the best of my ability, I am dearly sorry.”
Xichun was caught astray, whether it was due to the way Don Quixote is clearly distressed now, or because she clearly got too harsh with the way she was coming off, was unsure. “I'm deeply sorry Don Quixote, I…” Xichun holds herself back yet again.
“It’s more than okay, miss Xichun!” Don Quixote’s gleaming self is back yet again, only to fade partially again, “Just, this story stings and breaks thine storytellers own heart, like pebbles to a broken mirror.”
Xichun lets out a small smirk at Don Quixote’s flowery language, whether she got it through her adventures with the LCB or was just a part of who she was, it didn't matter to her. “You may continue or stop as you wish, Quixote, your choice.” She takes a small breath and swallows, “I want to understand you and your troubles, and while I may not be exactly like you, I still feel your struggles and I want to understand more.”
Don Quixote has a somewhat hurt smile whilst looking back at Xichun, yet one of the most authentic ones she’s ever seen from her, “... I’m more than appreciative to hear your words Xichun, yet, I, Don Quixote, will continue onward to the best of my ability!” And thus, her tale continues…
“After lady thou left, I began to face my father and my past. I… didn’t want to continue onward no longer, at least not in the way my adventure was playing out.” Don Quixote lets out a deep sigh, clearly this is beginning to get to her, and even Xichun begins to show more concern, “My companions of the bus were fighting for me until the very end, even I fought them. Yet, their battles even helped me rediscover thine own dream again.”. Don Quixote has a small, yet genuine smile now. A small tear slowly wells up next to the corner of her eye.
“It is now my own responsibility to bear the faults of my own kin… that I-...” Don Quixote shudders slightly as she tries to find the words to correctly encapsulate her feelings, her thoughts over the past few days. Much has happened, yet is she truly ready to acclimate to these changes, to go onward towards a new journey and to continue her adventures or.
Xichun nudges ever closer towards Don Quixote in this moment, their legs touching together, silk on rugged cloth.
“Quixote, whatever it is….” Her voice gets stuck with other thoughts at hand, yet her intention still sticks true, “I know you can handle this. I… we will be here, and I feel something similar.
Xichun tries to keep her mouth shut the best she can, but the moment she peers back to Don Quixote beside her, her genuine emotions truly cracking through, the more her heart begins to take over.
“I haven’t told my rather no-brained brother or escort, but… I’m guessing the family hierarchy evaluations are the reason you're here, right?”
Don Quixote is a bit confused, her glassy eyes starting to return to normal, “I know nothing of this matter, not yet at least.” Don Quixote clears her tears and tries to stay attentive towards Xichun, “Yet I am more than open to listen to your worries.”
“Ah, well… It’s a troubling matter for me. I’ve seen how my family is when it comes to these ‘evaluations’. Every one of them holds so much wrath and coldness towards their own kin.” Xichun doesn’t even pay mind to the slip of information letting go from her deepest parts of her heart and mind, yet Don Quixote is evermore attentive to her words, “Despite my resentment for my family, I don’t hold enough malice to hurt them more than a slap. I worry that my slight kindness will be my downfall during all of this, whether that will cost my position in the family or even my life… I’m worried, Don Quixote.”
Xichun is soon caught astray by a hand, now placed on her leg from Don Quixote, in an act of kindness. Her face holds a genuine smile with nothing but compassion, “Thou hast gone through similar trials as I, yet even despite this, I truly believe you, or we will push onward.” A small smile peeks through now, “It is a dream I have, and a dream I know others can achieve.” Her more sophisticated and chivalrous act and talk slips only for a moment with this.
Xichun stays still for a moment, only for her to move her hand right above Don Quixote’s. Xichun tries her best to not let any emotion come through just yet, but Don Quixote is caught extremely off guard. Not only by Xichun’s move, but also by her rapid beating from within.
“Lady Xichun! Dost thou-“ With a swift haste, Xichun turns from being side to side to being face to face, still keeping each other close by. “X-Xichun, what is thou meaning to proclaim with this act?!”
Xichun quickly begins to lose her composure, her face slowly beginning to blush, “Are all of you so air headed or is it truly only you and my brother?” Letting go of Don Quixote’s hand, she pushes herself forward onto her, wrapping herself in a hug.
Beyond any ounce of shock that can be felt, Don Quixote is a bit apprehensive, up until a few moments later in which she too wraps her arms around Xichun. “Lady Xichun… thine body is so warm to the touch.” Even through Don Quixote’s rather mellow body heat, being so close to one another can only provide the warmth of a kind star.
“Thank you Don Quixote, especially for listening to my insolent rambles. You still were here for me, through it all.” Xichun holds even more tightly onto Don Quixote.
Don Quixote smiles a bit more, her touch clearly warming her further in all aspects, “It is only the righteous thing to do for a lady like you, Xichun.”
Xichun, giggles slightly now, “Ever since I have laid my eyes on you, I’ve always been in awe at your strength and power, and even as the airhead you are,” Xichun sighs a bit, clearly a bit embarrassed by her next words, “Your heart is still so full of love.”
Pulling away from the hug now, but still extremely close, she puts her arms around Don’s shoulders. Her eyes narrow and tilt in an affectionate way, “I… want you, Don Quixote.” Xichun inches closer, now atop of Don Quixote’s lap as she is sitting up.
“M-miss Xichun..” Don Quixote begins to flush, unable to even keep stable eye contact with the woman in front of her. “I- uhm… you look quite stunning I would say, my lady.” Don Quixote takes a small breath and gulp, Xichun now getting a small grasp on her tie, “I c-could even say I want you t-”
From the ever increasing pressure, a voice breaks through the deathly silence outside, “Lady Xichun, I’m certain there are invaders nearby.” The voice sounds like… Wei, and he is clearly distressed, “Quickly wrap up whatever may be going on, I’ll be waiting right here.”
Xichun and Don Quixote both cling onto each other after the initial shock, slowly letting go “It’ll be best to see what’s going on.” Xichun murmurs, slowly getting up and shaking off everything that has just transpired.
Don Quixote can only muster out a quick nod, although the dopey smile clearly tells enough that needs to be known.
As they get ready to check outside, Xichun helps dust off and quickly fix Don Quixote’s coat, rearranging any of the pins on her coat, or fixing her hair that might’ve gone messy. Don Quixote still seems flushed despite this all, as simple as the task is for both Xichun and herself. yet Xichun ends their interaction with one simple sentence.
“I know you'll make it out of this Don Quixote, and when you do, we can… get back to catching up.”
“Ahah! After I vanquish thine enemy I’ll surely love to get back to this, rightfully so!”
Thus, the door creaks open, and this tale of ‘catching up’ comes to an abrupt end… up until the valiant knight and aspiring fixer, Don Quixote, vanquishes whatever evil might come her way. Up until then, their ‘catching up’ will surely resume after