'So this is where it starts falling into place...', Musse thought to herself, seeing Emma formally introduce herself and stand beside Sylphid and the Jaeger King. The moniker Emma received is Ghost Tracer, for her expert use of the large orbal rifle she carries over her back. 'And now that I think about it, not just anyone can stand beside His Royal Highness now, can they? Both Ghost Tracer and Sylphid here did introduce themselves as some sort of bodyguard. I didn't think it would be so literal...'
That's right, both Emma and Fie standing before Musse were bonafide Jaegers. Mercenaries for hire! Albeit, Emma's position is more of it being part-time, compared to Fie and Rutger. Emma's number one goal is to grow stronger to remain beside Naoto in the coming future. Her work as a Jaeger will grow less and less as time passes on.
'And they're Jaegers to boot. It's almost a little scary just thinking about two girls around my age being on active duty like that, fighting in the middle of the battlefield....', Musse continued to think. 'Now that I think about it, this man's face is familiar too.'
Seeing Musse in her own little world, Renne was quick to notice it. She couldn't help but smile.
"Did something happen to catch your fancy, miss honors student?", Renne asked, causing Musse to snap out of her thoughts. Seeing Renne's smile, Musse remained fixated on her.
"Oh it is nothing. I am curious about your position in all of this, Renne. The Jaegers may have introduced themselves, but where does that place you and Sherryl?", Musse decided to ask. "The two of you also seem to be on a personal level with His Royal Highness, especially after what took place last night."
Taking a moment, Musse had another look at Renne. Renne was now in the same uniform as Musse was. A black, one-piece skirt with white hems and a small beret on the head. Renne wasn't wearing her typical frilly white and purple dress she wears during the first five games. Still, Renne revealed a playful smile, acting as if she was waiting for that question.
"And here I thought I told you already, Musse. Consider us friends, with benefits. All courtesy of His Royal Highness.", Renne simply answered.
Even though Renne answered like that, Musse just blinked her eyes at Renne. In one moment, Renne was there, but in the next, Renne vanished entirely out of sight. It was almost as if she had vanished into the shadows, despite it being a clear day right now. The sun was climbing high into the sky, getting closer and closer to noon. Renne decided to put on a little play. During this, Musse's stupor was replaced with a sense of dread. Her blood ran cold as she heard Renne whisper directly into Musse's ear. As that happened, Musse felt a sharp pain, and a cold, thin-blade gently slid across her throat, acting as if it was trying to slice it through.
And without any hint of hesitation whatsoever. This motion was very natural to Renne.
"If you dare even touch a single hair of His Royal Highness's face during his stay here in Erebonia...", Renne coldly said. "Well, let's just say it won't be sunshine and rainbows anymore."
The pressure Musse felt pressed against her was intensified, trying to take a hold of her. Musse's entire body tensed up, not expecting to feel such killing intent. It even made the Jaeger King raise his eyebrows upward, while Emma and Fie just watched on with a deadpan look in their eyes.
That entire reaction was from Renne's killing intent. From their eyes, Renne's position hadn't actually changed at all. They just saw Musse turn stiff as a board. From Musse's perspective, she acted as if she just had a brief encounter with the grim reaper. The moment Musse blinked her eyes again, the feeling subsided. Renne pretended like nothing had happened. Renne's killing intent was strong enough that even the couple of Imperial Guards who remained in front of Valflame Palace felt their backs run cold, along with what Musse had felt. All that did for Renne, however, was simply make her smile again.
From Rutger's view, he recalled the experience the two shared back on their collaborative efforts to raid Paradise on Nemeth Island. Both Emma and Fie were present there too, and through the work of Naoto and the escaped kids, Zephyr, and Ouroboros's strength, they succeeded in pummeling that place into the dirt. During that, Renne was rescued, and decided to partake in the operation too. She had developed a unique killing intent during that. Adding monster hunting in the last couple of years on top of that, Rutger knew he shouldn't underestimate Renne, even if she is still this young. Oftentimes, Rutger would see Renne finish the job where Naoto lacked, and because of that, her killing intent developed much, much quicker.
It also doesn't help Renne was personally trained by Enforcer No. II, the Bladelord. Renne's combat prowess involves casting complex Arts and inflicting deathblows to those that resist it, apart from using Pater-Pater and being a pilot.
Renne decided it was a good idea to let Musse have a tiny little taste of what she had experienced and why she is even connected with Naoto in the first place. Just a little bit. And now that the atmosphere returned to normal, Musse could only stare at the violet-haired girl standing beside her, wearing a smile like nothing happened.
"You...", Musse tried to utter, but she couldn't even find the words to say what she had just experienced.
"What is it?", Renne asked. She remained aloof, but she very well knew what she had done to Musse. That alone was scary enough for her, and enough to make her think twice of what to say next.
"It's nothing.", Musse answered, feeling it was best not to say anything about it.
At least, Renne is being serious and won't go out of line while Naoto is staying here. Not unless something forces her hand to do so. Musse did have interest in the Crown Prince. She wasn't sure how that would head into the future seeing that her best friend, Princess Alfin, is now his fiancé, so she didn't let it get to her head. For the time being, it was time to have some fun and relax before their next semester begins at St. Astraia!
Still, seeing Renne do this to Musse, Rutger couldn't help but chuckle. He was used to feeling this. After all, he is the Jaeger King, a dominant figure who lives life on the battlefield.
"Heh, remind me not to underestimate you, kiddo. The Direwolf's words about you aren't baseless after all.", Rutger said, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
"Heehee.", Renne giggled. "I get that a lot. I do not have many interactions with him as of late, though. As you can see, my life presently is quite fulfilling."
After Renne said that, she did a curtsy of her St. Astraia uniform.
"That I can see. I wasn't expectin' a new one of ya to be with Fie. No harm no foul, I guess. It wasn't a lie to say the boys and I will remain in Heimdallr for the time being. So continue looking after Fie, alright?", Rutger continued, taking a moment to look at the girls for a moment. Fie laughed hearing that.
"You really did earn another contract, Dad? Enough to keep Zephyr busy for the next couple months?", Fie asked, becoming interested.
"Pretty much. We're currently tryin' to figure out our living arrangements. I know you and Ghost Tracer were invited as guests to stay inside the palace. And well, we aren't you. Haha!", Rutger laughed. "How about you two room with us for a while? I don't think your invitation to the palace extended any further, right?"
Hearing that drew Fie's and Emma's attention.
"I mean, Her Imperial Highness did invite us to stay longer, but I feel we would be just intruding at that point. Naoto will be out and about, commuting to the Vander Dojo a lot, so it isn't like he will be cooped up inside the palace all day. We would still be able to do our part.", Emma said, and shook her head. "You alright with that Fie?"
"Uh-huh. Looks like we'll be roomies, Emma.", Fie happily nodded. "And we were about to go out and have some fun today. I didn't expect you to make your way here, Dad."
"Well, I wouldn't want to disturb ya any longer than I need to, Fie. You kiddos go have your fun. We'll send one once we find a place. Shouldn't be hard. The capital's a big place after all.", Rutger said.
Following that, Fie grouped up with Emma, Renne, and Musse, only to see Rutger turn around and wave his hand back at them. He vanished into the crowd, and the four saw him join up with two other men. Musse raised her eyebrows seeing them. Renne disregarded Rutger's actions and instead looked back at Musse.
"So, Emma, Fie and I did have some plans, but you happened to force your way to tag along with us after bidding farewell to Elise. Apart from visiting some sweet shops, we'll be heading out to hunt some monsters. I doubt you have interest in the latter. Or do you?", Renne asked, causing Musse to look at Renne now.
"Monster hunting...", Musse uttered. Such a concept was still foreign to a schoolgirl like her. Additionally, Musse is a Noble. It isn't like she can wander out willy-nilly into forests and such like other people can. Not without the proper escort. "The thought hadn't really crossed my mind before. Hunting monsters that is. I have little to no experience in combat techniques, apart from learning self-defense from the Egret Family. Knowing who you all are now for real, it makes sense as to why you would want to hunt some monsters, so you do not get rusty. And I consider you girls my friends, just like with Her Imperial Highness and Elise. So, I'll bite. Why the heck not? I even have a little experience holding an orbal rifle~"
Seeing Musse remain friendly with the rest of the girls made Renne pause for a moment. She didn't expect Musse to actually agree with her. Renne could only shrug her shoulders.
"Suit yourself. If you die, it isn't on us.", Renne answered, before turning around and beginning walking into Dreichel's Plaza.
"Renne!", Emma immediately called out to her, feeling apologetic. "I'm sorry for what Renne said, Musse. She can be mischievous at times, and is rather blunt."
Before long, a trolley pulled up into the entrance of Dreichel's Plaza. Renne continued along, only to see Rutger's group head inside the trolley. If they jumped from rooftop to rooftop, that would cause a scene. These trolleys make it quite easy to move around the capital. One didn't need to own an orbal car. And seeing Renne slowly vanish from sight, Emma panicked.
"Oh that isn't a problem at all, Emma. I see you girls as my friends now, just as I do with Her Imperial Highness and Elise, even if it hasn't been for long.", Musse happily said. "Renne almost reminds me of Her Imperial Highness in a way. She's just like a cat."
Hearing that, Fie's expression turned deadpan, but didn't speak back. Instead, Musse just saw Fie depart after Renne, quickly dashing toward the trolley.
"Fie isn't much of a talker, is she?", Musse continued, and asked.
"I'm afraid not. Fie is even more blunt than Renne is.", Emma said, feeling apologetic a second time. Both Renne and Fie had departed toward the trolley, leaving behind Emma and Musse.
Thankfully, there was still enough time where they could catch up with the two. By the time they did, they saw Renne and Fie standing in line outside of the parked trolley, waiting to get in. They were going to change districts. As for Musse, she watched on with growing interest in her eyes, wondering where exactly they will head to. She did find it a surprise the three before them had experience in hunting monsters, but knowing they're in the Jaeger business, it wasn't that much of a shock.
Seeing how well the girls before her perform in combat will remain to be seen until Musse sees it for herself. And just like that, the four wandered into the trolley!