Rank 7: The Reward - Awakens a special skill within the Fool Arcana.
Considerate -> Empathetic
We wrapped things up at the Hotel quite quickly after our conversation, and of course I made sure to wash my clothes on my way out! Also Belle gets another skill? She has one more than I do now! Those having my Persona system is sort of an extra skill anyways.
Belle seemed to want to leave quite quickly, though the nice lady from earlier tried to get us to stay longer and pay more money for 'special services'.
FOOLISH! I know special services just means I'm paying more money for something dumb and unneeded!
I am not scammed so easily!
With a nod of my head I decided that today we'd go shopping. We had just cleaned ourselves off so working out today was not the plan, though I had no doubt I'd go for a run later on in the day.
"Belle, we should get Hestia. We need to buy some things." I stated it as fact, after all we DID have things we absolutely needed. Especially for dungeon diving later.
She looked curious and raised a thin white eyebrow.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
"Well I figured Hestia needed a change of clothes, and so do I. I only have these clothes from my homeland so I'd like to make sure they don't get destroyed." My tone was a bit somber, but my heart swelled with joy as I recalled the people who I was certain were waiting for my return someday.
I knew they'd be fine, and I'm sure they felt the same.
"I've never seen clothes like that before, where do you even come from?" Her words were gentle, as though poking a bee's test gently. I gave her a light smile, she didn't need to be so cautious with me!
"I'm from a place called Earth- dumb name I know, but it's the name we had." I was tempted to call it 'Shit Out of Luck III' but I resisted the urge. My younger cousin had informed me of what Sol III truly meant and I was never the same!
"I see." She didn't add too much, but I wasn't expecting much to begin with. Her tone had a faint hint of sadness behind it.
"I don't miss home too much if that's what you're wondering. Sure I left behind a lot of awesome people, but now I get to spend time with you and Hestia." My words were said with a smile and seemed to pick up the mood as she blushed.
Silly Belle, you didn't have to be embarrassed that I valued you!
"W-well I'm happy about that then." My Arrogant Young Master can't be this cute!
"Belle, why don't you tell me about your hometown!" My words were obviously changing the subject because of the awkward silence that settled between us. However she seemed to frown at my words.
Dang it, how could I have forgotten. Arrogant Young Masters always have tough family lives! I put my hands on her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes.
"I don't know how things were back where you used to live, but I can assure you that things are going to be better now." My tone was serious, as was my expression. I could just be making a wild guess, and maybe her family was great but having a bad family life was terrible.
I'd known plenty of people with tough families and it was not pretty. I could only assume it to be worse in a fantasy world. She didn't pull away from my hands but she did look down to the ground without saying a word.
Her face was blank, in a way that almost felt creepy.
I stared at her for a moment, then I frowned. She sort of reminded me of this girl who had a really abusive parent.
I saved her of course, and she even lived with our family for a while but the whole emotional suppression or redirection thing was real.
You either shut down, or you spoke up. You either fell apart or pretended you were keeping it together with a loud mask.
I gave Belle a hug while she stood stock still.
Then I whispered in her ear.
"You don't have to go back there ever again if you don't want to."
She let out a soft gulp as I pressed into her.
"You don't understand . . ." She trailed off, but past the sorrow in her voice was hope.
"I won't let them take you, and I'll make sure you can stop them even without me by your side."
I never took advantage of someone in a bad place by making them depend on me. I just wasn't that type of person. I gave them the tools to succeed, to overcome the demons in their life and the demon within their heart.
A Hero does not take advantage of the weakness of those they seek to save.
Save others so they may love themself, not so that they may love you.
That was one of the key principles I followed. One of my most important.
I met this complete bastard once who pretended to be a good person, but he really just wanted to take advantage of others with a mask of kindness.
I gave him a Shounen Monologue, but I had to give him a stern beating too! One more Monologue after that and he seemed to be back on the right track! He realized that he was taking advantage of the girl he saved and he started treating her like a proper person rather than an object.
Love is supposed to help both of those bonds grow and become better. Whether romantic, or platonic it didn't matter. That was what love was to me.
You are more than your worst moment, that is what I hold in my heart.
Anyone can be better and lose bastard status. They just have to try! Though that doesn't mean they can get away with being a bastard!
Whoever is bullying Belle will need to get a stern beating!
Belle still remained silent as my thoughts wandered. However this wasn't the type of thing I'd drop so easily. Sure it could be shelved to give her time to properly prepare, but seeing my treasured companion in pain wasn't something that could be ignored.
"If you'd like to not have this conversation yet, I understand." My words were gentle to the little rabbit, but I knew she could do this! However it seemed that time was not this current moment.
Rank 8: The Road Back - Awakens a powerful magic within the Fool Arcana.
". . . Thank you." Her words broke lightly in her throat, and I softly sat her down against a bench.
That was alright. Forcing someone to do something when they aren't ready usually ends poorly.
"How about we just have fun today then. No chores, no training. I still have some pocket money so I'm sure we can find something to do." My smile seemed to comfort her despite her confusion.
"What else is there to do?" Her tone made my heart sink a little bit, did she not know the concept of fun? Though I actually didn't know what else there was to do so I put a hand on my chin as I looked around.
"Well, we could always go play games with Mr. Dagda, I'm sure he wouldn't turn us away!"
Her eyes widened slightly at the name of the man before she became thoughtful and let out a sigh.
"Alright, that doesn't sound so bad." Her words were slow, and I could feel a trace of fear behind them causing me to narrow my eyes.
"Did Dagda do something bad to you?"
Isabelle Cranel POV
I was tempted to say yes, despite the fact that it would be a lie. 'Dagda' was a God. A God with a lot of experience who easily saw past the mask I wore. Yet as I stared back at Andrew my teeth gritted.
I did not wish to wear a mask around him. It pained me to do so. The faces I could wear so easily in the past seemed to crumble apart under his gaze.
Perhaps he was right. I should just try to enjoy my life. In Dungeon Oratorio the Heroes always had times where they simply enjoyed each other's company and had fun.
Was this any different?
"He didn't do anything bad, he was nothing but kind to me." It was a little bit of a white lie, the man had pressed me about the mask I wore. However Andrew didn't need to know such a minor detail.
It was irrelevant towards the feelings I carried towards him.
"Awesome! Let's go then, I'm sure you'll love the games he has!" His tone was joyful, trusting me implicitly. He truly was a Fool, yet one I had grown fond of. I gave him a happy smile in return to him grabbing my hand and starting to pull me away.
However my eyes opened wide in shock and horror as I was pulled onto his back.
Yet as I clutched him tightly in a panic I couldn't help but find comfort in his presence.
"Come on Belle, your chariot awaits!"
I was a horrible person.
However I was glad to spend time with him.
Andrew Ariti POV
"Alright, we've made it. Your chariot has arrived!" Perhaps I was more of the Chariot Arcana rather than a Fool if I kept carting around my companions like this!
Thus was the weight I carried . . . Ah, I think the great sage told me I shouldn't call people heavy. Forgive me oh Great Sage!
Belle hopped off my back after a moment and a random passerby gave me an odd look. She stared at the two of us for a moment with a small frown, then she approached.
"Hello." Her voice was soft and familiar, but I couldn't exactly place where we had met before.
I was bad with voices, but good with faces! I was a visual learner after all!
"Hi! Me and my dear companion were about to play some games, would you like to join us?" I offered her a place among our number, but Belle seemed slightly annoyed for some reason.
The woman nodded but frowned lightly.
"I'm busy."
She truly was burdened by the world! Me and Belle now faced the greatest foe of all. Debt was diabolical, insurance was nefarious indeed, but the worst of the worst, the biggest foe of them all . . . Scheduling Conflicts!
My Older Cousin wanted me to play some game called Pathfinder Two Ee with her and some friends but we could just never find the time!
I had to omit myself because I was always busy with other things . . . Truly scheduling conflicts was the real villain all along!
It stops you from spending time with those you care about after all.
Tears leaked from my eyes and I put a hand on the woman's shoulder.
"The offer is always open. I wish the best of luck in your endeavors." My words were filled with sadness as I spoke with passion. She gave a tiny smile and muttered a thank you before slowly wandering off into the city.
Belle turned to be in confusion and also a hint of jealousy? I wasn't really sure but she spoke nonetheless.
"Who was that?"
FOOLISH BELLE. For I had no idea!
"I don't know!"
Her jaw dropped for a moment, then she laughed daintily before stopping with a breath.
"Alright, why don't you show me this game of yours then."
We made our way inside and I didn't see Dagda anywhere! So I used my secret technique.
"MR. DAGDA I HAVE ARRIVED!" My words echoed through the building as I pointed two fingers to the sky in excitement.
The giant of a man peeled around a corner with some exasperation in his voice.
"What are you, Ganesha?"
I think that was a god? So No I suppose?
"I am not a divine being! I'm just me!"
"Well I figured that out," his eyes darted over our pair before he smiled. "What can ah' do for ya lad and lass."
"I want to play a game, and I brought my friend with me as well!"
Belle gave what seemed to be an embarrassed wave as she appeared to be sizing up Dagda. Could it be that Belle was ready to fight anyone who appeared strong?
She truly was my people!
"So how've you been then? Coming back oh so soon?" He started pulling out a deck of cards which he began to shuffle with a smile on his face.
"Well me and my dearest companion are taking the day off so I thought of you . . . And here we are!"
He gave a slight smile, and then Belle began to speak in an answer as well.
"Today . . . I'm just trying to be happy."
Dagda gave her a light smile and I couldn't help but do the same. Happiness was awesome! I loved it when my friends were happy!
"Well then, let's get this started. Have you ever heard of Poker?"
My eyes widened at his words. I actually heard of that one! My younger cousin destroyed me in Discord poker for 4 hours straight, but I learned how to play from his teachings!
Apparently I was very easy to read, and he was right . . . if he asked me what my cards were I couldn't help but tell him!
We began to play, and to my surprise Belle didn't seem to know what she was doing at all!
Truly such a young master would not partake in the games of the commoners! However that just wouldn't do, Belle needed to learn the way of the peasant, the way of the people!
Through Dagda's help we taught her how to play, and she was scarily good. It didn't help that I was awful but she even seemed to be giving Dagda a run for his money much to the man's shock!
"Hmph! My Belle has defeated you, consider this our revenge for last time!" I couldn't help but pretend to be an arrogant young master, even if only for a moment!
The man let out a boisterous laugh at my antics, and his voice was just as loud.
"You truly are an asstounding pair. I'm glad you're doing better, young lady."
That reminded me that Belle wasn't doing so great mentally, but this whole interaction seemed to make her smile. Dagda was pretty good at reading people from what I gathered of him, so having his confirmation did help soothe my heart a bit.
I slammed into Belle's side and gave her a massive hug while leaning against her. Faint tears flowing from my eyes with joy.
"W-why are you crying?" Her tone was surprised, but she didn't push me away.
"I'm just so happy! I'm just so happy you're feeling better!"
Her face turned red at the gesture and I couldn't help but wonder how red this bunny could be!
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