The storm clouds that had rolled in before they began the pact had long since left the sky. However the smell of rain still lingered. Q knewhe had been awake for a while now, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He was really comfortable resting on her lap, and she didn't seem to mind it either. Mikiyu-Mi's angular ears were now freed from her hood and her hair was lightly tossed by the wind. Her face held a nervous expression as she watched Q.
"Hey... Mikiyu—"
Blushing Mikiyu-Mi stopped playing with his hair as she cut him off.
"I-if you would call me Miki I'd appreciate that."
She shifted her gaze to the side. Q thought back to the memories he just went through. Ah yeah that is how I addressed her. I guess we were at least friends. He turned his head away from her as he was now blushing too.
"—Miki, could we stay like this for a little bit? It feels… Right."
He hadn't felt this vulnerable in a long time. Even though he barely knew this woman letting him lay on her lap. He couldn't bring himself to move. It was a familiar feeling. What exactly am I to her, and why is she so worried about me hating her? Q was determined to know. He shifted his gaze back to Miki as words began to leave his lips, she spoke.
"—You promised you wouldn't let me die, but what you did was far worse! You died! I felt your gate close. I gave you a proper burial, but when I visited your grave it was dug up. I looked for your body. When I finally find you it turns out you were alive, and forgot about me! You said you'd help carry my burden, and you left me alone! I was alone for twenty years until you came along! That was the best year of my life, and then you just up and leave! I've searched for nine long months, and when we cross paths again you don't even remember me."
Her tears came crashing down, the mana around her started to become unstable. The Mikiyu-Mi he had been talking to gave way to a girl who had been broken. Q wasn't expecting this turn of events panicking he thought to himself. I don't know how to fix this. Q's chest hurt while he helplessly watched her cry. Her words turned into incoherent babbling.
"Bwaaaaaaaah!"
Q's body moved on its own accord wrapping his arms around her. Pulling her in to comfort her. Gently he pet her head. Initially she started to push him away, but instead she leaned into him sobbing even harder. I need to make this right. Q's heart was banging against his chest, and his stomach was constantly flopping. He couldn't put his finger on the feeling. Is this obligation? Fear? No… He knew it was a mixture of shared pain, and his own guilt. He still couldn't remember why he felt that way. It's not because he let her die. She was obviously alive. Otherwise how could she break down as he embraced her? Did it really matter though? His heart swelled. He couldn't remember the last time he felt that way.
"Miki thank you for working so hard to find me."
Sniffling Miki spoke in between hiccups.
"You remember then?"
"Nah not really. My memories haven't really come back to me, but I do remember my feelings for you."
She moved her head away from his chest to get a better view of his face. She knew he was being truthful.
"You stupid dummy."
As Q continued to console Mikiyu she wouldn't stop bawling. However the tears that escaped her eyes were no longer tears of misery. After what felt like an eternity Q stood up, and extended his hand to Mikiyu. His eyes seemed to be glowing in the limited light left by dusk.
"I may not remember much, but I'd like you to come back with me to The Fool's Errand. We can talk more there, and fill the others in."
She accepted his hand and with a tug he pulled her up. Leaning against him she wiped off her face.
"Yes I think that is wise. I'm sure your friends are starting to get worried about you."
Q letting out a faint chuckle shrugged. He knew Ganon wouldn't be the slightest bit worried about him. Eulissa on the other hand was probably freaking out. The thought of that made him smirk. It would be nice to see a concerned Eulissa for once. The two headed back to central Newhaven as the sun set further the streetlights powered by lumenshards grew brighter.. The entire way back Mikiyu refused to let go of his hand worried he might disappear again. After walking in silence they finally arrived at their destination.
"We're back! Which one of you degenerates missed me?!"
Q shouted as he burst through the doors of The Fool's Errand. He was greeted by the collection of adventurers, and town guards. Eulissa, and Ganon were both still by the bar.
"Ayeee. Welcome back kid!"
"Q you shouldn't be walking around with a pretty lady like that. You might ruin her reputation!"
"Yeah some of your stupidity might rub off on her!"
Finally the crowd settled, and went back to their meals. Ganon approached Q clearly distraught.
"You alright bro? You were gone forever I almost went to Emma, and the guards!"
Ganon froze. His head unnaturally turned as he leaned closer to the pair. His amber eyes fixated on them holding hands. He gripped his beard with his thumb, and pointer finger. Thus striking a marvelous thinking pose. Q noticing this tried to yank his hand from Mikiyu, but she held his hand even tighter as though she would break it. He swiveled his head to look back at her. She made direct eye contact and began pouting. He looked back at Ganon who still locked his eyes on their hands. Q couldn't tell if he was judging them, or so shocked his face broke.
"Ganon bro… Let me explain—"
Right on cue Ganon burst out laughing. Holding his sides he started pointing at the two awkwardly standing before him. He began shouting at the patrons.
"HAHAHA! Eulissa you won't believe this! I was worried for nothing! Turns out instead of being in trouble he found a girl that would actually give him the time of day!"
He danced away boasting, and laughing. The two of them stood there horrified from embarrassment. Eulissa was giving Mikiyu the death stare while cleaning a glass behind the bar. A dish fell over onto the ground unnoticed. Her half-brother Euron was watching his half-sister from the side of his eyes from the kitchen. Q finally noticed Eulissa's glare and decided he might as well deal with this now. He knew Eulissa must have been worried sick for his safety. He turned back to Miki, and pointed to the barstools.
"You hungry? Euron makes a mean mabear steak."
Mikiyu nodded but didn't speak. Q wasn't too sure what to say to her, but he'd figure that out later. They walked over to the bar, and Miki finally released him from her grasp. Finally! He thought his hand would be crippled if she continued holding it. The throbbing sensation from her deathgrip was nothing short of impressive. Just how is this chick? Amused he figured it best to keep that comment to himself to prevent further injury. As they took their seats he noticed her eyes light up. She was staring at the blade hanging behind the counter above the drinks.
"That's where Koko is sealed!"
"Wait what? Who is Koko?"
Her eyes pierced through Q annoyed, she thought for a moment and then sighed. She was still upset, but she was trying to be understanding since he still had holes in his memory. A moment later she spoke her voice smooth like sugarmelon.
"Koko is a fledgling Ennobled. She made a pact with you over a year ago. I can understand forgetting me, but forgetting someone tied to your soul is low!"
"Ouch. That was harsh don't you think? Even so, isn't soul tethering impossible? I thought all practitioners of that pact magic have passed away."
Mikiyu nodded, and shrugged.
"Of course that's the most common practice here in Leroy's Cradle. Communication, conditional, and power pacts are the easiest to pull off—"
Eulissa walked over to take their order. After they picked their meals she delivered the list to Euron.
"—But the thing is where I'm from the practice of soul pacts is handed down through royalty. Of course outsiders wouldn't know this fact."
Eulissa eavesdropping on the conversation came back over with drinks, and some starter food. She sat down across from them surprising Q making him jump. Miki unaffected picked up her utensils ready to dig in.
"Thank you for this blessing!"
Eulissa nodded, and addressed Q.
"It's also a very dangerous pact dumbass. If this is true you could unknowingly break the pact since you can't seem to remember fuck. As you should know, breaking pact conditions can close your gate."
"See I told you Miki! Eulissa would be worried about me! Also just a heads up Eulissa you meant to say 'can't remember shit'."
Eulissa scowled giving Q the finger.
"Tch. I wasn't worried. That big buffoon over there was a mess—"
She pointed towards Ganon with her thumb grinning. Leaning back she got a coy look on her face.
"I however didn't want to lose my top paying customer. Euron would be sad if he couldn't whip up his Euron Special every single night for Ganon."
Q pooled into the bar. Weeping he whined at Eulissa.
"Awww. Eulissa that's so mean! I have feelings too ya know?"
"Facts don't care about your feelings Q."
At this point Q was pancaked into the bar. He had dealt with too many emotions today to withstand Eulissa's verbal barrage. Miki took the first bite of her food, and squealed loudly.
"Ermmyygoodness! This is delectable!"
Euron still in the kitchen let out a victory cry. Eulissa smiled because she knew how much work her brother put into his cooking. She also knew how much he loved being praised. Jokingly she told Miki.
"Hey bluetits. If you don't contain your excitement my brother will probably ask you for your hand in marriage—"
"Please ignore her!"
Euron shouted from the back throwing a towel at Eullisa.
"—She is just poking fun because she hasn't fully… Developed yet!"
Eulissa's smile gave way to a wave of blushes. She stood up quietly, excused herself then charged to the kitchen. Unfortunately for her she tripped over one of the dishes that fell off the bar earlier. Now face first, and rump up on the ground she shrieked. Embarrassed by this turn of events she jumped up again, and bolted off.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone that short move that fast."
I can't believe she left that dish there, and then forgot about it. He wondered to himself if he could somehow harness that kind of speed boost for himself later. Miki disappointedly asked.
"Have I done something to offend her?"
Trying to hold in his laughter Q placed his hand on Mikiyu's shoulder. Trying not to be disrespectful he started to explain.
"No Miki. She is just wants your—"
His gaze shifted down to her chest, and back up.
"—Ahem. Your blessings if you catch my drift."
Confused, Mikiyu tilted her head to look at her plate.
"I gladly would share with Eulissa if she asked. If she's that hungry maybe I should go bring her some steak."
Her innocence was unbelievable. Turning away Q tried to keep his composure. He had to bite his tongue to stop himself from laughing out loud. Even if I had my memories there is no way I would handle this right. Q waved his hand to dismiss the issue.
"Ahaha nevermind that Euron will fix her something up later. That aside, could you tell me more about Koko?"
Mikiyu dropped her fist into her palm as her face grew more excited. Damn she is seriously cute when she gets going. Q thinking about some of the faces she had made so far made him blush.
"I forgot about that! Mabear steak always distracts me."
Snorting Q rolled his eyes. It's good but it's not that good. Joking Q poked Miki's cheek smiling.
"I already have one of those. I'm not too sure if I want another."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh you'll see, but nevermind that. Gogo about this Koko."
Giggling at the rhyme, Mikiyu started to swing her legs from the stool. She turned her body to face Q putting her pointer finger on his lips.
"Shhhhh. I think that question is best saved for Terminus."
Looking up Q's gaze seemingly went straight through the roof of The Fool's Errand, and into the far beyond. He was supposed to head out there today but due to his reckless actions it was too late to start the trip now.
"At this point that is an unremarkably convenient thing to say. I'm actually going with Ganon to Terminus tomorrow. I know you wanted me to leave you alone, but I still have so many things I need to know. Did you want to come with us?"
She shook her head. Folding her arms she looked away from him. She wasn't expecting him to still be so dense. I get why he would think that way based on what I said. It'd be nice if I didn't have to say anything embarrassing though. She opened one eye to peer back at him.
"Hmph. I don't want you to invite me like a pussy. Invite me properly."
Shocked by how gutsy Mikyu was, Q scratched the back of his head. Well that was kinda hurtful, but I definitely appreciate how direct she can be. Leaning back on the stool a bit Q looked at the weapon hanging above the bar slightly distracted he told her.
"Yeah yeah okay. Listen Miki going forward I'd like you to be with me."
Realizing his mistake Q began to sweat buckets. He only meant to ask her to accompany him. Before he had time to make excuses her head smashed into the bar, and steam erupted from her head again. Q was kinda scared so he leaned back a bit, his arm half guarding his face. Dude. This seriously isn't real life. We're out here making 2d waifus 3d I guess. She leaped off the chair with her arms open knocking Q off his stool onto the ground. She had him pinned on the ground, and everyone's eyes turned back to the pair once again.
"Of course I'd go anywhere with you darling."
In that moment Q forgot his worries, and remembered something important. Something he once thought to be unforgettable— The feeling of being loved.