"Pff-Hmhmhm!" Belle's amused laugh made Nicole snap out of her reverie.
"Wait a second.. You weren't making fun of me by acting like that, were you?" Like a cat, Nicole's hair seemed to stand on end, if for just a moment.
"Act like what? I really do have a personal request. You see, I just awakened. In an.. unconventional way." Belle admitted, swinging her legs while Nicole digested her words and sat down next to her.
"Wait, really? Why come to me though? Have you tested your abilities? When did you get them?" Nicole asked in quick succession.
Belle waved her hands to gesture her to slow down.
"Woah, easy Nicole. Let me answer those in order, I guess. First, you're a very capable Hunter and I trust you. Second, I haven't tested them yet but they're unusual. They allow me to grow in strength and develop techniques, but in exchange, I start out as kinda weak. Lastly, I got them last night." Belle answered, seeing her first answer made Nicole smirk proudly to herself.
"Okay.. Though I've never heard of that type of awakening. Weirder things have happened, I guess. Does Wise know?" Belle shook her head and looked into Nicole's striking bright green eyes.
"No, actually. I was going to tell him after I talked to you. I want you to help me develop my abilities and take me on a few commissions. Pleaaase?" Nicole's face heated up as Belle admitted, then pleaded for her help.
"Y-You came to me first huh..." Nicole awkwardly looked to the side to hide her face.
[+5 Affection Points! Congratulations! You have acquired affection points! You can spend 10 affection points for a x10 gacha pull or spend 1 point for 1 pull!]
'Nani!? I can do that!? Okay.. I can't get too excited here. I'm not the type of girl to use people for my (crippling) gacha (addiction). Though I'm glad I have some visual progress of our relationship improving..' Belle snapped out of her thoughts as Nicole pat her shoulder.
"Well! Since you came to me and requested me personally.. How can I refuse? If you get good enough, maybe you can work with the Cunning Hares." Nicole sprung up off the couch, more lively than she was before.
"Hm? Really? Working with Nicole huh.." Belle cupped her chin in thought.
As someone who had gotten into Zenless Zone Zero in her past life, she had to admit, the stories and characters had a special place in her heart. Nicole was a stylish, cunning girl who loved money. That's what most people who never really saw past her exterior would say about her. Sure, she is cunning and money-hungry. But she's not consumed by greed. She's bad at managing her money, but is pretty generous when it comes to spending on her friends and herself. She's secretly softer than she would suggest and is actually very competent when it comes to business and fighting.
Belle smiled as she considered this, though Nicole looked oddly nervous.
"I know I'll be in good hands then. Just go easy on me at the start, kay?" Nicole once more, turned her face away and rubbed her cheeks.
[+5 Affection Points!]
It seems Nicole is weak to genuine praise. That, or it was because it was Belle, a very accomplished Proxy, who said it.
"I'll.. take it a LITTLE easy okay? But no slacking! I expect hard work. N-Now I have to go. I have a few things to do. We'll pick this up later during a commission." Nicole said, trying to sound stern while avoiding eye contact and walking out of the store.
"Wow.. That trait is busted!" Belle remarked, not expecting to have that much of a reaction on Nicole.
'Wait 'till I get her to open up more. Well, the training and commissions will help with that. Now, to finally tell Wise... and hope he agrees with all this.' Belle knew Wise might object, he was a pretty protective brother, and she loved him for that. But it wouldn't do to simply not get stronger with this power.
And so, Belle waited for Wise while scrolling through her phone.
-Two hours later-
"I'm back. Billy is really good at games, but I'm no slouch either. It was a fierce battle.. Or so he put it." Wise walked into the workshop and announced.
"Welcome back, Buzzah." Belle waved from over the couch.
"I actually have something to tell you. It's important." Belle added, seeing Wise's disposition shift slightly in acknowledgement.
"Okay.. What is it? New commissions?" Wise asked, taking a seat on the other end of the couch.
Belle shook her head before pausing, "Actually.. sort of? Wise, I've awakened."
Hearing that, Wise felt as if a bomb had gone off in his head. He hadn't accounted for this. It meant that Belle would have to register as a Hunter, something that Wise was trying to avoid.
"What rank..?" Wise asked, folding his hands.
"I don't know. But it's not a normal awakening. Hunters awaken using mana, or mutate into Thirens by Ether. But.." Belle held her hand out as a multicolored energy emerged from her palm.
"You awakened by Ether.. But I think those Thiren mutations happen gradually over time. Did this happen thanks to the Hollow Diving..?" Wise muttered, feeling a sense of guilt well up within him.
"That doesn't really matter at this point. Wise, this can help us in our goal. I asked Nicole while she was here earlier, and she agreed to help me train in this power. It's the type that starts out weak, so I need to learn from some capable agents." Belle replied.
"Nicole.. Wait, you're telling me you can grow stronger? I suppose that might not be out of the question. I've never heard of an Ether awakening.. I always assumed becoming a Thiren was the Ether equivalent. Alright. I can approve of learning from Nicole, but any Dungeon and Hollow diving needs to be approved. I'd hate for you to get lost in a Hollow or an unpredictable Dungeon after all." Wise acquiesced, much easier than Belle assumed he would.
"Thanks, Wise. You know me, I'll be careful!" Belle emphasized as she pointed her thumb at her chest with a reassuring smile.
"Riiight... Take Eous with you when you see Nicole. The visual data might help with developing your abilities." Wise smiled, fully knowing how cafefree Belle was at times when she was excited or frustrated.
"No problem! For now, wanna watch a movie?" Belle playfully waved a remote around.
"Fine. As long as it's not a thriller."
-The next day, outside the Cunning Hares office-
"Okay! We may finally begin. I'm sure you know her already, but this is Belle. Belle, this is Billy and Anby." Nicole greeted in the large, yet empty parking lot behind their office.
"Greetings." Anby simply replied, before Billy slid in front of Belle and grabbed her hand with both of his.
"Hello, Manager! I never thought I'd get to meet Phaethon one day! Ah, and you even came to us to get stronger!" Billy's silly, exaggerated voice cried out.
Belle's smile strained a bit as Billy's metal hands grasped hers. It was slightly painful, likely due to Billy mostly interacting with Hunters more so than civilians.
"Billy, your handshakes.." Nicole nervously muttered, side glancing at Eous, who was beside Belle, watching the interaction.
"Oh. Oh! I'm sorry, Manager! I got a little excited there." Billy hastily apologized.
Belle clenched her fist with a small hum, "No worries. It was only a little uncomfortable."
Anby pulled out a small notebook and began writing in it, much to Belle's confusion.
"Anby's in charge of writing down your abilities. Physical and.. non-physical. First, let's test your endurance! Then you'll engage in a little friendly spar with me, then a test to see if you have any ranged attacks. Ready?" Nicole smiled haughtily, though as opposed to the sulking, dreadful attitude she wanted to see from Belle, she was greeted by the sight of Belle punching her hand with an excitable grin that'd light up a room.
"Yeah! Let's get started."