#mimi/nero sagau

[definesanity]

A Brief Inconvenience.

Warnings: Slight language and violence, but that's to be expected, honestly--

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hank came back online, the first thing she did was to stretch, yawn, and to update her objectives.

First order of business: wake up Phillip.

...However, judging by his smiling face, he was having a conversation with his previous selves. Given that he has been Reincarnated six-times over, the Automation isn't surprised that's he'll be conversing with one of them.

You, on the other hand... Hank detected a large spike in your heard rate, and your odd expression; not enough to be a nightmare, but certainly something disturbing.

Walking over, she placed a hand on your head, and closed her eyes.

While she opened them slowly, they then flew open once she saw what was around her.

It was Watatsumi Island, but destroyed beyond human comprehension; the sky was of a blood red, storms raged in the distance... the pure blue water made for a highly irregular atmosphere.

You were looking around yourself, and when you spotted an actual, lucid Hank, you breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"What happened...?" even Hank was mystified by the environment.

"I--I don't know?!" you stuttered out, wildly looking around the ruined Sangonomiya Shrine, and then realising something. "Wait-- Hank, are you actually here? Like, you got inside of my dream?"

"Yes. I am able to access the Mental Palaces of people--that is, their consciousness--and therefore their dreams and nightmares by extension." Hank walked forwards, her uncovered face looking at you. "Do you have any ideas as to why you dreamt this place?"

"That's gotta be a 'no' from me, sorry." still, this dream is like a bad ending for a game... could it be that... "This is a glimpse of a future."

"Elaborate." Hank immediately replied, her fake eye spinning in complete and utter confusion even while her face was expressionless.

"I'm... apparently the God of Teyvat: Llizel, The God of Peace." again, you privately add, "And to be honest, visions of the future was probably going to happen one way or the other."

"...Understood, mostly. Even still, why did--?"

Whatever Hank was going to as was cut of from a shocked voice from behind you. "Your Grace...?"

You both turned around, and you let out a gasp.

It was Kokomi... or, at least, you thought she was; one of her eyes was missing, and so was her arm. When she looked at you, she stumbled forwards, before getting down into a kneel, hugging your legs.

"I'msorryi'msorryi'msorryi'msorryi'm--" she mindlessly repeated these words like a manta.

You stood away from her in surprise, helping her back up. "Kokomi? What happened?"

She looked up at you, scrambling to her feet. "Y-You mean, you don't know?"

"Know what?" what, did you did or something?

"You died... I saw you get executed, but--how are you here?"

"To us, this is but a lucid dream," Hank explained from your side. "But from the way you speak, I am to assume this is a timeline wherein the Creator dies?"

Kokomi nodded, swallowing a lump in her throat, just as your vision began to get blurry.

"Please, for all that it's worth, save--!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You awoke with a gasp, leaning up and looking at the owl-eyed Hank.

"What... what the hell was that?" you eventually say, still breathing heavily from the thought of a one-eyed Kokomi.

Hank's eye... thing was going in different directions before she eventually shook her head. "I am unsure; although, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a vision of the future, given what Phillip had told me."

Despite the panic you had, you chuckled. "Yeah, I thought he'd say something about that..."

When you finally got up and dressed, you walked out to see Mimi, Phillip and Collei already awake, and five breakfasts on a table. You, in your tired state, couldn't be bothered to identify them, only to collapse on a chair and groan heavily as the others sat down.

"Nightmares?" Collei asked your side, and you gave a nod. "I don't blame you; it happens often to everyone, even the happiest people in the world."

"Speaking from experience?" Phillip asked.

"Maybe. What's it to you?"

"Phillip often suffers from insomnia due to his fear of nightmares; although, I daresay that he had a good sleep, given the lack of bags under his eyes." Hank spoke up (who, you noticed, is actually able to eat and digest food.)

"You still have them?" Mimi asked worried, but Phillip waved it off.

"Eh, they don't effect me much; I mean, they're not my memories, to be honest. Besides, even if I do, I make sure not to dwell on them much."

"Yeah, right..." you mumbled, but the one in question turned to you with a baffled expression.

"I--what's that supposed to mean?!"

Collei attempted to hide her laughter, snickering under her breath.

'Eh, could have worse company...'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, funny story:

Mimi had given you a well-crafted staff, apparently called the 'Staff of Llizel', which held the power of the Elements in Teyvat. From the name, you guessed that... well, you, as Llizel, made it, given it's exactly like the other versions of Staff you've had.

Next, she told you that she sadly couldn't leave Enkanomiya due to... well, Celestia. So, after a hug and a 'farewell, for now', you and the other three teleported to the Statue of The Seven near the Dawn Winery so you could make your way to Liyue and continue with Fuck-Wit MeGee's 'Around the World in Around 8 Days'...

...Only to meet a certain, vengeance-wanting woman with amazing thighs. Like, damn, what does she do to get them?

"Oh, hello again!" Phillip cheerfully said, waving to her. "It's nice to--"

He then sliced a shard of ice clean in two, causing you to blink as you didn't even see him grab his katana from its sheath.

"You think this is funny to you?" Eula snapped, her eyes colder than her Vision.

"Well, I was apart of Her Majesty's comedy once, but..." he sighed. "I guess it's time to get this over with, hm?"

You blinked, and Eula and Phillip met in the middle, swords crossed. Eula backflipped, unleashing a wave of frost towards Phillip--

--But he simply cut them clean into pieces, and launched himself upwards to slice at her; while his blade missed, his leg didn't, and Eula came crashing to the ground.

Phillip landed near you, but then wasn't, being sent backwards towards the lake with the Cryo Slimes. You looked at Collei and, using your Staff, used Anemo to propel yourselves to the dueling sword-users.

Wait. If it's only you and Collei, then where's--?

Suddenly, bullets rained down upon Eula and, as she landed, Hank pointed two honest-to-God Flintlock pistols at the Cryo user.

"If you're quite done, Miss Lawrence?" Hank questioned, her mask hiding her true expression. "We're quite the way behind on our timetable, after all."

Eula then did something that surprised you: she nodded. "Completely; I suppose I'll just need to eliminate the problem quickly, then."

She then charged at Phillip, but you reacted by jumping in front of him--

--And, suddenly, Eula's expression changed from confusion, to shock, to complete and utter horror.

At the same time, you lost all feeling in your left hand. Your vision blurred and, the next thing you know, your now stump of a hand is being held by Phillip, who's holding on to you with panic fading from his eyes.

"Kid, don't worry, it's alright, you'll regenerate." he said quietly to you, his six lives-worth of parental instincts coming to help him. "Don't worry, just breathe kid, breathe."

You heeded his advice, and started to, at first, gasp for air, but quickly changed into a steady pattern.

Meanwhile, while you and Phillip were calming each other down, a different story was unfolding a few feet away from you.

Eula looked distressed. Collei appeared confused. Hank looked unamused.

"Have you realised your errors now, Lawrence?" she asked, as she twirled her pistols before placing them into holsters on her hips.

"I--wait--huh?" Collei stuttered, looking at the golden blood on the now extremely distressed Spindrift Knight's Claymore and you. "Are you trying to say, that the person I spent punching and snapping at, is the fucking Creator of Teyvat?!"

"Yes, they are: Phillip wanted to keep it secret either until we reached Liyue or the one locked away's wounds are treated, but I suppose someone here was impatient, hm?"

Eula was shaking, looking at you with an expression of fear, worry, and slight unhingmemt. "Y-Your Grace?"

You rolled your eyes, coughing up blood. "You literally cut my arm off, and now you're worshipping me as Llizel again?" you looked up at Phillip and sighed. "Double standards, am I right?"

"Oh, like you have no idea..."

"I... I didn't...! H-How could I...?!" Eula violently shook her head, looking at her sword, then you, and repeated it until Hank grabbed her shoulders.

"I will say this once, and only once, Lawrence," she said, as she removed her mask and gazed into Eula's eyes. "Go and tell Jean what happened here, and perhaps, when we come back, we'll forgive you."

With how fast Eula sprinted back to Mondstadt as soon as Hank said the word 'forgive', you're surprised that her Passive isn't an increase to her speed in the game.

Looking back, you looked at your arm. Or, what's left of it, as you looked back at Phillip. "You said it'll regenerate, right?" a nod, "Is it because I'm basically God?" another nod.

Looking back at the Automation and the Sumeruin, you gave a nervous chuckle. "I guess I've got some explaining to do, huh?"

"I'm sure it's a wonderful tale, but save it for later." Collei cut you off, sounding annoyed but her smile said otherwise. She offered you her hand. "'Sides, I've got even more reason to believe you now."

"Why, because I'm your Creator?" you grabbed her hand and pulled yourself up, looking down to look at the bandaged girl.

"No, because you're just a dumbass."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"..." as the others were sitting on the ground conversing with each other, he found his mind elsewhere.

'You seem to be troubled, Phillip,' a womanly voice flowed through his mind, causing Phillip to slightly jump in surprise. 'Whatever is the matter?'

'Oh, Toto.' Phillip mentally replied, absentmindedly gazing around what was left of the Guili Plains. 'You gave me a fright. But, to answer... I suppose I've just been thinking a lot more as of late.'

A small chuckle escaped her non-existant lips. 'I don't blame you; a lot has happened in just a small amount of time, far more than these last five hundred years, hm?'

'Indeed it has. If you don't mind, I'll be visiting you now.'

He briefly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he found himself in awe.

The plains had shifted into an endless sea of flowers, all a gentle blue. The sky was a purple that put his mind at ease, and the clouds were floating without a care in the world. And, at the centre of it all, was a giant cherry blossom tree, its branches many and overlapping.

As he walked towards it, a figure materialised in front of it; a woman with purple hair, holding an umbrella, who turned around to face the person she shares a body with.

"You know, I've always found it odd," Raiden Makoto said, as she sat down beside the tree and gestured from Phillip to a spot next to her. "Gods are always taken by erosion, and yet, you still persist without even the slightest amount of uncomfortableness or mental decay. Why is that?"

Phillip sat down beside the former Electro Archon and raised a brow. "You're able to see my memories, right?" he shook his head, pulling his knee up and lent his arm across it. "Still, it's probably due to both my being... very used to living for an extremely long time, along with this body of mine being made by Lli--the Creator themselves."

"That does make sense." Makoto sounded like she wanted to say more, but stopped abruptly, opting instead to gaze at the flowers being blown by the gentle winds.

"Still, who would've--could've--predicted what happened five hundred years ago?" Phillip said, mostly to himself, them faced the previous Electro Archon. "I know I said akin to a broken record by now, but--"

"Stop, Phillip," she put her hand up, and Phillip's mouth quickly closed. "No one, not even Celestia, could've predicted what happened five hundred years ago; not to mention, you won our duel with honour and fairness."

Phillip nodded. He looked over at the flowers, before realising what they were. "Gladioli?"

Makoto gave him a smile. "I may or may not have looked through your memories and found out your love for them. So, I decided to reconstruct them here and, from your reaction, I'd say you like them."

"I do, yes. Thanks..." that last word always sounded... odd to him. Maybe be he hasn't said it in a long time?

He looked up again, and closed his eyes, waving goodbye to Makoto. When he opened them, he got up to walk over to the others--

When, all of a sudden, his hand flew to his swords handle, whipping around.

"Phillip?" you asked, walking towards the white-haired swordsman. "Is something--?"

"Stay back; there's someone watching us." he replied instantly, his eyes still searching, before he let go of his sword. You noticed, however, that his hand was still twitching.

"I guess it was--"

He cut himself off, grabbing his sword and swinging just as a spear nearly pierced his heart. Pushing the attacker off him, you realised who it was.

Xiao. The Conqueror of Demons. A fucking Adeptus.

"Alatus?" Phillip questioned, as Xiao got back into a pouncing position. "I thought you died centuries ago."

The Yaksha didn't reply in words, but in action; he dashed towards him, but Phillip sidestepped and, quickly unlocking the katana(?), sliced at him--

But then entered a bladelock with his opponent, with Phillip's eyes rapidly going over him.

'Tense, like he's trying to protect something rather than kill. Did he figure it out, I wonder?' Phillip thought to himself, kicking Xiao back.

"You know, it's rude to attack people out of nowhere, Alatus!" Phillip almost sounded like a dad. "Then again, I can't talk..." he muttered to himself.

Xiao plunged, and Phillip went to block, only for the Yaksha to vanish. Phillip turned around, too late to block the spear--

"Amp it up!" a female voice shouted.

The sound of a guitar was then heard, as fire surrounded the two.

"Shit!" Xiao cursed, glaring at Phillip. "Evil Con--!"

"No."

With a sharp punch to the back of his head, the Yaksha fell over unceremoniously, leading to you and everyone else to look at the unexpected character.

Xinyan chuckled, rubbing her arm. "I'm... guessin' that had nothin' to do with me?"

"No, but still, thanks for that." Phillip quickly recovered. Collei, however, did not.

"I'm sorry, but what in the fuck did I just witness?"

"An extremely short, fast-paced duel that ended with I knocking out the Adeptus known as 'Alatus'. Furthermore, Alatus seemed to want to kill Phillip in order to protect someone here, judging from his body language. Finally, were it not for the timely entry of the newest person here, Phillip may have been mortally injured."

'And I'm not?' you jokingly thought, looking down at your arm stump.

"Huh, is that so... well, in any case, the name's Xinyan; it's nice to meet ya!" Xinyan introduced herself, smiling all the while.

Well, on the bright side, someone you actually recognise, and really like as a character.

A good trade offer, if you do say so yourself.

[definesanity]

Hearts of Iron, Souls of Tungsten.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next ten minutes was spent explaining many, many, many things, and you got plenty of information out of it, too:

Phillip is Loux Corcea Gladiolus, a former friend of yours back when your first Iskeai: however, while Loux was Reincarnation Number Three, Phillip is Reincarnation Number Six.

The mask-wearing assassin at his side is the 'Humanlike Automation Nebula Kaleidoscope', abbreviated to 'H.A.N.K.', or just Hank. Despite the name, the Automation is female.

As it turns out, you did remember Collei: she was from the Genshin Manga. But, it didn't make any sense; after all, she took off her bandages at the end of the manga, so why does she have them on again?

You pondered that last one for quite a while, even after the four of you were walking forwards into the forest near the first Statue of the Seven the Traveler comes across. When you stopped, it was because Collei and Phillip stopped as well.

"What do you mean, 'my eyes tell a tale?'" the girl raised a brow, staring upwards at the absurdly tall man. (Like, seriously, is he 6'7?).

"Everyone has a tale to tell: to put it simply, I can see them through people's eyes." Phillip explained, as he started to walk forwards again. "It's why I like getting to know people more; I get to find out if their eyes aren't deceiving me."

Collei gave him a long, hard look. "You're the weirdest person I think I've ever talked to..."

"Thanks, I try." he laughed.

From you side, Hank seemed to be curious... you think. It's hard to see through that mask of her's. She, however, didn't question the scene in front of her.

"Say, Collei?" you ask gently, and the girl looked at you with a 'hm?' to show she's listening. "I was wondering... why did you decide to trust me?"

She stopped, turned to face you, and shrugged. "I'll be completely honest: I don't know. Or, more like, I don't know yet."

"Happens to the best of us, I'll tell ya." Phillip replied. He then turned to face you. "So, where you taking us?"

You blinked owlishly. "Wait, I thought you was the one leading us?"

"...We're lost, are we not?" Hank dry response was as monotonous as you expected, honestly.

"No, no." Phillip waved his arms, looking around. "If I remember correctly, we should be far enough now for us to test a theory of mine."

"...Is it to do with me?" you don't even know why you asked; you already knew the answer.

"Well, that depends if your able to use the Teleport Waypoints or not, but--"

"I-I'm sorry, the what?" Collei looked at you two with an expression that screamed 'I call bullshit'. "Wait--go back a sec; how did you two even meet?"

Now, there was a nice memory: the one where he was a ghost, sustained by his own lightning. Speaking of which...

"Can you still control lightning, Phillip?" to your surprise, he shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, kiddo: the most I can do now is this." he placed his hand in front of him, opened his hand, and gems appeared above it, floating in a circle. "I can control all manner of the earth. Useful in many situations, but I'm sorry to say I can't make earthquakes yet."

Collei looked at him (and so did Hank), and she raised a brow. "You've got a Vision?"

"Nope." Phillip's reply was quick, simple and straight to the point.

"...But you just controlled Geo." it took you all you had not to laugh at Collei's deadpanned expression.

"I did. The only ones I have are in my sword," he pointed to the large blade on his back, "And, well, they're not mine, anyway."

You coughed, trying to avoid another headache, and looked at Phillip. "How on earth do I access Teleport Waypoints?"

"And they are?" Collei started to look really annoyed now, so you tried to explain it, but Phillip took the initiative.

"You know those blue floating pillar things? Well, I think, think, our pal here can teleport to them, with us following suit."

"And you're sure that that's safe?"

"I never said anything about safety."

"So why should I risk my ass with--"

A loud ticking noise sounded to your right, and Hank suddenly looked at Phillip. "The Knights are on our trail."

"Because if we don't, we'll get our asses killed!" Phillip now looked at you with urgency.

Shaking your head, you concentrated. Usually, that's how teleportation works, right? "Any place in particular?"

"Enkanomiya; the Dainchi Mikoshi, if you can!"

You thought, concentrated on the massive tower in the middle...

And suddenly, you hear Collei gasp. "Where are we?!"

Looking up, you faced the tower, and immediately looked away due to it being in Whitenight.

Then, you realise something else:

Phillip and Hank aren't with you.

--------------------------------------------------

Phillip was old, even he can admit it. But, even still, he knew his way around his sword like he was still in his first life.

He was staring into the lake, Hank at his side, and thoughts in his head.

Most notably, that he finally met you again, after all these years.

For you, it must have been only a few months, maybe more, but for him? It's been literal millennias since he last saw you.

And, well, call him soft, but he won't care; it was nice to see you again. More than that, but he could never find the right words for it.

Was he annoyed that he was left behind? No, not really; it was a first time thing for everyone, including that girl. A girl who, from what he could tell, has the power beyond that of a normal Vision, but he didn't have the time to ponder such things.

...Especially when he heard numerous footsteps behind him, and the call of, "Halt!"

He sighed, stood up, and clapped. "Congrats, you found me. Want a prize or something?"

"Do not act so coy! Where are they?!" they demanded, but Phillip simply gazed around.

"You know, it's quite rude to speak about someone without using their name, you know." he remarked, placing his hands in front of him. "Besides, this is the Land of Freedom, is it not? Therefore, I have the freedom to not say a single word about--"

He moved his body to the side just as an icicle whizzed by, and when he looked from the direction it came from, he raised a brow.

The woman in front of him, holding a Claymore, glared at him. "I suggest you talk, heretic."

From his side, Hank spoke. "That is Captain Eula Lawrence, The Spindrift Knight: no offense, but even you couldn't take on her own by yourself, Phillip."

At that, the white-haired man nodded; it was a shame, really. Normally, the diplomatic approach works...

And, with a shrug, snapped his fingers.

From the ground, pillars erupted, quickly surrounding the Knights. Of course, they can be broken easily, but their appearance makes it seem otherwise.

And people say that Geo and its abilities aren't fun. 'Jokes on them.' Phillip thought to himself. 'Still, a pity that Lawrence believes them; she seems to be an interesting character.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, I'm back, what did we miss?"

With your neck almost cracking, you looked at Phillip and Hank, with the former causally waving at you.

"Well, someone took their sweet time!" Collei sarcastically shouted, adjusting her bandages. "What took you, the Knights giving you a bit too much trouble?"

"No, they were incased within a Geo Construct; it was the fact he couldn't stop taunting them that took too much time." Hank said simply, looking at the tall swordsman. "Speaking of which, why on earth did you choose here of all places?"

From your's and Collei's looks, you three were still unable to rap your heads around Phillip's thought process.

"Well, for once, I had a plan; there's someone I want us to meet. Please, follow me." he gestured, and started walking away from the tower.

Sighing heavily, you followed the madman.

While walking, Collei started to talk to you. "You know, I'm surprised you haven't asked me about it yet."

"About what?" you assume it's her bandages, and she confirms it.

"My bandages. Back when I was traveling, I got asked about it almost everywhere I went. So, I just thought you'd do the same."

You shook your head. "Gonna be honest, we all have secrets we'd rather keep to ourselves. You've got to be wearing them for s reason that's not related to me, right?"

Collei nodded slowly, before stopping and staring at you with a hard gaze. "Okay, cut the crap; why are you being nice?"

"Common curtsey?" came your immediate (and, technically correct) response.

Collei, however, only snorted. "Yeah, right."

"I'm being sincere; I mean, there's plenty of stuff I want to ask to those two," you jabbed your thumb at the two in question, "But I don't want to be rude."

Collei went quiet, her eyes darting around every few seconds, before she finally huffed. "Fine, I'll at least try to believe you." she pointed a finger at you, her eyes a vortex of the deepest purple. "But the second I find you're lying? I'll make sure that your life will become worse than a living hell."

You nodded. "I'll make sure you won't regret it, Collei. I mean, I'd rather not lose the only other Fatui hater I know, honestly."

She huffed again, but not out of annoyance this time. "Fair enough."

A thought them crossed your mind, and you called to Phillip. When he came hither, he looked at you with a knowing look.

"You're curious about the real reason as to why I said to bring us here, yes?" at your nod, he smiled. "Well, a friend of mine, who may or may not be able to control time, was able to keep someone I know alive and well: now, here's the thing; you know about... well, you-know-what, right?"

"I do. What, they'll help to defuse the situation?"

"Yes, in a way; she has something that'll help you defend yourself, and I have a way to make everyone's opinion on you do a one-eighty."

Now that was the best news you've heard all day. Although... "Do they have a place for us to sleep? Because, well..."

"Don't worry, she promised me it, and she never goes back in them." and coming from someone who literally tricked even Gods, you still had your doubts.

When he finally stopped, it was near the edge of the island, off to the southeast. He went over to the wall in front of him, and pushed against it.

The wall then moved, similar to those moving bookshelves you've seen in movies, and what greeted you made you do a double take.

There, sitting in the middle of the (surprisingly well-preserved) room, was Mimi.

You looked at Phillip, but he gave you a sideways look of 'Just go with it, kid.'

When the prototype model of Kokomi looked up, she smiled at you all. "Ah, you've returned unharmed. I do hope your journey here wasn't too unpleasant?"

"It was confusing, I'll tell you that much." Collei remarked, and Mimi giggled at her.

"My, aren't you straightforward? But, yes; even I can admit it's not exactly the most pleasant route." she clasped her hands, gazing her ocean-blue eyes to Phillip's purple. "I take it that they know who I am?"

He nodded, looking at you with a subtle 'You better' look. You replied, "You're... Mimi, right?"

Mimi smiled more, her shoulders now less tense. "Ah, I'm glad. Indeed, I am Sangonomiya Mimi, the first Divine Priestess; however, before our journey towards the surface, my name in Byakuyakoku-script was Nero."

Nero... wasn't Enkanomiya based off Ancient Greece though? Then again, you thought, the ancient Greeks and Romans were quite intertwined in history, so it doesn't surprise you.

"It's an honour to meet you, Mimi." you gave a small bow, your smile both warm and anxious. "I suppose I don't need an introduction?"

Mimi giggled, her gaze looking through you. "No, you do not... Your friends, on the other hand, as I'm afraid I have never spoken to before."

"I am Hank, an Automation created to, quote, 'keep Phillip's forgetful arse in line'." Hank stated, and you could see Phillip role his eyes in amusement.

"...Collei." the young girl said after a long pause.

"Hmhm, such odd friends you've made yourself, old friend; tell me, how's the other one holding up?"

"She sends her regards and," he paused, "Wants me to tell you that still look good for someone who's... oh, well now, that's just rude."

"The hell's he talking about...?" Collei whispered, and Hank bent down to her ear.

"Phillip shares his body with another soul; whom she is, he has never explained, as the two share an agreement on secrecy."

"I-- what?" Your's and Collei's expressions were of utmost confusion, so much so that Phillip decided to try and explain it himself.

"After a... certain incident, I ended up with another being sharing this body of mine; while she's quite content with staying in the corners of my mind, poking at my memories, she has given me permission to use her power as an emergency panic button.

"I'd say more, but I'd rather not push it." he concluded his vague description. He then turned to Hank and Collei. "Hank, Collei; would you mind leaving us be for a moment? This is something to be kept secret for now."

The girl opened her mouth to protest, but was silenced by Hank saying, "Understood."

Once they left fully, Phillip sighed while groaning. "Well, first off, sorry about the whole 'Imposter' thing, kid; I never thought that Barbados was really that blind, but he continues to surprise me."

"Okay, question: how old are you this time around?" Loux was already 165 when you first met him, so you won't be surprised if--

"I've been here since before the beginning of the Seven Nations."

...Never mind, he's REALLY old this time around, then.

Mimi hummed, her expression level. "Before even Inazuma and Byakuyakoku?"

"Oh, very; I've been getting rather bored these past five hundred years, though; it's thanks to the kid that I've got some of my old drive back, so..." he gave you a purely genuine smile. "Thanks again. From all of 'I'."

You returned the smile. "Anytime, Da... Phillip."

After a moment, you turned to Mimi. "So, do you want to run by what Phillip's grand plan is?"

Mimi nodded. "Of course."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was quiet, and while Collei likes it, spending it with another person isn't something she's used to.

Hank was standing perfectly still, staring straight ahead without her mask on, giving Collei the chance to look at her properly.

Her hair was short and slightly spikey at the front, and was blood red with it becoming snow white near the edges. Her right eye was a turquoise blue, and her left wasn't even an eye: it was pure black with a moving red circle in it, constantly changing in size, rotation, and had lines coming from it, traveling downwards towards her chest.

Her suit was both simple yet elegant, with her sharing the same tailcoat as Phillip, just with a different design on it. On it's back was the head of a hawk, with one side made out of metal.

Her hands were covered by fingerless gloves, showing painted red nails, black pants and black and dark red high heels.

In all, Hank gave Collei the impression that should could kick her ass in seconds, Archon Residue be damned.

"I.. do hope that I'm not causing you discomfort, Collei." Hank's normal eye was looking directly at her, with her other switching it's size every few seconds. "My intention was to secure a proper comradeship, but you're not exactly... fond of people, am I correct?"

"It's only certain people, so don't get it mixed up." she warned, but received only a nod. "And I'd like a verbal agreement?"

"I understand. I shall take note of this." her eye spun around rapidly, and then returned to normal. "Completed. While on the subject, is there anything you wish to know about me?"

"Yeah, what's up with your weird... eye thing?"

"This," she pointed at it, "Is my Optical Analysis Provider; 'OAP' for short. It allows me to scan my environment, people, objects and others to determine the best course of action. I am also able to tell one's life force, and you appear to have something... else, in you."

"That's none of your business," Collei snapped, waving her hand. "Also; why do you look like that?"

"My design was based off of the android known as 'Yuyukokoro', of whom was Phillip's old partner, many years ago. In her honour, and to be more relaxed, he made me appear identical to her in all but her personality."

She want quiet again, before smiling. "I feel like we will get along swimmingly."

"I... don't share the sentiment, but..." Collei scratched her hair, thinking: on one hand, she could say no, and have Hank persist, or say yes, and potentially have another ally... "...I'll at least try to get along with you." she said in the end.

"Excellent; if I may ask, would you like to share with me?"

"Hell no." came her immediate reply. "I'm sure you can appreciate wanting to keep secrets secret?"

"Yes. I can."

Silence once again befell them, and Collei looked down; at her bandaged hands, them at Hank's OAP. She sighed, something she's beginning to hate to do so often. "Just what are you, Hank?"

"I am an Automation; one that is able to understand human conversation, emotion, and culture."

"...Say, if that's the case, ten what's the meaning of life?"

Hank squinted, and her real eye looked around. "That... that is a question with multiple answers."

"What'd'ya mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said; different people say different things, and I am no different." Hank turned around, looking at Collei over her shoulder, and readjusted her tie. "It's getting late. We should get some rest."

Collei nodded. "Yeah... yeah, you're right." taking one last look at Enkanomiya, she started to walk back to Mimi's hideout.

'Maybe...' she thought, glancing sideways at Hank's face. 'Maybe this world does have some good and honest people in them. Even if they're nosy and blunt at times.'

"Ah, one last thing," Hank quipped, turning to face Collei with her mask back on. "Is it true that you hate the Gods?"

"Yeah, why?" she didn't even try to defend it. Why should she, when her decision is final?

"Well, you should get along with Phillip then." her smile was ominous. "As he hates the Gods more than any creature in the Abyss for what they did to him and the ones he was once friends with."