NOVEL NEXT Chapter 132 - Fire Heroes' Day
The second of August arrived bright and early for the fire Resonator known as Rebecca. It was nothing special. She woke up, changed out of her pajamas like everyone else, and helped pack up the room.
It wasn't until they left the room that things got a little weird.
Rebecca noticed other Maestros walking about stopped and lowered their heads. Did Shouri do something to merit their reverence?
No, wait a minute… they were revering her. WHY?!
Rebecca felt ill. Those eyes on her; the distinct sensation of idolization - it was so vivid today. She could feel the gazes on her back as they walked. Both hands rose to her gut, pressing down in a vain attempt to steady the bile that was rising in revolt. The pressure to perform, to excel, to be worthy of the Renard name – it pressed down on her like a ton of bricks.
Stop it! Stop looking at me!
"Rebby!" Pacifica's voice snapped the fox out of her panic.
"P-paci!" A couple of tears escaped.
Rebecca didn't even realize Pacifica and Shouri had grabbed her until this moment – they both wore open concern for her.
They had only gotten to the lobby by this point, Rebecca realized. Unfortunately, plenty more Maestros and their Resonators were loitering about. Rebecca's distinct fiery aura drew more unwanted gazes. Shouri and Pacifica moved between the lines of sight, body blocking the poor overstimulated Resonator.
"We'll try to get out of here quickly, I promise," Shouri told the fire element.
"What's going on?" Taika asked.
"It's Fire Hero's Day. You're supposed to give your blessings to fire Resonators today," Pacifica quietly informed the lunar element.
"Whether they want it or not," Shouri grumbled bitterly, gently rubbing Rebecca's shoulder.
"I-I'll be okay." Rebecca steadied herself, stepping back from her friends. She had to be strong, she could take some eyes on her. It's fine. It would be fine. It's not a big deal, right?
Pacifica grabbed her fellow Resonator's cheeks. "Stop it."
"You're allowed to be uncomfortable," Shouri told her.
Rebecca trembled. "I can take a couple of people… it's just… too much today," she shamefully admitted.
Shouri took in a deep breath. Taika folded her ears back and closed her eyes. "ENOUGH!" the Maestro bellowed, silencing the room.
"It's Fire Hero's Day? Mind your own business! Leave her alone!" Shouri's glare swept around the lobby, retreating glances following in his wake.
The poor fire fox felt the relief in an instant, though there was still some unease in her gut. "Sh-sho…" She grabbed the back of his jacket. "I'll be stronger," she whimpered quietly, the guilt cracking her voice.
The Maestro spun around and took hold of his emotional fox. "I ask you to be strong all the time, you're allowed to have your moments." He held her tighter.
"B-but-!"
"Rebecca, no one can go one hundred percent at all times. It's not sustainable."
Rebecca's gaze fell behind Shouri and settled on Taika. She couldn't be vulnerable, not while Taika was still struggling with her powers! She needed to-!
Taika shook her head. "Rebby, non accetterà un no come risposta," the fox spoke at a volume only the two of them could hear.
The fire Resonator grimaced, knowing her counterpart was right. "Fine," she acquiesced.
Now hand in hand, Shouri led Rebecca out of the building, Pacifica and Taika close behind. Any looks from others earned scowls of contempt from the protective Maestro.
Thankfully the casting range that was usually attached to the cafeteria was empty despite it being mid-morning. It wasn't all blessings, however, as the cafeteria appeared to be quite busy at a glance.
Looking around, Shouri quickly came to a decision. "Rebecca, Taika, wait in one of the booths for us, we'll go get food," he told the two.
Following their Maestro's order, the two vixens huddled themselves up in one of the nearby booths. Rebecca stood near the bench while Taika drew up the privacy curtain to deter any looky-loos.
The two girls remained alone in the booth, silent.
After awkwardly shuffling around for a moment, Taika stepped over to her fellow fox. Neither said a word as the pair stared one another down. There was no tension between them, such feelings of animosity had long since faded.
"Eh?" Rebecca's eyes widened as Taika wrapped her arms around her. It wasn't a simple hug, but one more enveloping. One arm around the back of her neck, and the other found its way to the small of her back. The two girls were of similar stature, so Taika's head ended up resting on Rebecca's shoulder. Finally, a warm fluffy tail wrapped around her legs.
"Taika?" Rebecca squeaked.
"È solo che... ci tengo a te," Taika whispered.
"Eh…?" The fire Resonator's eyes widened.
Taika pulled her head back, the two girls now looking at one another face-to-face. The tips of their noses touched. Rebecca's face reddened, though the fire Resonator failed to find the strength to break away from the other fox's embrace.
"Voglio essere più forte per te…" Taika spoke breathily, gently rubbing Rebecca's cheek with her thumb.
"Ehhh…?" Rebecca squeaked, her brain long since abandoning its post. Her heart was still in its battle station, hammering away at top speed. Well, not quite top speed, as it grew faster as Taika's lips approached hers.
Before impact, however, Taika stepped away, turning in one motion to face the curtains. Shouri and Pacifica appeared at that moment. "Anyone bother you?" the Maestro inquired, holding a pair of to-go containers.
"Nobody that isn't present," Taika mumbled, coyly averting her gaze.
"Rebby, are you feeling alright? Your face is really red," Pacifica addressed the other fox in the booth, placing the back of her hand on the other girl's forehead.
"I'm fine! Let's get out of here!" Rebecca snapped, trying and failing to hide her fluster.
"So the itinerary is we're going to take a ferry from here to Orvata and stay the night there. From there we'll take another ferry that will bring us directly to Wenja – the last city before the Schietto Mountains," Shouri informed the group. "Any questions?"
Rebecca's expression fouled, she opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Pacifica's hand flying up into the air.
"Yeah?" Shouri pointed to the water element of the group.
"Why a ferry? Not that I'm complaining, but wouldn't a plane be faster?" the curious otter asked.
"Cheaper."
"Ah right, we don't have Mr. Klein supporting us anymore."
Taika's expression clouded, which Shouri picked up on. "Don't worry about it," he addressed the gloomy fox. "Elijah did make sure to pay us for our time in Naiza."
He flashed one of the tuners to the girls. Their banking app was currently up, showing the damages Taika had wrought earlier in the week. "Ah ah," he chided the girls, pointing to the top of the screen where their current account balance was.