Chapter Text
Belle had come a long way from her several month stay at Waifei Peninsula. Her mental and physical training under the great and almighty grandmaster Yixuan and the superiors of Yunkui Summit under her guise brought her great wisdom and strength.
However, the young woman often felt homesick and fatigued from the back to back cases she had to help endure and solve while being a noble pupil there.
And if she were to detest ANYTHING, she just couldn’t stand the humidity and the warm recycled air of the relatively aged fan at times. With its relatively high altitude, Failume Heights could get pretty warm. Don’t get her wrong, the room offered to her was absolutely gorgeous! She just misses her own bed and air conditioning..and video games.
So with that being said, Yixuan recognizes even great students like Belle deserve a break and allows her to return to her humble video store to get back in tune with her normality.
The blue haired woman took a running start to take a leap of faith in her bed, successfully flopping on the mattress and bouncing from the recoil of the springy supports within.
“I’ve MISSED THIS!”
She said full of glee, almost in a squeak like voice. Her legs instantly kicked around, relishing in the cool fabrics and blankets of her bed. Belle then pushed herself from off of the cushionings, stumbling about to check out the other things in her room that she missed seeing almost everyday.
“My guitar! Ohh how I missed practicing with it, maybe I’ll hook up the amp and play it later today? I’m probably SO rusty..”
Picking up the red instrument gently, Belle gave it a warm hug and a few comical kisses on the headstock as if the thing was her own biological baby. She placed it down besides her couch, now skipping and even twirling around towards her TV and game consoles.
“Can’t wait to boot up the game too! I’ve probably ranked down from being so inactive in competitive. Awh.”
She picked up her arcade stick, using the side of her fist to wipe off the layer of dust particles that accumulated on it before setting it back down with her other collection of controllers. Her head then turned to her refrigerator, immediately skipping over to it to open up its door.
She scanned what was inside, eyes squinting to see if anything was missing. Growing skeptical knowing her brother, Wise may have snooped in to take some of her things. To her relief and skepticism aside, her chronic soda and energy drink supply remains untouched for the most part.
Same with her packets of noodles she had on the side that she dared NOT tell General Chop about.
Belle closed the fridge door, heaving a sigh of satisfaction. A big smile spread across her lips.
“It's so good to be home.”
Just then, the woman’s phone went off in her pocket, admittedly startling her with a jolt. She dug in it to retrieve the device, wondering who was messaging her today? She scrolled through all of her saved contacts of her well acquainted agents she and Wise were partnered with, a sea of unread messages from when she had her notifications off just made her feel a little guilty.
But one kind of stood out from the rest in her eyes, which caused her eyebrows to raise in curiosity.
“Oh! It’s Ellen?”
She pressed her thumb on the pop up to see what the young VHK member needed.
And just like that, her first activity is set for the day! Hanging out with and tutoring Ellen.
She assumed the visit from Lycaon earlier that day, who had dropped off some held packages to the proxies led the wolf man alerting the other members of Belle’s return. The housekeeping faction were loyal partners to the pair of siblings, so it made some sense that they would be aware too.
“Now..is there anything more casual I can wear..?”
The blue haired woman said aloud to herself, already in the process of taking off her traditional Yunkui attire. She walked her way over to her dresser to find a simple top and bottom she could wear so she can hangout with Ellen later.
She looked around, opening shelf to shelf for anything remotely comfy and cute. She was able to find a simple shirt and shorts, already in the process of putting them on.
“Belle! I need your help real quick!”
“WAH-”
Called out Wise from downstairs.
Startled once again, the clumsy woman was mid way putting on a shirt before fumbling around and falling on the floor. She hissed at the blunt impact, but she was able to get herself back up and properly get the shirt over her head and torso.
“....Did you fall?”
“..No!”
Belle replied, dusting herself off and rubbing the side of her hip to ease the pain. She cursed to herself, knowing the fall hurt but she brushed it off. She slipped on a pair of sneakers on her feet, walking out the door so she could speed step down the stairs.
Wise awaited her by the front counter, holding a box of newly shipped movies that were ready to be restocked on the shelves. All he could do was watch his sister come down the stairs, almost tripping again as she made it to floor level.
“I saw that.”
“Shut it! Anyways, what's up?”
“The new shipment of tapes and DVDs came in, the ones Lycaon held for us while we were at Suibian Temple. Could use your help in stocking them.”
Belle looked at the copies of films in the box her brother held, seeing the variety of genres they were labeled under.
“Sure can do, bro! It'll actually kill off some time before I have to leave later.”
The blue haired woman said with a smile, taking the box from Wise. The taller man looked at her with a raised but curious eyebrow, watching his sister walk off to the shelves with patches of products that need to be filled.
“Oh? Where are you going if you don’t mind me asking? You just came back home, I thought you would've been cooped up in your room doing … you know, whatever you do best in there like video games and what not.”
“Ellen asked to hangout! Rare I know, but she also wanted my help with her school assignments too.”
“Ahh, how nice of you.”
Wise replied, with a nod. It was apparent in his face that he was quite surprised Ellen of all people decided to reach out, the girl was so caught up with school and her job, they didn't think she'd have room to make reservations with one of the proxies.
Let alone if she even felt like it, it was hard to tell her intentions sometimes.
“Well I couldn't leave the kiddo hanging. Ohh..do you think I would make a good tutor, Wise?”
The blue haired younger sibling questioned, taking the box of tapes and setting them down. She got a stack of films and placed them in their columns with their respective genres to match.
“..I mean…”
“..‘You mean’...? What does that mean?”
“Did she say a specific subject she needed help on?”
“No, at least not yet, no.”
Belle peeped a small snort coming from the taller guy, in result the woman furrowed her brows and protruded her bottom lip into a pout as she kept restocking the shelves.
“What are you trying to say, huh?”
“Nothing nothing..”
Wise chuckled, walking over to pick up a few films himself to help out at least. He got a small kick on the back of his knees causing him to buckle down awkwardly, barely catching himself.
“The hell?”
“Answer me or I'll do it again!”
“It's nothing!”
Wise pleaded, already seeing Belle hike up a leg to get his other knee which he instinctively used his hand to attempt at a block. However she kicked his hand instead.
“Ow- okay! Being serious, you'd make a fun tutor.”
“Im convinced you were calling me unreliable…”
“I would never..”
Wise replied with a feigned tone of mischief in his voice, feeling a tad bit trollish to get on the younger woman's nerves. This caused Belle to kick him again but he caught her foot this time, making her squeal as she struggled to get free.
“WISE.”
“No kicking in my store.”
The man freed her foot. And in return a DVD case swatted him firmly on the head, with an audible PAP that filled the space of the store’s area.
“This is my store too, a-hole.”
The blue haired woman concluded with a smirk herself, putting said DVD into its respective area. The Phaethon siblings began to pick up their workload, getting the shelves nice and full for their next round of customers.
It was chill for the most part, their chosen playlist of music sang softly throughout the store, and the mounted TVs in the corners played trailers for upcoming movies that will air in the theaters.
RINGG..
The staff room’s phone began to blare rhythmically, getting the attention of both Wise and Belle like a pair of frightened meerkats. The man placed the last of his stacks of films up as quickly as he could before he sped walked over to the slightly cracked door that led to their repair station and super computer.
“I'll handle the call.”
As if it wasn't obvious that he was, he was already grabbing the door's handle to get into the room. And without a moment to spare, he shut the door behind him.
…
Belle was alone with the exception of number 18 sitting behind the desk with its eyes closed. The bangboo was put on sleep mode until it was time to open the shop.
She shrugged, picking up the box to walk to another area of the shelves so she could stock the remaining videos. She was angled facing away from the front door, placing the box down and retrieving the last stack of tapes to neatly put them up.
Belle wished she had her earbuds in so she could listen to her own personal music, but the tunes playing in the store currently were good enough. So she hummed along.
Besides, it was a playlist she and Wise put together anyway. She was more than familiar with what was playing.
While Belle was working, she heard the front door from behind her open and jingle, indicating a visitor was here. Being so attuned with her job, her brain was automatically set on work mode and completely forgot she had been expecting some company and hadn’t made that conscious exception of said visitor.
“Sorry, we're closed! We will open shortly however, give us 30 minutes!”
Called out Belle, not turning around assuming the person who entered the business would turn away and walk out. But that wasn’t the case here, the door automatically shut and a pair of footsteps-..no, clicking of heels against the hardwood floor softly made their way to a corner before halting.
The blue haired woman slowed her stacking, realizing the individual who had entered the store did not in fact turn away and walk out. Her face tightened a teensy bit, feeling a little suspicious before realizing it must be Ellen! Surely it is right, she would’ve announced herself by now..?
She turned around with expectancy, getting ready to greet the girl until the tip of her name got stuck in her throat. The girl almost called a name that didn’t fit the description of who was present in her vicinity, if anything she was even more surprised.
“Oh, Vivian, hello there!”
Belle called out with a big smile, setting the DVDs that she had in her hand back down into the almost empty box. The exquisitely dressed lady positioned herself to be looking at the wall full of movies, but also angled to where she attempted at looking mysterious..sort of.
Curious, Belle wandered over to say hi to Vivian in person. Assuming that would be more polite than to talk to her from the back of the store. Her friendly and soft smile still remained as she watched the light purple haired dhampir lightly touch one of the shelved DVD casings with the tip of a delicate finger.
"What is the true nature and intent of filming cinemas, Lord Phaethon..do you know?”
Finally spoke of Vivian, voice low yet soft, like a flute that sings lullabies on a bed of gloomy clouds.
“Ahh...there can be multiple reasons theoretically. It could capture moments in which something a book can’t really express with visuals? Oh! Perhaps it could just be for fun and the expression of art and creativity?”
The blue haired girl answered bubbly and..dumbly, not necessarily dumb as her reasonings were incorrect but not matching the subtle yet alluring tone the purple dhampir was hoping to come in sync with.
“Hm..yes, however. My opinion on the matter may weigh deep that’ll conjugate such perspectives of innocent trivials.”
Vivian continued, picking up one of the casings from off of the shelf. Belle glanced over to what film she picked up and it was The Heartbeat. She didn’t know where she was trying to get at so she patiently waited for the lady to continue.
“The eye of the beholder sees something more than what the naked eye could ever perceive. As do I, many possibilities that could concur a different ending, but one is absolute.”
…All Belle could do was nod, understanding this may have something to do with her ability to see impending doom..? She wasn’t entirely sure. Those ruby red eyes were dashing, gorgeous and oh so captivating, she could only imagine what they saw. She supposes that’s what she meant, right?
“Surely the director has a goal in mind, yes? She films her movie the way she envisions it but hardly anyone else could see what her true desires may expose.”
“...Ohhh! It’s like when the viewers have different ways of thinking about how a story is told but the person who’s directing it and producing it has hidden and intentional perspectives that would technically be the correct viewing! Wow Vivian!”
Belle exclaimed excitedly, the cinema nerd in her bubbled in joy, there almost seemed to be sparkles and stars in her eyes but Vivian only looked at her as if she totally missed the point of what she was trying to say. The purple haired woman pursed her lips and put the DVD back, grabbing Belle by the wrists and looking into her eyes with intensity.
“You are the apple to my eye, Lord Phaethon! You are perfect and undefiable, please go on a date with me!”
“.....Ha?”
The blue haired woman’s eyebrows raised high, high enough to merge with her hairline even. Light cherry red dusted her cheeks at the sudden offer.
D-Date?? Wait, was this an attempt at a court?
The pointed ear girl released the grip on the woman’s wrists, softly rubbing them in hopes her handling wouldn’t irritate her delicate skin. She cupped her own soft slender hands towards her chest, closing her eyes before opening them to look at Belle in adoration and plea.
“Yes~! I would like to go out with you today, if you are available, that is. Devoting my desires to you was quite the challenge, I didn't know how to approach, apologies if it may have seemed confusing.”
Vivian said, the mannerisms in her voice wasn’t that low mysterious vampire-esc way of talking. And it was more of her cute timid intonation she was more accustomed to at this point. She fluctuates between accents quite a bit, it was a blur in which one was really her at times.
“Oh my, I'm flattered! I didn't know this was you asking me out, that was pretty good.”
It was true, Belle was so easily swayed with flirtatious advances you could possibly pick her up with a magnet and she wouldn't repel. But the idea of a director and an easter egg script excited her more than the initial proposal she feared.
“But…I have to decline. I'm already booked with someone for a hangout. Maybe tomorrow, I should be free then!”
The woman said hesitantly and pathetically apologetic, in her heart she hated to shunt the dhampir down like this. She's known the feeling of rejection all too well, and asking for a reschedule was the best she could offer to soften the fall.
Vivian's face slightly fell, though she heard her loud and clear of her date proposal being accepted regardless. But who the hell was in the way in delaying such a perfect day?!
“..Who is this ‘someone’?”
She questioned, slight bitterness bled into her tongue while the woman in front of her had a noticeable sweat droplet dripping down her cheek. How dare there be another contender who has the gall to take away Lord Phaethon's attention!
Just then, a quick knock was at the front door.
“I'm comin’ in, you guys aren't really closed.”
A voice came from outside the door before it was swung open. The natural outside light shed into the enclosed space of the establishment, outweighing the artificial lamps that were installed.
Both ladies turned their heads towards the direction of the door and were met with the tired poker face of Ellen Joe. The shark thiren entered the store with a yawn, her head automatically turning towards Belle and Vivian who did nothing but awkwardly stare back.
The shark took a step forward into the building and stood there, staring blankly. The door closed behind her and the store was quiet with the exception of the low volume TV, tacky song playlist, and Wise faintly talking with a customer over the phone.
…
The purple haired girl straightened herself up. Her demeanor changed almost instantly to this calm like facade, but underneath she was throwing daggers at the unwanted guest that seemed to be the perpetrator getting in between her and Belle’s special moment.
“Hey, Ellen! You made it! How was your day at school?”
Belle broke the uneasy silence, smiling brightly towards the younger girl.
“Boring, but okay I guess.”
The girl replied, hands fiddling in the pockets of her shark themed jacket. She decided to come closer to the two ladies who stood by the store’s corner, not bothering to hide her dubious glances towards Vivian, which in turn made the purple haired lady tighten her face ever so slightly, carefully observing her.
Ellen then glanced up at Belle, her face seemed confused and unsure, taking a few glances between her and the dhampir.
“Wait, you had plans already? You could’ve told me..”
The shark said, her voice dripping in disappointment. This caused Belle to stutter and flail her arms around in a panicked frenzy, trying to find the words to describe what exactly was going on.
“No no no! We’re still going out for your boba, Ellen! I just had another friend come to do a surprise visit!...Uh-uh.. Vivian, this is Ellen. Ellen, this is Vivian!”
The blue haired discombobulated woman introduced the pair, who seemed to just stare at each other for the most part.
“..Hi?”
“I’m aware of your alias, Ellen Joe of Victoria Housekeeping.”
“..The fuck?”
The shark’s thick eyebrows furrowed deeper, her large tail slowly curling around her leg feeling uncomfortable with this weirdo lady in her presence. This even made Belle glance over at Vivian in question, under the assumption they had known each other before but in reality it was just a one sided dilemma.
The pointed ear lady peeped the curiosity in Belle’s face, wondering if they were prior acquaintances involving work. Seeing all eyes were on her, she quickly corrected herself, not wanting Belle to get the wrong idea of the spiteful callout of the younger girl.
“Apologies! I meant that in no way to scare you, I’m just familiar with the noble Victoria name. Your boss, Lycaon speaks highly of you.”
“..Right.”
Ellen eyed her, that fake tinged smile she could spot from anywhere, even when they hardly knew each other. Not wanting to make conversation with this weird stranger, Ellen looked back towards Belle.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Almost, I have a few more products I need to restock. It’ll take about 5 minutes or less.”
“M’kay.”
The shark thiren nodded, already digging out her phone and a peppermint candy to stay awake for at least an extra 30 minutes, walking over to a DIY barrel chair that sat in the other corner of the store. This was Belle’s cue to get back to work, not wanting to keep the known impatient girl waiting too long.
The famed proxy made her way to her work in progress, with Vivian in tow. Not wanting to give up this chance in hanging out with her as well, she be damned if she waits an entire day pardoned by some high school senior. And there was no telling what tomorrow may entail that Hugo may have her do under his organization..
“May I be of assistance, Lord Phaethon?”
Vivian offered softly and politely, pointed ears perking a little to at least help Belle out.
“Sure! You can help me restock the last of the DVDs on these shelves right here, the genre is labeled on the back so you know where to put them.”
She gave the dhampir a collection of cartridges, her immediately getting to work and putting them away in favor of her Lord Phaethon. As she restacked the goods, she took the opportunity to peer over to where Ellen sat. She was leaning rather comfortably against the chair, her massive tail taking up most if not all of the space said chair had to offer. She was very glued to her phone, her thumbs tapping away feverishly fast or sometimes scrolling.
Hmpf, unworthy and coaxed from that cellular device.
She rolled her eyes, continuing to put her stack away. She momentarily thought of a way to possibly bribe Belle into allowing her to at least tag alone with Ellen. She knew this was rather invasive, but she can’t let this one free day pass her by? It doesn’t even have to be a date, as long as she is besides her Lord, all is well honestly.
“Lord Phaethon? Ahem, excuse my formalities, Belle? If it isn’t too much to ask, is it okay if I accompany the both of you in your hangout?”
The shark’s overhearing ears caused her to stop typing on her phone to glare up towards the purple haired lady.
“Huh?”
The blue haired woman honked, looking up from putting her last DVD away.”
“Yes..you see, I should have mentioned it earlier. I don’t think I’ll be available for our date tomorrow or any day after that, I have affairs that I must attend to with Hugo. And since you have returned from your training temporarily, I don’t know when I’ll see you again!”
“Ohh..”
Belle having a heart of nothing but gold, honey, and movie reviews, she was immediately sympathetic at the idea that not only was she staying in the Janus Quarter for a week, but she wasn’t aware of her friends schedule either. So she felt obligated to at least cater to the limited free time that she had so she didn’t feel left out.
But really, Ellen asked for her permission to hangout first so truthfully the shark has the right to make the call. And it wasn’t the first time people who she and Wise were familiar with came into the business uninvited, and they welcomed them all the same with their own variants of wants and needs. But morally, Ellen has the right of way here.
“I think it would be fair if I let Ellen decide, she was the one who asked to hangout with me first. I don’t mind personally, but it’s up to her.”
If Vivian could curse to the heavens, Hell would invite her for a tea party. Her face didn’t change from her usual expectant and adored gaze, but her mind just hated the answer. She didn’t want permission from a little brat, especially one that's in between her and her Phaethon!
“...I see, that is very fair. I shall seek approval then.”
The dhampir’s pride was tainted as she walked over to where the shark thiren was, who without a doubt was already glaring at her through her hoodie. She could visibly see those sharp red eyes slowly follow her every movement, to a mortal it would be terrifying, but for a person like her she’s nothing but a pissed off puppy. Adorable.
“Ms. Ellen, is it okay that I come along with the both of you?”
“No.”
She couldn’t say she didn’t expect that answer but GOSH was she hopeful.
The shark was very clear and blunt with her answer, a little too blunt if she were to say. However, she did peep Belle in the corner looking slightly bummed out which made her feel a little bad.
“Sorry Vivian, there's your answ-”
“-But, I didn’t have to wait that long since you were helping Belle out. So I guess you can.”
Ellen approved, with some attitude just for the sake of Belle to smile big again. The blue haired girl was way too friendly for her own good..the shark thinks this will bite her in the ass sooner or later.
“Oh? Why the change of heart, Ms. Ellen?”
“No reason.”
Vivian watched the girl get up from her seat, placing her phone away in her jacket’s pocket. She walked past the slightly taller lady, purposely pausing next to her to eye her up and down with a huff before she continued to walk towards the proxy. To say this didn’t irk the dhampir to her core was an understatement, just who does that little shit think she is, huh?? The purple haired woman couldn’t be too angry at this, because of that bitch she can have some time to hangout with Belle.
The staff door decided to swing open, emerging Wise finally coming back from his rather lengthy phone call.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, sis. A customer was having some technical difficulties with- oh! Ellen and Vivian, welcome.”
The man smiled, shutting the door softly behind him. The dhampir giving a shy wave and the shark giving him an up nod.
“Perfect timing, bro! We were just about to leave, Vivian helped me place the rest of the tapes and junk away so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Great, the boos and I should handle it from here then. Oh, will Vivian be hanging out with the two of you as well?”
The gray haired man questioned, he too was under the impression that Belle was going to be spending time with Ellen today.
“Last minute.”
The shark blurted out, opening up a lollipop wrapper and sticking the candy in her mouth. The purple haired woman could only give her a glance and a slight nose twitch before ultimately nodding because it was the truth.
“A-Ah I see, well you three have fun then!”
Wise chuckled meekly, he could feel the unwanted beef between them. Something definitely told him it was a second opinion than it being a last minute plan.
And just like that the trio left Random Play, making their way to their first stop, Richard’s Teamilk. Things should go smoothly with a cold drink to soothe the tension..
…
Right?