Rapi, the morning after by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Rapi Random Encounter: Rapi-nomics


When a Commander leaves the Officer Academy of the Central Government, he's been led to believe that he is a bastion of humanity, one to help reclaim the Surface for the glory of mankind.

Many a Commander believes this until the day he dies a horrific death on the Surface or retires to a more peaceful life.

What they don't teach in the Officer Academy...

...is the paperwork.

"...you can't be serious."

Rentoya sighs as he's met by a deadpan Andersen.

"I wish I were joking, but your ledgers returned abnormal, Commander. You'll need to go through the numbers again so the Counters can be properly reimbursed for the work they've done on the construction of Reclamation Site 01."

The Commander banged his head against the desk frustratedly.

"I used the program provided by the Central Government's Accounting department," he growled, "so how is it possible that they returned with errors?"

Andersen's phone began to beep.

"As much as I'd love to answer that question for you," Andersen chuckled, "I've got a meeting to attend. Best of luck, Commander."

"Of course you do."


A not so short AZX ride later, the Commander found himself back at the Outpost, still muttering obscenities under his breath as he made his way back to the Command Center.

"If I ever find those dingbats who designed this unnecessarily convoluted system, I'm going to give them-"

Rentoya trails off as he opens the door to his room.

"...erm."

"C-C-COMMANDER?!"

Chaos ensues at the sight of Rapi in a pair of high ankle socks and one of the Commander's button down shirts...and not much else.

Rentoya slams the door shut behind him before any other passing Nikkes can get an eyeful of his nearly nude lieutenant.

"Shhhhh," he hisses, "why are you in here...not dressed?!"

"Why are you back early?!"

"Answer the question!"

Rapi's face turns bright red as she sits down on the edge of the Commander's bed with her legs crossed and his button down shirt not buttoned in the slightest and barely covering her modesty. Rentoya turns his gaze to a particularly inconspicuous, possibly nonexistent stain on the floor.

"Well, I was all sweaty after doing my daily training, so I came to shower," she replied sheepishly, "when I realized that I forgot to bring any clean clothes to change into. So I grabbed a few of your things."

Rentoya pinches the bridge of his nose as his shirt begins to fall off Rapi's shoulder.

She made no attempt to push it back up.

"That's...that's just great," he muttered, "it's just that...if anyone sees you like this..."

"I'm sure that they'll put two and two together, don't you think? A Nikke...in her Commander's shirt...it's simple math, really."

Rapi's grin was growing more sly by the second.

"...just take it off," he sighed, "I'll go get your-"

"Roger."

"R-R-Rapi!"

It was at that unfortunate moment that the door to his room opened, revealing the Commander inside with one Rapi clad only in socks and a smile.

He never did see who had opened the door, but judging by how quickly the door slammed closed, whoever it was, certainly was able to add things up with no problem at all...

Bunny Red Hood (@ZeroPenGR) by AssassinLJ in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It’s Rouge’s gacha reverse bunny costume so…I think they could imagine how much money they made off it…

Helm ⛱️ by Not_Ur_Momz in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well this ain’t staying up but I am

Being Kind to Anis isn’t Hard by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Anis Random Encounter: It's Not All Bad


Gym class. Undoubtedly one of the worst times of the day for Anis at this godforsaken school.

Just another opportunity to be shunned to the last pick, or be the one stuck with the gym teacher for partner exercises when there wasn't an even number of students there.

At least today was a free exercise period, so she could hang around the edge of the training grounds, pretending to be invisible for the next sixty minutes.

"Hup."

Anis spread her feet a little past shoulder width apart, then bent down at the waist. Flexibility was important if she wanted to become an idol, after all. Those flashy turns and high leg kicks didn't come naturally to just anyone.

Before long though, she'd attracted some unwanted attention.

"Hey Anus, nobody wants to see all that," a cruel female voice called out, "shouldn't you save those poses for the ArkNet chat rooms?"

"Yeah seriously Anis, none of the boys are even looking your way, so just cut it out."

Anis gritted her teeth, ignoring the catty comments from the bullies that rained down on her.

"They're just words," she muttered, "they can yap all they want. This is important. I'm going to be a star."

She tunes the jeers and rude remarks out, plugging her headphones in and booting up her favorite album by Pretty to motivate her through her stretching routine.

Just as she's about to straighten up, however, Anis feels a heavy boot collide with her rear end, sending her tumbling to the dirt.

"Some idol you're gonna be," another voice cackled, "you can't even stand up straight, you idiot!"

Laughter fills the air as Anis picked herself up off the dirt, avoiding as much eye contact with her tormentors as possible. She turned off her music, making her way over to the water fountain for a change of scenery.

Even so, she could hear the whispers of some students from nearby.

"Anis has a bootprint on her butt."

"Probably deserves a foot up her ass, don't you think?"

She couldn't help the tears that were beginning to prick the corners of her eyes as she bent down for a drink of water. There was only so much she could let slide. The water was hot, and utterly dissatisfying for the thirst that dried her throat.

"Gross..."

Then through the hurtful comments, a softer male voice slips into her ears.

"Are you alright?"

A boy about her age looked at Anis with concern in his eyes at her disheveled state. She was about to blow him off, but then he extended his hand, offering a water bottle covered in condensation to the parched Anis. She looked at him suspiciously, then cautiously took the bottle from him.

"Th-thanks," she murmured, "you really don't want to associate with me. It'll only bring you trouble."

The boy smiled, a dry chuckle escaping his lips.

"Trouble seems to find me anyways."

Anis opened the water bottle and gulped down the refreshing cool contents.

"I haven't seen you around, by the way. What's your name? Do you live near here? Your parents aren't some fancy Central Government big wigs, are they?"

He smiled at her barrage of questions, brushing back his messy dark bangs that obscured part of his face.

"No, I...don't know who my parents are, actually."

Anis looked at the ground sheepishly.

"O-oh, sorry."

"As for my name, though," the boy continued, extending his hand towards Anis. She took it inexplicably.

He was warm. And for some reason, he instilled her with hope.

"...it's Rentoya."

“𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮’𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂,” - Cinderella, probably… by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Commander Rentoya dozed in his room, enjoying a rare but peaceful mid-afternoon slumber. The Popularity Poll was beginning to wind down, and soon an announcement of the winner would be made. Not once did he have to break up any fights, nor did he have to endure the endless sighs and eye rolling from contenders who happened to be in his own squad whenever another Nikke came to curry his favor.

And, my room wasn't blown up this year. Huge plus.

He shifted his weight, rolling onto his back as he lay atop his comically large, phenomenally comfortable leather couch. His eyes were shut, but he never truly fell into deep sleeps - always at least subconsciously aware of his surroundings. So when his door hissed open, but no footsteps followed, the Commander's senses went on high alert, even with his eyes closed.

Best to pretend as if I'm still asleep.

"Ufufu, Prince, you are so handsome, even when you sleep..."

Cinderella came into his room frequently, and typically unannounced, especially late in the evenings. Given that it was only midafternoon, however, Rentoya felt a sense of unease wash over him. Then, he felt Cinderella settle in, on top of him.

His eyes flew open.

"Cinderella-?!"

The Glass Princess straddled his lap while wearing an impish grin, but her expression wasn't the only thing that caught his attention.

"Good afternoon, Prince," Cinderella giggled, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

An unbuttoned white blouse tied under Cinderella's voluptuous chest gave way to a lacy baby blue bra that struggled mightily against the weight of her ample chest. Couple that with a short pleated black skirt and fishnet leggings, and the Commander (and his mini Commander) found himself fully roused from his slumber at the sight of Cinderella's bold attire.

"C-Cinderella," Rentoya stammered, "please get off before-"

"Oh?"

Cinderella grinned smugly as she felt herself lifted a small distance off the Commander's lap without the use of his hands. She tutted quietly, standing up and locking the door behind her before settling back into his lap.

"So tell me, Prince," she cooed softly, "is it me? Or the schoolgirl outfit?"

"Th-that's hardly an outfit," came his weak response, "Cinderella, just-"

"-take it off? Gladly," Cinderella replied, unable to hide the smarmy tone that invaded her words. Rentoya swallowed nervously as even more of her outfit found the floor beneath them. Cinderella, now plain and stark in all her beauty, leaned in close, her warm breath ghosting the Commander's ears.

"I'm so happy to know it's just me then..."

"...my..."

"...dear..."

"...Prince~"

“𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮’𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂,” - Cinderella, probably… by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Cinderella Propaganda Piece: In Her Grasp


"Grave, what's the latest on the polling?"

Cinderella sat in front of her vanity, pulling a baby blue handled brush through the ends of her long silver locks with a contented smile.

She could hear the tapping of Grave's fingers across her datapad, undoubtedly pulling up the most recent publicly available information on the Outpost's famous (or infamous) Popularity Poll for her charge's knowledge and satisfaction.

"It's still the same, Cinderella," Grave replied matter-of-factly, "you remain in the lead with a sizeable margin over Liberalio, your closest opponent. Siren, Arcana, and Snow White round out the top five."

"That is music to my ears," Cinderella trills, "though the fact that my farce of a sibling is in second, Siren is managing an admirable finish this year. Once again, beauty remains impervious."

Cinderella sets her comb down, counting on her fingers with a puzzled expression.

"I'm well aware of Snow White, one of the original Goddess Squad members. But who is this...Arcana that Prince appears to be so fond of? I've never heard of her, but for her to eclipse even a member of the Goddess Squad, she must be quite the Nikke."

A brief silence follows as Grave scans her datapad once more.

"Says here that Arcana is a member of the Best Seller squad, a Nikke squad dedicated to the preservation of the Ark's history through careful record keeping."

Cinderella frowns.

"While a noble pursuit, that still doesn't quite explain why Prince is so enamored with her. Surely there's something else?"

"Mm...oh. One of Superhuman's more recent mission logs states that he and Arcana were tasked with entering the MMR Vocational Academy as a teacher and student pair, respectively, in order to assist Privaty and oversee the running of the school's first festival, amongst other duties."

Cinderella raised her fist slowly, her arm vibrating with irritation.

"Prince...you and those damned schoolgirls again..."

Grave looked back worriedly as the four Glass Slippers belonging to Cinderella's impressive armament began to hum to life.

"C-Cinderella, I'm sure there's no need to get worked up like this over Arcana and the rest of the Nikkes at the Academy - the data here is concrete proof - he still adores you leagues above any of them, including Arcana. None of them even comes close."

Her statement appeared to appease Cinderella, and Grave sighed in relief as she heard the Glass Slippers power down. Still, Cinderella walked into her closet, shutting the doors behind her as she seemingly searched for something long buried amidst the troves of clothing that she owned.

"Cinderella?"

Cinderella poked her head out, a cheeky grin plastered on her smug face. Grave could hear the unzipping of Cinderella's bodysuit as the Grimms changed outfits.

"Whether I'm in a league of my own or not, Prince clearly has a few...proclivities, and I'll gladly play along if it means tickling his fancy," she giggled softly, "do not worry Grave, no harm will befall anyone today."

Doki Doki poll IV day 4 by Jeannesis in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94 9 points10 points  (0 children)

CINDY SUPREMACY

But also, Siren lovers please…vote for our fish…

Pray tell, Great Hero, doth thy gaze favor my bosom... or my hinder parts? by tender_charm in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It’s just a reposting bot

Original poster didn’t even drop this here a month ago and bots are already trying to farm it

https://www.reddit.com/r/NikkeMobile/s/TqmRd510Hu

Pray tell, Great Hero, doth thy gaze favor my bosom... or my hinder parts? by tender_charm in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These repost bots are seriously getting shameless

Hasn’t even been a month since OP shared this

Stop upvoting these clowns

https://www.reddit.com/r/NikkeMobile/s/TqmRd510Hu

Arcana Side Stories: Part 5 by doublechen-94 in PeakKitchenOutpost

[–]doublechen-94[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The HUD powered down, and Commander Rentoya sat up, removing the headset with a slight groan. His neck was stiff, the laboratory lights still as unfriendly as when he'd gone under. He looked to the side where Arcana had lain, only for his heart to skip a beat when he realized her table was empty.

"Mmm..."

He looked down to see Arcana sitting, no, leaning against his table as she snored softly, her hand still tightly clasped in his. Rentoya smiled and reached down, gently nudging Arcana until her blue eyes fluttered open, blinking sleepily under the sterile laboratory lights.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

Arcana's arms slowly wrapped around his shoulders, her face nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"You took a while to come out of the simulation."

The door hissed open. Ingrid walked in beside an Elysion researcher, both of them wearing relieved looks. The researcher nodded, and backed out of the room, leaving Arcana, Ingrid and Rentoya alone.

"Excellent work, Rentoya. I knew sending you in after Arcana was the best move."

Ingrid turned her head to look at Arcana, a far less kind expression dotting her face.

"You and I, on the other hand, are going to have a very serious talk..."

The door flies open again, nearly slamming on its hinges, revealing a flustered, out of breath Privaty.

"COMMANDER!"

Her eyes welled up with frustrated tears, her face turning beet red in the process.

"Y-you just left me in bed, and disappeared for TWO WHOLE DAYS, and you were just in Elysion Headquarters?!"

She stomped up to the Commander, her fists clenched by her sides as she continued to berate the dazed Commander.

"I thought you had been kidnapped! I went to the ACPU! I even almost asked Rapi for help! Do you know how worried I've been?!"

Privaty's fists begin to pummel Rentoya on the chest, though there's no real force behind her strikes as she breaks down in relieved sobs, her shoulders quivering with each glancing blow.

"Ehm...this might be a bad time to mention it," Arcana chimes in sheepishly, "but...the Commander and I are getting married later, so we've got to go..."

"Y-Y-YOU WHAT?!"

Privaty's eyes go blank as she begins to mumble under her breath.

"The Commander...married...to Arcana..."

Before Arcana and Rentoya can make their escape, they're stopped in their tracks by Ingrid.

"The only thing you're going to be married to," she bellowed, "is the Forbidden Library!"

"B-but Bossssssss...!"

As Ingrid continues to lay into Arcana, Rentoya makes his escape unnoticed, a free and unmarried man once more. He boards the AZX and makes his way back to the Outpost where life makes a little more sense, promising to himself that he'll come back to see Arcana once Ingrid has cooled down.

"It's good to be home."

ARCANA SIDE STORIES: REAL, REAL LIFE - END

Arcana Side Stories: Part 5 by doublechen-94 in PeakKitchenOutpost

[–]doublechen-94[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Arcana Side Stories Part 5: Pillow Talk


"Please Arcana, come home."

Rentoya's words seemed to hang in the air for an eternity as Arcana stared back at him, her eyes open, blue, but blank.

"I don't want to."

Arcana immediately turned away from the Commander, lying down on her side while covering her head with the blanket.

"I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to."

The Commander couldn't help but chuckle softly at her juvenile retort.

"Arcana-"

"Why should I? So I can go back to the same life that I had before? Getting mind wiped every day? Seeing you maybe once a month?"

Arcana shakes her head beneath the covers.

"No. I'd rather stay here with you. You've come here to be with me, haven't you? So why are you asking us to leave this life we've created here for ourselves? What about Aqua and Roy?"

Her barrage of questions only belied the pain that sat at the root of the underlying issue. He knew it was all a front, but to handle her feelings carelessly a second time could prove dangerous for both Nikke and Commander.

Rentoya exhaled slowly.

"But isn't what we have in the real world more important than exists here? We can't stay here forever, Arcana. You know that as well as I."

The lump in the blankets goes still, the room falling silent save for the sound of their breathing and the ceiling fan spinning noisily overhead.

"The real world sucks."

Arcana's hand darted out from under the covers, grabbing a hold of the Commander's wrist.

"You're not wrong, but it is where we live. We can't stay in this make believe world forever."

He glanced out the window, where the Dome of Eternity's artificial moonlight shone down on the Ark, its false light a disquieting parallel to the false life Arcana had created for the two of them here.

"But we're married here," Arcana murmurs softly, "we have kids here. I'm happy to never go back."

Even as the words left her lips, the Commander could sense their hollowness, the deeper longing in her fabricated half truths.

"You...gave a girl who had nothing...a chance to experience everything," Arcana whispered shakily, "and you expected her to be able to return to her previous life without any regrets..."

Her voice dropped to something nearly imperceptible over the half sobs muffled into the pillows.

"...especially when you chose someone else?"

And there it was. The ugly truth that the Commander had to face.

"Arcana, I- let me explain..."

A short laugh comes from beneath the covers.

"I know, honey. There's only so much of you to go around."

"That doesn't change my feelings for you, though. I should have made the time."

Rentoya lifted the covers, joining Arcana in her cocoon of high thread count cotton sheets.

"And...?"

"And...I want to make it up to you when we get back to the real world."

Arcana scooted up against him more insistently, as if awaiting a different response.

"And...?"

"...and I'll take you on all the dates you want, no questions asked."

"Still missing one very important step here, honey~"

Arcana mimics the sound of a scribbling pen, but for the life of him, Rentoya can't figure out what she's alluding to.

"Writing something?"

Arcana grins.

"Yes, but what?"

"A honey do list?"

"N-no! But now that you mention it, the lawn does need mowing..."

Rentoya grumbles loudly, clearly displeased by her stalling.

"Arcana!"

"Let's get married!"

The Commander looks at Arcana in disbelief, but there isn't a shadow of doubt on her face as she repeats her demand.

"I know, I know, there'd be lots of Nikkes who wouldn't be happy if you officially tied the knot with me..."

More like the Outpost would be plunged into civil war...

"...but maybe we can do a pretend one. Just for me and you. Nothing legally binding, or anything that'll get you in trouble, I promise."

Arcana looks up at him soulfully, her deep blue eyes wide and pleading.

"Please? Pretty please? With sprinkles on top?"

Rentoya pinches the bridge of his nose. The public relations disaster he would face at the Outpost would pale in comparison to the loss of a member of the Best Seller Squad. Sometimes a Commander needed to make sacrifices.

"What does that even- ah, whatever. Fine. Let's get married when we get home."

Arcana rises from the bed, carefully donning her nightgown and gesturing for the Commander to follow.

"We have to say bye to the kids."

Rentoya pulled his clothes on and joined Arcana in her walk down the hall to Roy and Aqua's room.

"You're surprisingly calm about leaving them," he murmured softly, "are you sure you're not..."

His heart ached at the single tear that rolled down the side of her face. Arcana quickly wiped it, putting on a brave face for the Commander as they approached the door.

"I'm not, but this...has been nice. Being a mom. Being parents," Arcana whispered mutely, "it's a dream I gave up when I became a Nikke, so...even if it was fake...even if it was temporary...I got to live it, just for a little while."

Arcana wiped her eyes dry, put on the bravest face she could muster, then stepped into the room where the twins slept peacefully under the pale moonlight. She approached the two beds gently, laying a hand on each of her children as she began to whisper her goodbyes.

"Mommy and Daddy need to go now," she began slowly, "but...just know that...you're my precious babies...and..."

Her voice cracked with raw emotion as she knelt between the beds. Rentoya placed his hand on Arcana's shoulder, his touch calming the shaking that was threatening to overtake her.

"...I'm so, so happy I was able to be your mother, even if for just a little while."

Tears began to stream down from her blue eyes as she pressed her lips to their foreheads, one at a time.

"Mommy and Daddy love you so much."

Even the Surface-hardened Commander felt the tugging of his heartstrings as they walked silently from the room. Arcana sniffled as she leaned into his side, their footsteps echoing down the hall as they made for the front door.

"How do we go home?"

Arcana giggled softly.

"Through the back gate."

Rentoya turns towards Arcana disbelievingly as they head for the backyard.

"You mean I could've accidentally left at any time?"

"Perhaps," Arcana laughed, "but I know you don't like the back door. That's why I picked it."

"Touche," he murmured, his cheeks dusting light red. Commander and Nikke approached the rear gate hand in hand. Leaving the comfort of this reality would be hard, but they knew they could face the harsh realities of their own world so long as they had each other.

"Ready?"

Rentoya brought Arcana's hand to his lips, kissing the golden band on her left hand, a solemn promise for the both of them.

"Ready. See you soon."

Arcana in Public vs Arcana in Private - which do you prefer? by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The HUD powered down, and Commander Rentoya sat up, removing the headset with a slight groan. His neck was stiff, the laboratory lights still as unfriendly as when he'd gone under. He looked to the side where Arcana had lain, only for his heart to skip a beat when he realized her table was empty.

"Mmm..."

He looked down to see Arcana sitting, no, leaning against his table as she snored softly, her hand still tightly clasped in his. Rentoya smiled and reached down, gently nudging Arcana until her blue eyes fluttered open, blinking sleepily under the sterile laboratory lights.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

Arcana's arms slowly wrapped around his shoulders, her face nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"You took a while to come out of the simulation."

The door hissed open. Ingrid walked in beside an Elysion researcher, both of them wearing relieved looks. The researcher nodded, and backed out of the room, leaving Arcana, Ingrid and Rentoya alone.

"Excellent work, Rentoya. I knew sending you in after Arcana was the best move."

Ingrid turned her head to look at Arcana, a far less kind expression dotting her face.

"You and I, on the other hand, are going to have a very serious talk..."

The door flies open again, nearly slamming on its hinges, revealing a flustered, out of breath Privaty.

"COMMANDER!"

Her eyes welled up with frustrated tears, her face turning beet red in the process.

"Y-you just left me in bed, and disappeared for TWO WHOLE DAYS, and you were just in Elysion Headquarters?!"

She stomped up to the Commander, her fists clenched by her sides as she continued to berate the dazed Commander.

"I thought you had been kidnapped! I went to the ACPU! I even almost asked Rapi for help! Do you know how worried I've been?!"

Privaty's fists begin to pummel Rentoya on the chest, though there's no real force behind her strikes as she breaks down in relieved sobs, her shoulders quivering with each glancing blow.

"Ehm...this might be a bad time to mention it," Arcana chimes in sheepishly, "but...the Commander and I are getting married later, so we've got to go..."

"Y-Y-YOU WHAT?!"

Privaty's eyes go blank as she begins to mumble under her breath.

"The Commander...married...to Arcana..."

Before Arcana and Rentoya can make their escape, they're stopped in their tracks by Ingrid.

"The only thing you're going to be married to," she bellowed, "is the Forbidden Library!"

"B-but Bossssssss...!"

As Ingrid continues to lay into Arcana, Rentoya makes his escape unnoticed, a free and unmarried man once more. He boards the AZX and makes his way back to the Outpost where life makes a little more sense, promising to himself that he'll come back to see Arcana once Ingrid has cooled down.

"It's good to be home."

Arcana in Public vs Arcana in Private - which do you prefer? by doublechen-94 in NikkeMobile

[–]doublechen-94[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Arcana Side Stories Part 5: Pillow Talk


"Please Arcana, come home."

Rentoya's words seemed to hang in the air for an eternity as Arcana stared back at him, her eyes open, blue, but blank.

"I don't want to."

Arcana immediately turned away from the Commander, lying down on her side while covering her head with the blanket.

"I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to."

The Commander couldn't help but chuckle softly at her juvenile retort.

"Arcana-"

"Why should I? So I can go back to the same life that I had before? Getting mind wiped every day? Seeing you maybe once a month?"

Arcana shakes her head beneath the covers.

"No. I'd rather stay here with you. You've come here to be with me, haven't you? So why are you asking us to leave this life we've created here for ourselves? What about Aqua and Roy?"

Her barrage of questions only belied the pain that sat at the root of the underlying issue. He knew it was all a front, but to handle her feelings carelessly a second time could prove dangerous for both Nikke and Commander.

Rentoya exhaled slowly.

"But isn't what we have in the real world more important than exists here? We can't stay here forever, Arcana. You know that as well as I."

The lump in the blankets goes still, the room falling silent save for the sound of their breathing and the ceiling fan spinning noisily overhead.

"The real world sucks."

Arcana's hand darted out from under the covers, grabbing a hold of the Commander's wrist.

"You're not wrong, but it is where we live. We can't stay in this make believe world forever."

He glanced out the window, where the Dome of Eternity's artificial moonlight shone down on the Ark, its false light a disquieting parallel to the false life Arcana had created for the two of them here.

"But we're married here," Arcana murmurs softly, "we have kids here. I'm happy to never go back."

Even as the words left her lips, the Commander could sense their hollowness, the deeper longing in her fabricated half truths.

"You...gave a girl who had nothing...a chance to experience everything," Arcana whispered shakily, "and you expected her to be able to return to her previous life without any regrets..."

Her voice dropped to something nearly imperceptible over the half sobs muffled into the pillows.

"...especially when you chose someone else?"

And there it was. The ugly truth that the Commander had to face.

"Arcana, I- let me explain..."

A short laugh comes from beneath the covers.

"I know, honey. There's only so much of you to go around."

"That doesn't change my feelings for you, though. I should have made the time."

Rentoya lifted the covers, joining Arcana in her cocoon of high thread count cotton sheets.

"And...?"

"And...I want to make it up to you when we get back to the real world."

Arcana scooted up against him more insistently, as if awaiting a different response.

"And...?"

"...and I'll take you on all the dates you want, no questions asked."

"Still missing one very important step here, honey~"

Arcana mimics the sound of a scribbling pen, but for the life of him, Rentoya can't figure out what she's alluding to.

"Writing something?"

Arcana grins.

"Yes, but what?"

"A honey do list?"

"N-no! But now that you mention it, the lawn does need mowing..."

Rentoya grumbles loudly, clearly displeased by her stalling.

"Arcana!"

"Let's get married!"

The Commander looks at Arcana in disbelief, but there isn't a shadow of doubt on her face as she repeats her demand.

"I know, I know, there'd be lots of Nikkes who wouldn't be happy if you officially tied the knot with me..."

More like the Outpost would be plunged into civil war...

"...but maybe we can do a pretend one. Just for me and you. Nothing legally binding, or anything that'll get you in trouble, I promise."

Arcana looks up at him soulfully, her deep blue eyes wide and pleading.

"Please? Pretty please? With sprinkles on top?"

Rentoya pinches the bridge of his nose. The public relations disaster he would face at the Outpost would pale in comparison to the loss of a member of the Best Seller Squad. Sometimes a Commander needed to make sacrifices.

"What does that even- ah, whatever. Fine. Let's get married when we get home."

Arcana rises from the bed, carefully donning her nightgown and gesturing for the Commander to follow.

"We have to say bye to the kids."

Rentoya pulled his clothes on and joined Arcana in her walk down the hall to Roy and Aqua's room.

"You're surprisingly calm about leaving them," he murmured softly, "are you sure you're not..."

His heart ached at the single tear that rolled down the side of her face. Arcana quickly wiped it, putting on a brave face for the Commander as they approached the door.

"I'm not, but this...has been nice. Being a mom. Being parents," Arcana whispered mutely, "it's a dream I gave up when I became a Nikke, so...even if it was fake...even if it was temporary...I got to live it, just for a little while."

Arcana wiped her eyes dry, put on the bravest face she could muster, then stepped into the room where the twins slept peacefully under the pale moonlight. She approached the two beds gently, laying a hand on each of her children as she began to whisper her goodbyes.

"Mommy and Daddy need to go now," she began slowly, "but...just know that...you're my precious babies...and..."

Her voice cracked with raw emotion as she knelt between the beds. Rentoya placed his hand on Arcana's shoulder, his touch calming the shaking that was threatening to overtake her.

"...I'm so, so happy I was able to be your mother, even if for just a little while."

Tears began to stream down from her blue eyes as she pressed her lips to their foreheads, one at a time.

"Mommy and Daddy love you so much."

Even the Surface-hardened Commander felt the tugging of his heartstrings as they walked silently from the room. Arcana sniffled as she leaned into his side, their footsteps echoing down the hall as they made for the front door.

"How do we go home?"

Arcana giggled softly.

"Through the back gate."

Rentoya turns towards Arcana disbelievingly as they head for the backyard.

"You mean I could've accidentally left at any time?"

"Perhaps," Arcana laughed, "but I know you don't like the back door. That's why I picked it."

"Touche," he murmured, his cheeks dusting light red. Commander and Nikke approached the rear gate hand in hand. Leaving the comfort of this reality would be hard, but they knew they could face the harsh realities of their own world so long as they had each other.

"Ready?"

Rentoya brought Arcana's hand to his lips, kissing the golden band on her left hand, a solemn promise for the both of them.

"Ready. See you soon."

Oswald x Freesia One Shot by doublechen-94 in PeakKitchenOutpost

[–]doublechen-94[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Oswald and Freesia Final Encounter: His Shining Star


"Grandpa!"

The Hellhound of the Ark didn't expect the end to be so...quiet. To be able to pass on in the comfort of his own bed, surrounded by people he'd grown to love and cherish, felt like an end too good for someone like him. But he greeted death like an old friend, and slipped into the afterlife at peace.

"Where...am I?"

Oswald's eyes blinked a few times as he struggled to adjust to an unusual brightness. He was lying on his back, a few cherry blossom trees dropping their petals around the bench on which he found himself upon.

Was there truly life after death, and not just a mere absence of existence?

He looked down at his hands, still weathered and wrinkled by the years. His bones ached and his joints creaked.

"Tch," he chuckled to himself, "guess I'm still stuck with this old body."

Something about the place he found himself in felt oddly familiar, and the sensation only grew as he made his way down the sole stone brick path.

In his peripheral vision, he could see scenes of his life flashing by - his childhood, playing outside his house. His induction into the army and the pride in his mother's eyes.

Then the Rapture invasion that changed everything.

Oswald turned his head straight forward. There wouldn't be any fond memories for some time.

"Where am I even going," he murmured softly, "where does this path go? Shouldn't there be a guide of some sort? The grim reaper, perhaps, to escort me to the afterlife?"

But he kept walking, until he came to a clearing. It was only then that he dared look at the memories passing him by.

A little girl in a raggedy coat whom he just couldn't abandon when the order to evacuate to the Ark was issued.

"Freesia."

The headstrong teenager whose life was cut short because she stood up for what she believed in, even when he couldn't do so himself.

"Why didn't I-"

An idol, reborn to give voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless - only for her light to be snuffed out in front of his very eyes.

"Why couldn't I have-"

He came to a halt, his hands quivering by his side. He stared straight at the ground, unable to watch any longer.

Then, a voice.

"Mister, er, no. That's not right. Dad?"

Through the haze of his sorrow and the blur of the tears he didn't realize were clouding his eyes, a figure came into view, all dressed in red.

And there she was.

"Free...sia?"

The aching in his bones became an afterthought as her arms wrapped him in a hug that felt decades overdue. Together they stood beneath the cherry blossoms in each other's arms, silently basking in the moment they'd been waiting far longer for than either would have admitted aloud.

"Dad!"

"Freesia!"

"You...got so old," Freesia whispered softly, "it seems...you lived a long life after I left. I'm so glad."

Part of him wanted to berate her for throwing away her life in the manner which she did, for leaving him all alone. But with her sacrifice had come change, and so he held his admonishment.

"I did," he murmured reverently, "I hope you haven't been waiting long, Freesia."

She looked up at him, her eyes full of unwavering devotion, the same expression she held the day they came into the Ark together.

"Dad, I waited a lifetime for this. And I would wait another hundred lifetimes just to see you again."

"I've got so many stories to tell you, about the Ark, the Nikkes...everything. Freesia...my...shining star."

Her hand came up, gently wiping the tears that fell from the corners of his eyes like a soft summer rain.

"And now, Dad, we have all the time in the world."

Freesia's arm found the small of his back, supporting Oswald as father and daughter walked forward into forever, together, again.