Phos x Ice Floe

Chapter 2: Gold Armed Phos

Couple of days after Antarc was taken to the moon...

I wonder how Phos is doing? Hopefully she was not scolded too harshly. Wait.. I see something shimmering in the distance.

Ah it's Phos but her look and aura is different...

"Phos?"

"It's all your fault." Phos said coldly. "If I didn't listened to you then Antarc would still be here!" Phos lashed out violently at a nearby Ice Floe, breaking it into pieces.

"Phos, calm down! Why are you so angry?"

Phos fell to the ground, bawling her eyes out with golden tears.

...

The lunarians must have taken Antarc to the moon then...

You wanted to reach out and comfort this precious gem but you know no body.

But you somehow managed to reformed your current ice floe form to a humanoid body like the gems.

The other ice floes have been stunned into silence by your sudden transformation.

You decided to copy the form of Antarc and hugged Phos from behind. Surprised, Phos turned around, saw your Antarc form and then tackled hug you to the ground.

"Antarc, I'm so sorry!" you gently put your hand to Phos cheek and said "It's not your fault but the lunarians."

...

"Sorry, Ice Floe..." Phos apologized and wipes away her gold tears.

"Don't worry about it, it's water under the bridge."

"... What's a bridge?"

"Uh, well, it's a structure that you cross to get to the other side."

"Do you feel better Phos?"

"Yes, thank you Ice Floe."

"It's a long story..." Phos then recounted what happened during the past few days, when they went to the Beach of Beginnings to look for materials for new arms, the gold trap her in a cube, lunarians ambushing Antarc and taking her away to the moon....

"I'm sorry, Phos. I truly wanted to help you..." and myself but you kept that thought to yourself.

"It's fine... Like you said it was the lunarians fault... Hey, it is alright to ask you to become my partner...?" Phos asked shyly.

"Of course, you quite bold aren't you Phos?" you grinned.

"Hihi~" Phos helped you up. "All that is left is to introduce you to Sensei~"

"No." Phos was surprised and asked "Why?"

"Your precious Sensei called us 'Sinners', Phos" You said with venom in your words.

"Sinner... But I think it will be fine so come with me to the School, Ice..."

You sighed deeply and decided to agree. "Fine." Smiling meekly, Phos grabbed your hand to guide you where the school is.

"Does this mean the other floes will stop screaming, Ice?" asked Phos while the two of you walking towards the school.

"Eh? They will continue screaming, nothing to be done about that."

"But why?"

"We want to be saved but your sensei and the lunarians ignored us all this time. There's a reason why we took the shape of the lunarian vessels, Phos."

"Can I do anything to help, Ice?"

"Not really, Phos."

Silence reigns until the two reached the two reached the school.

"Here we are... This way." Phos guided you to Sensei's room. Sensei was looking outside looking for any signs of lunarian presence.

"Sensei, I would like to introduce you to my new friend and partner... Ice Floe."

Sensei turned around and faced the two of you. Sensei facial expression turned from shock to neutral in a blink of a eye.

"I am... Ice Floe." And you kneeled on one knee. "I would like to apologize for causing Phos to lose her arms. I told Phos she would get stronger if she has new arms."

"Please arise, Ice Floe." Sensei helped you up. "It's my lack of caution that led to this. I knew Phos was missing his arms yet I didn't accompany them to the Beach of Beginnings."

"You are welcome to stay here, Ice Floe."

"Isn't that great, Ice~" Phos was happy that Sensei accepted you.

"Show Ice Floe to one of the vacant rooms, Phos. I will mediate."

"Yes Sensei~" Phos grabbed hold your of hand again and guided to the second floor where the bedrooms of gems is.

"Ta~Da~! This is your room now, Ice~" Gesturing enthusiastically to the almost empty room that only contain a bed. "Next to my room~"

"You do know I will melt once winter ends right?"

...

"You didn't know? Antarc melt too once winter ends."

"Will I see you again next winter, Ice?"

"Of course, Phos! Till then I will help you, you have winter chores right?"

"Hm, yeah. Shovelling snow out of school grounds, and other miscellaneous stuff..."

Ice Floe ended up with a spare rectangular box tub similar to the one Antarc uses for when she eventually melts.

Ice Floe was also overwhelmed by questions from the other ice floes on how she made her humanoid body but she doesn't know how she did it, it just happened.

Character Profile
Name: Ice Floe
Nickname: Ice-chan
Hardness: 1.5-6 (varies with temperature, just like Antarc!)
Job: Being Phos' Partner, Winter Duty
Partner: Phosphophyllite
Personality: Mischievous

Author's Notes:
With Ice Floe-chan around, Phos' mental health is slightly better and the story will deviate a bit.