Life Anew [TCF OC Insert]

Ch 3: Fake It Till You Make It

"Ariemis Lauflayer? It's a pleasure to meet such a pretty lady as you." He glanced at Cale who was trying to pull Ari back towards his side, and smirked while leaving with his short reprimanding pointed toward the innkeeper cut short, 'It just doesn't make sense.' She had begun to think about her situation when Cale lead her to the inn after the almost victim of Venion's, introduced himself as the proprietor of the village's only inn and offered them to stay at a discounted price for saving him, 'The story should've started three years ago, so why is it starting now? Unless someone powerful enough to rewrite or freeze time intervened, everything should already be different and Cale should've already formed his "faction". But we're still only at the start for some reason...'

"I warned you, Ari Yang-Bak. You should've listened when you had the chance. Because of your insolence to defy fate and live, time never moved forward." The real Ariemis suddenly spoke in her head which made her gasp silently and ask in her mind, 'What the hell are you talking about, Ariemis!? What choice could I have made besides living? I already died once because of someone I thought of as a friend, I don't care if it's selfish for me to want to keep living!!' She growled out in anger, 'If everyone else has the right to choose to live, why can't I exercise mine then!! What us so bad about me living even though you died because you thought there was no other way!!?!' Ariemis went silent as Ari calmed down and told the previous owner of her current body, 'I want to live, Ariemis. No matter what comes my way or who wants to kill me, whether I choose something that kills me or someone else decides I should die, those are things I want to experience and choose on my own. I died too early in my last life from betrayal, so I what to experience everything that was robbed from me. Forgive my selfishness, Ariemis....but I am not you and never will be you.'

"Ari? Sweetheart?" Cale brought her back from the conversation she had with the original consciousness of Ariemis, of which would eventually merge with her own though not for a long time, "I'm fine, Cale. Just a little tired, is it okay if I sleep in the chair for a bit?" He shook his head and placed her on the bed against her wishes then left to speak with Choi Han, presumably carrying out their plan to free the dragon which would succeed no matter what they did because of the plot. The following nights being filled with camping and fireside cuddles because of Ariemis and her genes helping her retain heat better, becoming a living heating pad for Cale who was freezing every night and trying to figure out how to tell the dragon following them that he wasn't interested.

"He's just trying to show his appreciation for you rescuing him, Cale. Better to accept it than push it away or his attempts will get more and more frequent." Her suggestion was considered by the red haired man but he ultimately dismissed it and after revealing his plans to get the ancient powers to her, had gone to see the rock tower with her and the kids who were very curious about it too, running into Cage (former priestess) and Taylor (Venion's older brother), "It's been a while Cale, who is this?"
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[Site of Tower]
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"My name is Ariemis Lauflayer. It is a pleasure to meet you, eldest of the Marquis Stan family." Cale wrapped his arm around my side then pulled me away following two words from Cage, both of us going to where the tower he needed was and withstanding the strong winds contrary to what the dragon following us thought we could take, my body transforming into my wolf form in order to better take the biting winds. "I'm not a weak person and neither is he, young one." The dragon tried to brush off his appearance as passing through but that made me giggle as Cale went off to nab the power, the kid beside me giving the same look Violan had when seeing my fur, "You can pet it if you want, just don't tangle it kid."

He laid down next to me after I circled and found a nice spot to wait and asked me when noticing how my engagement ring turned into a collar with the same jewel, "You're going to marry that weak human?" A smile found its way to my face, "Yep. It's probably the best way for me to continue living, and he's not all bad. I mean he saved you kid, how bad can he be?" He saw through the facade I had put on easily, "You don't want to marry him but you're still doing it...why?" A smile made my way to my face as I momentarily felt the real Ariemis take over, "You'll find out on your own, hatchling."

"We should get going, he'll be back soon." Standing up after regaining control over my body, the kid followed me as Cale walked back and pet my fur lovingly, though he gave the dragon a dirty look as he hid behind me. "Cut him a break, Cale. He just wanted to say thanks bit couldn't get the words out."

"You're treating him like he's our kid." I responded rather cheekily, "He might as well be at this point." Cale blushed at that though as the dragon stared at both of us and placed himself in my arms, "She's my mom now." He bluntly stated as Cale became almost as red as his hair, all three of us walking out with the winds stopping and being replaced with a gentle silence.
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Meeting of Family Heads [Capital]
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"Now entering, Cale Henituse and his fiance lady Ariemis Lauflayer Baschulert." The man announced as Cale and I walked in side by side with my ears out and nervous confidence buzzing in my body, 'The real play is starting now.'
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A Few Hours Earlier [Funny!]
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"You want me to do what?" Ari screeched as Raon (Lock) charged at her in his awakened state which would only die down if someone fought him, the only person strong enough that Cale could think of being his fiance because there was a high chance Choi Han's nerves would interfere, and Rosalyn wasn't looking forward to fighting one of her comrades either. "Fine, but you owe me one!!" She transformed into her beast form which she hardly ever used since her father never let her fight, and easily overpowering Raon who returned to normal after she flung him into a wall harshly, "I think....I need....a nap..."

Ariemis collapsed into unconsciousness after handling her fellow beastman, and was taken to her shared room with Cale to rest so she would have enough energy to handle the nobles at the meeting, of which would criticize someone like her who was perceived by everyone in the empire as a lesser being because eof the imperial family's influence over public opinion.
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I'm giving Raon name to Lock because I think Lock sounds fucking ridiculous. I'm giving dragon boy a new name that Cale and Ariemis choose later.