The Blade in the Stars (Swiss x Female OC)

3: Broken Thoughts

Swiss' POV:

    I wasn't able to focus on the conversation everyone else was having. I was slouched against the back of the couch, my gaze fixing onto random things: the clock burning in the fireplace, the empty dish in the kitchen, the chair that was bare of occupation. The small patting of rain on the window is what dragged my attention. Raindrops collided against each other, slowly making their way down the glass.

    "Swiss, what do you think?" A voice called to me, breaking me out of my trance. My face scrunched up in confusion as I glanced towards Sodo. Multiple sets of eyes were fixed onto me, waiting for my response.

    "What do I think?" I echoed the question, blinking. I couldn't recall any part of their conversation. I was completely lost. A frustrated sigh escaped Sodo, his head turning to the side for a moment before back to me.

    With his lips drawn into a line, he spoke, "About Fenris." At the sound of her name, I unconsciously straightened against the couch. It was easy to assume that Sodo had been saying some mean thing about her once again. I couldn't understand where he and Aether could be getting this opinion on her. Sure, maybe she was a bit outward upon seeing us, but did that really call for such negativity on our part? Besides, she didn't talk nearly enough to be thought of in such a way.

    I jumped back to the conversation, trying to find some sort of response. She herself had warned me off, so I would try to abide by her request. "From what you've said? I guess she's not the nicest ghoul." By Sodo's scowl, I could tell that my answer didn't satisfy him.

    "No, from your interactions with her." He clarified, a harshness in his voice. My lips parted just slightly, my eyes darting to the side.

     I stammered slightly, trying to find words to get out. They were expecting something vile to come out of my mouth, but how would I manage that? Instead, I resorted to a neutral tone, "She was fine. Quiet." That wasn't entirely a lie. She truly was quiet.

    "Fine? Did you forget about her little stunt earlier?" It was Aether that chimed in, his arms flailing through the air incredulously. A hint of annoyance echoed through me. Why couldn't he just let it go? He implied that he was going to before.

    "It was an accident." I murmured, just loud enough for them to hear. I shifted, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

    "I think we all know that wasn't an accident. You're an idiot if you didn't see the look on her face." He pushed, his voice raising just a bit more than before.

    My entire body tensed as Aether spoke. I took a deep breath, looking away from the quintessence ghoul. "She just sounds like a prick to me." Cirrus' voice perked up. My breath hitched, my skin starting to crawl as other ghouls started to put in their opinion. For a reason I couldn't explain, I started to become defensive. How dare they?  Before I could say anything, the heat rising in me started to die down.

    I hadn't even noticed the hand on my leg, however long it had been there. I looked to my right, meeting a set of prominent blue eyes. "Not now." Rain whispered, sliding his hand away from me. After a moment, I nodded, allowing myself to sink back into the surface under me. A few minutes passed, during which I didn't let myself hear their cruel remarks. Rain was right: I couldn't lose it after less than a week in the Overworld. I couldn't ruin the chance I had to make friends with the ghouls around me.

    But Fenris stayed in my mind. The more I thought, the more I wanted to know. I waited for a silence in their conversation before asking, "Was she summoned alongside you two?" I made a hand motion towards Aether and Sodo, making momentary eye contact.