Relic

Chapter 7: Sunburst

Five days pass with no significant events. No riots, no enforcer raids, no news from Roy, or anyone from the rings. Moxy and Monsieur haven't reached out to R. R settles back into a comfortable routine. Wake up, exercise and train with the girls, run the store, and go to bed. He can't help but shake the feeling that something big is happening right under his nose.

'Try not to get hit now!" Ram yells. R is thrown back into reality, just in time to dodge her blow. Behind, Flare shoots a shot of fire. R manages to dodge the attack and retaliate against Ram with his sickle wings. On the back of his wrist, he can see patterns sputtering to life for a brief moment, before being snuffed out.

Recently, R has been doing one on three training. He doesn't have much time to spar with each individually, so he resorts to this. With his experience, it doesn't prove much more challenging, though he can see massive improvements from Ram and Flare. As for Jeanne, she's still trying to figure out her power. He leaves her alone for the most part, waiting for the moment when she can get a handle on her skills.

"Alright, that's enough." R says. Ram instantly sits on the floor, breathing heavily, with Flare joining her. Jeanne brings over some bottles of water, but R can tell that she hates not being able to do anything in these sessions, but he doesn't know what to really say.

After that, they return to the store, where Cerberus greets them with high-pitched yelps. Nobody came forward about a missing dog, so Flare has been taking care of the little furball. R hopes nobody comes forward and he knows that Flare wants the same thing, even if she won't admit it.

Once Damien walks through the doors, they open the store. Nothing of note happens. The regulars come by as always and order their coffee. Jeanne is as cheerful as ever, being the new favourite for the customers. They all enjoy how she can so easily strike up a conversation and hold it. Ram seems to be less hostile about the arrangement, except for the odd customers that come by to tease her. She would get instantly agitated just seeing their faces. Strangely enough, those customers would come back even after being insulted countless times by Ram. Do they enjoy being belittled or something? Flare has also been a great help. She's quickly picked up on what she needs to do and is making drinks as quickly as R does.

Once again, the shift ends and the store closes. Flare takes Cerberus out for a walk while Ram and Jeanne retire to their rooms. That was when a phone call came in. "Hello?" R says, picking up the phone.

"R!" An out of breath Gilmore shouts over the phone. "We're under attack by Roy! We need help! I'm sending you the coordinates now! Please make it- AHHH!" The line cuts off.

"Gilmore!" He looks at the phone. There's a text from Gil with an address. "Shit! Jeanne! Ram! I'm heading out! Don't destroy the store!" "Ok!" Jeanne responds from upstairs. R rushes out the door and runs towards the Rings district.

In a nearby alley, Flare is playing around with Cerberus. All her life, she would avoid trivial, meaningless things. But when it comes to Cerberus, she can't tear her eyes away. She doesn't even notice herself smiling, observing the puppy. She doesn't notice when a figure approaches her, something she would never miss normally.

"Cute dog. It yours?" Flare turns towards the source of the sound. In front of her she spots a huge man in an armour suit. At his sides are square sheathes with large knives in them. At his back are six mechanical arms with strange plates fastened to their ends. The bald man looks down at her with a large, eerie grin. He doesn't have a collar. She can tell this man is a problem.

"I could report you for animal abuse."

"Why? I'm taking care of all his needs and he's happy."

"I don't buy that bullshit. It's impossible for a Rel to take care of anything." He grins. Flare can tell he's making stuff up. "Hand the dog over to me, and I can see to it the mutt gets a proper home."