[center][h2]Aschenputtel[/h2]
[sub]collab with [@Ariamis][/sub][/center]

[hr]

Bug stood still for a moment as Elora approached, before initiating a conversation. That was odd. Elora was not one to initiate conversation easily. Something was driving her. He put his hand to his chin, trying to read Elora’s words and expressions. [i]Well, well, well. Lucky Rabbit is trying to get her friend cheered up, and is holding the words I spoke at the start against me? She is such a moodmaker, is she not. Maybe I should throw a nice bonus. Plus this serves a goal I had in mind.[/i] He listened as Elora did her best Serah impression.

“My, my. Your friend Gene is a quirky one, is she not? But that much is true. I did promise her a reward.” Astolfo said, placing himself next to Elora. “I did not mean to make fun of her, though. So let me treat you extra well as a proxy apology for my misunderstood actions, isn’t it, Lily of the Valley?” Astolfo added, putting his most charming and princely smile before doing a half bow, corteously.

“Well then, shall we proceed? Think of me as your Fairy God…prince as you will. What would you like to do, then?”

Elora blinked, and then a red blush crept up over her face upon hearing the flirty man speak.
“M-Misunderstood actions? What do you mean?” She asked, a closed hand over her chest as if unsure whether to be wary or not.

“Well, I did say her efforts to try to cajole the one called Lucius would not go unrewarded. I did say I would treat her to sweets, befitting her vitality. However it seems…well, she did not take it as sincere but mockery. Nevertheless even if we ultimately failed…” Bug would trail and look at Elora for a brief moment.”...thanks to someone else’s…credit must be given where is due.” Astolfo would then say. “Besides, I would have eventually approached you regardless.”

Elora's expression shifted from bewildered to curious as Bug's cryptic words shed little light to her query. “Oh, okay…Umm…” She crossed an arm, holding the other one. The timid girl understood why he would elicit that sort of reaction from Serah. Still, there was something off about what he said.
“Approach me? Are you…trying to hit on me too? Like you hit on Arrish,” she blurted out, before following up in a panic: “N-Not that there’s anything wrong with that! I mean, he is quite handsome, even if he seems like a heartbreaker.”

Bug stopped for a second. He offered a rather devilish smirk as he leant closer to whisper in Elora’s ear. “Whoops, you are really a sagacious one. Busted in one moment.” He began to drag his words more and more as he moved ever so closely to her. “He is a bit of a despondent one, and what better way to sate my appetite with the girl that everyone wanted to save during the simulator…” He added in a husky voice. “...I must admit I want you, Elora.”

He finished, before recoiling so slightly, and lightly tapping her on the forehead. “...as a data analyst if you must know. I do need to think of out of the box tactics for the team, do I not?” Bug jested, pulling back and smirking.

Elora blinked, and raised her palms in alarm, frightened by Bug’s advances until he sprung the twist, causing her to reel back. “Data analyst? Like the intelligence I work with using the Combat Analyzer?”

Bug looked at Elora, his hand now on his hip. “Know thyself. Those were the words engraved in the ancient oracle of Delphi, back in the earliest age of Humankind. Knowledge is one of our greatest tools, and its importance must not be understated. Your… Combat Analyzer is a manifesto of your inner intention to use knowledge as a weapon. We’ve barely scratched the surface, Lily of the Valley.” Bug would add as he looked.

“How many people on the team think that they get it, hm?” He posted a question. “I would say not that many. So I must treat you well, because I need such like minded people. We…can chat about the implications leisurely.”

“So once again, what does the Lily of the Valley desire? Food and drink to quench thirst? A peek into the unknown? Mirror mirror on the wall…” He playfully trailed on his words.

Elora thought about Bug’s question with her arms crossed and eyes cast downward. “Well, I could have something sweet, like fruit juice. I’m parched after the VR session. Still, I’m, uh, surprised, mister Bugatti. I didn’t know you were so talented in engineering. I guess it explains the interest in tactical data. Do you plan to make improvements to Cockroach using it?”

Bug put his hand on his chest, and performed a slight nod with the head. “Your wish is my command.” He said as he began to walk away. “Please follow me.” Elora could notice this was not the way of the exchange shop, where staff could buy their stuff with their meager savings. He was heading to somewhere else, in the mess of the maze and maintenance corridors inside the ship.

“Ah...well, I’m not that talented. Not like someone from Toivo. I don’t speak and dream of machines like for example Sparks or Aurora. I merely found out that machines are way more reliable than humans.” The prince would say. “It also helps to defuse bombs attached to your stuff, and all that jazz. Naughty people’s hobbies, you know.” He said jokingly, although his joke was way darker. “Roach? I’ll upgrade…eventually. It’s gonna get the short stick this round I’m afraid. I’m not going to double down on my little wee baby like Sparks or Aurora do. What I think I will do…” He said as he finally reached a less cramped space.

“...is upgrade the Logic Diver.”

Elora frowned as Bug, in the guise of a gaff, gave a glimpse to his gloomy past.
“I…I can kind of relate. I’ve been alone for most of my life, so things like books and software kept me company. Logic Diver was my only friend.”
Occupied by reminiscing, Elora did not notice how they headed in a different direction, until they reached their destination. She was flabbergasted at the revelation. “Diver? B-But, are you serious, mister Bugatti? What would you even work on?” However, despite her trepidation, her eyes showed underlying excitement at the prospect.

“A chain is only strong as its weakest link. And given the sim results…well. Do I need to elaborate?” Bug would say. “Sparks and I had probably the same idea about the Hyper Communications relay being potentially a hacking tool on steroids. Alternatively using the Combat Analyzer to copy whatever IFF signal the enemy has. There are possibilities.” Bug added, as he went into a dark corridor. “I expect…a repayment of course.” He continued as the dark corridor opened to an unused storage area rife with off duty… soldiers of all parts of the ship. Some were playing cards, some were smoking. Some…were performing even odder fare, like using improvised devices to toast sausages on a bun. There was someone even making cotton candy with a discarded gyroservo.

“Well, what do you think? This is the Pit market. You can’t get this stuff on official channels. Officers don’t officially know, but they [i]know[/i].” Bug would tell Elora. “Let’s get you a mocktail.”

Elora shivered as she realized where the two of them ended up far into the engineering section of Solaire. Various engineers and technicians stared as the two of them passed by, causing her to feel uncomfortable. One of them even whistled.
“Check it out, we got dem fancy kids in here,” one of the more rough-looking workers spoke out.
As Bug went to meet with his supply contact, the guy approached her with an unwholesome grin. “Now what’s a cutie like youse doin’ round these parts? Maybe I could show you round, har har!”

“Oh, uh, you see, I…”
Elora scowled, yet fear kept her still as she tried to think of a way to decline without upsetting the stranger.

Astolfo rolled his eyes. Was this some kind of deja-vu or something? He sighed and retraced his steps back, before looking at the rough looking fellow. “Don’t you have anything better to do, fellow? She is with me.” He sighed, his finger tapping at the discipline tool at the hip. “So let us take this, calm, easy, everyone minding their own business.” Astolfo looking at rough hewn crew members.

“Lest I break something more than a sim this time. Let us not be hasty.” Astolfo said, his glare patent at the man, indicating Elora to move towards him.

Elora nodded, and walked behind Bug with quickened steps.
The engineer grimaced as he realized Bug caught him, and his eyes glanced down at his holster.
“Hey now, I ain’t looking for no trouble,” the man spoke out. “Y’all have a nice day now,” he spoke, and then walked off.

Elora sighed in relief with a shake of her head. “Geez…You saved me there, mister Bugatti. I’m not used to dealing with people like you are.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. I miscalculated the thirst for women these people have. So bear with me for a while.” Astolfo said, decisively crossing his arm behind Elora’s waist. “They will have to think you are my girl so let us play the part.” Bug added as he tried to lead Elora to a certain makeshift booth. However…he too soon realized he had never gotten this close to a girl in a while. Most of the time they were thorny roses who would bear their knives at him after failing to seduce him. Elora was completely different. And he could swear he could smell her shampoo as he did the maneuver inside the black market.

[i]Damnit, Bug, keep it straight[/i].

“Bweh!?” Elora yelped as her waist was grabbed. She raised a fist up at first, but quickly placed it on his arm as she remembered needing to play the part: she did not want to get harassed again, and the plan, as outrageous as it was, soon proved effective, letting the two pass through the black market. All the while, Elora was silent, her cheeks red.

When they finally arrived, she removed herself shakily, and placed a hand on her chest, taking deep breaths. “Geez…That was scary. But we made it through.”

“...uhuh.” Bug nodded to Elora. Maybe this was too much stimulation for the young girl? The rogue prince looked at the blonde, unshaven man presiding over a rather awkwardly assembled pile of junk, who was staring at the couple, as the clatter of glass and flasks was heard.

“...look at the lovebirds.” He said, a bitter and cynical tone of voice.

“Are you Fuel Line 2  Deputy Engineer, Von Hohenheim? The one they call the [i]Alchemist[/i]?” Bug would then say. “We are in need of your…magic.” The young pilot would say.

“Twenty.” He rolled his eyes. “Per mix.”

“...you’re ripping us off.” Bug would raise his hand. “Ten is what I heard. And I’ll put a good word in the run mill.”

“Twenty. It includes the hush fee and serenading the poor  [i]Forever Alone[/i] idiot who got distracted with your out-of-place girlfriend.” The one called Alchemist said.

“...I’ll pay.” Bug would concede after looking at Elora. “Whip up a Screwdriver for me, and for the lady…a [i]Cinderella[/i].”


The Alchemist raised an eyebrow. “Cinderella. Really. Can’t you do that in your room, brat? Wasting everyone’s time and money like that. Order a Strawberry Daiquiri at the very least.”

It was then when to Elora, all the assembled junk and bottles made sense. They were makeshift instruments of cocktail mixing, as well as a rather profound selection of spirits and juices, more so than one could find in the official stores. Alchemist…the one who mixes.

Elora was surprised that there was an actual black market bar at the back of the Pit, and coughed a bit from the cigarette smoke that wafted in the air. She wondered if the ship officers were unaware of the prohibited goods being manufactured and sold…Or if they actually turned a blind eye. It would make sense for a ship as huge as Solaire to have a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy about things like this, she thought.

The young pilot felt bad about causing trouble for Bug after the barkeep complained: she deduced that the Cinderella was a non-alcoholic drink. “Th-thank you,” she spoke in gratitude, and then placed a hand in her pocket to take out her wallet. “Could I also have a bottle of Strawberry Daiquiri to go?” she spoke, and handed out the yerries. “I think Serah might like it,” she whispered to Bug.

Bug would raise an eyebrow, and intercepted Elora’s hand. “I am the one paying. Otherwise it would not count towards the bargain. But you heard the lady.”

“Bah, easiest money I had in a while.” The Alchemist relented, and the magic began to happen. The skilled chemist grabbed alcohol, ice and juices from suspicious containers, and with deft and swift movements, conjured the cocktails out of seemingly thin air. Bug raised an eyebrow when the Alchemist seemingly produced a [i] glass slipper [/i] out of all things to pour Elora’s mocktail inside, topped with a little cabbage shaped umbrella.

“What’s with that?” Bug said as he looked at Elora’s exotic glass.

“Some idiot thought he could get Lieutenant Mammaries down with us grunts, so he created the glassware.” The Alchemist replied. “Meh, at least I get to use it.”

“Heh, the follies of men.” Bug would say and take a sip. “Surprisingly good. Worth the detour and the money.”

“That’s a New Uruker for you. We might live in a dump, but we get creative, Mr Fancyass prince.” The sour cocktail bartender nodded before producing a plastic cup, hopefully washed, to prepare the Daiquiri to go.

“Mother was from New Uruk.” Bug admitted, which got Hohenheim to raise an eyebrow.

“Shit. Yeah I do remember now. Zenobia the Golden Jackal. Rags to riches story if I ever heard.” The Alchemist quipped. “Heard she went missin’.”

Bug stood silent for a while before enjoying the crude but delicious cocktail. He wondered if Elora found the mix good too.

Elora took a hesitant and delicate sip of her Cinderella…And then blinked in surprise. “This is…It’s slightly sour, but the sweet aftertaste is nice,” she admitted, and smiled, feeling a little bit like a cool, classy lady.

“Well, any other desires you have, Elora?” Bug asked. “If so, do tell.” Bug nodded as he handed quite a wad of yerries to the Alchemist. That could not have been [i]just[/i] his allowance. “Alchemist, do you do gigs? I got a party and I need supplies and a good mixer.”

The Alchemist frowning. “I do. But not on that crowd. Not on that scale.” The engineer leaned forward. “But I heard about a Yatalian dispatch nearby. Those guys are just drunk posh assholes. Maybe you can use your princely swag and get them to yield their booze.”

“Mmm” Bug replied. “Worth a shot.”

Elora finished drinking her mix, and then placed it on the bar counter, followed by taking a quick look at her personal device and hitching her breath. “Oh! I’ve gotta go back to work on other stuff.” She took Bug’s hand, and shook it. “Thanks for treating me, mister Bugatti,” she said with a cute smile, and took the bottle. “I’ll tell Serah how much of a gentleman you’ve been. I’m sure she’ll, uh, forgive you.”

“Mmm. I still have to comment on your Logic Diver upgrades though. Alternatively, think of my offer of teaching you to be a data analyst.” Bug would say, as he finished his drink in one go. “Great stuff, Alchemist.” He said, to which the Alchemist grunted. “Let me escort you back.”

He gestured, making a motion for the same waist hold as he had done earlier.

Elora nodded, looking at the bottle in her hands contemplatively. “Yeah…If you think I can do it, then I’ll do my best, mister Bugatti. And I’m sure Diver will also like being worked on,” she added with a cutesy tilt of her head. She then stepped next to him, allowing him to hold her the same way again for their return trip: Bug would note that while she was still unused to the closeness, she was less apprehensive of it compared to the first time. When they were back to the upper section of the ship, she curtsied with the bottle in hand. “This was, um, more fun than I thought. So, uh, see you later.” And with that she headed off to find Serah.

Not wasting time, Bug advanced one final time, a mischievous look on his eyes. “Don’t drop the bottle.” He said, before taking her hand and kissing her in the back of her palm. “See you around, Lily of the Valley.”