As Not Requested
(Incomplete)
“Is something the matter, Jeanne?”
The question seemed to come out of nowhere and took the girl by surprise. Already sunk deep into her chair with her head resting on her right arm solemnly, she put a minimal amount of effort to look at the speaker.
It was another tranquil and peaceful day at the security organization, Chaldea. And so, much like any other day, the flag-bearing Avenger and round eyed Caster were killing time away in an isolated corner of Chaldea, sitting face to face, just the two of them at a four-seated table.
“… No, I’m fine, Gilles.”
She waved the question away but Gilles didn’t seem convinced.
“Are you sure, Jeanne? I just feel like you’ve been awfully gloomy lately.”
He pressed his lips together into a worried frown.
“You’ve been sulking around an awful lot lately. You hardly smile and you’ve been drinking quite a bit too.”
His bulging goldfish eyes looked over the few emptied wine bottles on the table.
“Do cheer up. This isn’t like you. How about we go burn down a village or two for fun?”
“… I’m fine.”
In response to his impassioned suggestion, she merely brushed his worries off.
“No? Then how about we poison some snacks and watch the fools grip their stomachs in pain?”
“…”
“Or we could dig up some dirty secrets and blackmail the supposed heroes into acts of injustice, reviling in their hypocrisy?”
“…”
“Just this once, we can even mess with the other Jeanne by swapping her shampoo with glue!”
“… I’m good.”
As if struck by lightning, Gilles gasped aghast. His eyes widened even further while his jaw hung loose in shock.
“J-Jeanne! Something is wrong. To not even want to harass the other Jeanne… you must be ill. We must treat this immediately. Fear not, this humble Gilles de Rais will employ the greatest means to curing you so-”
“Shut it! You’re noisy.”
Finally fed up with Bluebeard’s nonsense, Avenger plugged his mouth with a wine bottle. With the open bottle neck forced into his mouth, the mad man had no choice but to chug down the remaining liquid in it before Jeanne would remove it from his lips.
“Calm down, I’m not sick. I’ve just… been thinking a lot lately, okay?”
She turned away, pensively looking at the junction between floor and wall to avoid his gaze but the answer immediately satisfied the bug-eyed Caster.
“I see, so you’ve been planning your next scheme. As expected, Jeanne, never taking a break from sin.”
He breathed a conspicuous sigh of relief, placing his left hand on his relaxed chest.
“Well, I’m not really scheming anything… but whatever gives him peace of mind.”
Satisfied, Bluebeard poured himself out another glass and looked into its reflection with a gentle expression… well, as gentle as he could look.
“In truth, it’s been quiet around here lately, so I’ve been wary that the peace may be boring you, dulling your heart.”
“… well, it has gotten less rowdy, I guess.”
At the end of the year, the world had been saved thanks to the combined efforts of heroes from across time and space as well as the heart and fist of a single normal boy. In the aftermath, with their jobs completed, most of the heroic spirits returned to the Throne of Heroes, causing the current state of tranquility in the building. But the few that stuck around seemed determined to not leave anytime soon.
Emptying the dregs of her own glass, Jeanne turned back to Gilles, who had returned to reading as he often did to pass the time those days.
“Say Gilles…”
“Yes, Jeanne?”
Simply at the sound of her voice, he immediately removed his eyes from the book and faced her attentively.
“I was wondering… why’d you decide to stick around anyways? You don’t seem that interested in the place.”
“Of course, to be by your side, Jeanne. Wherever you go, this humble mad man will follow.”
Without hesitation, he blurted out that sappy line. Completely unfazed though, the Witch did nothing but nod.
“I see.”
“What about you, Jeanne? For what vengeance, for whom, did you choose to stay?”
Unlike the last line, this one made her grimace.
“I don’t get it. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, Jeanne, I simply ask the target of your vengeance. For you to not leave, there must be some action that you feel compelled, something that hasn’t been molded properly by your hands yet or someone who you haven’t settled the score with.”
The Baron explained in a matter-of-fact manner which seemed to have an effect on Jeanne. She minimally nodded along to his reasoning.
“That… sounds logical.”
Taking his words to heart, she briefly thought about her reason for staying or target of vengeance. Against her will, her mind quickly brought up thoughts of a certain black haired boy. This didn’t please her so she shook the thoughts away. Grabbing up a handful of snacks from the table, she leaned back into her chair sourly.
“Well, it doesn’t matter does it. Who or what I burn doesn’t change the end result. It’s just that this place has become slightly more bearable now that the allies of justice have left, so I didn’t mind hanging out a bit longer on a whim.”
“Yes, yes, of course, Jeanne. And of course there’s- Master!”
Jeanne flinched.
“What are you suggesting, Gilles? That that d-doofus is even worth wasting my time?”
“No, Jeanne, you misunderstand. Behind you.”
“Eh?”
In response to her flustered reaction, Bluebeard pointed at her- no, right behind her. She followed the path of the finger, turning her head around until she locked eyes with the boy’s blue eyes.
“Yo, doofus reporting in. Mind if I join you two?”
The Master of Chaldea, commonly nicknamed Gudao, greeted with a cheery smile and wave. Taken aback, Jeanne froze in place, silently processing the progression of dialogue that led up to this point.
“Oh, Master, how good of you to visit? Won’t you join us for a drink?”
Gilles offered with his usual flamboyance, motioning towards the glasses and bottles on the table. In response, Gudao shook his head lightly.
“No, no, I’ve said this already. I’m still underaged.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. There are no laws here. Feel free to disregard temperance in our company.”
Gilles amicably motioned him towards a seat, while practically shoving a glass, albeit empty one, into his hand.
“No, I’m fine, thank you. I’ll stick to water, though. It’s not like I can get drunk anyways.”
Gudao handed the glass back, while taking one of the open seats. Once settled in, he flashed a smile at Jeanne.
“So, what were you guys talking about?”
Snapped back into reality, Jeanne hastily folded her arms and turned her head away, refusing to meet eyes with him again.
“None of your business!”
“Eh, why not?”
“Shut up. You shouldn’t poke your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Soon, her palm found itself locking his face in an iron grip, pushing him away from her slightly reddened face, while the young boy struggled to get her to talk with him.
Watching their usual chaotic banter unfold, Gilles couldn’t help but smile, not in his usual over-the-top grin or even the gentle smile of the devil. It was a smile lost in madness, brought forth not by the appearance of a Saint or the ecstasy of sacrilege. Witnessing that common day miracle, he beamed.
Yes… she really was quite lively and so lovely when next to him.
Gudao x Jeanne Alter. 1st-Half Romantic lemon: Even if she was never supposed to exist, even if she hates humanity, Jeanne wishes to fight and stay with her Master. With these feelings ablaze in her heart, she will envelop him in their mutual yearning. 2nd-Half Familial: The pair gets ready and takes their daughter to the Tanabata Festival. After enjoying the festivities, they watch the fireworks together and re-confirm their wish to stay together. Respective tags: Vanilla, and WAFF.