Chapter Text
You can skip to chapter 6 if all you want is Sunday. And you can skip to chapter 12 if you want the psychological aspect of the fic and fluff. You can skip these notes.
I enjoy comments if you want to tell me anything! They're super motivating, and I don't mind short comments. Please don't feel awkward DMing me on the Tumblr I made for this. Especially if you have anything to tell me about how I could improve or have suggestions.
Unfortunately, this was started when Sunday was not released, so I had to make up quite a bit. If things are too OOC, though, I'd appreciate knowing!
Stelle will be written a little differently than she seems in the game. From a character meshing angle, I really liked the dynamic I'd created between her and Sunday, and I just felt I had to pursue it.
Someday, I'd like to rewrite a significant portion of this. I just feel I've gotten better over time.
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A group chat was created between Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, Himeko, Welt, Pom-Pom, and Robin:
Robin: Hi everyone! If you could visit Penacony soon (no rush) that would be amazing!
Robin: Take your time, though! It isn’t super pertinent; it is just something I and someone else would love to ask you all together!
Stelle: No one kidnapped you, right? Like, are you safe, Robin? Why are you messaging all of us about something unimportant?
Stelle: [Scared Pom-Pom emoji]
March 7th: I was thinking the same thing! Robin, are you okay?
Robin: Yes, I’m okay! I need you all here together to discuss this. But it isn’t world-ending, so it doesn’t have to be today! Just soon!
Welt: It sounds very important if we all need to be present to discuss it.
March 7th: Guys, I think she’s texting us like when some people pretend they’re ordering a pizza, but they’re actually contacting their local department for help…
Stelle: Robin, blink twice if you need help!
Pom-Pom: Stelle… this isn't a joking matter…
Dan Heng: If she’s in an emergency, all of these texts might make things more dangerous for her, no? Calm down with the texts, guys.
Robin: I’m not in danger! But I do want you guys here to help someone else.
Himeko: I’m sorry, Robin. We may need to discuss this further before heading to your location. Is that alright?
Robin: Yes! And remember, take your time!
Robin: [Posts her singing chibi emoji]
Luckily for Robin and her mystery individual, the crew was on a break just after the events of the Xianzhou Wardance. The day they received these text messages, it wasn’t hard for the crew to communicate and come together to discuss their action plan. Unfortunately, agreeing on a proposed action plan was not as straightforward or smooth a process.
Dan Heng and Welt believed at least one person should stay behind, while Himeko, March, and Stelle argued otherwise. Pom-Pom was caught between everyone, uncertain about whom to agree with.
Himeko and Welt sat at a table with a fresh cup of coffee in front of them. Dan Heng stood beside Welt, viewing their opposing side with crossed arms. March and Stelle stood close to Himeko while Pom-Pom watched just outside the opening of the semicircle that the five had formed.
Himeko opened the discussion. “If Robin needs us all to discuss a matter, we should all visit. It's the least we could do for her, especially after she and Oti gave us The Radiant Feldspar."
“And if it’s super dangerous like you guys are worried about, then at least we’re all there and can beat the bad guy in two seconds!” March spoke up, making a peace sign with an accompanying pose.
“It’s been critical that at least some of us stay behind on our adventures if things go awry. I respect Robin and wish it were simple enough that we could all visit, but it would be naive not to consider how our recent adventures have gone.” As Dan Heng spoke, he kept his arms crossed. His expression was neutral, but his eyes communicated that he wasn't arguing this because he was happy to. In an ideal cosmos, even Pom-Pom could leave the Express at will. But they did not live in a perfect cosmos and had to act practically.
“We helped Penacony not long ago. We would have heard if something horrible had happened,” Himeko said, slightly frowning as she spoke. She traced a finger on her coffee cup as she gazed at Welt and Dan Heng equally. “It is hard for me to see that we need the same level of precaution as before.”
Stelle lifted her phone, scrolling through various Penaconian residents' contact information she had gained. “I've been texting a couple of people, and everyone says they haven't heard anything. I have a few Bloodhound Family Member contacts, but even Mr. McCoy says there’s nothing they can think of that is endangering Robin specifically.”
“How do you know they’re being honest?” Dan Heng asked impulsively. Stelle frowned, unable to personally answer his question adequately.
Welt sighed. “They wouldn’t have a great reason to lie unless they wanted Robin dead. The Express has become an important shareholder, and we've more than proven our capabilities to rescue them from disaster.” With a slight, shared glance at Dan Heng, he continued in a slightly quieter tone. “If Robin needed urgent rescuing, they would want us to know sooner rather than later.”
He looked at Stelle with a tired smile. “Good work, by the way. You’ve single-handedly changed my vote.”
Dan Heng thought for a moment before he nodded. “Agreed. I still feel cautious, but… ”
"Oh, when don't you feel cautious?" March joked and gently nudged him. Immediately, she felt terrible for saying this, as if she had made a profound, critical observation. The truth was that she appreciated that Dan Heng had values different from hers. It was a big part of what made them a solid duo. "But it's a good thing, though. Don't get that twisted."
"…Thanks, March." Dan Heng knew she wasn't intending to sound backhanded, but her compliment felt too sudden. The pink trailblazer still smiled brightly at him like she might not have detected his mild offense.
Knowing March, she might not have, and that was okay. Dan Heng knew what she genuinely meant. After all, she had verbally appreciated his caution on missions. They had discussed this difference a few times, and this wouldn't undo the sentiment they understood.
“Miss Stelle has convinced Pom-Pom!” Pom-Pom exclaimed, eyes narrowing to show they were serious. They lifted their fist… paw, to express the finality of their decision.