Chapter Text
Headaches. Splitting ones, ones that could never be escaped no matter how much medicine or rest one could possibly take or do, and these headaches were the very plague upon which New Eridu's greatest bodyguard, Evelyn Chevalier would suffer. Chronically, no matter what she did she couldn't escape them and she knew the very cause of it. Her own frustration, that and the pigs that she spent the entire day having to kowtow and act subservient too. Something this day had a near bottomless amount of, meetings and talks, so many of them that Evelyn felt her head might burst, not only that but she had to juggle this while having to manage the lack of self preservation of Astra, though she didn't mind it did she? She was willing to do anything for the sake of Astra, it was to keep her safe and protected, the means she did this didn't matter did they? After all Astra was an idol, the most popular of New Eridu at the time, famous, beautiful, everyone wanted to be her or wanted to get to her, whether it be for their own personal gain or disgusting reasons that Evelyn would never want to think about. Evelyn knew the difference. She trusted her own judgement abou-
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
Jolted from her thoughts by the familiar ring of her alarm, Evelyn raised her head from her desk, she must've been too lost in thought to pay attention to the time. She looked about her office, papers and such neatly placed aside from the scattered sheets and charts across her desk, schedules for Astra's next shows, the albums and their names, old lyric sheets that Astra wanted her to look over and various other papers. She quickly and neatly resorted these sheets and set them back in their piles. Standing up from her chair, swiftly adjusting her tie and grabbing her jacket to drape it over her shoulders once more. Tightening her gloves and walking to the door of her office to step out. As usual, Starloop was lively and buzzing with activity, staff members running about to their various projects, janitors cleaning up the messes that the rampant staff caused whenever there may be a bump or shove in the halls. Evelyn walked through the halls, their layout memorized like a student would memorize the answers before the exam the next morning, bathrooms and other offices, Evelyn particularly knew well the offices of the chauvinistic pigs that she had to act all subservient and weak towards so that she stayed on good terms. How humiliating, she desired for nothing more than to stick it to one of those fucks. She reached the office of her favorite person in the building, gingerly reaching forward and grabbing the handle, pushing it and stepping into the office. There sat the lustrous Astra Yao, yup, this woman who sat lazily at her desk, asleep, a string of drool nearly hitting a half written lyric sheet. Evelyn's expression softened as she looked at the idol, no other person in the entirety of New Eridu could get Evelyn Chevalier to look at them like that. With a gentle hand and soft steps she made her way to the desk and, with a sly smile, flicked the idol on the forehead.
``W-WHA-`` Astra jolted awake, those raspberry shaded eyes wide and clearly at attention, good. Evelyn met her gaze with a soft smirk, her lavender eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she resisted the urge to laugh, if even a little bit, knowing she'd never hear the end of Astra's teasing if she were to.
``Had a good nap, Miss Yao?`` Evelyn pried ever so slightly. Returning her hand to her back as she kept them crossed behind her back like she was being arrested. Astra looked around as if she was still trying to remember just where she was, clearly she was in a deep sleep to have this type of reaction.
``Oh- Eve!`` Astra assured to herself, waving slightly as she quickly came back to her senses. Evelyn couldn't help but let her smirk widen by just the smallest margin, The Idol was simply too cute.
Evelyn gently reached forward, plucking a lyric sheet from the table as she glossed over the well written lyrics, the perfect handwriting and the little drawings on the side of the sheet always caught her attention, she loved the way Astra wrote her lyrics, she always treated them like they were little games of hers, though she knew the importance of her songs, she used them to bring people together, it was her way of helping and improving New Eridu, and Evelyn helped her keep her schedule.
``These lyrics look pretty good.`` Evelyn complimented quietly, earning a happy squeak from Astra as the idol picked up another sheet, ``I've been thinking through a lot of possible verses for this next song. The album's going to be amazing!`` Evelyn nodded, setting the sheet down as she looked about the office. ``I trust you'll stick to that. Now then, are you ready to go see the Managers? You've been talking about it all day.`` Astra's eyes lit up, she viewed Belle and Wise as her best friends, of course secondly to Evelyn, the idol had no idea that Evelyn wished, if even a little that Astra would view her as something else. Something more, something she wanted to have with her every day, something she wanted more than a friend... it was a distant wish for Evelyn, but one she could never truly bury. No matter how hard she could try, that wish would always dig itself back up, and come back with newfound strength, every giggle, laugh, or word from Astra strengthened it.
``Yep!!!! Let's go Eve!!`` Astra quickly grabbed her bag and sunglasses. Standing from her desk as Evelyn lightly chuckled, a soft and low sound that made Astra shiver just a bit in a way she didn't quite understand. Something she never really paid much mind to, always brushing it off as the cold. Evelyn nodded, guiding Astra back into the hallway as they made their way out of Starloop.
New Eridu's streets were busy as usual, almost the entire way to Sixth Street was traffic, though it did give Astra a lot of time to stare out the window and brainstorm lyrics, and it gave Evelyn a lot of time to recover from her current headache before she had to interact with people that weren't Astra. She didn't have a problem with the managers, but they didn't feel the same to talk to, she was comfortable with them, she felt like she could tell them anything, yet, somehow she always felt.... at home... with Astra. Evelyn shook her head, shoving the thought back down.
``Don't be ridiculous. She's your employer. Not your girlfriend.`` Evelyn muttered the words to herself, quiet enough that Astra couldn't hear a word, leaving the Idol in the dark as she stared out the window at the expanse of New Eridu, slowly they pulled into the back parking lot of Random Play, the video store on the corner of Sixth Street.
Evelyn stepped out of the car, walking around to the passenger side as she assisted Astra out and guided her to the back entrance of the video store, using a spare key that she'd been given by Belle to get in. It was always calm in the Video Store, never had too much activity, business was slow almost always, which is why it was one of Astra's favorite spots, there were barely any people, especially right now considering they were the only ones there. Astra stepped in and looked around the store, wondering where the sibling managers could be, Evelyn was a step behind her and a step to the left, keeping her eyes around as if she was expecting an ambush at all times. Slowly they heard footsteps from the upstairs area, and were met with one of the managers, Belle.
``Oh! Astra! Evelyn! You made it, we thought you weren't coming...`` Belle greeted them both. They heard faint voices from upstairs. Must've been Wise. Astra cheered silently, giving Belle a slight hug as if she was seeing her favorite relative during Christmas, Evelyn smiled softly as Astra enthusiastically squeezed the proxy, ``Ooo!!! You wouldn't believe how busy today was! We had this meeting, and then we wrote, and then I fell asleep at my desk!!`` Astra acted like it was the most interesting thing ever, though Evelyn didn't particularly agree she wasn't going to go and deny Astra this moment.
After a moment Evelyn shot Belle a glance that she wished to speak with her, Belle swiftly caught this look as it had been used by the both of them before whenever they wanted to talk about something. Belle ushered Astra upstairs, knowing Wise and their Bangboo, Eous was up there as well. Astra, as expected, went up with no hesitation, she couldn't resist the chance to hug that soft little Bangboo!!! Taking their chance, Belle guided Evelyn into the staff room.
``I hope you don't mind that Vivian's here,`` Belle whistled slightly as they entered the room, and indeed, Vivian was there, sat on the sofa, intently watching the television, following a closer look Evelyn realized that it was a news article about Mockingbird, though she didn't know much about this Vivian character she knew that Belle and her were pretty close, though Belle seemed to be a bit dodgey on the subject whenever Evelyn would bring it up. Evelyn always writ it off as dating, at least with how Vivian acted towards Belle.
Almost as if on cue with Evelyn's thoughts, Vivian turned her head, ``Oh! Lord Phaethon! and Miss Evelyn!`` Evelyn took note of the active change of her tone and expression when she regarded her... It was almost uncanny, she regarded Belle with such passion, such interest, and then she regarded her like she was talking to some stranger she never met.
``Hey Vivian! Me and Evelyn are gonna chat about somethin, that ok?~`` Belle leaned forward, Evelyn nodded, ``I'll have to request you don't disclose anything you overhear to Miss Yao.``
Vivian was quick to give a thumbs up, understanding the notion, ``Got it! I won`t say a word!``
Belle stepped over to the desk and sat down, gesturing for Evelyn to come over, Evelyn, seeing no chair to sit on simply leaned against a locker.
``So, what'd ya wanna talk about?`` Belle tilted her head. Raising an eyebrow, curious as to what was bothering the seemingly untouchable Evelyn Chevalier.
Evelyn sighed, her posture getting slightly worse, though it still looked pristine and perfect, ``It's just, recently, I've felt a higher deal of frustration. I've also been dealing with some rather persistent headaches, I think it has something to do with my work, but I also think....`` Evelyn paused. Hoping Belle could catch on so she didn't have to say it.
``You think it's got somethin to do with Astra? Like what?`` Belle leaned forward, gently pushing her fist against her own chin, thinking.
``I'm not certain, but I feel... strange around Astra. Though it's not a particularly bad feeling... it's one I don't understand.`` Evelyn mumbled, her face getting ever so slightly red.
Belle looked over at Vivian for a moment before refocusing on Evelyn, ``Hm.. maybe you're sick? No-.. wait...`` She quickly lost her own train of thought... How..?
Evelyn blinked. ``Well.. I don't think that's it, the headaches hurt less around Astra I suppose. Though I get the headaches from those pigs that surround Astra.`` Evelyn scowled the word. The men that worked above Astra. The ones that held her contract, they were all disgusting... forcing Astra under strict rules, and don't even get her started on the perverse things they try to get her to wear. Evelyn despised each and every one of them, but she couldn't attack them or scold them, she didn't care what they did to her, but she knew they'd go for Astra instead of her. That fear alone kept her from acting out. That and her own self discipline, yet Astra seemed to throw that out of balance... Evelyn almost feared the effect this woman had on her, and the wish she buried every day...
``They hurt less-? Why would they- unless you focus less on them? Does she take your attention that mu- Ohhh-`` Belle giggled slightly, Her fist opening as she covered her mouth with her fingers. ``Do you~`` She teased, knowing Evelyn could finish the thought herself.
``Wh- N-No-`` Evelyn's face flushed. She looked aside as she tried to deny it, ``Besides... I'm.. not nearly what Astra deserves.`` Belle blinked, she wasn't expecting that from Evelyn.... though she kind of understood it, Astra was an idol after all, but Evelyn felt untouchable!! What did she mean 'not nearly what she deserves'
``Whatttt? You're definitely good enough for her! You're like untouchable!`` The proxy tried to reassure her, though she didn't get much out of it as Evelyn simply shook her head.
``I'm just her bodyguard. She'd never see me as anything more than a friend...`` Evelyn continued to deny it. Her own view of herself would never allow herself to believe that she had a chance with Astra. That distant wish, that maybe one day Astra would see her as something more. Once again it was buried deep beneath the sea of her own disdain for herself.
``Well, I can't really change your mind about it,`` Belle mumbled, ``But if it helps, I think you're worth it for her.``
Evelyn blinked at the compliment. Her face flushing slightly more as she looked aside, ``I-... Thank you...`` She muttered quietly.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden buzz of a phone, Belle's, ringing loudly. The proxy jolted to her senses as she pulled the device out of her pocket and looked at it, quickly she checked the number that had called her and answered the phone, ``Hello-?``
On the other end of the line, a voice that Evelyn didn't recognize rang out, ``Good day! Manager!`` The voice was male, Evelyn assumed it was someone that Belle knew, maybe Von Lycaon from Victoria Housekeeping? No. His voice was deeper, this couldn't have been Asaba Harumasa . . . so who....
``Hey Hugo! What's up.`` Belle greeted, causing Evelyn to return to her senses and snap out of her sudden detective thinking. Hugo..? Who was that..?
``Is Vivian still there with you?`` Hugo asked, causing Vivian's ears to perk up, a faintly visible gesture from where they were standing, Belle nodded, ``Yup! She's still here.``
``Tell her that she should probably stay there for tonight, I've got some stuff to handle.`` The words hung in the air for a second, before Vivian slowly stepped over to where Belle and Evelyn were standing and loomed over the phone, ``Is Lycaon over?`` She spoke calmly and bluntly like this was something that constantly happened. Belle covered her mouth, almost laughing, while Evelyn didn't understand.
``W-Wha- N-Nah-No-No He's not-`` Hugo stammered, his voice coming in quick exasperated breaths as his brain slowly registered exactly what Vivian was implying, ``I'm hurt Vivian! To think that I would ever have that oaf in my home.`` Vivian on the other hand looked completely unamused, ``So he's over, got it. I'll stay here with Lord Phaethon!!!`` Evelyn could barely wrap her head around this Vivian... it didn't make sense to her how she acted so drastically different to everyone except Belle, despite Wise also being Phaethon, she seemed even more infatuated with Belle.
`` I told you he's not-`` Hugo tried to defend himself, but Vivian quickly spoke over him, ``Alright! Good talk! Byeeee!`` She hung up the phone, Belle couldn't stop herself from laughing anymore, doubling over in her chair as she finally let the build up go, ``I knew Hugo and Lycaon had something going on!!`` Belle giggled, Evelyn finally caught the idea, ``Ah.... that's what you meant.`` She mumbled, watching the purple haired mockingbird return to the sofa, Evelyn looked over at Belle, `` I'll... take your words on the matter into consideration... M-.. Belle.`` Evelyn muttered, receiving a nod from Belle.
Evelyn walked back out to the main room of the video store, checking out the windows to see the time, it was near sunset, checking a clock she determined it was about 8:45 PM sharp. They should probably get ready to go, after all Astra needed to get rest. Unless she wanted to fall asleep at her desk again. She made her way to the staircase and made her way up it, her heels clicking on each step as she reached the peak and went to the room of the other manager, Wise, where she found Astra and him chatting while Astra hugged Eous like a throw pillow.
``Miss Astra, I think she-`` Wise mumbled, though it was uncertain where he was going with his words, Evelyn could guess.
``Think she wants to be even closer friends!?!?`` Astra tilted her head, it was even more clear they were talking about her now.
``No- I think-`` Wise tried to finish his sentence, yet again he was denied of that luxury.
``You think she wants to be roommates!??!!!!!`` Astra squeezed Eous tighter, eliciting a loud, `Ehn Nah` as the Bangboo practically demanded the idol unhand them.
``I think she likes you.`` Wise said the words quick so that Astra couldn't interrupt him yet again, Evelyn could only imagine how many times that had happened. Yet her eyes widened at the idea that Wise had caught on to her feelings. That wish... buried once more dug its way back up, and for a moment it stayed up, waiting with baited breath for what Astra may say.
``What-? Eve-.. She doesn't like me like that! We're just friends! Really good friends!`` Astra was... either trying to brush it off or genuinely thought Evelyn only saw her as a friend, and either way it struck Evelyn like a knife, she knew it wasn't necessarily Astra's fault to think that way but that didn't make the feeling any less sharp.
``Are you... sure..? Miss Astra.`` Wise asked it cautiously, his expression invisible to Evelyn through the doorway, she stood just out of Astra's sight, listening to the conversation for just a bit longer.
The Idol thought for a moment.. her finger on her chin, ``Well, she would've said something by now right...?`` She questioned, though she already knew the answer herself, Evelyn, for all her confidence, and seemingly invincibility, was far less guarded and confident when it came to Astra, now showing vulnerability was exceedingly rare, but even so Evelyn would never have the courage to say something on such a level to her. Even Astra knew that, but she couldn't have anticipated what Wise would say next.
``Are you sure she doesn't think she's not enough? I don't think I understand women that well, but she never seemed the most proud of her profession. She's proud because she protects you.`` Wise leaned back thoughtfully, watching Astra's expression shift as she thought about the words for a moment, it was swift to pick up in her mind what exactly he meant.
``...Maybe... You might be right, maybe Eve does like me..`` Astra looked at the floor before squeezing Eous again, by this point the Bangboo practically roared to be released. ``I'll talk to her sometime.`` Evelyn's breath stopped in her chest, she'd what-..? Was this a good thing? Was this a bad thing? Evelyn felt her gentle wish hopping about her heart happily, as if it had finally been realized, yet even so Evelyn tried to bury it... yet she couldn't fully bury it anymore, like trying to uproot a fully grown tree, it was far too late now.
Evelyn took a deep breath, it was getting late, they should go. She straightened up, fixed her tie and prepared to act like she hadn't overheard. Stepping in to the room as she regarded them both, ``Hello, Manager. My apologies but it's getting rather late, Miss Yao should get going soon.`` Wise jolted slightly in his chair, though he quickly adapted and crossed his arms, ``Oh? Right- It is pretty late. Well it was really nice to see you again,`` He looked at Astra, who seemed a bit sad to go, she set down Eous and walked over to Evelyn, ``Alrighhhhht`` She dragged out her words dramatically. ``It was nice seeing you too Wise! And you Eous!!!`` Evelyn nodded, ``Indeed, though I didn't see you much,`` She mumbled to Wise.
Following their swift goodbye, Evelyn guided the idol downstairs to say goodbye to Belle and Vivian, before guiding her back out to the car and helping her into the passenger seat before entering the front seat and buckling herself in. Placing her hands on the steering wheel after turning the car on. Her eyes focusing the parking lot as she tried to forget the conversation between Wise and Astra before. Yet no matter what she did she couldn't, her mind was reeling, her heart was racing, she knew that whenever Astra initiated that talk, it was her one chance... her best chance. Her shot, to finally realize that wish of hers. That wish she tried to bury, yet would never give up, now running laps around her heart like a Olympic racer that just won the gold medal. With a deep breath she pulled out of the parking lot and began the drive back to Astra's home.