Chapter Text
Clementine and Lillie stepped through the strange rift that had appeared in front of them… but all that was on the other side was the same. The same ol' Melustanin they knew.
"What the hell was that all 'bout?"
Clem exclaimed.
"It seems like that rift has not had any effect... We are in the same-"
Says Lillie as she turns around to face the rift, only for it to not be there anymore.
"What the fuck! Where'd it go?!"
She exclaimed, shocked
"It must have closed. It was already small when we decided to go through... I guess it was not very stable."
They pondered.
"Yeah, no kiddin', hun! But... wha'da we do now?..."
Clem asked, worried.
They continue to stand as they think on what to do next.
"Well, everything here looks the same, so we should be able to head over to the base of the Knights of Beauty."
Lillie suggested.
"Sure, sounds good to me."
Clem states.
They follow the usual path back to the base. The landscape was beautiful. Large oak trees scattered throughout the grassy plains decorated in wildflowers. There were statues along the way as well, depicting great knights of Beauty from times past. The city wall could be seen in the distance and even farther than that, the snowcapped mountains that blended into the clouds and the blue and green sky.
They were approaching the base's gate when they ran into a tall knight with flowing crimson hair and a red and gold spear. Lillie seemed to notice the man.
He caught the two girls staring at him from the corner of his eye. A tall blonde woman in armor, decorated with Lillies, and a shorter woman with messier hair and beautifully crafted prosthetic legs. He took an interest in them and started to walk over.
"Greetings, fair ladies. I believe we have not met. I am Argenti, a knight of beauty."
Argenti said in a lovely poetic tone, "If there is anything you need assistance in, I am at your service!"
"Good day to you, Sir Argenti! My name is Lillie, and I am also a fellow Knight of Beauty! I have heard many tales of your escapades and feats, and it is truly an honor to meet you!"
Said Lillie, full of admiration and excitement.
"Heya, the name's Clementine... Pleasure, Sir."
Clem shyly said, "Um- We uh... We're kinda' lost."
"Then please, follow me! I shall aid you with finding your way back home! And it is also an honor to meet such a lovely fellow Knight!" Said Argenti, taking Lillie's hand and gently kissing it.
Clementine scowls, taking Lillie's hand away from his.
"Scuse me, they are my partner..."
"Darling!-"
"Oh, forgive me, miss Clementine. I was simply being cordial, but I should have asked beforehand. I apologize."
He says apologetically.
"Do not worry, Sir Argenti, it is alright."
Lillie exclaimed.
"He did not mean anything by it, blossom."
She says, looking towards Clementine.
Clementine turns red and looks away from Lillie's light and sleepy eyes, full of love.
"Whatever..."
The group enters the base, a large castle-like structure reminiscent of gothic architecture.
The building’s interior is grand, decorated in all kinds of flowers and marble statues. The ceiling is a glass skylight that follows through the main hallway, illuminating the tall walls. Clem came here often whenever she wanted to visit Lillie, but every time, she was still stunned by the sheer beauty in the architecture.
They followed Argenti past the main reception area and the library, before going through the door that led into the gardens.
If the landscape and the building were already beautiful, this was truly the cherry on top. A large fountain with a depiction of Idrilla stood surrounded by seemingly endless miles of green and flowers. The scent of the entire area was rich and soothing, with light chatter and the sound of trickling water filled the senses. In any other circumstance, it should seem overwhelming, but it was truly an unmatched view.
They continued to follow Argenti down one of the paths into a more secluded part of the garden. They passed under a tunnel of roses. Argenti stopped to admire them, as did Lillie and Clem.
Clementine always liked coming to the garden here... It reminded her of home. Or what she could remember, at least. She did always have the stories her Papa told her.
Lillie, took Clem's hand in theirs and gave her a peck on her head.
"What was that?!..."
Clem said, surprised.
"A kiss. It felt right."
Lillie smiled.
"You sap! Come're!"
Clem leans in on her tippy toes and gives Lillie an even bigger kiss on her cheek.
"Mwah! Hehe!"
They continued down the path a little more before entering a more private area. There was a white kiosk with flowers growing up around the columns and a meadow surrounded by trees.
"Here we are! This is where I prefer to hold my meetings."
Argenti expressed as he invited them to sit down at the table.
"I can ask someone to bring over refreshments if you wish."
"Oh, that would be lovely, Sir Argenti"
Lillie said amused.
"Yea, what they said."
Clementine said awkwardly.
"Then I shall go and inform the staff-"
Argenti is interrupted by a notification from his phone.
"Please, excuse me.~"
After reading the message, he suddenly remembers why he had been outside of the base before...
"Oh, Idrilla! I have forgotten something incredibly important! I ask that you stay here, ladies. I shall return shortly!"
"No worries, Argenti!"
Clem said.
"We get that we came outta nowhere, hehe."
"I appreciate your understanding, miss Clementine. I shall take my leave now!"
Argenti swiftly arrives back at the entrance and immediately spots his partner pointing his gun towards the guard. He rushes over to ensure this doesn't escalate any further and his lover doesn't get banned.
"If you don't let me in this fudgin' second, I'ma stick this bullet in yer knightly head you forker- uh..."
Boothill catches a glimpse of Argenti as he dashes towards them. He swiftly puts his gun away and greets Argenti.
"Oh, hehe! Hey, Rosey! What took you so long! This here, gentleman was givin' me some trouble to get in. I was 'bout to jump in and find you, darlin'!"
Boothill said while smiling. He hadn't seen Argenti in a while.
"You will have to forgive me, my dear silver cowboy. I had encountered people in need of help, so I extended my hand."
"Tha's fine. But anyways, shall we?"
Boothill takes Argenti's hand and walks up to him, not before side eyeing the guard, and taking off back into the building.
After Argenti had left the garden, silence grew between the two girls. Clementine gazed at the quiet and peaceful garden. It reminded her of her home planet back when it was still lush and beautiful. She was just a child when it was all destroyed...
Lillie, on the other hand, was pondering. She had noticed a few things that were off ever since they entered the rift.
"Clementine?"
She asked, breaking the silence.
Clem was caught off guard by Lillie, they usually never said her full name.
"Oh- uh, yes, honey'? What's up?"
"You know Argenti, right?"
Lillie questioned.
"Yeah, what 'bout 'im?"
Clementine said nervously.
"You remember that he said that had never heard of me?"
"Yes...?"
"Well, there is something wrong. You remember that ceremony we went to about a month ago right?"
"Yea, you 'ere recognized for a mission you went on."
"Indeed. Well, Argenti was there. At some point he congratulated me for my recognition and we had a short conversation. He mentioned he looked up to me."
Lillie pauses and Clem starts putting the pieces together. "The problem is that, one, he did not recognize me, and two, I am a higher rank and I am older than him, back at home at least."
"So, yer tryin' to tell me that the rift we went through brought us to another reality?!"
"It is quite possible. But when he comes back, we can question him." Lillie suggests.
"But... How are we s'posed to get back? Even if we confirm this ain't our world, how is he gonna be able to get us back?!"
Clem says, scared.
Lillie stands and takes Clem's hands, holding them close. She breathes in deeply and Clementine follows.
"My darling, Clementine. We will find our way home."
Lillie lays a kiss on Clem's head.
"I am afraid as well, but we must trust in Idrilla to guide us forward. We will return."
"I love you, hun."
Clem lovingly states. She leans in and presses a kiss on her lips.
"Thanks for that, hehe."
They continue to talk to each other as they wait for the Knight to return.
As the two men walk back towards the garden, Boothill initiates some small talk.
"So, Rosey! You mentioned we'd have some guests. You don't think they're 'ere to cause trouble?"
"Not at all, my dear! One of them is a Knight of Beauty. They and their partner are seemingly lost."
Argenti explains.
Boothill isn't as convinced as his partner.
"But if one of 'em's another knight, and they came 'ere, why would they be lost?"
"Well..."
Argenti thinks.
"I have not had the proper time to sit and discuss the details, but it is my duty to extend my hand to those in need. I do not believe they have any ill intent."
They stop in front of the door leading into the garden. Boothill looks at Argenti.
"I just wantcha to be more careful. Yer too trustin' sm'times and I don't wanna see you gettin' hurt, darlin'."
Argenti takes in all he says. He leads Boothill to a more secluded corner, so as to not block the door, and looks over to them, admiring all of his features, and smiles.
"I trust you." He says, extending his hand up to his lover's face. Boothill leans into the touch of Argenti's rough and warm skin.
"I trust you with a lot: my friendship, my stories, my secrets, my life... my love. I would hope you don't see these as burdens or mistakes-"
"'Course not darling! I- sorry, I shouldn't doubt your judgment..."
Boothill shamefully said.
"It is alright, my dear. I know you only meant to ensure my safety. That is honorable of you."
Argenti leans in and kisses him gently.
"If something were to go wrong, I would trust no one more than you to fight by my side."
"Geez, alright 'Genti."
Boothill says in a fluster.
He returns a kiss to the knight before walking through the door into the garden. Boothill rests his head on Argenti's shoulder, holding hands.
"I missed this. It's been too long, red!"
"I missed you too, my dear."
"What song should I play next, Clementine, darling?"
"How about... Oh! You know the one, my favourite!"
The girls became restless while waiting for Argenti to return, so, to distract themselves and enjoy the area, they started dancing in the field. They enjoyed dancing together to their favourite songs, they had even memorized some steps for each one.
"Alright!"
Lillie said as she pressed play on the song.
They gracefully glided on the fields of grass and flowers, basking in the sun and in each other's loving presence. As they spin around, Lillie catches a glimpse of Argenti's armor as it emerges from the rose tunnel down the path. She slows down their dance.
"Clementine, Argenti has returned."
Clementine looks towards him. Following behind the red head, is a tall, white haired person, wearing a matching black leather jacket and pants, as well as what looked to be a metal body.
Lillie takes Clementine's hand and starts walking towards the two men.
"Let us go and meet him at the kiosk, Clem!... Clem?"
Clementine was fully focused on the metal guy. He seemed familiar to her.
"Darling? Are you alright?"
Lillie said, comfortingly.
"Oh- yeah, no... I'm aight."
As they get closer, Clementine starts to recognize more and more details...
The pins on his jacket.
The holster and gun.
The cowboy hat...
Clementine let go of Lillie's hand and bolted towards the man.
"Huh?! Clementine?"
"We are almost there, my dear!~"
Says Argenti enthusiastically.
"I know you have your doubts, but I believe you will like our guests, one of them reminds me quite a lot of you."
"Like me? Well, that oughta be sm'thin', hahaha!"
Boothill and Argenti come out of the rose tunnel catching view of the two girls dancing. Argenti waves at them while Boothill puts on his friendliest smile in hopes of not scaring them.
However, in his mind, it clearly didn't work because the shorter girl, after staring at them as they got closer, started running directly towards them.
She was surprisingly fast, the metal boots, no, legs? Must have been aiding that…
"W-what the fork-!! Ahh!!!"