Fate's Slave - Shadow Slave X Honkai Star Rail

”...As I was saying, hello. Member #81 of the Genius Society, Ruan Mei. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

”...Sunless.”

Ruan Mei’s introduction was spoken with the boredom of a person who only acted in necessity. That idea sharply contrasted with the curiosity in her gaze, but Sunny...

Sunny was too busy picking cobwebs out of his hair, so he just stated his name without a care.

The lower area of the docking bay under the ship was made up of multiple massive built-in fans. A cooling system, or something. So, when Sunny fell, instead of just hitting the bottom, he fell right into one of the ducts, and was promptly beat by rows upon rows of fans as he fell deeper into the ventilation shaft.

He ended up in some very dusty crevices that he was sure to let Herta know about. How could she possibly leave her Space Station in such a decrepit state?

”Ahem.”

Sunny’s attention was brought forward by a polite cough. Ruan Mei peered at him through teal eyes, hand held out in expectation.

He found himself unsure of what he was supposed to do for a moment, despite being completely conscious of what she wanted him to do. Then, he remembered how Seishan had shook Screwllum’s hand, and figured that the act must have been customary for the Genius Society.

It was easy for Sunny to replicate a simple gesture, so, he reached out—

Ruan Mei’s wrist was suddenly wrenched away by a hand concealed by a leather glove.

She blinked, before looking over to her side. Seishan stood there with an amicable smile as she looked down at Ruan Mei from under her hood.

”Pardon me, but there are some people who would prefer to remain untouched.”

Ruan Mei’s expression remained unchanged despite the barbed meaning in Seishan’s words. A meaning that Sunny couldn’t quite figure out, but was certainly there nonetheless.

[She seems overly cautious of this Ruan Mei...]

...Even Tingyun was catching things he didn’t.

Sunny looked past the two women, eying the Intellitron beyond them. Screwllum simply walked over with a calm gait, either unsurprised — or simply incapable of being surprised by Seishan’s confrontational stance against Ruan Mei.

The latter member of the Genius Society tilted her head, finely curled raven locks shifting along her shoulder.

”From what I’ve heard, there are also individuals who’d rather talk to someone not hiding behind a hood.”

[Oh my...]

’Oh my, indeed!’

Sunny really wished he had popcorn. This was like a drama where the female leads finally cross paths, throwing poorly veiled threats and insults at each other while the bystanders kept themselves far from the crossfire!

Not that he would know, since he’s never watched anything of the sort, but now he didn’t need to!

Seishan grinned, baring her fang-like canines.

”You aren’t suggesting that you are one of them, are you?”

Ruan Mei smiled back, but the gesture seemed cold and practiced.

”Of course not. It was only an observation.”

The Song princess’ grin widened a fraction, before she decisively let go of Ruan Mei. Perhaps it was an expression of surrender... or one that was telling the genius that she wasn’t worth Seishan’s time.

The hooded princess shook her head in dismissal before sending Sunny a narrowed glance.

...The atmosphere was starting to make him feel awkward.

As the last remains of open hostility died down, Seishan stepped back over to Sunny turning to face the two members of the Genius Society — Screwllum had reached Ruan Mei’s side, refusing to comment on the odd confrontation between the two women.

Of course, Sunny didn’t have the balls to bring it up either. Nor did he really care, but he had to admit that it was weird.

A professional smile quickly returned to Seishan’s face, absent of the feistiness she showed to Ruan Mei earlier.

”Madam Herta has enlisted the both of us to ensure your safety here at the Herta Space Station. Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you are in need of our assistance.”

’...And how, exactly, are they supposed to do that?’

As if to answer his sarcastic question, Seishan pulled out two, small red orbs out of her cloak. They were smaller than her fingertips...

...And as red as blood.