It was an average day of Roko sitting off to the side as soldiers trained not far from him. He had a few documents he was busy reading but as a break for his eyes, he had begun fiddling with the Master's Seal as the girl he still had not named was down on the ground, playing with pebbles as she sat around bored.
"Roko, how long have you been here?"
"Only about an hour." Roko replied, not looking up from his study, "Not that long, Helena."
"Roko, your child is bored out of her mind." Helena sighed, "Why did you bring her to the training grounds anyway?"
"I figured Momo could help me take care of her."
"Sorry, I got distracted." Momo said, returning from coaching the rebellion soldiers, "But to be fair, she didn't seem that interested in hanging out with me."
"Yeah, she's been sticking pretty close to Roko for a while." Helena noted, "Think there's a reason for that?"
"Well, there's the fact that he owns her."
"Could you not have put that in a nicer way?" Roko scowled.
"Roko, that WAS the nicest way I could put it." Momo chuckled.
"Where's that Malus guy by the way?" Helena asked, "Weren't you supposed to be training him?"
"I approached him but he refuses to associate with us." Momo sighed, "Stubborn is as stubborn does."
"He still has groupies?"
"Well, he's still paying them so yeah. Though he's been alone for quite a while now I hear."
"Well, at least he's letting his followers go do something else while he's gone." Helena said, glancing meaningfully towards Roko.
"Look, if you want to go out and play with somebody, you can." Roko said directly to the girl who looked up at him nervously and didn't move.
"At least take her outside for some air." Helena suggested, "Being stuck down here in the rebellion base can't be good for her health."
"She can go wherever she wants, I'm not stopping her." Roko frowned.
"But if she wants to stick with you, it's your responsibility to guide her."
"Ugh fine." Roko scowled as he put away his documents and got up.
"And you still haven't come up with a name for her?" Helena asked.
"Look, I can only do so much at a time!"
Now forced to actually look over the person he bought, Roko wandered the rebellion base, unsure of what to do.
"It'd be much easier if you could tell me what you want." Roko said meaningfully to the kid but she remained bashful, "Sigh...we can't bring you back to M83 since the stonemasons are still fixing up the place. Do you have anywhere you want to go?"
The girl shook her head but her stomach let out a small growl that she quickly tried to hide.
"...Lunch it is then." Roko said as he lead her off to the mess hall.
"And so I'm just saying, Helena's got like a 7/10 body but like a 5/10 personality."
"Do I want to know what's going on here?" Roko frowned as he walked up to a table consisting of Roland, Roswell and Argo.
"You found the annual boys meeting." Roland scoffed, "No ladies allowed so off with you."
"Alright, I'll just go tell Helena what you said about her."
"What the hell man, are you trying to kill me?!"
"You're the one who gave her a 7 and a 5."
"Hey, let's cut Roland some slack." Roswell chuckled, "He's the one who deals with Helena daily so he's the most immunized to her charm."
"That's one way of putting it." Roko scoffed.
"Thank you Roswell!" Roland cried, "See, this is why you're here instead of Roko."
"If you didn't want to get killed, then stop having suicidal conversations." Roko crossed his arms.
"What do you know?" Roland rolled his eyes, "There are some things that need to be said between men. Releasing those pent up thoughts, exchanging them freely with those with similar mindsets. That is why we men need each other."
"And those thoughts are 'rating girls out of 10'?"
"You wouldn't understand you eunuch."
"That's rich coming from you and understanding the historical use of eunuchs."
"'That's rich coming from you and understanding the third moon in the left hemisphere from the third rock from the sun'. You hear that? That's what you sound like."
"I would return the mocking but honestly, with the things you say, I'd rather not." Roko rubbed his head.
"Ha! That's what makes you different from us! Real men aren't afraid of saying anything."
"How about you tell Helena your evaluation to her face then?"
"There's a line between bravery and stupidity."
"That's the first intelligent thing you've said since I met you."
"Damn." Argo grinned, "He can't be that bad can he?"
"This is not the first time I've had to cover for Roland after he said something that could end his career."
"Now I'm interested!" Argo laughed, "Why don't you sit down with us, Roko?"
"Don't do that." Roland said dead seriously, "Roko has no conversational bone in his body."
"While I don't necessarily disagree, I don't see why that precludes me." Roko frowned.
"Because I TRIED getting you into the boys club before and you just didn't make the cut."
"To be fair, the boy's club was being run by you."
"What'd he do wrong?" Roswell asked Roland.
"It's not what he did, it's what he can't do." Roland shook his head, "He can't converse with us on the same level about the same things."
"You mean about girls?" Roko scoffed.
"See, he doesn't get it!"
"Aw, I'm sure Roko can do if if he tries." Argo smiled.
"Alright, let's see it then." Roland said, "Roko, rate one of the princesses out of 10."
"I choose life."
"See? He doesn't even have the cojones to speak his mind."
"Why don't you give it a try, Roko?" Argo gently pushed, "This is a safe space."
Roko sighed, "Out of respect for your efforts, I'll give it a try."
"There we go."
"...Momo's a skilled fighter who has various skills and can fight with even the most experienced enemies. 10/10. Kaguya has talents in other forms of combat that we just haven't had the opportunity to utilize. 4/10. Helena has talents that run contrary to her personality but hopefully with the drone spell, she can better utilize her skills. 7/10. Corissa has many skills outside of fighting that make her useful but she also has one of the most important and unique magic in history. 9/10."
…
"You see what I'm talking about with this guy?" Roland said, gesturing at Roko.
"Maybe he doesn't know what we're talking about?" Argo laughed awkwardly.
"No, he knows EXACTLY what we're talking about!"
"I won't pretend that I don't." Roko said.
"See?! He just doesn't get what we're trying to do here."
"You just want to talk about how hot Corissa is."
"Can you blame me?! She's smoking hot!" Roland cried.
"She's not even here."
"That's exactly why I have to do it now! Do you know how many days we've spent with Corissa where I can just look at her but not touch! It drives a man insane!"
"Just go to your bunk and jerk off for god's sake!"
"With what material?! I can't carry any with so many girls around and if I just do it to Corissa's image, it'll be SUPER creepy!"
"That's..." Roko paused, "A good point."
"See?!"
"Although, you are already creepy so I don't think it's made much of a difference."
"I can't with this man." Roland threw up his hands, "Somebody else talk to him."
"So what are you doing here, Argo?" Roko asked the would be rebel fighter.
"Hiding from Medeia." Argo grinned, "Don't tell her or anything now."
"Should a father really be hiding from his daughter?" Roko frowned.
"Like you're any better a father." Roland smirked, "Come up with a name yet?"
"How about Ganelon?" Roko shot back.
"What kind of name is Ganelon for a girl?" Roland scoffed.
"Don't worry Roko, I got the reference." Roswell nodded with a knowing grin.
"Thank you, Roswell."
"Hey, what's with you playing both sides, huh?" Roland wrapped an arm around Roswell's head, "I'll have you know, I won't stand for betrayal!"
"How ironic." Roko sighed.
"You have a child too?" Argo said.
"Yeah...sort of." Roko sighed, "She's right here."
"Hello there little one." Argo bent down and waved at the nameless girl who hid behind Roko, quietly eating her sandwich.
"She's a cute kid." Argo said, sitting back up, "We should introduce her to Medeia sometime."
"Well...she probably could use more friends." Roko shrugged, "She's been clinging to me pretty closely lately."
"She's just a little shy. I'm sure she and Medeia will get along just fine."
"You just want her to distract Medeia for you, don't you?"
"Was it that obvious?" Argo chuckled.
"...I know how your kid feels about you fighting. But what about you? What do you think your purpose is in this rebellion?"
"..." Argo took a deep breath as he picked up his drink and took a sip before answering, "I do want to fight. I still believe in the rebellion and its ideas. But...my wife lost her life for those ideas, you know. I know it's not anyone here's fault but it made raising Medeia on my own very hard nonetheless. Medeia grew up understanding that sacrifice and doesn't want to lose another member of her family. I believe in you and the rebellion, I truly do. I want to fight but I'm also the only thing Medeia has left. I would do anything for my girl, you understand right?"
"Perfectly." Roko nodded, "I won't make you or Medeia make any choices you don't want to. I'll figure out another way."
"Thank you." Argo nodded, "I appreciate it."
"Dad! It's time for work!"
"Oh, Medeia!" Argo turned around as his daughter showed up, clipboard in hand, "And even Pluteum's with you! How are you doing young man?"
"Doing good, sir." Gallus' son nodded, "Just been playing with Medeia."
"Thank you for being friends with my daughter." Argo nodded, "Speaking of, why don't you two make friends with...uhhh..."
Argo gestured to the nameless girl but without a name to introduce her with, his sentence was just left incomplete.
"Hm? A new friend?" Medeia and Pluteum both walked over to the nameless girl who shrunk back behind Roko's legs in panic, "What's your name?"
"She doesn't have one yet." Roko explained.
"Huh? Did her mom not give her one?" Pluteum asked.
"Her situation's a bit complicated."
"Hmmm." Medeia pushed up her fake glasses quizzically, "If you'd like, you're welcome to help us help my dad in cleaning up the storage room."
"Huh? I thought we were going to play in the tunnels after getting your dad!" Pluteum cried.
"Do you really think the new girl will be able to navigate the tunnels like us?" Medeia shook her head, "A little bit of work never hurt anybody."
"Aw man..."
"I appreciate the help, little guys." Argo grinned, "Roko, you want to come with us?"
"Well..." Roko glanced down at the nameless girl who looked back at him with scared eyes, "Sure...I guess..."
"What's in this box?"
"Ooo a deck of playing cards!" I hear you can play a ton of games with this!"
"Unfortunately it's missing the 6 of hearts, the 4 of clubs and the King of diamonds."
"How'd you figure that out already?"
As Medeia and Pluteum poured over the contents of a box, Roko pushed a dusty box of bathroom utilities onto a separate shelf. Medeia, Pluteum and Argo were in charge of checking the inventory of all the boxes in this rather large storeroom and Roko and the nameless child were in charge of sorting them into organized shelves. It was a bit more physically taxing than Roko was normally used to back in his old world but after everything that's happened, he was preforming pretty well to even his surprise. The nameless child on the other hand…
The girl picked up a large and heavy box, struggling to hold onto it as she tried to bring it to a different shelf. Unfortunately she tripped and fell flat on her face, something in the box shattering with a very loud crash.
"Whoa! Are you okay?!"
Everyone else rushed over to check on the nameless girl but she had already got back up and bowing frantically in apology.
"Did you break something again?" Medeia said crossly, "That's another correction we have to make to the sheet!"
"Now now, it's okay." Argo said calmly, "Let's see what broke first."
Opening the box again, they shuffled through some kitchen utensils to the very bottom where there was a pile of plates with the bottom dish having shattered into large pieces.
"Only one plate." Argo said, "That's not too bad."
"It's still a waste of resources." Medeia shook her head, "She's broken 3 plates, 4 cups and 1 vase."
The nameless girl shrunk down in shame and sadness, tears coming down from her eyes.
"It's fine Medeia, we have plenty of utilities." Argo said, "And as for...uhh...you...just don't pick up any boxes you can't carry, okay? You don't have to force yourself."
The nameless girl nodded but it was clear she wasn't listening, too scared to do anything but agree in fear of punishment. Looking at her depressing state, even the kids couldn't say much else and just returned to work after clearing the broken plate.
Roko looked down at the child who was still hiding with her head down, arms hugging her legs in reflexive defense, "Come here for a moment."
With a jolt, the girl slowly stood up, shuffling up towards Roko with her head down, knowing a punishment was waiting for her. Instead though, Roko knelt down and held his hands up around the girl,
"Stay still for a moment."
The girl looked up confused but Roko was already forming magic seals with his hands. He moved these seals around her, the girl closing her eyes and falling into a bit of a trance as Roko manipulated magic around her. In short time, Roko release the seals with a sigh and the girl opened her eyes.
"There." Roko said, "It should be easier for you to move now.
The girl looked down at her arms, flexing her fingers and moving them curiously.
"It's a small fix." Roko explained, "All I did was loosen the spell a little. You're slightly more at risk but it was wound too tightly anyway."
The girl looked up at Roko, eyes in shock and fear but the fear had regressed to more of a concern than outright terror.
"Now then." Roko stood back up, "Let's get back to work."
"AAAAHHH!!! A SPIDER!"
The two turned around and looked around the shelves to see Medeia, Pluteum and even Argo cowering away from a box where a small spider had crawled up and walking around obliviously.
"Get a plate! A plate!"
"What?! Don't smash a plate over it! Just grab a book or something!"
"I don't care, just kill it!"
"You're really freaked out, Medeia!"
"You guys..." Roko sighed.
Roko moved to get rid of the spider but the nameless girl moved first. The small child strolling casually up to the spider and gently cupping it in her hands before running back outside and releasing it into dark tunnels of the underground.
"Whew." Medeia sighed, "It's gone."
"You're not scared of spiders are you?" Pluteum said, looked from around the corner at the nameless girl with some respect, "That's a bit weird."
"We're all scared of different things." Argo said sheepishly, "Let's get back to work."
"Are you sure we shouldn't have killed it?" Medeia frowned, "Spiders creep me out."
"Spiders are actually quite useful." Roko said, "They eat the bugs in your home that you actually don't want and try to stay out of your way otherwise."
"That doesn't make me like them any better." Medeia shuddered, "But dad's right, we need to get back to work. I'm leaving any spiders we come across to you then, okay?"
And with that the three began their work again. The nameless girl returned as well and picked up a small box, hauling it to a shelf and sliding it inside. It was slight but she was clearly happy to have been of some use for once.
"Is that so?" Helena grinned at dinner later after hearing their little story, "I'm so proud of you, little one."
She ruffled the girl's head as she quietly sipped her simple meat and vegetables soup.
"I wish I could've been there to see one of our 'Five Planetary Stars' cowering from a little spider." Momo chuckled, "That must be one hell of a sight."
"To be fair, the spider was a black widow." Roko said.
"A black widow?!" Helena gasped, "Wow, you got really lucky, little girl! Or maybe you're just really brave."
The nameless girl choked on her soup for a moment before nodding shyly.
"By the way Roko, she really needs a name." Helena said, "Do you need help coming up with one?"
"Well...given the current situation, how about Aranea?"
"What, because of the spider?" Helena laughed, "You're really not good at naming things are you?"
"I'm just trying to keep it simple." Roko sighed.
"How about it then?" Helena patted the girl's head, "Aranea. You like it?"
The girl looked nervous, eyes darting about but when they settled on Roko, she seemed to make a decision and nodded.
"There we go then." Momo smiled, "Aranea. That's a pleasant name."
"A pleasant name for a pleasant girl." Helena agreed.
"And a not so pleasant father." Roland added.
"That would be a hurtful comment if I ever cared about anything you said." Roko retorted.