Chapter 158: 158. Accepting Frost For Who ‘She’ Is

Decontaminating radioactive residue with just the touch of her bare hands was another violent perversion of physics as she knew it. [Cleanse] was the magical equivalent of alcohol wipes, and it worked on any conceivable filth.

Radiation included. [Cleanse] was the reason why Frost remained hygienic. Her body was spotless both inside and out. Bodily waste was but a thing of the past, and she frankly couldn’t imagine going back to requiring the toilet again.

She wondered if something as simple as not needing the bathroom was why she hadn’t been able to ‘connect’ with her body. After all, she had only stopped to inspect her body a handful of time. It also didn’t help that they were met with Corrupted after Corrupted for as long as she could remember.

Frost never really took the time to inspect herself thoroughly enough to appreciate herself. As awkward as that was admitting it now of all times, it was better late than never. She had plans now that they had some free time. Most involving Jury, of course.

Why did these thoughts suddenly cross her mind?

Cer…

“Cleanse this, cleanse that. How about you stop cleansing yourself and take a bath for once.” Cer said, tugging on the waistband of her trousers.

She vented it in a futile attempt to dry off her pants. A small, steadily flame created by Frost followed closely by her side.

“It’s only fair that if I have to bathe, then you gotta!” She added, occasionally shaking her head like how a dog does to dry itself.

Frost had cleansed Cer as soon as she dipped into the stream. The murky, wet-dog scent and all other forms of impurities were magically scrubbed off her body, leaving behind a pristine Cer that carried a surprising floral scent. It was apparently her natural body odor, but her lack of hygiene was what caused her to smell exactly what she was now: a wet canine.

The reason why Cer was still wet was because [Cleanse] could only get rid of impurities. Water was not one of them. The discovery surprised Frost, but it would explain why she always felt damp even after ridding herself of blood and other toxic fluids.

She then answered Cer.

“I wouldn’t mind taking a bath. It’s has been a while.” Frost admitted, causing Cer’s face to suddenly sour as if she was expecting an entirely different answer. “Wait, do they even have baths in Wharftow? Do Aquatids even take baths in the first place?”

“You tell me. You think someone’s going to dive into a lake and wash themselves up with soap? Or are they going to do it at the shorelines?” Cer argued for what seemed to be for the sake of it.

“Maybe an Aquatid does it in the lake?” Frost answered, biting back at her as Cer growled.

“Well, you’d be wrong! What kind of race doesn’t like baths in the first place!?”

“I can’t believe you’re saying that with a straight face.” Jury whispered as a sudden thought bemused her. Her eyes then glazed over Frost as she wore a small, comforting smile. “A bath… I’d really love if we could all take one together. Or how about a swim?”

“In this stream? Is it even deep enough?” Res wondered. “Ankle deep. Knee deep at best… You know what, Frost? Why don’t you just use your feet to cleanse the water instead of having to bend over all the time?”

Frost abruptly stopped herself from replying as she erected herself. She wanted to say:

“But it’s dirty.”

The issue was that there was virtually no part of her that was filthy. She subconsciously associated her extremities, especially her feet, as filthy when it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Think of it as making wine.

“I’m stepping on water, not grapes. But that’s a good way to put it.”

They stopped by the shallow riverbank, standing along a trail of damp gravel and silt as Frost began to take off pieces of her footwear.

She began with the boots, then, with her tights. She was instantly hit with a cool breeze that swept through her thighs, as well as the appreciating eyes of her lover… and the sly ones of a certain wolfwoman.

This was the first time Cer had the pleasure of seeing them so delightfully bare.

“Soft. But I can tell they’re firm enough to crush heads.” Cer commented, instantly causing both her sisters to snap their heads at her like she was a lunatic.

“Cer… Are you ok?” Ber genuinely asked, patting her head.

“What the hell is wrong with your head? Ignore her. Uh… Jury? You’re stripping as well?” Res sighed before noticing Jury slip right out  of her white fur coat.

“It’s hot.” Jury lied with a cheeky smile, stowing her wear into her dimensional storage. Unlike Frost, Jury didn’t wear anything underneath, aside from bicycle shorts which were hidden underneath the long hems of her coat, and a rather tightly fit shirt.

It was almost like a swimsuit in a way. Or something Frost imagined people wore to the gym. Jury’s large, toned yet elegant body attracted eyes like bees to a flower. Frost found herself unable to cast her eyes away.

“Don’t tell me you had this planned.” Frost couldn’t help but to laugh as Jury snatched her hand.

“I wonder what you’re talking about~” Jury tugged her, but not without calling for the others to follow them into the water. “C’mon! It’s not going to be fun just watching!”

Her exuberance surprised them. This energetic Jury was seldomly seen. They took Jury for someone a lot more serious, who only sometimes mellowed only around Frost and Ignis. But what they didn’t know was that this was the real Jury…

The same one whose enthusiasm knew no bounds, and now what there was nothing to be afraid of… and nothing to fight anymore, she was finally allowed to let loose.

“We’re used to watching. As Moons.” Res coldly said, sealing her eyes shut. “We’re too disciplined to be moved by just some water –!”

“No fair! Grrr. Fine, I’ll head in! Ber – Hold onto my suit! I’m going in butt nak –!” Cer was about to strip right until Ber clasped onto both arms and threw them down at her ankles.

“Sis. Roll up your sleeves! It’s not that deep! What happened to being the smartest wolf in the world?” Ber angrily sighed.

“Don’t get naked Cer!” Frost warned with a yell. “Just roll your sleeves!”

“What’s wrong with me getting naked!? So you’re allowed to fight nearly stark naked? But I’m scolded instantly when I want to go for a bath!? Ber! Back me up! You too Res!” Cer exclaimed.

“Uh – Y-Yeah! You tell Frost… wait. No. Sis. Just roll them up!” Ber yelled instinctively, right before took them both by the collar.

“About time!”

“Res?”

“Idiots… Just… GO!” Res shouted, tossing them both into the water.

However, both grabbed hold of Res’ arms and tugged her along. The triplets were drenched from head to toe as an argument ensued. But Frost could tell that Res was having fun despite her strenuous look.

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Snap only watched from afar, keeping guard within the tree lines. Ignis dipped her toe into the water and frowned. As a feline Demi-human, she had more of a reason to fear water than Cer. Frost was about to reach out for her, but much to her surprise –

“IGNIS! Can you hear that!? The water’s calling for you!” Cer waved at her, throwing some water her way.

“No way. Water can talk?” Ber asked in surprise.

“Figure of speech…” Res sighed, right before she beamed a smile at Ignis. “C’mon. The water’s cool. Die down a little. We don’t have to fight anymore.”

Those last words were spoken with emotion that caused a lump to form in Frost’s throat. She wondered what these people would have been like if they didn’t have to constantly fight. Not having to fight anymore was a pipe dream for them. The triplets never wanted to fight, and they expressed that it was all they knew.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Deep down, beneath the grit that weathered them into the seemingly uncaring Moons they were, there was a very…

“You want to say that they have a human side to them.”

‘Human’ has a different meaning in this world. But… Yeah. That’s how I’d describe them. They look just like a bunch of kids playing. I wonder if they ever had any forms of respite.

“Moons likely don’t. There are only so many Moons. Many die to the Corrupted. Living for 30 years in a line of work where people die young is astronomically impressive.”

… I see.

Frost’s respite was not just hers. It was everyone’s. They splashed, chased, and tackled one another into the crystal-clear water which shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. It was always funny watching Ignis lock up the moment she was more than a meter away from someone. And for the first time, she heard Cer laugh contently.

As they made their way back to Wharfow with the news of their success, Frost sincerely wished that these happiest moments could last forever. She looked far ahead with Jury embracing her from behind and wished upon a future where people didn’t have to fight anymore.

“… are you crying?” Jury cooed, closing Frost’s eyes with a hand.

“No. You can tell when I’m about to, huh?” Frost hummed, holding onto Jury’s wrists.

“I can. I want this to last forever. But one day we’ll be back out there fighting again. So instead of looking out there…” Jury slowly twisted Frost around. She was faced with the brimming smiles of her closest friends. “You should be looking here. Let’s make the most out of it. Don’t overthink, or you’ll lose track of what matters the most.”

Her ticking heart caused Frost to sink deeper into Jury’s chest.

“Yeah. You’re right. Jury. Thank you. You always manage to catch me at the right time, huh.” Frost reached for Jury’s cheeks and squished them slightly.

They were in a world of their own for what felt like hours on end. Oh what Frost would give just to remain like this forever… As their faces drew near for a kiss – Cer’s voice shattered their trance as she presented Ignis with a certain vegetable.

“THIS IS THE ONE! LETTUCE! THE GREEN VEGETABLE CATS HATE!” Cer had found a wild-grown lettuce and waved it around like a holy blade.

Ber’s eyes widened in terror as she put herself between Cer and a confused Ignis.

“Run Ignis! It’s a lettuce! Your only weakness! Aside from water!” Ber cried, ready to fend off her sister if it meant saving her feline friend.

Res could only watch with dead eyes as she wandered close to Frost and Jury, who couldn’t help but to laugh at yet another comedic showing. Before long, the group went back on their way to Wharftow.

This time, they travelled a little closer to each other than usual.

“By the way Frost! That book of fire is yours, right? Apparently its spoken in a first person by a guy. Does that mean you were a guy?” Cer suddenly brought up, causing Frost to simply nod, much to her surprise.

There was no point in trying to hide or deny it. A small silence brewed. The group suddenly understood why Frost acted in a certain way. From the way she walked to the way she sat, and even presented herself did not scream ‘woman’ at all.

Frost wondered if their perspective of her would change. Would it sour their budding friendship? Would they think she was disgusting? These thoughts that never used to circulate her mind suddenly came crashing down all at once.

Only the sounds of their splashing steps could be heard. And then, they rapidly increased.

Cer walked past her, grinning as she analytically stared at Frost from head to toe.

“Transformation huh. Not really that weird when people themselves can become Corrupted and turn into monster. Hell, before that you have the Mycelli that parasitize people with mushrooms. What I’m trying to say is that a gender change wouldn’t be the strangest thing we’ve seen.” Cer bumped right into her. “Heh. Why, did you think we were going to chew you out? At least 2 of our companions used to be Corrupted. Including your future wife right there!”

Cer was right. A simple gender change was hardly comparable to a Corrupted transformation and even a Realization at all. Ignis didn’t judge either, since she also underwent a fundamental transformation…

And so did the triplets in some way, no thanks to Serum S and their Atelier Items that replaced their corresponding eyes, hands, and jaw. It was relieving for Frost to hear this. So unbelievably relieving that she felt lightheaded.

“… Cer. Thanks. Everyone. Thank you. I was worried because you all went silent.”

“What did you want us to say? Looking back, I guess it does make sense. But what does it matter? You don’t have anything between your legs, so it’s not like we care.” Ber stated, watching the stream widen as the harbor of Wharftow could be seen just beyond the tree lines now.

“Unless?” Cer joked, bumping right into Frost again. “Buuuuuut – that’s kind of worrying.”

“Yeah. Now that you mention it…” Res trailed off, clearing her throat. “Don’t let the Retrofitters know about it. For your own sake.”

“Not just the Retrofitters. The Impulse Artificers are going to looooove studying you. A human of your caliber? Good. Luck. That’s if you ask for a fitted Atelier Item. If it’s just a repair, then you’re safe. Don’t worry. We know the right people. Just a matter of finding them.” Cer assured. “Besides. It’s not like you need to follow any protocols. They aren’t scared of my fangs. But can they say the same about yours?”

“Still… A guy in a woman’s body. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Not really. Jury fits that better.” Ber said, kind of happy that Frost opened to them. “But that’s worrying. You left for Grandis as a Healer. In a village not that far away from that Infernis Capital. You’re so lucky, you know that? Could’ve been worse. Way worse.”

“I know how stupid it was. I really should have told you that I had healing magic. And I still continued to make stupid mistakes afterwards. But…” Frost turned to them all. They smiled back at her, including the perpetually angry Ignis. “I can’t say I regret them either.”

She couldn’t imagine anyone else standing by her side.

“… That’s a nice way of looking at things.” Res whispered, dragging herself forward where she covertly presented her head, her ears parting as if begging for a head scritch.

Res really liked being pampered. Ever since she opened up to Frost in the Derma layer, she’s gotten a lot more honest with her feelings. Everyone had changed in some way. Like the stream they followed, their hearts were never stagnant and were ever changing.

Frost looked forward to growing with these people. Be it until the end of their 4-month mission, or till years into the future. Whatever it was, she longed for it, and would give anything to protect their future.

As for now, it was time to turn in the quest.

And dry themselves off.