Chapter 200: Chapter 181 : True Introductions (Part 7)

The ice Mimic lay on the king-sized bed beside Ralf, a black blanket draped over her clothed figure, and a soundproof barrier surrounding her to block out the gamers’ ruckus. Like this, she lay completely tranquil.

She had joined Ralf on the bed five hours ago, saying she needed a quick nap. Said nap transformed into a full-out slumber, for as eye-opening as Babel was, her many days’ worth of sleep debt had caught up to her. The sandman came to collect, and she quickly found herself in Slumberland.

As though sensing his gaze on her, Yuki’s eyelids began twitching as her consciousness was stirred awake. Seconds and a soundless murmur later, the ice Mimic’s eyelids opened.

Ralf greeted her with a sunny smile and dissolved the Psi barrier. “Morning Snowball, sleep well?”

The misty-eyed Yuki simply nodded, her sluggish mental cogs beginning to pick up the pace. Glancing around, earlier memories floated to awareness, and the fog of confusion cleared from her black eyes.

“Good to hear. What did you dream about…perhaps, me?”

“If I dreamt of you…I’d consider it a nightmare,” she shot back, shrugging to the best of her ability.

“Really, I’m that bad?” Ralf said, scratching his cheek innocently.

Yuki didn’t immediately respond and instead turned to eye Charlotte and the others on the nearby trio of couches. “Worse than bad, diabolic. Look at them and convince me otherwise; everyone’s been turned into moths.”

Ralf did the former but not the latter, and instead smirked devilishly. “Yep, and it’s all part of my dark plan. Now that they’ve been given a taste of the forbidden fruit, there’s no going back for them. They’re addicts with no hope of rehabilitation.”

Yuki exhaled a long breath. “I knew you were trouble, but I could never expect this level of villainy. Perhaps I should do the world a favour and turn you into an ice statue right here and now.”

“Oh, can you?” Ralf asked, after turning his body back to the ice Mimic.

The ice Mimic’s expression faltered at the question and the subtle smile he wore as he asked it.

“...No, I can’t. Unfortunately, I’ve turned into a moth as well,” she admitted as a wry smile rose to her face.

Ralf smiled and then moved his palm to her head and gently rubbed. “Enjoy the heat then, Yuki…for as long as you can,” he said in a warm tone, causing the ice Mimic’s face to redden in real-time.

The Transmigrator relented his caressing after a few seconds and returned to the previous topic.

“If you didn’t dream about me, what did you dream about?”

Yuki stayed silent for a few seconds, losing herself in Ralf’s gaze, and the genuine interest that swirled within it.

“My sister. I was dreaming about her.”

“Mm, what about?”

“It was nothing special, just us going to bed, her saying goodnight and then wrapping me up in her embrace, that’s all. Following that, everything went black and then...you're staring back at me. Hmm? What’s with that face?”

“No, I was just surprised is all,” he said, echoing both his and Charlotte’s feelings, who had been half paying attention to the conversation. “So, you slept in the same bed as your older sister? Till when? Recently?” Ralf followed up.

“Yeah,” Yuki answered in a matter-of-fact tone, not a hint of embarrassment in her voice. Seeing questions still lingering in Ralf’s eyes, she decided to elaborate further.

“Back at the orphanage, beds were scarce so we had to share one. We liked the arrangement; it was comfortable, warm, and reassuring. We stuck to it and each other, and even when we could afford more beds, we still shared one, till just recently,” Yuki turned to the ceiling and conjured an ice mirror.

She stared at her face in the reflection, more specifically her shadowed eyes. “Most of my restlessness comes from sleeping alone. It's so unfamiliar to me,” she said, dismissing her Psi and turning back to Ralf. “I suppose, that’s why I fell asleep so easily by your side.”

Ralf’s lips quivered to speak but were beaten to the punch.

“Mmm, I see, that’s no good,” Charlotte spoke up from her couch, now fully invested in the conversation. “I can relate somewhat, I sometimes feel uneasy sleeping alone myself. Hey Yuki, I can’t replace your sister, but if you want, I’m always willing to share a bed,” she offered, wearing a merchant’s smile.

Ralf shook his head. “If you share a bed with this vixen, you’ll get even less sleep, if any.”

Charlotte’s smile widened. “True, but you’ll feel refreshed afterwards,” she winked, causing Ralf to roll his eyes, but not Yuki. Nothing this, the Onic Master left her couch and approached the bed. “How about it, Yuki? This body of mine is pretty soft, pillow-like even,” Charlotte groped at her chest in advertisement. “What do you say, want to cuddle?”

Charlotte didn’t wait for a response, and after kicking off her shoes, got on the bed and kneed her way into the gap between Yuki and Ralf. She turned to the former, and then stretched her body out. Now, only thirty centimetres away, she repeated her offer.

Facing the other and her burning gaze, even hotter than Ralf’s, Yuki couldn’t say no - or anything. She silently nodded and then lifted her blanket to welcome the Onic Master.

Charlotte saw the opening and closed in with swift movements, crashing her face into the other’s ample chest before wrapping Yuki up in a hug. The ice Mimic tanked the collision with ease and then smiled. While Charlotte could never replace her sister, the Onic Master’s ‘forwardness’ was reminiscent of her sister’s. Chest warming at the comparison, Yuki let the blanket fall and returned the embrace.

“Aah, I could stay like this forever. By the way,” Charlotte ceased her joyful nuzzling as she made sure to ask, “what is the usual arrangement?”

“Sometimes like this, but most of the time, sis wraps me up from behind.”

“That’s not bad either. Want to switch?”

"If you want to."

“Then, let's do it.”

Following the words, the pair squirmed into place and seconds later, Charlotte became the big spoon to Yuki’s little spoon, wrapping her up tenderly.

“Better?” Charlotte questioned with a whisper.

“Yeah,” saying this with a satisfied look, Yuki fell silent as waves of comfort sent her consciousness adrift.

Her eyelids shut down and her body followed suit; five hours were hardly enough time to pay back her debt and so, once again, the sandman came to collect.

[Enjoying yourself?] Ralf asked.

[Of course. Yuki’s amazing. So warm, so soft and so big. Want to join in…to make this a sandwich?] Charlotte offered, enticing the other with a shake of her butt.

Ralf shut his eyes at once, but this didn’t help him any; his impeccable short-term memory continued to project the images even behind his eyelids. The Transmigrator sighed at the happening and his apparent nature. After suppressing it with Perfect Control, he rolled over and got up.

[A sandwich, I could use one, thanks for reminding me.]

[You’re no fun, Ralf.]

[And you’re too fun, Charl,] Ralf replied, giving her a side-eye.

[Mmm?]

[Don’t like it?]

[I didn’t say that. I just never had a nickname before. I’ll need to get used to it, is all,] she said, a slight smile surfacing on her face.

It was hidden from Ralf’s view, but her subsequent wiggling told him all he needed to know. Finding the sight more than bothersome, he tugged at the black blanket’s edge to better cover the ladies, more specifically the Onic Master’s figure.

[Thanks, Ralf~]

[Don’t mention it, please.]

Ralf didn’t linger on the spot - he now knew better.

The bed was seemingly Charlotte’s home turf, so continuing to play atop it was a no-go. He got up and moved to the kitchen counter to get his sandwich.

Eating it, he surveyed the room.

Lane and Skye were fully focused on their gameplay, having just come across a new type of mini-boss in a dungeon. The pair were forced to scramble for survival, dodging spells and the horde of undead enemies that rushed at them. They were helplessly killed again and again and again and again…until five minutes later when Charlotte rejoined them in battle.

The Onic Master returned to their sides in-game, but not in reality. Charlotte was currently on cloud nine and wouldn’t be moving from her spot for a while, so instead, she used her telekinesis to manipulate the Psi Controller. Joining the pair in the fight against the mini-boss, her addition proved to be enough to turn the tide. The trio defeated the undead leader after a drawn-out clash, clenching victory by the narrowest of margins. Rewards and celebrations naturally followed the success.

‘Not bad.’

Smiling at their accomplishment, Ralf downed the last of his sandwich and then made his way over to Violet’s side, not so much to conversate or watch anime, but to soak up the heat from her lightning orbs.

The princess welcomed him with a smile and offered him a space under her blanket. Ralf took it and scooted closer, and like this, shoulder-to-shoulder, the pair watched anime while trading words.

To Violet, his opinions and thoughts were invaluable, so Ralf ended up giving a director’s cut of sorts. He didn’t mind, he was compensated well for his time, very well.

Time ticked away merrily for the group. The seconds turned to minutes and the minutes to hours. But just as all things, good and bad, the party had to come to an end. At noon, Ralf decided to cut the group off. With a clap, he snapped the telepathic links.

“Ah, Ralf?”

“Ralf?”

“That’s it, the party is over,” Ralf declared to the dazed faces which had suddenly snapped his way.

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“One more, I was almost at level 18-”

“Nope, we’re done, no arguing,“ Ralf held firm. He conjured several Psi Mirrors, allowing everyone to see themselves. “Look at those faces, if you were any more lifeless, you’d be a zombie. Everyone needs a rest, Charlotte, especially.”

Ralf dismissed the Psi, seeing that everyone got the point. “These types of get-togethers are best done in bursts. Doing it for too long will just burn you out and then it’d be no fun. Everyone will take a break. We can meet up again sometime tonight, well if Charlotte’s up for it.”

“I am,” the Onic Master replied immediately, causing the group to surge with relief and joy. While she wasn’t as irreplaceable as Ralf, she too was essential.

“Good, then let’s do it again tonight, around 9 pm. That should be enough time for a good rest. As for the place, same place. I’ve rented this room out for the next ten days.”

“Ten days,” Skye’s eyes flickered in shock, remembering the daily cost. “Wait, Ralf, how many credits do you have left?”

“More than all of you combined,” Ralf said to the group’s surprise. “It turns out submitting anime counts towards one’s credits. I'm currently swimming in credits, so don’t worry about costs…well, not credit costs at least.”

“Hmm, what do you mean by that?” Charlotte asked, tilting her head.

“What…did you think accessing Babel is free,” Ralf shook his head at the notion. “Nope, it’s not. The first use was on the house, but every subsequent use will incur a cost.”

“What kind?” Skye followed up; resolved to pay it no matter what it was. His resolve was mimicked by the others.

Ralf took a sip of his milkshake, letting the group ponder for a bit. “The only kind worth anything to me…so a hug, one at least five seconds long. A hug of that length will buy you access to Babel for that day; the day starting and ending at midnight,” Ralf explained, the group collectively groaning at having predicted it.

“A hug, just that. To use Babel, I’d have paid a much steeper cost,” Charlotte said, her voice leaking a sultry note.

Ralf picked up on it and squinted. “How far are we talking about, even handholding?”

“Handholding is a steeper cost?” Charlotte asked, befuddled. “Wait, handholding what?” she followed up, her eyes lighting up as she made the false connection.

“Other hands, obviously,” Ralf replied, correcting her. “It’s the steepest cost there is. Handholding is the lewdest act two or more individuals can do, this is common sense.”

This time it wasn’t just Charlotte that was baffled, everyone else was too.

Ralf took a sip, giving them some time to process this obvious truth.

“Anyways, the price will remain as is, a simple hug. I have a meeting with my mom shortly, so I’ll have to head out. You guys can stay here or leave and come back later, it’s up to you. Before I go though…a few things.”

Ralf marked a short pause as he joined his hands together. His aura shifted into a more serious one, which caused the group to do the same. Seated on the edge of the bed, he slowly lifted his gaze to meet his new friends staring back at him from the trio of couches.

“Lane, Charlotte, Skye, Yuki, and Violet; I’m glad I met you guys and heard your stories. The party was a blast, beyond anything I could imagine. I had a ton of fun, and hope we can continue doing stuff like this in the future.”

The room was silent for the next few seconds, the rain continuing to pour outside. Ralf’s sincere words and pure intentions stirred the group’s emotions to no end.

“Took the words right out of my mouth, brother,” Skye said, his face lighting up in a bright smile.

“Yeah,” Charlotte followed up cheerfully, “let’s continue this for as long as we can, right, Violet, Yuki?” she said, putting an arm around the female Mimics on either side of her and bringing them closer.

“Yeah, let’s.”

“Of course.”

The pair said while having their cheeks smooshed against Charlotte’s.

Ralf smiled at the trio before searching for the final face, Lane.

“I’m game,” the former assassin said blandly, though his eyes told a different story. He too was eager to continue their get-togethers, in fact, more so than anyone else.

“Good to hear everyone feels the same. Now, one last thing, everything we’ve done and mentioned in this room is to be kept secret. So, the gaming, the anime, the Mental Space, Babel and the Zero System…this information mustn’t spread beyond this group, no matter what. If people knew about Babel, I’d be hounded constantly for my services. I want to avoid that. So everyone, zip up those lips. If you have to discuss something like anime that’s not released yet, do so away from anyone else or via telepathic links.”

“Will do, you can count on us,” Charlotte said seriously, even letting the pair go.

“Excellent,” Ralf responded, seeing the Onic Master’s seriousness mirrored in the others’ expressions. “This group is exactly as big as I want it to be, more than a few but still cosy. Quality over quantity.”

“Agreed,” Yuki said, she was by no means a socialite. She had happened to come out of her shell with this group, but she didn’t believe she could do the same with anyone else, at least not as easily.

The rest shared her feelings and voiced them, one after the other.

“Okay, guys I’ll be off now, catch you later-”

“Wait.”

“Hm, Charlotte?” Ralf asked, having already gotten up.

“You payment, I want to give it to you now. Today is a new day after all,” she said, circling the couch and approaching Ralf’s front.

Ralf smiled and spread his arms wide. “That it is, bring it in then.”

Charlotte obliged and the two entered a tight embrace.

“The party was great,” the Onic Master started, her genuine voice slipping into Ralf’s ear, “it’s everything I’ve wanted and more, thanks Ralf, you’re awesome, really.”

Ralf’s chest warmed. “You too, Charlotte. Couldn’t have done it without you, for real.”

“Well, that goes without saying,” Charlotte separated at these words, a smirk adorning her face. “You were a great host, so as a reward…” Letting her voice drop, she suddenly closed in and then pecked Ralf on the cheek before slipping away.

She smiled as she took in the daze she wrought on Ralf’s expression before saying, “Consider that a tip.”

Ralf snapped awake at the words, triggered by the term’s mention. He lightly shook his head before informing everyone of his faction’s stance on tipping. “The Silver Path has a no-tipping policy…so I’ll have to return it.”

A quick step shrunk the distance between Charlotte and him to mere inches. Ralf’s face closed in on Charlotte’s, and then mimicking her, he planted a light kiss on her cheek before pulling back.

In a reverse of before, Ralf flashed a smile of his own as he enjoyed her look of flustered stupor.

‘Oh, is that redness I spy? Well well, isn’t that something…ha. To upend sis like this, Ralf really is something else,’ the thought passed through Skye’s head as he approached Ralf. The Transmigrator read his intention and spread his arms.

Hugging, the two shared words as well.

“I doubted coming in here, but you proved me wrong, brother. These drugs are like no other, I’m already addicted. I trust that you’ll keep the supply flowing?”

“Of course, of course."

After seven seconds, Skye dropped his hands and stepped away, believing that he had paid his dues. However, this notion was called into question when he met with Ralf's frown.

"Brother?" he asked with a head tilt.

Ralf let out a disappointed sigh. "That's no good. To not tip your host, what bad manners...it seems I've misjudged you, brothe- no, Skye."

'This guy...'

The group pulled funny faces at the Transmigrator's antics and shamelessness.

Skye fixed his crumpling expression and approached again. "Sorry, brother, my mistake, it won't happen again."

The air Mimic followed up with a peck to the cheek only for Ralf to return it with the same no-tipping justification. Lane was next. The former assassin didn't need any prompt and simply kissed Ralf on the cheek, received his kiss, and parted ways.

The female Mimics mimicked his example, though, they weren't as swift or as composed as the former assassin during the act, nor on the receiving end of it. The room's temperature rose by dozens of degrees, at least that's what it appeared like in the aftermath.

“Payments collected,” Ralf clapped with a satisfied look, his face rosy as well. “Everyone, make sure to get some rest…and speaking of that,” his eyes moved to the ice Mimic, “Yuki, I bought a bunch of sleeping potions. They’re in the cupboard,” he said, his telekinesis opening said cupboard and revealing them. “If you or anyone wants, please make use of them.”

Yuki’s expression softened at the gesture. “Thanks, Ralf,” she said, her eyes looking everywhere but him at this moment.

“It’s what friends do, Snowball. Anyway, I’m out. I’ll be back tonight.”

Ralf headed to the balcony and casually leapt off, falling to the ground no different than the pouring rain. Psi splashing at his landing, he conjured his Psi Bike and soon disappeared from the group’s view, but not their minds - no, their thoughts would revolve around him for quite some time.

After a few minutes of trading words, the group split apart with the promise that they would meet up tonight.

Leaving the hotel suite, each one felt an invisible tug arising from their souls. A genuine connection had been established, on this, everyone was of one mind. They didn’t know what the future had in store for them, but at this moment, they couldn’t help but smile.

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