"They don't react too well to angels either," Aiden responds, a shy smile appearing at the compliment. "But I happen to like spiders. That's probably not surprising considering who my Goddess was."

“I could show you right now!”

Richie says enthusiastically, pulling out his phone with no other delay.

“This is one of my favorites and probably the best one to start a newbie with. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood!”

"You think so?" he asks shyly, stretching his wings before swaying them slowly. "Thanks. I remember when I was a kit and they were little feathery buds. Webby kept telling me that I had to be patient, but I didn't know what I was waiting for. I ended up trying to forget about them until they grew."

"Oh right, I kinda glossed over that. My bad. Well, I know that my power in particular is linked to my emotions. I'm no deity, but I wonder if there could be a connection there?"

He unfurls his wings experimentally.

"Have you ever experienced anything like that?"

"If you'd have told me before that you can lose a part of yourself, I'd have been devastated. Now, I'm just glad that any semblance of you persists."

Losing people he cares about has definitely changed his view on that front.

he’s hanging upside down in a trash can. won’t somebody help him!

"It's only the best kind of media to EVER exist!!"

Richie practically glows, oblivious to the extra long line forming behind him.

"I could show you sometime if you want!"

"You're -- wait. So you gave me tickets that you got from your partner???"

His mouth falls open in shock. Richie's eyes could have turned to hearts.

"That's SUCH an anime move!!"

"Well... if she serves to protect you, then at least I know that even if your body disappears, you'll still be alive beyond this timeline."

Although doubtful, he chooses to believe Rocky's words.

"I'd still rather not lose track of you in any capacity though."

"Isn't Blinky one of the Lords in Black?" he asks uneasily, trying to recall if there are any names like that on Webby's side. "They can't generally be trusted..."

[She kind of cocks her head to the side, raising a brow.]

"I got no idea who hatsune miku is. . . but needy beasts are the kinda music I do enjoy I guess. . . somewhat. I like a lot of music. But I guess they're not the best. I only had the tickets because I'm dating the lead singer."

“W-well… not really no,” Richie admits. “I only really like Hatsune Miku concerts. Needy Beast is cool!! But… just not for me. What… do you think of them?”

"I don't want you endangering yourself for the cause," he states firmly, having already lost one person that way. "But... an extra pair of hands in the fight would be welcome."

“Huh? Oh — me? No…”

Richie blushes again.

“It’s um. Just that I gave them all away, and I’d rather have friends over bullies and not go to a concert…”

"In this timeline, Wiggly just keeps getting stronger. He's already taken several human vessels, and without her, I... I don't know what to do. He's too powerful to stop, and I've already been threatened with Sleepy Town if I keep trying to interfere."

He shakes his head gently.

"Not at his worst. That's where I lost. But I managed to slow his henchman for a while. Wilbur Cross? I gave him a taste of angelic steel."

He pouts slightly, ears declining.

"It didn't really help, but it distracted him from Richie for a little while. Did she ever tell you about him?"

"A month now."

He exhales shakily, then drags his composure back and manages a weak smile.

"I should've stayed in the Black and White, I might've been able to protect her."

It's his guilt talking, he knows deep down that there's nothing he could've done to help.

"Regrettably."

Aiden draws his hand back, seemingly paying no mind to Rocky's delay in human behaviour.

"She was captured by the Lords in Black. Wiggly showed no mercy."

» timelines?"

Perhaps that means there's a version of her who's still alive?

"This is going to sound... strange, but hear me out. You're connected to the Queen in White, right?"

Aiden offers a small smile in return, getting straight to the point.

@celismulti.bsky.social

Aiden takes a deep breath, then approaches the white-haired teen with tentative steps. Something about him is familiar, yet he knows they've never met. There's an energy which suggests the other isn't quite human.

"Excuse me?"

“Oh yeah! Uh — could I get a grande caramel frappe?”

Richie glances back to the doorway, his previous fear all gone.

“You, uh, remember those bullies I talked about? We’re… actually all kind of friends now. Even Max! All because of those tickets. They all think I’m cool now.”