Fractured God

In the forest surrounding the mansion, the group of four made their way towards it.

“....” Agnes remained silent in Ruby's arms as they approached the clearing. Her face was blushed and she could only look away.

“So, you've read it. My, my, how did a little village girl like yourself, get a hold of that book?” Ruby asked.

“S-shut up, you oversized bimbo! I'm not anything like you!”

(“Are my ears functioning correctly?”) Tibaut wondered. (“Actually I haven't seen her truly angry. I guess Ruby has a way of bringing out certain emotions in people.”)

During their journey, they had gotten quite chummy. At least from Ruby's perspective. From Agnes’, she was being relentlessly harassed by a woman who had no tact!

She quickly covered her mouth when she noticed the subtle side-eye Tibaut gave the pair.

“Quit with this!” She softly commanded. “I don't want him to think I'm some-”

“Somewhat? A bimbo like me? That the only difference between a woman like yourself and I is the amount of men we've taken to bed? I think you might even be lying about that.” Ruby said as she brought her face closer to Agnes.

“Shut up! Do you know how long I've looked for a decent guy that looks like he came from a romance nov-” She cleared her throat and changed the tone of her voice to sound more delicate. “I, uh, mean, I wouldn't give something so important to just any guy. Can't we talk about anything else, this is getting exhausting.”

Ruby pulled her face away. “I guess you're right, honestly, other than Vanessa I don't have many people to talk about those types of novels with. Say, have you read …”

She quickly shifted topics and Agnes couldn't help but be drawn in by the conversation, despite her annoyance with her.

Lily was walking beside her, steam coming out of her ears trying to keep up with their conversation.

(“N-no way. Are other women actually like this?”)

The duo had set unnerving expectations in Lily's mind of what regular women were like. If she didn't get a proper role model soon she'd end up on the same track as them.

Tibaut mostly drowned out their conversations, lost in thought.

(“I haven't heard her since she said her farewell. I guess I am free.”)

As they entered the clearing, the sound of disturbed bushes and cracked sticks followed them out of the forest.

It probably wasn't anything dangerous, but the group, almost in tandem, all turned around to see what it was.

“It's the mutt,” Lily stated as she approached it.

Exiting the forest was Lucky, with the blood of some animal covering the fur around his mouth.

Lily tried to pet its back and got about one stroke before the wolf walked off and made its way over to Tibaut.

(“Does he like me?”) He briefly wondered as he watched the wolf arch back and jump into him. He managed to stay on his feet but having something that weighed as much as a woman jump into him did startle him.

He innocently looked Tibaut in the face. “Geez, you're heavier than I thought. Don't just jump into my arms, you're no house cat.”

The wolf gave a soft whimper and licked his cheek.

“Ew, don't do that, it's gross.” He complained as he slowly placed him back on the ground.

“Why the hell is he so chummy with you?” Lily complained. She stomped over and began stroking its fur by force.

“Don't do me like that Lucky, I've known you for far longer than this guy. Where's the loyalty huh?” She asked as she rubbed its neck.

He didn't look displeased but it wasn't like he was enjoying himself. It was probably the first time Tibaut had seen a dog so... neutral to a person.

“Well, let's get goin- shit.” As he thought about heading back, he felt his chest and realised something. He wasn't wearing his armour.

Where'd he put it anyway?

“What is it dear?” Ruby asked.

“Uh, you guys wouldn't know where my armour i- huh?”

As he turned to Ruby he noticed Agnes’ attention focused on something. Her eyes were filled with want but she seemed too shy to ask. When he looked at what she was staring at, he decided to intervene.

“Hey, Agnes.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, hi, Tibaut.”

“Would you like to pet Lucky?”

She didn't waver for even a moment. "Ca-can I?” She asked like a child being told they can buy the toy they begged for.

“Sure, I don't think he'd mind.”

Even Ruby wasn't cruel enough to deprive a woman with this much joy in her face. She lit up like a Christmas tree and wore a childlike smile on her face.

Ruby set her down and the girl slowly walked to the wolf clearly hesitant. Lucky paid her no mind and looked content as he stared off into the distance while Lily scratched him.

Agnes crouched down and slowly reached her hand out. Lucky gave a brief glance before turning to Tibaut. Tibaut saw her hesitation and gave her a hand. Quite literally. He pushed her hand into Lucky's fur and the dog turned to her.

(“It's so cute…”) She thought as she began rubbing it.

The bags under her eyes almost disappeared from the action and she radiated an almost infectious aura. ("Was this really the same dreary, and admittedly helpful, Agnes?") Tibaut wondered.

She started giggling as she rubbed through its fur and Tibaut couldn't help but find the scene adorable. With her life in the cult, she probably didn't have too many pets and it was the first time he had seen her genuinely happy.

(“Ah, animals are amazing. They're all so cute. Unlike a one-in-a-trillion man like Tibaut, they're all just so perfect.”)

It seemed she was quite fond of animals.