I Didn't Ear That Before

Published: 2023-12-28

On her usual patrol, there she spotted her busily typing away at her research duties. It had been a while since they last spoke to each other in person.

They had messaged each other back and forth whenever they had time. Though Kanui felt like she had been initiating more often than she would like to admit. It was her way of easing her worries about Manon. Sometimes replying at the oddest of hours as though never sleeping.

Kanui, being the newly in charge lieutenant of the Stia region, undoubtedly had her own set of endless duties. Glen had only recently became head of the research team. But only having fought the Dolls beside Manon for a short while had her doubting how much longer Manon can keep up.

There Kanui spotted her, on a up on the cliffs on the shore east of the Stia camp. She almost didn't recognize her in her new outfit. Manon busily typing away at the holopad.

Manon's sharp wit turned her attention to the intruder in her space. Her shoulders relaxed as she realized who it was.

"Oh! You shouldn't sneak up on me like that" she said mildly pouty.

"Ah I didn't mean to, but it's good to keep your wits up at times like these. I see Glen has been pushing you hard lately." Kanui apologized.

"Well.. I had been asking for more work lately. It's no big deal. I can handle it."

"Glen might not look it, but he's actually really caring. He tells me he's quite impressed by your capabilities."

Manon blushes darting her eyes back to her personal terminal. "Well anyways I don't detect any anomalies around here. I was hoping to uncover something.. "

"Something?"

"Yeah... Evidence of Resurgent Arks tampering or how they're connected to Halphia. There's still a lot we don't know but everywhere we look is fraught with danger. Even though we managed to seize control of Leciel." Manon said with a sigh.

"It's great that you're working really hard. But why don't you take a rest?" Kanui insisted.

"But there's so much to do I can't-"

Kanui firmly put her hands on Manon's shoulders from behind and pulled her down towards her lap. They sat down together. Manon immediately blushed as it was their first time being this close to each other. She was so stiff in her lap that she might as well be a supply crate.

"Pardon my insistence. Glen told me he's personally watching the squad right now. You have nothing to fear." Kanui assured her as she wrapped her arms around Manon's waist.

Manon let out a sigh as she gives in to her demand, relaxing her body onto her.

Manon turned to face Kanui again at last. Reciprocating with both a smile and holding the arms of her 'captor'.

"I will admit, I do need rest sometimes. And not just sleeping for 4 hours- I mean.. " Manon let loose her tongue.

"Shh. Let's just relax for a bit shall we?"

Manon's breathing calmed a bit.

They both looked onwards out towards Retem's Cliffs. They listened to the sound of the winds carrying the sounds of the crashing waves and the crackling of the volcano. The passage of time felt perceivably slow.

Manon's body eased into Kanui's some more and it felt like this was what she needed for a long time. Something she hadn't felt since Aelio Town but there was something more to this feeling she couldn't quite pin down.

Kanui put her chin on Manon's shoulders which startled her a bit but she invited it. It sent tingles down her spine as Kanui relaxed her head against Manon's.

As Kanui began to relax her eyes, her head was poked by something pointy? And to her surprise she realized something about Manon she hadn't before.

"Y-your ears." she said surprised.

"Hmm? Oh what about them?"

"I didn't know you were a Newman."

Manon was puzzled. 😰 "What? I thought everyone knew by now."

"I-I didn't! Not that anything is wrong with them that is!"

Manon giggled. Of all the Arks defenders, Kanui would be the one she expected to at least know.

"It's no secret really. I thought everyone knew by now."

Kanui's embarrassment turned pouty. How could a detail just slip past her like that. At least she might have caught a glimpse while in combat right? Nah, but that would mean taking her eyes off her target-

Manon smugly drew away the sides of her hair and revealed that indeed she had the signature pointed ears of a newman. Manon blushes a little. It felt like intimate detail yet it's almost in plain sight.

Kanui's eyes widened. She stared intently at the curves of her ears. Entranced by them.

"I-I'm not trying to keep it a secret however. I just happen to have this haircut since thats what they issued me. I didn't think much about it..." She lets her hair go, falling back into place.

"Oh it's fine it's just that.. Of all the people I had to be the one to find out last." Kanui disappointed in herself.

"If you want I can change my hai-"

Kanui pulled Manon in even closer. With her face, she pushes past her pony tail and catches the corner of her ear in her mouth. Her lips playfully nibbling on her ears.

"Ah!" Manon let out a quiet yelp on contact.

"You're cute when you struggle. But I like this new haircut you got." Kanui said with sweet revenge. She indulges in victory by cuddling her face against Manon's hair.

"O-Okay." Manon said with mild pout. While Kanui greedily enjoying the moment Manon was scheming something to return the favor.

Manon breaks away away and turns to face Kanui. With Kanui surprised, she uses her arms to draw Kanui's face towards her own. Although what was supposed to be an innocent peck turned into a hot realization that it was both their first time kissing. Neither was sure what was going on but the moment had overtaken them.

After what seemed like an eternity they finally separated their lips and looked into each others eyes. Each trying to reconcile what they had done. Yet they mutually understood what they just did and simultaneously broke into heartfelt laughter.

"I.. really needed that." Manon admitted. She hadn't felt that way with anyone before yet felt it was natural.

"Anytime you need to rest I'll be here to support you. I promise."

"Thanks. I do hope we can spend more time together. But I should get going." Manon says as she stands up. "Glen ought to be finishing up with his tasks soon."

"Manon, promise me you won't push yourself too hard okay? I worry about you." Kanui said with concern. She says this even though having previously assured Manon, she felt otherwise concerned still.

Manon bit her lip before turning back to face her.

"I promise. I'll try to keep in touch more. Even while we're away, every time we talk is a moment respite I indulge in."

Kanui accepts her promise of commitment. "I may be busy but I'll always have time for you. Ok?"

"Got it. I'll see you around then." And they wave each other goodbye.

Kanui watched as Manon marched up the cliff side onto the path to Dreisen plant. The further away she was from her reach, the more insecure she felt. The light of the moment slowly fading back to before of doubt. Only time will tell if she will really hold up her promise. Eventually Manon vanished in the cloud of ash along with Kanui's smile.