Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
And it continued to drip. It was almost... rhythmic in its horror.
The systematic falling of droplets counted the seconds away, making the one hearing it snap back to reality.
Even now, they could only stare in horror at their actions. The dripping reminded them of what they had done.
And with the source of their horror before them, it was perhaps a misfortune they couldn't delude themselves.
Because hanging above the ground was the blue-haired maid, her heart pierced by a thick bone, her blood oozing from her body.
But that wasn't the only source of this dripping, as in the body's hand was a bloody axe. Even in death, they clutched it tightly.
Drip.
Bearing witness to such a scene in silence was Xenophanes.
After all, what could he say or do in that moment?
His mind hadn't even comprehended what he was seeing.
His brain couldn't even register the massive gash across his neck caused by the axe. It had almost reached bone.
Xeno just stood there, his eyes hollow, instinctively covering the wound with his right hand.
His brain hyper-fixated. The surrounding noise turned to static. The corners of his vision darkened until Rem was all that remained.
At the scene before him, there was no discomfort, no guilt, no fear, nor any trepidation.
All he felt was—
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Until—
Disgust flooded his entire being.
His legs lost all strength as he clutched his stomach, vomit pouring from his system, unable to hold it back.
...
Pant.
Drip.
Drip.
Pant.
Drip.
...
'I—'
He felt it.
He wanted to move, to get up, to back away, to look away—
but he couldn't.
He could no longer feel his body. Instead, he remained stationary on his knees.
'Rem? I—'
His purple pupils slowly emerged from his eyes, staring straight at Rem.
Yet instead of his normal eyes, what appeared were spirals with sharp edges, rotating inward like turbines.
'I... K-K-kil—'
The word wouldn't form. His mind went blank.
His world faded to black when he finally mustered enough courage to shut his heavy eyes.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
In the seemingly quiet forest, that was the only haunting sound Xeno heard.
...
...
...
"My, Xeno, this is quuuite the situation you fooound yourself in."
Xeno: "..."
Landing softly next to Xeno was everyone's 'favorite' magician—
Roswaal L Mathers.
The man looked around, glancing at all the carnage the two had caused.
His gaze lingered on Xeno then Rem's body last.
Roswaal: "My deeear Xeno, this is quite the mess yooou've made, haven't you?"
Xeno: "..."
He didn't respond, remaining completely still.
"Xeeeno? Can you heeear me?"
He whimsically hopped closer to Xeno, waving a hand in front of his face.
With great effort, Xeno opened his spiral eyes and turned to gaze at Roswaal.
'Intriguing.'
Roswaal: "You once again had us worried sick there. You and Rem were taking quite a while to return. Poor Ram was sooo concerned for the two of you, I cooouldn't help but come search for you."
He glanced at the surroundings once again.
Roswaal: "I couldn't have imagined thiiis though—"
"W-Why aren't you mad?" Xeno quietly questioned.
Roswaal: "Hmmmmm? Cooould you repeat that, Xeeeno?" he cheerfully requested.
"W-Why aren't you mad?" Xeno asked again, a bit louder this time.
Roswaal just smiled at the question.
Roswaal: "Oh! Don't be mistaken, I'm veeery angry. Seeing this scene truuuly saddened my heart."
Xeno didn't believe him. There wasn't a hint of anger in his voice.
This really confused him.
In the last loop, Roswaal had made a big deal out of it when Xeno had only been suspicious.
But here?
He had outright killed Rem. Roswaal should have killed him by now.
Xeno: 'What changed?'
Roswaal: "Though, it's prooobably best to leave. It shouldn't take Ram muuuch longer to reach here."
Xeno: "What?"
Roswaal: "Oh! Dooont you know? They can transmit their emotions. Ram must already be aware of her sister's death and is swiftly approaching." he stated calmly.
Roswaal grabbed Xeno by the shoulders.
"I can't beeear to see another one of my employees suffer. Allooow me to take you somewhere safe."
That was all Xeno heard before Roswaal lifted him into the air and began rocketing both himself and Xeno through the sky.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHAHAHHHHHHHHH!"
Obviously, this made poor Xeno wail and scream like a terrified child before locking himself onto Roswaal like a koala, avoiding looking down.
...
A few minutes later, Roswaal gradually descended onto a distant grass field far away from the mansion.
Meanwhile, Xeno clutched his heart, breathing heavily.
"What the heck, Ros!? Give me a warning next time!" He accusingly pointed his finger at Roswaal.
Roswaal: "It's gooood to know that you're back to your nooormal self. Now—" his smile dropped, adopting a more serious look.
"We need to discuss some things, do we not?"
Xeno stiffened. He stared at the ground quietly.
Roswaal: "Now then, Xenophanes, tell me what happened? And for your sake, I hope you'll cooperate."
Xeno: "...Okay."
He proceeded to tell the full story of how the situation came to be that way.
He didn't see a point in lying despite knowing the consequences.
Who knew? After hearing the full story, Roswaal might just kill him, or maybe, if he was feeling merciful, he'll throw Xeno in prison.
Either way, deep within Xeno's conscious, one thought rang true.
'I deserve it.'
Meanwhile, the magician listened closely, his expression betraying nothing about what was going through his mind.
And when Xeno finished recounting the events, both men stayed silent for a while.
Roswaal: "This truly is a tragedy. It must've been devastating for you." He finally said.
Xeno's eyes shot open as he looked at him, confusion etched across his face.
"Y-You believe me?"
In response, Roswaal merely chuckled.
Roswaal: "Ah, Xeno, you never fail to suuuprise me. Of cooourse I believe you. I'm sure you're aware of your tactics, aren't you?"
Xeno: "My tactics?"
"Worry not. Allllow me to remind you then. Your honesty, the waaay you wear your heart on your sleeves, to make people trust yooou better—"
Roswaal made a thoughtful expression, cupping his chin.
Roswaal: "Annnd if I remember correctly, you even explained it to me."
He smiled wider.
"'If people understand me, they'll drop their guards around me because they know what to expect of me.' Those weeere your exact wooords."
Roswaal: "Quite admirable, if I do saaay so myself."
Xeno: "..."
'Right, i did do that.'
Roswaal: "It's because of that honesty, I'm sure everyone could agree you're no liar."
Xeno: "S-So what n-now?"
Hesitation was clear in his voice even though he feel he deserves what happened next some part of him still fears it.
Roswaal was amused.
"Wooorry not Xeno I have no intention of punishing yoooou."
Xeno: "W-Why? I ki-i-i–"
Roswaal: "it waaas a unfortunate accident, you meeearly defended yourself and the state yooour in, punishment would be more detrimental to your mental health–"
Xeno: "I–"
"Buuuut letting you go free isn't favorable either, it appears I geeet to experience the joy of a teacher-student relationship ooonce again." Roswaal expressed almost melodic.
He came closer to Xeno then reached to grab his shoulders. He looked down deeply into Xeno's spiraling eyes.
"Prepare yourself Xeno, for what I'm about to show you."
Before Xeno could decipher what Roswaal meant, his entire world shifted, the grassy fields disappearing completely.
What stood before him now was fire.
A lot of fire.
It was everywhere, devouring what looked like a village.
He could feel the scorching heat crashing against his skin. The heat was unbearable. The thick scent of fresh blood filled the air.
Heavy smoke clouded the starry night sky.
Yet all of this was merely a prelude for the worst to come.
Horrid sounds echoed throughout the village.
Screams.
The scrape of metal against metal.
The splashing of blood.
The tearing of flesh.
Everything resounded across the burning settlement.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
Xeno snapped his head to the side, witnessing several hooded figures slaughtering people.
They looked no different from regular humans aside from the two horns protruding from their foreheads.
The villagers fought desperately against the hooded figures, only to be burned alive by a fire spell.
"W-What!?"
That was the only word Xeno could mutter.
The scene shifted to a different location.
Showcasing a lone helpless girl encircled by the hooded figures.
The little girl looked awfully familiar. She was slowly crawling away in terror while staring at the figures surrounding her.
One of them raised their dagger, striking downward toward her.
But
It never reached its target. All the hooded figures were sliced to pieces instantly.
"Rem!"
The blue-haired child, now revealed to be Rem, turned to the side.
Emerging from the flames was a pink-haired girl. Unlike the others Xeno had seen, she only had a single horn.
"Ram!" both Xeno and young Rem exclaimed.
Xeno watched in disbelief. He couldn't believe his eyes.
Young Ram rushed toward her sister. Now by her side, she cast a wind spell, killing the remaining figures charging at them.
Once the coast was clear, Ram turned toward her little sister.
"Rem, I'm so glad you're okay." Young Rem looked up at Ram, stunned.
Ram extended a hand toward her sister. But before Rem could accept it.
Tragedy struck.
One of the hooded figures had survived. Sneak attacking Ram from the side, they slashed upward cutting her horn off.
She collapsed onto the ground unconscious.
The scene skipped forward.
Roswaal now stood in that same spot, holding Ram's unconscious body in his arms.
And just like Ram had done moments ago he extended his hand toward Rem.
...
The burning village shattered.
The fire, blood, and smoke–
all of it vanished.
Everything returned back to the grassy fields.
The sweet smell of fresh air. The blissful skies.
And the gentle moonlight illuminating the surroundings.
Xeno: "..."
He remained silent for a long time, mentally processing everything he had witnessed.
Roswaal, on the other hand, closely watched Xeno's pupils, noticing they weren't as manic as before.
'Good.'
But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he chose to remain quiet, allowing Xeno to process everything in peace.
Xeno: "What was that?" he questioned after a few minutes of silence.
Roswaal: "That, Xeno, was the tragic downfall of the Oni race. If I hadn't been nearby, I'm afraid the Oni as we know them would have gone extinct."
Xeno's pupils spiraled a bit faster upon hearing the news.
"Rem and Ram are the last Oni alive!?"
"As far as I'm aware, yes. Yes, they are." Roswaal confirmed solemnly.
Xeno sat cross-legged, processing that information as well.
Xeno: "I'm confused... why?"
Roswaal: "I'm afraid I can't answer that. No one truly understands what goes through the Witch Cult's mind."
Xeno: "No, no—well, that too—but I'm asking why did you show me any of that? What's the point?"
Roswaal smiled, his next words spoken like a teacher lecturing a student.
"The poooint is that you have a seeeevere misconception about Rem and Ram—"
He sat in front of Xeno, gazing directly into his eyes.
"I may not know whaaat Ram supposedly did to you, buuut I'm sure there had to be a reason for it. She isn't someone who would lash out so easily. So tell me, Xeno, what extraordinary circumstances might have maaade Ram act that way?"
Xeno: "..."
Xeno had no answer to that. He couldn't exactly tell Roswaal that Rem had died in the last loop.
Roswaal: "You can't saaay, huh? Then allow me tooo take a guess. The only scenario I can see where that would happen is, if something happened to her sister. I'm sure I don't need to tell you they mean the world to eaaach other."
Roswaal: "Rem mostly likely got into an accident, didn't she? One you were blamed for, as you weeere the only suspect. Am I correct?"
The magician noted Xeno's spirals slowing just a bit.
"Excellent—" he clapped his hands.
"Nooow then, I'm fairly certain what happened next. Ram must have repooorted the incident and, since you were the prime suspect, you unjustly suffered extensively because of it."
Roswaal leaned back slightly.
"Thaaat would also explain why you act as if you knooow them."
His eyes narrowed just a bit.
"And your grudge against Ram."
Xeno: "..."
His pupils slowed down even more.
Roswaal: "Now, onto the main point—you."
Xeno: "Me?"
Roswaal nodded.
"Yeees, you, my dear Xeno. Yooour actions were understandable. No one can truuuly blame you for feeling thaaat way—"
"Really!?"
"Really! Yet while your actiooons are understandable, they're nooot justifiable. You lashed out just to make yourself feel better."
Roswaal slid closer.
"You played the victim, proclaiming they broke your trust, when they had never directly met you."
He slid even closer.
"And finally, You threw it all away when Rem attacked with no hesitation. What was it you said? Right— 'I will not be moved.'"
Xeno hiccupped. He did say that, and those were the exact same things he accused Ram of.
"So tell me, Xenophanes."
Roswaal leaned forward until their faces were inches apart.
Xeno's pupils halted to a stop.
"What difference is there between what Ram did and your current actions?"
...
...
...
Xeno: "..."
Once again, Xeno had no answer.
Yet—
his pupils spiraled out of control, just as manic as when they first appeared.
His eyes gave the answer Roswaal needed. He didn't need to say more.
"I—"
Xeno buried his face in his hands, spreading his fingers wide so he could still see.
"Could i really—"
"I c-can't have—?"
"C-Could I?"
...
...
...
His eyes stared directly at Roswaal, who had backed away.
Xeno: "What now? What can I even do next?"
Roswaal shook his head.
Roswaal: "Sooorry, this isn't something I caaan help with. It's something only you can deeecide."
Xeno: "..."
'What should I do next?'
...
...
...
Xeno: "Ros, can you answer just one question for me?"
Roswaal: "Of cooourse, Xeno. Don't hold back."
Xeno: "I know I sound very selfish, and you're right in thinking I'm making this all about myself. But I can't help it. She did wrong me. I can't just forget that–"
His eyes slowed.
"But I'm wrong too, and I messed things up beyond repair as well, so should I forgive them?"
Xeno lowered his gaze to the ground.
"I reduced someone's grief into their whole character. I refused to accept that because it meant admitting I was wrong."
They slowed even more.
"In the end, my own hypocritical actions got Rem killed."
He returned his gaze to Roswaal.
"I never wanted this. Any of this. I'm stuck feeling all these emotions, and I don't know what to do with them, so tell me—"
And slowed even more.
Xeno: "Can I ever... change?"
...
...
...
"Dooo you want to change?" Roswaal questioned back with a smile.
Xeno: "..."
"...Yes. Yes, I do."
It was at this moment when, Xeno eyes which were spiralling since the start. Finally returned to normal.
Roswaal got up and clapped his hands, looking very proud.
"Theeere you have it then. I'm glaaad we could have this lesson. Now then, let us discuss the matter at hand."
Xeno tilted his head at the sudden shift in topic.
"Umm, what? Discuss what?"
Roswaal held out his hand, then lifted one of his fingers.
Roswaal: "Well fooor starters, I detected a curse on you, but nooo need to panic. I have already dispelled it."
He lifted another finger.
"Then there's the matter of Raaam as well. How do you intend to solve this?"
Xeno opened his mouth to say something, but closed it shortly after. Instinctively touching his stomach again.
He scratched his hair.
Xeno: "Hehe... heh... do I have to? Hehe... heh."
Roswaal: "Whhhhy yes. Worry not, Xeno, I have absolute faith in you. You can do this."
This actually made Xeno pause in confusion.
Xeno: "Why do you sound so sure of that? You of all people should know that literally nothing I say will convince her otherwise—"
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"But looking at you... you don't look like you're cheering me on. Instead, you're telling me I can solve this very much impossible problem."
Roswaal just smiled innocently.
Roswaal: "Is it reeeally that surprising? You juuuust merely have to try. I'll help Ram listen to you calmly."
Xeno: "No, no, no—wait just a moment. You didn't answer my question. Why do you believe I can do this?"
Roswaal went silent for a moment.
Roswaal: "Because you changed, Xenophanes. I can feel it. You're willing to try living with your feelings rather than being consumed by them. I want you to at least try. Even if you fail, it'll prove beyond any doubt that you're putting in the effort to change—"
"And besides, even if you fail once or twice, you will try to fix what you've done, won't you?"
Xeno: "..."
Xeno became thoughtful, looking puzzled and even slightly humoured. This certainly wasn't the reaction Roswaal was expecting he was about to ask Xeno about it, but looks like he doesn't have to.
Xeno: "You know Roswaal hearing you talk about change and stuff feels... ironic in some way I can't put my finger on."
Roswaal: "Yes, it reeeally is."
With that said and done, the duo once again fly through the air heading the mansion while flying it was Xeno job(unfortunately) to find a way to solve this is mess.
After all he's the one who caused it in the first place.
...
Landing softly in front of the mansion, Roswaal glanced at Xeno, who looked determined.
Roswaal: "Are yooou ready?"
Xeno: "Of course I am. I know how to fix this mess, and all I need is one tiny thing."
Roswaal: "Annnd what would that be?"
Xeno rested his hands on his hips, confidently saying—
"Lethal poison."
Roswaal: "..."
"I just need a poison that instantly kills. You have absolute faith in me, right? Trust the process and all our problems will be gone lickety-split."
Roswaal: "..."
Roswaal: 'Is he? Can it be?'
"Of cooourse I do. Let me go get it in that case."
...
The duo split up. Roswaal went to fetch the poison while Xeno hid in Roswaal's office.
Which is easy when you can literally erase yourself from existence.
Slouching in Roswaal's chair, he glanced around the office, opening the drawers out of boredom and stress.
He knew what he was about to do, but that didn't mean he wasn't nervous about it. He needed to steel his will.
"Hmmmm?"
The opening door revealed Roswaal. He actually looked troubled by something.
He quietly placed the poison on the table, not minding Xeno being seated in his chair.
Xeno stared at it.
This was it.
'Let's not drag this out.'
He quickly picked it up.
Seeing this, numerous thoughts went through Roswaal's mind.
'So this is the activation condition? Death itself.'
Xeno, with shaking hands, opened the lid.
'Just how many times have you experienced death?'
Xeno brought it up to his unwilling lips.
'How many times did Elsa disembowel you? How many times did one of us kill you?'
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
'It seems I severely underestimated you.'
The poison took effect immediately, and within moments—
Xenophanes died a painless death.
'Just how are you still even sane?'
...
...
...
...
...
...
"I'm back once again."
Xeno said as he got out of bed. He was back in his room. Looking outside, he could see sunlight pouring into the room.
Xeno: "..."
He got up slowly, then freshened himself up, taking his sweet time.
And once that was done—
He calmly walked outside, heading right with his hands in his pockets.
The silence was relaxing. Nothing but his footsteps.
He had no destination in mind. Xeno was just... walking. Thinking.
He had this strange sense of relief and horror.
Xeno: 'I don't have to live with the guilt of killing someone anymore. The act of killing... it's the worst feeling in the world. I hate it and never want to feel it again.'
He shivered at the thought of killing again.
'But it's fine. I came back.'
'Rem is alive, Ram won't try to kill me, Emilia and Betty won't be devastated by my death, Roswaal and Puck... I don't know, actually. What would they feel?'
Turning around a corner, he paused.
It seemed he'd have to deal with this sooner rather than later.
For in the same hallway were the two maids.
They seemed to have registered his presence. Turning around, they moved toward him, stoic as ever.
Seeing them again caused his emotions to bubble to the surface. Yet he reminded himself of what needed to be done.
'My first step toward change begins with me.'
Both Rem and Ram curtsied, speaking at the same time.
"Good morning, Guest-sama."
Xeno let out a friendly smile, replying—
"Good morning to you two, too."
Xeno: "..."
Xenophanes internally face-palmed. Out of everything he could have said, he chose to say that again.
Fortunately, just like last time, they chose to ignore his poor choice of wording.
Rem: "Guest-sama, did you sleep well last night?"
Xeno: "..."
Xeno: "Yep, sure did. Had the best sleep of my life."
Ram narrowed her eyes.
Ram: "Is that really so...? You didn't experience any sort of discomfort... that would have disrupted you?"
Xeno: 'Now all of this makes sense. You two really need to get a fricking hold of yourselves.' He masked his annoyance and anger.
Xeno: "As far as I'm aware, nope. Why? Did something happen?"
Ram: "No, Guest-sama. It's our job to ensure that you suffer no inconvenience during your stay."
Xeno: "Riiight."
From there, he chatted with the two for a while, eventually reaching lunchtime once again.
Where he did the same thing he had done the last two loops.
The only difference being that this time he would spend time with both sisters, trying to get to know them properly, along with everyone else.
He decided then and there that if he wanted to get along with everyone, he needed to go back to his old roots.
That meant abusing the crap out of Envy once again.
It was time to speedrun the days, and Xeno was going to enjoy every second of it.
Day 1.
After wearing his oversized butler uniform, he started the day with trimming the garden, which he did by making several shears and controlling them while doing some of the work himself.
And he did that with almost every other task.
Much to Ram's shock and disappointment.
Later, in the kitchen—
Ram: "You get zero marks with a knife. A child could do better than you. In fact, your own ability is doing better than you."
Xeno: "Ugh."
He was getting REALLY fed up with trying to peel with a knife.
Xeno: 'You know what? Fuck it.'
He threw the knife away (carefully set it on the counter), made himself a peeler, then began blissfully peeling the skin off a tatoes.
Rem: "Sister, sister, Xeno gave up peeling with a knife."
Ram: "Rem, Rem, Xeno pathetically gave up peeling with a knife."
In response, Xeno only stuck his tongue out at them.
Day 2.
He wore a butler that actually fitted him and started the day off by making the only thing he knew how to make—pancakes.
Making an abundance of them for everyone, specifically Beatrice, while cheerfully listening to background music.
And this time he did tell everyone beforehand and avoided making himself look like an idiot.
He later spent his break with Emilia, getting to know more about her studies and, of course, once again planning to go on a date with her.
As a thank you for everything she did for him. Still perverted though.
Later, when his shift was finished, he went straight to Beatrice, who had agreed to teach him water magic.
Entering the Forbidden Library, he was greeted by an annoyed Beatrice, who had her arms crossed.
Beatrice: "You're late, I suppose."
Xeno could only sheepishly reply—
"Sorry, I was a bit tired, okay?"
Beatrice: "Hmph. Betty won't help you if you arrive late again." Even though she said that, Xeno knew she would.
Xeno: 'What a tsundere.' He thought, amused.
Day 3.
To bond more with the sisters, he convinced Rem to teach him how to cook properly.
It went well.
Heck, he even taught her a few recipes. It was eventful, and Rem seemed to think so as well.
That's a good start.
Later, he UNFORTUNATELY convinced Ram to teach him more about the language since he hadn't added that to his request this run.
On another note, he was bombarded by lesser spirits once again when he went to hang out with Emilia during her routine with her spirits.
The rest of his day was the same monstrous amount of work.
He mowed the lawn with a lawnmower. There was literally no way Xeno was doing it with a pair of shears.
Further down the line, he cleaned the windows obsessively, making sure they were spotless. He mopped the floors and made the beds with obsessive care.
The day ended with Ram coming to his room an hour after his shift had ended, carrying some books, paper, and a quill.
Setting them on the table, Ram turned to Xeno.
Ram: "Starting today, Ram shall be graciously teaching you every evening. Let's begin with what you've learned, then move on from there."
This wonderful torture session lasted for a few hours, and when he was finally done, he lazily turned to Ram.
Annnnnnd she's sleeping on his bed. Xeno's eye twitched in annoyance.
Xeno: 'I knew this would happen, but still, really Ram?'
With a sigh, Xeno got up. He gently held her in his arms.
Xeno: 'I guess some things never change, do they?'
Day 4.
It's his second first-ever day off, which is weird to say, but nonetheless, today was a day of great importance.
The day he'll save Rem... properly this time.
He just needed to convince them to let him tag along, which should be easy.
Walking toward them in his normal clothes—which, in case you forgot, was a black shirt with a ribcage on it and blue pants.
he headed toward where Xeno could sense their Envy.
He just needed to make a plausible excuse.
Xeno: "Hey! Rem and Ram."
The sisters turned toward Xeno, interrupting their discussion.
Ram: "What is it, Xenophanes? Was having a day off not good enough that you came here to bother us?"
Xeno: "What were you two discussing? It seemed important." He questioned, completely ignoring Ram's words.
Rem: "We seem to be out of seasoning. We were discussing heading to Arlam to restock."
Xeno: "Huh. Is that so? Mind if I tag along?"
Ram: "Why the sudden interest? Didn't you say you intended to waste the entire day away doing absolutely nothing productive?"
Xeno: "Don't worry, Rem. You won't even know I'm there. And besides, I eventually have to go and buy things from there in the near future, so why not familiarize myself with the surroundings?"
He said, again completely ignoring Ram.
The sisters narrowed their eyes. Ram went full-on the offensive.
Ram: "You wish to accompany us? How troubling. Ram was looking forward to a peaceful trip."
"Forgive Ram's suspicion, but whenever you show initiative, it usually results in extra work for someone else."
"Are you certain this isn't another one of your brilliant ideas that only sound intelligent to you?"
Three strikes and you're out.
She really didn't hold back, did she?
But unfortunately—
Xeno: "Soooo, is that a yes?"
He asked Rem, being completely unbothered by her words.
What Ram didn't understand was that Xenophanes' greatest talent was currently on full display.
His talent for completely ignoring anything he didn't like.
In this state, she might as well have been talking to a rock.
Ram: "..."
Ram: "Yes, Xenophanes. You can come with us."
Rem: "Sister!?"
Ram: "It's fine, Rem. He should consider himself lucky that two pretty flowers are willing to accompany him."
Xeno: "Goody."
He clapped his hands.
Then he gestured toward them.
"Well then, ladies first."