Chapter Text
"We have… a situation." Himeko whispered.
Welt's eyes widened some, his long years of trailblazing having taught him to keep emotions regarding secrets on the downlow.
It wasn't enough though as March's pout only worsened. "No whispering!" She stomped her foot, although not too boldly to not scare Pom-Pom.
"Sometimes the adults need to talk between them." Himeko retorted.
"I'm legally an adult in over 5,000 galaxies!" March complained. "Come on, Himeko, Mr. Yang… I'm getting really worried now."
"We're sorry, March." Himeko sighed before placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort. "It's wonderful how you and Stelle care for Dan Heng, but there are often things we'd rather keep to ourselves… Or a select few senior Trailblazers."
"But…" She said, voice heartbroken.
"You can ask him about this after things get sorted out, okay?"
Welt nodded at Himeko's suggestion. "You wouldn't wish for others to decide who gets to know your secrets I presume?"
"I don't have secrets..." March complained, but seemed to be taking in the fact that this debate was a loss.
"Is that so?" Himeko asked, pulling her phone out: "Maybe I should read our texts out loud then…"
"W-wait!!" March flailed at the phone, which Himeko lifted above her head to make things even harder. She was a real tease.
March tried jumping for it a few times, before sighing a deep sad sigh. "Fiiiinee…."
"There is nothing the bond between girls can’t solve." Himeko said proudly, putting her phone away. "Come on Welt, let's go help him out."
"...Yes, let's."
However before he could get too far March's hand grabbed his, determined but gentle.
"He's okay, right?"
"...Of course, March."
"You promise?"
March always wore her heart on her sleeve, her expression full of worry for her friend. There was no universe where he'd even consider telling her no.
"I promise."
The relief on her face was barely present, but he was glad for even that. Don't worry March, they'd solve this situation… whatever it is.
That morning, March and Stelle had started their breakfast by theorising about why Dan Heng wasn't up yet. He was usually up far before Stelle, even if somewhat out of it mentally until he ate.
The theories started off as jokes, March listing a variety of made up book titles that might've taken his focus before bed… just one more page, she imagined he was thinking.
Meanwhile Stelle offered that he was secretly hooked on a video game or writing an incredibly long fantasy novel.
Welt had found himself amusedly listening to the two as he drank down his coffee.
However, as the clock kept ticking, March started to grow more and more anxious about the lack of Dan Heng. Stelle took a while longer to process the change in tone, but once she saw it too, they decided to go wake him up.
That's when she came back, trying to convince Himeko to let her know what was going on.
What Welt had been able to pick up from the conversation was that March had knocked on Dan Heng's door, only for Himeko to open it a sliver and try to convince her to leave and get Welt instead.
Himeko must've known she wouldn't be getting her way, having left the room to come get him herself much to March's chagrin.
Luckily the two of them together were enough to face the power of March and… wait, where had Stelle gone?
...No matter, he better focus. They'd arrived at Dan Heng's door after all.
Himeko inhaled and exhaled deeply, clearly shaken but doing her best to retain her composure.
This was serious then. In no ordinary circumstances did Himeko's perfect presentation falter.
"Dan Heng, I'm here with Welt." She spoke in a kind tone to the door. "He'll know what to do. Please unlock the door."
There was a strange thud, followed by the sound of the door unlocking. It was hard to imagine how Dan Heng of all people would've made such a sound simply by touching a screen. There was no way he'd headbutted it, right?
Himeko reached to click open the sliding door, but took a moment to prepare him for what was to come.
In a hushed tone, the kind that was unlikely to be heard through a door by a certain young man, she said: "He is in a bit of an unusual state. Please try to act normal to not make him any more uncomfortable than he already is."
Ah, it was one of those kinds of things. Welt gave her a nod with certainty, although he found himself still quite puzzled. Dan Heng was a mysterious young man, and he'd had his moments of silence many times before. Sometimes to the extent of locking himself away and refusing contact. It had been a long road forming the trust that allowed him and Himeko to enter Dan Heng's room during those times.
Despite that history, he could've never guessed what awaited behind the sliding door.
A sharp eyed beast— No, a dragon lifted it's head to look at him. His blood ran cold despite all his years of fighting, and if it weren't for Himeko ushering him in, he might've hesitated far longer.
She closed the door behind him, while the dragon continued to eye him carefully.
"Dan Heng…!" Himeko clapped her hands together. "I'm sorry for taking so long, March and Stelle are quite stubborn as you know."
Dan Heng…? Welt quickly looked at her, the dragon, and her again.
Ah… This is indeed quite an unusual state.
At the very back— Or as back as such a massive creature fit, coiled in many loops, laid nervously a dragon with scales akin to obsidian. Knowing what he knew, he did spot familiarities such as Dan Heng's red markings below his eyes, as well as the horns he recognised from atop his head on the Luofu.
This wasn't the strangest thing he'd seen, but certainly not one he was prepared for either way.
"Everything is under control, do not worry." Himeko reassured. "Although we should sort this out with some haste or those two will start a small riot."
She spoke to Dan Heng, yet his eyes didn't even glance at her. They were fixed on Welt, as if waiting for something.
He must be nervous, Welt figured. He'd done the same when Jing Yuan reintroduced them.
There was no way for him to know the details of his feelings, but it was easy to theorise that he feared rejection was going to follow both these events.
That was not the way of the Trailblazers. They stuck together through thick and thin, no matter what form they might take.
"Indeed." Welt decided to respond to Himeko. "Although if he wishes to remain this way, Pom-Pom can install bigger cabin doors."
"Welt?" Himeko raised a brow at this.
The sentiment did seem to reach Dan Heng, though. His sharp gaze relaxes a bit.
"My apologies. I didn't wish to assume."
"Ah. Right." Himeko accepted. "We went through yes or no questions together earlier, as he seems to be unable to or not wishing to speak in this form."
"What did you find out?"
"He isn't sure how this happened, or how to reverse it." Himeko explained. "It is certainly something to do with the events from your last expedition. Which is why I felt the need to get your help."
"Mm. Legends say the Vidyadhara are capable of transforming into a fully dragon form." He explained. "Being one of them, this isn't entirely out of the blue."
"How can we help?" Himeko asked.
"All I know are legends, Himeko." Welt admitted with a sigh. "And none of them are of it occurring as an inconvenience."
"Did you meet anyone who might know more during your time on board?"
"Hm… Yes." He nodded, adjusting his glasses. "General Jing Yuan and Lady Bailu. They're bound to know more."
"That's a relief." Himeko smiled, turning to look at the dragon that had been following their discussion quietly.
"Are you fine with us contacting those two and bringing them over for guidance?"
Dan Heng's expressions were difficult to read, a dragon's face not quite functioning how a human's does. That combined with Dan Heng's subtlety made for quite a challenge.
Welt had known him quite a while though, and was almost certain what he was feeling was hesitation. With those two… Welt doubted Dan Heng feared rejection, but there were a variety of reasons why else he'd prefer them to stay away that Welt could think of.
General anxiety of being in a form he did not feel comfortable as himself in, being seen as a nervous wreck by Jing Yuan, who's respect he worked hard to get, or even a possible fear of being seen as a failure of a Vidyadhara… And many more options.
Still, he wasn't certain there was another quick option. Going to investigate the Vidyadhara undercover would be impossible with how sharp eyed the people were. Be it a prediction that they would come snooping, or simply being spotted at a library by someone curious.
Welt placed a hand on his chin in thought, only one option making sense to him. "I can attempt to go and ask them myself. They do not need to enter the express if Dan Heng wishes to keep this under wraps."
Dan Heng took a moment before giving him a nod, approving this approach.
Himeko smiled at them both, hand on her cheek. "I'll keep him company then. And a certain pair out of his personal space."
"I'll try not to take too long." He nodded, and gave Dan Heng a reassuring look. "You're in good hands."
There was a huff from Dan Heng, the air in the room changing quickly to remind him of the world before rainfall.
Dan Heng was incredibly powerful, he thought. It must've been quite a burden. If a bit of socialising could help him carry it, Welt was happy to board the Luofu again.
When he reached to open the door, a strange muffled whirring sound filled the air above him, followed by clanking as if something heavier than air was in the vents.
"I knew it!" Himeko raised a fist to the ceiling.
Stelle had attempted to infiltrate, but was pushed away by the drone Himeko had set up just in case. She still had a lot to learn if Stelle wanted to outsmart Himeko…