Chapter 7: Adjusting to New Bonds

The sun filtered through the blinds of Victoria Housekeeping Co.'s headquarters, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Ellen sat at the edge of her bunk, her reflection staring back at her from the mirror across the room. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes were clouded with uncertainty. The fusion had settled within her, but the weight of two lives colliding left her feeling unmoored.

"Ellen," Von Lycaon's voice, firm yet kind, broke through her reverie. He stood at the doorway, his posture impeccable as always. "Rina's prepared tea in the lounge. Join us."

Ellen nodded, standing and smoothing out her maid uniform. Her movements felt alien, as though her body was still learning its own rhythm. The Sharkboo trailed behind her, chirping in its indecipherable language, its energy a stark contrast to Ellen's quiet demeanor.

In the lounge, the team gathered around the low table. Rina poured tea with practiced grace, Anastella and Drusilla hovering near her, their subtle motions hinting at their unspoken thoughts. Corin leaned back in her chair, her broomstick-shaped chainsaw propped against the wall.

"How's the new you treating ya?" Corin asked, her voice light but tinged with genuine curiosity.

Ellen took a moment to respond, her fingers brushing against the rim of her teacup. "It's… an adjustment. I'm still figuring out what that even means."

Rina smiled gently. "That's to be expected. Change is never easy, especially one as profound as yours."

Von Lycaon inclined his head. "We're here for you, Ellen. Whatever you need, remember that you're not alone in this."

Their words were comforting, but Ellen couldn't shake the sense of alienation. She was still herself, yet not entirely. The memories and emotions of two lives intertwined within her, leaving her questioning what parts were truly her own.

The Sharkboo hopped onto the table, chirping insistently. Ellen couldn't help but chuckle. "You're persistent, aren't you?" She reached out to pat its smooth head, earning an approving trill.

The moment lightened the mood, and the team began sharing anecdotes from their latest missions. Ellen listened, a faint warmth spreading in her chest. For all her uncertainties, there was comfort in their camaraderie.

Later that day, Ellen found herself in the training room. The new weapon—her trusted scissors, now enhanced with the ability to transform into a chain whip and a hybrid mode—gleamed under the fluorescent lights. She gripped the handles tightly, letting the sensation ground her.

She moved through the drills, the chain whip snapping through the air with precision. The fluidity of its movements mirrored the unpredictability she often felt inside. As she transitioned into the hybrid mode, combining both close and ranged combat, she couldn't help but feel a spark of pride. This weapon was a testament to her resilience, a reminder that she could adapt and grow.

The door creaked open, and Rina stepped inside, her Bangboos floating at her sides. "Your form is improving," she observed. "But you're holding back."

Ellen paused, catching her breath. "Am I?"

Rina nodded. "You're still hesitating, still unsure. Trust yourself, Ellen. Trust what you've become."

The words lingered long after Rina left. Ellen returned to her drills, this time pushing herself harder. She wasn't just fighting for herself anymore; she was fighting for the team, for the people who believed in her, and for the life she was determined to embrace.

By evening, the team gathered for dinner, and the Sharkboo perched on Ellen's lap as she ate. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and shared stories. For the first time in days, Ellen felt a flicker of belonging.

As the night wore on and the headquarters grew quiet, Ellen stood by the window, gazing at the city lights of New Eridu. Her reflection stared back at her, a blend of the old and the new. She raised her cup of tea in a silent toast.

"To new beginnings," she whispered. And for the first time, the words didn't feel hollow.

Ellen had barely settled back into her routine before her friends demanded a meetup. Ruby, Monna, and Lynn had been worried about her during her week off and, in true fashion, insisted on catching up. Ellen was grateful for the distraction—it felt like a perfect way to ground herself after everything that had transpired.

The Sharkboo perched on her shoulder, chirped and buzzed with excitement as Ellen prepared to leave her apartment. Its odd yet endearing behavior had grown on her, and she found herself feeling a surprising fondness for the quirky companion.

The café where the group met was one of their usual spots. Ruby, the bold and boisterous one, waved her down the moment she walked in. Monna, calm and thoughtful, sipped her tea quietly while Lynn, the bull Thiren with an easygoing demeanor, leaned back in her chair, her horns catching the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Ellen!" Ruby shouted, standing to give her a dramatic hug. "You look... actually, you look a little better. That's new."

Ellen rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Gee, thanks. Nice to see you too."

As they settled in, the Sharkboo became the immediate center of attention. It peeked out from behind Ellen's neck, emitting curious noises.

"Sharkboo?" Monna leaned in closer, narrowing her eyes at the tiny fins and sharp design. "I've seen plenty of Bangboo, but I've never seen one like that before. Did you customize it?"

"Not exactly," Ellen replied, pulling it into her lap. The Sharkboo chirped in greeting, flapping its tiny fins. "The team gave it to me as a gift. They thought it'd suit me."

Ruby grinned, leaning forward with interest. "Well, they weren't wrong! It's like someone mashed a regular Bangboo with, uh, a baby shark or something."

"Seems to have a lot of personality," Lynn added, scratching her chin. "Most Bangboo are helpful, sure, but they don't act... lively."

Ellen shrugged, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, Sharkboo's got a lot of quirks. I guess that's why I like it. It feels... different."

The Sharkboo's antics quickly became the highlight of the meetup. It chirped and buzzed at Ruby's exaggerated storytelling, flapped its fins enthusiastically when Lynn offered it a piece of her pastry (which Ellen quickly intercepted), and even mimicked Monna's calm demeanor by quietly sitting in her lap for a while.

"You know," Monna said thoughtfully, running a hand over the Sharkboo's sleek, shark-themed surface, "Bangboo were originally just evacuation tools. I read somewhere that the Marcel Group keeps improving their design so they can assist with almost anything now. But this one really does seem... special."

Ellen chuckled, taking the Sharkboo back. "Special's one way to put it. Sometimes, I think it's too smart for its own good."

"It's definitely got charm," Lynn said, grinning. "You'd better take good care of it. A Sharkboo like this deserves a lot of attention."

Ruby pouted, crossing her arms. "I still want one. Maybe I'll ask the Marcel Group to make me a custom Bangboo—something flashy. Maybe a dragon theme?"

Monna shook her head. "You'd probably just crash it into something."

Ellen laughed along with the others, the sound light and unburdened. For the first time in a while, she felt like herself again.

As the afternoon wore on, the conversation shifted between casual banter and catching up. Ruby filled them in on the latest school gossip, Monna discussed her recent projects, and Lynn recounted a particularly amusing tale about her family.

Ellen felt a sense of normalcy she hadn't realized she craved. Her friends' laughter, their teasing remarks, even Ruby's exaggerated storytelling—it all reminded her of what she was fighting to protect. Sharkboo, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the attention, buzzing and chirping in sync with their conversations.

"You know," Monna said, giving Ellen a soft smile, "you've been acting a little... different lately. Like, less tired but also kind of... more focused?"

Ellen hesitated. She wasn't ready to share the full truth—not yet. "Just needed some time to recharge, I guess," she said casually. "And Sharkboo helps."

"Well, whatever it is," Lynn said, grinning, "keep it up. We like this version of you."

Ellen smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her. "Thanks, guys."

As they left the café, the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Ellen walked home with Sharkboo perched contentedly on her shoulder. Her friends' words echoed in her mind, and for the first time in a while, she felt a glimmer of hope—not just for herself, but for the life she was beginning to build.

"Let's keep this up, Sharkboo," she murmured, giving it a gentle pat. The Bangboo chirped in agreement, its fins flapping in rhythm with her steps. Together, they headed into the evening, ready to face whatever came next.

Ellen decided to spend the rest of the day tending to her usual activities, falling back into the rhythm of her everyday life. First, she tackled some light housework—vacuuming, dusting, and folding laundry—tasks that she found oddly therapeutic. Sharkboo flitted around, attempting to help by dragging a duster across surfaces. Despite its limited size and strength, its enthusiasm made Ellen chuckle.

After finishing up, she headed out to the local market to grab groceries. The bustling stalls, filled with the hum of conversations and the aroma of fresh produce, were a welcome change of pace. Ellen carefully selected her usual staples while Sharkboo hovered above her shoulder, chirping approvingly at her choices.

"Are you always this opinionated?" she teased, earning a particularly insistent chirp in response.

Later, back at her apartment, Ellen tried her hand at cooking one of her favorite meals. Though her culinary skills were basic at best, she relished the process of chopping, seasoning, and stirring. Sharkboo watched intently from the counter, occasionally attempting to snatch stray vegetable scraps. Ellen playfully batted it away. "Hey, no freeloading!"

The evening ended with a quiet moment on her balcony. Ellen leaned against the railing, watching the city lights flicker like stars below. Sharkboo rested on the ledge beside her, unusually still as if sharing in her reflective mood.

"You know," she murmured, "I think I'm finally starting to feel... okay."

The Bangboo chirped softly, a sound that seemed almost reassuring. Ellen smiled and closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze wash over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt at peace.