Chapter 25 - Connection: Coco

{25} - Evans Smith: Connection: Coco

Evans took a sip. "How did you even find this?" He whispered. He gave the bottle a look. It was untouched by the apocalypse outside. 

"I'm just that good." The woman next to him said, giving her glass a small sip. "And I don't want to hear that from you."

He smiled. Maybe it was a mistake to present her two bags of salt and pepper, but he didn't mind. He needed someone to get Io some actual clothes, and there was no one better than her.

He glanced at her for a moment. Blond hair, with eyes of dull silver. She could've easily passed as a model back on Earth. She could probably do it still. With her top that didn't cover her stomach, and those tight-fitting jeans—it was a look that wholly didn't fit with a veteran that lived in a dying world.

"All that salt and pepper is useless to me." He smiled at her. "Might as well give it to someone like you, Miss Coco."

She huffed. "For the last time, just call me Coco."

He smirked. "Sure, sure."

It was late in the afternoons now. He and Io had made it to Louis' base in the morning, and they'd been introduced to everyone. It was an odd experience. He'd seen the same scene from the game. And now he'd experienced in-person; heard the same lines word-by-word.

The base was fairly empty right now. Louis himself had gone out for another expedition. Io had left with another member to help her familiarize herself. 

And he'd remained behind. Officially, he stayed behind to 'heal' from his 'injuries'. In truth, he'd healed hours ago, but kept the bandages around his wrist and foot to keep their suspicions low. 

He stayed behind for another reason.

"So," Coco leaned to the side slightly, her gaze boring into his. "What do you really want?"

He was quiet for a few moments, before he sighed. "I'm assuming you've heard of Vestiges."

She raised an eyebrow. "Those glowing things that whisper stuff into your ear?" He nodded. She shrugged. "I have. Never approached them though. Got told it'll drive you insane or something."

"Well, I guess that's one way of looking at it." He pushed his bottle of wine away. "Vestiges are memories that Revenants lose when they die, scattered across the world."

"...huh." She looked away. "Have my memories turned into Vestiges too?"

"Probably." His eyes darkened. "If only it was that easy." She caught his eyes. Confused. He smiled back. "I don't know what happens to Vestiges if their Revenants are still alive, but, well-"

He raised his bandaged hand. Her eyes narrowed. "So they're traps?"

"Yes and no." She looked more confused. He closed his eyes. "When I touched it, I was brought to some weird place. I'm guessing I got sucked into the Vestige or something." He turned his eyes to his wrist. Remembered the pain he felt when he punched that giant bullet away. "But the Vestige I found came from a corrupted Revenant, and their being had been twisted into a monster. One stronger than anything I've ever faced."

"Well you're alive, at least." She joked.

"Miss Coco." He turned to her. She went stiff as she looked into his eyes. "Trust me on this. The Lost in the Ruined City? They're nothing compared to it. That thing could plow through most Revenants I've met. Louis? Yakumo? They would've been dead if they faced that thing."

She pursed her lips. Took another sip from her drink. "So? What do you want to ask?"

"As you said, I'm alive. But I'm sure I'm not the first to have touched a Vestige like that." He leaned forward. "You've gone to many places. I'm sure you've met someone who directly touched a Vestige like me and came out alive." He narrowed his eyes. "What were they like?"

She went quiet. She seemed disturbed, but not afraid. "There…is one, I think." She began slowly. "Found a guy years back. Said that he touched a Vestige and found his old friend." She closed her eyes and took another sip. "Except his friend became a monster. Asked the guy to kill them."

She sighed. "Most just called him crazy. Said he lost his arms and legs because he got careless with the Vestige and got hurt by the Lost." She looked at him. "But you're saying that it's real."

"Yep."

She took a breath. "Shit."

He closed his eyes. He'd confirmed it. In-game, it was never explained why people were so against interacting with a Vestige until the Main Character came along. If all the Vestiges did was retain the lingering memories of a Revenant, then surely someone must've seen those memories if they touched them.

But again the world showed him how integral the Queen's Knight was. Without them, the Vestiges couldn't be calmly purified.

"But nothing's changed." She eventually said. "We still avoid them like the plague."

"For most, yeah." 

She stared at him. "You're implying you won't?"

He grinned. "The Lost gather around the Vestiges." He hummed. Or-, well, it's more accurate to say they create more Lost." He glanced at the balcony just to his right. At the orange afternoon skies. "If there's a chance to reduce the Lost—to cull their numbers for even a little," He smiled at her. "Won't you take the chance too?"

Well, that, and defeating more Vestiges made him more powerful. But making the world safer was important too! Of course it was!

"...you're just like him." She said, and then smiled. "I guess that's why you and Louis get along so well."

He smiled. "We're both futurists."

She laughed. "Alright, alright." She drank the last of her glass. Smiled tiredly. "Hey, can I ask for a favor?"

He tilted his head. "Go ahead."

"I've died a few times now. Lost some of my memories." She sighed. "There's probably a Vestige of mine out there too." She stared at him. Almost glared. "If you find it, tell me. I'm coming with you."

He frowned. "I just told you that even Louis would die-"

"Bitch, those memories are mine." She actually glared this time. "If someone has to fight it, let it be me."

[The Scorned One has formed a Connection with the Revenant Coco. A special event has occurred!]

[You have shared a [Truth] of this world to Coco. She has not broken. But in return, she asks you to find her Vestiges, and to allow her to join you. Aid her in her quest to regain what she lost!]

[Completion Reward: Unlock Coco as a Potential Student]

His eyes widened slightly. And then he cursed to himself. No wonder he couldn't find anyone from Code Vein as a Potential Student. They were all gated behind this! 

Ah, whatever. At least he knew what to do to get more Mentor Exp now.

He smiled. "Well, I'll tell you if I find it." He held out his pinkie finger. "Promise."

She snorted. "What are you, a teenager?" But she leaned forward and wrapped her pinker finger around his. "But whatever."

He laughed, and she laughed with him.

They enjoyed some more drinks after that, waiting for the rest of their comrades to return to Base.

…

Hours later, when the sun had long set, Evans gathered everyone from Louis' company to where they usually planned their next move. He had them all sit around the couches. Told them to get comfortable.

Then he told them all. Explained what he did to Coco hours before. They didn't seem convinced at first, but Coco was there to back up his claims, explaining the story she'd heard herself. They were a little more inclined to believe him after that.

And like Coco, none of them feared. They were very uncomfortable with the prospect that the memories they lost became fuel to create the Lost, but they didn't fear. They turned to him, and they asked him about the monster he fought. Of its size and its strengths and its dangers.

He told them. Left nothing out. 

Of course, then Louis realized a connection between the Lost, Vestiges, and the Bloodsprings, and all hell broke loose after that.

But he didn't mind. Because, despite the Main Character not being present, these people were still up for a fight. Even if they have to do so with their tooth and nail dragged across the ruined streets.

Strangely, he didn't receive a message like he did with Coco. The Revenants from Louis' company had yet to have the potential to become his Student.

Although the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. The System mentioned something about a [Special Connection]. He probably had to build a camaraderie with them before that would happen.

He was fine with that. He could wait.