Chapter 19: On The Date
Gloom's POV.
I'm sitting at a table at Wanmin to go through the date with Shimmer, who somehow managed to get a dress, "Where did you get that exactly?" I ask her, wondering how the broke fellow reincarnation got her hands on that.
"Lyney helped me pick it and also paid for it..." Shimmer replied, but the look on her face was mostly confused, "Why are you wearing that?" She questioned, clearly referring to the suit I'm wearing.
I clear my throat, realizing I should have probably expected that question, "I went to Father to ask... Assistance in booking a table here, and let's say, I didn't expect her to be that excited about it." I explain, prompting Shimmer to nod in understanding.
After that though she chuckled a bit, "The image of Arlecchino, the imposing and authorative Fatui Harbringer taking the time to be a loving parent is weirdly humorous." Shimmer said.
"Honestly I can't deny that..." I say in agreement, "I remember when I was little that Lynette tried getting me to take medicine when I was sick, but I was pretty roudy, then Father came and managed to trick me into taking it." I recount, smiling fondly at the memory.
The moment I finished however, I saw that Shimmer seemed a little down, "That sounds nice..." she says in a saddened tone.
Shimmer's POV.
Hearing Gloom's story made me think of when I was little: I never had parents, I mean, someone raised me, but I wouldn't call him a parent.
"Shimmer?" I heard Gloom call out, snapping me out of my train of thought, "Are you okay? You seem dazed." She asked.
I sigh at the question, knwoing I was way too obvious, "I guess I just wish I had what you had..." I simply said.
Gloom looked at me weird at that, so I decided to elaborate, "A family." I clarify, causing her eyes to widen, "I wasn't mistreated, but... I'm kind of an orphan..." I explain.
"Wait what!?" Gloom asks in surprise, which is fair, "I was raised by a lawyer, but he was barely around so that doesn't really count, although I guess I do owe him for my PHD in law." I say, looking to the brightside.
That information made Gloom's expression turn to one of stupor, but I thought it was the orphan part, but "A PHD!? You!?" She exclaimed questioningly, which immediatly made me feel offended.
"Wow! Okay! Thanks flat ass!" I exclaim, throwing the jab so we'd be even, "By the way, between you and me? Food from our original world doesn't deserve to be called food compared to this!" I inform, complimenting what must be Xiangling's cooking.
Gloom scoffed at the jab, "First: Your ass got cellulitis; Second: Sibley did say food here is better than there." She responded, which slightly shocked me.
"Holy shit Gloom..." I say in surprise, "Didn't think you had those kind of insults in you." I comment, taking note of how composed she is most of the time.
"What can I say? Scaramouche is a good teacher." Gloom jokingly said, "But seriously, is food from the other world that bad compared to this?" She asked.
I laugh at that, "Bad? The best food there now seems like dog crap!" I compare.
Freminet's POV.
"Why are we doing this again?" I ask my brother and sister, feeling a little weird at what's basically stalking our little sister.
"I just want to make sure that Shimmer is treating Gloom well." Lyney explained, "I may have helped her get ready for the date, but that doesn't mean I just trust her." He elaborated.
I'm pretty sure I made quite an unsure face at that, "I don't think you need to worry honestly." Lynette reassured, pointing to Gloom and Shimmer just talking normally, "They seem to be pretty calm with eachother." She pointed out.
Looking for a bit, I couldn't help, but finding myself agreeing, "They do seem to be okay with eachother's presence at the very least." I say.
"Better than five days ago anyway." Lyney comments, but then makes a face, which made me look closer, and here I notice that Gloom is talking to Shenhe and pointing into our direction.
"You don't think she saw us, right?" I ask, before seeing that Shenhe pulled out her polearm and began rushing towards us.
"She did! Let's go!" Lynette exclaimed in unusual panic before running away, followed by me and Lyney.
Gloom's POV.
Seeing my step-siblings run away, made huff in annoyance, "Good riddance." I state firmly before turning back to Shimmer, "Where were we?" I falsely ask since I remember what I was saying.
"I think I was about to compliment how perceptive you are." Shimmer actually replied, which made me forget what we were actually talking about.
The unexpected flirting actually took me so off guard that I couldn't manage to talk at all, since Shimmer leaned over the table and gave me a kiss on the lips, which made me blsuh brightly, and it seemed that Shimmer also realized exactly what she did since she also blushed.
"I... uh..." Shimmer let out only that, before bolting away while loudly repeating 'Sorry'.
Meanwhile I was left there thinking only one thing.
Shimmer's POV.
As I ran, one thought prevailed over all the rest.
Third Person POV.
"I'm in love with someone I've known for less than a week!!" They unknowingly thought at the same time.