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Aventurine finally got some free time so first thing that he decided to do was to visit Herta Space Station. Main reason of his journey there being to check on new type of food for his three dear Trash Cakes, but if by chance he meet with silver haired Stellaron haver it would be pleasant add on.
When he was ending talking to resercher that was in charge of taking care of crikets and their diet in corner of his eye he noticed silver haired man going in direction of Master Control Zone.
After he finished his task and don't had anything more to do, intrigued what his friend is up to this time, Aventurine follow to the direction he disappeared to. Avgin found Traiblazer not long later near the center of Control Zone where he was happily playing with little dog. 'Did he changed his coat after all this times? I never remember seeing him in yellow one.'
"Here good Peppy you're very energetic today."
"Hello my friend long time no see."
Caelus immediately turn around and fastly stand up with big smile."Aventurine! Nice to see you!" Silver haired man was immediately found in front of blond one and hug him as tight as he could.
Aventurine was suprised with this unexpected warm welcoming. That wasn't often for Caelus to be that much open with affection, but Avgin will not complain and even would love to be greeted like this everytime they meet. "My friend I wasn't expecting that type of warm welcoming. Did something happened?"
"No, I'm just really happy to see you! Today was already such an amazing day, and now it's get even better! It's makes so happy!" Answered silver haired man after backing a little from Aventurine, then he grabbed Avgin arm and take him to sit together on on of the benches. After they sat comfortably Caelus started taking about his day, who he met and what interesting things he seen while gesticulating vigorously. "And I was even able to see you this day couldn't get better! Oh I was the only one talking I hope you don't mind it, sometimes I can stop it when I get to much in the topic and I'm afraid that this can get annoying." Caelus started playing with his fingers and looked at Aventurine.
"Don't worry I like to listen to your little stories. The way you talk even about little things make me want to hear more my friend, so don't worry about it I really enjoy listen to you."
"I'm happy to hear that, today is really amazing! Even trashcans will not make it better!"
"Your happiness is charming my friend, but did you by any chance eat to much sweets or even worse something suspicious again? Last time when you was that much energetic you eat some unknown new sweats from Penacony and started talk to some imaginary invisible things."
"Hmm..I don't think so I just have some snacks but nothing new or to sweet, also I swear that was real just you can't see it that time. And that was one time event... no wait maybe two... or no wait..." Traiblazer put his pointing finger near his mouth and started to wonder for a moment. "But that not important anymore that's in past now, there is more important thing now." Caelus end his pondering, pointed at Aventurine and ask "Do you want something to eat? We can go together to cafeteria and buy some food. I will be happy to order something for you, this time it's on me!" Said smiling warmly Traiblazer and wait for response.
'He never changes didn't he? Always thinks about others and like to help out no matter what, but this time something is a little off.' Aventurine being curious what is a reason of Traiblazer change immediately agree and together they head to cafeteria.
When they left Control Zone they notice grup of researchers talking loudly, some of them was looking even worried. So ofcourse because of Caleus being his curious self they end up coming closer to get to know what make them discussing so much.
"I know that awkward thing happens from time to time at station but voice that was heard this time around Storage Zone for sure wasn't Wubbaboo." Said one of researchers.
"T-then what was that? Who can cry like that around Galery of Shadow?" Asked worried one.
"Excuse me for interruption, but what is this all fuss about?" Interfered Avgin.
"Oh that's Caelus and his friend so we can share this with them, but don't go takingabout this around alright?
Both men agree, so reserchers started to explain.
"Not so long ago there can be heard unknown crying from Storage Zone. When security went to check the source they didn't found anything."said one researcher.
"But you can still hear crying there from time to time."
Add another one.
"Oh no poor thing, what if someone is badly hurt and scared? Aventurine we need to check it out!" Said Caelus with new energy and already started to go in direction that scientists mentioned, not letting Avgin say a word. Blond man just shake his head and follow after Traiblazer.
~
When they reach their destination Caelus propose for them to split so they will be able to check more places faster. That's how Aventurine find himself in one of many rooms that was having a lot of different types of Curios. He fastly scanned the room and was already heading back towards door when he heard quiet whimper. He quickly went back and looked behind big Curios containers, to find some small space between them. And what he found shocked him. Cealus was siting in corner crying and hugging small Wubbaboo.
"My friend What happened? Has someone or something hurt you?" Aventurine quickly crouch in front of crying man.
"No it's just... I hate being alone. I don't want to be left behind again." Caelus look with teary eyes at Avgin and continue. "Here on the Station is where was first time that I was left alone, or at least first that I can remember and it was by person that I deep down know is important to me, but that doesn't change that I get left here all alone with Stellaron because of some stupid script. Back then I was so puzzled, not knowing who I'm and what should I do. I know that now I have Expres crew but still I often feel so lost and alone especially on missios. I don't want to be a burden so I don't say a word about this, but it's just really awful feeling to constantly fear that someday I will be abandoned again." Caelus let go of Wubbaboo and curled up more. "I'm afraid that there will be more situations like this time in Fyxestroll Garden in Luofu where I end up caught in the mirror, without nobody to ask for help. I was wondering around till I got possessed by Heliobi. It was so awful I wasn't able to get out and when I finally find someone this bad spirit make me say some really nasty things."
"Oh you poor thing" Aventurine help silver haired man stand up and hug him." I can't promise to be with you all the times after all we have our own paths to fallow, but I just want you to know whenever you need someone to talk to or just shoulder to cry like now I will always try to find way to comfort you, be it through massages or video calls. I just want you to know that you can count on me."
Caelus hug Avgin back tightly, put his head on his shoulder and slowly started to calm down.
"Oh nice you found the reason of this big fuss, as expected from you Aventurine!" Said behind blond man cheerful voice.
Shocked Avgin look behind to see nobody other than smiling Caelus. "Huh... what in the..." Aventurine was looking between Caelus clothed in yellow coat near the entrance and Caelus in blue coat in front of him. 'I was that much afraid that something bad happened to him that I don't even notice that changeof coat.'
"What is going on here? How come there is two of you?"
"To be honest I don't have any idea. I just remember testing new Curios and then something goes wrong, there was this colorful lights and then I wake up near Control Zone." Said Caelus in yellow.
"Sadly I don't remember more, everything I remember is the same except I wake up in Storage Zone." Add blue one that come closer to his energetic version and hold his arm.
"Alright I want to talk to owner of this place. Do you know where we can find Miss Herta?" Avgin finally calm down and get ready to move.
"Hm her puppets are all around Space Station, but just some of them are working at times. I think one in Herta Office should work so we can go check here."
"Good lead the way and let's have a conversation with her."
~
"So care to explain what happened in here Miss?" Asked Aventurine when they finally reached their destination.
"Ofcourse I do, but you three don't have to barg in here like if half of Station was about to collapse." Herta huff and put her hands on her sides. "So about incident, we got new Curios that need to be checked before used in Realm that's why I asked Caelus to help test them. Everything was going smoothly until he started to test what we thought was Crystal Prism. Effect of this curio was supposed to make duplicate of it's user that will support them for periodic time, but it seems researcher that was writing description must make mistake and mix this Curio with similar one Prism of Light, so when Caelus try this Curio he get split in to six different personalities and send around station."
"Wait did you said six, so there is more?"
"After his disappearance I went to check more about this Curio. I found out about this mistake and that the Prism of Light can split it's user into different personalities each portraying one of strongest emotions." Herta looked at two Traiblazers that was observing paintings.
"You found happiness and sadness that mean that on station there are still four more before you ask I specially checked about new anomalies at Station. From this I'm sure that he split into six parts.
"I would never expect that my visit in station will go like this, but I can't be even suprised with how often he end up in many different troublesome situations." Aventurine looked softly at two silver heads walking together around the room. "How can we help him?"
"To get him back to his original state all emotions need to gather together and use Prism. Also it seems that he's found of you, when others was trying to get those two back they ether refused to cooperate, run away or hide, that's why I want to ask you to look for missing emotions."
"I will but where can I find them?"
"For now I was able to track down two more. First near Spare Parts Warehouse, and second around Base Zone, but I need to warm you I don't know how other especially anger one will behave so I recommend you to stay focused. If something happens, ether you will be in hard situation or any of Caelus copies, inform me immediately. I don't want any more problems here. When I find the remaining two I will send you their localisation immediately."
"Got it I will be cautious, oh and you two," Aventurine come close to silver haired men. "Please stay here and don't cause any problems can you both promise me?"
"Sure thing I will watch over sad me so you can go, but be careful."
"Mhm I will stay to, but please come back save."
"Don't worry I will be okay see you later." Avgin went towards the door and saw yellow Caelus waving vigorously, and blue one still holding in one hand arm of his energetic version, wave softly. Aventurine wave back and left the room.
~
When Aventurine finally reached area indicated before, he noticed more and more broken boxes, small parts and different containers that can be found regularly around Herta Space Station. After roaming around a little longer blond man heard crash. He fastly moved towards place from where noise was coming. When he walked through the door, if now his good reflex he will meet with a bat.
"I told you all rat bastards already I'm not your errand boy and I don't going anyw... oh wait who we have here? My gambler friend in person. And here I was thinking that it will be again those annoying insects that thinks I will do anything they want. Those danm bastards don't understand what to screw off mean." Said Caelus clothed in red.
'So it's anger I was hoping to see this one later, but I can work with that, somehow.' Aventurine move a little back cautiously watching Traiblazer "You should beware with this bat before somebody gets hurt."
"Then you better be careful because accidents can happen." Caelus prove his point by smashing another box and smirking. "Oops sorry you see today I'm very clumsy so you better get going."
"No, you're one that will go to Herta Office and before that you will calm down." Aventurine was trying to be calm and reasonable, he don't want in any way provoke him and start confrontation. No matter what it's still Caelus and Avgin don't won't to hurt him.
"And how you planning to make me do that through fight?"
"I prefer more peaceful ways."
"To bad because I don't."
After saying this Caelus try to charge again at Aventurine with his bat. Blond men was expecting that Traiblazer can strike anytime, so he immediately dodged it without problem.
"Now, now my friend what is point of game without rules and prizes?"
"I don't respect rules only break them, but alright we can do this your way, only because I'm interested in prize." Caleus thought about this for a moment then response."Alright who will be able to land first hit win. If I win you will scram and let me do whatever I want."
"And if I win you will go to Office and behave."
"You can dream about it, but it's fine by me anyway you're not going to win."
"We will see about that, you should know that luck is on my side."
"Tsk"
Again not wasting any time Caelus immediately strike with his bat at Aventurine. Avgin was doing perfect dodges not letting any hit to be land near him. But just by dodging he will not win, so he decided to strike back. Caelus back off a little, but fastly come back to attacking his opponent again.
'I need to think about something his strikes are ruthless but fast and trained after all his adventures. I need to find opening to contract. What if...' Moment of distraction almost cost Aventurine win when bat flew mare centimetres near him.
"What getting tired? I almost get you this time." Started to gloat Caelus after almost getting Aventurine.
'Even a little of distraction can make me lose I need to defeat him fast before I get tired.' Aventurine started to back away while dodging every attacks. When he finally reached place he was trying to get to he strike back again. Caelus step back, but don't notice small parts from container he destroyed before and stumbled a little. That was enough time for Avgin to take his coin out and land hit on silver haired man forehead what make him fall backwards. Before he hit concrete Aventurine caught him by the hand.
"Danm you and your stupid coins!"
"Common now my friend I win fair, so fulfill your promise and go to Herta Office. But don't forget to behave I don't want to hear any complaints from you nor anybody at Station. Are we clear?" He put him back on his legs and start to wave at him to move out. "Now go and be nice."
"Yeah sure what else do you wish?" Asked sarcastically, annoyed Traiblazer.
"Hm if you're asking so nicely then... I want you to calm down and smile because this frown doesn't fit your pretty face." Aventurine wink at him and move away form silver haired man incase he decided to strike again.
"Why you... fine! I'm going." Caelus fastly move around and left room.
'Did my eyes decieve me or his coat wasn't only red thing here? Cute.' Aventurine chuckled and checked his phone then went to his next destination.
~
Next place was Monitoring Room in Base Zone. Aventurine passed the reception and went straight to room. Standing in front of screens was Caelus in orange coat, according to Herta description it should ce confidence one.
"What are you doing here my friend?"
"Oh hello there Aventurine I was just checking if somebody needs any help from me, after all many of people count on me and it's easier this way than constantly running around places. Ofcorse I have enough strength for that, but this way is faster. "
"There is a lot of workers around my friend, they definitely can deal with their problems themselves."
"To be honest a lot of people in different places strongly depends on my help and who am I to decline. Even if often they need help with some very easy mundane things..." last part traiblazer mumbled quietly that if Avgin don't stand close to him then he will definitely wouldn't have heard.
"You know that you don't need to deal with everything especially if they want help with something easy that they can do themselves? I really adore your kind heart and that you never back any challenge but you should not let other overuse your kindness."
"I know that, but when I see somebody that needs help I can't stop myself. Also seeing them happy make me feel good, it's really nice knowing that somebody need me. I appreciate your care, but I can deal with that myself, so you don't need to worry, as always I got that."
"I love your confidence but everyone have their limits. If you decline some of this hilarious works universe will not collapse. You don't need to worry too much, after all you have a lot of friends that you told me you met at your journeys. They will always be there for you without wanting anything back, so don't care to much about this no names. You have many friend and," Aventurine put his hand on Caelus shoulder and looked him in the eyes "You have me so don't worry about what those people think. We really care and we need you not because we need any favour, but cause you're important to us."
"Thank you" Caelus take deep breath and with smile look at Aventurine. "Uff I almost lost my cool there, that can't be. So now what? I can't just stand like that, I need something to do maybe some action? I have many energy to use I can't idle like that."
Aventurine phone ring but he decided to check it after he send silver haired man away.
"Sorry you are late for this one I already take care of what I hope main action here not so long ago, so you can go to Herta Office and if you want a little challenge make sure that your version in red don't make any troubles."
"Alright I got this I will make sure that everything will be alright there," Traiblazer put his hand on his heart. "You can count on me!"
"That's the spirit just don't forget to go straight to office without being sidetracked by anyone or anything."
"I will don't worry no matter how tempting challenge can be I will hold my word and take great care of Office, like no one else could. See you there later."
When Orange Caelus left Monitoring Room Aventurine finally checked his phone. 'So next one got found outside of the Control Center and last one in Seclusion Zone to be precise around Breading Ground. Alright I will take care of closer one first near Control Center.'
~
When Avgin reached mentioned arena he immediately started looking around corridors. He asked some reserchers if they see Traiblazer but none of them see a thing. After roaming around he finally went to room with bridges that are changing placement when using controllers. Dealing with them wasn't any challenge for blond man and he immediately reached small room at end of the road.
When he enter in corner of his eye Aventurine noticed movement behind boxes so he decided to slowly approach.
"D-don't come closer I know how to f-fight." Avgin heard small scared voice that try hard to sound treating, but fail. When he approached place from where sound came blond man spotted scared Caelus in purple.
"Don't be scared my friend it's just me Aventurine."
Traiblazer looked at blond man distrustfully and don't move even a little from his hiding place.
"How can I be sure that's really you? I have seen here at station my duplicate before, so how I can know that there is no more mimicking monsters around. I don't want to be again attacked or even worse end up eaten by some monstrosity like this poor Pure White Cat Cake." After thinking about that he tried to hide more.
Aventurine keeping enough distance to don't scare him more crouch in front of Caelus and look him in the eyes. "So how can i prove to you that it's really me not some monster that want to hurt you?"
"I don't k-know..." Caelus didn't broke eye contact even for a moment scared of potential consequences. "Oh maybe tell me something that just I and you know about."
"Hm... something that only we know?" Aventurine thought about this for a moment before remembering one of their recent meeting. "Alright do you remember when you invite me to your ship in Penacony? You was so excited that you slip near pool I tried to catch you, but we both end up falling to pool. You started panic that you destroyed my expensive clothes but after assuring that it's really not big of a deal we go to changing room. We left our wet clothes to dry, but only avaliable spare clothes was old style clothes that are for performances. It didn't stop us from continuing our time together so we put this clothes on then first we went to see how you decorated insides, next we play a little in this new Origami Bird game and in the end we went to the front of ship where I asked you for small dance. We end up dancing to tune that was coming from inside of the ship till it got late."
Caelus seems to calmed a little and smiled softly. "This was really amazing time I was having so much fun."
"Same here." Aventurine smiled fondly. "I know that universes are huge full of unknown that why we should cherish all that little things, all good moments, and what is better than sharing those moments with people close to your heart? I know that you went through a lot of scary moments, that why you need to make sure to always remember all positive memories and make a lot more of them so you can carry on another adventures with a smile."
"You're right, I'm still scared, but it makes me feel better knowing that I have close ones that make me feel safe and I want to make them safe too."
"Good to hear that my friend. Now we need to go to office where other of your emotions are."
"How many of them are here?"
"Four I need to find last one in Seclusion Zone after I take you to others."
"Can't somebody else be sent by Herta here? If you need to find one more it will be better if you don't need to go that big distances over and over again, especially when you already find four other me."
"Are you sure about this?" Caelus nod his head. "Alright I will write to miss Herta." Moment later they get response. "She responded that she will send somebody trusted."
Not so long later they heard energetic steps and saw little dog.
"Peppy so you are the one that came for me?" Caelus come closer to dog and started to pet it.
"Don't take me wrong but I was accused of being monster but little dog is fine?"
"Oh don't be sad I saw different human like monsters, but never like small pets, also I was working a lot with Peppy, so I can recognise it." Cealus smiled and rub back of his head. Aventurine shake his head, but smiled too.
"That okay I think I can survive losing this one time, after this all we will somehow solve this matter."
"That's fine by me then see you later and beware those horrible insects can still be there."
"Thank you, but you don't need worry It will be fine. See you later then." After Caelus left Aventurine got ready to go to his last destination 'One more left let's see how it will go.'
~
Way to the Breading Ground wasn't easy one especially that there still was roaming around Stings. But after some time of avoiding them and making some turns around he finally reached right place. In front of the big window holding Cat Cake, looking into the space was Caelus clothed in pink coat. When he heard steps coming closer to him traiblazer turn and smiled warmly at Avgin.
"Aventurine! I'm so happy to see you." Said beaming with happiness silver haired man. "It's was so long since we was able to meet in person. I really missed you."
"Me too it's really nice to see you again, but I was hoping for more mundane meeting no another grand adventure."
Caelus chuckled. "I can't help that different troubles are always after me. Sorry if that bother you and that I drag you in my problems again."
"It's really no problem, I don't mind as long as it's you."
"Thank you I really appreciate that." Caelus put Cat Cake at chair and come back to Aventurine. "I need to admit that at beginning I was a little cautious about you I was scared that if I trusted somebody easily again it will bite me back, but I was able to get to know you more, all spent together time is really became precious to me. I started caring for you more and more, and my feelings started to grow stronger. All ours meetings, all calls and even every little messages became important to me. When I was having bad day this never miss to make me feel better," Caelus stand in front of Aventurine looked into his eyes blushing. "So before I realised my feelings grow and wasn't anymore like ones that I feel to all my other friends. I realised I stared to fall in lo..."
Caelus wasn't able to finish because finger on his mouth stopped him.
"Don't take it wrong I would love to here you end this, but I want to hear this from whole you not just you that is under control of feeling of love." Aventurine smiled at him warmly and take his finger away.
Caelus nod and stretch his hand to Avgin."I understand, thank you for that. So let's don't waste any more time and let's go back."
Aventurine take his hand and together they went back to office.
~
"So they all need to hold that Prism and everything will be back to normal?"
"I already told you that and also assured you that this time I check it myself, so there is nothing to worry." Answered more and more irritated Herta.
"I want to make sure that he will not split into even more personalities. I already have my fair share of running for at least a month."
"I told you that this time everything will go like it should so just wait and calm down."
"Don't worry if Herta checked it that will definitely work!" Said yellow Caelus trying to reassure Aventurine.
"Yea some accidents happened before but this time it should work... maybe. Better chose Aeon and start praying guys." Said red one looking for Herta reaction that he don't get any back.
"It will go good I'm sure about this, so don't listen to him." Orange one comes closer bringing with him purple and blue ones.
"Aventurine when I will be whole again, I hope we will be able to talk about what we start in Seclusion Zone."
All of Caelus versions standed in circle then Herta handed them Prism. Immediately office got fulfilled with many colorful lights. When the lights dims instead of six there stand one Caelus that started to wobble from side to side. Aventurine quickly went to Traiblazer and catch him in his arms before he fall down.
"Easy there you have been through a lot as for one day, so take your time."
"Thank you for all. If not you who know what will happened with me and my copies so once again thank you."
"Don't mention that. You're very important to me, so I don't mind doing that or anything else for you."
Caelus started to feel warm on his face caused by Aventurine words and closeness that they were. Avgin was holding him tightly like a treasure, close to himself. Their faces was barely some centimetres away making it hard for them to focus on anything else except each other.
"Can you two kindly go flirt outside my office?" Asked Herta looking at them from above small screen from which she was reading before.
"We're leaving now!" shouted both mens leaving office quickly.
"Good don't forget to close door, it's better to make sure especially with how much you can't take your eyes from each other."
When they went outside and after they stood aside Caelus put his head on Aventurine shoulder. "So do you want go to that promised cafeteria or if you want we can go to my room in expres? I can ask Pom to make something tasty for us and we can finally rest and watch something." Asked Traiblazer looking at Avgin and waiting for answer.
"Then to expres we go." Aventurine intertwine their finger and together and they went towards train.