God Eater, Black Clover

21 | chaos unveils under black blankets

For the first time, one person didn't sound awfully disgusted while associating the Black Bulls captain with drinking, smoking and gambling.

"So you got captured briefly after the attack on the Capital, right?" 'Smooth start to a conversation, Noelle.' "Are you alright?"

"More or less." Anemone shrugged. Her jacket (the one she borrowed from Borja) slithered off her shoulders and Noelle saw purple-and-blue, bruises brand new.

"You... didn't go see a healing mage?"

"Oh, these are not from the attack on the Capital. I took a mission right after that one and the bruises are from then." As she spoke, she gently poked at all her recent wounds. "I already treated them the old-fashioned way so they should heal up in a bit. Now that you've mentioned it though, I guess I should have asked Hedera to heal me. I'm just used to treating my wounds myself or having Sister treat them for me back in Hage."

"Sister?" She asked to which Anemone replied with the nun from the church. "You have no healing spells yourself?"

"No."

Fair enough. Noelle had none of those either. But this was a first, to hear someone decide to treat their wounds the old fashioned way. As far as she knew, everyone around her relied on magic for a bit of everything in life.

"They still look kind of bad, though." She said nervously, biting her bottom lip. "And you have a lot of those wounds on your arms only..."

"If it helps you sleep at night, my legs have none of these bruises."

"But you're always hurt every time I see you. Do you like pain or something?"

"Yes, actually." Noelle is taken aback by Anemone's straightforward answer. With a half-teasing tone, she wasn't expected a dead serious one in her reply. But then she grinned. "I'm kidding. Of course I don't. I'm not a masochist. Anyway, scoot."

Now she's seated behind her royal friend, lacing strands of silver hair within her fingers gently. "Ever had someone braid your hair before?"

"Um... twice, I think. My nanny did when I was little." Noelle said and Anemone hummed, working on tying a single braid for her hair. The aforementioned girl relaxed and faced forward, eyes glued to the empty wall. "So when will we start training?"

"Patience, Noelle. I'm braiding your hair first so it won't get in the way later. Do you mind?"

"No, as long as you braid nicely."

"Of course I will." A laugh just as genuine as earlier. "I used to braid Recca and Aruru's hair. They're these young girls back at church like my younger sisters, so I got some experience."

"At church? I thought you were the florist's daughter."

"I am. I visited the church a lot when I was younger though, it's like my second home."

The way Anemone spoke about the church being her second home was so soft in a way Noelle would've thought she'd consider the church her first home. She mentally shook her head. No, she must be hearing things. Who was she to judge what Anemone thought of as her home anyway.

"And done! Ta-da!"

Noelle looked into the mirror and admired herself. It wasn't the most perfect braid in the world but it was neat and beautiful. "Wow, thank you."

"You reckon Charmy made extra breakfast?" Anemone asked and as if on cue, her stomach grumbled. "I forgot to eat before I left."

"Yeah, said your stomach." Noelle commented dryly meant to come off as a joke. The Blue Rose grinned, understanding.