Honkai Get's Star Railed Chapter 13 (Patreon)

"Jaaakkkkeee! You are alive!" March 7th said with all but tears in her eyes as she glomped on me.

"I am alright March." I said helplessly as I patted her arm as she hurriedly checked my body with soft touches.

"Does anything hurt? Madame Herta did a quick scan and didn't find any broken bones or anything. But do you feel weird or-"

I cut March off as I gently gave her side a small push and I said with still some helplessness. But I was truly touched by the care in her voice. "I feel a bit mentally fatigued from breaking through Kafka's spirit whisper. But besides that, I am honestly fine." 

A soft exhale of relief left March with her placing a hand over her chest. "Jeez! A girl get's worried seeing their new friend get literally kidnapped you know." She said with a small flush as she realized how fussy she was being.

I just chuckled and said easily. "I understand. And I do appreciate the care March."

Then I looked back down to my phone where Himeko had sent another message. [Jake, if you are up to it and are truly feeling well. You should make your way back to the Astral Express.]

And honestly, she was right. I needed to get somewhere, where I could have some defenses as it were. The Astral Express wasn't 'as' easily broken into I hoped.

"March, let's head on back to the express. I am ready to blow this popsicle stand." I said with with a chuckle.

March gave me a lookover as though to triple check I was fine before she nodded firmly and said. "Good! We still need to get your own room sorted and what not! After all you can't be planning on sleeping on the floor like Dan Heng is!"

Yeah sleeping on the floor wasn't exactly my goal to say the least.

So with March watching my every step like an overly worried pink haired duckling. I made my way quickly to the Astral Express and boarded without too much fanfare.

Seeing Himeko and Welt already sitting on the long plush seats in the entry cabin I waved and came over with a glance at Welt as I said. "Soooo, the Stellaron Hunter's nabbed me just before a big monster came in huh? Any reason that was you guy's think?" 

The two older Nameless shared a look before Himeko cleared her throat and said softly but firmly in it's conviction. "We are currently unsure as to what truly was their motive. But here on the Express you can relax and feel safe Jake. I do promise you that."

If there was ONE thing in the Hoyo multiverse that I could reliably believe in. It was the care that a Himeko had for those she put herself in the position to watch over. 

At the thought of Honkai Impact 3rd's Himeko I could feel her great sword heating up ever so slightly as I had approached this alternate Himiko.

And in the depths of my heart. The voice of this elegantly dressed Himeko fused with the lively and bold Major Himeko as they said. "Be brave, and push on."

The tears of seeing Major Himeko die helping Kiana take back control over her body was... Completely different when you could literally see Himeko's POV from the Remembrance branded of that pivotal moment in her broken sword.

"Uhm, anyway so where am I sleeping anyway?" I asked as I cleared my mind of the dying feeling of Himiko's final movements as she stuck Kiana with the serum.

There was a pause as Himeko shared a look with Welt before Himeko coughed and said helplessly.

"Well, we were going to give the upper level of the bar's storage room to Stelle. But she has fallen in love with the luggage, and storage room. But would you be interested in that larger room? It has a good deal of room, but it will require a good deal of work to get it comfortable."

I shrugged and then said with a thin smile. "I am a natural pack rat. The more room I have the more room I will have to save trophies and other goodies." 

Welt then cleared his throat and said with a chuckle. "Good, come with me then Jake. I need to introduce you to Shut Up, and we can talk about any actual necessities you may need."

I followed behind as March considered following before she shrugged and skipped over to Himeko to seek headpats or something.

After dealing with Shut Up, the damned robot who should have died in one of the uprisings of the anti-life machines. I just pushed on past the voice of Otto Apocalypse as Welt and I reached the large storage room that was thankfully already cleared out.

And seeing the large open room that only had a rather plain bed and a couple of dressers. I just shrugged and said with a chuckle. "It's livable I suppose. I got my phone to play games on and to keep myself busy I suppose."

I now lived in a universe in which life was spread across and often linked all together with some level of social media thanks to the IPC and the efforts of previous Genius Society members.

So I was happy enough with this kind of setup. It's not like I needed a heavily decorated room... And I had a strong feeling that as we explored the vast universe. I would find all to much to fill my room with.

Still, I looked over to Welt who was looking out of the storage room's sole window and out towards the stars in the distance.

"Welt, you got any recommendations for good anime and games to wind down with in my free time?" I asked curiously.

Welt let out a hearty chuckle as he looked away from the window and said easily. "Yes, yes, I do. But are you sure you're alright, Jake? I assume that getting your mind and body controlled wasn't exactly pleasant."

I shrugged and said honestly. "I am fine, I don't feel like I was 'totally violated' or whatever. I still plan to give Kafka a good kick to the shins, though. Mind controlling someone and then sliding into their DM's is just in horribly poor taste."

Welt paused at my words with his wizened face going through several emotions even as I pulled out my phone to show that Kafka had indeed put her contact information in my phone.

Which lead to Welt clearing his throat and saying helplessly. "Personally, I would not blame you if you just blocked her But regardless, do as you will. The Astral Express WILL protect you so long as your heart remains pure to the Trailblaze... Though it would probably be prudent not to accept any calls or voice messages from her."

Welt's voice at the end there was as though he expected me to start sending hateful voice mails or something. 

Which was something I would totalllllyyy not do. I was certainly not going to gamer rage-bait Silver Wolf if I could somehow find her online.

"I will try to be more mature than that." 

Welt took my words as they were and after a moment of looking around. He brushed a hand across his jaw and said thoughtfully. "Well, in anycase. Your IPC account has had funds added from the experiments done by Madame Herta as well as the Astral Express's own monthly allowance. I will leave you be for now, Jake."

And Welt went to leave my room before pausing at the door, and he looked back with a hint of hidden amusement as he said. "Oh, and I will be sure to send a few recommendations to you. Welcome to the Astral Express, Jake. I am glad you decided to join us."