(Don Quixote/Faust: Limbus Company)
“In so many ways: Those who seek knowledge are doomed to sin.
Not that knowing many details is such, in fact, being wise is a virtue in and of itself.
But what comes after all the apples on the tree are picked, and the craving to consume and make a part of yourself does not subside?
The greatest discoveries come from those who have no apples, and yet, those pioneers take the most risks.”
Faust would lie to you. She lies to herself. This experiment bears no apples, because this is not a tree.
And yet, she takes the risk regardless.
Perhaps this is the real experiment, to see what happens when her desperation is sated.
Intentionally unaware of that divide, her study went as such:
Faust’s thoughts, as vast as they were, were usually categorized. Everything was neatly thought of when it was important, discovered when it was needed, either manually, or through the Gesellschaft, and shuffled away when it was no longer pertinent.
Today was different. While she lacked the knowledge of what brought this change in her...her past “research” with Hong Lu did not sate her appetite. Of course, these concepts filtered through her thoughts in language that was familiar to her.
“Despite a thorough set of passes with her tongue, as well as significant time passing, trace hints of minerals collected from a research assistant’s sweat can still be psychosomaticly sensed upon Faust’s lips.”
However...a “good researcher” couldn’t just go back to the same source, and call it research. That would be Sunday, she made plans. And...she needed to “discover an even more potent application of this knowledge” sooner.
Later that day…
As Dante tick-tocked their regularly scheduled “I hereby confirm today's close of business for the Sinners,” Faust gently put her hand on Don Quixote’s shoulder.
“M-Miss Faust! Thou art not about to reprimand myself for the…”
“That is not Faust’s intent. Though, Faust was not made aware of...what situation that may be.”
“Are thou not all-knowing?”
A small tension in Faust’s shoulders rose. “It should be said that Faust has the potential and methodology to know all.” Perhaps she would regret spending time with someone who clashed with her ideals so strongly...but her urges were holding her on a leash. “In the pursuit of knowledge, Faust would like to borrow your time. Will you accompany Faust to her room?”
Much more loudly than Faust would have desired, Don Quixote replied, putting her fist to her chest. “’Lo, is that truly a question? How could a noble fixer such as mineself dare refuse a quest from a maiden such as thineself? Lead onwards!”
Within a few steps, ones that came with Faust practicing her composure, knowing full well that everyone overheard Don’s side of the conversation, the two made their way into the room, once austerely white, now used as a board in the absence of paper. If she wasn’t trusted, Faust’s scribbles would likely look like the ravings of a madman.
“Please, sit upon Faust’s bed.” She curtly stated, as her hands gripped the handle of her zweihander...and yet, began to kneel.
“...Dost thou plan to cut off my legs? ‘T...tis true that I was the one who spilled cherry Wellcheers into the vent, but ‘twas merely an accident…”
Faust’s designs for Mephistopheles never involved...something like this happening. Seemingly, there were no issues, but she made a mental note to disregard reports of a wafting cherry odor, should they be to occur. “That was...not the intent, though the appeal is noted.”
“Because of my mishap?”
“And your prattling.”
“Aye...but what do you plan, Miss Faust?”
“Faust has noted the claim that Rocinante has a self-cleaning feature. It’s not that it’s in disbelief, in fact, this doesn’t go far enough. During our conflict with the abnormality known as ‘kqe-1j-23’—“
“What?”
“kqe-1j-23? Classification code O-05-20-02. ...Would it be more presently recalled if described as ‘that large robot with the claw?’”
“Ah! Yes. Please continue, Lady Faust.”
Seemingly more than half-annoyed, Faust did continue. “Yes. During our conflict with the abnormality who visually resembles a large robot with a claw, you failed to fully evade a critical attack. Normally, this would be a tragedy, but not only was it observed that Rocinante quickly healed, but you suffered no ill effects from their damage, as opposed to their removal.”
“Thou wishes to harm Rocinante? Fie, I did not suppose thou were such a villain…”
“On the contrary. Knowing capabilities keeps us all safer. Shoes included.” And...as if it was no effort, a swift swing of the sword left the soles of Rocinante peeled down. Within moments, the threads already started to reform...Faust would need to hold the material down, to keep it from sewing shut too soon.
“I...suppose that I still feel myself, Miss Faust. Is this...something safe enough for curiosity?”
“The greatest discoveries were made by those most desperate.”
“Thou...needs what?”
She had come this far...Faust was not about to get caught up in an answer. Her face darted forward, pressing her nose directly between two toes, inhaling deeply. The methodology was exact, Don Quixote’s feet were...more potent than most others, given her refusal to remove Rocinante, or bathe more than time in a sudden rain.
“As expected, the perspiration currently coming off is as intense as Faust hypothesized.” Given how sterile her room usually was, the warmth could be seen by the naked eye, like breath on a cold day.
Don watched intently, nervous about the chance that this could go wrong...and deeply confused by Faust’s actions. Though...she certainly wasn’t pulling away. The lack of attention and touch her feet got over the years lead them to be quite sensitive...was it so wrong to enjoy this time with a fine maiden? “D-doth this actually please thee? Lady Faust?”
However...her mind was quite “focused” on her “research”, leaving her response to be nothing more than continuing her actions. Faust’s mouth parted, her tongue hesitantly pushing out, taking a more direct sample, from the base of the toes. The tang of sweat immediately filled her senses, something that might cause a less-experienced “researcher” (Also known as “a normal person”) to have their eyes water...and yet, to Faust...this is exactly what she was craving.
As she kept tasting, Faust’s nose rubbed against the inside of the edge of Rocinante, which, while self-cleaning...did still contain part of the essence of their owner, as well as the unmistakable scent of leather...and perhaps iron? More research may need to be done...though, given the...focal point of Faust’s desires...many sessions may be needed for that secondary discovery…
With two...assistants to her research, a faint question echoed in the back of her mind, wondering when the secret would be no longer between them. Hypotheses ranged from Hong Lu’s airy behavior letting it loose in general conversation, to Don Quixote learning to control Rocinante, greeting Faust with soles bared, forgetting there was an audience.
And yet...feeling the tingling sensation on her tongue as she took a long lick up the sole...this concern was shuffled away, as it was not pertinent.