Far From Home [A Honkai: Star Rail Friend Insert] (2024)

AN: Quick omake for the day.

... Wait no, this was supposed to be yesterday's omake. Damn it.

Omake: The Bell Tolls For Thee
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???

Foxx's eyes squint, as he meets the harsh glare of a fluorescent bulb. The burlap sack that had been taken off his head had been tossed to the side by an IPC grunt, and he tests both of his hands and feet to find that they were bound to the chair that he is currently sitting on. A gag had been placed over his mouth, one that was quickly taken off by said IPC grunt, and he immediately begins to speak.​

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"L-Look, if you guys want anything, then--!"​

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"Jonathan Concordia Foxx." He freezes. His eyes widen into saucers a second later, slowly turning towards the figure on the other side of the table and hoping that it wasn't her. Alas, his hope was dashed to bits, as his eyes meet sharp blue. "Formerly Logistics Supervisor III on Halstead IV before the Legion attacked it. Presumed dead, only for recent events to declare otherwise. Summarily fired from the Interastral Peace Corporation for his lack of work ID."​

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Topaz smiles. "Did you know that your employment contract states that you owe a severance pay to the IPC if you are fired for grievous mismanagement? Section 38.a.iii, if I recall -- losing your work ID is tantamount to that offense."​

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"Legion attack."​

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"Indeed. That can be waved off as an act of the Aeons." Topaz smiles, but there was no warmth in those eyes. "... Of course, an enterprising lawyer might see otherwise, so you might have to litigate the claim anyways. Nothing more than business, of course -- I'm sure you understand."​

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Why did John ever thinking working for the damn IPC was a good idea again?​

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"Now then, onto another matter." Topaz drawls, flipping the page on the book that she brought with her. "Those ten million credits sitting in your personal account just a few months back. Have you paid the required transactional fees for that?"​

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Damn it. Even now, Morgan and Vivian were giving him a headache, and they weren't even here. "I've been told that the ones who sent the money had taken care of that."​

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"Ah, but what about when you transferred the funds to Aarde's government?" Topaz asks, causing his blood to freeze. "... Oh, it states that they have paid for it as well. Hm, I guess that's all of your potential infractions solved."​

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She yawns, stretching out her arms before closing the book and tossing it on the table. "You're free to go now, Mr. Foxx. I'd like to apologize for kidnapping you out of the residence that you were currently staying in, but you haven't been responding to my inquiries."​

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The IPC grunt comes over and cuts his bindings off. Foxx immediately rubs his wrists and feet together, before power-walking towards the exit--​

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"Oh, one last thing." He freezes. Ice shoots up at the back of his spine, at the casual tone in Topaz's voice. "I've been meaning to talk about the Astral Express's financials. Over a month ago, you seem to have gained a sudden fortune of thirty million credits from a bunch of sources all located around the Kal'Dari system."​

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Foxx stops. Idly, he wonders whether he would have enough time to yank the door open and go through.​

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"But the odd thing is... they all seem to be shell companies of some sort. Some of them even filed for bankruptcy soon after transferring their portion of the funds over towards you, as if it was the main reason why they went under in the first place." Topaz hums. "Clean, and efficient. Perfect if you want to move around vast quantities of credits unimpeded and with no one batting an eye."​

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He throws open the door, immediately trying to escape---only for him to stop, as he sees Numby waiting for him just outside, tilting its head at him while wagging their tail.​

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"Sadly, these types of things are what I'm most familiar with." Topaz whispers, suddenly behind him as she lays a hand on his shoulder, the hostility in her voice as clear as Belobog's skies. "It seems that we have a lot more to discuss, Mr. Quartermaster. Won't you stay for just a little while longer?"​

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His eyes snap awake, heartbeat pressed against his ears as he tries to control his breathing. There was no dilapidated room, no fluorescent light, no burlap sack over his head, and no tied arms and legs. Just him, staring up at the ceiling of his room in the Whistling Ayre.​

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"A nightmare." Foxx whispers. "That's right. It's just a nightmare..."​

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The door to his room slams inward a second later, and he jolts, quickly letting out a hiss as he grabs his blankets and wraps it around himself as additional protection. Three pairs of eyes stare back with surprise on their face, but the silence doesn't last long.​

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"What's wrong, Mr. Foxx?" Stelle asks.​

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"Did something happen, Dad?" March follows, staring at him in unabashed worry.​

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"Looks like you woke up on the wrong side of bed." Yae notes, ears pressing against the side of her head. "We're going to be leaving to go and catch some more Aether Spirits. Are you still up for it, or...?"​

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"I'll stay here for a little while longer." Foxx replies, and he glances away to dodge the dismayed looks that the trio gives him.​

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Soon, the three of them leave, closing the door behind them to give him some privacy. Foxx sighs, settling in to sleep the rest of the day off--​

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Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.​

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"Mr. Foxx!" He freezes, hearing Topaz's voice filter through a second later. "Please open the door. We have something to discuss!"​

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His room was on the third floor of the Whistling Ayre. He could probably survive the fall, especially with Cymbidia in hand...​

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... No, there wasn't even a choice.​

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Foxx sprints for the window, just as the door is kicked open and Topaz steps inside. Her eyes widen, seeing him dressed in nothing more than a shirt and some boxers, and she stands stupefied by the doorway as she tries to get the sight out of her mind. It only lasts for a second or two, but it was nonetheless a moment too late.​

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Her quarry had leaped off the window in a perfect swan dive, a black and gold briefcase appearing in his hand just a second later right before an iridescent string shoots out and propels him through the air just above the city streets.​

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AN: Foxx using Cymbidia as a pilebuner for tearing down cover? Nah.

Foxx using Cymbidia as a grappling hook to escape the taxmen? It's what it was made for!