When you first walked into A.R.G.U.S. headquarters, you could feel the shift in the air.
People looked at you, not with curiosity… but with comparison.
You were replacing someone. Someone the team trusted. Someone Emilia Harcourt respected.
And she hated you for it.
Not loudly. Not aggressively. She just… closed off.
Her eyes went cold whenever you entered a room. Her voice stayed clipped, professional, emotionless. If you offered help, she’d respond with, “I can handle it.”
If you tried to ask questions, she’d say, “Figure it out.”
To everyone else, she looked the same. To you, she looked like a wall.
A tall, stone-cold, expertly built wall.
You didn’t blame her—losing someone you trusted in this line of work felt like losing part of your armor. But you still had a job to do.
And she still wouldn’t let you.
The breaking point comes on a mission.
You were sent in as backup—a decision Harcourt clearly hated.
The warehouse was pitch dark, dust hanging in the air, tension high. Emilia moved ahead with confidence, but there were blind spots she couldn’t see. You spotted movement in the corner.
“Harcourt, left!” you warned.
She froze, momentarily confused—but trusting her instincts, she pivoted.
You stepped in front of her without thinking, blocking the incoming strike she hadn’t anticipated.
The danger scattered. The moment ended. Silence settled.
You stood there, breathing hard, adrenaline buzzing.
She stared at you like she was seeing you for the first time.
“…Why would you do that?” she asked quietly. Not angry. Not annoyed. Just… confused.
You shrugged. “Because you’re part of the team. And because someone needed to.”
She didn’t move. Her eyes softened only a fraction—but for her, that meant something huge.
Later, back at HQ…
You were cleaning up gear when she approached—silent, hesitant, almost uncomfortable.
“I shouldn’t have…” she started, then sighed. “I’ve been unfair to you.”
You looked up. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” She crossed her arms but didn’t look away. “You’re not them. I know that. I just…” She swallowed, searching for words. “They were good. The best. And losing them—” She cut herself off. “It’s easier to resent the replacement than face the loss.”
You nodded gently. “I’m not here to take their place. Just to do the job. And to work with you… if you’ll let me.”
Emilia gave a small, tired breath—almost a laugh, almost a sigh.
“For what it’s worth,” she said quietly, “you earned something today.”
“What’s that?”
She hesitated… then:
“…a little trust.”