Dining Hall

"Mamamama. It's good to see our cute and lovely daughters in dinner," Big Mom grinned with her teeth shown to everyone. "So how was today?"

"We went on searching key to our power, but no luck so far," Noire answered while munching salad.

"Ew~ This color… this texture… this smell… just why…" Neptune looked at eggplant salad with disgruntled look. "Even for sake of the pudding…"

"Oh my feeling is hurt~ Please eat me! I was made to be eaten!" eggplant imbued with someone's soul spoke.

"…That actually sounds less appetizing…" she gulped.

"Don't be picky. This is for your good," Vert shoved eggplant into her mouth.

"Oop oop!" Neptune endured eggplant with pale look. Then, she somehow managed to swallow it. "Phew! That was nightmare! Mama! Vert is forcing eggplant on me! Didn't you say pirates can do whatever they want including choosing what food to eat?"

"Mama. This is for Neptune's well-being. You know that I love my sisters, right?" Vert explained her reasoning.

"It's true that I said that, but Vert is also doing what she wants: caring sisters. Just get along well together. Mama is proud of you, girls."

It was usual family dinner. However, not all brothers and sisters attend family meeting due to their own business like managing their respective land or raiding for goods. Most of them showed up for events like wedding, tea party or birthday party. Big Mom's homies filled the table, ready to serve the family.

"Jasmine."

"Earl Grey."

"Milk."

"Coffee."

Pot Homies with different drinks said name of drinks in them.

"Jasmine please," Vert politely requested.

"Then, I will pick Earl Grey," Noire followed.

"Coffee…" Blanc mumbled.

"I will go with my sweet sweet milk!" Neptune shouted joyfully.

"Typical of you…"

"Huh? Are you picking on me just because I picked milk, Blanc?"

"My children. Do not fight over trivial stuff like food or drink preference. Just eat and drink whatever you want to heart's content. Mamamama~"

"BTW, mama. Is it true that I will get my own island to rule?" Vert intervened and asked.

"It's true… if you specialize in one area. Then, I will send people and Streusen to build a town with specific theme fitting to you. So what are you aiming for?"

"Of course, I am aiming for position of minister of tea. You know that my passion toward tea is unmatched, right mama?"

"Of course. I just wanted to make sure. Just pursue your goal and hone your skill. Speaking of position, I know that Neptune loves pudding so much. So that should speak for herself. Do you have food theme to go by?"

"…" Blanc kept silence while pondering and drinking coffee. Then finally, "Manju… I will go with Manju… actually, I love its flavor and texture. It goes well with my hobby."

"Good girl. Just take your time. Mamamama," Big Mom patted Blanc, and Blanc blushed and smiled.

"Does that mean I am the only one without specific goal?" Noire pouted.

"Don't worry, Noire. You can take your time slowly. Also, it's not like all my children are required to be in certain position. You may choose other way to contribute to the family. Mama want you to get along with your sisters."

"Of course, mama. I won't disappoint you."

"That's the spirit, girl! Just improve your tailoring skill. Your position may not have to be something to do with food. Perhaps, minister of clothing? Fashion? Who knows? I will consider that. Just be patient."

"Thank you, mama. I will do my best for you and family," Noire answered with big grin on her face.

"And about your power… I heard you girls are searching a clue. I kinda regret that I couldn't ask your father, but it couldn't be helped. Your father dared to show his fang on me."

"It is said that age of pirate is harsh…" Blanc mumbled again.

"I will say again and again. You girls must get along well. Understood?"

"Of course, mama."

"And about your power, just take your time. Mama believes in you, girls," Big Mom devoured food one after another. Food Homies screamed yet delighted in fact that they would become nutrient to family.

"Ah… I am proud that I am being eaten…"

"Oh please! Pick me next!"

"Is there point in putting someone's soul into food? Does that make food taste better? I can't tell difference," Neptune wondered. She did make a good point. Why waste precious life time on something that would be gone quickly?

"I believe lively food adds more appetite. And consuming Food Homie also adds life span."

"Really? So I guess we will live longer huh?" Neptune opened her eyes wide.

"But as you noticed life span of our people is used on better stuff like weapons or ships. Life is limited and precious after all."

"Then, there is option of kidnapping enemies for more soul extraction. I think you should do more of that, mama," Noire proposed her own bold idea. When Noire was about say another line, pirate crews came in through the door.

"Mama, we successfully harvested snacks as loyalty fee as always, boyoyon," it was Bobbin who reported in. "But I also have bad news. According to Tamago, it looks like Trump Island won't be able to give snacks in time."

"What!? They can't give snacks? Call him through dendenmushi at once!" Big Mom shouted out loud. Her voice shook the entire room.

"Oh dear, this won't be pretty," Vert grabbed her temple and sighed.

"Just like always… but it still gives me shiver everytime," Noire trembled bit.

Bbbbring x 3 After dendenmushi rang few times, someone picked up the call.

"Hello? Oh mama! We have a problem, soir. There was arsonist that set storage room on fire. We were about to receive the payment, but we were too late, bon," it was Baron Tamago who answered. He sounded pretty nervous.

"We have deal, and if they can't offer snacks in time, we have to burn whole land to crisp!"

Then suddenly, another voice emerged from the dendenmushi.

"Oh dear Big Mom! Please have mercy on us! We carefully prepared the snacks with all of our passion. We didn't expect someone to burn them all!"

"Domestic affair was never in our deal. I promised to protect you in my name with snacks as payment from outside force. There is no excuse for poorly handling the offering!" Big Mom smashed the table. Clear blood vessel on her head represented her wrath. "I hate breaking promise as much as bitter snack. You know the punishment, right?"

"Oh please, give us another chance! We will double the offering next time!"

While they were exchanging anger and plea, Vert felt into deep thought. Few moments later, she snapped her finger and looked at Big Mom.

"Mama. May I give my idea on this issue? She bravely interrupted the conversation. Even though she knew that Big Mom was pretty stubborn and brutal, she still believed in improvement and change. It was almost risking her life.

"Vert… you dare challenge me?" Big Mom looked back at Vert with pretty angry face. She looked like she would go berserk at any moment.

"No, mama. I am simply offering better alternate punishment. I understand that Big Mom Pirate will lose reputation or influence without punishment, but simply burning everything to ashes won't last long. I think you could use bit more carrot instead of whip," Vert managed to hold back her fear and smile with confidence. "How about bringing few people for soul extraction as example? That way, it will still instill fear on those on who disobey us. At the same time, we will have more souls to produce Homies. I call it 'two birds with one stone.'"

Big Mom's angry face started to calm down. Her angry lips slowly turned back to normal. Vert's persuasion actually worked. Other people in the room were jaw-dropped and awestruck. Neptune, Noire and Blanc whispered each other.

"Oh wow! Vert got some nerve!" Neptune shivered.

"I thought she would get smacked…" Noire trembled with sweat coming down on her forehead.

After pondering for a moment, Big Mom opened her mouth.

"You have a good point, Vert. Alright… Tamago. Bring five people responsible for snacks production and management. We can use more souls for more Homies."

"Yes, mama. Gladly."

"…At least, it's better than everyone being burnt to ashes…" The person across the dendenmushi who plead for mercy sighed in half relief.

"With this, we will change certain policy."

"It's good to hear that, mama. I am all for betterment of our family."

Cold atmosphere gradually got better as Big Mom relaxed. Almost everyone sighed in relief. Pretty much none dared to question Big Mom like that before. Could it revolution if someone wanted to exaggerate? Perhaps.

"As expected from sweetheart, lady Vert. She is so calm and nice."

"She is a rose among the family. Tranquility… peace…"

Homies praised Vert like a saint.

"Speaking of Homies… mama, can we get our own special Homies please?" Neptune asked after composing herself.

"Since Vert showed really good alternative, I will grant you girls Homies as reward. People for soul extraction will arrive here in few days, so pick which objects to put their souls into."

"Understood, mama!" Noire delightfully answered.

"Hmm… it's hard to pick one… I guess I have to read some books for inspiration," Blanc put hand on her chin and pondered.

With that, the family got back to dining. Happy and harmonious mood filled atmosphere. The four sisters were excited about Homies they would get. Big Mom kept praising them as if she gained the whole world. The day they would unlock their power came closer.

Author's Note

Some people feel this is ridiculous because Neptunia has been all happy sunshine... They forget how dark and gritty the original HDN was. Not to mention Conquest ending. CPUs do show dark side, so I don't think this is outragerous. I know that not every fan of Neptunia is close-minded, but I see handful of them being that case. Anyway, I think this is written in almost in line with characterization.