The General and Her Slave
Dinnertime I – Chapter Ten
The group stood outside of the Palace in suits now, after Esdeath has ceased her hugging session with Saiko.
The six Teigu users stood side by side in black suits as they awaited their orders while gazing at their Commander with her young admirer as she could be called by her side clutching at her arm.
Esdeath was in a black suit herself wearing an all black cap with the petite form of Saiko wearing her own black suit standing beside her some distance from her subordinates.
She wrapped left arm gently around her pet as she held her tight close to her body savoring how she latched onto her side.
She smirked as Saiko wore her collar once more and the young girl was lovingly embracing her stomach as she peered down at her finding the suit quite adorable on her small form.
Saiko smiled leaning peacefully into her Master as she awaited further instruction, but she will say the robes were more comfortable.
She won't complain though, it is far better than the rags she used to wear.
"I hope that you all found my little game delightful. I didn't want to bore anyone with a droll meet and greet, and I can only hope that two of you have learned your lesson." The blue-haired woman announced as spun around with her pet in her left arm and her right hand upon her hip as she smiled.
She smiled at them but her eyes hardened when she said the word 'lesson' as her gaze fell on Stylish in particular who nodded his quickly to convince her he won't touch the girl.
"It's okay; I'm used to a little rough housing." Wave assured as he laughed hoping the two who angered her would not do so again…scary.
"I-I learned my lesson Commander! Forgive me for threatening comrade Saiko! Your advice was very helpful too thank you so much." Seryu piped up as she hugged Kuro nodding her head with a bright smile.
Esdeath nodded her head straightening her cap as she was satisfied with Seryu's apology and the nod from Stylish will do for now, but she will keep her eye on him.
She will pry out the details of their shared history from the teenager and see what occurred between them. For his sake he had better not have harmed her.
"Good to hear. Well then, we'll throw ourselves a little party after we visit the Emperor." The blue-haired woman declared as she turned around abrupt.
Forcibly making the young girl move with her as she spun once more.
The black-haired slave scoffed silently at the mention of the Emperor, it should be her Master seated on that throne.
As deep blue eyes gazed down at her fondly she her owner knew very well she was thinking that line of thought.
"We're going to go abruptly meet the Emperor!" The dark blue-haired man exclaimed as he held his hands at his sides finding his was moving too fast for him.
"Commander, pardon me for questioning you but isn't this proceeding a little bit too quickly?" Run inquired as he stared at her with golden eyes as she held Saiko's small form close to her.
She wasn't choking her this time at least.
He found that teenager to be the strangest girl he has ever met, well right up there with the Commander that is.
She was happy when the Commander slapped that metal collar back on her neck, which apparently is healing from injuries, so she is not wearing it all day.
It was so strange, they have feelings for each other it seems, but the teenager has no desires to be free.
She seems to enjoy the care given to her by the Commander.
If he had to describe it, Saiko while calling Esdeath her Master does not seem to view it as slavery. She views it as love and dare he say it freedom itself to be by her side? How interesting.
"I prefer to get the more irritating things out of the way first." The General responded as she turned her head around to gaze at her subordinates holding the young girl closely who leaned deeper into her hug.
The Doctor held his face in his right hand as he thought to try speaking to test if she is still angry with him.
"So Esdeath-sama, have you chosen a fabulously fierce name for our squad yet?" Dr. Stylish questioned as he smiled as he looked her way seeing where he stood.
"Yes. As a matter of fact I have." Esdeath answered as while she grinned holding Saiko underneath her left arm.
Saiko peered up at the woman as she truly looked stunning as the sun set upon her statuesque visage.
The six Teigu users waited for their Commander to speak and say what their name is.
"We are an exclusive force within the military, assigned and charged to brutally hunt down and exterminate vicious groups of enemies…therefore." The blue-haired woman spoke as she grinned baring her teeth much like a Danger Beast.
The black-haired slave focused all of her attention on her Master as she waited to hear what genius name the woman created.
"We shall be the special police force known as Jaegers." The General declared with her back turned to her subordinates and with her faithful follower in her arms.
The newly dubbed Jaegers stood behind their new Commander with varying levels of smirks on their faces minus Bols finding the name agreeable.
The petite girl beamed up at the older woman as she embraced her stomach deeper than before.
"Now that is a truly ingenious name Master Esdeath. I am eager to see you torture, brutalize and devour your foes." Saiko piped up in praise as she sighed dreamily uncaring how she sounded to the others around.
"Why thank you my sweet pet. You always seem to know the right words to make me smile, I'll be sure to show you just that." Esdeath remarked as she hugged her Saiko still grinning sadistically but with a slight smile in the mix.
The young girl leaned just closed her eyes as she was smashed further into the hug while her owner began walking with her under her arm.
The Jaegers sweatdropped as no one commented on how odd it was that Esdeath was calling a teenager she had feelings for pet and she wore a collar too.
Or the fact that said teenager was so happy under her arm in such a state.
Wave rubbed his head finding the two disturbing as they made a creepy couple while he followed to go meet the Emperor.
'Seriously! I cannot be the only one who thinks this is not normal and worse than the rest of us! She admits to having feelings for Saiko but she collars her and calls her pet! But Saiko delights in it! I don't understand!' The dark blue-haired Jaeger thought as he knew better than to question it since they were happy.
But it was weird! Saiko talks as if the Commander torturing and killing enemies if her idea of being taken out on a date!
'Of course my whack job superior likes that idea so she tells her she will be sure to do just that and it makes her smile.' Wave mused as he walked beside Kurome who glanced at him.
Kurome sighed as she didn't understand why he was so concerned for the Commander's strangely unconventional relations with Saiko.
It did not concern them what the two did together.
The blond-haired Jaeger walked as he held his chin musing on what torments Saiko went through to make her latch onto the Commander in this manner.
No normal teenager would do so, they would be terrified of her.
He can only conclude that what Saiko has been through in her young life is so horrible that it has distorted her mind, to the point that the kindness shown to her by Esdeath is all she has ever felt.
The poor girl likely feels as if she is the only security she will ever get.
She's afraid of freedom, now that is truly sad no matter how kind she is treated and she is willing to remain in this manner. A slave she still is by choice on legal documents.
And that is not right.
Several hours later – At the party with the Jaegers
Wave stood awkwardly with Bols on his left and Saiko on his right.
He now found it silly he was ever afraid of the strange girl just for reading a book on poison.
But it was creepy as hell the way she was drinking tea while doing so and looking back Bols said she made the tea for them!
He also had judged Bols even worse than the still weird girl; the big guy was quite nice really once you started to get to know him. He was just bashful that was all.
Saiko was wearing her white robes once more with a cooking apron over it, with her sky-blue shirt underneath and her sky-blue pants.
She was gazing down with purple eyes as she stood on a foot stool because she is short to cut the fish.
Her hair framed her face with the small sky blue flower tucked behind her right ear, as it flowed to her shoulders.
She mused on putting poison in the Doctor's food!
'I am happy about all of us eating together, most especially since the meal is the seafood I brought for everyone.But how come only three of the eight of us know how to cook?' The dark blue-haired Jaeger thought as he began putting the spinach in the boiling mix of seafood.
"Wave! The spinach goes in last. It will shrivel if you put it in too soon." Bols advised as he stopped cutting his portion of the fish that he and Saiko had split to cut evenly to speak.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I wanted to let you know that is a huge relief to find out you are such a nice guy Bols." Wave commented as he smiled at the man to his left halting putting the spinach in.
"No. I am afraid that I am not as nice as you think I am." The masked Jaeger replied as he stared down at the counter deep in thought.
"What do you mean? You seem like a pretty friendly guy to me." The dark blue-haired Jaeger questioned as he stared at the other man.
The black-haired slave sighed at how dense this guy is; yes Bols is nice but only outside of battle.
"I believe what Bols means to say is that he has killed innumerable people and it weighs on his conscience. A soldier can be kind off the battlefield but not in battle, isn't that right?" Saiko spoke as she quickly chopped the fish with finesse.
She slid down on her stool by Wave as she added it to the water to boil.
Wave turned to the previously silent girl who was usually sharp.
He supposed that made sense, but orders were orders, right? A soldier does what he or she has to do right?
"That is quite astute of you Saiko. Yes. I am not so nice on the battlefield. Let's just leave it at that." Bols agreed as he finished cutting his portion of the fish dumping it in the boiling water as well.
The older man nodded in approval as he could tell they were both skilled cooks but Saiko was a young expert as he watched her work.
Adding ingredients to the boil but with saddened eyes he realized again she did not learn her cooking skills by choice like him.
"If only I could deliver the Doctor a prepared dish without him knowing, I would make him a special recipe. It would be one of extreme pain. Ah well, someday." The black-haired slave announced abruptly as she finished adding the ingredients to the boil.
The masked Jaeger said nothing as he understood fully her desires to kill Dr. Stylish and knew nothing poisonous went into the dish.
"Gah! Please do not talk like that while standing over what I am going to eat! It is frightening!" The dark blue-haired Jaeger protested as he pointed a finger at the short girl.
"No poison went in the boil Wave. Calm down." Bols assured as he finished the prep on the dinner waving his hands in the air.
"Yeah, well it is unnerving all the same." Wave muttered as he was scared to eat now.
"Oh grow up; I am Master Esdeath's personal chef. Do you really think I would attempt to kill the woman I revere so intensely? Get a clue. I said if he had a dish of his own." Saiko explained gazing at the fool as she called him.
"You are rather snappy you know that? What did the Doctor do to you? Did he do something to you?" The dark blue-haired Jaeger inquired as they were now simply waiting for the food to finish cooking.
The black-haired slave scowled as she glared at the counter-top before glaring at the taller young man.
"Why do you ask so many foolish questions that are obvious?" Saiko answered as she stared at the boiling water deep in thought.
"I take that is a yes then?" Wave remarked as his face darkened wondering what the man did.
"Of course, I just said obvious." The black-haired slave quipped as she crossed her arms behind her back.
Wave and Bols stared at Saiko because honestly for a girl who has spent sixteen years in slavery…
Beyond her submission to Esdeath she acted snappy, highly educated and refined as if she were a high-class noble instead.
But then around Esdeath she acts like a weird love sick puppy that for the life of Wave he cannot comprehend why she behaves that way.
"Why didn't you tell the Commander? If what he did is that horrible…it doesn't seem like she is too forgiving of the idea that he did anything at all." The dark blue-haired Jaeger requested as he felt odd suggesting why did not ask to have one of his teammates killed.
But a man that kidnaps a girl at twelve-years old and does who knows what to her, can he say he is his teammate?
"She has an idea but refrains from asking since she is allowing me to play a game for the time being that is only possible by having the Doctor around. He will die by my hands, provided that assassins do not kill him first…." Saiko announced as her smile darkened while she stepped off her footstool.
Wave had to admit for a girl smaller than Kurome, with no Teigu of her own and that is not a fighter.
That is an unnerving smile; she'll wait in the wings to kill him then?
He really cannot work up the nerve to care and as he gazes at Bols he feels the older man strangely does not care much either.
"You seem quite sure of this." The dark blue-haired man said in a bewildered manner as he she still smiled up at him.
"Mhhm, I have good reason to be. I have the most powerful person in the world protecting me and I have what the Doctor salivates for…the Grimoirus." The black-haired slave responded as she held a hand under her chin musing the dinner is about done.
The masked Jaeger pulled the dinner off the boil as he set it down so it could cool, then they would serve it.
"Most powerful person in the world…you sure have a high opinion of the Commander. I still don't know what this book is that you two compete over." Wave muttered as he stood over the cooling food approving of its scent with a smile.
"Of course I have a high opinion of my savior. She's a Goddess, radiant and illustrious…oh she's amazing. The Grimoirus is my secret and not for you to know of but it will allow me to do more than cook for my Master." Saiko confessed as she sighed dreamily blushing as she spoke.
Even Bols was stunned by the young girl's words as he stared at her from beneath his mask never having heard someone praise another person so highly.
"Wow, those are some well composed words of praise all for the Commander." The dark blue-haired Jaeger remarked in shock as his eyes widened after hearing her words.
The black-haired slave slipped up the pot as she sniffed the dish judging that it smelled tasty, and it should be cool now.
"Yes, well the Goddess of War deserves the highest form of praise. It seems to be cool now! Hmm, it is saddening I am not serving the Doctor dinner. Ah, maybe another day I will feed him the Weeping Dust if mastering the Grimoirus takes too long…" Saiko purred as she beamed over the pot before heading to the cupboards to get bowls.
Wave was torn between being stunned she called the Commander a Goddess of war.
And shaking with fear at the way she spoke in such a scary manner over the food he is eating for the second time!
He has no idea what this Weeping Dust is, but he doesn't want to ingest it!
"Well Wave, it looks like it is time to serve dinner. Do not be bothered by her words, the food is fine. We all have our quirks and she has just cause to vent." The masked Jaeger said quietly as the girl was a distance away retrieving a large amount of bowls that she carried over.
The dark blue-haired Jaeger nodded as he tried to remember that but he just wished she'd cease talking like that over their food.
The three chefs scooped eight bowls of the seafood soup as they carried them out a bowl at a time.
It was no shock to the two men that Saiko carried a large hot bowl to Esdeath first before getting herself any food.
It was like she thought of Esdeath first in all things and herself as a second priority. It was an odd way to think.
Esdeath say as she drank a glass of wine with a spare chair beside her at the head of the long table waiting for dinner.
She mused that Saiko may not be too happy about this meal since it was not of her choosing and she likes to do all the work, but she still cooked for her.
She ordered the Doctor to seat himself at the other end of the table as she was still not pleased with their mysterious past and she wanted him away from her pet.
The blue-haired woman glanced up as she saw Saiko, Bols and Wave walk out wearing aprons to serve dinner.
The young girl strode straight to her with a large bowl of the seafood dinner as she set it on a metal plate on the table before bowing with her back bent with a beaming smile.
"I hope you are satisfied with dinner Master Esdeath. Is there anything else I may get for you to accompany your meal?" Saiko inquired as she stood up gazing at the woman's seated form as she sipped her cup of wine as if it was blood.
Esdeath glanced at the table as nearly everyone was seating themselves and had bowls of food at this point.
She rolled her deep blue eyes as she groaned feeling sometimes she takes this whole service thing too far.
"Why yes. Go get yourself a hefty bowl or I will kick you out of my bed into a spare bed for two nights. There will be no cuddling if you do not start eating better." The blue-haired woman ordered as she smirked coldly at the girl's horrified face.
The table was all set as all but Saiko had yet to sit down to eat not used to this situation.
Run drank slowly from a glass of wine as he found it further proof that the Commander was fond of this girl when her threat of a punishment for starving herself is 'no cuddles' for two nights.
He did not really picture her to be the cuddling type.
"No! I will go get a bowl at once! I do not wish to sleep alone at night. That is a cruel threat!" The black-haired girl exclaimed a she dashed off to get food only to get yelled at.
"No running! You were told by the Palace Physician no strenuous activity for two weeks or your leg may rot off! Honestly Saiko, you lack common sense at times despite being so smart. Walk." Esdeath commanded as she pointed her finger at the girl narrowing her eyes.
Saiko nodded as she sighed knowing she was only looking out for her as she disappeared into the kitchens once more.
That got the attention of the Jaegers at the table especially Stylish who wanted her leg to rot off but he couldn't say that could he?
"Commander, what is wrong with Saiko's leg?" The blond-haired man questioned as he was unsure if he wanted to know.
The blue-haired woman's eyes darkened as she scowled drinking her wine before speaking.
"The place I 'acquired' her at was quite the hellhole, her body is covered in wounds, the worst being a leg wound which is cleaned up and should be fine as long as she does as told. Otherwise her leg will likely rot off. But I am ensuring she simply reads for two weeks." Esdeath remarked as she nodded her head knowing she'd be beyond sad if she lost her companion.
Kurome gazed down at her food as she bore an uncharacteristically expression that was slightly less blank than usual.
She was revolted by the description of where Saiko came from and she is an assassin.
She mused that the girl fell in love the moment Esdeath took her out of there.
"That's sickening." Wave spoke while grimacing understanding why she was so odd now as he sat beside Kurome and Run was to her right.
Bols frowned beneath his mask as he could only imagine the horrors she lived through before that place.
"Of course its sickening Wave. Did you expect slavery to be pretty?" Run demanded as he gazed at his Commander still wondering how much she even cared for the other slaves…likely none.
She's a cold hearted person and she may have not cared for Saiko as much at first sight, it may have been a possession thing.
"The man that did to her is in the torture chambers missing an arm. I will be working on him soon enough to make him suffer." The blue-haired woman stated as she say the young girl walking out with bowl as directed but she squinted her eyes a she saw it was a small bowl.
She just sighed glad to see she was eating and she pulled the chair out beside her so could sit down.
The young girl smiled as she sat down besides her Master gazing at her with happy eyes at how close their chairs are.
"I overheard discussion of the auctioneer. Pardon me for reminding you Master but you did say I could partake if I behaved…I just finished reading Instruments of Torture and I am sure you can teach me all sorts of tricks that a book can't." Saiko piped up as she scooped a spoonful of her food.
"Hoh, I did promise you that did I not? You've been on excellent behavior; you are a sweetheart and you respectful. Of course I'll show you some 'tricks', maybe tomorrow?" Esdeath agreed as she began eating herself with a pleased smile her pet wants to torture the man.
The blond-haired Jaeger sighed as he could tell she was going to twist and distort this otherwise mostly caring girl who has only shown a small side of hate towards Stylish for good reason.
She'll turn her from a scholarly girl into a torture fanatic.
"Yay! I am so excited to visit the auctioneer and make him squeal like the fat piggy he is. We will have so much fun." The black-haired slave spoke in excitement as she nodded her head rapidly.
'This is so disturbing! She has all the reason in the world to hate that guy too but she seems so innocent at times and it is like the Commander is making her less so…I do not know.' The dark blue-haired Jaeger thought as he knew she spoke of violence in the kitchen but did she before she met Esdeath?
"Can we please not talk about torture over dinner? I am trying to enjoy this and it was a lot of work." Wave requested as he stared at his leader and Saiko before sighing as he continued eating.
"I am so glad that it delights you my dear. You'll have to tell me what you read in those books sometime." The blue-haired woman remarked as she smiled ignoring Wave's request because she could care less really.
Dr. Stylish was a bit uneasy as she was just a little slave girl, but he was seeing how much the General was fond of her.
While even enough to take her down to the chambers to torture another man who hurt her, is she truly aware of their history?
"Tehe, much and more Master but it depends on the book. I shall read all and everything in your library as it is what I do best. No matter how long it takes. The Poison book was amusing." Saiko admitted as she gave no thought to how it sounded while eating her food.
"Saiko, I asked you to not talk about poison with food in the same context, it is creepy. Remember our kitchen talk?" Wave requested as he stared at the strange girl who smiled back at him nodding.
However, oddly enough all of the other Jaegers continued eating fine aside from of course Dr. Stylish who stared at his bowl with suspicion.
The dark blue-haired Jaeger will confess as much as the poison talk scared him, seeing the Doctor gaze at his bowl was rather funny.
"Kitchen talk?" Esdeath repeated as she had a pretty good idea what it was about and who it was about.
But she gave it no further thought as she grabbed a wine glass slowly pouring the teenager a drink, so she would drink with her.
"Oh, it was nothing Master. Wave's just being a fool. He's oversensitive and he asks obvious questions." The black-haired slave answered as she took a sip of the wine smiling as she did so.
She admitted it was wonderful to be able to drink wine…how long since she had last stolen some alcohol?
Kurome smirked as she ate her food not bothered by the talk of poison as she was a poison user herself.
"I agree with you. He also smells like a beach." The black-haired Jaeger agreed as she added her opinion while the young man beside her sank in depression.
"You two are both so mean! I do not smell like a beach." Wave retorted lamely as he gazed into the seafood knowing his argument was lost.
Saiko scooted her chair a bit closer to Esdeath's as she set a hand on the older woman's unformed lap as she gazed over at her with a content face.
The blue-haired woman turned her gaze to the young girl as she laid a hand in her lap; she smiled finding it adorable how she had to slide closer to her.
"So Commander, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?" Seryu inquired in excitement as she ate while leaning over in excitement with Kuro in her lap.
"Torturing prisoners, devising new methods of torture, hunting Danger Beasts, when not doing any of those things I study. But I do have a new interest…" Esdeath answered as she swirled her wine glass before taking a sip casting her smile towards the young girl seated beside her.
The black-haired slave smiled as she ate with one hand and kept the other in her Master's lap. She knew she was not being excluded.
The dark blue-haired Jaeger slowly ate his food giving up on torture being removed from the dinner table; it seems with the Commander that is not an option.
"I recently developed an interest in falling in love. This feeling came upon me when I returned from conquering the Northern Tribes and then by chance I found a new companion." The blue-haired woman remarked while staring at the robed girl beside her all the while.
Saiko flushed as she slowly ate pleased to know that she is her Master's interest or it seems so. She would die if she was not…
The declaration was a bit shocking to those seated at the table; despite her earlier claim she didn't seem like the type to desire love.
"Y-your companion is your interest is that right Master?" The black-haired slave questioned as she found if she was told no she would be filled with the biggest sadness and jealously in the world.
"No, it's the other young girl I hold to my chest at night." Esdeath responded as she rolled her eyes ever so slightly but sighed when the girl took on a sad puppy dog face.
The blond-haired Jaeger gazed at the two seated to his right as he mused on how the Commander treats the girl like a mix between a love interest and a treasured pet.
Those two were the oddest couple he could ever envision.
"Your Saiko is relieved to hear that, she would die if it was not her." Saiko answered as she slowly drank her wine smiling as she allowed the saddened face to pass.
"Death is not permitted on the list of things I will allow you to do." The blue-haired woman assured as she ate narrowing her eyes.
"When you speak it becomes a binding decree…I will do my best not to die Master Esdeath." The black-haired slave answered as she beamed at the older woman who sat beside her.
Esdeath grinned as she once more delighted in her pet's submission and she reached over to pat her on the head mussing her soft black hair.
She withdrew her hand as she turned her gaze back to her subordinates either done eating or eating still.
"Anyhow, Run. I now nominate you as Second in Command of the Jaegers. You impressed me, you give good advice too. Do not let me down." The blue-haired woman announced with no warning whatsoever as she gazed at the blond Jaeger who widened his eyes.
"This is rather sudden but so be it I accept the responsibility. I will not disappoint you." Run answered while pausing his eating to speak despite his feelings on her sadism she is his superior.
"Yes, well it is not without merit. You are the most qualified by far for Second in Command; Saiko…your deduction on Run was on point hmm." Esdeath spoke as she nodded her head in approval as she stared at the robed girl beside her.
The General's words caused all to look up as she spoke wondering what she was referring to.
'Saiko made a deduction on me? How intriguing...' The blond-haired Jaeger mused as he was curious how this came to be since they had not met.
"Saiko is without a doubt a literary genius. To call her a fifthly little slave girl is a gross insult to one so educated, she has even educated herself long ago on an old book on all forty-eight Teigu, she knows at the least a few details about everyone's Teigu here." Esdeath admitted as her tone grew colder briefly mentioning the Doctor's insult but she continued.
Saiko sat up as she nodded her head beaming with pride as her lips twitched while drinking her wine.
The statement caught the Jaegers by surprise, just how many books has this girl read?
"That is impressive. Tell me Commander what was Saiko's deduction on me?" Run requested as he smiled at the proud girl.
He could tell she was clearly trying to show that she had skills despite not being a fighter.
"I gave her a letter, with only the your names and Teigu's listed on it, there were no personal details regarding any of you so keep that in mind." The blue-haired woman said as she eyed the Doctor before turning her eyes back to Run.
The blond-haired Jaeger caught the gaze.
So, she deduced something on all five of them but naturally she knew the Doctor personally.
"Saiko said she read the full name of your Teigu in the book, and that she wagers since the power of flight cannot be understated that you will a useful subordinate. Brief but focused, on point. Good job Saiko." The General stated as she turned her gaze towards the girl in question once more.
"I-I thank you Master Esdeath. Your praise warms my heart. It is all that I need to live." The young girl stammered as she nodded her head smiling.
Esdeath gazed down at the barely touched food bowl wondering if the girl was actually trying to attempt to eat praise.
"No. You need to eat too. I have told you that you cannot subside on praise, I am starting to think that you believe you can." The blue-haired woman scolded as she cast a look at the girl warning her to eat.
The Jaegers sweatdropped when Saiko began slowly eating after being glared at by the General who sighed.
Run was truly impressed with Saiko. That was a mix of the knowledge she learned from the Teigu book and intuition, flight is a deadly ability allowing one to attack from above.
Since she did not know him personally, what his temperament was like or how he behaved.
She believed that a more versatile Teigu would make him a useful subordinate.
"That is a skilled deduction Saiko. As the Commander said, all without meeting me to know what my personality was like. Flight is a dangerous weapon. What do you think of me now?" The blond-haired Jaeger spoke as he held a glass of wine taking a sip as he stared at girl as she ate.
Saiko stopped eating she smiled at Run finding she liked him, a fellow literary scholar and he was a calculating man.
The Jaegers were curious what she had to say of one of them after already meeting them.
"I think that you are a calculating man, you think before you act. Fighter I am not but I was watching you battle. When it comes to strategy, you are the smartest of all six Jaegers, clearly the most fitting for Second in Command." The black-haired slave concluded as she raised her glass of wine to take another drink.
Run widened his golden eyes slightly, she is observant. So she was watching them fight the Commander?
The other five Jaegers were a bit stunned to hear praise for someone whose name was not Esdeath from the young girl's mouth.
"Fufu, my thoughts precisely but these are Saiko's own thoughts that she has formulated herself. Good girl Saiko, you please me." Esdeath spoke as hearing her voice has become a means of making the girl realize she is appreciated.
Saiko blushed as she nodded overwhelmed by her Ice Queen's words. It was good to know that a servant pleased their Master.
"That is astoundingly observant Saiko. Thank you for the compliments." The blond-haired Jaeger remarked as he was still amazed she was that watchful of others.
'Perhaps it has come from a painful life observing others? Therefore she developed the ability to read people by being around them all day against her will.' Run thought as he frowned finding that a sorrowful existence.
"So Commander, while we're at it what did she say about the rest of us?" Wave requested as he wondered if the girl had something negative to say before she met him.
"She stated that did not know much about your Teigu beyond that the Demon Armor Incursio was its prototype, she felt saddened for not offering more but I consoled her as that is far more than most people know." The blue-haired woman answered nodding her head as she was pleased the girl was eating more.
That puzzled the young man wondering why there was less information about his Teigu in whatever book she read. But perhaps there is less known about Grand Chariot?
Even so, at least she did not remark that he would be a fool as she did in person. That was more than others know indeed.
"I concluded that Kurome is the most deadly in one on one combat, Yatsufusa of the Dead turns those it strikes as they die into corpse puppets. That was my thoughts on you…Kurome. It's all in the name." The black-haired slave piped up as she paused eating glancing at the girl she spoke of seated past Run.
Kurome had finished eating as she now was eating her cookies while she had to admit, the girl was on point about her as she smirked slightly.
"Saiko, you are truly impressive with your skills of observation. May I ask where you picked them up? That is if you feel comfortable answering." Run requested as he studied the girl with careful but interested eyes.
"Oh, well I have served several politicians in my life. I learned how to copy their behavior as I stood beside them, observing how they watch people and manipulate them too. I got to be an adviser, for two or so of them." Saiko admitted as she brushed her hair out of her eyes drinking more wine.
'It is just as I thought. She did not learn those skills by choice. How disturbing that she studied politicians but she was an adviser? She is young." The blond-haired Jaeger thought as he could see why beyond the love interest why his Commander found her interesting.
"I am not fond too fond of those politicians though but I did learn quite a good deal from them. I get to be your adviser now after I am adequately trained isn't that right Master Esdeath?" The young girl requested as she turned her eyes to her Goddess in question.
"That is correct my little adviser, you have ample skills and I will put them to good use when brute force is not always favored. Though I do love brute force…" Esdeath assured as she finished eating with a sadistic smile on her lips while leaning back on her throne…that is what it is to her.
The Jaegers were collectively shocked that assistant meant adviser and eventually suggesting to their Commander what actions Saiko feels is best.
It seemed foolish all the sudden for the way she was treated earlier, advising can be dangerous.
Dr. Stylish truly had little to no appetite feeling repulsed that this slave girl was given such a crucial position.
Naturally, he kept his mouth shut. On top of that the Commander showers her with love and has a romantic interest in her.
Touching her is off limits…for now.
"There is nothing wrong with both using the power of gentle persuasion to dissuade those into surrender Master Esdeath and then when they do. You can just apply brute force to them afterward. It is your will after all, who says they have to be given mercy?" Saiko remarked as she smiled with a hint of coldness in her voice as she stared at her owner.
Wave was bothered by Saiko's words. Is she suggesting she will convince enemies to surrender to make it easier on her and then the Commander can just kill them anyway?
"Hmm, explain your rational my pet. Give me a figurative example." The blue-haired woman demanded as she held a hand under her chin peering at the teenager.
"An enemy fort, Revolutionary Army we'll say. Let's say after I am deemed worthy let me negotiate surrender under terms they will walk out alive. Then, if it so pleases you kill them all or spare them, it is your will Master Esdeath. It is a good mind game no?" The black-haired slave explained as she felt her heard skip a beat when the older woman glanced her way.
"That is utterly low Saiko, shameful even to lie to the enemy while making them think they will receive mercy?" The General scolded her pet as she wanted to see how she reacted to her words.
"I-I forgive me Master. I am sorry you dislike the idea." Saiko muttered as she felt foolish all of the sudden.
The dark blue-haired Jaeger sighed in relief that their Commander had some humanity at least to not agree to that type of cruelty.
Soldiers on the battlefield were one thing but to lie and say they will give surrender, but then not.
It truly was something that bothered him.
Esdeath reached over as she ruffled the sixteen-year old's hair with a smile before speaking strangely bothered by her sadness.
"It is all of those things and more. I love the idea. You are doing well Saiko!" The blue-haired woman assured as she patted the girl atop her head as her lips curled in sadistic delight.
It came as no surprise to all but Wave that Esdeath actually liked the idea in the end.
Wave was staring at the two with widened dark blue eyes. They can't do that!
"I-I am so happy that you are fond of my ideas." The young girl admitted as she felt the hand rustle her hair gently.
"Good job comrade Saiko! We shall slaughter the evil doers with justice! If justice demands they be told they will get surrender and then we purge them afterward I will do it gladly!" Seryu yelled in agreement as her face broke out into a beast-like grin.
"Well. I am glad you like my ideas too Seryu. I felt that was a good one." Saiko commented as she smiled feeling confident again now that her owner was content with her.
"Pardon me for speaking out of turn Commander, but is this something we are actually going to employ?" The dark blue-haired Jaeger questioned as he truly hoped she would say at the least most likely no.
"At some point yes. I am testing Saiko's powers of persuasion, I will need to work out the details when the time comes as her safety is paramount, but she has piqued my interest." The General responded as she patted the girl's head one more time before sipping her wine.
Kurome shrugged not really caring one way or another how they take out the enemy, but she'd prefer to have done it the way that involves more bloodlust and excitement.
Enemies coming out the front expecting a haven will be easy pickings.
Run was still studying Saiko. Was she like this before Esdeath?
Would she have suggested something so ruthless before meeting her?
Is this pent up rage for living in chains for so long? Now, she can make people suffer even if she doesn't know them such as Revolutionary soldiers?
Or is she so in love with Esdeath that she feels the need to win her over with ruthless suggestions?
Since she cannot barge into such a fort as any of the six of them could, it must be a weapon of the mind.
It could be one or both.
"Thank you my Master. To know that my safety is paramount to any operation moves me deeply. You are truly my stars in my darkened night sky that light my life with your brilliant luster…you are divine." The young girl admitted as she blushed slightly reaching over to hug the older woman's closest arm as she latched onto it.
Saiko's words shocked the Jaeger's that weren't in the kitchen with her to hear how she spoke about their Commander and even Wave and Bols were still stunned to hear such words again.
Esdeath felt her face heat up as her Saiko grabbed her left arm after telling her even more poetic words of devotion.
She is too precious!
"B-brilliant luster? The Commander is divine? You did proclaim her a Goddess in the kitchens but this is still bizarre." The dark blue-haired Jaeger spoke as he gazed at the girl leaning into the Commander as if she was melting like butter.
"Huh? I did not proclaim her a Goddess. She is a Goddess. I know this to be true, one so mighty, who effortlessly could dominate any foe upon this world and whose beauty is legendary. What else is she?" Saiko explained as she nuzzled her owner's left arm with a dreamy face as she gazed up at her with reverence.
The Jaegers were as a whole awed by the girl's words as she claimed Esdeath is a Goddess not that she thinks she is one, keyword knows.
The blue-haired woman blushed even more as she was called a Goddess by her servant publically in front of her subordinates. She's so loyal to her.
"You are so sweet my Saiko. There is no one who is more loyal than you; such devoted worship melts my cold heart." Esdeath admitted as she wrapped her left arm around her pet's head drawing her close to her breasts to smother her with love.
"This one is yours, I live to please you." The black-haired slave answered as she rested her face against the woman's large breasts with a smile on her lips.
The blond-haired Jaeger had to say this girl had the worst case of savior complex he could ever imagine.
It must be why she 'knows' that Esdeath is a Goddess, because why else would she have been rescued?
It likely comforts her to think a divine being saved her. As he considers those words, he muses she must have a mentally distorted mind to hold this belief despite her intellect.
And the Commander feeds off on it.
In fact they feed off on each other. He was not sure if it was a good thing that someone like Esdeath was being called a Goddess.
He hoped this did not inflate his Commander's ego too much.
"Fufu, I am aware you do. You only tell me that constantly but I appreciate it." The blue-haired woman assured as she reclined back drinking her wine finding this felt quite nice.
Having a dutiful pet latched to her at all times, she loved it.
Run sighed as he shook his head.
Simply looking at her satisfied posture and they way she smirks he can tell though he has not known her long.
That girl is raising her ego through the roof.
Bols still found it to be a happy thing as they were content together and that is what matters.
Romance did not always make sense to outside parties.
Strange as they were together...they genuinely seemed to make each other happy and in Bols mind that's what matters most.