You. Yes, you, dear reviewer. You know who you are. That was the sneakiest review I've had the pleasure of reading. Here you have your omake. Enjoy it, because you deserve it. ;D
Omake
The little Phantomhive was cute. Too cute for my poor heart.
He was such an adorable little boy... he was showing me his toys, right now.
Isn't he a sweetheart?
"I like this one a lot... but he doesn't like to play with the ship, because he's afraid of water... And this is my game of chess... only father and Ciel can win against me!"
"I'm afraid that I'm no good at chess..."
"Do you have a favorite toy, too?"
"Well... Yes, in fact. It's a clown. His name is Tofu."
"But... aren't clowns scary...?"
"Yes... but not this one! This one is nice! He likes to watch me do things, so he makes me company."
"Oh... like Ciel and I?"
"Yes." I nodded. Exactly.
Such a smart kid. I want to hug him forever.
A head peeked into the door of the bedroom we were in. It was Ciel.
"I'm not sure guests are supposed to enter here..."
"Ah. Ciel! Miss Dalia was about to show me her favorite toy, too"
I was?
Oh, well. Why not? I mean... the little kid looks so cute... how can I refuse?
I showed Tofu to the twins. I was a little uncertain. Tofu was a bit old, what if they didn't like him?
The youngest of the twins wiped my fears away.
"Woah! So cool! He's like the wizard! But better... It's not scary. Look! This is the wizard."
Little Phantomhive turned around to show me a wizard-looking doll.
Ciel was looking curiously at the toy. "Ours are better..."
"Eh? No! Toto is nice!"
I'm melting right here. Even if he did get Tofu's name wrong.
The little Phantomhive just defended Tofu. If that isn't the cutest thing I have seen this week I will eat Undertaker's hat. Again.
The younger twin showed me "the wizard" he talked about. They didn't really look alike... maybe the colors... and Tofu's hat may resemble that of this wooden toy.
Tofu was definitely better.
That didn't mean that this toy wasn't cute, because it was. And it seemed very expensive.
"Wah... so cool..."
The younger Phantomhive seemed to brighten at this.
Such a cute little kid. I swear I'm internally gushing over him.
He's the cutest kid I have ever met.
Look at those eyes! They are so... Argh! My poor heart... can't handle so much cuteness...
Must. Resist. The urge. To hug.
The older twin peeped out behind us.
"Sc-scary..."
Both of us turned to look at Ciel. He seemed quite freaked out by something, but I couldn't find anything that would merit such a reaction.
"Ehh...?"
Really, why did he look so spooked? Ciel hadn't gotten scared by Undertaker at all... so what could have scared him?
Definitely not Tofu.
Neither the younger twin nor I found the clown scary, so it probably meant it wasn't.
I mean... I was the less brave person I knew, and the younger of the Phantomhive twins was quite shy...
What on earth could have scared the oldest of the twins, so bubbly and carefree?
I looked from Ciel to his brother. He also looked confused.
We exchanged glances, and shrugged.
"When I grow up, I want to make toys."
"Really? That's so cool! I will definitely buy toys from you~"
The boy smiled wide.
My heart. My poor heart. Cute kids are my weakness.
"Little Lia~?"
Argh! Not yeeet! I want to play with the Phantomhives a little longer...
The two aforementioned twins turned to the door, glancing at me from time to time.
I sighed.
I wasn't really supposed to be here, anyways.
And the shy Phantomhive seemed to be about to faint, just by thinking of meeting the scary reaper again.
Taking Tofu with me, I waved goodbye, sneaking out of their bedroom.
I silently walked to where I heard Undertaker call for me.
Ambushing Undertaker from behind, I jumped on his back, in my Chibi form, of course.
Wouldn't want to break his back. Although, he didn't seem to mind, anyways.
"Where were you, little Lia~?"
"Oh, you know... playing with kids my age"
Seriously, jj510, you did a very good job in baiting me. I really tried to resist, but I couldn't keep the ideas from coming, so I hope you at least enjoyed this short omake.
Not like I had anything else to do... like studying... cough cough.
Well, now that that's out of the way, Hello again everybody! Exams week is over, and I think a part of my soul went away with it. I'll survive, though.
I always read and adore every single one of your reviews, you seriously are the best. I really spoil you guys too much, here you have more fuzzy feelings to make you melt. And laughter, because Undertaker doesen't behave.
Next chapter has plot advancement! Finally! I was considering if I should literally grab Dalia and throw her into the plot. That won't be necessary now. So, cheers!
Disclaimer: Black Butler belongs to Yana Toboso. I'm not Yana Toboso. I don't own Black Butler.
The Gamer: Fun and Games
I had been pulled into a dungeon.
I didn't create it, I hadn't had any time to.
What had happened?
A bark.
Kala?
No.
NO.
Nononono!
A big and wet tongue strolled through my face, leaving it sticky and wet.
That tongue belonged to a familiar black monstrosity.
The black monstrosity went by the name of Biscuit.
Oh, great.
Now what do I do with it?
I don't have Kala with me this time.
And I had stopped bringing big meaty snacks because I thought something like this would not happen anymore. Why had I thought that?
Oh, yeah.
Because I was a lazy, stupid idiot.
And now I'm going to get eaten.
Or... Wait a second...
I'm not going to get eaten! I hadn't been sitting on my hands since I saw Biscuit last.
I was higher leveled than Biscuit had been!
Damn! Just by level, I am stronger than Mr. Dimwit!
That had to amount to something!
I just had to make sure Biscuit hadn't become stronger, since then.
'[Name]: Biscuit
Title: Dalia's unwanted lap dog
Level: 30
Health: 223 Hp
Mana: 101 Mp
Str: 52
Vit: 31
Dex: 27
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Luck: 16
Predominant emotion: Very Happy!
A Demon Hound. The Smartest of the Hell hounds, can breathe fire and change into a human form.
Demon Hounds only listen to those they deem worthy.
This puppy has been looking for its master for a long time.
[With its master]: this dog is with its master. Gives: +10 Happy +10 Content,
+40% to Skill learning. +15% to social interactions.
[Master is back!]: after a long time without seeing its master, this pup is very happy. +30 Happy +30 Excitable.
+10% to social interactions with master.'
Well...
Bad news: it had become stronger.
Good news: I still was stronger.
More bad news: Apparently Biscuit has a master.
Worse news: I was Biscuit's master.
Possible good news: If Biscuit found a way to come here, it could probably find a way to go back home, and so could I.
All in all: Biscuit was back and I felt like crying.
How would I even explain this to Undertaker?!
Biscuit wasn't mine! I hadn't tamed it or anything!
I couldn't take care of it!
I need to escape.
"ID escape!"
Unlike any other time I tried to escape from Biscuit's dungeon, this time the world around me shattered and broke.
At least that meant I had improved enough to be able to escape from its dungeons.
I ran.
"Taker, Taker, Taker, Taker, Taker, Taker"
Once inside, Undertaker looked up from the body he was examining.
"What is it~?"
"There's a dog outside."
The reaper stared at me with a blank face.
"…I wasn't aware you were afraid of dogs~?"
"I'm not! But this one thinks I'm its master or something stupid like that! Just because I gave it some food, but that was like... half a year ago! And the thing is following me!"
Undertaker blinked, and after some seconds, he said: "it's just a dog, dear~. I'm sure you can deal with it~"
Nononono, you don't understand, Taker, this "dog" isn't "just a dog".
It was a mother flipping Cerberus spawn!
"Takeeeeeeer..." Crying and clinging to his robes didn't seem to do anything to convince him that I wouldn't be able to "deal with it".
A bark.
The Gamer's mind was currently making me unable to panic to my heart's content.
But to say I was worried would be the understatement of the century.
Something started scratching at the back door.
Undertaker gently pushed me in the direction of said door.
"You are stronger than you think~, face your demons once in a while~."
No!
He doesn't understand.
This demon is a literal demon!
You are sending me to become a Dog-Demon's chew toy.
Even if I was higher leveled and stronger than the dog, I had a crippling weakness.
It was a dog. I couldn't attack dogs.
They were precious creatures, they were a line I would never dare cross. Attacking a dog wasn't a crime I was willing to commit, ever.
This was a dilemma.
How do I get rid of the dog without hurting it, and somehow get the information I needed on how it got here?
Easy.
I can't.
From behind the door pitiful whining was heard.
"Awww~ how cruel ~, are you going to stay here while that poor thing cries~?"
Please.
As if he cares at all, about what happens to that dog. I'm the one who cares about animals.
And I cannot currently bring myself to care, because I know exactly which animal is outside.
"You don't understand, Taker, that thing is not a dog."
Undertaker ignored my words completely, grabbing my cheeks any muttering about where had his cute, good little assistant gone.
The scratching stopped, instead being replaced by insisting banging.
Undertaker finally let me go, and opened the door.
What entered the shop wasn't a dog.
It was a kid.
A kid, about half my size, black hair and shiny blue eyes.
And clad only in their birthday suit.
Which meant that they were completely naked.
For a second, the only thing that could be heard in the shop was the kid's sniffing and a quiet, incredulous: "Biscuit?" from myself.
The kid, the "May-be-Biscuit", whirled around to me, the only name I could give to their expression was 'elation'.
The kid… Biscuit tackled me in a mix of a hug, a pounce and a dog-kiss attack.
Which involves lots of licking, spit and unintentional scratches. The possibly-Biscuit had sharp nails. And I mean sharp as in claw-sharp, not just long like Undertaker.
"Argh! Get it off!"
Undertaker wasn't really helping, as his only reaction to my attack, after the initial blank expression was to start laughing. While crying.
Alright, let's calm down for a second...
If this was Biscuit, as I was led to believe... WHY IN THE NAME OF COOKIES HAD IT BECOME A HUMAN?! And why was it naked?!
And more importantly! A human kid! I cannot hurt animals, I cannot hurt kids, basically I cannot hurt any form of sentient being without feeling like a monster.
And suddenly Biscuit qualified as all of the above.
"Why? How? Why me?"
There is some kind of god out there that hates my guts. Of that, I am now sure.
"Woof!" Biscuit, of course, couldn't really talk like a human, even if it had just transformed into one.
Now that I think about it... didn't Biscuit's description say that Demon Hounds could transform into humans?
I hadn't paid much attention to that part, I had been more worried about the spitting fire thing.
"Takeeeeer..." Come on taker, help me out a little...
"How did you even manage to tame a demon hound~?"
"I didn't! Kala did! My dog. I just gave it food! And suddenly this thing followed me here! I don't even know how!" The dog-kid started rubbing their face against mine, like a cat.
Biscuit, even if it had the body of a kid, still seemed to have certain... dog characteristics.
Like a tail. A black fluffy tail, wagging from side to side with the strength of a whip.
Taker tried to approach us, just to get a very suspicious look from Biscuit, and a growl.
"Hey! No growling to Undertaker!"
Biscuit turned to me, all smiles and wagging tails, licking any part of my face it got close to.
It was way more disturbing, because Biscuit now looked like a human. And let's not forget that they were naked, please.
Undertaker went to the kitchen, bringing a sausage with him. Hey, I was supposed to cook that later!
Apparently, that was enough to get Undertaker into Biscuit's good graces, as it finally released me, and tackled Undertaker.
Or at least tried to, as the reaper refused to bulge. That didn't mean he didn't get a face full of demon-dog-turned-human spit.
"You deserve that."
I got a giggle in response. It would seem that the reaper didn't particularly care he got his face full of saliva.
He must be a saint or something.
"How did it follow me here? I don't even know how I arrived here, much less how this..." I made a vague gesture to Biscuit. "... dog... managed to follow me."
"That is a very interesting question, dear~."
Yeah, very interesting, but I have another, more important question.
How do I get rid of it?
"Put your energy in the weapon."
"That is easier said than done."
"Just do it, dear~"
"Urgh."
'Through an action you have gained a new skill [Power Srike].'
"Huh, that wasn't too bad."
"It's not~"
"So... it's like...?"
"A more powerful strike~".
"Which costs mana?"
"Apparently."
"Huh... I don't have a lot of fighting skills, and even less that use mana, so this can be useful..."
Undertaker smirked.
Alright, alright I get it, it wasn't that bad.
I was about to stick out my tongue, but got tackled by a dog-kid.
Urgh.
It was still around here.
Undertaker shrugged his shoulders, he didn't seem very worried about the demon dog...
Sigh, of course he wasn't, I was the one it liked to bother the most.
I awkwardly scratched Biscuit's head. They seemed to like it...
At least we had managed to get Biscuit into some clothes. It wasn't easy, as they didn't seem to like wearing anything... but I wasn't about to let it walk around naked, tackling and licking people was bad enough.
As Undertaker mentioned, Biscuit was apparently a puppy.
I call a load of crap. I still remember that Biscuit was bigger than a horse.
I sat on the ground.
I had asked Undertaker to teach me the power strike, because I had next to none combat skills.
I had gotten a skill called [Parry], thanks to my training with Undertaker...
But, of course, Parry was a defensive skill.
I had improved my Throwing, as I think I would be best suited to long range combat... but Throwing was... yeah.
I had learned Undertaker was a mid-range melee fighter... although he could defend himself at close range with his stick-of-doom/sotoba well enough. Compared to lowly humans, he could use the stick like a pro.
That meant, if I wanted to properly support his fighting style, I would either need to become a healer or buffer with long range capabilities.
I couldn't become a full healer, as I wanted to. Because Undertaker was an ass and he sometimes went to do his things, instead of helping me out in the Dungeons.
Of course, it was understandable that he had a life, unlike me. That didn't mean I had to like it.
If I became a pure healer, and didn't have a Damage dealer, I would become dead meat faster than I can get lost.
Of course I had already started my way into a jack-of-all-Stats, and while that could mean more versatility, that could also mean that, unless I got my hands into some useful skills, I would become a mediocre fighter.
I had put quite a few points in Wisdom and Intelligence, in case I got a useful skill, but I also had decided to give preference to Dexterity above strength.
That still brought me back to a big problem.
I had decent stats... more or less.
I had decent weapons, thanks to my frying pan and Undertaker's sacrificial-stick-of-doom.
But my skills...
Were quite useless.
The vast majority weren't even combat skills. And the few combat skills I did have were [Mastery of Blunt Weapons], [Parry], [Throwing], a barely negligible [Mastery of cutting Weapons] I got from cutting vegetables, and the newly gained [Power Strike].
Out of all of those, only the last one was an active skill that I could use during combat.
While it was good to have a lot of passive skills, I also needed active skills.
I was having a game-character-building existential crisis.
At my level, I should have already specialized in something.
Instead I was a... hybrid of useless and... running around like a headless chicken.
I could defeat monsters, and even bosses after an eternity and a strategy of 'hit and run', but I wasn't being efficient about it at all. And, in games, efficiency is almost as vital as versatility, sometimes even more.
Look at Undertaker for example.
His level was stratospheric, but he was clearly a melee fighter, with minor skills that could cover his weaknesses in a pinch. He was well-balanced, but with a clear preference in Dexterity, to be able to get close or put distance between him and the enemy, depending on the situation. And the boost to his stats, like Str, thanks to the fact that was a Reaper wasn't hurting him at all.
And that is without taking into account whatever tricks he may be hiding. Which, knowing Undertaker, are quite a few.
Now look at me.
...
Yes, that's right. Nothing.
My Stats were mainly in Wisdom, but I didn't have any skill that could benefit from that, my weapon was close range, but my strength was laughable, and my only saving grace with vitality was that [Herculean] trait that gave me +20 Vit.
I was a mess, let's just leave it at that.
I think that the only reason why I'm still alive is thanks to Undertaker, and my luck.
Because, I had put a ton of points in luck, when I realized the disaster I had done with my Stats, and how it was probably the only reason why I was still breathing. Not that doing so helped me much with my messed up stats, it had been the panic of the moment, but I had survived.
It was curious. The more points in Intelligence and Wisdom, the more stupid I feel.
Just recently I realized that, instead of sleeping in the streets, I could have paid for a hotel room.
I had enough money.
In fact I had a lot of money.
I still should save it for an emergency, but I didn't have to be as stingy as I had been before.
So... I feel like I was dropped on the head when I was little.
And that's just the icing on the cake.
"What's wrong, dear~? You have such a long face~."
"I feel like an idiot."
Undertaker didn't say anything. But ended up smirking.
I narrowed my eyes at him, but couldn't say anything, as he hugged me.
"Awww~ does my poor little assistant feel stupid~?" I feel like I'm being patronized.
He started poking my cheek, and I made a move to bite his fingers.
"Woof" Biscuit!
Apparently, Biscuit wanted attention, too.
"You see~, this one reminds me of you when meeting people~ hi hi hi~."
I sent him a nasty glare. I look or act nothing like Biscuit.
"Always following me around~, wanting attention~, hiding behind me~. Yes~ that does sound exactly like you~"
...
Alright maybe I did follow Undertaker around like a lost puppy.
That did not mean I had to like Biscuit following ME around like a lost puppy.
I broke the Dungeon, walking back inside the shop.
"I'm nothing like a dog... I'm not a dog."
"Of course, dear~"
That sounds a lot like "whatever you say". I sent him a look.
My only answer was a "hi hi hi~", but that was to be expected.
I had to start making our food, while I think of how to gain a healing or long-range magic skills.
Mhmm... Until now, the only true skill that had required me to use mana had been the Create/Escape ID, and now the power strike.
All of them had in common one thing.
I was supposed to "use" or "move" my mana in a certain way or expel it outside my body.
The power strike consists of "storing" mana in your weapon, releasing it when you attack.
The Create ID, I had to "form" a bubble with my mana.
In the Escape ID skill, I had to expel my mana violently to "break" the bubble already in place.
So technically, this "mana" or "magic" should be a malleable thing.
Which meant that, even if I don't know what I'm doing, I should be able to create something if I just play around with it.
I could ask Undertaker to be my "test subject" to see if I can get a healing skill out of this.
And a way for me to attack at long range.
I took out the roasted salmon, distributing it in three plates.
This was the first time we had someone else in the kitchen, and we were woefully unprepared.
Undertaker being the not-gentleman he was sat in his usual seat, leaving us to decide who would be left without a seat.
The ass even had the gall to smirk and watch us expectantly.
Sighing, I guided Biscuit to the only chair left, making them sit, and serving their food.
Ignoring the snickers was easy by now, and just served myself. If the ass was going to laugh at my misfortune, he could very well serve himself.
Undertaker whined, but didn't stop giggling, he even mockingly offered his leg for me to sit on.
I should take his offer, just to shut him up.
Of course that would be a big, uncomfortable mess. He could even not care about it, and instead find amusement in my own uncomfortableness.
In fact, I'm sure that's exactly what would have happened, had I taken his offer.
I was now proud to say, that I could recognize a trap when it slapped me in the face.
I looked at Biscuit.
And promptly gaped.
I wasn't expecting a dog to have any sense of table manners, but...
They were eating the salmon without using their hands at all, just shoving their face against the food and eating.
I was horrified.
I don't know if Undertaker found amusement in Biscuit's eating manners, or my previously mentioned horrified face, but he laughed like a madman.
He even fell out of his chair, rolling on the floor.
Ha! Like I was going to waste that chance!
I sat on his chair.
I moved Undertaker's food aside, eating my own, ignoring the complaints I was getting from Undertaker.
He had made an impressive recovery when he noticed I stole his seat, I had to say. Just… not fast enough.
I smirked at him, saying nothing.
"Oh~, you evil little Lia~."
I felt evil alright.
Like I just stole the cookie pot without anyone being able to prove anything.
Did evil people get this feeling, when their plans succeeded? Because if that was the case, I could completely understand why would they enjoy being bad so much.
...
I had to admit.
This was an unlikely trio.
A Demon-dog eating food like a savage on a chair, a retired Grim Reaper, eating and whining on the floor by equal amounts, and then there's me.
Little Lia, human, a coward and the user of an ability that shouldn't even exist in this time. Or any other, if we're being picky.
A strange group no matter how you look at it.
"Hey!" I smacked Undertaker's hand away from my food. "Eat your own!" I embraced protectively the food, keeping it away from Undertaker.
He snickered and pointed at Biscuit.
Who had just stolen my salmon.
"Stop stealing my food!"
"Hi hi hi~ if you don't hurry, the hungrier ones will take it for themselves~."
"The hungrier ones" my human ass.
I narrowed my eyes at both of them, protecting my remaining food from their grabby hands.
I was surrounded by thieves.
Thieves I say, the lot of them.
Eating in record time, I was sure I was going to have stomachache later.
Digestion is for weaklings, I guess.
"Taker, mind being my test subject?"
"Oh~? How could I ever deny your desire for knowledge, dear~? Of course~."
We went to the front shop, to sit on a coffin.
Biscuit hot on our heels.
I awkwardly smiled at the demon-dog.
I hope it doesn't get in the way.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and tried imagining how would magic move, if I wanted to use it to heal.
I imagined a thread, made of magic, mana or whatever that thing was supposed to be named, and tried manifesting it outside my palms.
Slowly expelling the Magic, wrapping around Undertaker's hand...
'Through an action you have created a new skill: [Magic Binding]'
"Dear, my hands are tied~"
Uh?
"Ah! That... wasn't supposed to happen. Sorry! Let me..." Undertaker's hands were wrapped by a golden, shining... rope? Chain?
I tried manually unwrapping the rope tying his hands together, but no matter what I did, the chain wasn't bulging.
"Uh..."
"You don't know what you did, do you~?"
Well... not exactly, no.
"Give me a minute, I can look into the skill description, and see if I can get you out of there... Sorry..."
"I'm not going anywhere~"
Well, yes. At least not with his hands like that. That was obvious.
'[Magic Bindings]: Level 1
This magic binds are virtually unbreakable. As long as the user has mana left, only they can dispel them, or by using a magic dispelling skill or device.
Magic cost: 20 Mp (create)
Durability: Variable on user's Mp and struggle of prey.'
Uh...
"I have good news and bad news."
Despite being in this position, Undertaker found it perfectly normal to smile like he just got the canary.
"Eh... good news is that I can technically disperse the chains... bad news are that I don't know how. Oh, and apparently they cannot be broken, as long as I have Mp left."
"Then why don't we see how long will your Mp last~?" He got a rather malicious look in his eye. I have a bad feeling about this...
"Nonononono! I can figure it out just fine, just... give me a minute."
Alright...
I tried visualizing the chains keeping Undertaker's hands together, and just... imagined it evaporating.
"Oh~? Well done little Lia~." Undertaker used his newly recovered hands to rub my hair.
Awww, he just messed up my hair.
"Hey!" No matter my complaints, I didn't evade the hand, and ended up with a madwoman's hair.
I needed my brush...
Speaking of it… It's not in my coffin or the bathroom, where I usually leave it.
I looked at Undertaker.
Sighing at, but not being fooled by his oblivious expression, I pounced him, looking inside his sleeves, cloak and even through his hair.
I found my brush. Of course.
Undertaker didn't seem the least bit remorseful at being caught with my things, rather he smirked and made a gesture that could only be described as: "what can I do?"
Not stealing would be nice, for starters.
Brushing my hair, Biscuit decided to investigate my brush... by sniffing it.
Alright, once I'm done I can try again to develop a healing skill. Or at least one that gives positive effects.
This binding magic wasn't bad. It could be quite useful. At least more than normal rope tying. Or… it could end up being as useless as the rope tying skill.
Now that I think about it... maybe Undertaker doesn't want to keep being my guinea pig, after that fiasco.
I looked at Undertaker.
He looked back, tilting his head to the side like a confused dog.
And he started swinging his mane from side to side, smirking.
No, I don't think he minds.
And even if he doesn't want to, I can tie him up and use him as a practice dummy.
Because I know exactly what he's doing.
He's purposefully messing up his hair, so I have an aneurism and start brushing it.
I did exactly that.
Sigh.
He really has such precious hair... I don't understand how he can have such long, beautifully pale hair when he barely pays any attention to it.
If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't even brush it!
There's people who don't understand how lucky they are.
"I love your hair... you're so lucky..." I fawned over his hair. Not only was it long, but it was also white, without being albino or an old man, and when it was tangle-free it flowed like water out of a fountain.
With the fountain... being... his head...
I suck at comparisons.
Biscuit whined, trying to get my attention.
"Biscuit behave, please..."
Undertaker suddenly blinked, turning around.
"Its name... is Biscuit?" His expression was... blank.
His tone of voice on the other hand… It wasn't blank… but I didn't know how to identify it.
So I nodded.
...
A snort.
He seemed to honestly be trying to control himself. For that I was grateful.
Sadly he gave up rather quickly. But that wasn't surprising.
He laughed, cackling madly, crying rivers.
He even started rolling on the floor.
Tsk.
And I had just finished brushing his hair, now it will be all tangled once again.
With Biscuit looking confusedly at Undertaker, while still trying to get my attention, I realized that this was a madhouse. We should change the sign outside. 'Asylum' would be a better description.
I tried to ignore both Biscuit and Undertaker, while still trying to use the later as a practice dummy.
I closed my eyes again.
Alright, visualization had worked before. Not in the way I had wanted to, but in hindsight I guess that visualizing a thread of magic wrapping around Undertaker, would tie him up, rather than heal him.
Instead, this time I tried imagining the magic as an aura, rather than a physical thing.
I slowly brought that aura over Undertaker's skin.
...
...
Well. Now what?
This was...
"I'm sorry."
"hi hi hi~ What for, dear~?"
He didn't have any wound for me to heal, so I couldn't heal him. Simple as that.
And it took me so long to realize that.
I really am a bit of an idiot, aren't I?
"I don't know what to do, from here. It's not like you have any wounds that would need healing, so I can't exactly use it like that..."
"Oh~? So that was what you were trying to do? That has a simple solution, dear~."
I widened my eyes, throwing myself against him.
"Don't do anything reckless!"
He blinked. "I wasn't going to, dear~. We have plenty of bodies downstairs that wouldn't mind being your test subject~. But it is nice to see that you care so much~." He placed both of his hands over my cheeks, his face getting closer, so close that our nose almost touched, gentle half closed green eyes shining... mischievously...
And then he squeezed.
Ack!
My poor cheeks! Abuse! This is abuse!
I tried pulling away, but acomplished nothing besides making my cheeks sore.
"Cfhan Ihf..." I took both of Undertaker's hands in mine, trying to pull them away, so I could talk properly. "Can I at least try one more thing?"
I wanted to see if I could use the magic as a boost. In anything. If I could create a skill to enhance my stats or reduce my enemies', that would prove quite useful.
"As you wish~." He didn't let me go, though.
I closed my eyes again. Ignoring the hands still on my cheeks.
I imagined the aura, seeping out of my hands, settling over Undertaker's.
I tried imagining that the aura would give a boost to strength, but it was harder than I expected. How does one go imagining a desired effect?
I imagined that the aura would seep into his hands, making them stronger, hardening muscle, bone and tissue.
The anatomy book was proving useful now.
I had to find more books.
'Through an action you have created a skill [Strength of a thousand gods]'
"That tickles~" Opening my eyes, I was greeted by a smirking Undertaker.
"Do you feel anything?"
"Maybe~"
"If you don't tell me I can't know."
Well, I knew I had created a skill with a sappy name, but I didn't know if it was supposed to Increase his strength, or reduce it by petrifying him.
By the name and what I had been trying to do, I would bet it was an enhancement skill, probably strength.
'[Strength of a thousand gods]: Level 1
Uses Mp to increase an ally's Strength and Vitality.
+15 Strength +10 Vitality.
Cost: 40 Mp'
Oh? It seems like it also enhances Vitality. That's good.
I felt a smile pulling at the corners of my mouth.
Lately I had been doing that a lot. Smiling.
It felt... strange. But not bad.
Biscuit kept whining. It was almost like Kala, they didn't like being ignored.
Unlike Kala, Biscuit decided that the best way to get my attention was to jump and lick at my face.
Disgusting. Utterly disgusting.
At least they managed to get Undertaker away from my cheeks, as he had jumped away to avoid the attack.
Even in human form, Biscuit still acted as a dog, wagging its tail energetically from side to side.
I sighed.
I looked at Undertaker, he was snickering and not even trying to hide it.
I pointed at the snickering reaper.
"At him, Biscuit. Give your salivating love to him."
Biscuit turned to Undertaker.
Undertaker stiffened.
...
And Biscuit completely ignored him, instead deciding that I was in serious need of a bath.
After this I will definitely be.
Laughing, now that the danger was over, Undertaker rolled across the shop, further tangling the hair I had so painstakingly brushed.
Well, he might just get another round. We will see if he likes it then.
Putting a foot on his stomach, when he rolled too close, I gave him a smile.
And not one of the good smiles. It was the smile that promised suffering and death.
Not even ten minutes later I was brushing Undertaker's mane once again, the reaper tamely staying still, like a good boy.
With Biscuit being a nuisance.
It was hard to brush someone's hair, when you have a dog-child getting in the middle, trying to grab your attention.
"Biscuit, not now, you'll get your turn later." Of that I would make sure.
Biscuit's hair looks like it had never known what a brush is.
Biscuit whined, but gave me some room, looking dejectedly at Undertaker.
Undertaker, always the mature adult, stuck out his tongue at the dog.
"Don't antagonize them." I didn't add an 'or else', but I'm sure I could think of something as punishment.
As I brushed Undertaker's hair I realized I had called Biscuit a 'them', just now. Well, they looked so human...
It didn't feel right to call them 'he/she' either… Biscuit had a rather androgynous face, but seeing as they were naked when they transformed into a human… well, let's say that I don't have to guess as to what lies between their legs.
Still, I would continue to refer to Biscuit as they or them. It was the less uncomfortable option.
Finally deciding that I had returned some semblance of order to Undertaker's hair I turned to Biscuit.
And promptly freaked out.
Let's just make sure that we are all getting our facts right.
Biscuit is a dog.
Biscuit is a black dog with blue eyes.
Biscuit can turn into a kid.
Biscuit can turn into a kid with black hair and blue eyes.
Everything fine there? Good.
Now can someone explain why did Biscuit's hair suddenly turn white?!
"Taker..."
Biscuit looked quite excited. But... they had white hair. Why?
Undertaker seemed as confused as I felt, but after some time he started laughing.
"I think it was jealous of how much you liked my hair~ and tried to make its hair look like mine~ he he he~"
That explains absolutely nothing!
Oh. Demons.
You know what? This is something else I'm not questioning.
I made a sign for Biscuit to come closer.
It's tail was still black, but the hair of their head and even eyebrows had become a silvery-white color.
"You also had a cute hair Biscuit... you didn't need to change it..." Biscuit didn't seem to understand what I was saying, but their tail was at maximum power, so I guess they appreciated the compliment.
It didn't change their hair back, though.
Sigh.
Why was I surrounded by such strange beings?
"Make some noise when you walk, dear~. You almost gave me a heart attack~."
"Sorry, 'Taker."
It's one of the things that came with having such a high Stealth skill, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
The shop was closed, and we were preparing to go to sleep in a bit.
In the end I managed to get a healing skill, but I still had to try it with someone who was… well, alive.
I can ask Undertaker to be my practice dummy, tomorrow. Or Biscuit.
I'm not sure where Biscuit is, though...
I hope they are not causing trouble. I'm sure I saw them sniffing at Hercules not that long ago...
A thud.
It came from the door that led to the backyard.
Well, I can bet almost anything as to who that was.
A whine and scratching followed the thud.
Definitely Biscuit.
I opened the door...
... and promptly closed it before Biscuit could sneak through.
"Taker! I need... assistance."
"Oh~? My little assistant needs some assistance~? How curious~ hi hi hi~."
Yeah, well...
I slowly opened the door, so he could look at what lied behind it.
"Well... this is quite the situation..."
Biscuit started whining, not understanding why it wasn't being granted access.
The reason was simple.
Biscuit, still with white hair, had rolled in a pile of mud, dung and maybe a carcass if the smell was anything to go by.
"Biscuit, you need a bath."
Problem: we couldn't let Biscuit in, or it would leave everything in its path absolutely filthy.
But we couldn't pick Biscuit up to bring them to the bathroom upstairs... for the obvious reasons.
...
Either someone gets dirty, or the house gets dirty.
"We can leave it outside for today~ we can worry about this tomorrow~" As tempting as that was I don't feel good leaving a poor dog-child to sleep outside.
"That's just cruel… and it's not like they will have cleaned up tomorrow. They might even become filthier through the night."
"If it rains~..."
"Uh..." Well, that is a good point. "But how long until it rains? What if they get inside before it does, and leaves everything a muddy mess?"
"Then~..."
Biscuit started crying and whining, interrupting our discussion. Apparently they didn't like our conversation.
Sighing I finally decided. "I will clean everything they touch, after I clean Biscuit up."
"I will help~"
"Thanks." I smiled at the man by my side. That was nice of him.
Finally opening the door, I grabbed Biscuit by the collar of its borrowed shirt before it could escape, and half dragged it upstairs.
Biscuit didn't seem against following me, but I didn't want them getting too close.
Undertaker prepared the water while I carefully removed Biscuit's clothes. Those clothes will go straight to the trash can. I won't even bother washing them.
Too filthy. And goodness gracious, the smell…
I looked at Undertaker, the water was ready.
I beckoned Biscuit to get inside.
After an inspection they did.
Jumped right in, in fact.
Splashing Undertaker and me both.
...
I feel like drowning that dog.
Undertaker took over, while I convinced myself that I would regret it later, if I harmed the dog. Joining only when I was sure I wasn't about to do something drastic.
Biscuit seemed a bit confused about why did it have four hands scrubbing and washing every bit of skin and hair, but seemed to take it with calm, and even seemed to enjoy the attention.
Except when it decided that it was enough, and started trying to get out.
Sadly, neither of us had deemed Biscuit as 'clean enough', it still had soap everywhere, and I wasn't done with their hair yet. No matter how much I tried to wash whatever made their hair white, it was stubborn and didn't change back to black, not even a little.
The rest of the bathing session was spent with one of us preventing Biscuit from fleeing, while the other washed, changing places from time to time.
Undertaker had deemed Biscuit as 'clean' long before I was satisfied, but by the end of it, Biscuit was clean as... something very clean... Soap?
Sigh... I was terrible at comparisons.
Sadly, I had to give up on Biscuit's hair, whatever they did, it seemed permanent.
"Well, we're done."
Undertaker snickered. "I don't think they will go around getting this dirty ever again~."
Biscuit jumped out of the filthy brown water, splashing everywhere again. It didn't matter, we were both wet already from the first splash and from bathing Biscuit.
Before it could make a run for it, I trapped Biscuit with a towel. It seemed very happy.
It could be because the hold I had Biscuit in was almost an embrace.
Drying the dog-child wasn't easy either. They tried running in circles, dodging the towel and barely staying still.
Undertaker was barring the escape from the door, so at least we wouldn't have to worry about water all over the house.
He wasn't doing anything besides laughing and keeping Biscuit from escaping, though.
I picked up the now clean and relatively dry Biscuit, wrapping them inside the towel, surprisingly, they weren't that heavy.
Undertaker opened the door, and I brought Biscuit outside the bathroom and to Undertaker's bedroom.
Sitting them on the bed I looked for something that would fit a kid.
There wasn't much that Biscuit could wear, Undertaker didn't have any kid's sleeping clothes.
Undertaker did have clothes for kids, as he sometimes had to dress them for their funeral. Like the clothes Biscuit was wearing before they got them all dirty.
But none of the clothes were fit to go to sleep...
Undertaker took out his robe, and covered Biscuit with it. Biscuit sniffed the clothes they were now wearing.
I guess that would have to do for tonight.
Now... another problem.
Sleeping arrangements.
Usually I tried to sleep on my coffin downstairs, while Undertaker slept here, on his bed. Then one of us would give up on trying to sleep alone and go to the other's sleeping place.
Usually I was the first to cave in, but it wasn't strange for Undertaker to enter my coffin to sleep by my side.
It just was less common than me jumping on his bed, and even on him if I was feeling scared.
Where would Biscuit sleep?
Maybe in another coffin? But, they didn't seem to like being alone, or staying still, if all the whining and the bathroom experience were anything to go by.
One of us had to sleep with or near Biscuit, even if we didn't like it.
That meant that we BOTH had to sleep with Biscuit, or leave Biscuit behind, and I doubt they will appreciate that.
...
Maybe we can make them sleep on the floor. Or the foot of the bed.
They are a dog, after all.
But they looked like a child... I couldn't let a child sleep on the floor.
I heard a ruffle behind me, but ignored it.
Urgh... where would they sleep? Maybe we can get them a dog bed...
...
I don't think that will work...
A pair of arms, hugging me from behind, almost gave me a heart attack.
"What are you thinking about~?" Undertaker, please don't do that... my poor heart...
"You startled me..."
"Hi hi hi~"
"Not funny..." I deadpaned.
"Get dressed, dear~ or will you sleep in wet clothes~?"
No, but...
He smirked.
Alright, I will think of the sleeping arrangements later.
Now that I noticed, he was already in his own sleeping clothes. Consisting of a princess pink colored pajamas I made of Tom the tomcat. He said it was comfy and warm. I liked that he seemed to like my gifts, it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but… when had he changed? I hadn't left the bedroom… I don't want to know. Better not to think about it.
Getting out, I cleaned what Biscuit managed to touch and the bathroom while I was at it.
Once I made sure my clothes would be clean and dry by morning, I entered the bedroom again, this time in my sheep pajamas.
Did I already say I like cute sheep? I do.
Both Undertaker and Biscuit were in bed already, apparently fighting over who got to keep the blanket.
Oh. I guess this was fine, too.
We could all sleep together from the start.
I had to admit, there was something awkward about it all. It wasn't the first time we slept next to each other, but it was the first time we had gone to bed together. There was something... intimate to that, and I wasn't sure I wanted to go through with this. My stomach was doing uncomfortable backflips.
I could wait until they fall asleep.
Undertaker patted the spot right between Biscuit and himself.
A Dalia-shaped spot.
I think my heart melted a little inside. How can I refuse that?
Crawling towards the place I would be sleeping in, I plopped down, almost being immediately pounced on by Biscuit. Undertaker simply wrapped his cold arms around me, using me as a heater.
Biscuit hugged my stomach, burrowing their nose against my chest.
...
...
This...
...felt nice.
...
Almost family.