Chapter 52
"Hello!" the Fairy said, trying to hug me and lean back enough from her place between my breasts so she could look up at my face, and not just my chin, as I looked down at her, "I'm back!"
Very carefully, mindful of her wings, I put my hand on her back to press her to me for a moment, "It's good to see you again." I replied, taking my hand off her, "Your voice? Hand too? Even your dress? You're the same Fairy right?" I smiled.
"Of course silly!" She buzzed off my chest, zipped around my head once and hovered in front of me, just within arms reach. Her 'well loved' green summer dress had been replaced. It was still green, long sleeved, and with all the lovely shades of a forest in full spring, but now there were hints of red on the shoulders, making me think of a Japanese Maple. "See?"
She held out her hand, the one I had to treat. It was much better than it was, with the fingertips now starting to grow fingernails. I held out my hand, and she placed hers on my palm, each of her fingers feeling just a little feverish.
"Looking much better." I nodded, "Tongue?"
"I can't quite touch my teeth yet.." She said, the 'TH' in teeth sounding a little more like 'teess', "But I can taste everything now! I felt so bad pretending to enjoy your food..."
"Well." I said, putting my hand under her feet, prompting her to land and sit down on my palm, "You are not fully healed. Which means you are still bound to me, and my food."
"What a shame." She laughed, "Oh I like you."
"Well!" Cime said as he watched from the garage entrance, "I don't feel so bad for getting lost now."
"Snort." Replied the Horse, giving me a gentle nudge with her nose in greeting.
"Well, true, always a good time with them, so long as you're careful." Cime nodded, "Now, as much as it pains me to interrupt a reunion." He bowed slightly to me, "Friend Kodori. I've a package."
"I couldn't make it small enough for Mittelt to deliver, if you hadn't returned." I put the Fairy on my shoulder, and waited as Cime took a pair of chest sized boxes off the rump of the Horse. "As usual your timing is impeccable." One of them had 'Fabri-co' stamped on the side, while the other, slightly smaller but much heavier one had '3M' printed in bold on the corners. "Training aid for our dragon in training." I nodded, putting the boxes down and signing for them. "Speaking of... Old business done?"
"Not quite." He said, offering his hand, "As promised, I have returned with your charge, better than she was no less."
"You have." We shook. "Thank you Friend Cime." I gave the Horse another pat on the nose, "You too."
"Annnnd." He flipped open his saddlebag, reached in, and started pulling out small bags. Each of them was no bigger than maybe a gum ball, made of various shades of green fabric, and tied up with... vine? "You'll have to sign for these too, since you're in charge of her."
"Oh." I blinked, hearing the Fairy giggle quietly. So, I signed, and took the dozen or so little pouches and put them carefully on my 3M box.
"You said bring seeds home." She said, "I figured it was easier to have Her carry them instead of me. Safer too."
"snort."
"No being modest, you are a wonderful big sister."
I couldn't help but laugh quietly at the byplay.
"Oh? Has something changed?" Cime asked.
"Yes." Said the giant metal not-cat waiting just out of sight at the back corner of the shop, "Can I stop hiding now?"
He didn't actually wait for my answer, but instead walked toward the garage entrance, clawed metal feet clicking against the floor. "What... This is what you were talking about?" Cime looked at the rust-crimson body of Metal Ddraig, "Yes, yes, old business is done for now... Red dragon Emperor?"
"Not quite. Oh, hello to you." He lifted his head to look at the Fairy, then looked back to Cime, "I am just a shadow. A fragment of the true Red Dragon Emperor. Kodori gave that fragment a body, and here it sits before you."
I gave his metal shoulder a light punch, "You sound so sullen." I laid my palm flat on that same shoulder, "Everything working?"
"Such... I'm starting to wonder about you." Cime said, "You seem to create impossible things without really trying..." He extended a hand, "May I?"
"I am coming to accept that people will pat my head. But will admit, I like it."
"Snort."
"Et tu, Each Dubh?" He replied as Cime put his big hand on the metal forehead.
"Each dub?" I tried to repeat.
"Each dubh." The Fairy corrected, "Dark Horse, in the old tongue. Not quite right, but close enough." She then stage whispered to me, "She really likes her ears scratched."
There was a sudden electric 'snap', and Cime took his hand away suddenly, "Careful." Ddrag warned, "This body holds no fewer than a dozen different enchantment systems for defence, and roughly that many in offensive ones. Trying to peek may trigger them."
I gave Cime a raised eyebrow, but he just shook out his hand and replied, "Noted. I was curious though... You've put in human, devil, norse, and what ever else you usually do into this? And gotten them all to work together? And then there's this coating..."
"I've learned many new things since I arrived." I smiled, "But yes, no peeking."
"You would think a trip to the mists would cure a case of Curiousity." the Fairy admonished, "But thank you Lord Cime, for letting me come along."
"Glad to have been of service." He smiled, "Be careful, friend Kodori. The upcoming talks are... well, lets just say, even lost in the mists, the news still got to me."
"Thank you for the warning." I nodded seriously, then perked up, "Oh here, for the road."
"Oh! Is there any for me?" The Fairy asked as I went to the fridge.
After handing Cime and the Horse a snack for the road, I got to opening up my new packages. Ordering a ton of new volley balls for Issei to rip apart was just... not practical. So instead, I got a few big sheets of felt, and Velcro.
After sorting that out, I turned to the Fairy, who was just finishing her mini-picnic on the Patch of Moss. "So." I started, kneeling down in front of her, "Now that you can speak again, I believe an introduction is in order."
After setting her half eaten cup of pudding aside (carefully so she didn't get the moss dirty) she stood to her full height, took the corners of her dress in hand, and bowed with a curtsy, "You can call me Delly. Once of the forest known as Sherwood, now of this patch of moss, as yet unnamed."
"bluble."
"Well, Delly, once of the forest known as Sherwood. While I might complain about you claiming my patch of moss, as yet unnamed..."
"burble?"
"You make it happy, so I won't. But I will, since I've finally been able to give my own children names, give it a name. How does Jiru sound?"
"Jiru?" She asked, looking down at her feet. "What do you think?" She knelt and ran her hands over its back.
"Blup!"
"Very well, I am now Delly, of Jiru the patch of moss." She hum'ed a moment, "Not a grand place, but we can work on that!"
"Well, just so long as you don't overgrow my apartment, sure." I nodded, "Kodori, pleased to meet you, Delly."
"Likewise." We shook, "So big guy." She looked up at the giant (even more so to her, who might have stood as tall as the metal cat's knee, "Do you have a name of your own yet?"
"No." He tilted his head slightly, a very human sort of expression, "Though, you raise a fair point. I am not Ddraig, at least, I am different enough to be my own being, thanks to this new body." He looked to me, "Well partner? Care to flex your name calling muscle?"
I almost felt bad for calling Jiru a sort of abbreviated translation of 'lichen' in Japanese... But now that I'd named my children I didn't feel so bad about it. So, I ran a bunch of descriptive words through my head. I wanted to make a name that described, and represented him, but sounded appropriate for his being a creature of power, no matter how distant he was from his original.
Hagane:Steel. Kage:Shadow. Cat:Neko... No... Tiger? Tiaga... Crimson:Shinku... oh!
"I name you, Shinkage no Hagane. The Crimson shadow of Steel."
"Ohhhh!" Delly clapped, "That sounds good!"
"Well... I suppose I really am that different now. But I feel the name fits." He chuckled with a deep metallic rumble, "Though it does sound a little like a cartoon."
"Seems like that kind of world I guess?" I shrugged, "Now, if we're all sorted for now?"
They nodded, while Jiru 'bluped!'.
"Lets get some work done."
"Rias." I greeted as I started to power down the shop. "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Hello!" Delly greeted, hovering just out of arms reach of Rias, "I'm Delly, pleased to meet you!"
"Oh! You got your voice back." Rias smiled, "Pleased to meet you Delly, my name is Rias Gremory."
With a sparkly laugh, Delly whizzed over to me and perched on my shoulder, "You first." I said.
"Well, Sona-san came to me about you wanting to fill in for Maki-chan's relative." She looked down at Shinkage, and gave his head a pat in greeting.
"Oh? Problem?"
"Not... exactly? Her record as it stands is 'emancipated youth'. If you do attend, it might raise a few eyebrows with the faculty." She held up a hand to stall comment, "Not like it would really matter, but... it might?"
"I see. And your thoughts?"
"Sona has offered to adjust the paperwork and make your relation to her official. Provided you don't find your way home by then, it will at least give the illusion that Maki does have someone to contact should the need arise." Rias explained.
"If you make it official." I said seriously, "Then it will be no illusion." I smiled, "I'll gladly take on that responsibility, so long as Maki doesn't call me randomly to skip school or something."
"They'll both be pleased to hear that." Rias nodded approval, "Something... something seems different about you today... You and Akeno...?"
"No." I shook my head, "Though she was in my room last night, it wasn't for that." I did a slow count to three, just to build suspense, "Akeno was there when I called home, and named my children."
"Oh? ... Oh!" She laughed, "That would certainly explain why she was in such high spirits today."
"She gave me a name too."
"Blup!"
"And the moss as well."
"Oh?" Rias turned to look at Shinkage, "And what shall I call you now?"
"My full name is now, Shinkage no Hagane. The Crimson Shadow of Steel."
"Blub..."
"And that is Jiru."
"Well, Shinkage, pleased to meet you." Rias put a hand over her heart and bowed slightly, "Not that we haven't been introduced already, but still."
"I won't tell if you don't." He rumbled.
"So." Rias gave him another pat on the forehead, "You had something as well?"
"Well, I had this idea for Issei..."
I returned to my room after the play rehearsal and group workout. Issei was still not quite there with the low powered magic control, but he was doing better. Having a reusable, nearly infinitely 'breakable' target helped a great deal as well, even though it wasn't very 'motivating'.
I was half dreading the meeting between Akeno and Haruhime. I knew my wife, but I hated leaning on her kindness. But, something had to be done with Akeno, and I honestly didn't know what it was. So like most things I didn't understand, I was going to let someone who knew better help me.
So, while Delly and I puttered about making potions, planting seeds, making more ice cream, and generally talking quietly now that she could talk, I waited for Akeno to knock on my door. When she finally did, I was glad, once again, that I couldn't actually drop something in surprise.
"Evening." I greeted, letting her in.
"Hi!" Delly waved from the counter top, "I'm Delly, pleased to meet you Akeno!"
"Kodori-san." Akeno greeted, then waved back to Delly, "And I, you, Delly-chan."
"Would you like some tea or something first?"
"Please."
Yeah... this was awkward.
"Hm." Delly broke the silence, sipping tea from a shot glass, "Did something happen while I was gone?"
Akeno looked to me, the look on her face almost begging me to take this question.
So instead of answering, I stood, and fetched Haruhime's Tarot. "How about I explain, while you call?" I put the card in front of Akeno, putting my hand over hers as she went to pick it up off the counter top, "Remember, her word is final."
She didn't smile, but she didn't have that distant look either. "I understand. I'll send a text if I can't make it work, or when we're done."
"I'll bring back some snacks or something."
"Wow. That was very odd." Delly commented as she flew lazy circles around me, "You two were much closer before I left."
"Well... we were getting a little too close, and I had to draw a line." I sighed, "If you weren't allergic to iron, I'd get you to look at my wife's Tarot, or even my ring."
"I am a little sad I can't. Even I can tell how much you love the lady on the card." She giggled, "People are weird. So what happened?"
"Well... Not to put too fine a point on it, she tried to seduce me. Even though she knows it would be a bad idea."
"She does seem a little confused. Kinda like you, but not quite the same."
"How do you mean?" I asked as she sat on my head and gently held on to my ears.
"Wellllll. You have all kinds of weird magic in you. I mean, there's your tails, then your other tail, then your normal divine nature, and then some kind of divine touch that I've never felt before I met you." She giggled, "If I didn't think you were going to crush me, I'd have laughed when you ate Kurin's binding charm."
I processed that. Sure, I knew I had a bunch of different magical influences running about in my body. But... "Am I really a Kitsune then?"
"Yup! Wait... You didn't know?"
"I... Well, I have a very close resemblance to an actual race of half fox, Renard, back home." I sighed, "I hope this doesn't bite me later."
"Why would it bite you? I'll admit, I'm not a real expert, but if I had to really guess, you're basically a Kitsune without a shrine. Normally, that would be impossible, since they are born by inhabiting a shrine..." She giggled, "I'm honestly surprised you even have a belly button."
"Huh..." Just to make sure I really did, I gave my navel a poke. Yup, still the tiny inny its always been. Not like Wiene who was born from the dungeon, and thus had no navel. "Well, not much I can do about it I suppose... Might complicate things back home." Who was I kidding? If she was right, this explained pretty much everything about how my stats grew so fast. "Back to topic... Akeno?"
"Oh, that's easy! The hunter," She buzzed back to hover in front of me, only so she could spit sideways after saying it, "may he never find his way, dealt with someone who might have been her family. Very strong spiritual magic there." She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest, "So aside from a strong human blood line, she has two others as well."
"Wait... Devil and?"
"Angel."
I very deliberately gave myself a facepalm. "Well. I suppose I'll act surprised when she tells me..." I looked just up the road, at the two vending machines of Fate and Reunion. "No one here this time..."
"huh?" She turned to look, "Oh, you can't see them still?" She buzzed about my head, her wings actually sparkling and of course, sprinkling me with fairy dust. "Don't worry, its just a couple of the locals."
I blinked a few times as the dust got caught on my eyelashes, and after a moment a couple of figures faded into existence. One looked a bit like an old man, though, the light from the vending machine gave his weathered skin a greenish cast, and his head wasn't bald, but capped by what looked like a shell. The one next to him, wasn't actually a person, but a small dog-like critter, that reminded me of those statues you see outside of temples to ward off evil. Kind of like a chihuahua with a lion's head.
"So... a kappa and... oh what was the name..." I mumbled, walking towards them as if they posed no threat or concern. "I don't think I know the right name for the other one."
"Komainu." Delly said, "oh, looks like they were waiting for you."
"We greet you, Kitsune of Kuoh." The Kappa said. His face, now that I was closer, looked like it had a sort of beak, like a turtle, but under the right light, so long as he kept his mouth closed, he could pass as human... If he wore a hat.
He started to bow, but I waved a hand, "Kodori." I said, "You are?"
"Our names are not important, to one such as you." He said, straightening his back just enough to keep up the appearance of a slouched old man, while the small, lion headed dog, lay down on its belly submissively.
I sighed quietly, "Fine. I suppose there's something I can help you with?"
"Not me, great one." He said, "But this one here."
The lion-dog barked once, but instead of a high pitched yappy noise, it was a deep 'URF' noise that hit me like a subsonic beat from a high powered bass speaker.
"This one cannot speak for themselves." The Kappa explained, "So I petition you in his stead."
"Well, as the saying goes, old business first." I pulled out a handful of change, courtesy of Akeno, and made a few selections from the machines. I put the snacks into a cloth bag, slung it over my shoulder, and payed attention to the pair again, "So I don't forget. Now what seems to be the problem?"
"Well, this little one had a brother." the Kappa explained, reaching into his belted robe-ish clothes. I think it was called a 'happi' coat? And took out a small faintly glowing stone. "During the day, an innocent child knocked him over, and broke him."
On my head, Delly said, "Ohh, lucky and unlucky. Innocence is practically the only way to get away with some things... like murdering a spirit by accident."
"It is as the foreigner says." The Kappa nodded, "It has been said you are a skilled craftswoman. Could you find it in your heart to restore his brother so they can resume their duties?"
He offered me the stone, but I made no move for it, "What would be involved? I am young, so I do not know."
"You must make him a twin, made of blessed stone. Then, if your craft is deemed worthy, you need but touch the stone to your creation."
"URF." Again the deep booming bark, but then a happy doggy smile, complete with a goofy looking tongue hanging from the side of his muzzle.
"Very well." I said, taking the stone, which I noted felt alive in my hand, like something was moving about inside its jagged shape, "In return..." I pondered, seeing the Kappa's face fall a little, "I'd like you to find me... hmm... a smooth river stone." I held out my hand, "About as big as my palm, and no thicker than it either."
I felt I had to ask for something in return, but I didn't want to be unreasonable. I felt I'd guessed right as well, when the Kappa's face lifted a little, "Yes, Kodori-sama. I will find such a stone for you."
"Smooth and clear of flaws or blemishes." I added, "I will use this stone for something special, so it must be solid."
"Yes yes, I can most certainly bring such a thing to you." He bowed again.
"I suppose you'll have to come with me a while." I said to the lion-dog.
"urf." It replied, a sound much more suited to its size.
As I walked back, keeping my pace casual, since I hadn't gotten a text from Akeno, I let my thoughts turn inward. It was official... at least as official as it could be. I wasn't just a Renard. I was something more. Oddly enough, I found no joy over it. I mean, if someone who knew, came up to you and said 'you're a divine being'... you'd probably be 'oh that's cool' or something.
I was more worried about Hestia. The guild, or if not them, the other Familia in the city, would be rather upset that I was already a divine being. More than an spirit or elemental, yet less than an actual Goddess. They'd see me as a monster from the dungeon...
A xenos.
I was going to give Wiene such a hug when I got home. Right after my wife and children. Maybe even before Hestia.
About half way back, Delly gave one of my ears a tug, "Hey."
"I'm listening." I replied, "No tugging." I twitched my ear a couple of times to swat at her gently.
"Sorry... Um, did you want to be alone with Akeno? I can camp out by your shop, maybe talk to your new friend?"
"urf."
"If 'that' is going to happen, I'll open up the old exercise room, and you can sleep on the actual bed in there. Or Jiru." I looked down at the stone lion-dog. "Jiru is very delicate. So be gentle if you want to greet it."
"urf."
"Don't worry. These guys are only dangerous to evil spirits. And occasionally ankles on more fleshy things." She buzzed down next to it, and gave the doggo a pat on the head, "Even at this size, they're really handy to have around. Yes you are a good doggy."
"Well, no worries on you getting along." I chuckled, feeling my phone buzz.
Mikochu: All done. Come home please?
Fox2: Almost there. Have yet another new friend. (sigh emote)
There was no reply, which made me kind of worry. But with a comforting pat on the head from Delly, I returned to my room.
The lights were on, and Akeno was making tea. I didn't keep earl grey on hand, so she probably took some from the ORC room. "I'm back." I looked down at the stone dog, "Yes you may come in."
The stone dog, true to form for any dog I'd ever met, darted into the room and started to sniff things. Door, wall, counter corner, Akeno's pant leg, then Akeno's knee as it stood on hind legs for her attention.
"Oh! And where did you come from?" She asked it, setting the teapot down and kneeling, "Where's your brother?"
"In my pocket." I said, "I've been asked by a local to chisel out a replacement." I held up the small chunk of faintly glowing rock.
"Well, you're brother is in good hands." She said, the curled up stubby tail on the stone dog wagging as she gave the head a pat. "And if you're looking for a place to guard, I just happen to know one."
"URF!" I winced as I heard a few of my potion bottles quiver by my alchemy sets.
"Careful. I have many breakables in here."
"urf."
"Better. Now..." I looked to Akeno, then noticed her left hand was wrapped up in bandages. "What happened?" I reached for her wrist.
"Well... Lady Haruhime and I had a talk... And I felt it was very important to finish the conversation..." She let me inspect her hand, "It's only a few blisters, I'll be fine."
Delly buzzed around the two of us, "Suppose I'll be sleeping in the other room?"
Akeno blushed... not just a little blush, but from forehead to collar bone. "Um... you don't have to." She mumbled, "I'm fine, really, Kodori."
"Just because I'm fireproof doesn't mean I don't know how to treat a burn... come here you."
I half dragged her towards my alchemy set and sat her down in the chair. I quickly sorted through the chemicals and powders around it and got a brew going. "Well..." Akeno started, "She set a very clear line for me... I understand why you care so deeply for her, and her opinion."
"Annnnd?"
"She seemed to see right through me... I didn't have to tell her anything, and it was like... she could see past everything. Just how you did with Kiba..."
I nodded, letting out a held breath, "She would never say it herself, but she can see through bullshit ow!" My golden tail swatted against the side of my head, "Like most people see through glass... ow..."
That seemed to lighten Akeno's mood a little, making her giggle. "Yes... Well... I suppose as soon as you finish fussing over my hand..."
"Annnnnnd?" I smiled, "I'm not as good, but I'm not bad either."
She 'ahem'ed' much like Eina, "We may share a bed, but only to cuddle. And if I even think about getting close to you during a full moon, she would never forgive me." She paused, "She is willing to share you... but made it very clear that I couldn't keep you." She finished by mumbling, "But we could help each other keep the loneliness away."
I sighed, feeling a weight lift off my back, "Thank you." I checked the potion as it started to drip from the last glass pipe and into a potion bottle, "Now, are you going to respect her wishes, and mine?" She looked at me sharply, "I ask because you and Rias fight over Issei like a piece of meat."
"Oh... Well... Teasing the President over Issei, and teasing Issei is more..." She sighed, "There was one more thing she said to me."
"Hm?"
"To be honest with you. Really honest."
"I can wait. Been a long day."
She looked conflicted, but nodded, "Thank you."
"Good. Now this might sting just a little... but gimme your hand."
The last bit of the night was taken up by a quiet bit of TV watching while we nibbled on vending machine snacks. Nothing more, nothing less. Akeno had been given a very clear line, and she was sticking to it. However, and thankfully, it didn't have that... 'businesslike' vibe to it.
Suited me fine... Especially when we lay together in bed, my ears resting against her, just under her breasts, listening to her heartbeat, while my tails draped over the both of us like a blanket.
June 24
The rest of the week passed quickly, the newly instated Pasta Night coming up fast. Only two notable things happened that week. The first being Akeno taking the Stone Dog for a walk the morning after we shared my bed, and returning with a block of stone. The second being made the official guardian of Maki. The first got me a happy 'urf' from the doggo, and the second a hug from Maki.
Issei continued to make progress with the velcro and his dress break spell, much to the glares of every other girl in both peerages (except Rias and Akeno, the first because he was getting stronger, the second because she liked watching him try so hard.)
All said, the weekend looked like it would see the completion of another small project, and the start of one more.
June 25
"You wake up so early..." Akeno mumbled, "Where do you find the energy?"
"I'm sleeping much better now." I replied, stretching my hands up towards the ceiling, "I also didn't have four plates of pasta." I wasn't one to get jealous over a person's looks, but I had to wonder where these girls put all that food...
"It was delicious though..." She yawned and sat up, "Oh isn't that adorable."
She motioned towards Jiru and Delly. While not a new thing, the Fairy all curled up on the patch of moss amidst the flowers he kept growing while she was there, the stone lion dog was curled up next to the patch of moss, its head resting on the spongy surface.
"No surprise the dog sleeps like a stone." I said, "Speaking of?"
"I'll be able to bless the rock we brought back today." She yawned again, "Provided I can get out of bed."
"Excellent." I replied, "Take your time though, I've got something I want to finish today, and another thing to start right after... Then tonight if Sona's team is available, I'm going to see if Shinkage is combat ready." I paused, "And I should check up on Gasper..."
"Just because you're sleeping with the head of HR doesn't mean you can overwork yourself." She giggled.
The rest of the morning, until about lunch, was spent making all the noise. I'd almost finished Sirzech's new armour, and would be ready to add in enchantments by tomorrow. My little surprise project for Rias, to help Issei's magic control training would be done by tonight. And Gasper said he had, and I quote, 'all kinds of neat stuff you gotta see! ... when you have a moment... if that's okay.'
I was so going to headpat him.
"Hey Gasper." I asked through the door to his room, "You wouldn't happen to like dogs, would you?"
There was a pause, then a nervous, "It's... not big is it?"
I looked down at the stone dog, who might have been able to lick my knee if he got up on hind paws. "No."
"Friendly?"
Again, I looked down at the lion-dog, who gave me that silly doggy smile/goofy face.
"I think so yeah."
"Okay." He said finally, "I think I'm ready."
So I opened the door, my shadow, Delly's shadow, and that of the lion-dog, stretching across his apartment from the lighting in the hallway. Gasper was hunched inside his box, looking at us, or rather, at the dog.
"Is that..."
"urf." Replied the dog, much quieter than usual.
"Okay... I think I can handle this... yeah..." He stepped out of his box, "Oh hello again, Miss Fairy."
"Hiya!" Delly replied brightly.
"Ahh!" ... and back in the box.
"Oh... Sorry. I got my voice back." Delly stood up on my shoulder so she could whisper in my ear, "Sorry, forgot he was so... nervous."
"You surprised me." Gasper stepped out of his box again, "You got a new dress too! It looks very good on you."
"Why thank you." She replied, buzzing over to his work table, giving Gasper a formal bow and curtsy, "My name is Delly, of Jiru, the patch of moss."
"Yes, I named my patch of moss, finally." I said, stepping in as well.
"urf?"
"Oh." I looked at the dog, "You'll have to invite this one in." I told Gasper.
We looked at the lion-dog, sitting patiently at the door, "Oh... Wait... Why? Miss Delly can come in without invite..."
"That's because you've invited Lady Kodori in, and I am under her care." Delly explained, "It would fall on her to keep me in line, so I wasn't a poor guest." She nod-nodded, "But that one is only following Lady Kodori around. So even if he is a good doggy, you have to invite him in, if you want."
"Ohhhh. I knew about some of that... Full blooded vampires are the same... sort of... Well, yes you can come in, but only if you don't chew on anything." Gasper said to the dog, giving permission as well as a condition to the doggy being a proper guest. As would most friendly dogs, this one trotted up to him and sniffed at his hand when he offered it. "Oh... You're made of stone?"
"Its one of those paired shrine guardian dogs." I said, "His brother had a bit of a fall, so he's sticking with me until I carve out a replacement."
"urf!" The doggo did a quick tail chasing circle, then sat back down.
"Oh, well, with Miss Kodori, you can be sure it will be the best brother someone can carve? ... that sounded better in my head..."
Delly giggled while I gave him a headpat. "So, what did you have going?" I asked, "Cookie?"
I'll skip the technical stuff, but for the most part, the holographic projector was done. He still had like... a trillion lines of code to go through (I knew he was exaggerating at least a little here) but not only had he basically rebuilt one of the three he had bought (there was only one left now, the other two having been cannibalized for parts) he had etched a piece of glass with a second spell, to overlap the Ko-steel spell card he'd already altered. Something about filtering, and altering, the light spell both ways. It was far past what I'd learned in Sona's 'Mathmagic 101' book, but while the spell was complex it required practically no power at all.
But not only that, miniature magical girl hologram was interactive now.
Sorta.
He was pulling from the original code for programmed responses, but when Delly was prompted to poke Mil-tan, it would respond. Mostly with 'That tickles', or 'Are you being a naughty boy?' (followed by a pose that would likely encourage further poking), but still, it was reacting to 'touch'.
He of course got all the headpats for this. As well as a promise for 'what ever he wanted' from my workshop, yes I was serious, and I would learn how to make indestructible cardboard if he wanted a new box.
After leaving Delly with him, mostly so she could give him headpats too, but also to help him create a new avatar (while small Delly was pretty photogenic), I returned to the shop.
Fox2: Hey, come to the shop before the rehearsal.
Boss: Not trying to get out of it are you? The play is very soon.
Fox2: I've memorized all my lines, been fitted for costume, and even made sure my understudy knows the lines too. Why would I waste all that effort?
Boss: Very well.
And so, after what was mostly a perfect performance with no crowd to speak of, in the underground training room, I spoke to Issei, as I replaced palm sized squares of velcro on felt covered punching bag.
"You're doing really well." I said, "Almost able to control your power at four boosts. Still can't do a full set of eighteen..."
"Sorry Sensei." He huffed, "I think... It's like it gets impatient?"
"I know that feeling." I nodded, "But you've gone from using your (sigh) dress break spell like a crowbar, to something closer to a pair of scissors. That's a huge amount of progress for someone who had basically no magic power to start, to someone who now has more than they know what to do with."
There were a few giggles from some of the girls, since some of Sona's peerage were surprisingly dedicated to working out, even on a weekend. Poor Issei took my words like I'd been shooting him with arrows.
"So!" I said with a bit of dramatic flair, "I've decided to give you a little more motivation, and with the help of Rias..."
A pause.
"I said: With the help of Rias." I repeated.
Another pause.
"This is a little more embarrassing than I thought it would be." Rias called out from the change room.
So, I gave Koneko a meaningful look. After putting down the hundred kilogram dumbbells she was curling with that same bored expression she always had, she walked into the change room, and with an indignant cry of 'but I'm your king, stop that, no I don't wanna', Koneko's reply was "Bribed by muffins."
Now considering her bathing suit, and some of the other stuff I knew she wore (like black lace panties with the shortest skirt the school allowed) I figured she'd be just fine with the design. Maybe it was the cosplay aspect? Not my problem. She agreed to help, and a Devil's word was their bond. So, with the tiny rook pushing Rias out of the dressing room, Rias was revealed.
"I present to you, Issei, Rias, warrior princess." I bowed as Rias was pushed to stand next to me.
Dressed in a leather pleated, studded with metal, skirt, leather knee high boots (a failed attempt to replace the comfort of my poor lost boots) and a leather and metal 'breasts plate', Rias looked like a... slightly less PG rated version of Xena, warrior princess, a rather popular North American fantasy show from back when I was still in this world, though... from quite a few years ago.
As far as my armour craft goes, I would never in good conscience give this to someone to wear into the dungeon. Skirt was too short, boots had more heel than they should, and having defined 'breasts' on a chest plate was just asking for something sharp through the heart. Especially when you had breasts like Rias.
"Well, he approves of the look at least." I commented as Issei started to drool.
"Pervert." Koneko (and most of the other girls) mumbled.
"Issei." I said, snapping him out of his pink haze, "I think it's time to step up your game a little."
"You mean..." He looked like he wanted to drool again, but I had locked my eyes with his, "You want me to break that?"
"I want you to try." I said, "And since you're the type who gets motivation from this kinda stuff, Rias, warrior princess, has volunteered."
He turned his gaze back to her, while she fought past her blush to nod at him. I had to 'ahem' to get his attention back.
"Now, I've worked in some minor enchantments, so this will be more of an 'over power' then a 'finesse' exercise. Go ahead."
So, as he had always done, he tapped his hand against the armour, leaving behind a tiny magic circle. However, when he snapped his fingers... Nothing happened. The little magic circle vanished, and not a single bit of leather or metal seemed to be affected.
"What... It was like... What happened?" Issei asked.
"I told you, I added a little extra." I replied.
"I don't know, Sensei..." Rias looked down at herself, "It feels a little tight if you ask me."
I felt a little laugh bubble its way out of me, "Well, I'm only so good when it comes to making stuff." I sighed, though I felt I was still smiling, "There's no less than four different kinds of material here. Each one has its own durability and magic resistance."
"Four?" Rias asked, "I see... leather, metal, the shirt you told me to put on, which is a little rough, I might add..."
"And silk. Since I'm assuming you're still wearing your panties." I replied, "So Issei, Rias, have fun." I handed him two mind potions, "I'm sure you don't need any more encouragement than this, but just in case you need a little boost."
Rias blushed almost as red as her hair, while Issei put on that lustful grin he usually had when he was serious about girls, "Yes Sensei!"
"Be sure to clean up after, if you can break through it. Asia?" I called over to the poor ex-nun, who was looking a little jealous of the attention Rias's 'sculpted bussom' was getting, "Xenovia?" Who was looking on with interest as she used the butterfly machine. "Going to ask for your help later tonight, say around eleven."
"Sure." Xenovia replied while Asia nodded, "What for?"
"Combat trials for a giant metal cat."
Notes
Getting a little long again, so pausing here. For those who know my style, you can probably guess what the new look for Rias is for. If not, well, look forward to the surprise.
And for those who are wondering. Delly, our newly named Fairy. Her name is a short-ish form for Dealanach, which means Lightning in Gaelic. Considering her skill set, (which will be important later) it seemed appropriate.
As for Shinkage, our... re-purposed fragment of dragon soul, I figured I'd give him a BIG LOUD name, since well, he is still a dragon on the inside, and dragons need to be grand. Or something...
Party on, see you in five days.
