Chapter 52

That evening, I was debating on running the stall one more day, or, spending it with Haruhime and the children, wandering the market and looking at all the other stuff. It actually reminded me a lot of going to a convention, looking for last minute deals from vendors who really didn't want to drag the stuff they didn't sell back home again.

About the only thing that would be missing is the discounts, since 'home' was still in the city, and not who knows where.

Of course, my inner debate lasted until I got to 'time with wife and children'. Thankfully, most of my 'burdens' would be done with. The Xenos stall wouldn't be there tomorrow, so I wouldn't have 'guard' them. If I didn't know better... no, I knew better. The city knew what I was capable of, and what I'd done in the past. No one dared throw a stone at the Xenos while I was within sight of them. Changing peoples opinions through 'fear' wasn't what I wanted, but I think, especially with all the people who were brave enough to actually talk with and handle the Xenos, that the opinions were shifting.

So long as no one like Dix ever showed up again... Though, to be fair, now that the Xenos had access to more support, like a real home, Occulus, Fels, myself, and the Alliance Core, the next would be slaver who came after the Xenos would be in for a VERY nasty shock.

I'd also heard whisper from a couple of the Gods who had come by the stall, talking about recovering mementos of their fallen children. And if a God thought well of the Xenos, the Familia was more likely to as well. Freya had forced us to take huge steps towards this, but thankfully we managed to salvage things. Now it was back to baby steps as the city warmed up to the idea of 'smart monsters'.

My 'inventions' had gotten a lot of interest as well. Citizens and Adventurers alike were impressed by the simple yet 'just outside' the box thinking, and I could see many people leave my demonstrations with thoughtful faces. My model train also had a lot of people wide eyed. But it would be an absolutely titanic project. We, as in whomever I could get interested enough to actually commit time and people towards it, would have to consider carefully on how to get the resources, where to get them from, and where to start building. The first 'line' would be the most critical. It would show everyone that it worked at 'full size', sure. But why build it if it wasn't going to be useful right that second, so you could build more?

I had my ideas on that already, but that was for another day.

The next morning, we all (yes, everyone, including Susanoo, Kuroyuki and the three he brought) met at the manor for breakfast. With the exception of the two missing Oni, we had a rather nice, if simple breakfast.

"Tomorrow." I said, pausing as someone (Chie) bit one of my tails as they hovered over the crib, "We get back to work on the Manor. We've got the foundation laid again aside from the back corner and the stone for that will be here soon, so the guild tells me." I then rescued my tail, and booped Chie's nose.

"We've also got all the plans done, and approved by old man Goibniu." Welf said with a thumbs up, "And with all the stone we reclaimed, we'll almost be able to finish the walls of the first floor."

"I'm going to miss all that solid marble." Hestia sighed, "But, I'm still really looking forward to having a home again, with everyone in one place."

We all nodded, because yes, we were also looking forward to having a home that felt like it used to.

"Do we have a guess on the rest of the stone we'll need?" Maki asked.

"That depends. We have two options, and we haven't actually chosen either yet. Either way will take several weeks..." I trailed off, then grinned, "If we choose the 'dull' stone, we might have Marius deliver it."

Aisha laughed, "Well, that would give him an excuse to take a vacation." She gave me a 'you're up to something' look, "And for a bunch of his soldiers to come help put the place together."

"The other option is from that place Lord Goibniu mentioned... Lakrios?" Ouka rubbed his chin, "I think?"

Takemikazuchi nodded, "It is my opinion, if you wished to continue as you have been, Kodori-san, that you extend your hand to Lakrios."

"Why so?" I asked, a few of the others around our stone slab table also looking curious.

"Rakia, while our friends, and the cheaper option by far, do not need the money. Yes, they could always use more, but, after all of the stone and support they've sent us, they have prospered, even at the steep discounts they were giving Orario on stone and labor." He explained, sipping his tea, "Lakrios, if Goibniu's information is still accurate, is city that could use the money, and the increased traffic it would bring."

"Lilly thinks it is a good idea. And that Freya is already paying for it, one way or another."

Most of us chuckled at that, but I did nod in agreement. "While we're out today then." I said, putting a hand on Haruhime's shoulder, "I'm sure Eina could use a little cheer, and the children love our favourite teacher just as much as the rest of us."

"Susanoo? Do you have plans past the festival? Have you decided?"

Susanoo's face went serious, and he said, "We will stay for a little longer. The dungeon is allowing my children to grow much faster than back East, and we will need that strength."

"Has it gotten worse?" Takemikazuchi asked, "We have been sending what we could back home, but..."

Susanoo shook his head, "The last time I checked in with Tsukuyomi, they were all doing quite well. But money cannot bribe monsters from attacking, or sickness from spreading."

I looked to Haruhime, but her face held no clues as to what they were talking about. "What is the East like?" I asked, "I've only heard little bits from Lord Takemikazuchi and my friends here."

The two gods, and all of our Easterners went silent for a long moment, but then Susanoo slowly started to explain, like he was trying to find the right words to put it into context for me.

"Think of a stone on top of a mound of sand." He started, nodding to himself as he seemed to collect his thoughts properly, "The rain will wash the stone, but the rest will collect at the bottom, and turn the sand to mud. That is the situation for most of the people back East. The Imperial Families along with Amaterasu rule in the middle, and as you get further from the capitol..." She gave Haruhime a mildly dirty look, "As you get further, the guards and influence from the Court lessen, the people feud over good land, the monsters roam freely, the uncultivated lands breed sickness."

"My Lord." Kuroyuki interrupted, "Kodori-sama. We are but a small clan, but our problems are the same as the others, who choose to live away from the rule of the Imperial Court. We are simply the most successful in resisting the wild lands."

I nodded, "Because of the Renard's innate magic..." I hmm'ed, "Is it safe to be away from home?"

The four of them looked a little distressed, but Kuroyuki said with more confidence than he was showing, "Thanks to your medicines from our last visit, and the money you let us spend elsewhere in the city, we were able to fortify ourselves. We are confident they can endure for a little while longer."

"Well, I know where I'm going when I retire." I said, everyone, gods included, looking at me with a clear WTF look. "I just said that out loud, didn't I..." I sighed.

Haruhime gave my back a 'there there' pat as I facepalmed.

"With how strong you are, you could take over in a day." Welf said, "I mean, look at Rakia... oh... Heh. I get it."

I talked into my hands, "I am currently busy here, but I will build a train to the East. It will take years, certainly, but I will. But until then, Lord Susanoo, Kuroyuki, you have our support, for what it's worth, so far from the problem."

We all nodded, the five of them looking humbled, "Thank you, Kodori-san." Susanoo nodded, "We have already started buying supplies for the return home, and several copies of the book the Guild has published on your behalf."

"With the strength we gain from the dungeon, we plan to return and begin our return to society." Kuroyuki said, "You were correct, when we first visited. We were isolated, and failing slowly because of it. But with your help, and clear message that we were incorrect in our methods. We began to heal, then reached out for support." He looked to Susanoo respectfully.

Some of the God's cheer started to come back, "Yes! Imagine my surprise Takemikazuchi! I was having breakfast, when this fox shows up. Instead of running away when I tried to shoo him, he gives me a message." He looked at me, "Not nearly as it used to be, when they were still around, but still, such a smart and loyal messenger, it brought back memories." He laughed.

"Oh, was it Jinsoku-san?" Haruhime asked, naming 'Swift', the fox who had delivered the message to us a while after Kuroyuki and his clan returned home.

"It was one of his litter mates." One of the others said, before returning to his rice.

"So, after I get this message, I tell Tsukuyomi I'll be out a while, and follow him home." Susanoo continued, "Considering I didn't have a Familia, I thought 'why not?'." He grinned, "It was hard to say no to them, since they were already quite disciplined and determined to get stronger. I can respect that motivation!"

"Good traits to have, no matter where you're from." Aisha nodded, "Hmm, I smell fresh bread. Guess that means the workers will be here soon."

From our 'food tent' Weine called out, "A little less than a minute for the first batch of bread!"

Maki perked up, "Her bread is like... the best part of our trips into the dungeon."

"I dunno, I like the bread when we get home from the dungeon." Delly laughed.

Welf, wonderful brother that he was, stayed back so our sparse morning crew had proper direction. I didn't expect a lot of people to show up today, since I was sure there would be a lot of people still out to enjoy the market. I suppose it was still true, that when you wanted something done, find some 'bored' adventurers.

It was quite relaxing, to simply be pushing our children along, with my wife beside me, spending the early morning just... looking at stuff. Before I'd suddenly left, I was always eager to return home, so I never really window shopped. Old habit from before I arrived in Orario, I'll admit, but I just never liked the idea of window shopping. If I had something to buy, I would go out, find it, buy it, then return home so I could get back to what I needed, or wanted to do.

The city had really turned out a lot of interesting stuff though, and it was fun to take the time to look.

"I almost wish we'd brought Lilly." I said as we finished bartering with a merchant, getting a steep deal on a couple bolts of cloth that had been poorly dyed. It wouldn't make fine clothing sure, but we did have seven children who were growing fast, and would need lots of clothes.

"Almost?" Haruhime hmm'ed at me, "She wouldn't have minded.

"But she would have missed out on what ever she was planning to do. Paying a little extra for a delivery is good for business." One of my tails swished over her far shoulder, earning a little pat on its way by, "Speaking of business..."

"Oh dear." Haruhime sighed, "Tiona-san, Tione-san. Good morning." She greeted the two Amazon as they waited for us at the end of the street we were travelling. She bowed as we walked, then switched with me to push our rolling crib.

"Ladies." I nodded to them. They were both armed, and looking slightly more serious than usual. To be fair, ever since I'd outsmarted them during the Xenos rescue, they'd stopped being so... friendly with me. "Problem?"

"We challenge you, Fox." Tione (the bustier one) said, not loudly, since we were reasonably close to the main market square and more people meant a greater chance for collateral damage.

"Now that Freya has been dealt with, Lady Loki said we can go back to doing as we please." Tiona (the modestly endowed) added, "Name a time and place."

I glanced at Haruhime, our tails untangling from each other, and she rolled the crib over to the side of the street. I looked at the two Amazon, "And what do you hope to gain from challenging me? You, along with the rest of the city, know I'm level seven, though I'll admit I haven't finalized it yet. You've probably come up with a plan to counter my abilities, or a way to work together, or something..."

"You're stalling. Time and place." Tione's hands rested on the hilts of her kukri, the inward curving short swords she carried, while her sister balanced her double sword staff over her shoulder.

"If I win, can we go back to being friends? Like that time by the fireside, when I captured Marius and Ares. Or when I was serving you lunch at the Hostess." I smiled, though I did make a show of making sure my gauntlets were on properly.

My question seemed to puzzle them for just a moment, but they took a half step forward. "Just because you have a pet Amazon already, do...es...nnnnnn-" Tiona trailed off, and both of them stopped in mid step, their eyes going wide, their hands trembling on their weapons, a true fear response.

(View from where the Amazon were standing)

Kodori stopped adjusting her gauntlets as Tiona's insult towards Aisha left her lips. And they were suddenly looking down a vast dark tunnel. The street, the walls of the buildings lining it, even the sky seemed to darken as Kodori's shadow seemed to explode behind her. Between the words 'Amazon' and 'already', Kodori's shadow stretched back almost fifty metres, and as Tiona trailed off, that entire space was filled with small pairs of eyes, glowing the reflective green/blue of a canine in the dark.

The shadow however, seemed to ignore Haruhime and the children, a near perfect semi-circle of 'normal' light around her and the children, who's little hands were reaching out for the glowing eyes and half formed shapes, giggling at the sight of something new to play with.

"If you want to fight me, then fight me." Kodori said, her voice seeming to come from everywhere, but still only loud enough to reach the sisters, "But if you bring my friends and loved ones into it, we will have problems."

(Kodori)

I really wanted to keep this peaceful. Considering the recent mess, the Guild already had enough paperwork to do, and I didn't want to add another couple of fines for fighting in the streets to the stack that was already there. I held the effect a moment longer, then simply let it vanish into mist, the world around us returning to the late morning brightness.

I could see my display had shaken them, and saw no reason to continue it when their hands relaxed, "May we pass? I'm sure there is a market stall we haven't visited yet, and we still have a home to rebuild." I asked, reaching a hand out to Haruhime, who calmly returned to my side, her tails tangling with mine again (since holding hands in public was still a little embarrassing for her).

"This isn't..." Tione started, her and her sister moving aside to let us pass.

"I made a joke with Finn." I said as we got closer, "That after the manor is rebuilt, he and I can find a mountain and put a road through it. If you'd like to join us, we can spar then. Until then, I hope we can get along like we used to."

And so we left them behind, leaving me to deal with a bunch of disappointed children who didn't get the shiny objects they were reaching for.

For the next week, as the city returned to its usual rhythm, work on the Manor continued. We were still missing parts of our foundation, but that didn't mean we couldn't at least get started. Lilly, best supporter that she was, went with Delly (best supporter in training) to run messages to people to arrange for the stone to be delivered. This included sending one of the Ouranos Familia (who I might add, were openly wearing His Emblem now, a white patch with a small sun, moon and cloud) to Lakrios for the rest of the marble we needed.

Our new best friends, the Rhibus, along with Goibniu, Gros's new friend Stonebelter, and the other expert architects of their Familia, estimated that we had enough reclaimed marble and stone for nearly the entire first floor. At least, we would, once the last slabs of the foundation were set down. In the mean time, we could at least start in earnest.

Of course, I got Odds in on the work. Not just because I wanted to encourage such an innovative soul (and give her all the headpats when Lilly wasn't around) but because she took the idea I gave her and ran with it REALLY hard. After the first day on site, while we were doing a last inventory of what we had/needed, she returned home, and came back two days later with every since jig we would need in the immediate future.

Nails? Pour some iron into this mould she made, close the lid, count to ten, open, then cut the thin metal rod to what ever length of nail you needed. Apply the hammer to the top of the still cooling rod to make the nail head. Makes about a hundred nails an hour, more if you have a second person.

Brackets to hold our scaffolding in place instead of rope? Heat up a thin band of iron, put into press, take out the now shaped metal and give it a little flex to make it fit our bamboo poles exactly. Team of two can make one per minute if really motivated. Another jig of hers made square brackets for wood planks.

Simple bolts to hold those brackets in place? Slightly harder to do than nails, a team of two could make about seventy in an hour.

There were others too, like a clay roof tile template. Or a plank cutter that perfectly squared off the wood we put into it. She also had a second and third one to make ninety and forty five degree angles.

So yes, I made sure to apply all kinds of headpats, and bring Hephaestus to the work site, just so she could see it too. It wouldn't be long before Odds figured out how to make a modern machining table or something, with all the sliders and rulers to do all of this without a different jig for each thing...

As the next week went by, with our workers placing bricks, our tool makers keeping our equipment in good shape, and the granite slabs we needed finally arriving (they came from the mountains to the north, not Lakrios), we could get about finishing the first floor.

But that wasn't all. While yes, the building took a lot of my time, and the children most of the rest of it, I did make sure to pay attention to my fellow Familia members. Delly and Maki, along with Kuroyuki and his four, and Momiji and Kaede, were making good progress. Welf and I had to spend some time replacing armour for our Easterners, as well as a weapon or two, but the money they were earning easily covered the costs. We had to make sure they understood that, since their pride wouldn't allow charity. As for our rookie home team, well, they were gaining a lot of experience, earning money, and doing our Familia proud.

On a side note, Maki was commissioned by the one who bought her ring at the auction, and made a matching bracelet to go with it. The merchant was quite pleased, and generous with his pay, and promised to return to commission more when he returned from across the sea. Dutiful little sister that she was, she hinted that Orario would have some interesting foods and spices waiting for trade in a season or two, and that he should bring something equally interesting back with him to trade.

Delly, when she wasn't in the dungeon, was working with Shakti in the zoo in her spare time. Sadly, her ability to talk with animals did not work at all on 'dungeon' monsters. Not even a little. She likened it to trying to talk to an angry ball of static and tar, that had been thrown into a blender. Even ones that had been 'tamed' or even 'broken' by the expert Tamers (like Shakti) didn't seem to have the mental bandwidth for anything past 'eat/hungry/not food/whip means not food'. The Xenos on the other hand, didn't seem to have any of this trait, and she could talk to them with or without speaking.

Welf found out who exactly made that 'everything but a shovel' knife, and went out for drinks with him to celebrate. I was invited, but declined, but gave Welf a picture of the Spetsnaz Tactical Shovel to show the guy. The reaction was, and I quote, "He looked at it, sobered right the hell up, and went back to his workshop! Left me with the tab too!"

Hestia and Bell seemed to be perpetually stuck in that 'awkward hand holding' stage. So far, they'd been living together, much like they had before I joined the Familia, but actual 'romance' just seemed a little out of reach. But, I had promised not to help anyone who was after Bell, so, I kept my thoughts to myself. I did however, make sure to give Hestia a hug for being the best Goddess, and Bell some sparring time when ever we had a chance. Thankfully, the outer wall of Orario was just as tough as it looked, and had no trouble holding up to our antics.

Takemikazuchi Familia had been alternating between the dungeon, and helping Susanoo gather up stuff for their return trip. Their information on the East had really bothered me, but there was little I could do aside from support my Renard cousins from here. One day, maybe for a vacation, or maybe with the rails of a train behind me, I'd go visit.

Speaking of. Kuroyuki seemed to be slipping into the role of 'grandfather' with the children. Every chance he got, with Haruhime or myself present, he'd come in, tell stories about his own children, and generally tease the children into all kinds of giggles. Or just tease Haruhime and I about what we had to look forward to as they grew up. "Oh yes, you may be level seven, very strong for sure. But nothing can cut the strength from a parent, like the woes of their child. And you have seven of them!"

Still looking forward to it.

Some time during the next week, our granite arrived. Not only that, we got word from Lakrios about our marble. They would of course trade with Orario, but it would take time. We did however actually get several large wagons of marble along with this message.

A half day of collaborating with Goibniu, the Ribhus, Hephaestus, and a bunch of smiths, we sent back a message for 'more marble plz', but also a heap of special tools made from our best metals. We might not have been able to supply manpower from here, but we could supply power to the men working over there.

With the new load of marble, and all our foundation stones in place, we set about finishing the first floor's outer walls and getting the inner walls started. This actually raised a minor point of contention with our three Gods. Now, it was clear that we, the Children, were in charge of the project itself, we deferred to the Gods for choices on interior decor and style. But now, with the outer walls for the first floor all but done, and the inner walls for the rooms well on their way, we had to decide on the flooring.

"We have more than enough marble gravel for the floors, but why..." I scratched my head, looking at the three of them.

"Darker floors will keep to the old style of the Manor." Takemikazuchi said, since yes, the old floors were dark marble.

"It was too dark though!" Hestia grumbled, "It made the place look all gloomy at night, no matter how many lamps you lit!"

"Why not another colour altogether?" Astraea suggested, "Red granite? Or maybe blue shale?"

The three Ribhus looked to me with a faces that portrayed 'long suffering'. They had probably been arguing about this for a while now, before I went to find them. Nazza, myself and a few of our other alchemically inclined workers had already mixed up the base for the Terrazzo floors, we just needed to find out what we were mixing in with it, which was why I was here.

"Ahem." I did my best Eina impression, "The floors don't have to be a single colour, and the rooms can be what ever colour the tenant wants." I said, "It will be a little bit more work, but not impossible." I looked to the Brothers, "Master Vibhvan? A bit of paper, quill and ink please?"

The architect of the three produced the objects from various pouches on his person, and placed them on the nearest flat surface (after giving the occupant, one of Chime's kits, a gentle pat and a shooing motion).

"So, you liked the darker stone. You want less 'gloom'. And for you, a bit more colour. Fine. How about something like this..."

I drew a section of hallway, then a square to represent a 'tile' where we'd pour the Terrazzo flooring. The square however didn't actually go edge to edge with the hallway. Instead, I drew a second rectangle to fill the gap between tile and wall.

"With a bit of metal, we can put a second border on our floor. Here, we can use white gravel, and give the borders a little less gloom, since walking around in the darkness without adventurer eyes, means you'd be close to the walls." I pointed to the biggest section, "Inside, we can keep the black stone. We have a lot of it, and it makes sense material wise." I poked the inward facing edges of the tiles, "Adding a colour of some kind is possible, and we could do it here, but it would make things more difficult for measuring." Poor Astraea looked a little sad, but I then said, "The three of you will have your own personal domains within the Manor, and the floors can be what ever you please."

For Hestia, it was the living room, where had our Alliance meetings. Takemikazuchi had his Dojo and would be adding a koi pond and maybe a zen garden. Astraea would have her greenhouse on the second floor.

"Mikoto has already found someone who makes tatami, by the way." I said to Takemikazuchi. "The cleaners have done their best and salvaged most of the carpets from our old living room." I said to Hestia, "And the greenhouse is on the second floor, so you can take as long as you want to figure out what kind of floor to put there, though, there are other things to think about, and we can talk about it later."

The three of them looked at me, then the design, then each other, then nodded.

"I'll go tell the work crews." I said, "And you shouldn't eat that." I gave Chime's kit a little poke, then picked it up to stop it from nibbling the edge of the paper.

Another week went by in a blur of construction, dungeon reports, merchant visits and various people coming to look at the marvel we were creating.

It wasn't -really- a marvel, but it was using a lot of things no one else had seen. But again, this was mostly just 'next step' technology, that someone someplace would have figured out on their own eventually. All the flooring on the first floor was basically done. The Terrazzo had been poured, but not covered with resin yet, since we were still working and getting dust everywhere. Before we were done, we'd have to wash the floors, let them dry, and then make the resin. After that, it would be polishing and buffing. But that was weeks from now.

We had a return message from Lakrios about our marble for the second floor. The first half of it was made up of a dozen different ways to say 'thank you for the tools', and the second was how long, and how much it would take to get here. It wasn't going to be cheap, but it WAS going to look good. I was happy to note that they were giving us a discount.

One of Freya's dungeon teams returned from where ever they had gone. No one celebrated, no one cheered, but all the same, they returned. Rumour had it that they had brought back a sizable amount of loot. The next day, that same team went back into the dungeon, again, with no cheers or fanfare. Our rookie team commented that they were ignored by them as well. Not even a sideways glance.

Dain Cecht had opened a tiny little apothecary someplace in the Daedalus Maze. Lilly couldn't find it the next time she went back, but that could be because it had literally moved someplace else in the Maze.

Our rookie dungeon team found their very first really rare drop, a pair of war shadow claws. It reminded me of the six of them I had to dig out of myself way back, before we had brought Lilly into Hestia Familia. In celebration, they had a very small party (that got bigger as more of the Alliance came by in the evening to check in).

And last up for that week... Welf and I were able to start moving things into our new workshop.

Again, we had the shop built on the outside of the Manor. We had also, once again, made the shop walls out of granite, including the inner facing wall. But, we had made it bigger, and more suitable to all of the things we wanted to put into it. When we first moved in, after the Apollo Familia lost, most of the stuff was already in place, and more suited to the single smith they had. Now, with two and a half (Maki was still only 'dabbling' and with all those soft metals) people who knew what they were doing around an anvil, we had two full workstations, along with all of the other 'hot' stuff we used. Smelter/crucible chamber. Glass furnace (that Goibniu finally just gave us). Furnace for the actual metal heating. A better air intake (dual flow push box that pushed AND pulled air as you moved the handle).

It was, overall, just far better organized and spacious. Hagane could even walk around in it, while we worked. Or hang from the ceiling while we worked on him, if need be.

We also had plans to run some water pipes. Solid stone walls or not, I was still the only one in the manor who was fireproof.

The 'cold' projects area was a little smaller than before, BUT, had a door into the Manor itself, and what would be our storage area. Now that the 'illusion' that everyone got along in the city had been well and truly broken, we were being more security conscience. Later, we'd be adding heavy steel doors and frames, to keep all but the most determined of thieves out. Of course, anyone around level two could just break the door down, no matter how well we made it. But at that point, they'd have made a lot of noise, and Fen-chan hated having his naps disturbed by anyone who didn't belong.

"We still have work to do." I said as Welf sat down at one of the work benches after we'd brought it into the 'hot' side of the workshop.

"Come on, sit down a second." He motioned to the other bench, "Trust me."

So I did, fitting my rear to the sturdy wooden stool at the other workbench.

"Feel that? That's the first time you've sat down in a new shop." He said with a grin, "Before I joined up with you guys, I worked in almost a full dozen workshops. I only owned one of them, but still. Dad's, Grandpa's. A couple of little villages on the way to Orario. A couple of different stalls while I was with Lady Hephaestus. A bunch of shared spaces in the artisan quarter, the little shop you found me in, then here." He had one of those 'wish I had a drink' faces while he recalled the past. But then he looked at me, oddly serious faced, "Now, we have our own space again. Ours! We get to decide what to make, what tools to use, and where we put things."

He was right of course. I'd been so wrapped up in rebuilding that I hadn't really thought about much else. "Well, now we have our own shop again." I nodded, my mind already filling in the blank spaces on the walls with tools and the like, "Just keep what ever it is you drink on your side of the shop."

He laughed, back to the old Welf, and extended his fist to me. "One day, you'll ask me what it is, and we'll share a drink." We tapped knuckles, then stood up to get back outside to the rest of the work that was waiting.

"Maybe. Or I'll just use it to light the fire. I doubt you'd even need an ember to light it, with how it smells."

Another week, more progress, and to the delight of Demeter, the first of the big harvests. The Guild had been running advertisements for it, promising pay and a bit of food to take home. This year had a huge number of extra hands, not just because they were eager to get the food supply back in line after a long time of shortage, but because a lot of what would be harvested was the 'new' stuff I'd sent over. The Hostess had done some free advertising for us already, simply by including it in their newer recipes. But as with anything 'new' it got a lot of attention on its own.

I was not complaining at all. The end of the food shortage meant better foods for everyone, and I couldn't wait to visit May again, and show her the amazing thing that was 'the sweet onion'. I also intended to invite the Micro Kitchen Master over, once my 'super kitchen' was done.

Speaking of the super kitchen, that I shamelessly took the design of from the Hyoudou household, it was basically done. At least, all the bits that needed my attention. Installation would be next week, once we had the first floor finalized and ready to clean out for the last touches. If nothing went wrong, the bulk of our marble for the second floor would be here next week as well.

Near the end of the week, we started on some of the 'out door' stuff. Cleaning up the yard, re-digging the pool, giving our orchard a little attention, pruning the flourishing Sakura tree (that Hagane would nap under even though it barely made enough shade), and getting the supports for our outer wall re-done. Gros was happy to finally have his entire enclosure to himself again (more or less, since the Phoenix weren't going to leave).

Gros finally gave up and let Stonebelter hug him. Afterwards, Stonebelter did what he actually came over to do, and that was to make sure all of our walls were 'happy' so far. It was only when he said that they were, that we started laying down the understructure for the second floor. This included some nice vaulted ceiling stuff and other 'artistically useful' things. Like nice alcoves to put lamps, to keep the place 'less gloomy' at night.

Another week, and the city was... well, I wouldn't say 'disappointed' with the harvest, but they weren't exactly 'wowed' by it either. At least, not by the staples, like grains and tubers. Why? Well, much of this world had really similar stuff to Earth. Potatoes and tomatoes were really good examples. Here, we commonly grew yellow fleshed potatoes. Boring, but great for almost everything. They averaged about the size of a tennis ball, and if given basic care, would never ever fail. Tomatoes? Again, tennis ball sized, reliable to grow, tasted great on pasta.

The stuff I sent back? Tasted almost exactly the same. That's what 'the people' were disappointed with. Their first taste of 'food from another world' was the same as what you got from the market here.

Demeter on the other hand, once she had time, showed up at the work site, found me, and gave me a huge hug. I actually needed to be rescued from her over enthusiastic affection. Once I was free, I made sure to give her a proper hug in return, then ask why I had been buried in the soft darkness that smelled like sunlight and soil.

The stuff I sent back had one big difference to the stuff grown locally. Two really, but one that mattered most. It had the same growing time, but grew so much larger. The potatoes averaged the size of a softball, while the tomatoes were about the size of my gauntleted fist. The grains were much the same, growing three to six times as much per stalk. The other difference was it took less care to grow, but Demeter wasn't one to neglect any plant, big or small. That was more for 'the people' who might try growing it on their own. Same taste, bigger yields.

The spices on the other hand got a HUGE amount of attention. A little too much actually. More than one Ganesha patrol had stopped someone from digging up some of the garlic patch Demeter was growing, and someone had gotten away with a handful of chili peppers, only to be found in an alleyway later, foaming at the mouth and begging for water.

Before she left, Demeter got to visit Chime and her kits. The gentle, mildly air headed Goddess told them quite firmly to stay away from her fields. But just as suddenly, her mood brightened again and she promised to bring something for them next time. She also asked me about the thing I called 'watermelon', and when she should harvest it, since they were still growing happily.

My reply was to make a 'about this big' is good (basket ball sized or so) example with my hands.

Her reply was 'Oh dear...', and she bustled away quickly.

"Well Fox?" Aisha greeted Haruhime and I at the edge of the Entertainment District, as usual, "Done with another day huh?"

"I am looking forward to my bath, yes I am." I nodded. Level seven or not, there were some places you just couldn't ignore when sand was involved, "Have fun with the rookies today?"

"Sure. I mean, I'd call it babysitting, but they took down a couple of minotaurs today. Group effort sure, but none of them are level two yet." She walked next to me since we were talking, instead of Haruhime as usual. "Speaking of rookies, how are they doing? Yes I see you too." She gave a few of the pointed ears peeking out of the crib a little attention.

It was Haruhime's turn to watch over the kids at the I AM GANESHA daycare, so she replied with, "I think, in a few more weeks, they'll be just like the birds. Running all over the place and getting into trouble." She smiled up and across at both of us, "Oh, tell her?"

"Even better." I said with a proud smile, looking down into the crib I was pushing, "Who's the best Goddess ever?"

"est-aaaaa!" was the unanimous reply.

Aisha snerk'ed, then threw her head back and laughed, "That is just too precious." She chuckled, "What did she think about it?"

"Bell-san had to catch her." Haruhime said, "Ko-san called it a case of 'cute overload'."

Aisha laughed a bit more, then sighed, "Speaking of cute. Your two friends are going to be fathers."

We both gave her a wide eyed look, but she just smiled and shook her head, "Not me, a few of the other girls."

Haruhime did that little laugh into the sleeve of her kimono, while just shook my head, "Well, they're strong enough to be a catch by almost any standard." I admitted.

"Almost?" Aisha scoffed, "From the stories they were telling, they were like... tireless, attentive and very willing to share."

"I've seen them naked Aisha." I said, pretending to act horrified, "There's just... no way. You already know I have to take... special measures for that kind of thing."

Aisha laughed some more, Haruhime blushed as red as her kimono, and I shook off my 'horror'. I did however, use my tails to wrap around my two favourite lovers, "Besides, I'd much rather people more my size, shape, and softness, no matter what kind of things I had to do to keep them forever."

"Soft hu..oh?" Aisha, always willing to tease me just as much as I did her, gave my rear a squeeze.

"More leg on leg day." I said, returning the favour while pulling Haruhime a little closer for a hug.

NOTES!

A little shorter today, but next update will be the 'end' of the rebuilding of the Manor, and the start of the lead in for Gate. Not a new story yet, but soon.

Party on. :)