Chapter 24: Hunger, the Eternal Enemy
Saber always used to say 'Hunger is the enemy.'
Apparently she was right, and apparently hunger had a lot of enemies. Some of which were considerably more dangerous than others. Not that I was surprised in the least.
Considering that she apparently had the blood of Dragons in her, I'm left to wonder if her ridiculous rate of consuming food came from my inability to properly provide mana for her, or purely because she had Dragon blood.
I will admit, it was not a question I ever thought to ask until now.
And watching as Elma consumes another full bowl of rice as well as another smoked mackerel, I believe I might have found the answer as well. Which likely makes this one of the fastest solved mysteries in the world.
Although that doesn't help my wallet in the least. I'm honestly lucky that my job as the bar pays as well as it does.
"Thirds please!" Elma exclaims as she thrusts her bowl towards me. I never thought that a Dragon could look like a Tiger-
I shiver as a coldness seeps across my back at the sudden thought.
That was a strange experience and not one I want to repeat.
"Elma." I begin, I'm going to try and be as diplomatic as possible. Years of dealing with Fuji-nee's greed has got to have prepared me for something. Granted, I never thought it would prepare me for Dragons but I never thought that strengthening pipes would translate into much either. "If you eat all the food now, you won't have any for lunch or dinner."
She freezes, her eyes wide at this apparently startling revelation. She slowly withdraws her bowl away from me and sets it down. Whistling to herself and looking away "Well...I suppose I probably could...wait for a little while…" she coughs "I will need to integrate with the human culture here anyway."
"Huh?" That's a weird choice of words. Does that mean she's planning on doing something that normal people do? "What do you mean integrate?"
"Well." She gestures to Tiamat next to me, the Goddess looks up from her own breakfast in muted surprise at being addressed "Considering that the Great Mother is here, as well as several other Dragons, I can justify investigating this world to see if it is truly possible for beings from other worlds to live here."
I mean, I've been doing just fine so far but then again, I was always human to begin with. And I suppose if more beings like Fafnir turned up it would be trouble.
"So, how are you going to do that?" I ask, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. If she's planning on integrating naturally, I suppose there are a few things she could do. Although considering what Fafnir and Tohru are like, I'm a little dubious.
She answers as I pick up mine and Tiamat's empty bowls. "I was going to get a job."
Which came very close to falling out of my hands. My shock must have shown on my face because Elma flushes in embarrassment.
"W-what?" She petulantly whines at me "I'm an order dragon! If you think I'm just going to mooch here for free-"
"Actually I'm genuinely surprised you'd want to do anything like that." I quickly shut her down before she can continue her rant. Really, I don't have very many concerns. Well...first impressions aside "Although is that the sort of thing you can feel comfortable doing?"
"The whole purpose is to determine if it is possible." She explains, suddenly turning far more serious than she had been before. The flip in personality is rather jarring "If a being as powerful as a Dragon can abide by human customs for an extended period of time, then it lends credence to the idea of cross-world travel." she pauses for a few seconds before hastily adding on "It would also save a great deal of time an effort in having to retrieve Tohru."
I don't know if I should commend her openness or feel a little annoyed that she's only doing this because she doesn't want the extra work. Although considering she and Tohru appear to have some history with each other, it's likely that she isn't in a rush for a prolonged encounter with the Dragon.
Especially considering that Tohru would likely remain within the city in order to prevent Elma from doing anything drastic.
It's a little disturbing to me that Tohru is kind of using the city as a hostage against Elma, but at the same time there's not a lot I could personally do. Well I could always ask Tiamat to do something-
"Call me Mother." Her melodic voice rings in my head, my neck snaps to her so fast I nearly give myself whiplash. Her carefree smile is all the proof I need that she knows what she did. I really wish she wouldn't do that, but every time I tell her not to read my mind she just smiles and asks what I'm talking about.
Its a little off putting.
"So where were you planning on working?" I ask, moving to collect her empty bowl. She glares at my hand for a split second before she grumbles and allows me to take it. I was a little worried for a moment but she probably realises she can't stuff her face forever. Or at least I hope she realises that I can't afford to let her stuff her face forever.
"Well, I was investigating the human calls for aid within the paper tablets."
"...You were looking at job advertisements in a newspaper then."
"Is that what they are called?" At my nod she lets out a hum "I see, something to make a note of then. Regardless, I was seeing which would be serve my set of skills and I happened upon several promising options."
"That's good." I stand up and make my way towards the kitchen "Always helpful to keep your options open and at least you're making an effort." I would say unlike Tohru but I very much doubt that she is capable of holding any other kind of job, or that she would be interested in the first place of doing anything that didn't involve servicing Kobayashi.
Kanna is a child so I doubt any place could hire her legally, Fafnir hates people too much to take orders from them and Lucoa…
Actually, I don't know if Lucoa has a job. It's never really come up in conversation before. Although if she's taken on the role of Familiar, its just as likely that Shouta doesn't let her out of his sight that often. Either that or he orders her to take care of the house.
I know Rin probably wouldn't be fond of the idea of letting Archer loose onto the streets after telling him to find a job. Aside from the comments he would make, it probably sets a bad image if you are having your summon work to earn money.
"Indeed." Elma calls out through the house as I begin washing up "My experience in dealing with reports would come in handy in one such position."
"Reports?"
"My allegiance to the Order faction of Dragons means that patrols are common to ensure the Chaos faction do not disturb the balance of other worlds." She rattles off, I think that there might be something a little wrong with me if I can hear that ludicrous explanation and think nothing of it. "I am going for a preliminary interview today."
"That's good." I nod my head, then pause as I realise something "You're not going dressed like that are you?"
"Hm?" Elma's confused voice calls through the house before she lets out a small gasp of realisation "No. I will simply change scales to reflect a better appearance."
She'll change her what?
I peak my head out of the kitchen just in time to see a light cover her body and her attire to change from shrine outfit over a swimsuit to a business suit over a grey sweater. I mean...It looks smarter.
And considering her proportions its probably a lot safer for the buttons on the front of her shirt as well.
Wait a minute "Did you say scales?"
"I did." She nods her head in affirmation "These clothes are simply transmuted scales which I have adjusted to better suite my environment. Tohru does the same process with her maid outfit."
Well, the more you know. I slowly turn my head to Tiamat in realisation.
"Can you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Project clothes."
"What's projection?"
"...Really?" I raise an eyebrow at her. She's clearly playing stupid if her amused smile is any indication. She'll never admit it though. Either it never occurred to her to project clothes at the time or alternatively-
"But wasn't shopping fun?" She carries on, as if – though more than likely – reading my mind "You even tried on a Butler suit!"
I suppose I can't really complain all that much. She did seem to enjoy shopping for her own clothes and it is somewhat more comfortable to actually posses a physical copy of something. I might project knives and forks sometimes when I don't have enough money or can't immediately replace one but that doesn't mean I do it all the time.
"When are you leaving?" I turn back to Elma, the girl blinks at me before composing herself.
"I will be leaving in one hour in order to use this worlds method of transport." She pauses for a few seconds "So I can make a detailed report as to the lifestyle on this world and what can be expected."
"Alright." I shrug "I'll make you a lunch box-"
"Yes please!"
"Gah!?" How the heck did she get over to me so quickly!?
"So…"
"What?"
"How's living with the dragon?"
"I was already living with Tia…" I pause, looking around before sighing. I can feel the sensation in the back of my mind just waiting to correct me "I was already living with mother." I grumble out, shooting a small glare at Kobayashi when she snorts at me.
"You think its funny now but you try telling her to not call you mother." A sigh escapes my throat as I rub the back of my neck "Besides, she away to get a job today."
"Tiamat?"
"No, Elma." I answer, Kobayashi blinks at me.
"Really?" Yes, quite the surprise.
"Yeah. Turns out she's doing an investigation to see if beings from other worlds can live here."
"Sounds like an alien."
"Well, they technically aren't native to this world so from a certain point of view."
"Don't be smart, Shirou-san." She deadpans at me as the train doors open in front of us "It doesn't suit you all that well."
"You sure?" I ask with a mild snort, my face slowly morphing into an all to comfortable smirk "I think I could pull it off."
She grimaces at me and shakes her head "No, it feels weird having known you for a while. And don't smirk like that, you look like an early morning cartoon henchman."
Ha! Take that Archer.
"I suppose so." I shrug, composing my expression as we board the train and take our seats. We normally wouldn't be on the same train to work but I was wanting to get in a little earlier than normal so I left at the same time as Kobayashi.
"Still, a job huh…" She lets out a mirthless laugh "I don't know if I should congratulate her for being mature, or pity her for entering the dead world of filing reports all day."
"She's probably not going to have the same job as you." I dismiss with a wave of my hand, although I feel like I've set myself up for something there. "Besides, she doesn't seem that bad so far."
"She literally crashed into my house and started waving a spear around."
"...true...but I also did that a few seconds later."
"Yes...because she smashed down your wall as well." She gave a dry retort "But you're the one living with her, so I'll take your word for it."
"At the very least she's more receptive to humans than Tohru and Fafnir."
"Tohru is receptive to…" She pauses then winces in remembrance and slowly looks away. Likely realising that she is the sole beneficiary of Tohru's love for humanity. "Well...she likes you, doesn't she?"
Does she? I suppose our relationship is a little better than being casual acquaintances but I'm not sure if we could be described as friends.
"Well...Mother's adoption of me seems to have made Tohru view me more as a sibling – slash – cooking rival." I shrug "Kanna-chan was already ahead of her on that sibling part and Fafnir seems to view me as an interesting type of bug."
"...When you put it like that I suppose it is a pretty low bar." Kobayashi sighs "Although you're also friends with your murderer, so I'd say you see a little too much good in people."
Well, I wouldn't say that. I have people who I hate. A certain smirking blonde and fake priest come to mind but that's an entirely different topic right there.
"Well, I like to think that some people can be good." I shrug "Elma seems quite earnest, so I'm sure she'll try her best."
"If you say so, although I can't imagine Tohru doing anything like that."
"I'd rather not imagine her doing anything like that."
"That too." Kobayashi chuckles "Still...at least yours is going to be earning money."
"Most of that is going to food." I reply in a dead tone of voice "Elma certainly has quite the appetite."
"You don't sound too put off about that."
"Hunger has many enemies." I rattle off "And I'm used to fighting it."
"That...what?"
"Trust me, it makes sense within context."
"Hey! Shirou!"
I look away from the sink, finishing cleaning the stain off the plate and raise my eyebrow "Yes, Satoru-san?"
"Got a phone call here for you." I blink and put the plate on the drying rack, picking up a tissue and then wiping my hands down of the water before I walk over to the older man. "It's Kobayashi, says she has something to tell you."
Really? It's probably important if she called my work during the middle of the day.
"Hello?" I answer, raising the phone to my ear.
"Shirou-san?" Her muffled voice comes out the other end, sounding more than a little exasperated at something.
"Speaking."
"Did Elma tell you where she'd be working?" She asks, her voice now sounds a little strained. As if she wants to shout, Rin sometimes sounded like that when I hadn't told her something that she felt I should have.
"No...she just said she had some options she was looking into." I frown, this conversation feels like its going somewhere bad "Why?"
"Because I'm looking at her right now."
"...Ah."
"Yes." She sighs "Well, if you didn't know I can't say that much. Although its a little jarring."
"I can try and talk to her about going to another place if you'd feel more comfortable."
"Hm? Oh, no, no." She replied, sounding a little calmer now "It's fine, it looks like an honest coincidence. Although I'll probably have to show her the ropes anyway...its Tohru's reaction I'm worried about."
"...Want me to call Tiamat?"
"Mother~" I flinch at the whisper in the back of my mind.
"Eh...we'll see." Kobayashi replies in a non-committal way "I'll watch her to make sure she doesn't do anything wrong...or dangerous."
"Thanks, sorry I didn't ask where she would be working."
"I don't think you know where I work anyway, so it probably wouldn't have mattered all that much anyway." She dismisses the statement "I'll let you get back to work, sorry for interrupting you."
"No problem, thanks for letting me know."
"Goodbye, Shirou-san."
"Bye, Kobayashi-san." I take the phone away from my ear and press the end call button. Looking back to Satoru to see him with his arms crossed and a mildly amused look on his face.
"Seem close with Kobayashi." He points out with a wry smile, a phantom shiver runs up my spine as if a certain maid heard that.
"We're not like that." I answer, feeling the shiver slowly dissipate.
Still, what are the chances of everyone either working in the same place or visiting the same place? Seems really astronomical.
AN: Well...I was gone for a little while, wasn't I?
Sorry, although I have rewarded you with a slightly longer chapter than normal! Yorokobe!
Still, I was working on other stories and this one kind of slipped my mind for a bit.
Anyway…
Omake: The Joys of Learning
"Now prepare yourself." Fafnir rumbles in his Dragon form as he stares down at Sieg, the smaller boy looks to me in a pleading manner. I can't exactly do much.
"Fafnir-sa-"
"Be silent, Emiya." He booms before looking down at Sieg "I can sense you are capable of it Fafnir Jr, now turn into your dragon form."
"But I-" Sieg makes to speak only to be cut off again.
"You can do it Fafnir Jr!" Tohru cheers from the side with a grin, Kanna similarly raises her hands in triumph while her face remains amusingly absent of emotions.
"Master…" Sieg turns to me, I shrug and release a sigh.
"They aren't gonna stop, Sieg."
"Call him Fafnir Jr." Fafnir Sr growls before waving a hand "Now do it!"
"...Alright." Sieg lets out a sigh before closing his eyes "Start transformation! The pilgrimage to the beyond... I am one who soared with the heavenly cup, the one who became the wicked dragon. Akafiloga All-Grið!" his body explodes in a wave of blue light as his form shifts, growing larger and larger as scales replace his skin and two giant wings explode form his back.
His neck lengthens as his head shifts to become more reptilian.
I raise my hand to block out the light before slowly lowering it.
Sieg has certainly transformed, I'll give him that much. Just being near him is quite dangerous for me considering how much magical energy he is leaking just by existing. The jet black dragon adjusts itself before craning his head down to stare at me.
His eyes make him look almost sheepish.
"Sorry if this form is frightening, Master." Sieg apologises to me, he's really quite earnest.
"Ho...impressive." Fafnir chuckles as he closes the distance "Yes...that is quite the nostalgic look about you. Now then...the first lesson to being a Dragon is treasure!"
"...Treasure?"
"Yes!" He roars triumphantly "Also ensuring that it is well hidden from any wandering knights who come to kill you and steal it!"
Sieg's draconic face flattens out in thought before they open their mouth to respond "But...I got my heart from a wandering knight."
"...Hmmm." Fafnir rumbles "Then you've already begun to build your collection of treasures. And now you don't need to worry about the knight aspect."
This feels as though it might take a while and that Fafnir might be a bad influence.