Chapter 38: Earned Life (Part 4)

"Not to sound overly petulant or any other manner of unimpressive attributes but you do not seem overly shocked or surprised."

"Believe it or not, randomly running across one of the oldest Heroic Spirits in genderbent, corporeal form inside a shopping mall isn't the weirdest thing that's happened in my life. Top ten, maybe, but definitely not the most unique."

A pouty expression appeared on the girl's features, turning her head aside and releasing a loud 'HMPH' that reminded the homunculus a fair bit of Manaka when she was denied or told she couldn't do something.

It usually meant he was in for some mollifying or apologizing.

"Well don't you seem to lead quite the illustrious and fantastic life, that my most regal being is such a dull event?"

"You know that's not what I said or meant."

A cheshire grin was apparent once more as if the indignation had never been there to begin with, Gilgamesh chirping, "But of course! And you will naturally apologize by regaling me with some of these assumedly fantastic tales!"

The homunculus massaged his temples, sighing as he asked, "Sure, that's fair. But at least humor me in turn and answer why the King of Uruk - or queen, whichever you prefer - is beating the stuffing out of kids in an arcade, breaking high scores left and right while also paying for a weirdo's lunch."

"Hmm, I suppose that's a boon I can grant. But first let us order~!"

Nanashi belatedly realized they had arrived at the front of the line, Gilgamesh confidently stating, "Grilled chicken on toasted italian bread, onions, lettuce and tomatoes with both mustard and a bit of balsamic vinegar, please. Oh, and a large soda!"

The clerks eyes fell on Nanashi, the homunculus blanking before simply replying, "Turkey club, thanks. And water."

"Hopefully your tales aren't as dull as your palette, Nanashi."

Giggling at her own joke the male somewhat defensively replied, "I'm still getting used to actually speaking with one of humanity's oldest heroes, cut me some slack here."

Patting his shoulder with sympathy that was equal parts teasing and genuine the pair retrieved their lunch in short order, Gilgamesh leading the way to a secluded table in the plaza where she took a big swig of her beverage and ravenous bite of the sandwich, happily stating, "Ah, nothing like a hearty meal after an intense day of fun, is there?"

Nanashi shrugged, noncommittal as the blonde rolled her ruby eyes at his silence.

"Oh very well, story time it is. You are familiar with the Holy Grail War?"

Wracking his brains Nanashi eventually nodded, stating, "Battle royal meant to enact the Third Magic but because magi can't agree on what time of the freakin' day it is it's just been fucked up four times in a row?"

"Bluntly put but not too wrong. I was summoned as the Archer of the 4th war but, as you so succinctly put, it was fucked up."

Finding it extremely odd to hear such a distinguished individual use such crass language - like hearing Manaka suddenly start rapping or Tiamat curse him out like a sailor - the youth nonetheless paid close attention as Gilgamesh continued with, "The war ended in a small-scale disaster that concluded with myself manifested in corporeal form and body, sustained by the energy and authority of a despicable man that my older self considered an ally and subordinate."

"Older self-"

Gilgamesh raised a hand in a bid for patience, Nanashi instinctively doing so as she continued with, "Once the war was concluded my older persona journeyed the world, seeing and observing humanity and was left...wanting."

A sullen expression appeared on the girl's face.

"She barely took so much as a single year to travel the globe, rarely spending any meaningful amount of time in any one locale and decided humanity was not worth her attention or direction. She drank a potion of youth and reverted into who you see before you, the true King Gilgamesh."

Nanashi remained silent, raptly listening as a genuinely distressed shiver wracked Gilgamesh's body.

"To think I grow up into that bitch...needless to say I immediately slaughtered the cretin she called ally and did what I could to save those who were being used to fruitlessly provide me with mana, a travesty that I can scarcely imagine she allowed."

A click of her tongue and angry drink of soda, the straw slurping aggressively.

"Small wonder the gods decided that my older self needed an ego check, what with such rampant self-aggrandization and callousness on constant display. Regardless, I took it upon myself to properly explore and travel the world, finding myself forming a far more optimistic opinion of it."

The manifested spirit took a thoughtful bite of her sandwich before continuing with, "There exist a myriad of issues both big and small, naturally. Large-scale suffering and improper use of resource allocation, unwieldy systems of rule that need streamlining, a growing propensity to judge first and listen never now that information and communication are easier to enable than ever imagined…"

A confident smile appeared on the girl's lips.

"But while mystery may have declined the rise of technology offers many promising alternatives. Invention and science have advanced to the point where - if they were to be properly and responsibility used - a vast majority of these aforementioned issues would be solved handily. A few more years of travel and research and I believe I shall be properly informed enough of global trends and dynamics to begin once again ruling and guiding the world."

Nanashi blinked, his mesmerization with the imparted tale brought to a halt as he slowly asked, "Just going to casually mention world domination, huh?"

"It is my providence, after all. And I find the current age of humanity to be quite fascinating and chaotic, I would hate to see it recess."

The homunculus slowly took a bite of his fairly plain sandwich, saying, "I'm not really sure how to feel about any of this, to be honest. I never even graduated junior high, forget studying up on globalism and stuff like that...what the hell, if one of the oldest Heroic Spirits thinks they can do a good job I'd be inclined to believe them."

"Hmm...your words are not a particularly ringing endorsement, Nanashi."

"I'm still coming to terms with everything you just told me, give me a little slack here. Again."

An amused chortle left the girl as she took another few enthusiastic bites, eventually asking, "So what brought you to the arcade and my attention?"

"Nothing special, I was just shopping with my girlfriends and was told to go off on my own for a mome-"

Nanashi paused mid-sentence, face flushing as the bluntness of his statement caught up with his brain, Gilgamesh perking as she asked, "Oh? You have multiple partners? How strange, the vast majority of cultures in this day and age have advanced towards a more monogamous mindset. You simply must tell me more!"

Coughing into his fist Nanashi awkwardly replied, "Well it was, you know...things happened and we just kind of ended up together, there's a pretty long story behind it all."

"Most interesting stories are of substantial length."

Shrugging at the all too true words the duo settled for finishing up their meal in peace, Gilgamesh polishing off her food and drink in record time before regretfully staring at the watch adorning her wrist, responding, "Alas, it seems my answers will have to wait for another day, even a king needs groceries and other such basic forms of sustenance."

"So it is king then?"

Gilgamesh smirked, responding, "I find it quite amusing that the origin of the masculine term originated from a woman, it's a title I wear with great pride and humor."

Realizing that he was still on his own for the time being - and feeling kind of bad for cutting their exchange short - Nanashi asked, "You want me to come along and tell you about all of the stuff I did in order to get this body? I've got time and haven't been asked to meet up with the others yet. Not to mention I've got years of experience in bargain hunting, maybe I'll be of some help on that front."

His proposal was met with no shortage of delight on the blonde's part, crimson eyes lighting up with glee as she enthusiastically responded, "Oh hoh, do you proclaim to have better economic sense than I~? Well this is a challenge I dearly wish to see for myself! Come, Nanashi! Regale me with both tales of monetary knowledge and how you acquired such an impressive form!"

Grabbing his hand and dragging him along the homunculus resigned himself to being forever at the mercy of blonde females.

"Oh well. I can easily imagine worse things."

"Truly?! You have the literal heart of a dragon?!"

Not heeding the concept of personal space one iota Gilgamesh - or Gil, as she insisted upon being called - placed her ear against his chest, ruby eyes narrowed in concentration as Nanashi instantly felt said heart beat just that bit faster.

While Gil may not have been beautiful in the way that Abigail, Manaka and Tiamat were - all three holding a delicate or ethereal sort of allure - she was fetching in an entirely different manner, all bold energy and a friendly haughtiness that came off as endearing and comforting rather than abrasive. And while she didn't look all that physically older than his three companions her body was definitely not of the same fragile and delicate sort they possessed, all athletic aggressiveness and lithe power, chest not overwhelmingly standing out but still visible through her shirt in a modest yet alluring way.

"Hoh~? Does close contact excite you so, Nanashi? For someone with a supposed three consorts you appear quite shy."

Awkwardly running a hand through his hair the homunculus replied, "It's a recent thing, okay? Shit, I'm still getting used to having friends, never mind romantic interests."

"Hmm, you're quite a conflict of assumptions, if you don't mind me saying so."

"No offense taken."

Withdrawing her ear from his chest Gil tapped her lip, the other hand lightly plucking at a strand of his hair while commenting, "Strands of Phoenix feathers as well? You will have to provide me with a complete list of everything your form has managed to congeal into one container, so much of this has never before - or at least to my understanding - been attempted, let alone achieved. The unique mystery intrinsic to each and every Phantasmal beast typically keeps various attributes and abilities from properly...meshing…"

Nanashi resigned himself to another series of manhandling as Gil peeled open one of his eyelids, gazing deep into his crimson orb while excitedly murmuring, "Oh, so that's what allowed you to do so. Mystic Eyes, albeit ones I don't recognize at first glance. Curious, some kind of synergistic effect?"

Slowly removing Gil's fingers from his face the homunculus replied, "I'm impressed you can tell that much."

"I am rather well versed in matters both esoteric and exoteric. Perhaps not to the extent my older self was but I nonetheless consider myself a learned individual."

Chest puffing itself up in pride Gil added, "Now, you spoke of being a fair hand at meals and other culinary pursuits, or at the very least the procuring of them. Care to put that claim to the test?"

A predatory grin crossed her full, flawless lips as she leaned in close.

"Or how about another competition of sorts between the two of us? Two different dishes with varying ingredients, two individuals seeking to create it through the most affordable means possible?"

"...If we were making two different things wouldn't the ingredients be different and thus make the whole thing moot?"

Nanashi blinked as Gil flicked his nose, crossly stating, "We shall work on the honor system and decide who was more frugal with their purchases."

"Well if we're going to do that why don't we just throw out our opinions now and-"

"Excellent! I shall gather the things needed for minestrone soup while you pursue what's required in a spicy guacamole dish."

"Huh? Where's the overlap in-"

"Second place is first loser!"

With a delighted laugh Gil raced into the market, swiping a basket from the checkout as Nanashi hastily followed, lips quirking upwards into a smile he had no control over.

Gil's unbridled enthusiasm and fun-loving nature was something he found he was quickly coming to enjoy. Quickly catching up to her on one of the aisles he hurriedly asked, "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have a way to keep in contact or anything like that, would you? I mean if you're in the neighborhood-"

The male was cut off by a radiant smile from the Heroic Spirit, tone contrite as she stated, "If you truly desire for us to meet again once we part ways then have no fear, I believe that both fate and circumstance will have us cross paths sooner than you might imagine."

A more smug expression adorned the girl's features.

"The whims and whiles of the world mesh and intermingle with my own, thus we need not have any true fear of separation for any extended period of time."

She playfully poked him in the chest, teasing, "And I desire to see you again as well, Nanashi. There is no need to rush and demand more of life when we are destined to be in each other's company before long. Now!"

She hefted her basket, already filled with discount noodles that the homunculus had completely missed her grab.

"Don't fall behind~!"

"Man, what a day…"

Despite the exhausted thought Nanashi couldn't help but smile, trudging back towards the entrance of the mall where they were supposed to meet once the afternoon rolled around. It seemed he was doomed to live an interesting life and the past few hours hadn't been any exception.

Gil had departed with a friendly, spine snapping hug before departing with her purchases and a reassurance that they would meet again, Nanashi only belatedly realizing that he'd never really found out who won their little competition, the Heroic Spirit simply grabbing the purchases and being on her way.

He supposed it was in the nature of a sovereign as notorious and powerful as the King of Uruk to go as the wind would take them but it seemed a little too uncertain for the homunculus' liking.

"Then again I was basically brought up on uncertainty, probably have a bias against it."

"And just where have you been for the past few hours, Nanashi~?"

Manaka's fake cheerful voice snapped the homunculus out of his internal monologue faster than a knife to the balls, eyes widening as he spotted the doll-like girl staring at him with a very pointed and very dangerous glare.

"Er, sorry, I sort of made a friend and we hit it off pretty well, I lost track of time-"

"Oh, you mean the Heroic Spirit of none other than King Gilgamesh? Why, Nanashi, I didn't think you would be so quick to abandon us for the latest model~!"

Jaw flopping open the homunculus warily asked, "How did you-"

"Of course I was aware of one of the most powerful manifestations of a human soul wandering around, you buffoon!"

Shrinking slightly at Manaka's genuinely upset expression - no doubt she was jealous or possessive beyond all verbal descriptions - he glanced towards the rest of the group, Ayaka offering an apologetic smile as she made it clear she didn't want anything to do with this wildfire in the making, Abigail merely giggled as she watched the proceedings with clear amusement and Tiamat…

Well Tiamat was trying to hide behind the longer-haired blonde, warily looking over Nanashi's shoulder as if the boogeyman was going to leap out at any moment.

"Oh, right. The ancient Sumerian goddess probably isn't all that enthused about the King of Heroes walking out and about."

Taking a deep breath - realizing that he would have to go about smoothing some seriously ruffled feathers - Nanashi assured Manaka with, "I'm not just going to go off and spend all my free time with Gil, alright?"

"Oh, so you even have a nickname for her already?"

Hiding his wince at the slipup the male continued with, "For one thing I don't even know when we'll meet up again, she didn't leave a return address. And do you really think I'm that shallow as to just forget about you all?"

The blonde shifted her weight and awkwardly crossed her arms, blushing crimson with a swirl of emotions as she protested, "O-of course not, I am not so-"

"She's really adorable when jealous and uncertain, isn't she, Nanashi~?"

Abigail glomped the other girl into an affectionate hug, Manaka fruitlessly trying to push her away as Ayaka added, "You should really have more faith in your friends, sister."

"I-I do have faith, but we-enough tickling, Abigail!"

Shaking his head as the two blondes devolved into laughter - one mirthful and the other unwilling - he privately hoped Manaka got over her worries of abandonment and other such issues sooner rather than later, he wasn't sure if he would be able to mollify her every time.

Not that he didn't sympathize. If she and the rest had suddenly started spending time with other people with seemingly little warning or provoking he would have been worried and suspicious too. Maybe not to the extent that Manaka was but definitely not handling things with a laugh and spring in his step.

"Maybe if I can introduce her and Gil at some point she'll stop worrying like she sort of did with Abigail and Tiamat."

He paused in that train of thought, staring at aforementioned goddess before carefully asking, "Is this going to be a problem for you, Tiamat? Gil seems really nice and easygoing as she is right now but if it's going to be awkward for you…"

The girl was quick to shake her head, haltingly replying, "I was given, second chance. Only right to...return favor."

"Heh, you're a lot more easy going about things than Manaka is."

An amused smile tilted the goddess's lips as aforementioned magus started coughing from the force of Abigail's tickling, the homunculus stating, "Well if we don't need anything else then we can head on home. Need anything else before we depart?"

Allowing Manaka a brief respite Abigail promptly grabbed one of the bags she held, peeling it open for the male's viewing pleasure as she chirped, "Would you like to see the swimsuits we picked out, Nanashi?"

His eye automatically traveled to the interior of the canvas-

-and promptly forced himself to look away, lest blood start going to places it wasn't supposed to.

"Hoo boy, our time on the beach is going to be an interesting one."

Apparently It's Nanashi's lot in life to be lead around by willful blondes. And I hadn't even intended it that way lol.