Chapter 43: Earned Life (Part 9)

"Spike!"

With seamless coordination Gilgamesh pushed the volleyball up into a perfect arc, Nanashi leaping high and - making sure not to use all of his strength - smashed the ball downwards with a solid THOCK, the girl who blocked the hit wincing as she nonetheless bopped it up for her friends to take advantage of, three of them running up in quick succession to fake out a number of blows before the last went in with a full body hammerblow, Nanashi relying on his enhanced reflexes to dive beneath the ball and launch it up, Gil grinning like a madwoman as she rushed to deliver the finishing blow, their opponents gathering on the other side of the net to deflect what they knew was going to be a powerful hit…and were left scrambling as the blonde simply tapped the ball upwards slightly, Nanashi following up a moment later as he hit the thing with the force of a meteor strike, cratering the sand and drawing a variety of groans and curses from the other players as Abigail cheered, "11-3, in favor of Nanashi and Gil~!"

A guileless grin appeared on the girl's face, an expression that the homunculus found both endearing and somewhat odd, considering how quickly she could flip between innocent and eldritch.

"Just in case anyone wasn't counting~!"

"Nice pickup, Nanashi! You learned how to play rather quickly."

Caught up in the rush of the game the male responded to Gil's high-five with considerable enthusiasm, smirking as he said, "Hey, experience is the best teacher. Look no further than my initial performance."

"Indeed. It was quite terrible."

Rolling his eyes at the girl's cheeky comment they returned to the match, one of the girls complaining, "What the heck are you two made of? Your hits sting more than the damn bodybuilder's do!"

Taking the question in stride Gil merely flashed a pearly smile, joking, "Why obviously we're made of gold medals~! Our serve!"

The game resumed, Nanashi and Gil working in perfect unison - which he attributed more to her skills than his own - as they quickly turned out to be the victors, the homunculus unable to stop the large and toothy grin that adorned his face. The first round had gone their opponent's way since he hadn't been clear on the rules of volleyball, had to reign in his strength and abilities and in all honesty the other vacationers were pretty good, apparently playing the game as a part of their college's team.

But once they had gotten into the swing of things it became clear that for all their skill and height advantage the college kids were at a disadvantage compared to their supernatural opponents, jacked up as they were on mystical mumbo jumbo.

"Geez, you two a part of the Olympics or something?"

"Hmm, now that you mention it I think it would be rather fun to enter!"

"I'll pass on that, thanks. Good game, I think that was the most fun I've had in a while."

The tall, athletic guy that just oozed confident sex appeal accepted the homunculus' handshake, wryly asking, "You're on vacation in this place and a game of volleyball was the highlight?"

"Err, well…"

Merely chuckling at Nanashi's attempt at backpedaling the older guy just gave him a friendly backslap, teasing, "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Seriously though, you and Gil are in insane shape, are you looking to be professional athletes?"

Deciding to just roll with the convenient explanation Nanashi nodded, stating, "I'm already pretty weird looking and got made fun of a lot in school, I figured it would be a huge middle finger to all of them if I just ran with it and became the exotic superman."

The older guy laughed as the homunculus glanced towards where the rest of the group had convened, Manaka, Tiamat and Ayaka all gathered under an umbrella while Abigail eagerly chatted with the rest of the college kids and Gil, the male briefly wondering if Manaka was mad at him.

After all, she was pouting rather adorably. Then again the fact she was openly annoyed with him was a good sign of her state of mind, which brought a fair amount of relief to the youth.

Also trepidation because he knew an annoyed Manaka was a Manaka that was going to slip a thumbtack or the magical equivalent beneath his seat.

"Oh well. Better that than how she was before."

"So how did you manage to meet Gil during this trip? She seems a little young for all of you, doesn't she?"

Had anyone else but Abigail using her cutesy persona asked that question it would have come off as accusing or nefarious. Now it sounded perfectly reasonable and genuine as one of the college kids replied, "Well we were originally going to snag a five person deal on vacation and airfare but our number five quit at the last moment, leaving us with an open spot as we put out a message for anyone if they wanted to fill in the gap."

"Lo and behold, we find ourselves staring down a teenager after she saw one of our fliers around town."

Gil smirked, brazingly remarking, "A very accomplished and intelligent teenager, mind you."

"Yeah yeah, anyway we were initially not okay with that for a number of reasons. We didn't want to be responsible for her safety, we were planning to hit up a couple bars and she was way too young for that-"

"I would wager I can outdrink you."

"-but on the day we were set to leave she shows up in a taxi, all her bags and paperwork loaded and shows us to the departure gate."

The quartet shook their heads as Gil proudly puffed out her chest.

"When I was her age I think I was still learning how to make my own lunches and fill out field trip application forms…"

The shrunken queen affixed the quartet with an arched eyebrow, complaining, "And despite all that you still won't let me go to a bar with you."

"Mostly because we don't want to get arrested. Besides, you have your own group of friends to hang out with now, right?"

The older souls of the group gave them a wry look, especially Tiamat with the unusual colored hair as she hypnotically picked apart a bowl of shaved ice with clear relish.

"They're just as eccentric as you are."

Abigail giggled happily at the words as Gilgamesh just nodded, folding her arms as she replied, "I would prefer the word eclectic, much more endearing and positive."

One of the girls pinched the bridge of her nose, grumbling, "Wildly varying is right. Hey, you're not doping, are you?"

She suddenly reached out and squeezed Nanashi's arm, prodding at the muscle as the male almost jumped out of his skin at the contact, the older girl asking, "I mean, if this is the result of hard work good for you, but if not-"

"No need to worry, Nanashi is completely and utterly free of drugs~!"

Coming to his rescue Abigail shut down the line of inquiry before it could really begin, the older girl shrugging before leaving him be as the homunculus resisted the urge to blush in embarrassment.

"Looks like I'm still getting used to other people. Normal people at that."

Then again things so far had been…nice. The quartet seemed normal, taking their weirdness in stride and being friendly despite it. The homunculus found it refreshing, if odd. His only real experiences with 'normal' people had been the people at school, occasional passerby that gave him odd looks or occasional passerby that tried to kill Abigail before she managed to take that power as her own.

Having a group of individuals not much older than him be so open and inviting was almost surreal.

"Ah geez, you made him uncomfortable."

"I didn't mean to!"

Blinking rapidly Nanashi realized he had zoned out for a second, the girl who had grabbed his arm sheepishly rubbing her head as he made to reassure her until Abigail hugged his arm, cheekily stating, "It's perfectly fine, Nanashi is just a little shy after all. He did get bullied a lot in school, like he said."

The blonde offered a teasing smile disguised as angelic grace.

"At least until we came along~!"

"Indeed, Nanashi. There's no shame in admitting you were once weak and cowardly, only that you are now strong!"

While Gilgamesh's words were no doubt intended to be supportive and uplifting the homunculus couldn't help but feel like they did the opposite, what felt like stormy skies gathering above his head as the youth lightly grumbled, "Thanks…I think."

The four older kids just chuckled, clapping him on the back or shaking their heads as one of them said, "We'll catch all of you later, we're going to head into town."

"In order to enjoy all of the bars?"

A round of smirks were the only response to Gil's question, the Heroic Spirit huffing in mock indignation before they all went their separate ways, leaving the mismatched group alone on the beach to figure out what came next.

"It's really good to see you again, Gil~! I feel like it's been just too long!"

To his only mild surprise Abigail greeted the other girl like an old friend, engulfing her in a hug as Gilgamesh returned the embrace with no shortage of enthusiasm but plenty of bemusement, responding, "My sincerest apologies, but I'm fairly certain I've never met you in person before, I would have remembered such a memorable encounter."

Blinking in confusion for a moment Abigail quickly rallied, beaming as she explained, "Oh, my apologies! I sometimes forget that Heroic Spirits like myself don't remember all of the encounters they've had over all the various timelines."

"Oh hoh, so you've encountered other variations of myself, then? Well personally I'm just relieved that they seem to have left a positive impression for once, my older self in this reality, pardon my blunt language, was a bit of a cunt."

Abigail merely giggled, chirping, "Well I'm glad this one of you isn't~! C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone else!"

Before Nanashi could get in a word otherwise Abigail all but dragged the golden-haired spirit over to the rest of their group, the homunculus having a moment of awful realization that this could turn…awkward.

Aside from the Babylonian queen having past history with Tiamat there was the rather sizable elephant in the room of Manaka Sajyou. Who not more than a few hours present had been on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Who had then come out of the hotel just to see him playing games with a girl he had already previously 'ditched' them for.

Now even to his stunted and skewed social sensibilities Nanashi knew he hadn't done anything worth getting too upset over - everyone knew where he'd gone and they were on vacation - but calm rationality got along with Manaka like oil did with water.

Hopefully Gilgamesh didn't do anything too crazy that would set the Magus off-

"Oh, so you are Nanashi's primary courtesan? While it's certainly a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, you'll have to forgive me for saying you look a bit too delicate to properly please your mate."

-and violently choked on air, spastically coughing as he mentally screamed in anticpatory terror.

"Oh shit we're all going to die."

With all the boneless grace of a roused predator - Ayaka holding her head in her hands while Abigail just seemed curious as to where this would all go, Tiamat still obsessed with her frozen treat - Manaka rose to face the Heroic Spirit, Gil seemingly unconcerned with the hostile response brewing over the horizon.

"Oh? And you would know this how?"

Still charging ahead with what Nanashi was slowly coming to believe was willing ignorance and a desire to see what kind of response she could garner Gilgamesh replied, "While you possess admitted beauty you are a bit on the thinner and delicate side, I fear any attempt by Nanashi to enter you would end only in disaster."

Planting her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest in a blatant attempt to show off her more womanly figure Gilgamesh continued with, "Perhaps a little more flesh to your figure would be for the best? No one ever decried-"

"Okay, that's enough. Manaka is perfect the way she is and you're really putting your worst foot forward, Gil."

There was a moment of silence as Manaka blushed crimson at his abrupt defense, Gil met his eyes with an inscrutable expression…and promptly beamed, turning to Manaka once again before stating, "Oh hoh, it seems Nanashi truly does cherish you without reservation!"

"...What?"

Caught completely flat-footed by the sudden shift in tone Gil crossed her arms, seeming entirely too proud of herself as Nanashi and Manaka just stared at the spirit in open confusion.

"Why the bewildered expressions?"

"Because if you say this was just another test or something like that I'm going to blow a gasket. There's been way too many of those today already."

"Then you have no reason to worry, because a test is exactly what it was~!"

"Are you deaf? That is precisely the opposite of what Nanashi and I wished for!"

Ignoring both Manaka and Nanashi's protests Gil easily replied, "When Nanashi first waxed poetic about the many women in his life that he found mesmerizing and meaningful beyond description I found myself curious. After all, to have many partners in the modern age but still seem so enamored and faithful to them was quite the rarity. I decided to examine that devotion and see how hot the fire burned."

Abigail rolled her eyes, amusedly remarking, "You really are like your other selves."

Finding things to be far less hilarious that the Outer God did Nanashi complained, "Couldn't you have used your vaunted wisdom or whatever to figure that out in a way that didn't get us all pissed off? We just got out of another examination that kind of soured things."

"Well in all honesty you seemed like the type to wear your heart on a sleeve and I decided that would be the most efficient means of discerning your character."

The homunculus was about to protest that that was the dumbest way to test his resolve ever…and then remembered the fact that he'd punched a True Magician through a wall just a few hours ago for a fairly similar reason, the group favoring him with knowing looks.

"...I might need to work on that if I'm so predictable."

"You really do, Nanashi."

Grimacing as Abigail seemingly read his mind Manaka huffed out an agitated breath, complaining, "If it is not the meddling Vampire then it's a meddling ruler of old. Well regardless your presence is not appreciated nor needed, after all you make Tiamat uncomfortable-"

"I would like to try and be friends."

The soft but firm comment from said Dragon goddess caused a vein on Manaka's pale skin to throb with indignation, Gilgamesh meeting the other girl's eyes with an unidentifiable expression as she asked, "You would truly wish to be friends with me? Removed from our typical legends and circumstances we may be I cannot imagine it provides a strong basis for any kind of further partnership."

Tiamat didn't so much as blink, merely inclining her head before responding, "I am…different from how I was. I wish to enjoy and experience life as it may have been, not how it was or meant to be."

Something approaching resolution on normally placid features lent weight to her words.

"I do not wish to be alone again."

Ruby eyes met exotic pink, both women seemingly lost in private thoughts…and Gilgamesh released what was likely the most genuine smile Nanashi thought he had ever seen, so bright and uncomplicated was its earnestness.

"Then you shall not be. I agree, there exists no reason we cannot begin anew our legends, ones that may inspire others with hope and reconciliation rather than strife and discord. And to commemorate this momentous event…"

Gilgamesh grinned, leaning forward and scooping the last bits of Tiamat's shaved ice into her mouth with a pleased hum, the Dragoness seeming crestfallen at having the last remaining bit of her treat stolen away from her.

"Have no fear, I will make up for such a heinous theft. In fact, why not allow me to treat all of you to desserts of your choice as a means of celebrating this wonderful turn of events?"

"Ooh, I'm alright with that~!"

"That sounds nice."

Gil wasted no time in looping her arms through Abigail and Tiamat's own, acting like a perfect gentleman as she escorted the pair off to the shaved ice stand in the distance, cheerfully asking, "Now come! Regale me with your stories, if your lives are half as interesting as your husband's then they will make for truly fascinating tales."

Abigail merely giggled while Tiamat's cheeks briefly pinked before they strode out of earshot, Nanashi turning to Manaka and Ayaka with something of a lost expression.

"You're, umm…not going to try and kill her, are you?"

Releasing a low growl of agitation while Ayaka looked torn between either laughing or crying at the influx of weirdness the doll-like Magus complained, "And give her the satisfaction of knowing she has vexed me so? Ridiculous!"

Fury and jealousy alike blazed within the girl's eyes, hissing out, "And who does she think she is to so boldly escort and touch Abigail and Tiamat like so?! Before long she will have sunk her claws into you as well, Nanashi! After all, you cannot be trusted around other girls!"

"That's…not entirely false but also lacking some key context."

All the homunculus received for his troubles was a lidded stare, Ayaka also interceding on his behalf as she said, "Don't worry about it, sister. Do you really think Abigail and Tiamat will just forget about you?"

"That is far and away from the core problem! They should know that I was their friend first, not that arrogant harlot of a queen!"

Shaking his head in bemusement as Manaka's fear of abandonment expressed itself as childish jealousy he forced himself to set aside his awkwardness, instead looping his arm through hers before stating, "Well, why not show her up by matching her actions?"

There were a few awkward moments as Manaka rapidly blinked in surprise, mouth hanging open slightly…and her pale skin flushed before she turned her attention forward once more, haughtily responding, "A worthwhile suggestion, Nanashi. Let us be off. Sister? You have my permission to take his other arm."

Ayaka just shook her head before taking the male's proffered limb, whispering, "Are you alright with this, Nanashi? You look a little nervous."

Forcing himself to swallow and ignore the various eyes from other beachgoers the youth mumbled, "Fine, just fine…everything is fine."

It wasn't, but if Gil had been right about anything it was that this whole adventure really was turning out to be rather entertaining when he let it be.