We've seen it coming since the two of them met, and with the return to Orario imminent, now is a good time for it to happen.

Since they're throwing down now, I'll spoil the 'if it happened after' scenario a little. Could you imagine Rory picking a fight with Orario? She could do a lot of damage, sure, but monsters that regenerate really fast are nothing new, and she'd lose.

But that would only make things worse. There would be all kinds of bad blood between the special zone and Orario from that point on, much like how Rakia and Orario used to be. It would sour relations before they even started.

So, now that I've said that. Let's educate someone...

Chapter 31

I was thankful that I'd guessed right about who Rory wanted to 'talk' to. She didn't even look at the Humvee as it rolled past her. No, her eyes were on me, and it was probably the first show of respect I'd gotten from her since we'd all arrived.

I've done more with less I suppose.

So I walked forward casually, Hagane keeping pace beside me, and willed my muscles into full alertness. And as I stopped a good ten metres from her, I saw her tighten her grip on that silly weapon of hers and she started speaking.

"Don't think you can beat me one on one then?" She smiled, "I suppose that your confidence is just talk then?"

"It's customary to have a trusted second when fighting a duel." I replied.

"It's no surprise you don't have someone like that." Hagane said, sitting like a good nightmare catto, "All Itami could do was try and stop us. And I noticed he didn't even try to stop you."

"He won't step in unless someone decides to interfere." I said as Rory's shoulders stiffened a little in anger. "Like he knew you wouldn't see reason."

She growled quietly, "Itami just understands me!"

"Understands you? Or has given up on you?" I gave her my best Akeno head-tilt, "Have you ever stopped when he asked you to? Or are you just a child who flails and kicks when she doesn't get her way?"

Her growl peaked, and with a subtle lean forward she dashed at me. Her weapon swung around her body like it was made of wood, and as she got within range of me it was lined up to cut me in half. I ignored the 'whoosh' of it as it cleaved the air, and took a single step forward and to the right, then another forward left. The huge weapon continued its arc, while I casually walked around Rory and stood behind her as she finished her swing.

It was against my 'rules' of combat, but as she got her weapon back under control I said, "I heard you wanted to become a Goddess of Love."

She twisted violently, the axe blade of her weapon coming up from my lower right. This time, I leaned to the side, then took a half step back to let her cute little foot swish through the air harmlessly.

"But I wonder if you've ever loved someone."

I ducked under her next swing, and popped up behind her again. I turned sideways, the flat of her blade making the fur of my vest sway, then took another little 'two step' around her again as she used the momentum of her swing to arc around parallel to the ground again.

"From what I've heard, he's rejected you more than a few times." I hopped sideways a little, then twisted again to avoid a passably skilled elbow/spin kick.

"I will make him mine someday!" She yelled.

I took my first offensive move, and put my palm on the shaft of her halberd as she swung it up from my lower left side. "Almost a thousand years old, and you still talk like a child who wants a toy."

Her face twisted up into a wicked smile, and it felt like someone had sent a bolt of lightning up my arm. It was all watt but no amperage though, and aside from pushing me back a pace and making my arm a little numb, it was nothing I hadn't handled before.

"You DARE touch a holy weapon of an Apostle without permission?" She grinned, jumping towards me again as I shook my arm out, "That was just a warning!"

I of course ignored her 'warning' and talked as if she hadn't spoken, "Speaking of a thousand years. What exactly have you done in that time?"

I took a slightly more active role as she started to chain her attacks together. With a body so small, and weapon so large, it was easy to weave and duck around her attacks. I mean, since I'd had that little scuffle with Loki Familia, Finn was a regular sparring partner. But at least his weapon was sensible...

"I've done my job!" She shouted, her anger making her sloppy, the wide blade slamming into the ground and shattering it.

I had to hop backwards to get off the ruptured ground, "Right, to keep the people of the world from advancing?" I gave her another head tilt as she lifted her weapon up to a ready position again, "To deny innovation?"

"The Gods oversee the Garden, and the Apostles prune the branches that have grown too far!"

She started another rush of attacks, but someplace at the start of a (sigh... yet another) huge swing, I did the same 'walk around' but front to front with her this time, and leaned down so I could speak into her face, "Your Gods Suck."

Then she broke my nose.

With a scream of rage, she jumped up and smashed her forehead against my poor nose. It was my own fault for breaking all kinds of my own 'rules' for combat. Talking, teasing, not punishing openings, getting close enough to allow easy counter attacks...

"Not so tough after all!" She said as I recoiled from the blow and was forced to dodge her attacks, this time with watery eyes. "For being their leader here, you certainly aren't putting up much of a fight!"

Back step, turn, sidestep, duck, apply thumb to side of nose, hop, half-step-turn, put nose back into place, one armed back flip, wiggle nose, lift foot, breath out of nose to clear blood, put foot down.

And returned the favour.

In yet another of her wide, deceptively fast swings, I leaned down again and applied the top of my forehead to the bridge of her nose. It was her turn to stumble back a little, and I continued my lesson, "Being a leader means I let the best person for the job, do the job."

She didn't have to set her nose, and I watched as it corrected itself and healed back as if it had never happened. Well, except for a little trickle of blood that had escaped. I on the other hand, had to huff another breath through my nose to make sure it stayed clear. "It shows weakness!"

She rushed forward again, leading with a kick instead of her weapon, but instead of evading, I gave the heel of her foot a tap to redirect it harmlessly, "Unlike you, and your Gods, I'm not a bully." I started to apply little taps to her hands, elbows and shoulders as she started to swing at me again. "Would you like me to actually hit you?"

"Go ahea-"

It was the same move I'd done to Cao Cao, hiding my attack with my shoulder as my other hand came under my arm and drove towards her chest. Like Cao Cao, she blocked with her weapon. Unlike him, she was sent backwards with great speed, slamming down onto her back and rolling twenty metres backwards while leaving a trench in the hard packed ground.

I walked towards her as she picked herself up again, her arms and one of her legs crackling as they fixed themselves. I made a point to walk slowly, brushing my thumb under my nose to get rid of a little dried blood. "You know, I have trouble even comprehending it." I said as I walked, "I mean, look at Ral and Elange. Them? I can respect them."

"Aberrations among the Apostles!" Rory growled, "Breaking their oath to the Gods and ignoring their duty!" She'd recovered now, and was getting her weapon ready. Though this time, she wasn't just attacking. Good. She'd already progressed past 'scream and leap'.

"Yet Rondel has some of the most fascinating things in it. The people there are happy. The place is clean. They have actual infrastructure, like running water." I sighed, "Yet here you are, for the last thousand years, trying to suppress some of the simplest advancements."

This time, she actually seemed to plan her attacks on me. Aiming at my left side (where my back was 'exposed') turning slashes into thrusts to try and use that silly fork on the end of her weapon, backing up before I could use my hands to deflect to try and upset my balance.

Still child's play though. It was like someone had taught her to use that silly weapon, and she was only now remembering her lessons.

"What exactly have you accomplished though?" I asked, not expecting an answer as I leaned under a swing aimed at my neck, "Have you really spent a thousand years without actually doing anything?"

"Shut UP!" She jumped backwards, and reared her arm back as if to throw her weapon. Lightning crackled around the shaft, and I could feel a sudden shift in the mana around me.

Of course, not being an idiot, I didn't bother trying to stop it, and just got out of the way. Yes, it was a VERY fast throw, and the electricity coming off it was digging a furrow in the ground even as it flew by. But still, her windup might as well have been sent by the postal service.

I stood there, my best Akeno smile on my face as she ran towards me and actually tried to fight me bare handed. "And what have YOU done then?" She shouted as my palms deflected her strikes, "Anyone can kill monsters!" She taunted as she attacked furiously, yet compared to Takemikazuchi... she was still a child.

So I helped her along, leaning down a little to give her an opening so large she could have put the Humvee through it. Of course, she didn't see the easy target for the trap it was, and when she tried to punch my chin, I leaned my head to the side, took a half step around, and gave her exactly one slap across the rear. As flat as she was, it probably felt like her spine wanted to pop out of the top of her head as she was sent flying towards her thrown weapon.

While she recovered from digging yet another shallow ditch in the ground, I walked towards her, "I've rescued many people, like a total stranger who became a sister. Another who became one of my best friends. A third who became my Wife. I uncovered lies so deep they were considered truth. I brought random people together to overcame astronomical odds. I taught a man to be King, saved my city, warded off Famine, and learned six languages."

I stood over her as she picked herself up. I'd only hit her three times, but she apparently had no idea how to handle a fall, roll with a punch, or just... really fight in general. She had the 'hateful glare' down perfectly though, but with her nice frilly dress basically falling off of her, the impact was lost.

"I learned to read, speak and understand a language only the Gods know, and using that my wife and I had seven children. All that, and more, and I did it in less than seven years. And here you are, a thousand years old, and you're basically still a child." I shook my head as she readied her weapon again, "You've let being an Apostle define you."

And just when I thought she'd gone past Scream and Leap, she jumped towards me again, her weapon sweeping through the air in a complicated whirling pattern that to an outside observer would have made her look like a walking blender. For a furious thirty seconds, I had to actually focus. She was even fighting dirty too! The spiked tip on the other end of her weapon occasionally swept up clouds of dirt, or her foot would catch a rock and kick it at me with incredible force.

But after that thirty seconds, with her only 'success' being that of getting dirt on me it looked like she was starting to repeat herself. So I stopped weaving around a half second ahead of her weapon, and just put my hand on her shoulder the next time she did a cross-down swing that left it open. "I kill monsters Rory. It's my job. It's what I do. It puts food on my table and keeps my city safe. But it isn't Me."

She tried to move, but my hand was holding her in place, and while I held her, I was immovable.

"I know what you're feeling right now, you know that? You're strong, you're tough, you have special power. But you're just a big fish in a small pond." She was resisting even more now, the ground under her feet cracking as she tried to push my hand up and away. "But because you and the Gods have stopped the people here from advancing, nothing has challenged you. You haven't grown. And this time, the Gate has opened up to a Bigger pond, with Bigger fish and suddenly, you find yourself lacking." Just like when I'd found myself back on Earth, in the middle of the end of the three way war, and people who could turn mountains into flatland with a wave of their hand.

She had started to cry, actually cry, but the muscles on her slender arms and legs were starting to bunch up with effort, and a bubbling scream was forming in her throat. It was frustration, and denial, simple as that.

"And then the Gate does it again, but this time, you mistake our simple appearance and think we are on your level. But no. Because you've been snuffing out any chance for this world to grow, and yourself by proxy... Once again, you find yourself powerless against a bigger fish, from a bigger pond." I started to push against her shoulder, like I was pushing a thumb tack into a board, "You're just lucky that neither the JSDF, or I, have any interest in conquest. Or this 'garden' you've been oh so carefully tending would be stolen from you completely, or turned into a monster infested pit that the people of this world would have no hope of surviving."

She screamed again, throwing all her strength into just straightening her legs, but the ground gave way, and she sunk into the dirt up to her hips. I helped her along, and buried her up to her armpits before taking my hand off her shoulder. Just to show her I wasn't done talking, I casually used my foot to nudge her silly plank on a stick away from her flailing hand.

"Don't look at me with hate, Rory." I said as she did just that, "You've been a good soldier, but you've been following a bad leader. Now, I know you're going to want to join us when we go through the Gate and fix things on my side. That's fine." I smiled, even though she certainly looked like she wanted to murder me, "But just so you know, there are a lot of people like me, with far less tolerance. And even if you are immortal, I'm sure one of them will think up some creative way to keep you down." I tapped my chin, "Like breaking all the bones in your body, throwing you into a barrel of quicklime, and letting it harden around you before you could heal. Then just keep you someplace where no one will bother you. Like the bottom of a mine shaft or something."

Her hate filled gaze turned to abject horror, "You wouldn't..."

"I fight people, hunt animals, and kill monsters Rory. So does every adventurer back home. And before you come with us, because I know you'll want to stick close to Itami, and I'm almost certain he's going to come along. I want you to think very hard on what you are." I couldn't help myself, and gave her helpless head a pat. "Would you like to continue? Or should I help you out of there and we can have a bath or something?"

If nothing else, Rory was at least aware of the 'collateral damage' her weapon was capable of. While we'd put on quite a show (that almost EVERYONE in town was watching) not a single pebble had been thrown close to the road that went around the town. Rory however, had suffered all kinds of damage. Her body was perfectly fine, and aside from a couple specks of dried blood and dirt, you'd have never known she had just been in a fight. Her clothes however, since she favoured a tight fitting, frilly, thin outfit, was basically a bunch of tattered rags. But that was nothing compared to the damage to her pride.

Top of the food chain, to middle of the pack in about five minutes. That's what I'd done to her. And I almost felt bad. But no, I didn't show her pity. After helping her out of the hole in the ground, I offered her a bit of mana cloth to cover up. No, I didn't give it to her, I offered it. Apparently I'd broken her pride hard enough that she just meekly accepted it and draped it over her shoulders.

So now, we were walking through town, with everyone staring at us. Funny thing though?

People were looking at me like I was the bad guy. Adults, children, elderly... most of them were giving me the 'you monster' look. A mix of fear and awe that was similar to what I got when I killed Fenrir. Then again, Rory was popular with the people, so long as you weren't like Lelei and caught out in the open doing something so terrible as learning.

Hagane had chosen to remain silent through the entire exchange, simply content to be my Second as he had been before. Even with the emotionless face, I could tell he was saying 'I told you so' when he glanced up at me.

My only hope was that she actually got the point of the lesson. I could have been far FAR rougher with her, but well, she wasn't a monster. A misguided child who was drunk on the power of her status, sure. But not a monster. And so long as it stayed that way, I wouldn't have to try out any number of ideas I had to overcome her healing factor.

Part way through town, I couldn't take it anymore though.

"Hey."

Somewhat moodily, she replied with a, "What?"

"Stop dragging your weapon on the ground."

Because yes, she had been holding her weapon by the end, and just pulling it along behind her listlessly. "Or what?"

I looked down at her, then just reached down and took her weapon. Again, I felt that heavy electric shock of it rejecting me, and it felt like I was picking up a literal ton with one hand. But I kept my eyes on hers as I casually balanced it over my shoulder, "A weapon is a companion. Even if you are alone, you have your weapon. Treat it well, and it will serve you well."

She gave me a watered down attempt at a glare, then just kept walking, "You sound like them, the JSDF."

"Fighting is what we do in my world. We aren't nearly invincible like the Apostles here, so we have to follow a different etiquette." I replied.

"Nearly invincible... didn't help me, did it?"

"It's made you careless." I said, "Dungeon rule number four. Just because you can take a hit, doesn't mean you should."

"You have a book of rules for the dungeon?"

"Been working on it on and off for years now." I shrugged, "Ah, seemed they got the best seats."

We had arrived at the ramp that led up to Alnus Base, and there on the first 'landing' before the turn was the Humvee. Everyone was standing outside of it and holding some kind of device to get a better view. Be it military Bi-oculars, a spyglass, or magnification magic. Rory paused at the base of the ramp, but I stopped and nudged her onward.

"Th-" Itami started, but stopped when I held up a hand.

He blinked at me for a moment, then looked down as Rory walked into him and just... leaned on him with a sniffle.

I left him to deal with the sad sack that was Rory, and turned to greet my peers.

"Broke your nose again huh?" Maki asked.

"Yup." I nodded, "Hey Tuka?"

"Eep?" She almost jumped out of her skin when I called her name.

"Open the back?" I asked, since she was closest, "This is heavy and making my shoulder numb."

While I slid the silly plank of metal on a stick into the Humvee, Yao stated the obvious, though quietly, "You beat an Apostle."

"No." I looked at her, "I broke an apostle. She had far too much pride, and in my world, that's dangerous."

She flinched at my words, but nodded. Lelei came up to me next, "I couldn't help myself. I had to watch... uwu..."

Since my hands were dirty, my black/silver/gold tail gave her a headpat, "For science." I nodded, "But now that that's done, lets go get dinner."

Lelei nodded, took hold of my tail and hugged it while she looked over to Itami, "We're going."

Itami, who had stood there like a post for a moment before giving Rory a (rather timid) hug, replied with a, "Huh? Oh, yeah." He then just... scooped her up and walked around to the passenger side.

"I'll jog." I said after almost everyone was in.

Aisha joined Hagane and I on the way up the ramp. Being the tallest in the group she was probably uncomfortable in the already full Humvee. So as it drove up the ramp ahead of us she took a moment to fuss over me.

Yup, she was just as capable of 'fussing' as Haruhime, she just did it less.

"Wiggle your nose?" She said, holding the tip of my poor nose, "She might have done you a favour."

"I feel like a bully." I replied as I felt the cartilage of my nose grind around a little, "The people of this world..."

She booped my nose (gently), "One problem at a time." She smiled, "Hime loves how you like to help, like Bell only more practical. But do it after we've cleaned up our own yard."

She gave my hair a ruffle, and the three of us started jogging up the ramp, "The apostles here are similar to the Zealots of my world." Hagane rumbled, "If you are out of line, you are prosecuted. Imprisoned or killed."

"She mentioned that the Gods call this a 'garden' and the Apostles prune the unnecessary branches." I said, resisting the urge to touch my nose.

"Explains the way she fought. Probably hasn't had a real challenge for ages. That bit at the end was pretty impressive, but she was swinging like she was in a practise hall." Aisha nodded, "So..."

"So?"

"Is she as flat as she looks?"

"Kinda soft actually." I laughed, "But not enough to satisfy." I flicked her rear with a tail.

"She's a bad influence." Hagane grumbled, "You weren't this bad before we returned to your world."

"Blame Akeno. Always threatening me with down time and unwanted vacation days."

"Nah, you're just admitting you need a little something extra to calm down after a fight. I knew I'd convert you eventually." Aisha grinned, "We'll call home tonight, make sure everyone knows what's going on."

"Yeah, we're going to be stuck here at least another couple of days while the nobility finds stuff we can melt down."

"If the local blacksmith doesn't pass out when you visit him, you can teach this world to make wire or something in the mean time."

To my great surprise, no one on base treated us any differently when we checked in. Not a single eye twitch, no extra salutes, no reaching nervously for a weapon... Nothing. The guy at the base's front gate just said, "Welcome back, mess tent is closing soon." And that was it.

On our way there, we didn't pick up any extra guards, no one paused to say/do anything past 'the nod' of acknowledging we were there... It was clear I think, that they were 'trying not to upset us'. I mean, sure, I didn't mind the lack of armed guards 'politely' escorting us around, but now it was a near total hands off.

Dinner, while not quiet (since we were in the big mess tent) was a little more focused on food instead of conversation. Suited me fine, but the shift in tone was still a little jarring. It had apparently started getting to Maki as well, her shorter tails tangling with mine when I sat next to her on the bench.

Itami, deceptively observant person that he was tried to break the tension as most of us were finishing up our platters.

"Hey, any of you want to join us in the rec hall? It's movie night."

Tuka, the ray of sunshine and optimism that she was, perked up and added, "They have these moving pictures, where actors put on a play! But they can stop, or restart, or even have them move backwards as much as they want!"

Ryuu Maki Hagane and I knew of this already, while Aisha was at least familiar with the idea from her joining us during the big conference calls with Akeno and the rest. "We have to call home, but I don't need everyone to do that." I said.

"I think I'll go." Hagane rumbled, lifting his head off the table next to Arpeggio, who had been absentmindedly giving him headpats.

"Eh, I'm looking forward to bath time." Maki waved it off, as did Ryuu though without saying anything.

"If you're still there after bath time, sure." Aisha nodded.

Rory, who was absent at dinner, looked like she'd been camping out in the bath. She was already there after we'd gotten under the showers and scrubbed off. She didn't say anything, didn't look our way, but also didn't move away when Tuka slipped in next to her.

"Kodori." Lelei, after we'd left the bath and started to disperse for various activities for the night, gave one of my tails a brush with a hand, "Will you be joining me to talk with Fels?"

"After I call home, yeah. I also have to make sure you get some sleep." I looked to Arpeggio and Cato, who had stopped a pace away, "Do either of you want to meet one of my magic teachers?"

After a quick translation, Arpeggio nodded, while Cato made a show of brushing his beard, "I wouldn't mind seeing what a Sage from another world was like, yes." Of course, I saw that he was brushing his beard to distract the rest of us from how hard his other hand was gripping his staff in excitement.

"Get started then." I nodded, "I shouldn't be long." I said.

"O-ma broke her nose again!" Toshi, said, pointing at me while he sat in Haruhime's lap on the other side of the Tarot.

Haruhime giggled quietly as our children appeared around her to look. As always, they didn't need a Tarot to be seen on the other side. Ever since we'd named them, they had 'broken' that rule. "She's been fighting again, hasn't she?" Haruhime asked with only a tiny hint of accusation.

"Did you win, O-ma?" Chie asked, her chin resting on Haruhime's shoulder.

"It wasn't a fight." I said, "Just a lesson, like with Takemikazuchi-sama."

There was a moment of 'looking at everyone else' among the children, like they were talking with just their eyes and body language, "Were you the teacher this time?" Yumi asked.

"I was." I nodded, "And I think my student was in dire need of what I taught them. You'll probably meet her later too, so make sure to be polite."

There was a little chorus of 'Haiiiiiii', then Haruhime swishing her tails at them all, "Go play for a while, I'll join you after."

"Yes Ha-ma!" and just as suddenly as they'd gathered, they vanished from the picture, all except Toshi, who lingered long enough for me to wave before zooming off with the rest of them.

"So full of energy." I sighed, "I can't wait to return my love. We're almost done here though."

"Oh? You've met with success then?"

"We have. Aside from a little delay in getting what we need, the plan to move the Gate may happen before Shinkage even gets back from Telskyura." I paused, "Have you..."

"She is doing better now. Even made a new friend it seems." She smiled.

"Oh good! I was hoping that would happen. You'll like her. She's like a young version of Aisha." I chuckled, "I've also got some other news too. Remember those dragons they were riding? Well..."

I wasn't sure how it was possible, but the small dorm that we'd occupied to work with Fels on the 'Gate moving' plan was so cluttered with notes, wall scribbles, diagrams and other magical notations that I was having trouble remembering the original colour of the paint on the walls.

Carefully, I tip-toed around some sort of magic circle formula someone had drawn on the floor by the door, and called into the room. "Hey! You guys okay?"

Arpeggio poked her head around the corner at the end of the short hallway and waved at me to get closer. Fels, who was 'standing' in the middle of the room, the Occulus projecting his image fizzing slightly as he turned to look at me, "Ah, Kodori. You've surprised me once again, finding these two as well."

"Have you managed to keep on track?" I asked, needing to hop over another bit of notation o nthe floor and standing in one of the last places with enough space for both my feet left in the room.

The four of them looked a bit guilty. "Mostly." Fels said after a long moment.

"We're almost certain we can move the Gate." Lelei said.

"Yes." Fels nodded, "Using what we discovered from before, I've managed to teleport small objects from place to place in my lab."

My eyes went wide, "Actual teleportation? Oh..."

"Sadly." Fels slapped down my oncoming brainstorm, "It is far FAR too power hungry to be practical. The Dungeon draws far too much power from the land, making the mana cost impractical for day to day use. However, because of exactly that, getting the Gate here will be possible. However..."

"Getting rid of it later may be a problem." Lelei finished.

"It can be sealed again however." Cato said, "To ward off the Apocrypha."

I frowned, but nodded, "One problem at a time."

"Indeed." Fels said, "That said, we've cleared up the ritual site, and are well on our way to laying out the things needed to bring the Gate away from its current location. How are you getting along with the residents there?"

"We'll need a few days to get the materials, but we have near total support here." I nodded, "Relay to the Miach Familia that their Clear All medicine was even better than the last batch. And if you could talk to Ganesha, and warn him that I'll have a big project for him when we get back?"

"Certainly. Now, let's go over today's lesson one more time." Fels nodded.

I had one more stop before returning for the night. And I was quite pleased that the weird 'don't poke the Fox' attitude hadn't gotten there yet.

"Oh, it's you." The Chief of the Motor Pool greeted me as I walked (between the designated lines painted on the ground) towards him, "What can I do for you?"

Someone nearby mumbled something to his co-worker, "Being so nice all of a sudden..." "It's unnatural."

Before I could answer, the Chief turned and barked out "She's an engineer! Just like us!" He turned to me, "Other world or not, looking at Hagane-san is all the proof I need."

"Thank you." I bowed, "I was curious about something, and was wondering if you had a spare kicking around." I pointed to the nearest Humvee, "We use a nearly identical way to cushion the shock from rough ground for our rail cars."

"Oh? Leaf springs?" He nodded, "And?"

"Well, after a bit of trouble with some wyvern, I was wondering if you had any spare? I want to make a bow for my partner."

His eyes narrowed, "Those are made for really heavy loads. Are you sure?"

"She's strong enough." I smiled, "I'll have to take it to a forge to work it into shape, but the flexibility is what I'm after." I tapped my chin, "I'm going to have more problems making arrows for it I think... And the bow string..."

"Well, we might have something for that already, if you don't mind a little fiddling." He gave me a 'this way' wave of his hand, "But we'll see what we can do."

I was about five steps from the dorm room we'd been given, when Mari stepped out of the shadows by the nearest wall light. "Kodori-san?"

The expression on her face made my heart hurt. Of course, I could guess why. In the last few days she'd seen magic fix things she could only hope to put a band aid over. Military or not, she was a healer, and it was obvious she wanted better tools.

"Heard the news then?" I stopped by my door and leaned a length of curved metal next to it.

"Yes." She nodded, "What you did for Duran-san was... would be impossible for us. Do you have more of that medicine? We could tre-"

I held up a hand, "Consider this... hearsay. When we move the Gate, there will be opportunity for a little trade between us. I fully plan on closing the Gate again once it's moved to a better location, but until then, I'm sure we can arrange something."

She looked hopeful, and that sunny expression was just starting to return, but... today was a day for lessons it seemed.

"But. Our medicines need magic. A healing potion accelerates the body's natural function, but that energy needs to come from somewhere. I could teach you everything our world knows about healing, but without magic, it just won't work." She was looking like a kicked puppy again, but I continued, "Now, there are probably ways around it. But that is an unavoidable truth."

"Can you... can you try to teach us then?"

"Of course." I nodded, "But I make no promises past the lesson itself." I put my hand on the doorknob and picked up the leaf spring, "If that's all?"

She nodded, and I listened to her boots walk away after I closed the door.

"You look like you just kicked a puppy or something." Maki said as I walked into our tiny 'living room'.

"I feel like it too. Urg, trading with them is going to cause so many problems later..." I started stripping down for bed, doing an automatic head count, "Where's Aisha?"

"Oh, she got hooked on Magical Mil-tan." Maki laughed.

"She's probably going to pick apart all the silly battle segments."

Ryuu chimed in with a quiet, "I kind of miss Serafall." She fu-fu'ed, "She reminds me of my old Familia."

The next morning brought with it Rain. Lots and LOTS of rain. The base, with all its concrete was fine of course. The architects who designed it thought about all the usual things a modern structure would need. Like proper water drainage. Considering Japan was a place of extreme weather? No, Fort Alnus was perfectly fine.

I felt bad for the just about everyone else though. Wow. It was like a summer typhoon out there.

"Almost makes me want to stay indoors." Aisha laughed, "But we have work to do."

"Well, so long as the local Smith doesn't kick me out, I have things to make." I said, "What about the rest of you?"

"Lacking hands, I have little I can do. But I may visit the Motor Pool. They like me there."

I nodded, then looked to Ryuu, "Sugawara suggested I continue to be a liaison between the Nobility and our group. I believe I will be spending time at the 'forward base' in town today."

Maki looked at me, "You're going to need more hands for sure. It's not like back in Kuoh. You don't have a 'Wire-o-matic' and we are going to need a lot of wire right?" She gave Aisha a pat on the shoulder, "I can also make straps and such for her new helmet."

"Best little sister ever." I grinned, "Let's get to work." I paused, one foot in the air, "Oh, actually. Hagane? Could you ask the Boss for a couple of things when you go visit?"

"Write it down and stick it to my side or something." He grumbled, standing up and stretching out like a cat.

NOTES!

Okay, yeah, a little shorter than usual. But writing is a little difficult x.x Stupid shoulder...

But I'm not dead. So I write. I also had a picture of one of the Phoenix done. Of course, it wants a cookie. But you can see it on my Ko-fi page for free as usual. I might have some of the other side characters done too. Just because.

Party on, and see you in five days. Unless my arm falls off. But even then, I might still get an update out. :)

Daeore on Ko-fi for art!