Gonna do a tiny bit of fast-forwarding. GET THE MONTAGE MACHINE!

Discord is now zP8b5BthaU

Chapter 46

The Oni and the Mothers were practically glowing when they returned. Some of it was hope. They didn't want their children to be taken away, and they hoped this would deter Telskyura, the place they ran away from, from trying to take their children away.

Part of it was being part of something unique, historical. To have the Gods themselves say 'you did what we did' must have been an incredible event for them.

So I could understand why they were all looking very pleased with themselves. Now, it just had to 'stick'. If Telskyura backed down, the plan will have worked. But, only the future could determine that one.

Early evening was spent with me escorting the Phoenix across the city. I had no idea how even Delly could keep these guys focused on anything! Before I'd even gotten down the street to the corner of the property, I had to go back, get some help, and rope, and treats. They wanted to inspect everything, poke everything else, and seemed to be a magnet for people wanting to pet them. Well, they were starting to look 'majestic' and their feathers were pretty fluffy.

Thankfully no injuries were sustained by the birds, or the people they randomly didn't like petting them. We did have to calm down a little cat-folk child when one of the birds tried to look into their ear to find a snack or something, but otherwise, we eventually got to the I AM GANESHA zoo.

Well, lesson learned, when/if I did take them back home, I'd bring Delly. Or a sufficient amount of tranquilizer and just carry them.

Shakti, whom the birds had no problem listening to (or getting headpats, extra treats or praise from), took over Phoenix corralling duty (basically just saying 'come this way' and having them listen...). She led us to one of the larger enclosures, where she'd set up a few things for me and the 'marital aid' I had for the birds.

It was really just a few covered pits where I could put 'elemental' cards and their power sources. It was my suspicion that they needed to be in not just a 'high' mana environment, but a 'specific' one. So, just like I'd done when incubating them, I had remade the elemental cards. Past that, Shakti had put various spots of sandy soil around for the Phoenix to bury their eggs (like ostrich did), and that was it.

Hopefully, the extra mana in the air didn't have other effects. Like them becoming aggressive, or territorial, or exploding randomly.

Shakti had suggested that the zookeepers feed them a little more. Some birds required a certain level of 'excess' food to become fertile. So in lean times, they wouldn't make eggs, which would waste energy.

So with that little bit added to the end of the contract of care, I signed it and went back home to clean the stray feathers off me.

The next project on my list was for Hagane. With Shinkage and Hagane now 100 percent apart, with only physical contact giving them any of their old abilities, I had some ideas on how to help the metal nightmare cat and his newfound independence.

I mean, sure, I could have tried to invent some kind of magical Wi-Fi to let them stay connected, but... no, this would be a good chance for the two of them. I mean, it's not like they weren't still 'related' and suddenly didn't like each other. Though, the conversations they had were actual conversations, not that weird pseudo telepathy they had.

But to do what I had in mind, well, we had to ask Hagane if he was okay with... well, it would be a lot of time in the harness.

"You want to... what?" He asked, Loaner hopping off his head and into my arms, since I had him find Hagane for me and sent him to the Science Lab.

"Arms." I said, "I want to give you arms. Similar to a Western style dragon."

"Ah. I thought that's what you said." He sat like a good Nightmare Catto, "Similar to how a bat's wings look, I'm guessing?"

"Well... there are several options. I could have arms mounted to your front chest plate, but they'd have to be small, and basically for light tasks." I tapped his chest, "When I made your body, I was really going for the most efficient hunting animal I could think of. This doesn't leave a lot of space."

He nodded, "While I lament my lack of wings, I approve of your choice." He paused, "And?"

"Thank you. The second and third choices, would be 'total rebuild'. Basically have you pick a shape, and with HIDA-lite Welf and I working on it, simply make a new and improved body."

"Second and third?"

"Oh, four legs, or two legs, like the golem." I said, "With the things Welf and I learned while rebuilding the Golem from my old black armour, it would be every bit as functional, and we could improve it in all kinds of ways."

"And leave out the enchantments that are not 'universal'. I'm guessing that unless we go to a universe where 'math' doesn't exist, the magic on the Golem and some of this body's enchantments will never fail."

"Good point. Though, even that isn't a guarantee. I mean, if we go to a world where some of the basic elements don't exist, then who knows. But yeah. With HIDA-lite helping, we could redo all the magical stuff as well." I held up a forth finger, "Lastly, there's space on your current body's back, and well, we can put arms there."

"Wings?"

"They would have to be pure magic. There is no way to store or fold enough fabric to lift your body up, without looking ridiculous." I gave his smooth head a pat, "But I can work with HIDA-lite. I can't promise results though."

"You try your best. I can respect that." He sat motionless, aside from the end of his serrated tail lifting and tapping the floor lightly, much like a cat in thought. "Prototype them to this body. If they work, plan to incorporate them into a new body." He moved his head to look at me, "Since you have HIDA-lite, if you had time, why not make a new body for both this form and a Golem? Arms are arms. And while I do like this body, I occasionally want to occupy a chair or something..."

He raised a good point. "Deal." I said, "Though, I have to tell you I can't do this without a little help."

He caught on, "Fair. Even I know that this body is worth more than some Familia's total assets."

"I don't want to put a number on it, or sound like I'm bragging. But the metal and work put into you and the Golem your sister uses, is probably worth as much as the Manor and almost everything in it." Since he was sitting like a good Nightmare Catto still, I gave him a hug. "And you're worth every bit of that. But yeah, that said, it's gonna be expensive."

"Of course. I do not eat, but I will still work. Hmm, I will join the rookie team regularly then." He waited until I let go, then lowered himself down start walking out of the Lab. "Anything else?"

"Well, now that you've agreed. Gonna have to take some measurements. HIDA?"

The phone buzzed quietly, and HIDA-Lite's avatar popped up on the screen. "Oh, good evening!" She waved, "Oh, hey Hagane, freshly polished I see."

He sat like good Nightmare Catto again, "I do my best with what I have to keep up appearances. Cat body or not, I am a dragon, and I have standards."

"HIDA? We have a project." I smiled, picking her up carefully, "Warm up the camera, and we'll update Hagane's current profile."

"Yay! Dev mode activate!"

Just before we settled in for dinner, Gros grumbled the 'we have a guest' grumble. A moment later, we heard him speak a few words, though not what they were. His voice was low enough to feel in your knees, but that didn't help you hear them through stone walls and long corridors.

Of course, since I was home, I knew who it was the instant they stepped on the property.

"Don't stop stirring that." I said, pointing to the sauce pot, before walking towards the door.

Brisid waited patiently at the door after knocking a couple times. For all the world she looked like one of those awkwardly waiting door to door salespeople, her passive face looking like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Evening Brisid." I greeted, "I thought you were heading back?"

"We are." She nodded, "We have a great deal of our 'list' in wagons, and the rest should be following behind in a day or two. Though, there is one... Every time I ask about it, I get a vague answer and 'we were told not to'." She looked at me, "And I know our deal was 'what ever monsters we wanted'. Know anything about it?"

"Yes." I admitted, "You do not want flying swords in your jungles." Of course I knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Why not? With the stonewalling we've been getting, it sounds like exactly the thing we DO want."

"They will either die out, or in a couple of years be the only things left in your jungle." I said, "I've seen it happen, and the only 'cure' for it is to burn the jungle to ash and start over."

She seemed to consider that, her flat eyes looking into mine, "That your last word on it?"

"If you wanted to make this a trial by combat, I will do so." I said seriously.

She didn't flinch, or step away, or do any of the things people usually did when I put on my 'combat' face. But after a moment she nodded, "Fair enough. I'll talk to my book keeper, and just have her strike it from the list." She shrugged, "Oh, thanks for the equipment. Might be time to expand the Room a little when we get back."

She started to leave, but then a voice behind me stopped her. "Miss Brisid?" it was Weine, "Give this to your Room? I know you can't stay for dinner but..."

I moved aside, and there was Weine holding a basket of fresh buns. Probably the last batch out of the oven too. I stepped aside a little more so Weine could hold them out for Brisid to take.

She actually smiled, "Sure. Never say no to snacks." She put one hand on the handle of the basket, and applied one headpat to our master bread maker. "You have a strange Room here Fox. But that's okay."

"If you ever retire, we've got lots of guest rooms here." I offered, "Don't let anything kill you."

"You too." And she turned and left, the smile falling from her face.

I watched her back until she'd closed the gate behind her, then turned to Weine. "Good job kiddo." I said, putting a hand on her far shoulder, "Let's go eat."

It was a weird feeling. For the first time in what felt like forever, I put my foot down and didn't get involved in something. That being the sign-up for the JSDF Dungeon visit. I know Chigusa and Ouka signed up, as well as our rookie party, and Bell. And sure, I'd go see them off, and watch on what ever screens they had set up. But I was not going to step in directly.

It wasn't that I wasn't interested! But as 'the Queen' of Orario, I didn't want to show off. Of course, the people would see this as either 'brushing it off' just as much as 'letting the Guests show off'. Can't make everyone happy.

So while I was not involving myself in the preparation for the JSDF Dungeon Visit, I was working on all kinds of other stuff. Like Hagane's upgrade.

One of the problems was 'scale'. His cat body was not quite to scale with a human one. I got around this by planning to eventually put them on a Golem body, and let him get used to the slight imbalance it would cause.

Speaking of imbalance... Having those new arms on his cat body would shift his weight around as well. There was no way around this. Well, okay, we could redesign his entire front half, change out some parts to lighten the load, but honestly, we'd be better off just starting over at that point. However, to get him used to the new balance, we tied weights to him while he walked around above ground. It looked a little silly, and we didn't do it when he went into the dungeon. But when we did add the 'wing arms' to his back, he wouldn't suddenly forget how to walk.

HIDA-lite was instrumental in this project as well. Sure, Welf and I were good at this kinda thing, but we had to figure out how to add immobile arm sockets, to a mobile back. If you think it's easy, go look at a detailed cross section of how your own shoulder works. Thanks to HIDA though, we at least got a reasonable 'on paper' diagram going.

The arms themselves, well, Welf and I were both armourers. We just had to plan, or not plan, for any 'squishy bits' to be inside. That said, we couldn't make them 100 percent solid. That would make them needlessly heavy, hard to replace, and leave no space for improvements later.

Speaking of... Since the 'wrist' of these arms wasn't reliant on a 'radius' and 'ulna' like a normal arm, we'd already designed an arm spike. Basically a rail mounted 'solo' wolverine claw. Just had to make it 'child safe' so it wouldn't randomly deploy when not in combat.

But that was about as far as we got in a couple days. For that project at least.

Surprising most of Orario, considering that city to city communication wasn't as difficult as it once was, Marius simply showed up in the city. He and a dozen wagons simply rolled over the Dwarf Fortress bridge.

Not only was it a little early for their seasonal caravan of goods, Rakia's king, Queen and royal muglin Martinus (in honour of Marius's father the late king) were with the caravan.

It wasn't hard to guess WHY they were here in person, considering I had kept them informed. But I didn't think they were that interested. I certainly wasn't going to turn them away though.

The dozen wagons were already setting up in the market square, while the Royal Family had made a detour to the Hearthstone Manor. Upon knocking on our gate and being let in, I skipped all formality and gave the huge man a hug.

"You know." He said after returning the hug a bit awkwardly, "I think you're the only one who does this other than my mum and M'lady."

"Their loss." I said, letting him go and giving him a good look, "That paperwork is not agreeing with you."

The Familia on site were of course behind me, and chuckled at the comment while Marius looked a little embarrassed, "Sadly, there are things only I can sign for. Last time we tried an advisor, we had to execute him for trying to embezzle money."

"Yes. Not three days into his job, he had already set up the beginnings of several smuggling routes." Asfi sighed, giving Martinus (an adorable little fellow with his mother's eyes and father's jaw) a little bounce in her arms, "Since then, no one has even applied for the job, and honestly, the one we terminated was the smartest of the lot..."

"Oh dear..." Haruhime sighed, "Though, maybe we have a solution for that?"

"Hey, don't clog up the gate, let them in already." Hestia said, walking up to Marius and giving him a hug too. Then just because Asfi's eyebrow was starting to twitch, Hestia hugged her too! "What? I miss them too!"

"The king is popular." Takemikazuchi smiled, "It is good to see you both, and you as well, little Martinus."

"Hi...sir." He said, before hiding his face against Asfi.

"Polite and shy." I hmm'ed, "Reminds me of Bell. But yes, let's go. I'm sure Jiru wouldn't mind making a little more mint for us."

Most of the conversation was 'normal'. How are you? Did anything burn down? How's your Mum? Ares still a blockhead? You know, general catching up stuff that you'd usually do while enjoying tea and cookies. Speaking of, Marius collected more hugs from Weine. Chime got lots of little headpats. Loaner accepted ear scroofles. Even Gros said a few words to him! Marius was indeed popular in the Manor.

Then we got to the meat and potatoes of why he'd come in person. Part of it was for a vacation. Being a King, without a consul he could trust, was tiring. He had people he could trust, but those were usually old soldiers who knew how to deal with (surprise) other soldiers. His kingdom didn't suffer from lack of man power. Just brain power.

To my surprise, Ares almost kicked the Rihbus out of Rakia before they could build their roads and redo the infrastructure. This mindset had prevented other Gods from moving in, and kept any 'new talent' out. At least, new 'adventuring' talent. And while they did have schools, they were only slowly moving away from 'military academy'. Thanks to the dire need of reform, agriculture had gained a lot of ground, but again, they needed people who could crunch numbers. Sadly, Marius and Asfi were really the only ones who could.

Surprise surprise, they'd gotten some education in Orario.

So, after some catching up, Haruhime was asked about her idea.

"Well..." She started, setting her teacup down. "In an effort to help the next generation understand some of the new things Ko-san has brought with her from home, we've set up a school. For the most part, we teach all the things the Ganesha schools do. Letters, numbers, connecting people for apprenticeships. But other things as well."

"Science, really basic alchemy, a little astronomy, survival, woodworking... Its a long list, and its all the stuff we learn as we need to as adults." I explained, "Part of 'the goal' here, is to show the children that they don't need to do the same job their parents do. And if they do choose to, well, they'll have other skills as well."

"Even I can balance the Familia books now!" Welf said proudly, "I'd rather not, but I can!"

"So can I." Hestia said proudly, "Once I got my head around adding larger numbers together, I've stopped feeling exhausted after tax time."

"All well and good." Asfi nodded, sipping her tea and petting Jiru, who had taken up residence on her lap like some kind of leg warming blanket, "But while we could send people here for school, it doesn't help us reform our own education system, or... lack thereof."

Takemikazuchi set his own cup down, "Actually, I believe I see where this is going. Loaner? If you could..."

Takemikazuchi didn't even need to finish his sentence. The happy white Fox was on his feet and trotting away a moment later.

"One of the things I've insisted on, is some new text books. With our printing press set up, we can have a dozen of them printed up in a week. Back home, our education system is set up by 'grade' and 'topic'."

"There is more than one kind of math?" Marius asked.

"Technically, no." I said, "But you can apply math to almost everything. We do it all the time without thinking about it too. Just like the status on our backs, numbers can be put to just about anything. Angles, weight, age, size, shape, volume... But that would be talking about formula and not a topic for tea."

Again, Welf the Anvilhead, spoke up, "Yeah, it hurts to think about, but when I started putting real numbers to some of the stuff I did, I was second guessing some of the things I'd been doing for years!"

Asfi, an incredibly accomplished alchemist, nodded, "Indeed. When you mix things, 'by the drop' or 'a pinch of salt' simply does not suffice."

"Kodori taught me about 'standard measurements'." Weine said, "It's one of the reasons the cookies always taste good!"

"Sadly, unless you are an alchemist, or a cook, Orario isn't quite there yet. But I'm trying." I sighed.

"I was quite surprised when she insisted on the exact same cups for cooking." Haruhime said, "But then, she showed me how to make ' cake'."

Marius opened his mouth to ask, but then everyone who cooked in the Manor recited, "One cup melted butter, two cups beet sugar, three cups flour, four eggs."

He then closed his mouth.

"Ah, you're here." Takemikazuchi said, looking past our guests to the living room entrance.

"Hel'o Mr. Mariuss." The half-elf orphan said with a happy wave.

A moment later, after Marius had stood and then knelt, she also gave him a hug.

"She's one of our brightest students." Haruhime hinted, not wanting to put an idea directly into anyone's head.

Marius, no fool, looked sideways at Haruhime, then Takemikazuchi, then back to the former Rakia orphan. "You don't say..." He smiled, looking to Asfi.

"Not a bad idea." She nodded.

Totally unaware, our no-longer-little half elven orphan just kinda blinked. Living here though, she was no fool, "I'm mis'ing som'thing ar'n't I?" While her tongue had regrown, she still had a little hitch in her voice, but she was still quite understandable.

"I have a job for you, if you want." Marius said, "That is, if you can find it in your heart to forgive a kingdom that treated you unfairly." When she didn't protest or run away screaming, Marius continued, putting a big hand on her shoulder lightly, "Much as you remember, Rakia is still filled with idiots. I think the only reason I'm still king, is because I'm only slightly less of a fool than everyone else."

If his aim was to make Asfi roll her eyes, and just about everyone else chuckle, he was doing great so far. "Wh'at could you need frum me?" She asked, doing her very best to hide her own giggles.

"I need someone to teach. Someone I can trust, who has their head on straight and knows more than just 'fighting and farming'." When she looked a little hesitant, he added, "I'll do my best to provide everything you need-"

"Maybe!" She said firmly, pausing before adding, "I wa'nt to as'k the oth'rs." She backed up a step, "I... dun't want to go 'lone." She mumbled.

"Everything you need." Marius repeated, "Even if it's rooms for your friends."

She did a little 'squee', then gave him another hug. One of those 'instant of happy' hugs, over almost as soon as it happened. Once apart again, she said, "May I go as'k?"

"Please. We will be here at least another day or two I think." He said.

She bowed, then walked very quickly (no running in the halls!) away. We all smiled, sipped our tea, then had the moment broken by Takemikazuchi, "If she does go with you, you'll have some paperwork to sign."

Marius settled back into his chair, sighed, "Of course I will. I almost miss going to war at this point..."

"There's paperwork for that too dear." Asfi reminded.

One of the weird things about knowing where everyone was in the Manor, what that if I payed attention I could usually tell the mood of the person. I almost never did, since there were some things I didn't want to know, or rather, should not know. So yeah, for the most part I kept that ability as low key as possible, just enough so that no one could sneak up on me. (Or off when I played hide and seek).

For example though. Fen-chan was in the library with Astraea. She didn't often have company when she was reading, so she was probably distracted by something and wanted a bit of company without the risk of idle chatter. They were close enough that she was either using him as a foot warmer, or idly patting his head while he sat at attention.

Weine was in the kitchen with Hestia, the two of them shoulder to shoulder. I'd put money on it, that our little dragon was teaching Hestia something.

Ryuu and Aisha were out on the training field. Though, unless you were deaf, you knew what was going on there. They'd have to stop sparring soon or we'd be getting complaints from the locals.

But then there was Marius. He was pacing back and forth with Asfi and Martinus standing next to him. Something was nibbling at the King's mind, since I was pretty sure he picked up that pacing habit from me.

I'd considered going to ask what was wrong, but of course that would risk giving away my ability to sense what was going on in my Domain. But while I poked and prodded my alchemy sets, and looked at my star charts to make sure the Gate hadn't been open too long, I felt the three of them getting closer.

A minute or two later, they were tapping at the door of my lab. "Ma'am?" Marius, started, "Oh, you've added things."

Asfi, wise in the ways of children and the lure of shiny things, picked up Martinus before he could go examine everything he could reach. "This is a smaller setup than my workshop, though, I've actual employees."

To distract the child, I found a little puzzle cube. A weird thing that was as close to an optical illusion as you could get with a solid object. "Hold this." I said, offering it to Martinus, "If you can figure it out, I'll have Weine tell you where the cookies are."

Distraction complete, the child accepted the object and just kinda... stared at it. His young mind getting lost in the seemingly impossible angles and shapes while his hands turned the cube over.

"Wish we had one of those last season..." Marius mumbled, then 'ahem'ed, "We were wondering about the recent happenings, with your Guests. Are they the same ones you asked about years ago?"

I motioned to a couple of chairs, "Yes and no. The invaders, that look similar to your usual soldier, weren't part of the visitors, but they are from the same world." I double checked my alchemy sets, "Let me give you the short version of what went on...

Since they were friends the two of them knew a fair bit already. So I really just fleshed out what they knew, and now that the fox was out of the box, I added in more of the 'other worlds' stuff too. Basic information on the JSDF, the Empire, who we actually dealt with (the people in/around Alnus and Rondel) some of the history I knew (since Rory was relevant to the topic) and various other bits and bobs that I knew he and Asfi would want to know, both as the King and Queen, and as adventurers.

Haruhime, either by her superpower of being polite, or maybe a budding Kitsune sense like my own, brought tea up to us at some point and listened in. She even took over holding Martinus, who was still lost in the puzzle cube.

Haruhime even took little Martinus to the guest room, since he had fallen asleep before I'd finished. By the end of it though, our two guests were understandably wary of the entire situation.

"I am... not disturbed. But something very close." Marius admitted, "This visit to the dungeon they have planned sounds far too close to a scouting mission, than a simple spectacle."

"No doubt at all really." I shrugged, "The JSDF aren't the most advanced in my old world, but they are no less intelligent. They have refined warfare to the point of being able to push a button to remove cities from the map." I shook my head, "That hasn't happened for a long while, and they don't have access to that kind of power since they themselves are cut off from my old world."

"Let's not tell Ares about that, hmm?" Asfi raised an eyebrow, "But with their lack of supply, why waste it in a place like the dungeon?"

"Information gathering. Just as we suspect. Though, that's not all. I wouldn't be surprised if they are doing this to gain a little favour from Orario. We'll be watching them too. But because of the disparity between Alnus and Orario, they'll need to impress us."

"Ah, they lack much in the way of trade too. But are they fishing for pity?" Marius asked, "That doesn't sound like how you describe them."

"Respect." I corrected, "To prove they're at least worth considering as warriors. They do have a few things we don't. For instance, their style of magic is far more free-form. Most don't use words or chants, and can inscribe magic circles in the air for various effects."

"A shame these 'apostles' do not allow that to spread. Their world would be much better off." Asfi sighed, "Like a certain God not allowing other Gods into his domain?"

"I keep trying, but well, it's difficult when Ares sent back four others during Grandfather's reign. If the Good Rihbus weren't from so far away, they probably wouldn't have showed up to help."

The three of us sighed the same 'Gods will be Gods' sigh.

"If you wanted to actually join the expedition, or at least meet some of the JSDF, just stick around for a little longer." I said, "Oh did you bring your armour?"

"I always bring my best suit for business. It was another reason for visiting as well." He nodded.

"We'll look at it in the morning." I said, "Now, you should go see if Martinus needs rescuing from that puzzle."

King or not, he knew he was being dismissed. But he nodded, stood, and gave Asfi a pat on the shoulder, "Don't stay up too late. We have to visit the guild tomorrow."

Asfi nodded, "No promises." She smiled. Once the echo of his feet had faded from hearing, she looked at me, "You must tell me what some of this is."

"Of course." I smiled, "And if you want, I can even make a few things for you to take home with you."

The next morning, Marius was indeed out the door fairly early. He had to deal with the administration in regards to his caravan, as well as sign up for the little dungeon expedition. While he did that, Asfi did a little reconnection of her own. She did used to live here, and many of her friends and old acquaintances were still around. We (the Alliance) were just housing them, so they could do as they pleased.

I myself spent the afternoon poking and prodding King Marius's 'business suit'. The Adamant alloy armour had taken quite a bit of wear, but that was really just a testament to how much he trained. King or not, he still got his sword drills in. Well... mostly. He had done a little softening around the edges since last I saw him. But yes, the non-metal bits of his armour needed a little care and replacement, so that's what I went about. While I was working on that, Welf was making a few things for Asfi. Just some of the newer tools the city had come up with to make things easier. Sure, Marius and Asfi could find these in the city now, probably with the Odds and Ends stamp on them, but they were friends and this would save them a bit of money.

However, a day early, we got a call from the other side of the Gate.

"Hey Fox." Aisha rapped her knuckles on the workshop door as she entered, "You've got a message."

I looked her way and saw she had one of the 'old' Occulus. The sphere with a single flat side. "Oh? Just um..." I was stitching together a new lining for a bracer so my hands were busy, "Put it... oh, okay that works."

Being a bit cheeky, she pulled up a stool and put the Occulus on her cleavage, facing the flat side towards me. This forced me to get closer, so yes, I could stare into it. This also put my ears within reach, and she started to tease them exactly the right way.

"Ah, Kodori." It was Lelei. "Is something wrong?"

The attention was making one of my eyelids twitch a little, "Someone is playing with my ears." I said, "But you're calling me, I could ask the same."

"Ah well, to make ready for tomorrow, they were going to send those entering your dungeon today. Part of it is to do a final warm up and gear check on site, and to do some testing of their other equipment." She explained, "But also Miss Mari wanted to request your permission for someone to visit you for treatment."

"Oh?"

"You've met, Miss Delilah and Akira Yanagida."

"Ah! Hm. Okay, but..."

"Problem?"

"Not..." I had to look up at Aisha, who was trying to look innocent while she teased my ears and kept my face looking into her bust. "An injury like his needs an expert. We're happy to house him here, but treatment will be done, if at all, at the I AM GANESHA clinic."

"I will pass that along. They will be by at... fourteen hu... I forgot you don't tell time like that." A pause, "Less than two hours."

"They will be welcome." I said, sharing a nod with Lelei, then watching her half of the conversation go dark. "As much as I want to move my hands, they're still busy." I said up to Aisha, since I'd somehow managed to keep my hands on my work, and not on her.

She grinned and covered the Occulus in her fist, putting it a pouch before her other hand let go of my ear, "You know, it takes a lot of guts to stare into an Amazon's cleavage like that."

"If my hands weren't making sure I didn't mess up Marius's armour..."

"Promises promises." She grinned, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead, "So a couple of guests? I'll go warn someone and have tea ready or something."

"Please do."

After Aisha had left, Welf called from behind the closed door of the 'Hot' side of the workshop, "Is it my imagination or is she even more crazy about you than before?"

I chuckled quietly, then yelled back, "I could tell you, but she might have to kill you."

"Right, I'll just go back to smashing my head on the anvil... much safer..."

As promised one of the Humvee drove up to the Manor's gate a little while later. This was a 'standard' version, though the back mounted .50 cal was absent. Now, the mounting point was there, but the gun itself was not, telling me they either left it at the base, or that it was under the armoured mini-canopy of the back half of the Humvee. Out of site, but ready to go.

Bell was there to open our gate, but instead of driving through, Mari exited from the passenger's side. I myself was walking towards them, drying my hands off after washing some armour oil off them.

"Not going to come in?" I asked, "We got the message, and have tea and everything."

"Actually, when we were told you might not be able to help directly, Yanagida-san wanted to know if you would come with us to I AM GANESHA?"

"I said I would help, so I can at least bring the tonic. If they use it, or not, I don't know. But sure." I looked to Bell, "Keep the tea warm, I'll be back soon."

He nodded, "I'll tell the others." And he started trotting back to the Manor.

Seeing as I'd be in a Humvee with very reduced seating, gathered up my tails with one arm, brushed a hand over them, and with a little ruffle of fur I was suddenly holding only one tail. "You modern folk never account for tails." I sighed, um... where am I going to sit?"

Seeing as they had a JSDF soldier in the driver's seat, Mari had stepped out from the passenger's side, and I saw Delilah's head through the armoured glass window of the back seat... That left Akira in the driver side back seat, and no space for me.

"Well, if you're not picky, you can sit in the cupola." She pointed to the empty turret.

"Sure." and with a little hop, I got onto the roof, looked down into it to make sure I wouldn't step on anything, and put my feet through the hole and ducked under. This left only my ears exposed to the outside, making me wonder if this is what a dog felt when they put their head out of the sun roof.

"All set?" the JSDF driver asked, "No seat belts, but we're going pretty slow."

"You'd have to be going very fast, and hit me with this thing to make me notice." I laughed, "Know the way from here?"

"Yes ma'am." He nodded, poking a little screen on the dashboard, bringing up a simple map of the local streets.

Being 'modern' myself, I knew what it was. "Wow. You intelligence guys work fast." I looked to Akira.

With a little difficulty he turned in his seat to look at me, "Of course. Part of the tour was to map the places we were likely to visit. And it started from your Manor here."

I thought for a moment, tapping my fist into my palm, "Aha, the two with the cell phones. Not just for sightseeing."

"Oh, there was a lot of that." Mari laughed, "This is such an odd town, yet it feels familiar no matter what street we look down."

I nodded, "Well, it's said you can find anything in the dungeon, and hopefully what you're looking for is here too." I put my hands down onto the deck of the Humvee, and instead touched a folded up wheelchair instead, "Depending on how bad it was, you might not need this in a few months."

There was also a long box here, with one of those double latches and about the size you'd expect a large caliber gun to occupy.

"What about..." Delilah started, but stopped.

"For you... Not sure." I said, "Bone is easy to regrow, but a little harder to replace."

Mari, Delilah and Akira looked at me sharply. But I couldn't help be a little mysterious.

"Why else would I already have the ability to talk across worlds?" I shrugged, "And why else would you want me in the same car, alone, with your head intelligence officer, if it wasn't to ask questions?"

NOTES!

A little shorter this time. But that was a fast week of 'in world' time. Next episode? Some more mysterious Kitsune stuff, an a trip into the dungeon. It may or may not go to plan, and who knows if there might be other consequences.

But we'll see. I might just get my dice out for this, and hope no one rolls too many 1's.

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