Chapter 49
I realized, as I opened my eyes and felt the warmth of my two lovers laying over me, that there was still one more obstacle for the children to join Hestia's Familia. They had to agree. I had no doubt they would, since they already understood (on a very basic level) what it meant to be an adventurer.
But, to make sure I didn't feel any more guilty about it than I already did, I'd have to ask them. And it would be before I gave them their new fan. I didn't want to 'bribe' them, and unless I tossed them into a fire or something, their gift could be given at any time.
It could wait however. I was quite comfortable where I was, and saw no point in moving until one or both of them figured out it was morning.
Breakfast was the usual mildly chaotic cheerful mess. Everyone wanted to watch the 'show' so everyone was at the table today. Marius, brave soul, volunteered to cook too! He was probably trying to prove he wasn't just a tasteless jar-head now that Rakia had grown, learned to use and traded spices.
So it was with mild caution, that everyone took the first bite of Rakia's new version of 'the soldier's breakfast'.
"Hey... this is much better tasting than it looks!" Welf said before anyone else could comment. Being a former citizen of Rakia, he would be the next best judge of how things used to taste.
There was a general murmur of agreement from around the table. Yes, even from me. Though, as a former boy-scout, I'd suffered through some REALLY basic breakfasts. And to be honest, this wasn't much different. Crushed grain that had been boiled with just enough water to make it soft, spiced with simple things that were mildly sweet (cinnamon mostly, but also dried stevia leaf powder, and dried fruit). No strong flavours, but for the... second time ever, I could actually taste and enjoy Marius's cooking.
"We've been doing our very best to use the gifts given to us." He said with a smile, "And with M'lady in charge of agriculture we have fields that make even Lady Demeter's work seem small."
"Wait, really?" Welf again spoke up, "How the heck did you manage to do that?"
Asfi smiled thinly, "Mostly by ignoring Ares. Then getting almost all the soldiers to learn how to irrigate a field properly. You only saw a small part of the lands we hold. And to be fair, great swaths of it are... poor. But when we stopped putting everything into trying to take over Orario, and took a really good look at what we did have..."
"It's good you put the stuff I sent you to good use." I nodded, "It wasn't the best vacation I've ever had, but I should visit again now that you've cleaned the place up a little."
"You'd be welcome, certainly." Marius nodded, "We diverted rivers, started proper crop rotations, grew alternating rows of things to ward off insects and blight. And even founded several new towns, just to decentralize a little and improve efficiency for all that paperwork." He perked up, "Reminds me, remember the leader of the 'resistance'? He sends his thanks and says his new hand works great, now that it's the same size as the other one."
"The older gentleman who put us in jail?" Haruhime asked, getting a nod, "Ah, I'm glad he is well." She looked to me, "And maybe we should visit? I did enjoy the baths there."
"The honoured Ribhus improved them as well." Marius smiled, "And they are quite popular with the few tourists we get."
"Perhaps our otherworldly friends might like to visit as well?" Astraea commented, "Their time here is limited, but that's no reason to limit their movement if they wish to explore a little."
Marius nodded thoughtfully, "We'll be in Orario just a little longer, so if you could mention that, Kodori?"
"Sure." I nodded.
Weine perked up, "Mr. Marius? The bread you have baking will be done in about a minute."
"Oh! I should go rescue that... It's not as good as this, but as a 'dry ration' it's much better than hardtack."
After breakfast, with everyone getting themselves ready for what ever it is they wanted to do for the day (some were studying, others practising, others still went for a little time in the dungeon and there was probably some sort of shopping to do...) Haruhime and I got our children wrangled under the shade of our 'very distantly' imported Sakura tree.
Oh... Speaking of. Not only did the tree itself look like it had been here several decades, instead of only three odd years, it was doing all kinds of things a normal tree didn't do without a lot of work. It's roots didn't stick out of the ground anywhere (meaning no one would trip on it). The branches and canopy spread out, but stayed just far enough away from the gardens near the Manor that it never blocked the flowers sunlight. It bloomed three times a year (skipping winter). And when the blossoms fell, it was almost all at once, so we only had to clean up after it three times a year, instead of weeks after it bloomed. It provided thick shade, but never seemed to block the light to the nearby ground floor windows.
Truly a magical and considerate tree. I'd have to thank Yasaka for sure.
Anyhow.
Our children were watching Haruhime and I, as we sat in front of them and motioned for them to sit. They knew something was up, since the only time we wanted them to sit across from us was either at the dinner table, or in the classroom. Every other time, they were beside us. Story time, 'dance lessons' with Takemikazuchi, random 'O-ma or A-ma were sitting still so it's nap time!'
Of course, it was only natural that a child sitting in front of their parent would assume something was wrong.
"O-ma? A-ma? Did we do something bad?" Chie asked, her hand moving her slightly too long blond bangs away from green eyes.
Oh, this was another thing that I felt stupendously lucky about. Not once, ever, had they done the 'he did it' or 'she did it' blame game. When ever something happened, from 'scraping a knee' to 'he took my ball', all of them who were involved would all find an adult, tell the story, then accept judgment. There might be some pouting or sniffles involved, but not once had we had to deal with the dreaded 'tantrum'.
"Not at all." Haruhime said with a smile (her smile was better than mine, and was far better at calming them down). "But, we have a question for all of you."
"All of us?" Yuki (it was after breakfast, so her black-with-gold ears were perky and her green eyes were clear.
"Yes. All of you." I nodded, doing my very best smile as well, "As a family, there are some things we must all agree on before doing them."
"Like playing dodgeball?" Tatsuko asked, "All of us have to play, or it isn't as fun." The little image of me, and her twin brother nodded in agreement. As did everyone else.
"Something like that." I laughed a little, "But no, this is just us." I made a little circle motion with a hand, to signify 'those here'.
"While everyone in the Manor is our Family, this is a little closer than that. Between us, and you." Haruhime clarified.
The seven of them did that weird, endearing 'everyone look at everyone else' silent conversation thing they did, then Kei asked, "Like Big Brother Red and Blue, and the Amazon?"
Haruhime and I nodded, "Exactly like that." I said, "This is important, but we can't simply tell you to do it. Not like cleaning up your room, or washing before meal time or bed."
"We would like to know... Would you like to become adventurers?" Haruhime asked.
Again, that little silent conversation, and Toshi asked, "Would we... have to fight? In the dungeon?"
I shook my head, "No. Not now certainly. And if you don't want to, not ever."
"But... isn't that why people become adventurers?" Yumi asked, her twin Yuki nodding.
"Not always no." Haruhime said, "Most do, certainly, but that isn't all there is to being an adventurer."
"Would we become like O-ma and A-ma? Or Mr Bell-san?" Tatsuo asked.
"If you worked hard, I'm sure you would someday." I nodded, "But for now, it is simply to protect you."
Once more, that little huddle of eyes and ears, even a tail swish or two. "Like our little cousins?" Kei asked, obviously meaning the Oni-zon.
Haruhime and I nodded in unison again, "You will gain the protection of a God, and there would be more laws in place to protect you, should something bad happen." Haruhime said, "But this isn't a choice to be made lightly. You are all darling children, but we can't tell you to do something like this."
Toshi spoke up, even doing a nervous 'classroom hand raise', "Does it hurt?"
I laughed quietly, "It felt like a hug that made my back itchy."
Toshi replied with a scrunched up face and a slightly louder than normal "Hugs aren't supposed to itch!"
We all had a giggle at that. But then there was a moment of silence, and without Haruhime or I needing to ask a second time, they had one last silent huddle. Then they all turned and nodded to us, "Yes please!"
Haruhime and I couldn't hold back any longer, and with the universal 'hug me' gesture of putting our arms wide, we gathered them all up for a hug. While my vision was mostly obscured by a little forest of fuzzy ears, I took a deep breath and thought of Hestia.
And so it was, under that otherworldly Sakura Tree, that Hestia's Familia grew by seven. One by one, in the reverse order of 'appearance' to the world, our Goddess put a drop of her divinity on their backs, and touched their souls with Her blessing.
Of course, just like a family photo, they couldn't just sit still for the entire thing. But they seemed to understand that being quiet was best. Our twins, both Tatsuo/Tatsuko and Yuki/Yumi insisted they be done together once Kei (our 'youngest now oldest') had been gifted. So Hestia had to poke both her left and right fingertips and get Haruhime to hold her little knife so She could draw her finger down their backs at the same time.
Normally, it would be... not rude but improper, to watch someone else get their update, or rather watch their back as their status was revealed. But honestly I couldn't turn away. I had that little niggling doubt that something might go wrong, or be different, or any number of things that might complicate their lives like it had mine, somewhere down the line.
But I needn't have worried. Each of their statuses showed what every new adventurer's did when first inducted into a Familia. Numbers that can only get larger, and the Emblem of their God or Goddess. Of course, each of them had something special, like all 'Renard' did, as well as a few of the things I myself did, like the shape changing abilities I'd learned.
Most importantly though, just like me, they had a little line down at the bottom. Beloved Kitsune of Hestia.
"O-ma was right." Toshi gave himself a few rubs, as if trying to get rid of an itch, then grabbed his tail and hugged it, "Warm... but itchy."
"I like it." Kei said with a little shiver, "But... why does it have to be on the back?" They plunked themselves onto my knee, and looked up at me with their question.
"I can think of a few reasons." I said seriously, though, not giving my 'real' answer (that being that there is usually nothing on the back that is 'in the way' so it's really convenient).
Haruhime got there first though, "Our Goddess can't stand with us in battle, but instead supports us from the back."
Hestia, with the dragon twins on either knee wrapped them up in a hug, "That's right. I do my best to support you, and push you along when you are unsure." She did took advantage of their ears being on top of their heads and not the sides, and rubbed cheeks with both of them, "Eeee it feels so good to have you with me now."
She kept it up until they started to giggle and push her away to stop the tickling, "What do you mean?" Yumi asked.
Hestia let the twins go, "I'm not just giving you my blessing. It's a trade. I give you a little of me, and I keep a little of you safe. No matter what, I'll always know if you're okay, or sick, or hurt. I can watch over you no matter where you are."
"Uh oh... we better be good then..." Tatsuo mumbled, "She'll know if we sneak cookies now..."
Hestia gave him a sly look, "Cookies huh? Well maybe if you share, I'll allow it."
"Deal!" All of them said at once.
"We may have to talk to Lilly..." I mumbled to Haruhime, getting a little laugh from her.
"But... now what?" Tatsuko asked, hugging her own tail, then letting it go and pulling her brother closer so she could hug his instead.
"To grow, even without being an adventurer. You need to do things." I explained, "Even without it, you need to practise to improve."
"So... if we do more, we'll grow more?" Yuki asked, scratching her head a little.
"That's right." Haruhime said, "Just like all of us, who train very hard. But you are still young, you don't need to work so hard yet."
"Tomorrow, when we have our lessons with Lord Takemikazuchi, you'll be bringing something special to class." I said, taking the box I'd been hiding in my tails out.
Being the type of person I was, when I made something 'personal' for someone, I'd make sure they knew. In this case it was pretty simple. Each of their fans had their name on the leather sleeve. I was almost certain they wouldn't notice the colours matched their first kimono we'd made for them, but that was fine.
Because not only did they not notice that, they started trading among themselves. Eventually, they were all happy with what they'd ended up with, and they still had their own initialled sleeve for their new 'toy'.
So, with one final hug for all of them, we let them get on with being children and let them go play.
As the three of us (Haruhime, Hestia and myself) watched them have a little riot away from us, I sighed. "Well... now we have some paperwork to do." I put my hands on each of their farthest shoulders, "We must continue to set a good example for them, and keep up with our own chores."
"This reminds me, Ko-san?" Haruhime started, making me 'hmm?' at her, "Does Takemikazuchi-sama have a fan of his own?"
"Good question." I mused, "I'll go ask."
Hestia ahemed at me, "Now you're not going to just give a gift to another God, are you?" She wasn't sounding jealous, but she was right. Randomly gifting things to Gods was sometimes a bit weird.
So I corrected myself, "I'll ask indirectly." I smiled, "And if you could find Mikoto for me? Have her wander towards the workshop, I'll be there soon."
Now, asking for gifts from Gods was kind of... tricky. If you weren't really close to them, then 'just asking' would be very rude. And even for someone like Takemikazuchi, who was almost like a father figure to me and everyone else in the Manor, I couldn't just raise a hand and ask him.
Well, I could, but it might be rude. And you should never be rude to someone who can break your nose as easily as shake your hand. Even if they did it with a smile.
So I tried for a bit of old fashioned bribery.
Takemikazuchi's Zen Garden was both art and meditative. The swirls of white sand around the large stones was like a still capture of an ocean coast. When he wasn't teaching, eating, sleeping or kicking someone's butt in the dojo, He was here in contemplation.
"You have a request, Kodori-dono?" He asked before I could even open my mouth to ask.
"A trade." I corrected once I'd shaken off the surprise. "Something I am about to do requires a strand of your hair."
"And in trade?" He hadn't turned his head from his garden.
"I was thinking of asking Shino, of the JSDF over."
"Ah, the one with fiery spirit. She did well at the morning spar." Now he looked my way. "Why?"
"Her style is something that has been blended together from many styles around my world. The arts we practise, those you've taught me, are quite old where I'm from. No less useful, but the people of that world have put together many branches and blends of style."
"You would give me a lesson?"
"I'd be taking that lesson with you." I said, "And I'm sure she has a manuscript or two of the basics, and that I could convince her to bring them."
He looked back to his garden, then brought his hand to his chin, considering. "I like this idea."
I was truly an amateur when it came to being a 'wise master'. But I managed to keep my face clam as he continued to lift his hand, then pluck a single hair from his head. I accepted it with a bow, "Thank you Takemikazuchi-sama." I said.
"I look forward to Shino-san visiting." He nodded to me and then went back to looking at his garden.
"Kodori-dono. You look pale." Mikoto was already there, and since I'd taken a little longer than planned, she was giving her sword a little attention. Welf and I kept our equipment in top condition, but there were little things we relied on their owners to do. Like applying a little oil to the blade to keep blood and rust from taking hold.
"I had something to do before coming here. Takemikazuchi-sama and I had a small negotiation, but I needed something from him before coming here."
"And my presence?"
"You're going to help me of course." I smiled, "Let me explain..."
I told her about the children, and the gift I'd given them for their 'starter weapon training'. This was given an approving nod from our super serious fighting forward Mikoto. But then I said, 'but to do it right, their teacher should have one as well.
Sadly, of all the people in the Manor, she was still a little hung up on her 'crush'. And since she wasn't stupid, she caught on immediately as to why I wanted her here. She started to stutter, emit a little pink fog, demean herself as unworthy, and generally make a fuss. But I stood between her and the door, and basically made it an order.
She was almost as bad at expressing her feelings as Takemikazuchi. But I was giving her a bit of tough love, and basically demanding that she help me make a gift for our resident war god. I made sure, even if I had to wrap her up in my tails and drag her along (which I did), that she had some sort of role with every part of the construction. From picking the colour of the woods, the type of metal, cutting the fabric, choosing the fabric itself, carefully scratching His name into the handle...
My job, aside from keeping her on task, was to just put it together. Some place in the middle of all that, she started to loosen up a little and actually enjoy the work, but when we got to the final part of the assembly, she went right back to being a 'nervous wreck'.
But I waited, and after a moment she gave me a strand of her own hair. As carefully as I could, I wove them together, tied them to the base of the fabric and handle, then gave it one last look. Poor Mokoto was exhausted from all that, but I had her do one last thing on her own, and make a leather sheath for it as well.
I then applied one (super rare) headpat, and gave her one last task.
"Remember, you promised." I said as I finally moved out of the way of the door.
She blushed a little, but nodded, "Thank you, Kodori-dono. I will make sure to give this to him at the start of their lesson tomorrow."
"Excellent."
While I still had daylight, I sent Loaner to deliver a message to Eina. Of course it was about the children, but even with the super useful and quick Crystal network, I didn't want to advertise their new status as adventurers.
I also told Loaner to take his time, just in case Eina wanted to stay for dinner. Maybe bring Royman? Extra people at the table was normal for us after all. If nothing else, he'd have a nap on the front desk and get a pat from any adventurers who had business there.
So while I waited for Eina to get here, I got on the crystal network for 'official' business. This got me 'on hold' to put a call through to the JSDF outpost on our side of the Gate, and after a little poking and prodding to make sure I was who I said I was (yes, I was the giant fox, and I signalled with an angry purple flame) I was told Shino would get my message soon.
Ten minutes later, Shino was calling me back.
"Heard you called." Shino said, a little breathlessly.
"I hope you didn't run all the way there." I said, "As soon as possible does exclude killing yourself to return the call."
"You said it was important." She replied with an implied shrug. "And your messages seem to have priority one clearance."
"Nice to be taken seriously, but a little weird too." I sighed.
"So what's up? Problem?"
"Ehhh not a problem, but a little bit of an overstep." I made sure my lab door was closed, just so no one would accidentally hear of the surprise gift for Takemikazuchi. "You see, earlier today, Hestia-sama gifted my children with Falna."
"Ohhh, bunch of little adventurers then! Wait... That young?"
"It's a mix of politics and practicality." I said, "And some laws extend just a tiny bit further when you are in a Familia proper."
"Huh."
"Anyhow, like any special occasion, I gave them all a gift. Fans."
"Tessen?" The proper name for 'war fan' or 'iron fan'.
"Eh no. These are hardwood boned, and balanced for knife work. But otherwise are just sturdy cloth." I explained.
"Ohhhh okay, yeah. Heh, you have your own dance troop, but are a little short for a baseball team."
"Swing batta batta." I drawled, "Anyhow, skipping to the end because I think Eina just got here." No 'thinking' about it, she just stepped past our front gate, and was getting the happy grumble from Gros. "I bartered from Takemikazuchi-sama to help make one, but in exchange I kinda offered you to teach us some CQC."
Silence.
"Shino?"
"You want me... to teach the God of War JieitaikakutÅjutsu?" If I wasn't holding a 'sound only' crystal, I was sure I'd be blinded by Shino-sparkles.
"What ever you call it? Guess you're interested?" I paused, "And what is all that? All I understood was 'jutsu'." Or 'art'. You know, Sen-jutsu, nin-jutsu, etc etc.
Her tone was still on 'edge of hyper enthusiasm', "It's like a bunch of other military arts. Systema, MCMAP... Just a mix of things that end up streamlined into one. For us, it's Kempo, Aikido, judo, and a bit of Sumo. And like all the others, it incorporates bare hand, short blade and short staff."
So bare hand, bayonet and rifle-shaped-objects. "Huh. Okay, so how did you want to plan this?" It was obvious she was on board.
"Well, we're still getting things in line for 'public' visits over there. Most of it is making sure no one runs off with any material."
"Understandable."
"But, I'll chat with the CO and our instructors. They're bound to have an idea."
"Sounds good. Let me know. Ask Lelei for the Occulus if you have to. I'll tell Takemikazuchi-sama to wait a little, but he's quite patient."
"Sure. Chat soon. Um... oh right, tap twi-"
I put the little crystal in my pouch, did a quiet 'end zone' dance, then left my laboratory looking perfectly calm as I went to greet Eina.
I made my way to the living room, and felt myself smile when I saw Eina in the middle of the children while a few of the residents watched her from the chairs or couches.
Whether they knew it or not, the children were perfect distractions for Eina. Of course they'd want to show off their new toy to their favourite aunty. Like the professional she was, she had been rotating headpats, comments and close examinations of each fan just so the children all felt included. Also like the pro she was, as soon as she saw me, she started to deflect them all with quiet words and pats on the back or shoulder, telling them to go do something else.
Of course, I was mobbed by them as well, but after a quick hug on my leg or tail, they zipped off someplace else to play.
"Loaner," Eina began, his white ear perking up from the curled up bundle of white fur on the cushion next to Bell, "told me the good news." She said, letting herself get directed to a free spot someplace to sit while I found a chair opposite and pulled it just a little closer so we'd have a coffee table between us.
"Paperwork must be done." I nodded, "I still wish we could have waited, but I'm not worried about how they'll grow up with that extra little 'something' adventurers have."
Eina looked to Bell, "With the people here, I think they'll be just fine." She took a scroll tube from her hip, and pulled out some registration forms, "Now we just need..."
Hestia bustled into the living room, a collection of paper in her hand and a little smudge of flour on her cheek, "Sorry sorry. My turn to make cookies today."
(distantly) "Yay Miss Hestia-sama cookies!"
(also distantly) "Ahem. Not until after dinner."
(ditto) "Yes A-ma."
"I brought the copies." Hestia continued, looking at me, "You're not sending them into the dungeon already are you?"
I did my best to look horrified, "No way." I shook my head, "But all Familia members must be registered."
Eina nodded, "Some never go into the dungeon at all. But the Guild keeps their record regardless. If they never do anything, it just saves on storage space."
"I can't even imagine how much paper that would take up." Asuka, a well loved book in hand, mumbled from Chigusa's usual reading spot, "Do you ever discard those records?"
"No. But we do move them. I've only had to look into the deep achieves once, but its remarkably well sorted, even if it was from eight hundred years ago." Eina said, giving me a raised eyebrow.
Instead of mentioning Fels, who no doubt she was trying to find information on, I replied with, "A shame the storage methods from back home are basically impossible here. All those records could be reduced to something that fits in the palm of your hand."
"You mean something like HIDA?" Bell asked.
"Yes. The things used to create her though just don't exist here." I shook my head, "Sadly, her body is much like Hagane's. If it breaks, it needs to be replaced. Except I can't replace anything about her."
"Well, I wouldn't ask someone to become an employee." Eina said, "She seems much happier when she's helping you make something new." She then 'ahem'ed, "Now, shall we call them back in? Hm, I've never had to do this with such young adventurers before... Most tend to do their paperwork at the last second."
It was a bit of a task, getting the children to come in one at a time to do a little paperwork. They were all able to read and write... sorta... so there was a little hand holding from Eina (who was used to dealing with people who couldn't read or write at all when they first arrived in the city... like Amazons fresh from Telskyura). But after a few questions, answers, headpats, a spare pencil or two and sending Fen-chan to distract the rest of the children away from the one who was working with Eina, we got it all done.
After dinner (because yes, Eina was exactly as fast as she needed to be to get it all done before the dinner bell) we saw her off with a little box of leftovers for Royman.
Then I got a call back from the JSDF.
"Ah, Kodori-san." It was Sugawara, not Shino who I expected. "I hope I'm not bothering you?"
"Not at all." The light conversation in the living room died down a little, "Lemme get a little distance, unless it's for everyone?"
A pause, and I could almost see his face looking thoughtful, "No, this isn't sensitive at all."
So I remained sitting on the couch, heck, I even leaned back a little more so Haruhime would lean a little closer to me. "Go ahead then." I smiled.
"Well, Shino-san brought your idea to the CO. And he passed it over my desk. The dungeon trip went off surprisingly well too. Almost exactly how we hoped it would." There was a smile in his voice. Good news must have been rare for the diplomat.
And since this was a 'public' conversation, Astraea asked from her favourite chair, "So the opinion of city is on your side now, Mr. Sugawara?"
"Ah, Astraea-sama. More than it was, certainly. That little show will go a long way to having people take us seriously. Our position as 'outsiders' to a new market, more often than not, has a detrimental effect on initial trade. But Royman-san assures me that we'll have a much warmer welcome now."
"That's wonderful news Sugawara-san." Haruhime said, "Were your people properly cared for after?"
"Much to our surprise, yes, more than we expected for certain Haruhime-san. Once we returned to the surface, they were all looked after by your healers, we were given the exact same exchange rate as everyone else for the magic stone that was recovered, and we had several offers for the 'War Shadow Claw' item that was left behind, as well as several other little things. I had no idea teeth were actually valuable here." Yes, he certainly sounded pleased.
"Good!" Welf said, "Say, did you take any of those offers for the claw? If not, I could make something nice for the lady who killed it."
"Welf-san? I will ask what happened to it. But I digress. After everything, we purchased a few little things from the markets. It's given us a few more ideas on other trade goods your city might be interested in." Sugawara replied, "Now, as for the event Shino mentioned..."
"So she did agree..." Takemikazuchi said, giving me a very clear 'I know what you did' look. Figures he'd see right through me promising before getting agreement from the 'third party' as it was.
"Yes Takemikazuchi-sama. If it pleased you, we could set up a small demonstration. In essence, we would move our morning exercises to your side of the Gate for a day. Royman-san also approved, saying it would let us 'show off' how we did things a little more, off the field, to get ready for what ever dangers we might face."
"I will be sure to attend." Takemikazuchi said, smile back in place.
"Very well. How does two days from now sound?" Sugawara asked.
"Agreeable." Takemikazuchi replied.
"What about letting us visit?" Welf asked, "I am super curious about what's over there!"
"I am waiting for the final word on that. But ten days I think is the rough estimate. We're still putting together our caravan for your markets, but once that's done, and the people of Orario get more of an idea... oh..."
Everyone in the room leaned a little closer to me, and the unintelligible mumbles from the crystal in my hand.
Then he continued, "Pardon. Royman is setting up a return caravan of his own for us, but since our money is incompatible, it's kind of a 'return barter'. We've given him a shopping list, and our goods will go towards that. Sadly, we are at a clear disadvantage when it comes to product, but he's promised to do his best to cover what he can. But if we sell nothing, we'll get nothing."
"I hardly think you'll do poorly here." Haruhime said kindly, "Some of the little things our party brought back with them was well received here. Even if they were just souvenirs."
"I'm glad you have confidence then." Sugawara replied, "Do you still have time? Mari-san wanted to talk to you."
"Of course. Thank you, Sugawara-san." I said, letting everyone else in the room get in a 'goodbye'.
There was a little bump noise, then a quiet, "Ah, Kodori-san?" Yes, Mari.
"Good evening." Again, everyone in the room gave her a hello, "As you can tell we're pleased to hear from you. Even if it's bad news?"
"No, not bad news at all." She said, her smile clear in her voice, but not nearly as 'Shino-sparkle' as well... Shino. "Nazza-san and Airmid-san have given us some good news. More than a few of the plants we've sent to them for testing have come up positive for things in your healing potions."
"That is good news." I smiled, "But?"
"Well, it will save us time for certain. The two of them were generous enough to give us seeds for some of your native plants, to see if they'd take to the soil here. Sadly, Alnus isn't much for growing, so the nearest real fields we have are around Italica, or the small flower pots we have on Base." She sighed, "Battlefields make for poor soil sadly, so we'll know more in a few days. But otherwise, we are lacking only one thing, to make something similar to your own potions."
"Magic." We all said.
"Magic." She agreed.
"Well, if you can find Arpeggio, remind her to help you." I said, "I mean, if you can find her under the pile of gold she technically owns."
Mari giggled a little, "Well, she was quite pleased at her turn of luck, but went to Rondel almost as soon as she could get a Humvee and driver. Sage Cato went with her, but... Well, I'm sure that the Mages of Rondel will want to visit your world now too."
"Oh no. A bunch of scholars want to visit and do scholarly things... what ever shall I do?" I said in a deadpan, "Just warn Royman. And remind them that blowing stuff up is illegal in the city."
"They are a little eccentric, but I'll be sure to remind them. Ah, speaking of reminders, Sugawara just came back to give me a little bit of paper... It's a formal thank you from Duran-san. And..." A little paper shuffle, "Pina co Lada is asking permission to visit as well, with her order of knights."
"Why not send them as 'escort' with the caravan?" Welf asked, "I'm actually kinda curious about their armour, since you said it was actually armour and not 'Amazon clothing'." Welf laughed.
"I'll pass that along then." Mari said.
"Remind Lord Duran we have a guest room for him if he wants to visit, any time. I'm sure the Mama Dragon misses him too."
"Very well. Oh, since I'll be there as Chief MO, see you at the Gate, 0700 for training."
"Certainly."
NOTES
Next time on Foxgate, and the JSDF wondered why everyone got shorter...
Heh. But anyhow, Next time, I'll try and move things along and get us back on the other side of the Gate to do things. :)
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