Chapter 7 - Aimless Days
Fenrir Far East Branch - God Eater World - Two days after the end of the previous chapter
(Scáthach's P.O.V)
"Now if you see here Ms. Scáthach, you'll notice that this particular prototype failed the simulation stage because of an inadequate locking mechanism for combining the Dual Blades into it's glave form…" Dr. Sakaki says while pointing out the lackluster design of the locking mechanism on the current schematics for the Dual Blade Arc Prototype I'm designing.
It's been two days since Dr. Sakaki started helping me with designing this new type of God Arc, he's surprised me at his level of mechanical engineering comprehension although he does say that he's more or less echoing the thoughts of the engineer he's secretly drafted into this project to aid us in actually getting a full computer simulation of the God Arc itself.
The experience has reminded me that, despite all my skills and abilities as the Queen of Shadows and all the talents I have, I will simply need the aid of others to achieve my goals. With Dr. Sakaki's help and the aid of this yet-unknown Engineer, progress has gotten to the point that yesterday I was able to have the first rounds of simulations done regarding the Prototype Design..
Let's just say I had spent the remaining time yesterday quickly doing a minor overhaul of the blade head extension mechanism after the simulation was done as without the overhaul, the resulting God Arc would have led to the dual blades flying off the glave shaft with the force of a bullet fired out of a gun.
That particular version of the prototype was jokingly referred to as the Quarterstaff God Arc after the simulation was over. Thankfully I fixed that issue, although that led to me discovering today's issue as while the locking mechanism initially worked as intended, the problem starts when trying to convert it back into Dual blade mode and resulted in the God Arc being stuck in Glaive mode…
"I think the locking mechanism is too good for its job here Doctor, might have to try and figure out how to design it in a way that it can unlock properly…" I say in response, frowning as I stare at the Schematics of the now-failed Prototype.
However before I can get to work on resolving that issue, Dr. Sakaki puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles before saying.. "I'm sure you can Ms. Scáthach but I would like you to take a break, while I do understand it hard to step away from a passion project like this, It is essential to slow down sometimes to ensure you don't burn yourself out.."
It's right then that I do actually note how exhausted I am, while Inexhaustible should technically prevent such, it's more of a mental form of exhaustion rather than physical. "Very well Doctor, perhaps I should take that break…" I say as I walk out but not before Dr Sakaki does say one last thing…
"Oh and Scáthach, I do mean an actual break and not the mission to slaughter ogretails you did yesterday to vent your frustration regarding the failure of that prototype.." It's almost eerie just how insightful the man is after just a small amount of constant interaction is regarding their nature.
Still, I decided to take the man's very much valid advice and decide to see what was going on in the Den. As I do make my way to the elevator, I come across Soma who had just left the director's office looking his usual aloof self.
The white-haired God Eater just looks at me before looking at the elevator as I soon wait alongside him, a tranquil silence passes between us as the elevator finally comes to our floor and we both enter into it.
"I'm heading to the den, you..?" I ask Soma who is silent for a moment before he replies by saying.. "Hmph, as it so happens so am I..". I shrug before tapping the button that would bring the two of us to the dead as it's just a nice calm, peaceful silence that the two of us enjoy..
Then we stop at the dorm levels at in comes Kota Fujiki as he's playing what seems to be a Fenrir version of a PSP, the game audio breaking the silence which has both me and Soma sighing, all while Kota is blissfully ignorant of our shared annoyance of the Game Console with the volume particularly loud..
"Man, do either of you two play video games at all as the latest games that Fenrir put out are pretty sweet!" Kota says, all while not even noticing our shared displeasure of Kota breaking the tranquil silence from before..
Mercifully, the three of us finally reach the den, Kota gets out while still focused on his PSP. I and Soma just look at each other while I say.. "I think I might take advantage of all the funds I got to procure some extra garments, you..?"
Soma huffs before he replies by saying.. "Might go see if Lindow isn't causing any trouble for Sakuya.." Although admittedly the normally stoic man does glance my way briefly before he goes to leave to find Lindow..
As for me, I do believe some shopping is in order. As such I make my way to the clothes dealer and to my surprise there is actually a set of clothing that if I buy them, would actually look quite spectacular on me for a very interesting reason..
"How much for this blouse and the skirt..?" I ask the dealer, who hums and responds by saying.. "Normally, I'd be asking for roughly 4000 Fenrir credits, but since you are actually the first who actually seems interested in this set, I'll knock it down to half price.."
That's actually a pretty good deal, considering the regular prices for Main Character sets for the games, although that may technically be a poor comparison since they're just games in the first place.
Thankfully not many are in the den right now but that will change due to the fact it's currently nearly lunchtime so I will have time to head back to my doom room to change, can't wait to see how it will look~!
I quickly rush back to the dorm room via the elevator I was just on only a few minutes prior and once I'm in my room, I begin to change into the clothes I just bought with the aid of my ever presence albeit very secret constant aid that is the Shroud of Power..
5 Minutes later
(General P.O.V)
Soma, Lindow, and Sakuya are busy talking to each other as the rather chill captain God Eater talks about what to get for lunch today when he spots a familiar red-eyed woman come out of the elevator.
"Oh my…" Lindow says as his jaw figuratively drops at the sight of her, with Soma's eyes widening being the only indication of his surprise at what he sees, Sakuya just chuckles while shaking her head and says.. "Of course she can pull off that look, it just suits her too much…"
Scáthach smiles as she walks in wearing a full-on School-teacher blouse and skirt, complete with some faux reading glasses as she walks over. "I take it you all approve of this choice of wardrobe addition~?"
Almost as if spellbound by Scáthach's words, the three seem to respond with the exact same sentence.. "Yes Scáthach-Sensei..". However, the three quickly snap out of it, leading to Scáthach to begin giggling in amusement at their reaction, making the three blush.
As Scáthach leaves to go get some lunch for herself, catching the eyes of other god-eaters on the way, the trio just watches her back slowly disappear into the crowd. "Hey Soma, didn't you tell me that you and Scáthach are now required to take missions together..?" Lindow says with a teasing smirk.
Soma can already tell that even trying to answer that question will just lead to endless teasing for Lindow, Soma turns to Sakuya and says.. "I think I shall take my leave before Captain Amamiya decides to start making baseless comments.."
Soma quickly leaves although he knows that Lindow is smirking behind him, the white-haired God eater internally musing that he does actually like the look of that School Teacher outfit on Scáthach, finding that it strangely suits her so well..
Meanwhile, With Scáthach
(Scáthach's P.O.V)
I smirk while drinking a cup of coffee, enjoying the stares as I am wearing something other than my Iconic bodysuit for the first time since I came to Fenrir. It feels nice to actually wear something new for a change, although technically I could have done that with the stuff in my pocket dimension manor..
Oh well, at least I can start adding to my wardrobe now. I continue taking a drink of my coffee before Tsubaki Amaiya takes a seat next to me. "Hmm..I never pegged you as a teacher before all this Scáthach, but now that I see you in that attire I can't get it out of my head for some reason…" Tsubaki says, causing me to chuckle in amusement from hearing the comment.
"That comment aside, how are things going with the New Type God Eater Aki Tameshiro..?" I ask Tsubaki, who hums to herself before looking directly at me and saying.. "She has been quite competent in her missions so far, although I do need to tell her current mission partner Kota Fujiki not to get distracted during said missions occasionally, quite the talker that one.."
I feel my eyebrows twitching at that considering I did get a personal experience of that sort of thing from Kota alongside Soma when we were coming down the Elevator. Still, I wonder if I can't get a game console for myself if there is more than the Fenrir-style PSP that is..
As I am pondering this, Soma ends up sitting next to me which has Tsubaki stare at me and Soma before her eyes widen and she soon says.. "Speaking of mission partners, aren't you too now required to take missions together yourselves..?"
Soma sighs and nods while I just simply nod, although both of us have mixed feelings about it for various reasons save for one we do share. Speaking of said reason, I've not seen Director Johannes since that day although that might be due to my focus on the missions with Soma and the work on the Dual Blade God Arc Prototype.
Part of me is worried as to what he's up to, but for now, I think I can remain safe in the knowledge that until a certain Russian God Eater shows up soon, he won't start making moves that will kick off some of the plot.
"Hmph, I won't lie though, Scáthach here has been quite competent with dealing with the aragami and I wouldn't mind if she does end up as a reliable partner of mine…" Soma says, unaware of how his comment has me blushing, something that Tsubaki takes note of and smirks in similar manner as to her brother..
"Why Soma, I didn't think you'd be interested in Scáthach in such a manner, I wonder what she's done to break your shell to the point you'd admit that~" Tsubaki says, causing Soma's eyes to narrow, then look at me before finally realizing what he accidentally said and blushes up a storm while looking very annoyed at Tsubaki..
"I meant as a mission partner, I thought you'd be better than your brother on that one…" Soma says scowling as Tsubaki chuckles in amusement. Soma sighs before leaving to go rest in his room, seeing no point in hanging about the den lest he gets teased by both Amamiya siblings..
I just stare flatly at Tsubaki, having calmed myself before saying.. "It is most certainly not like that Ms. Amamiya, we are simply mission partners and perhaps at most potentially friends, nothing more is going on.."
Tsubaki chuckles before raising her hands in a gesture of surrender and says.. "Alright, Alright I'll back off….but don't expect my brother to do the same considering you know how he is..". I can't help but grumble at Tsubaki's words as I know full well how true they are.
Still, as I start finishing up my lunch, I notice Tsubaki pondering something before she finally asks.. "So do you plan on only wearing that bodysuit of yours during missions, or are we to expect you to still prance about in that thing for the most part..?"
I don't answer for a small amount of time, focused on finishing my lunch, and only once it is done do I answer by saying.. "Unfortunately, my wardrobe is not so flexible right now so you will rarely see me wearing this outfit for a while after today…"
Tsubaki nods before getting up and looks to me and says.. "By the way, I should probably inform you that a small number of God Eaters have set up a Scáthach Fanclub, thought I'd give you the heads up in advance.." before walking off, not noticing my shocked expression before I have to visibly repress the urge to sigh in frustration.
Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, Scáthach in FATE was a very popular Waifu so of course, now that I am essentially her, I am gonna end up attracting a following wherever I go. At least Fate Grand Order seems to not exist here otherwise it'd be a lot harder to get away with the things I do..
Then again, Fenrir PSPs exist so I should probably take a look later on so I don't potentially make a fool of myself. Soon though I get up, leaving to go and see if I can't start resuming work on the Prototype since there are no missions to look forward to today…
The next day
(Scáthach's P.O.V)
Yet again, another failure on the locking mechanism as I adjusted it to be a bit too loose, resulting in the glave form suddenly changing back to dual blades mid-swing and leaving the simulated God Eater wide open for an attack.
However, it seems that I am extremely close to making a functional prototype, something that Dr. Sakaki has actually pointed out before I walked out of his office to start making the required adjustments to the schematics.
I am so close to bringing the Dual Blades to God Eater early, I know I am. Still, once it's passed the simulations we'll need someone to test the Prototype itself and Dr. Sakaki already recommended Aki for the role.
While I am heading back to my room to make the quick adjustments, I notice Sakuya and Tsubaki talking before noticing me and start walking towards me. "Hey Scáthach, we were just talking about you.." Sakuya says before Tsubaki chooses to speak up after Sakuya is done talking and says..
"We were hoping you'd join us for lunch today, assuming you don't have any missions today…" I shake my head and soon smirk before responding with… "Why not, I do believe today is Hamburger day..right..?"
The two nods and I grin, quickly ducking into my room to put the schematics in my pocket space while no one is looking before walking back out and joining the two in the Elevator. As the three of us go to the Den, we cross paths with Kota and Aki about to enter the Elevator themselves..
"Oh Uuh, don't mind us we're just grabbing our stuff for a mission today!" Kota says as the two enter the Elevator while I, Tsubaki, and Sakuya exit it. Hmm, I can't quite put my finger on it but I feel like I've forgotten something about today, something Important I believe..
Eh, it'll come to me soon, I'm sure of it. Regardless the three of us head over to the cafeteria area of the Far East Branch and get in line for our burgers. Thankfully due to all the Fenrir Credits I have, I can easily get what I want for my burger today and I do believe I will be making sure it is quite tasty indeed.
After we make our orders and sit down, Sakuya grins at me and asks.. "So had a run-in with your fans yet Scáthach?" I simply shake my head in a negative fashion as Sakuya shrugs before Tsubaki says.. "Chances are they probably won't bother you anyway, it's more likely they'll get on the nerves of the other God Eaters.."
As I begin to ponder whether or not we should step in, our orders are ready and Sakuya gets up to go grab them. Once she does return each of us begins to hungrily feast on our respective burgers, with mine being with Mayonense and BBQ sauce as well as cheese, although the extra sauce came at a premium price which I could afford thankfully.
Soon enough though we've finished our burgers and began talking once again, Sakuya speaking up first by saying.. "So have either of you two heard the rumors that have been circling around today..?"
I and Tsubaki just look at each other before shaking our heads, making Sakuya grin and say.. "Well, I heard that Director Johannes left the branch late last night for some unknown reason and he's supposed to be returning in a few short hours, so people have been gossiping as to the Director's reasons for leaving.."
Tsubaki sighs and simply says in response.. "You know it's unprofessional to pry into other people's business, especially the directors…". Sakuya eye-rolls but does nod her head as she acknowledges Tsubaki's point before swiftly moving on from it by saying..
"So, apparently people snooped about to find answers to this juicy question for the last few hours and found out he left in order to get passage to Russia of all places.." This has Tsubaki rolling her eyes and saying.. "Obviously some of our God Eaters seem to be lacking in discipline if they believe their off hours are to be used for such frivolous things as trying to look into the matters of the higher-ups.."
I however just have a slightly fake smile and nod while internally I am screaming in frustration at myself as I realize that there is only one reason as to why Director Johannes is going to Russia. This means that we'll be the home of two New Type God eaters by this afternoon, and one of them is a potential capture target…
This means I absolutely need to prepare to make my move soon so I decide to get up and simply say.. "While this conversation is quite interesting, I do need to finish my project that I was working on with Dr. Sakaki, so do you mind if I head back to my room..?"
Tsubaki and Sakuya nod and I start walking to the Elevator. I take the time to quickly run down what I know will end up happening soon in my head. Alisa's arrival, her brainwashing, the interactions with Lindow…
And the ambush at the church locale…
If I plan to change things big time, the shatter point is Alisa's presence in regard to how the plot works. Of course, she is not the only shatter point as one of them is currently already in the Far East Branch right now..
Lindow Amamiya..
I am honestly conflicted as I have a chance to drastically alter the course of events, but if I do so I know that I will have put myself on a timer to figure out a solution that will prevent Director Johannes to attempt his little apocalypse stunt.
However, if I did prevent Lindow's loss, I will be mostly going in blind from then on. While I can guess as to what could happen and even use my clairvoyance as well, it is simply way too much of an unknown path to make the choice lightly..
But I have time to make my choice, at least for now. However, should I make the attempt to capture Alisa, regardless of if it fails or not, I am committed to that path. I know for a fact that if I do capture Alisa, she will not be able to stay with Fenrir…
Regardless of what I choose though, I know that things will be irreversibly changed for everyone involved in this world. I can only hope that when I do eventually leave this world, It will be able to handle things without my presence…
Hours later
(Scáthach's P.O.V)
Most of the main God Eater cast has assembled in the Operations Room of the Den as Tsubaki and one other person is standing before us. As Tsubaki Amamiya clears her throat, she begins to speak and soon says..
"Good Day Squad, I will be introducing you to another of our New Type God Eaters that will be joining the team as of today.." Tsubaki says, turning to the newcomer who nods and steps forward…
I can already feel the weight of what will come soon press upon my mind as I gaze at the young woman wearing a beret, long albeit particularly unkempt gray hair, and wearing a rather short sleeveless jacket that practically exposes her midriff and due to her fairly large bust she is showing off a fair bit of cleavage as a result...
As the young woman raises her hand up to her face, I can see she's wearing black fingerless gloves, and to top it all off, she's wearing a goddamn red checkered skirt with black thigh-length boots.
Part of me can't help but wonder if this particular young woman has no sense of shame due to the things done to her, or simply due to the trauma of her past damaging her mind in a way that would drive her to ignore such considerations, either way, this woman will be quite the conundrum moving forward as her name is..
"A Pleasure to meet you, I am Alisa Ilinichina Amiella…"
Author's note
At long last, this chapter is finally finished.
I deeply apologize to my readers for the long wait for this chapter, I have been dealing with trying to get relevant plot material for the first God Eater game so I am able to write what is about to come in a believable way…
That and I were dealing with a fair bit of writer's block, either I am sorry.
Right, let's get things out of the way..
The Progress on the Dual Blade God Arc Prototype
With Dr. Sakaki now assisting, Scáthach's project is picking up speed to the point that she's nearly able to have it ready to make a physical test model. Of course, the one who is being potentially roped in to test it will be Aki Tameshiro so there is that..
The Teasing of the others in regards to Scáthach and Soma
With Scáthach seemingly breaking Soma's record of losing Mission Partners, some have taken to wonder if something more will end up starting with them, much to the both of them sharing the frustration of this new line of teasing..
The Short scene of hanging out with Sakuya and Tsubaki
I couldn't resist seeing these three just taking time to relax and just enjoy some lunch and a bit of chatting. Of Course with Scáthach having displayed some pretty insane feats (compared to most in this world), of course, there are gonna be some who are quite enamored with our Queen of Shadows..
The School Teacher outfit.
Shishou is Shishou and should have a good Teacher outfit to go with it!
Alisa's appearance and the Dilemma she brings
Alisa and Lindow are by far the most important in the early plot of the game due to what inevitably happens because of Alisa's brainwashing. As a result, it is perhaps the most critical point of the story Scáthach can directly affect due to her presence, especially since she doesn't actually have to be there to alter the outcome..
However, if Lindow survives, a lot of character development of the main cast goes out of the window, but this also means that there is a chance that Johannes will be caught much sooner due to the fact Lindow by this point has already been investigating him..
And while Scáthach does indeed desire to alter the course of events, she has to keep in mind what her actions will affect as a result. Ultimately there is no going back once Scáthach decides to capture Alisa, she will be committed to changing the plot forever..
Now then, Next time on Wrapped in Shadows: A new Shadow Aragami, Completion of the Dual Blade God Arc and Scáthach makes her choice….
One final announcement, I will be making sure to release Wrapped in Shadow Chapters on Monday from now on, as such see you all on Monday everyone, and thank you all for your patience!
