Arisugawa's Locket
The Locked Tomb and Others
Gideon Nav looked around, the redhead appearing confused. "How did this get here?" she wondered aloud.
Harrowhawk (Harrow) Nonagesimus frowned, the much shorter and thinner woman standing beside her. "Clearly it's another trial," she said.
"You have no idea, do you?" Gideon teased.
"Shut up, Griddle," Harrow growled.
The woman walking up to them was wearing the floofiest dress Gideon had ever seen. It had layers of fabric, and she was certain it'd be hell to move in.
"Welcome to Arisugawa's Locket," she smiled, "My name is May."
"Where in Canaan House are we?" Harrow demanded.
May still smiled as she answered, "I'm sorry, I don't know what that is."
"What is this place?" Gideon asked before Harrow could blow a gasket.
"It's a bar," May said patiently.
"Canaan House doesn't have a bar," Harrow growled, exasperated.
"Come on, night boss! Gloom mistress! Penumbral lady!" Gideon said to Harrow excitedly, "It does now!"
Harrow just scowled at her, then sighed. "We need to investigate this strange place," she calmly decided.
"Have fun" May waved.
Gideon got a good look at the people filling this 'bar' and gazed in shock. So many strange outfits! And women walking about nearly nude. And kissing!
"GRIDDLE," Harrow growled.
"Sorry, my tenebrous overlord!" Gideon apologized.
The lady at the bar also struck Gideon as odd. Admittedly she'd only been to the Ninth House, then Canaan, but she was sure people didn't have cat's eyes. 'Is she a construct of some sort?' she wondered.
"Hi, I'm Ryouko," the strange woman smiled, "all weapons need to be turned in at the bar for safekeeping.'
"Sure," Gideon turned over her rapier. She hated the weapon anyway, she'd rather be fighting with her longsword.
"What'll it be?" Ryouko asked/
"Water," Harroe said deadpan.
'Damn it, Harrowhawk, read the room,' Gideon thought, sighing.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The tall woman in a bear onesie kinda walked around the two weirdos in black with skull facepain, and waved at the other bartender.
"Hi, Miss Bear," Mahoro teased.
"It's Yuna," she rolled her eyes.
"Here with your harem?" Mahoro added teasingly.
Yuna blushed. "Could I just get some drinks, please?" she asked.
Mahoro laughed as she took her order, mixed up the three drinks and put them on a tray. "Here you go."
Yuna returned to her table, where... yes, her girlfriends were sitting.
Fina smiled warmly, the brown haired girl dressed in a simple skirt and blouse. She had literally been the first person Yuna met in her adventures, and they developed a firm friendship that became a deeper love.
Rurina the mage was dressed mostly in white, her silver hair flowing over her shoulders. She had ended up doing a goblin slaying quest with Yuna, and ended up impressed with the other woman. They kept running into each other, and her feelings deepened.
The last member of their little group was Noire 'Noa' Foschurose. A noble, she wasn't someone who'd normally know adventurers, but she was fascinated by Yuna's bears. Of course, her admiration increased when Yuna accompanied her to the capital and she saw how awesome she was.
"You didn't have to get our drinks, you know," Fina said as she helped with the tray.
"Tonight we're celebrating," Yuna said cheerfully.
Rurina looked amused, "We finally got everyone's permission to live together."
Noa's father, Lord Cliff, hadn't actually been opposed to the match. (Yuna was such a powerful adventurer that he'd have been a idiot not to want her in his family.) But as a noble he had wanted all the formalities handled.
On the other hand, Fina's mom had been all for the match. Telumina, a former adventurer, had only been concerned about the five year age gap. Once she was reassured about that, she gave them her blessing.
"A toast! To finally living together," Yuna said, and they tapped glasses.
"Together," both girls chorused.
"I can't wait," Noa smirked, "no more sneaking around."
Yuna blushed.
"We won't tell," Fina chuckled. She, at least, had been able to go out on adventures with Yuna and get some nookie too.
Rurina also looked smug due to similar reasons.
"I hate you both," Noa sighed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Shalltear," Nabiki Tendo recognized her as she said, "no trouble, you hear me? I'd hate to have to ban you."
Shalltear sniffed, "As if. Come along, Archie."
"Yes, mistress," Archie said, the pretty blonde following her closely.
The two sat at a corner table, Shalltear leaning forward to study her.
"Yes, Mistress?" Archie asked.
"Do you regret your promising to serve me and Nazarick, in exchange for us saving your sisters?" Shalltear asked curiously.
Archie pailed as the memory rushed back. Her team, Foresight, had been destroyed in battle against Ainz. Her companions urged her to escape, so she ran. Trapped on that level Shalltear played cat and mouse with her until she caught her.
In that last moment she offered her body and soul to Nazarick... in exchange for her sisters' lives. Surprisingly, Shalltear agreed.
"Do you regret it?" Shalltear repeated.
"No, no I don't,' Archie admitted. "You kept your word, and I know they are happy living in Carne village."
"You even sold out your emperor," Shalltear noted, amused.
"Well, it was Jircniv' fault my family got in trouble. Along with my parents being idiots," Archie sighed bitterly.
"I enjoyed making them pay for that," Shalltear added.
Archie shuddered, again. To rescue her sisters Shalltear had to deal with the parents... she had drained them of blood then tore the bodies apart. Evidence left there implied the criminals who they were in debt to killed them, then Archie spirited the kids away.
Shalltear looked at her in amusement, "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that."
"They were my parents," Archie said.
"We confirmed that they intended to sell your sisters into slavery to pay their debts," Shalltear needled her.
Archie struggled a moment then sighed, "Yes, damn it. I enjoyed it."
"Good," Shalltear said smugly. She waved to a waitress as she said, "Now, order what you like in food and drink."
"Mistress?" Archie frowned at the unexpected kindness.
Shalltear gave her a sexy look. "I intend to feed tonight," she purred, "among other things. You'd best keep your strength up."
Archie gulped.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"I saw you fawning over that... Dulcinea!" Harrow ranted.
Gideon waved her hands defensively, "What's got into you?"
"She wanted to try a drink, so I poured her a vodka," Ryouko explained, "it happened when you were in the bathroom."
"I don't think she's drank alcohol in her life," Gideon noted.
'Ah," Ryouko winced.
"Why don't you pay that kind of attention to me?!" Harrow demanded, swaying.
"What," Gideon blurted before Harrow dropped like a stone.
To be continued...
The Staff: May from Hand Maid May, Ryouko from Tenchi Muyo, and Mahoro from Mahoromatic.
Our Cast this Episode: Gideon and Harrow are from Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Yuna, Fina, Noire and Rurina are from Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, and Shalltear and Archie are from Overlord.
Notes: I tried to write the first bit in the style of Gideon the Ninth, which was harder than expected. I expect that Harrow's never drank, based on the book. Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear actually has several ladies apparently interested in Yuna. The Overlord bit is based off the webnovel, where Archie lives.