Chapter 14: Run Before You Walk (Part 1)

"So do you actually know anything about this place or is it a spur of the moment decision that we might just end up regretting?"

"Have a little faith, Yukikaze. Take a gander yourself."

Flipping his phone around so that the Taimanin could read the reviews - Jinglei, Till and Caren also crowding in while Asia failed to elbow out a spot - the tan-skinned one raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why are most of the reviews telling people not to cause a ruckus? And the servers have military training?"

"Hey, it's a rough and tumble town. Never hurts to have the help be a little on the dangerous side. And it's not like we're going there to stir up trouble."

Cayman let his gaze wander over to Caren.

"Hopefully."

"Your judgmental gaze hurts my feelings, Surveyor. Not even the Lord's light and love can shield my fragile soul from such searing judgements."

Jinglei snorted in disbelief, leaning back as she remarked, "I've seen women holier than you cosplaying as nuns in an S&M dungeon."

Immediately tuning out the ensuring back-and-forth Cayman instead turned his attention back to the swiftly approaching Pegasus Wings & Brew, a modestly sized venue that looked as if it could comfortably sit thirty while being an interesting mix of modern and traditional Japanese architecture.

"U-umm, don't we have to dress nice for such an occasion?"

Glancing towards Asia as she shyly walked alongside him Cayman shrugged, stating, "Nah, it's only the really fancy places that expect a strict dress code. Establishments like this don't mind so much. Church tell you to always dress your Sunday best, I take it?"

"Yes, I was told that as a woman of the lord I should always try to represent him in the best light."

Chuckling he pointed towards Till who was currently refereeing the verbal spar between the Exorcist and Taimanin, remarking, "Compared to Caren I think you're fine, Asia."

Before they could debate the matter further - the group having stopped off at their base only to shower and change - he pushed aside the main door and breathed deeply of the cool air, smiling at the aroma of freshly prepped meals.

There was something mentally relaxing about family restaurants, an aura of professionalism and homeliness that seamlessly melded along with the sounds of idle chatter and clinking of dishes to provide a soothing balm for the mind.

A balm that was most appreciated after the shitfest - still unfortunately literal - that their merry little band had to wade through not long ago.

"Table for five? Or six?"

"Table for six, I take it you don't have any issues with Demons?"

"Certain species, no."

Turning towards the velvety and mature voice after confirming everyone was still following after him Cayman put on a friendly smile-

-and felt his sphincter clench.

"Oh. OH. Oh HELL no am I that lucky - or unlucky - to run smack dab into this kind of a chance meeting. Actually, no, it makes perfect sense considering my luck so far."

Striking purple hair that fell in waves to her calves. Intelligent and hawk-like eyes accentuated by glasses. A curvaceous figure not at all hidden by the professional server uniform that was as modest as it was spotless.

He was staring at none other than Heroic Spirit Medusa, he was sure of it.

Of course that now begged the question of-

"Is there something wrong, sir?"

"Yeah, Cayman. Stop ogling the poor woman, would you?"

Snapping out of his shock thanks to an enthusiastic elbow to the ribs courtesy of Yukikaze - an elbow that contained force one wouldn't expect from such skinny limbs - Cayman put on a quick smile, replying, "No, sorry about that. Your hair color just reminded me of someone I knew a few years back and for a second I thought you were her."

A bold-faced lie but it was the harmless kind of little white lie that defused the situation, Medusa leading them towards a booth with menus in hand as Till whispered into his ear, "Is she your type? You seemed pretty surprised."

"I'll explain later, let's just enjoy the meal for now."

"Because if my hunch is right then we're certainly in for a culinary treat."

Medusa lead them passed bar seating, swing doors leading to a kitchen gently nudged aside by another server-

-and Cayman nodded to himself, theory confirmed.

None other than Sakura Matou strolled past, happy smile on her lips as she balanced two trays of what looked like stir fry on steady hands, a male head of auburn hair streaked through with white and one arm concealed beneath a long sleeved shirt also spotted further within before the doors shut.

"All the money in the world says that's Shirou Emiya. Goddammit, Pegasus Wings & Brew. Considering I'm running headlong into the cast of every franchise you think I would have made the connection earlier."

Keeping his racing thoughts under control for the moment Cayman instead smoothly sat at the offered table, the Taimanin moving in next to him while Asia and Caren took up opposite positions, Till landing on the table in front of her contractor as Medusa professionally asked, "Would you prefer anything while you wait or are you ready to order?"

"We'll need a few minutes. I'll take a Shandy and water, while we're waiting."

Predictably the two Church affiliates avoided any kind of alcohol while the Taimanin went for plain sodas, Jinglei giving Cayman a wry stare as she stated, "I can't believe you drink that piss."

"And I can't believe you're not drinking milk to further promote growth but today is just a day for surprises, isn't it?"

A stomp to the foot was the predictable response as Cayman barely kept his eyes from watering, turning to his menu as he immediately picked out the Salmon and Stir Fry as his go to choice, asking, "What do you want, Till? Or just split it?"

"I'll have a few bites of what you're having~!"

Everyone else made their choices and allowed themselves to relax after the long day, Asia suddenly asking, "S-so, umm...what does everyone plan to do once this assignment is over?"

"Go our separate ways, obviously. That's how Sanctuary works. You don't stick around as part of a team unless the mission isn't over."

The blonde was visibly disheartened at the news, quietly responding, "Oh," in a small and meek voice.

A show of vulnerability that wasn't lost on the pair of Taimanin, both young women grimacing as they clued in to her unease and disappointment with the proclamation.

"It's just that, well, even though this mission was very scary and stressful I liked having friends, I didn't have very many before all of this…"

A brief moment of awkward silence descended as Cayman swept his eyes over the various clientele, all of them from all walks of life as a few curious gazes were sent Till's way but for the most part the sight of a Demon didn't attract much more than an errant stare. Seems living in a city that was a hotbed of paranormal activity deadened people to it a bit. Who knew?

"What the hell was your daily life like if you were all hyped up and excited to do something like this? Not exactly the most glamorous of work, you know."

"In the Vatican things were...predictable. I rarely got to go anyplace else and spent most of my days either attending lessons, sermons or performing 'miracles' for the sick and wounded. I was...more of an idol than I was a person."

"One that earned a nice little tithe for each and every miracle performed, I bet."

To the group's surprise Asia turned a little bitter at Jinglei's remark, softly responding, "I heard a few worshippers complain or grumble about such things...I never once sought payment but sometimes there were those who performed such dubious levying."

Awkwardness ensued as the adorable and naive little nun displayed a surprising bit of morbid knowledge and acceptance of the true nature of the world, the pinkette awkwardly taking a sip of her drink as her attempt at a bit of friendly bantering went south.

Something Asia noticed as she hurriedly waved her hands, clarifying, "N-not that everything was all that bad and isolating! And this mission is because none other than Father Strada intervened on my behalf alongside a few notable others, pushing for me to be allowed out of the Vatican and finally experience the world for what it really is."

"You sure the guy isn't secretly out to off you or something? And you did just say Strada, right? As in Vasco Strada?"

"Yes, that's him. And he's a very nice man once you get around his appearance, he would never try to have me assassinated!"

Cayman held his peace, reflecting on this latest tidbit.

In DxD canon Vasco Strada had been the final boss of Humanity, the supposed normal guy that somehow became the closest thing to a God for reasons that were, well...reasons.

In fact the power scaling in all three universes was a complete and utter nightmare, now that he thought about it. DxD with breast powerups and random Shounen asspulls, Taimanin Asagi with hyper-lethal Ninja assassins being caught and captured like baby seals out for a morning walk and probably the worst offender of them all, FATE. Franchise went out of its way to create a ranking and list of limitations for all its interesting powers and then went super out of its freakin' way to make every named character an exception to the damn rules.

Snapping out of that depressing thought he watched as Asia smiled, completing her explanation with, "Now that I think about it his request was likely only granted because I was with such talented and powerful people. Two highly-skilled Taimanin, an Exorcist and a Surveyor who's contracted to a Fairy?"

The nun looked downright angelic with her excited smile.

"I consider myself very lucky to have met you all and experienced this mission, even if it may have been cruel and unpleasant at times."

Hiding his brief wince behind a sip of his drink Cayman wryly thought, "Lucky indeed. If I hadn't been there to stumble across you when you first arrived you'd no doubt be getting up close and personal with your own bad end scenario. Hoestia seemed a few circuits short of a motherboard at the end of things."

Although it was amusing to see the way the two Taimanin preened under the indirect praise, Yukikaze nonetheless asking, "I kind of want to ask how you ended up in the good graces of that roided up superman, isn't he constantly busy and engaged in some kind of assignment or another all the time?"

Cayman grinned, leaning across the table and lightly pinching Asia's cheeks, twisting them about as the nun squeaked in protest as the Gamer teased, "A girl as kindhearted and pure in a world like this? What's not to like?"

Till giggled as she flew up and plopped herself right on top of Asia's head, chirping, "Yup~! Take it from me, she's about as purehearted as they come!"

"S-sthop making fun awf me!"

Chuckling he did as requested, Jinglei turning to Caren and smirking as she joked, "Well if Asia's got a heart of gold then this one must have a heart as black as coal."

Calmly chewing on an ice cube Caren replied, "Oh my, you so lavishly heap praise on little miss Asia but condemn me so readily as a witch? How cruel of you."

"You probably get off on it."

Thankfully Asia's onset of a panic attack at the constant bickering - no matter how friendly it was at this point - was put on hold as Medusa approached their table, notepad in hand as Cayman idly wondered at the novelty of a Heroic Spirit working as a waitress before snapping back to reality.

Their orders were quickly placed and conversation yet again turned light and playful as it wasn't any longer than twenty minutes before their meals arrived, smelling positively heavenly as the Gamer licked his lips in anticipation. It was one thing to always hear and read about how good Emiya and Sakura were at cooking, it was hopefully going to be another thing entirely to finally get to try some of it for himself.

Inhaling deeply of the scent of rice, vegetables and salmon the male eagerly snapped apart his chopsticks, the group each muttering their own variation of thanks for the meal as Cayman brought it up to his lips...and hummed in appreciation.

While it wasn't some spooge blasting orgasmic high of culinary sensuality it was pretty damn good, head and shoulders above anything he could make.

"I liked your food, Cayman. But I think I want to eat this more often."

"And I don't disagree in the slightest."

Not taking any offense to Yukikaze's blissful mutter they abandoned conversation entirely, chowing down with great enthusiasm as the next few minutes were quiet aside from frantic chewing, Cayman passing off a few bits and pieces for Till to try as he practically inhaled the meal.

But all too soon it was over and done with, Yukikaze saying, "Jinglei and I will be heading back to Gosha Academy to report our findings and the status of the mission as well as receive our next assignment, preferably after a small break. Ugh, I just remembered we have academic crap to catch up on as well…"

Caren delicately wiped her mouth with a provided napkin, stating, "I shall return to my convent and report our success, as well as await further instructions. I shall also have to pray intensely for several days to remove the stench of sin that has become so ingrained into my being after time spent with the Taimanin and Surveyor."

Eye rolls abounded as Asia concluded with, "No doubt I myself shall be returning to the Vatican, to speak of all that has occurred."

A timid, hopeful smile graced the blonde's lips.

"Hopefully I will be allowed to leave the Vatican more often and help those in true need, rather than act as a simple healer all the time."

"You want to get involved with things like this more often? What are you, an adrenaline junkie?"

Jinglei's disbelieving comment caused Asia to frown, protesting, "No, I just think that helping people is the right thing to do! How many would have been hurt or injured if we hadn't stopped Hoestia?"

"I can't speak for a bunch of strangers but my body would have been very upset and mangled indeed."

"Yeah, I can heal him up a little bit but nowhere near as well as you can!"

Till's additional praise just caused the nun to blush, Cayman polishing off the last few crumbs on his plate before posing, "Well this isn't exactly goodbye and a forever parting of ways. We live in modern times, everyone just leave a phone number we can get into contact with if we ever want to chat or need to call in a bit of help from."

The Taimanin and Caren gave him a skeptical look, Jinglei wryly commenting, "Personal phone numbers? Really? And why would I want to talk to her?"

Grinning cheerfully the Gamer said, "Now now, I promise not to go sending dick pics or spam or anything like that. This is just a precaution since we work in a pretty dicey career path. And I don't know about you but I rather liked our team dynamic."

Thankfully his REP proved to be of high enough caliber that there wasn't much in the way of dissension afterwards, Jinglei pulling out a small notepad and everyone scribbled down their own personal contact info aside from Asia, the nun worriedly asking, "U-umm...I don't own a phone and-"

"Here. Don't lose it."

Yukikaze slid the list towards the startled blond, hands cradling the material with adorable reverence as the tan-skinned female added, "Whenever you get a phone you'll have our numbers. If I get a call from someone that isn't you I'm never answering again."

Asia just fervently nodded like an excited puppy, Till giggling at the sight as Cayman stretched his arms overhead, mentally debating whether he should let it drop around Yukikaze's shoulders and see if it got her flustered before giving it up as a joke that would end with him doubled over and suffering a bruised rib.

"I don't know about all of you but I'm keenly interested in dessert. Feel up for it?"

+15 REP with Caren Hortensia [85/100], Yukikaze Mizuki [70/100], Su Jinglei [70/100] and Asia Argento [85/100]!

"Holy shit. Emiya, Sakura, your culinary expertise has really helped set the mood here and gotten me some serious gains. Or maybe that's just after-action comradery soaring and surging, I'm not gonna hazard a guess as to which."

Motioning for a second round of orders - Medusa gliding over as if friction was a foreign concept to her - they perused the dessert menu with considerable enthusiasm, placing the next round of orders as time flew by far quicker than any of them expected it to.

"What, are you glued to your seat?"

"You kidding me? I want to see if this place delivers, that was fucking good."

"Uh huh, sure. Bet you're going to go after that waitress you recognized, aren't you?"

Rolling his eyes at Yukikaze's words Cayman blithely responded, "Whoops, you caught me. I'll see you back at the safehouse, don't ruin this heartfelt meeting with an old flame of mine, would you?"

"Somehow that's even less believable when it was me saying it."

Caren also wasn't looking to let him off the hook as the Exorcist idly commented, "It hasn't escaped my notice that you refrained from speaking of your own plans beyond this outing. Are you perhaps hiding something?"

"Sure am. Super secret Surveyor things."

A bevy of unimpressed glares were sent his way.

"Relax, someone needs to sterilize and categorize everything the mad doc left behind, that's me. So enjoy your vacations, I'm still going to be hard at work trudging through dookie river."

"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow before we depart, won't we?"

"Course you will, Asia. After all I'm giving you your lunches before departure. And while that no doubt sounds a whole lot less exciting after tonight's feast spare my feelings and take it anyway."

With that he gently pushed the group out the front door before closing it behind him, noting that everyone else had departed as closing time had come and gone, leaving him behind with none other than Medusa as she gave him a guarded look.

"Is there something you still require, sir? Something not to your liking?"

"Nope, food was freakin' delicious."

Cayman wandered over to the bar, grabbing a stool and seating himself on it as Till perched atop his head, the Gamer slowly raising his arms up and into plain sight.

"But what I was really hoping for was to talk to you, Sakura and Shirou about the aftermath of the Grail War and how you survived."

The tension in the air instantly ratcheted up a few notches, Medusa's hands twitching ever so slightly downwards as if to reach for a weapon...and paused, eyes glancing over his raised arms before electing to give him the benefit of the doubt, in no small part to Till's own unfeigned confusion at the abrupt inquiry.

"...Stay there. Don't move. We'll be out shortly."

"Got it."

The striking woman disappeared into the swinging doors, an inaudible whisper of conversation drifting past as Till worriedly said, "Cayman? What are you doing?"

"Nabbing us some interesting people to talk to and maybe some allies out of it as well. Assuming we don't die."

A quiet sigh of distress left the tiny girl.

"Relax, Till. I'm confident these are the type of people that won't just try to stab us because we know a few things most others don't."

"And just what makes you so sure of that, if you don't mind my asking?"

Medusa's sultry but ironclad tones drifted over the pair, long legs carrying her before them as two individuals followed in her wake. One was definitely Sakura Matou, appearing a few years older than she would have been at the end of Heaven's Feel - assuming that was indeed the route that went down - and staying close at hand was Shirou Emiya, also aged up a bit with flecks of white coloring his auburn hair while the slightest bits of tan skin could be seen poking beneath his sleeve where Archer's arm had been grafted onto him.

"Alright, time to play things fast and loose."

"Sorry to barge in on your attempt to leave the past behind and everything but I recognized you three and couldn't help but clarify a few suspicions of mine. After all, it's not everyday you run across Grail War victors running a humble family diner in the corner of a metropolitan jungle."

Cayman felt a brief jolt of surprise from Till at that revelation but kept his focus, Sakura's eyes narrowing as she softly remarked, "And here we had taken great pains to ensure our past didn't follow us...how did you find us and who are you?"

"Before I answer that you wouldn't happen to have a Geass Contract or any other kind of lie-omitter device handy, do you?"

The purplette crossed her arms, frowning as she archly asked, "And just why would we have a highly valuable Mystic Code or similar artifact on hand?"

Cayman paused, slowly responding, "Oh, shit. Well crap, I was kind of hoping you had one so you would feel comfortable in taking my words at face value."

Shirou crossed his arms as well, subtly moving to hem the Gamer in from the opposite side of Medusa as he casually stated, "Why don't you just talk to us normally and we'll decide if you're telling the truth or not?"

"You are contracted to a Fairy, after all...there must be some veracity and honesty within your soul."

The Servant's - or perhaps it would be more accurate to call her a Familiar at this point, since she likely didn't have full access to her prior strength - words were soft but full of iron, Cayman shrugging as he replied, "Well to answer the first question I walked in through the front door and was greeted by none other than the lovely Lady Medusa herself. Which, I have to tell you, was quite the shocker. And as for the second question? Well, that's how I recognized you."

He curled his thumbs inwards, pointing to himself as he cheerily announced, "Cayman Lute, Surveyor of Sanctuary and sponsored by the Wizard Marshall, at your service."

Three sets of eyes widened - Shirou no doubt brought up to speed by Rin and Sakura over the years since he'd been going in blind to much of the extranatural world at the start of things - as Sakura hesitantly asked, "You...you're a part of Sanctuary? And a subordinate of the Second Magician himself?"

"Right on the money."

If the Heaven's Feel route was staying mostly true to canon then Rin Tohsaka had been offered an apprenticeship under Zelretch himself, no doubt using some of the old Ancestor's clout and influence to help Shirou and Sakura disappear after the war...they'd be familiar - at least tangentially - with the Vampire and what it meant to be associated with him.

"Of course, it's kinda my duty as a Surveyor to keep abreast of all sorts of different events and situations the world over. A Heroic Spirit, one-time vessel of the corrupted Grail and dude who has a potential future self's arm grafted onto his own falls under that purview. Speaking of how's Archer's arm doing, Emiya?"

Cayman took a bit of childish pleasure in seeing all three gape for a moment before regaining their cool, Shirou guardedly replying, "You certainly seem to know a lot of things."

"When you play in the same sandbox as the Kaleidoscope you learn a thing or two."

The Gamer allowed them a moment to silently converse through side glances and minute shifts in body weight - inwardly amused that Till was broadcasting her immense confusion and resignation to him loud and clear - as he waited for them to finish up their dialogue. He was half-tempted to figure out their stats but considering his ability to do so was detectable and noticeable he held off on it, not wanting to spoil the mildly amicable atmosphere they had going on.

Besides, his ability had so far proved itself situationally useful and subject to change, like when Yukikaze and Jinglei began channeling their Taima particles. He wasn't really going to learn all that much by sneaking a peek at what was under the hood.

Their interaction ended, Sakura turning to face Cayman as she asked, "Then what is the purpose of this visit, if you don't mind me asking? What do you gain by coming here and disturbing the peace we've worked hard and sacrificed much to obtain?"

"At the moment? Nothing."

Three raised eyebrows were sent his way.

"Seriously, I'm not here to upset your way of life or anything like that, or to grab favors or concessions. In my line of work simply knowing people and being able to chat or exchange information with them is just as valuable as personal strength."

Medusa cocked a hip, idly commenting, "That sounds suspiciously like involving us back into the life we attempted to leave behind, acting as brokers and informants."

"I don't doubt it looks that way, but think of it like this. I can ask for you to tell me about things going on in Tokyo, sure...but you can request info from me all the same. Free of charge and with no strings attached, since I'm the one who approached you."

He let the weight of certainty color his tone, even though he was spewing more bullshit than an incontinet cow.

"The kind of life you've lead is the kind that follows you, no matter where you go or how far you dig. I wasn't even searching you out and pure happenstance had me wandering into your restaurant. Hell, don't buy that? The pale-haired lady with me was Caren Hortensia, Kirei Kotomine's daughter."

That revelation got an understandably visceral reaction from the trio.

"Now she's actually a pretty nice girl underneath the sadism and cutting remarks - unlike her old man - but perhaps you get what I'm suggesting, right? There's no escaping the past and all the fallout from it, not in this world."

He paused, tapping his lip before stating, "Let me frame it this way. You know what Sanctuary's purpose is, right?"

They slowly nodded, the Gamer continuing with, "Now obviously the organization isn't all sunshine and rainbows but for the most part we try to keep the world from going to shit and need all the help we can get in doing so. You three are quite the potent sources of help when push comes to shove."

Shirou narrowed his eyes, coolly observing, "That sounds suspiciously like strong-arming us into doing exactly what we don't want to do."

Cayman chuckled, remarking, "You've moved past your initial ideals and naivety quite nicely. And unfortunately this is the part where I wish I had a Geass Contract, so I could convince you of my honesty."

He settled into his seat, frown pulling at his lips.

"I understand your desire to not be held down and live your life with a loved one, without the threat of being dragged into a war you want no part of or carted away as a glorified experiment."

He gently set Till into the palm of his hand, employing a bit of wordless persuasion and implication that was a trifle exaggerated - he wouldn't become a heartbroken wreck if the little Fairy died this very moment but she was growing on him fast - as he added, "But this world does enjoy being in trouble of one extreme or another on a daily basis. All I can offer you is my word that, if I come asking for your help, it'll be because some kind of threat or disturbance has the potential to bleed over into this life you've earned for yourselves."

Sakura and Medusa didn't entirely seem convinced by his words but Shirou shifted uneasily, face set in a frown. Which was understandable, really. While the Heaven's Feel rendition of the man had largely given up on his dream of becoming a hero of justice to safeguard and make Sakura happy it still originated from the same, intrinsic desire to protect and shield...and that wasn't something that could be abandoned so easily.

"Also the food here is fucking delicious and I'll be stopping by as long as I'm in the area."

+5 REP with Shirou Emiya [5/100], Sakura Matou [5/100] and Heroic Spirit Medusa [5/100]!

"Holy crap, Sybaritic Initiate must be really working overtime if it's getting me REP even though I'm probably on their shit list right now. Or maybe they're just really proud of the restaurant."

"You must be bold indeed, to return after springing this on us."

Shrugging at Medusa's idle comment he responded, "The taste is worth it. And look at it this way, since I know so much about you and what you're all capable of…"

He smirked at the Heroic Spirit, cheerily stating, "You should rest easy with the knowledge that under no circumstances whatsoever do I want to piss all of you off."

His comment seemed to alleviate some of the accumulated tension, Cayman rising to his feet as he remarked, "You can sit on my offer for now, it's a pretty big decision to make. And you have my word - for whatever that's worth - that if you decide you still want to stay out of this I won't bring it up again. Sorry for keeping you up past closing time."

He paused only long enough to scribble his phone number out onto a napkin, walking out as the trio let him go, each lost in their respective thoughts as cool air washed over his skin, Cayman breathing out a sigh of relief.

And promptly received a swat on the nose from his Fairy, a motion that reminded him a bit of a kitten's paw making contact with his skin.

"What were you thinking, going in like that and annoying those scary people?!"

"Don't worry, I had it all under control-"

A pointed glare.

"-I had a finely calibrated sense of risk assessment and acted on it. Out of curiosity how did you know those three are trouble?"

The Fairy sagged at his flippant response, draping herself over his shoulder with a defeated sigh as she explained, "The pretty lady felt more like a spirit than she did a person, the Human girl had some really weird leftovers of evil or something in her that had me on edge and the guy is, well...something about his arm doesn't match the rest of him, but it kinda does?"

Smiling at her analysis the Gamer stroked the Fairy's head while replying, "You, my little lady, are as close to on the mark as you can be. But I decided that maybe alienating them was worth the risk of being on friendly terms, especially since it never hurts to have a widespread and varied social network."

That and he'd been slowly coming to appreciate Sybaritic Initiate's swift increases to REP and other such things. In just the span of a few days he'd managed to create enough of a rapport with both Taimanin and Exorcists that they'd been willing to overlook a few situations that were a fair bit suspicious and not hold it against him. While he didn't doubt that he couldn't do anything major to piss them off it was nonetheless a fascinating bit of info to possess...namely because he could get away with doing dumb shit like uprooting people's daily lives and still remaining neutral or even slightly friendly with them, as he'd just proven by walking away with a positive REP score despite the adverse introduction.

"And here I thought it was only going to be useful for boning people. Goes to show what I know."

"Don't worry about it for now, Till. We still need to focus on Under Eden and how we're going to solve that particular issue before we do anything else, as well as empty out Hoestia's lair of useful stuff we don't want anyone else to get their hands on."

Nodding in agreement the Fairy chirped, "Alright, that makes sense! Are we going to get a chance to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow? They were pretty fun and I'm going to miss them."

"Relax, we'll see em' off. Now I don't know about you but I'm beat. I think a few hours of rest sounds good, don't you?"

A tremendous yawn left the tiny woman which was honestly answer enough.