Thinking of her as an adventurer would be a disservice; Queen Administrator was more like an... explorer! That worked.
Onee-sama is an adventurer. Adventurers are bad. Onee-sama is not bad. Eh?! Okay, she's a
not-adventurer. Which is like an adventurer, except not.
Lili's favorite was "moronic, title-chasing skin-sack of inadequately bioactive water and equally flawed bone." The Supporter could only assume it was an amusingly weird translation of some harsh insult from Queen Administrator's homeland.
Amusingly enough, Lili is sort of accurate and wrong at the same time. From a shard's perspective, that's a pretty straightforward description of the average meatbag with a bit of a disingenuous spin to it, no "translation" involved at all. Except that sounds
really weird coming from a "human" with human perspective assumed behind it, so it
kind of is transliterated.
Everyone knew that Aiz Wallenstein had a new skill that incentivized training rookies; last Lili heard of them, the Loki Familia had been getting bombarded with constant apprenticeship requests, all of which were politely refused.
Interesting. Lili is someone whom I expect to have a closer ear to the rumour mill than many people, but it certainly sounds as though Aiz's skill is outright open knowledge. That said, her information may
not be perfectly accurate where acceptance of apprenticeship is concerned; she hasn't heard about QA's own acceptance, after all, and little time has passed. Depending on how matters are with Bell's ambiguous possible history with her at present, she might be inclined to accept him, and also might just as well have not had the chance to accept or decline at all in the first place, but between his motivations and the public nature of Aiz's skill, I imagine that we'll learn something on that front soon. Even if Bell
has already been declined off-screen, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he made another attempt after trying to do something to make her inclined to change her mind, and
she might not have been the one to make any decision in the first place, so we might indeed see a flustered and anxious Bell prostrating himself before her only to be surprised to be so readily accepted, depending on the circumstances.
The goddess reminded her of the elderly couple who'd taken Lili in when she'd tried to flee the Soma Familia as a child.
It's almost like the goddess Hestia presides over home and family, or something.
In the aftermath of Administrator's proposal, Hestia looked remarkably like a cat caught bullying a baby — not quite guilty, but not sure how she would manage to explain herself.
That is... a very
accurate, but very
specific comparison... Lili, why is that the first thing that you thought of? That sounds like there might be something of a story behind it.
"Otherwise, I'm not sure I'll have enough to feed everyone healthy portions at breakfast tomorrow. Thank you, Tiona."
...
The Hestia Familia's basement home wasn't very large, but it was kept clean and three half-filled bookshelves concealed the fact that it was almost barren of decorations. Even the (surprisingly high) ceiling looked to be kept clean; considering that there didn't seem to be any ladders in sight and Hestia was little more than a head taller than Lili, the Supporter really did wonder how she managed that. Did the goddess stack multiple chairs on top of each other…?
The kitchen off to the right and the bathroom straight ahead were similarly spotless. Sleeping arrangements could be a little awkward, though; there was only one bed in the bedroom and one couch near the entrance. Lili wasn't sure she wouldn't reflexively hit one of them if she was meant to share the bed; she'd learned to sleep light in the Soma Familia if she wanted to avoid having her belongings stolen. Even after she practically moved out, the habit persisted and had protected her equipment from two different burglars so far.
Hestia gestured for Lili to sit down on a well-worn, cloth-padded chair and moved to take a seat opposite her. Queen Administrator also obeyed the silent order, but began speaking before everyone was seated.
This has some subtle but profound significance in making an impression for Lili. This is their home. Hestia is a
goddess and Queen Administrator is some exotic foreign monarch, as well as an "explorer" of importance, and yet they live in some pretty poor and unassuming accommodations. Hestia was concerned about having enough
food. They're not the sort to see Lili become resentful towards them for them drowning in luxury. Socio-economic disparity can very easily lead to considerable friction in almost any culture, but this is something that is very unlikely to be an issue between them despite Lili being a downtrodden, bullied thief and the other party
sort of representative of everything that she hates, because QA and Hestia are about as far from that idea as possible while still technically fitting. Basically, this is a place where Lili can feel that she fits in.
Queen Administrator blinked with apparent surprise and appeared as though she would continue thinking of the Supporter as a guaranteed future sister despite the objections of her goddess.
I do believe Lili has the right of things, there. Once QA makes up her mind... well it's pretty made up. Good luck trying to convince her that Lili
isn't to be her sister; any counter-argument is likely to simply be corrected to
make her right if need be. Swaying QA is straightforward and simple
if approached in just the right way, but basically impossible otherwise. Attempts to force the matter are likely to end in QA convincing the opposition to accept
her view rather than the other way around, or with them otherwise simply incapable of acting upon their objections by one means or another of neutralisation, and that can easily enough range from intimidation efforts to outright "elimination" of the problem without anything remotely approaching a human perspective of the matter. Lili was off as to
why QA fits her idea of a monarch willing to go to war over her stubbornness, but that does not change the fact that QA does indeed fit such.
Perhaps not more than that; having Hephaestus, Loki, and maybe even Freya as interested allies would prevent most overt consequences.
That's not a small matter. Loki and Freya are the two greatest Familiae in Orario. Loki isn't Hestia's
friend by any measure, but they do share a sort of paradoxically positive and adversarial relationship. They're frienemies who can work together even if they enjoy disliking one another, and QA and Aiz have a quite solid, positive association with one another at that, with all parties involved wanting to keep it that way. Freya herself doesn't
seem to have any obvious connection with Hestia, but she went out of her way to exert her influence in support
Queen Administrator; even if the other gods lack certainty, they can certainly hold reasonable suspicions about what they don't know. Hephaestus herself may not be
as great a power in Orario, but only for a comparative sense; her influence is a softer type expressed more in economic influence, but it is a weighty influence regardless as the dominant interest in arms and armour supply from starting gear for new adventurers to personal commissions for the highest elite. That she allows Hestia to basically mooch off of her wholesale may not necessarily be known to all, but I imagine that their friendly relationship is prominent enough to make other gods uneasy at the prospect of the services of the Hephaestus Familia possibly becoming unavailable.
"As previously mentioned, it demonstrated an ability to exploit available opportunities, creativity, and intelligence in general. Lili's form-changing ability is too versatile to ignore, yet her other traits pushed her from a good Familia candidate to an excellent one."
"See? See? I told you she would be perfect! Not even two hours and she provided a marvelous innovation!" Queen Administrator gushed, her expressed happiness seeming unusually normal. "Thank you for the excellent explanation, Lili! I can have her as a sibling, can't I, Hestia?"
"I'll see you become a host if it's the last thing I do!" ...I don't think Taylor is going to bud any time soon, anyway. That might actually become relevant later on. Still, they get along well, however strangely; QA seemed normal over this!
Hestia stiffened and looked genuinely horrified, as though the concept of exchanging money for Status updates was something utterly foreign to her. It might be; if Queen Administrator was Hestia's first Familia member, that meant the goddess had descended recently. Most gods weren't so overt, but they did still tax their children's income and kicked them out of the Familia if they refused to pay. There did seem to be something else to Hestia's expression, though. She was looking at Lili in a manner the Supporter couldn't quite place. It wasn't the anger; that was clearly aimed at Soma.
This is a curious piece. We see it throughout the chapter, but especially here: Lili too seems to have an atypical perspective. Her perspective is not as outright alien as QA's, but she has a hard time relating to others in some aspects, and certainly holds some very particular views that others likewise might have a hard time understanding. That which is normal to Lili... kind of
isn't. That which is normal to others often is not so for her. There's a reason why she gets along so well with the actual, literal alien who sees conflict and manipulation as desirable, for all that they differ in some regards.
And please broadcast your movements more, Administrator, it's clear she's not used to getting hugs.
I get the feeling that this sort of thing is going to become more common. Hestia is already used to explaining the reasons behind "normal" human (and demi-human, I suppose) behaviour for QA, and I think that will only continue for Lili, who herself could certainly benefit for clear communication.
Lili's face twitched as she stopped it from frowning thoughtfully. She needed to keep her mask of false happiness in place; she was no longer sure she'd need it immediately, but she'd always had trouble replacing it after stopping.
That's as disturbing as it is just plain sad. It also makes her fit in alongside QA, but not in a good way. Hestia already noted the similarity, and I don't think Lili's facade is as good as she hopes that it is. Between the shard girl who speaks in monotone and doesn't know how to emote normally and the pint-sized stepford smiler who seems just a little off, the two of them could come off as downright creepy together, especially if they "learn" from one another without realising the other to actually be a decidedly sub-optimal template.
Administrator's possessive reference indicated the rumors about one hiding amid the populace were true. The monarch had indicated she was the one designing them, though. Were the Friends a collaborative effort between Queen Administrator and her Spirit? Administrator for their concept, the Spirit for turning ideas into reality?
Delightful misconceptions. In the know though Lili may be now, there is still much that she none the less does not know, and the secrets just keep growing in magnitude. By the time she actually gets transferred into the Familia, she liable to faint, spontaneously explode, or burst out into disproportionately booming maniacal laughter for what she learns.
"Lili thinks you could make person-based animals!" Lili burst out, feeling genuine excitement for the first time in years. It was clear the others hadn't even considered it and she was proud to raise her own perceived value yet further. "A monster-maker would be scary. Guardians based on the person would be more obviously magical, but in a good way! Lili's could be small and harmless-looking like her, Aiz Wallenstein's swift and gold to match, and you could do the rest later!"
Now this could get interesting. Lili actually being
happy to be a part of this aside, she brings up an intriguing idea. Monsters are indeed scary; someone who
makes monsters just like the dungeon itself is positively alarming. Spirits are a thing in this world, though, a broad category that basically covers any and all of the supernatural entities of mythology and the setting style who are not dungeon monsters or human/demi-human: salamanders (the fiery kind, not the amphibian), undines, gnomes, or such as featured in canon. Spirits possess magic of their own independently of the blessing of the gods, and can be exceptionally powerful, as evidenced by the crippling of the Crozzo line's iconic crafting ability and the ready acceptance of spirit retribution behind Ishtar's fall. Queen Administrator is believed to hail from some distant land presided over by spirits perhaps quite similarly to Orario itself with its gods; that "spirits" might be found in her company sounds perfectly believable based on what is thought to be known. QA has some mighty guardian spirit watching over her, so if lesser ones show up as well, that's just rather to be expected in hindsight, really. It makes more sense than the idea that QA has the power of the dungon, certainly.
"Lili promises not to tell!" Lili chirped with false cheer, well remembering Administrator's inclination toward homicidal solutions.
They would be of great help in letting Lili get revenge on the Soma Familia. Still, Hestia didn't appear to pick up on Lili's extra motivation and accepted the promise better than she had Lili's now-genuine willingness to join.
I don't think Lili is a reliable narrator here. I think she just didn't notice Hestia to have become accustomed to this sort of thing as the new normal in her life. QA is very particular in her word choice, and Hestia herself is both likewise careful so as to see her understand the meaning desired to be conveyed and quite perceptive of QA's own communication, both verbal and otherwise.
Lili's brow twitched as she kept it from furrowing. That kinda made sense for any Spirit children, but Queen Administrator was human, wasn't she? They didn't have that sort of magic. All spells were difficult without the Falna; there were some that could be managed without it, but they were weaker, more unstable, and had far longer chants. How could human children manage even the smallest magical attack without even being able to talk?
I would just
love for Lili to spring this question on QA at some point. QA is bad at lying, probably well aware that denying herself to be human is not at all the right answer, and similarly hesitant to reply for not actually knowing what to say to such a question, which would be all the confirmation that Lili would need that something quite peculiar is going on. Too, human though she looks, that she might be some sort of human-seeming spirit is not an unreasonable suspicion if QA's people supposedly have qualities normally attributed to spirits and happens to look like a human. Lily herself knows better than most that appearances can be false and misunderstood. With how crazy things are around QA, that her people might somehow be some hybrid of human and spirit might also sound reasonable upon consideration, and it's even rather true, actually. Infant humans can't cast magic, but QA's people supposedly can as infants; what does that
mean?
All spells were difficult without the Falna; there were some that could be managed without it, but they were weaker, more unstable, and had far longer chants.
I was thinking about this topic just earlier, actually. Falna-based magic is within the Dreamer's grasp, but powerful though it is, it is not the only source of magic in the world, and Aiz just spoke of the topic. I wonder if QA/Taylor might take to emulating the elves as well, or the like. It would be an avenue toward magical healing, after all, which is something important to QA at present.
Lili's plan to burn the Soma Familia to the ground and escape with Cinder Ella hadn't been very subtle, either. And there was a stark contrast between Hestia's possibly-genuine concern and Soma's unrepentant apathy; since Lili had to pick a Familia to manage her eventual vengeance, she might as well choose one that could provide aid and possible companions. Even if the worst was true and Hestia's concern was a lie, Lili now had enough blackmail material to ensure they treated her well regardless.
"Lili is sure. Lili thinks it will be fun!"
…Lili honestly wasn't sure why that declaration seemed to make Hestia more uneasy than reassured. Hestia did remember that Lili was older than she looked, right? She wouldn't run through the house breaking things or any of the other things most children were allowed to do.
Yup. Lili fits in
really well... which is precisely what makes Hestia so worried. QA and Lili both want to go scorched earth on the Soma Familia, and Lili thinks that the surreal bizarrity surrounding QA sounds
fun. I don't think the age issue is really quite how Lili perceives it, though; maybe Hestia really
has forgotten, or maybe she remembers perfectly well, because older than her physical appearance though Lili may be, she does indeed look young, she
speaks as though she is young, and a girl of 15 who seems quite childish is not exactly the sort to appear to be a mature adult to an ageless, immortal goddess in any case.
Since so little time has passed in story yet, Hesphaestus hasn't had a chance to pay reparations for Anzo's stunt and the armor that was damaged on the First Floor. It won't be equal, but it'd give them a discount likely if Hestia ends up deciding to make the Hestia Knife or aomething equivalent. Not likely to need to though, what with QAylor's Friends. They could just ask for equipment for Lili instead if they really wanted more for Lili besides her own Friend.
That's a legitimate point, and one that might well come up soon. Lili's gear is... not exactly optimal. Sure, a powerful weapon would be great, but right now, a simple set of basic equipment might be much more appreciated for Lili's needs, and much more likely to be gained in any case. Some meaningful protection and a perfectly ordinary backup weapon would serve Lili better than a legendary blade and no protection at all, and would not be nearly so expensive or likely to see Hephaestus think Hestia to be taking advantage of her.
Shame about Bell though, wish he was in it. He would be the only sane man in the guild, and the sheer wtf of having 2 rookie adventurers competing on who gets to the next level fastest would be mind breaking to every god.
Bell would only be sane by comparison. He may not be a literal alien with a skill explicitly making him outright insane, but his grandfather basically indoctrinated him into the idea of acting like a true hero, to the point of what others would think to be abject irrationality. Bell basically acts like a paladin, and not so much for upholding convictions as simply thinking that behaving so is what he is supposed to do. Girls in need must be saved, because saving girls is what heroes
do, not because it's "right", or something. If it is heroic, then that
makes it right and proper.
well yes, but she's been downplaying the dimension warping enough that it'd still raise some eyebrows.
She may not be downplaying it enough to avoid some serious concerns. We've already seen one person entertain worries over the strategic implications of such magic; further reminder seeming to prove such worries well-founded could be quite unnerving.
Pretty sure it has no effect on dungeon monsters, since they attack anything that's not from dungeon.
And sometime not even then.
It would be something to explore, certainly. I'm also curious if it might improve later on, too; leveling up improves spells, so Level 2 Lili might be able to be all the more creative with her spell. It also might see compounded application, too, in the future. The spells granted by a grimoire is dependent upon the person reading it, for example, so I wouldn't be surprised if Lili were the sort of person to perhaps gain some sort of perception-altering spell for reading from one, and she might see better results for using different spells with overlapping effect. That does also bring up another idea, too, come to think of it: there's at least one magic item that grants invisibility; I imagine that QA/Taylor would be very interested in acquiring something like that for Lili should it be known.
If Dreamer has input on Lili's Friend, how about an homage to the Killer Rabbit?
I think the people of Orario might find that entirely disturbing, actually; that would be quite similar to one of the monster types within the dungeon. The locals know better than to turn their backs to a cute little rabbit, because it might be a vorpal bunny of doom intent on murdering the crap out of them.
