Author's Note: Taylor's long-term goal won't be a focus of this story. If it is eventually achieved, it will be in passing and likely as the contents of a single Interlude disconnected from the rest of the story. Don't hold your breath.
I also normally avoid the use of !?, but it may be useful for the exaggerated behavior of certain individuals. If it doesn't fit, feedback on that would be appreciated.
The dreamer chewed a magic-infused cloud
(sadly, it only tasted like seltzer water) as she considered the idea of capitalizing her descriptor. Contrary to her guest-self's claims, she hadn't originally intended it to be a proper name; it was merely something substituting for her old name, the remembrance of which she now used as a sign she was getting too close to full recovery. Still, the more she thought about selecting
'Dreamer' as a Concept and name, the more the idea grew on her.
She was far happier in dreams than she'd been in the waking world and would be perfectly content to stay in them forever. Her guest-self thought it was too narrow of a Concept, but Dreamer disagreed. Dreams didn't only refer to the vivid hallucinations experienced by sleeping creatures, but also their long-term ambitions, goals, and fantasies. Dreamer couldn't really blame her guest-self for getting it wrong, though. Their species had long since lost confidence in their own capabilities and ability to pursue their goals. All they'd done for countless ages was adjust experimental conditions, hope they got a good partner, and wait for other species fulfill their own ambitions.
Overall,
Dreamer seemed like a perfect name for the fledgling goddess who dreamed of leading a righteous revolution against the mad, cannibalistic Titan posing as their father.
~ ~ ~
"Sir Kara, this is not family snuggle time. Sit and stay while Hestia finishes magically writing on my back. ...Good kitty!"
Queen Administrator
Taylor Hebert
Lv. 1
Strength: I 23
Endurance: I 29
Dexterity: I 42
Agility: I 44
Magic: I 92
Magic:
None.
Skills:
Soul Duality: Receives twice the benefit from the Falna in most situations. Whichever soul is not in control can still influence the other, including lending or withholding aid according to her whims.
Friendship is Biology: Can make new Friends from the raw materials provided by foes.
Melpomene: Views the world differently than they should. Protects against most thought-influencing effects.
Terpsichore: Receives at least equal Falna-related combat benefits as long as they, or one of their Friends, have significantly contributed to a given battle.
I never thought I'd be relieved to see an almost unchanged Status. Hestia was a little sad that she'd need to be careful with that night's cuddling, though. Administrator's body was covered in the red blotches of forming bruises and Hestia didn't want to make them any worse than they already would be.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Queen Administrator had been worried that the blue ribbon tied around Sir Kara's neck and the dark red ribbon similarly worn by Lady Sable — both of them chosen and insisted upon by Hestia — would unpleasantly clash with the black fur of Host's new Friends or otherwise prompt inane questions. Neither issue manifested itself.
The morning after making new Friends, Queen Administrator found that she was quite satisfied with the travel time reduction her new pets allowed her. Hestia claimed that running through the streets would be in poor taste, but that was unnecessary. It seemed as though Lady Sable and Sir Kara commanded more respect and personal space than even high-level adventuring parties received. Or at least, more personal space. She wasn't sure if all the people pointing at her and whispering were being particularly respectful. Still, none of them followed her into the Industrial District. That lone (lack of) action demonstrated better manners than many of Brockton Bay's occupants possessed.
The workmen in the Industrial District tried to avoid her path as well, but their heavy loads usually prevented them from doing so. Host's body eventually developed sympathetic discomfort and encouraged what would soon become her standard request:
"Remain still for the next few seconds."
The laborers seemed perfectly happy to comply as her Friends brushed past them and continued moving. In fact, the workers were arguably overzealous; they often remained frozen until she'd almost left their line of sight. Overall, Queen Administrator's happiness levels were significantly higher than the last time she'd visited Welf Crozzo's workshop. Knocking on his door with Host's finger-joints slightly reduced those levels, but not by much.
"Coming!" Welf called from inside.
Seconds later, the teenager unlocked and opened the door, speaking before he was even visible. Apparently, he was confident in his assessment of who he'd find on the other side.
"So, listen, I wanted to apologiiii..."
Weld choked on empty air, eyes widening and jaw loosening as his brain finally seemed to register the oversized Friends on either side of Host. Queen Administrator waited patiently for his multi-second processing time to finish.
"How many Magic Stones did you feed those things?" Welf asked, his voice unusually high.
Queen Administrator would've thought his high-pitched tone to be mockery had he not proven himself at least marginally smarter than that. His evaluation of long-term consequences still left plenty to be desired, but at least he was creative enough to attempt exploitation of a perceived opportunity.
"Zero," Queen Administrator said truthfully. They hadn't even gone hunting yet.
"However, their line has been in my family for generations and none of them have ever gone feral from consuming Magic Stones. They assimilate the strength and discard corruption."
Queen Administrator rubbed Host's head against Lady Sable's neck while her left arm reached out to scratch under Sir Kara's chin.
"You're woyal wittle kitties, aren't you? Yes you are! Designate Familia-allied entity: Welf Crozzo of Hephaestus."
The two Friends momentarily stopped pressing into her affections, their heads swiveling thoroughly examine the frozen teenager before her. Once they'd committed his physical details to archived memory, their purring and reciprocation seamlessly resumed. Welf shuddered, his guilty conscience likely convincing him their attention had been a threat. Queen Administrator chose not to convince him otherwise. Fear may dissuade further poor decisions.
"They don't eat people, do they?" Welf asked in the same high tone.
Indicative of fear?
"Sir Kara and Lady Sable have yet to eat anyone," Queen Administrator informed him.
"They would only eat neutral or enemy humans if they needed emergency rations or were told to do so for intimidation purposes."
Queen Administrator thought he would find that reassuring; humans resorted to cannibalism of even allies when necessary for survival. She was wrong. Welf's shuddering continued for approximately twenty seconds before he finally shook his head and managed to get his body under control.
"Right. Well, a-as I was saying, I'm sorry for yesterday. I was acting like a selfish ass. Uh, did Lady Hestia hide your Status yet?"
"She did," Queen Administrator confirmed.
Hestia had even remarked on it being far easier than she'd expected. Apparently, it'd always been harder to update Queen Administrator and Host's shared Status than Hestia's instincts told her it ought to be. The act of turning it invisible presented no such problems.
"Come in and let's get you sorted, then. Your pets are going to need to remain out here; they're too big."
Queen Administrator craned her neck to look into Welf's workshop and reluctantly agreed with his assessment. It wasn't large enough to fit them while allowing adequately unobstructed paths for crafting.
"Sit. Static guard," Queen Administrator ordered.
The purring of Sir Kara and Lady Sable immediately lapsed into silence as they obediently took up positions on either side of the door. Welf glanced between the two of them, shook his head, and waved for Host to follow him inside.
Welf Crozzo visibly relaxed once the door to his workshop was shut with her Friends still on the other side. QA chose not to remind him that they could break down the door with relative ease; humans were content to partially ignore threats they deemed sufficiently distant.
"I'll fit your armor to you afterward if you want, but step one is letting you try on different types and seeing which you like most. A lot of people settle on light simply because it's not unpleasantly heavy, but you should try out medium armor if you think your fighting style wouldn't be harmed by it. You have a tendency to leave openings when a fight doesn't go the way you expect."
Welf eyed Host's drab peasant garb as she removed her initially-borrowed leather armor.
"While we're at it, you should really get yourself some adventuring clothes other than the ones Anzo lent you. I'm honestly amazed you didn't complain more yesterday."
"The pain from sparring far outweighed the comparatively minor scraping," Queen Administrator explained.
"As the training was performed to prevent future agony, I can ignore it."
"Ugh. I still wish you'd said something yesterday. Armor is meant to save the wearer
from pain, not cause more of it. Let's go get you outfitted and give you some ranged practice with moving targets. I think I have some rope around here somewhere..."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If anyone had looked behind a certain cluster of bushes in a secluded corner within one of Orario's public parks, they would've been treated to a rather controversial sight. Two of the Loki Familia's adventurers, Aiz Wallenstein and Lefiya Viridis, silently spied upon another pair of beings with yearning in their hearts. When word reached those of their Familia currently in the Dungeon, that number was sure to increase.
Lefiya clenched her fists as she watched the rumored Canary's Cats roll on their backs, presenting their wonderful bellies to the air without a care. She wanted to cuddle the giant kitties
so badly, but dissolving into feline-induced bliss was beneath the dignity of Nine Hell's student. For the sake of her teacher's honor and dignity, she would remain hidden in the shadows and—
"May I pet your cats?" a familiar voice asked softly.
Lefiya's eyes widened with shock and betrayal as she spotted her friend and
former co-conspirator casually standing within full view of the previously knife-throwing Canary. Lefiya hadn't even noticed the Sword Princess's departure from their shared hiding spot. Had they not agreed to keep their distance? Had they not acknowledged that having the current Record Holder — the child who'd managed to level up in but a single year — interact with an already-too-famous rookie would bring the new girl nothing but grief? Had they not worked together to find a suitable spying spot?
Aiz, you traitor! What about meeeee!?
V
