DanMachi Universe, Lower World, Orario.
It took about an hour for Riveria and Ais to return from their shopping trip. And when they did, they came back with a lot more than any of the members of the [Dimensional Chat] expected. There were all kinds of meats, vegetables, and fruits for mixing drinks. But more than anything, they brought back potatoes.
Clearly, Ais was fixated on the claim that Tatsuo and Alfonzo could make better Jagamarukun than her favorite Jagamarukun vendor. And if that were true, then she wanted to be able to eat as many as she could stuff into her little tummy.
During the time Riveria and Ais were out, the rest of the group chatted casually, with Loki trying to occasionally poach the members of the [Dimensional Chat] other than Tatsuo, who was too handsome for her to be comfortable, from Aislynn, only to back down when Aislynn gave her an irritated look.
And that did not change when Riveria and Ais came back. The only difference was the sound of gulping saliva when the scents from the kitchen wafted into the main hall.
"How much longer are they gonna take?" Loki asked in an impatient tone while stealing glances in the kitchen's direction. "I swear, that smell is torture."
"Please be patient, Loki." Riveria said in a tired tone. Though, she was also caught stealing glances towards the kitchen from time to time. "Think of your image."
"Image? What's that?" Loki asked in a faux-confused tone. "Does it taste good? Is it on tonight's menu?"
That response only caused Riveria to sigh in exasperation. She then shifted her gaze towards Ais, whose gaze was focused on the direction of the kitchen like a hawk searching for prey.
'I hope the food isn't as good as it smells.' Riveria thought to herself while looking at Ais. 'Because if it is, this could get messy. *Sigh* Why does everyone around me have to be so troublesome?'
Meanwhile, everyone who had already experienced Tatsuo's and/or Alfonzo's cooking was looking forward to the faces everyone who has not would make. So, they waited with quiet anticipation as the scents from the kitchen saturated the main hall.
"Alright, it's not time for dinner quite yet." Alfonzo said while carrying a tray holding twelve covered plates and an equal number of napkins as he entered the main hall with a smile on his face. "But we made some appetizers to hold you all over until dinner is ready. And because of all the potatoes we had..."
Reaching that point, Alfonzo shot a teasing smile in Ais' direction, which made the, usually clueless girl slightly blush in embarrassment.
"We tried our hands at Jagamarukun." Alfonzo continued without paying much attention to Ais' embarrassment. "Let us know what you think. We even made a few different flavors."
When she heard that, all of Ais embarrassment disappeared as if it never existed. Then, she shot up to her feet before disappearing from where she stood. A moment later, she reappeared in front of Alfonzo looking like a puppy waiting for a treat. {Pic}
Deciding not to make the girl wait. So, he picked up one of the covered plates and handed it to Ais.
"Okay, I get it." Alfonzo said with a smile. "Just let us know what you think after you're done, okay?"
Ais nodded solemnly while accepting the plate. Apparently, the subject of Jagamarukun was quite important to this blonde First-Class Adventurer.
Speaking of Adventurer Classes, they did not start until an Adventurer reached Level 2. Because only High-Class Adventurers were classified into different classes.
At Level 2, an Adventurer was known as a Third-Class Adventurer. Second-Class Adventurers spanned Level 3 and Level 4. And at Level 5, an Adventurer becomes a First-Class Adventurer.
After receiving the plate, Ais quickly returned to where she was sitting. Meanwhile, Alfonzo leisurely handed out the rest of the plates. Then, like the other members of the [Dimensional Chat], with the exception of Aislynn, who has never tasted either Tatsuo's or Alfonzo's cooking, he watched the other for with anticipation.
Unsurprisingly, Ais was the first to uncover her food. However, instead of going straight to eating, she took the time to inspect the Jagamarukun on her plate. Instead, the first one to pick up one of the Jagamarukun and start eating was Loki. And just as expected...
"Mmm~~~~~~~~!"
... as soon as she started chewing, her perpetually squinted eyes opened wide. Then, she threw her head back and let out one of the most sensual moans anyone had ever heard. {Pic}
While most of the members of the [Dimensional Chat] smiled at the reaction, Aislynn paused for a just a moment to glance at the Jagamarukun on her plate with caution. However, it did not take long for her gaze to return to Loki, looking forward to the embarrassment that she was sure would show up on the Trickster's face.
Riveria, upon hearing Loki's moan, went completely red. Even her long ears turned red while wiggling nervously as she lowered her head in secondhand embarrassment. In fact, after seeing Loki's reaction, she was afraid to try her own Jagamarukun. Yet, she was curious to know just how good they could be to get a reaction like that out of a god.
Ais, on the other hand, did not react much. She only raised her head to look at Loki strangely before returning her attention to her own Jagamarukun.
"So, how was it?" Aislynn asked in a teasing tone after Loki came down from her food-gasm. "Was all that talk about their cooking merely a boast?"
*Bang!*
"Absolutely not!" Loki shouted excitedly as she slammed her hand down on the couch she was sitting on. "This is by far the best thing I've ever eaten! It might be even better than Soma's Divine Wine... Wait! Don't quote me on that. Nothing's better than---"
"Ahn~~~~~~~~!"
While Loki was talking, Ais finally decided to take a bite of her own Jagamarukun. And when she did, she moaned just like Loki did. However, because of her usual emotionless state, it had an even greater impact on the observers than Loki's did.
After a few moments, Ais also came down from her food-gasm. Then, she turned a pair of sparkling eyes towards Alfonzo.
"Come cook at our Familia." Ais said in her usual tone, though there was a definite note of excitement in it.
"No." Alfonzo replied without hesitation. "I actually like it here."
Hearing that, Aislynn smiled. At the same time, Ais turned in her direction.
"I want to live here, too." Ais said without changing her tone.
"Absolutely not!" Loki shrieked loudly. "Ais-Tan, you're a member of the Loki Familia! And that will never change!"
Ais completely ignored Loki while continuing to stare at Aislynn.
"I don't think that will work." Aislynn said while lightly shaking her head. "I really don't want to deal with a depressed Loki."
As she spoke, Aislynn gestured towards Loki, who at some point had started crying loudly while Riveria held her back from pouncing on Ais to hug her with the intention of never letting go.
Seeing Loki's current state, Ais tilted her head to one side in contemplation. Then, after thinking about it for close to a minute, she nodded in understanding.
"I understand." Ais said, causing Loki to stop crying immediately and smile brightly. "If I lived here, Loki would be even more annoying than usual, wouldn't she?"
The bright smile that just appeared on Loki's face completely froze in response to Ais' completely merciless statement that lacked even a hint of malice.
"Wahh~~~~~~~~!" Loki once again started crying loudly after processing Ais response. "Ais-Tan! Why are you being so mean?"
While most of the people in the main hall found Loki's and Ais' back and forth rather amusing, Riveria was not among them. Seeing the two most troublesome people in her life acting like this made her sigh deeply. Then, to take her mind off the whole situation, she took a bite of one of the Jagamarukun on her plate without thinking, and...
"Mmm~~~~~~~~~~!"
... she let out a moan that sounded even more sensual than Loki's. And with her mature look and curvaceous figure, it had a greater impact than even Ais' earlier moan.
All the commotion in the room stopped thanks to Riveria's moan. And when Riveria came down from her food-gasm, she immediately lowered her head in embarrassment. Then, before anyone could say anything, she stood up and bolted out of the main hall before leaving the Dragon's Nest altogether. {Pic}
It should be noted that she took the plate with the remaining Jagamarukun with her, as well, holding it so tightly that it looked like she might fight with anyone who tried to take it, or the Jagamarukun laying on it, away from her.
"Wait! Come back, Mama!" Loki shouted as she stood up after being shocked for a few seconds. "That was so hot! You have to come back and eat the rest of the dinner! I need to see that again! I really, REALLY, need a moaning Riveria in my life!""
And just like that, Loki chased Riveria out of the Dragon's Nest. And for the next few days, a rumor about Nine Hell running through the city with a blush on her face while her goddess chased after her circulated around Orario. And those rumors led to all sorts of stories based on the sight, none of which were even remotely close to the truth.
"Well, that was fun." Elicia said with a wide smile on her face. She then turned to look at Alfonzo. "So, how long until dinner is ready, Fonzie?'
"Twenty minutes, or so." Alfonzo said nonchalantly. Then, he continued while turning back towards the kitchen. "Anyway, you guys enjoy the Jagamarukun. I'll go back and help T finish up."
With that, the rest of the members of the [Dimensional Chat] chatted casually while watching Ais devour hers and Loki's Jagamarukun while they enjoyed their own. And before long…
"Ahn~~~~~~~!"
… Aislynn, the last person in the house who had never tasted either Tatsuo's or Alfonzo's cooking, moaned just as loudly as the other three. Then, once she came down from her food-gasm, she continued to chat with the others like nothing happened, her mental fortitude impressing everyone in the room.
Not long after that, Tatsuo and Alfonzo called everyone to the dining hall. When they arrived, there was a spread of delicious looking food laid out.
And for the next hour or so, everyone enjoyed their dinner. Then, once the meal was over, Ais, though reluctantly, left the Dragon's Nest and made her way back to the Loki Familia Headquarters, Twilight Manner, leaving the soon to be Aislynn Familia alone in the villa.
"Alright, now that the outsiders are gone, let's finally get you all marked with the Falna." Aislynn said with a bright smile the moment the gate closed behind Ais. Then, she pointed a finger at Tatsuo and continued. "And Tatsuo will be the Familia Captain. So, you're going first."
"What?" Tatsuo asked with his eyes widened in surprise. "Why me? Shouldn't it be someone with more leadership experience? Someone like James or Zelretch would be a better choice, wouldn't they?"
"Nah, I'm good." James said while waving off Tatsuo's suggestion. "I'm taking this as a break from all the administrative stuff I have to do back home."
"I actually have no experience leading an organization." Zelretch said, denying Tatsuo's words. "I tend to just do what I want and the people around me just go along with the flow on their own. I've never directed anyone before."
Tatsuo's lips twitched at the rejections. He then turned to look at Alfonzo and Elicia. But like James and Zelretch, they gave excuses and declined the position, as well. Then, before he could turn to look at the others, Violet, Aletia, Akatsuki, Sakura, and Momo all stepped away, letting Tatsuo know they had no intension of accepting the position, either.
Seeing that, Aislynn could not help giggling at Tatsuo's misfortune and the sour expression on his face. Then, while continuing to giggle, she took Tatsuo by the hand and dragged him to her chambers to give him the Falna. {Pic}
Before long, Tatsuo and Aislyn reached Aislynn's bedroom, which was a large room with a large bed, a desk, a two-seater couch, and a pair of rocking chairs on either side of a small table.
"Alright, shirt off." Aislynn said with a wide smile while closing the door to her bedroom. "You already know how this works, I need to inscribe the Falna onto your back."
"Yeah, I know." Tatsuo muttered while looking at Aislynn with a helpless expression. But you seem way too excited about this."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Aislynn asked excitedly. "I'll get to mark my future mate. In essence, you're more or less becoming my property."
As she finished speaking, Aislynn licked her lips with a predatory glint in her eyes, causing Tatsuo to frown.
"When you put it that way, I don't want the Falna anymore." Tatsuo said.
Seeing the expression on Tatsuo's face, Aislynn could not help laughing aloud. She knew he would react like that after hearing what she said, but she did not know what expression he would wear. But the look on his face that made it seem like his pride had been thoroughly insulted was funnier than she thought it would be.
"*Sigh* I'm just gonna pretend I never heard that." Tatsuo said after realizing that Aislynn had been joking. "Let's just get this over with."
With that, Tatsuo quickly took off his shirt. Then, he laid face down on Aislynn's bed. Meanwhile, Aislynn, after getting her laughter under control, walked over to the nightstand next to the bed and pulled a box out of one of the drawers.
Opening the box, Aislynn revealed that it was filled with golden needles. After picking up one of the needles, she closed the box and put it back into the drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment before closing the drawer. Then, she climbed onto the bed before sitting on Tatsuo's lower back with a satisfied smile on her face.
"I'm starting now." Aislynn said as she brought the needle to her right index finger.
"I'm ready." Tatsuo replied simply as he gently closed his eyes.
In the next instant, Aislynn pricked her finger with the needle and a drop of blood appeared on her finger. She then extended her hand until her index finger hung above the spot between Tatsuo's shoulder blades and…
*Drip!*
… let the drop of blood fall onto his back.
*Flash!*
As soon as the blood fell onto Tatsuo's back, it was quickly absorbed into his skin. Then, his back lit up with a bright red light. A moment later, the light faded, a circle with a simplified image of a dragon with two pairs of wings inside could be seen over the spot where the blood was absorbed into his skin.
And below the circle, Aislynn's Familia crest, text that looked like hieroglyphics appeared, taking up most of What's back.Meanwhile, Aislynn's smile widened as she read the text while tracing it with her index finger. {Pic}
"Very good." Aislynn said after reading the text. She then picked up the parchment and laid it over the Falna before pulsing a miniscule amount of her divine power into the parchment. "Alright, all done."
As she said that, Aislynn pulled the parchment off Tatsuo's back before handing it to him. Then, when Tatsuo accepted the parchment, Aislynn laid down on his back to read it along with him.
"What are you doing?" Tatsuo asked in a flat tone.
"I just wanted to read your first Status with you." Aislynn replied in an innocent tone.
Tatsuo only rolled his eyes instead of trying to argue with Aislynn. He then shifted his attention to the parchment where he saw his Status translated into the Lower World's common language, Koine.
Status
Name: Soramoto Tatsuo
Level: 1
-Attributes-
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
-Magic-
Blink
-Allows the user to use short range teleportation.
-Chant: Blink
Transmutation
-With adequate understanding, materials can be deconstructed and reconstructed into a form of the user's choosing.
-Chant: Mankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. This is known as the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Transmutation.
[Empty]
-Skills-
Magic Circle Creation
-The user is able to create magic circles of any attribute. And with a corresponding Mind cost, the user is able to cast the circle's magic.
Void Destiny
-As one destined for greatness, the speed of Excelia gain will be greatly increased.
"That last Skill is broken." Tatsuo muttered after reading his Status.