Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 15- Meeting with the Guild Master

[Keeno POV]

It wasn’t too different than the previous room, just that it was made of a different material and was room was overall shorter.  We stepped out of the ring of metal pillars and were greeted by a person in the same uniform as the person that greeted us.

“Welcome the Solheim Miss Fiametta, the Eternal Flame.  Welcome to you as well, tiny child.  Please follow me, the Guild master is waiting for you.”

This person had the same professional tone as the last one, to the point that it was almost creepy.  It was hard to tell in the dim lighting of the room, but I think they even looked the same.

{They are homunculi made by alchemists.  It’s a somewhat recent thing made in the last 500 years, so they are still far from true sentience.  They also can only live near the place they were made, so they are all basically confined to the Guild.}

‘That’s kind of sad.’

{I agree, but until alchemists figure out why they can’t survive outside the Guild, then it’s for the best.}

I nodded my head in agreement with Ama’s words as we followed the homunculus.  It led us to a different hallway from the one we just left and to a set of double doors.  It knocked on them and a minute later a voice called for us to enter.  The homunculus opened the door and motioned us to go in.  It then shut the door behind us.  I took a quick glance around the room.

It was full of bookshelves with lots of books, some sort of boxes, and what looked like files bound with leather neatly lined up.  There were also other shelves with assorted trinkets and random stuff.  By the back wall was a large desk with a person sitting behind it.  I couldn’t see the person since they were facing away from us in the chair looking out of a window.

“It’s been a while, Randal.  Or would you prefer I use your full title, Guild master Randal the Illuminous?” (Fia)

“Hoho.  There’s no need for that, Miss Fiametta, the Eternal Flame.  Though I was surprised when I received a message yesterday from Nidavellir saying that you would be showing up with a child.” (Randal)

The person in the chair slowly turned to face us.  He looked like a kindly old mad with a long braided white beard.  On his face sat round glasses accompanied by a welcoming smile.  Above his head floated a glowing silver halo and at his back several small shards of light floated.  He looked at both me and Fia kindly as he sat back in his chair.

“Please sit and tell me what the occasion is for you to come here.” (Randal)

Fia nodded her head and we both moved over to a set of seats beside a lit fireplace.  The Guild master moved over and sat on the side opposite us.

“To get straight to the point, I would like to request you help in getting a place for the two of us to live here in Solheim.” (Fia)

“I can arrange that for you easily.  Though I would like to ask some things.  First of all being, when did you adopt a noble child?” (Randal)

It was then that I noticed that I messed up and forgot to introduce myself.  I stood from my seat and, while I wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for it, curtsied.

“A pleasure to meet you, Guild master Randal.  My name is Okami.  While I understand that it is rude, I would appreciate it if you refrained from asking too much about my reasons for accompanying Lady Fiametta.  I will, of course, leave explaining things that need to be explained to her, but would nonetheless prefer my personal matters remain personal.” (Keeno)

“Hoho.  Quite the good manners from one so young.  I shall acquiesce with your request and only ask what I need to know, Miss Okami.” (Randal)

I curtsied one more time before sitting down beside Fia again.  I half expected Ama to ask me something, but she was completely silent.  I glanced toward Fia, but she shook her head just enough for me to see.  I tacitly understood what she was conveying.

“As Okami said, we’d prefer it if you don’t ask much.  But I can tell you that I plan on looking after her until she comes of age, then she will be free to do whatever.  Due to her special circumstances, as I’m sure you can feel, it was decided that we come to Solheim so that it won’t inconvenience people too much.” (Fia)

“I understand, Miss Fiametta.  I’ll ask a few of the people from the merchant floor for any places that are available.  In the meantime, do you know where you are staying?” (Randal)

“Are there any reserve rooms in the Guild free?  If not we’ll find an inn.” (Fia)

“There are a few.  I’ll ask one of the homunculi to prepare one for the two of you.  Is there anything else you needed from me, my old friend?” (Randal)

“Not really…Actually, can we get Okami a Guild card early, or is that too much?” (Fia)

“Depends, how old is she?  She looks about five, but her demeanor shows maturity beyond her years.” (Randal)

“I am five.” (Keeno)

“Then, unfortunately, I can’t get her a Guild card yet.  If she were 10, I’d be able to do something, but she’s too young for the card to properly record her information.” (Randal)

“That’s fine then.” (Fia)

With that conversation finished, the room fell silent.  Fia and Randal sat there staring at one another like they were having some kind of mental conversation before they both relaxed in their seats.

“*Sigh*  With all the formal stuff out of the way, how have you been, Randal?  How’s the wife?” (Fia)

“I’ve been good, Fiametta.  As for Ciel, she’s fine, gotten more strict about my working habits, but good all the same.  What about you?  Have you finally managed to find a lover?  And what about that one special quest you were always going on about, did you manage to complete it?” (Randal)

“In order, not yet, and yes.  Though I managed to finish it a really long time ago.  I even told you about it before.” (Fia)

“Oh?  You did?  I must be forgetting things in my old age.” (Randal)

“You?  Getting old?  You need to work on your jokes, you’re only about 350 or so.” (Fia)

The two of them continued to jovially converse as I just sat there, not knowing what to do.  This continued on for almost half an hour before I they remembered I was there.

“Ah, where did my manners go?  Little Miss Okami must be very confused about what to do.”  (Randal)

“Sorry, Okami.  Randal, how about we both take a day to catch up properly once the two of us get settled?” (Fia)

“A fine idea, Fiametta.  I’ve told the one that brought the two of you here to lead you to your temporary lodging room.  I’ll have the other request sorted by tomorrow noon, so please relax for now.  And Miss Okami, welcome to Solheim.” (Randal)

We all stood up and bade farewell.  When we left the room, the homunculus was waiting for us.  It led us down two flights of stairs and down a hallway to a room.  We went inside and shut the door after the homunculus left.

{Finally.  Sorry for not talking a lot, Keeno.  Angels have a racial ability to hear all telepathic conversations, even between a God and their Apostles, so to keep it from him, I had to stay quiet.}

“So he was an angel.  I had a feeling that was the case, but I wasn’t completely sure.” (Keeno)

“Why’d you give him your family name and not your first name?” (Fia)

“It may be childish to you, but I only want the people close to me calling me Keeno.  So, until I fully trust someone, everyone will know me simply as Okami.” (Keeno)

{Considering what you’ve been through until now, I think it makes sense.}

“Yep.  Keeno is the name Rasu gave you, so it’s really special to you.  Not wanting anyone you hardly know call you the name your Fated One gave you is completely understandable.” (Fia)

“Now, should we talk about the future?” (Keeno)

{It’s probably a good time to do so.}

“Yeah.  Let’s get it out of the way.” (Fia)

Chaos Realm:

*I return home after dealing with the Evil God*

Order: PAYTO!?  WHAT HAPPENED!?

Calm down, Order.  It’s not my blood.

Order: Doesn’t matter!  What happened!?

Another idiotic storm god entered another layer of the Sea of Chaos and tried to go and take over that layer’s world’s pantheon, or at least that was his plan.  I did what I usually have to and as usual, he went pop.

Order: Next time explain where you are going, you just left and then come back covered in blood.  It’s not good for my heart.

Yeah, sorry.  Let me go get cleaned up and I’ll do whatever you want me to to make it up to you.

Order: Alright, but please, don’t scare me like that again.

Understood.