Honestly, It was draining to put on the smile and use a hopeful voice, but I was going to have to get used to it. I was stuck now, contract signed and everything, so I walked behind the bar and into the kitchen.
Inside, Healia and Gram were talking, but both turned with smiles to me. Gram was cooking the eggs and ham in a cast iron pan and it smelled greasy, mmm.
"Good, glad to see you here now, but where are the girls? You should be really using your rooms here and then we wouldn't have to wait to cook you breakfast separate," Healia said, frowning at me.
"Room? Lesha is dealing with Mei's hair mess, and then going to get Leana and my father. When I accept three more members and fill my ten, will I get another five guild points?"
"Yes you have your own room, and so do the girls, but I think Lesha's might just become storage."
"By the looks of it so will Mei's. I woke up this morning with that little woman tucked into my arms like a little kid. I know something bad must have happened, but I'm not sure how to bring it up."
"Come over and sit down, I will tell you what I know," Healia said, motioning to a pair of chairs and a small table.
"What do you know? What do you mean?" I asked, squinting at her.
"Come, sit, eat, we don't have all day, but you should know this. Now sit and eat your food, and listen. I bow to you as a patron of your guild, but I am still your god, so, at least here me out."
I nodded and then took the food from Gram, and then he pulled out a rolled-up set of papers, handing them to me. I took them, and then thanked him for the food, then went to sit with Healia who had already taken them. The kitchen was as most go, one long hall with cookers and cold boxes and storage on one side and counters and cupboard, all oak wood, light in color with a yellowish stain.
"So, I know you didn't like what I did to her, but the excitement effects were not my intention. I wanted to know why she was so immature for her age; it's almost like she had stopped growing. So, when I gave her that kiss, I felt through the memories, and there was a block put on her. What does that mean? I don't know yet, but for now, you will have to take good care of her, and even after the block is gone, it will still take her some time to get back to whatever normal should be for her."
"What did this to her, or more likely who? Did something bad happen to her? Where are her parents?"
"Hm, there were no parents or anything until she was seven, that's when the memories started. As for something bad, no, I don't think so. For the last question, there can only be one thing on this wretched dirtball that could do something like that, the Game Master. Why would he, I don't know, and don't bother asking...K when is the last time you had a bath? You smell like rotten blood, gross. Got to run a bath up the stairs, but first, go find the first three on the list. And add them to the guild, you can then go over the rest after in the tub, MY GOD K, WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!"
"It's me! How's it going old…" Gobby started to say but was kicked roughly into the cabinet.
*squi-plat*
"That would be Gobby, my minion. Gobby, this is Healia, and she does like when people say it how it is," I scowled Gobby, as he pulled himself back into the blood ball.
"What is it? Should you just put it out of its misery?" Healia asked with disgust.
"See? And this is why I should stay on the bottom of your shoe, but I couldn't let this old...watch it, old women! I may look small, but I've eaten bigger gods than you before lady! Don't you go messing with my lady!" Gobby said, making tiny little wee fists and waving them at her.
I thought for sure she was going to hit him again and test how indestructible she was, but she just stood up and started to leave the kitchen.
"Wait, The first three? Why them?" I asked as Healia was leaving.
"They are all Ruby Ranked soloists and we need that or a three-man team, but pick who you want. It's your Guild, Oh Great Leader," Healia said as she walked out of the room.
"See?! What should I tell you about it?! I'm the bestest minion ever!" Gobby said, jumping up and down, shaking his fists in the air.
"Also the smelliest, god, It gets worse when you move around. Can I wash you or will you just wash away?"
Gobby's red dot rolled around in his eye.
"Of course you can wash me, I was wondering when you were going to take a bath cause I thought you smelt funny, but it was me! I won't melt, but I can get pretty gross being a blood spot on your shoe all day!"
"Well, let's go find these soloists and then get you clean up when you meet my dad and Leana. Who knows, maybe Mei might even come near you after!"
"Do you really think so? What is that old lady's problem? If I didn't know she was your friend, I might have just eaten her," Gobby said while turning for the door.
"Wait, you weren't kidding? You could eat her?"
"It's only a God, but that Game Master is a different story, that one might even be able to kill me, then you would have to summon me again!"
Well, that was food for thought, but if I ever had to kill a god, I think doing it by hand would be best.