I sent the Kaleidophone into my ring, and looked out the window at the streets below. I felt much better after talking with Artoria for a bit, and it seemed like she was feeling better by the end as well. It's good I have her blessing with regards to Mordred. I certainly didn't want to try and build some bridges if Artoria didn't want Mordred in her life.
No idea what's going to happen on that front, but I hoped they can maybe find some closure.
Still though....what a mess this is. Trying to bring together two people who probably have very little idea how to have a relationship between a parent and a child.
I have no idea if they'll hug or start punching each other the first time they meet.
I was betting on the latter.
"Master." Raikou's cheerful voice filled the room as she walked out of the bathroom. "Would you like a turn? It was very nice, running hot water is quite a wonderful invention of this era. Do you want mommy to wash your back~"
Well, Raikou's happy mood was very contagious. "Well I wouldn't mind – " I paused, staring at Raikou who stood at the threshold, wearing nothing but a small towel that left nothing to the imagination.
"Fufu~" Raikou looked at me with a smile. Was she intentionally showing off her legs? "Master, don't stare at your mother so intently." She said, but I had the faintest inclination that she was being facetious.
This woman was going to be the death of me.
Mad Enhancement, I just felt guilt thinking that way while she wasn't in her right mind. Well, I should probably change the subject. "Raikou, wanna go for a walk before we meet up with Mordred?"
She scowled for a brief moment at the mention of Saber, but quickly recovered into a bright smile. "I would love to." She happily replied. She turned away to fetch some clothes. "No peeking." She winked towards me before going back into the bathroom.
Oh well, she at least has some sense of propriety under these circumstances. I would definitely deal with that mental pollution she has going on. I wanted her to be happy after this was all said and done. I haven't slept much these past couple days, but from what I've seen in the Dream Cycle, her life was not what one would call happy.
Forced to be a 'man' due to her clan's traditions. It grated on her in ways that was hard for me to fathom. She found her outlets, but it led to her developing an odd sense of affection.
Waiting in this moment, I mentally check on Sir Wiggles. He was sleeping soundly inside my little Hat space, seemingly content to laze about there when he wanted some peace and quiet.
Good.
I was a bit worried he'd be more skittish after what happened.
"I'm Ready." Raikou walked out again, wearing the clothes she picked out when we went shopping last.
"You look lovely." I complimented, even with her figure on full display.
."You're such a sweet boy." She beamed, linking her arm in mine as we got up to walk out the door.
***
"It's nice out, almost enough to forget that we're in a war." I mused, walking down the street with Raikou. I couldn't claim to be familiar with Romania, not a place I spent much time in either life, but it looked more of the same.
"It's interesting." She replied. "Seeing the common folk without any worry about them. There is not threat to their existence, no monster that lurk around the corner. During my life, both the richest and the poorest were almost always on constant guard from Ghosts, Demons, or Youkai."
"Was it really that bad back then?" I questioned.
"Mmm." She nodded. "Kyoto was covered in a miasmic depression that continued to give birth to more of the creatures."
"More incidents just increased the negative emotions and perceptions of the human population, which in turn continued to fuel their creation." Youkai were generally created through human imagination, mostly from their negative thoughts and feelings. That didn't mean they couldn't become something more though. "Were all Youkai evil?" I was curious about her thoughts.
Her story is known to some degree, and some things I saw from the dream sequence. And her legendary battle with a certain Oni I won't mention in her presence. I honestly wanted to know if she was the type that couldn't coexistence with them.
"Not at all." She said simply. "I was acquainted with many Youkai who would peacefully live amongst humans. But there were also those who wished nothing more than to exist as monsters." Her face darkened for a brief moment.
"This wasn't the World I was born in." I stated, which earned an abrupt glance from her. "I told you I can travel to other worlds."
"You did, was your home different?" She tilt her head cutely.
Calling that place my home, it made me unconsciously purse my lips. "The Age of Gods never ended, I believe i mentioned this as well." She nodded so I continued. "The Youkai of Kyoto created a separate dimension over the human cities to house their own."
"They separated themselves from humans willingly?" She looked a bit surprised.
"Yup." I smiled. "There are even Humans living among them in the separate dimension. Granted, anyone can come and go, but even still. It's a fun and lively place, all types walking around at any given moment."
"Is this the place you intend to take me?" She asked.
"I plan on taking you whenever you want." I shot her a grin.
"Master~" She brightened up but it looked like she was still curious.. "This Kyoto of another world, you brought it up because you want me to go with you, yes?"
"I thought it would be something both familiar and new enough to be something you'd enjoy." Rin told me some stories on how she had to integrate Artoria into modern society because the Grail was not quite as thorough as she was led to believe in imparting knowledge. Thought I'd get a headstart on that with some planning.
"I'm willing to follow you anywhere, Master." She smiled.
"Well…." I wanted to gauge her reaction. "You'll be able to meet my daughter."
"D-daughter?" She sputtered in surprise.
"My cute little daughter." I laughed at the expression she was making. It wasn't that angry look I half expected, but some kind of bewilderment. "She's a Youkai, a little fox you might say."
"But-but...Master!" She grabbed me tight. "I'm not prepared to be a grandmother!"
Cute.
I couldn't help but pat her head. "My Kunou would adore you." I reassured her. Obviously it would be after removing her Madness. "Want to see a picture?" I whispered.
She bit her lip, but nodded her head.
I quickly took out my phone and swiped to the pictures of her.
"A Nine Tailed Fox?" Raikou blurted out, surprised once again. "Master those are calamities." She looked at me with worry in her eyes.
"Really, you want to tell me this is a Calamity?" I asked as we swiped through pictures of Kunou just being her cute little self. "Besides, her mom is a Miko for Amaterasu and rules over half the Youkai in Japan. If anything, they are keeping everything safe."
Raikou just made a confused Raikou sound.
"Want to hear about the time I went to Yomi?"
"Master." Raikou whined. "I'm going to faint if you keep this up."
Teasing Raikou was more fun than I thought. "In all seriousness....I'm actually friends with Izanami-no-Mikoto."
Her mouth hung open, gaping at me. "Master, I forbid you from seeing her again." Her voice become a tone higher. "Y-you are not to associate with Japan's Death Goddess!" She wagged her finger like she was scolding me. Hah, I could imagine the misconceptions she has about my Izzy as opposed to the legends of the one here.
"Oh look, its Mordred." I pulled on her arm feigning ignorance.
"Master!" She pouted, but allowed me to pull her all the same.
I actually did see Mordred a bit away, I figured it was time to get our little chat out of the way. I'm sure there was a lot that needed to be said, and I wanted to pass on Artoria's words.
***
Chapter is on the shorter end, I think i wrote this when I was running really late from work last week. I wanted to give some time with the Mc and Raikou together since I've been focusing on other characters a lot.
On a side note, Yelan came home :).
Anyways, if you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com. / astoryforone