The Russians, along with Mei and Kiana finished their food quickly. Bella then looked at Kiana with squinted eyes as she knew something, or better yet. Someone, was inside of her. Sirin noticed Bella looking at Kiana and she observed her as well.
"Hmmm, so my core is in that girl huh? Interesting, daddy. Aren't you going to take it out of her? It's eating away at her ego, her will is too weak." Sirin whispered and Ein shook his head.
"Let her battle her inner demons, it is a part of her that she needs to overcome by herself. Welt Joyce is an exception, Carl Gustav was in Berlin so we needed to neutralize him. And she would make better bonds with her family if we let Adelheid take care of her whenever she rampages. It would also test Adelheid's communication with her as Kiana would obviously feel bad if she lets the herrscher control her." Ein explained and Sirin nodded, reigning in her gene seed that activated. Preparing to take back her core in a moment's notice.
"I guess you're right, okay then daddy. Bella, let's go, I wanna sleep well tonight. Players are getting better, we need to step up our game. Or we will lose our throne of being the ones who pwn world class players as noobs." Sirin gave him a kiss on his cheek and yawned.
"Ummm, Ein nii-sama. Are you really going to teach me how to cook? Is that alright with you?" Mei went up to him and fidgeted shyly. Knowing that he was a very busy man, even busier than her father. But he was still willing to give her some of his time.
"Umu, let us go now. Onwards, to the kitchen." Ein gestured her to follow and Kiana also went with them. As she excitedly volunteered to be the taste tester. The Russians returned to St. Freya with some huge boxes of side dishes like they just visited their grandma.
Mei took a look at the huge kitchen that has all the state of the art gadgets, in awe. Wondering how much it would've all cost, developing a sense to save cash as much as possible with their current situation.
"Wow, so this is where you work your magic Ein-nii?" Kiana had stars in her eyes and imagined all the delicious stuff he could make there.
"Hmm, pretty satisfying no? Then how about we start with something simple, Mei. Fried chicken, but I will test your basics. Can't be cutting your hands every time." Ein took out a set of knives and chopping boards as Mei nodded with determination.
"Alright, I want you to julienne these carrots and shred the lettuce with a knife. I have a feeling that using a mandolin wouldn't be safer." Ein gestured her to start and she began chopping awkwardly while Kiana cheered behind her.
"You got to do it like this Mei, or you'll cut yourself." Ein went behind her and guided her hands as she was pretty awkward with her cutting. Mei then felt bad and remembered everything she could so she would get better.
"There you go, you're getting the hang of it." He patted her head and Mei beamed at his praise. "Mou, this is boring. Aren't you guys going to cook some chicken already?" Kiana commented and he chuckled at her appetite.
"Kiana-chan, you should be more patient. Don't worry, you'll have tons of karaage to eat as I will practice this dish to perfection!" Mei chided her and Ein pointed at Kiana's pouch.
"Ohhh, I didn't thought of that. Hehe~ I guess I was a little bit excited to taste Mei's cooking after she gets some tips from you Ein-nii." Kiana scratched her head with a wry smile and Mei chuckled at her antics.
"Ohhh, you guys are getting along well. That's good, Kiana doesn't have much friends and based on your shyness, you don't too Mei." Ein teased them and they both pouted at him.
Ein then proceeded to teach Mei how to try and kill someone from making your food delicious. Making Mei have a productive day while Kiana was stuffed to the brim with delicious fried chicken that would make a hypertensive have a stroke.
And when the sun set, Mei bid her goodbyes at the gates as she gave a wide smile at them. "Ein nii-sama. Kiana-chan, thank you very much for this day. I really enjoyed it, I wish we could spend time like this again." Mei then bowed deeply.
"Here, have this. It's some dishes that will pair well with what you're going to make. I know you'd want to let Yuna taste some immediately." Ein gave her a box and Mei received it with a tender smile.
She then went off on her merry way to shop first for ingredients so she could make her mother some killer fried chicken.
With bags on hand, Mei hummed as she leisurely walked back to their apartment. But some trouble was ahead as she saw a group of girls that she recognized. And they were from Chiba high.
"Hey girls, lookie who we have here. The daughter of the thief." The lead girl smirked and was up to no good. Mei frowned when she saw them as she remembered that some of them were the ones that messed up her desk.
"Had fun with Kaslana-san, thief? Going to steal her stuff too?" The bully snickered, but Mei decided to be the better person and ignored them. Quickly walking away from them to go on another route.
Too bad though, as they pursued her and cut her off. "Where do you think you're going, huh? We asked you a question, you probably had a nice haul on you after you stole from Kaslana-san, she looks rich after all." They eyed Mei's bags, especially the box Ein gave her as it was made of intricate iron wood with gold engravings.
"Leave me alone, I did no such thing skanks." Mei replied with a snark and it struck a nerve on the bullies. "Hoh? She has some fight in her, how about you give us a look on what that obviously expensive looking box has inside?" The leader tried snatching it, but Mei quickly walked back to protect it.
"I guess something valuable's inside? Come on girls, let's get it then. It's not stealing if it came from a dirty little daughter of a thief." They lunged on Mei and she tried her hardest to keep it on her.
"Let go!" Mei got into a scuffle, but unfortunately. She was just alone and the group of bullies successfully took it from her. "Let's see, let's see." The one who got it opened the box and just saw some side dishes, making her disappointed and thought they just wasted their time.
"What is this crap?" She asked while looking at Mei who was fuming. Breathing heavily, with murder in her eyes as the others held her back.
"Heh? This important to you eh? Then I guess our time isn't wasted after all." The bully turned it over and spilled the contents all over the ground. Making Mei freeze and her eyes dilated at the action.
It was further exacerbated as the girl stomped on it while laughing, seeing Mei so sad and shocked that Ein's little takeaway for her got desecrated.
"Whoo, that was a nice reaction. Hehehe, what are you gonna do about it you little thief?" Mei just stared at the ruined food and shaked from the rage.
"Ohhh? Is she angwy?" The girl went up to Mei and tapped Mei on the face with her palm. They then lost interest as Mei didn't really respond and left her alone.
*These girls have been putting you under them for some time now. They even ruined this perfect day, Ein gave that to you as a present. And they spilled it on the ground like garbage. Stepped on it, soiled it with their dirty feet and hands.* Mei heard a voice in her head.
*You are powerless, your dreams unattainable. Everyone who admired you and sucked up to you, gone. Turning on you, putting you down. How can you ever repay him for saving your mother's life?* Mei frowned heavily as she started getting a migraine, honkai energy seeping onto her body.
*Remember your mother's battered form. She looked like she would kick the bucket after a few minutes. And nobody could help her, even your father couldn't. But he appeared and cured her with little to no compensation. And now, you are nothing. An outcast, no money, no power, no influence, no use.*
"No! I... I can still make it! Mom is working hard for me, and father... He will win his case and I'll inherit ME corp. Ein nii-sama would be proud of me!" Mei shouted as she clutched her head that felt like it would split open.
*So embrace power! Show them our conquest! Be the queen of lightning and turn your enemies to ashes! Turn your conquest against this world and rule it with him!* The herrscher persona tempted her and Mei developed a true stigmata. Her eyes glowing violet as her voice distorted.
"No! I promised! I will repay my debt with my own power! It might not be today, but I will do it with my own two hands." Mei resisted the influence of the honkai and reigned in her urges of violence.
She started panting and returned home, completely exhausted. Not noticing the true stigmata of the herrscher of thunder.
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At Aesir HQ, Ein felt a disturbance in the force at Nagazora. He quickly found the problem and it was Mei, she awakened a true stigmata just like Seele. And it influenced her more, unlike Seele. As Veliona doesn't really try to take over their body.
"Hmmm, a strong girl. She didn't succumb to the herrscher and pulled through." Ein looked at Mei and noticed that a herrscher core hasn't formed inside of her.
"I guess this will be a problem, I'll titrate the influence of the herrscher then." Ein restricted Mei's stigmata and let it influence her slowly. It basically had no effect now, but the restriction will wither away bit by bit. Her honkai resistance wasn't ridiculous like Bianka's and Seele's. Nor was it highly adaptable like Kiana's.
"Hah, they always sneak in at the tiny cracks. Sneaky bastards." Ein then returned to HQ and sat down on the couch, sighing as he has been tense about the sea and imaginary tree for some time now.
"Hmmm, what's bugging you? I haven't seen you tired like that?" Krishna went near him and sat next to him. She was scrubbed clean by Ein, but it turns out that Krishna was innately playful and mischievous, the complete opposite of Su.
"Just a bit tired is all Krishna. How are you and Kate holding up in this place?" He asked because it must be stressful for Kate to see MEI regularly.
"Ahhh, I'm fine really~ Kate, though. I think anybody would be bothered if they see their lover as the opposite sex and is together with their counterpart." Krishna shrugged and sighed, feeling quite bad for her best friend.
"It's good that you're fine. But I don't know about Kate, does she have any hobbies? Oh, I got just the right thing. How about you call her here, I have a surprise for her." Ein smiled and Krishna was curious on what it was.
She called for her telepathically and Kate arrived after a few minutes. Still looking like the old Kevin who has a flat affect. "What is it Krishna?" She asked succinctly with crossed arms.
"What? Can't I call for my best friend? Anyway, Ein-san here has something for you. And I want to know what it is too." Krishna smirked, looking at Ein expectantly.
"Geez it's not a big deal really. But I remembered that Kevin is a big fan of... This." Ein took out a bowl of steaming noodles. Krishna raised a brow and looked at Kate's reaction. Surprising her, as Kate had an interested look on her face.
"Really? That gets a reaction out of you? I don't know why you're my friend, you're weird as hell." Krishna commented, but Kate ignored her for the noodles as she smelled the delicious bowl.
"Come on, say ah." Ein of course didn't make things easy, but she just opened her mouth. "Well, she's quite the hard nut to crack Ein-san." Krishna chuckled at him, but Ein still has a secret weapon. And that is the taste, Krishna and Kate didn't really eat his meals as he was too busy the past months. And he only gave them to the ones who requested it via an instant delivery.
He then put it inside her mouth with a nice chunk of meat and a complex flavor profile exploded into her mouth. Making her tense up as she stared at nothing in particular.
"So? How is it Kate?" Krishna asked but there was no reply. "Hello~ Hmmm. Ignoring me, you'll regret that." She pouted and went behind her. She then started fondling her boobs, but Kate did not react whatsoever.
"Ein-san... Did you drug her or something? This always gets a reaction out of her, well. An angry reaction, but you get the point." Krishna asked curiously as she felt Kate's brain activity. It was in disarray, her neurotransmitters flooding.
"Eh, it's just really delicious. I guess she never tasted anything like it, how about you try?" He smirked provocatively and Krishna narrowed her eyes at him.
"Hmph, this can't possibly be that good. That's impossible Ein-san, and I'll prove you wro-ng..." She took a spoonful of the broth and her brain went haywire from the taste as well.
Kate then gained her wits and stared at Ein intensely. "C-can I have some more of that?" Her voice cracked and she blushed because of the embarrassment.
"Sure thing, tell me if you want more. And can you wake up your little friend right here?" He pointed at Krishna whose eyes are dilated and drooling like a junkie.
Kate touched Krishna's nape and the freezing temperature of her hand woke her up pretty quickly. "W-what happened?" She looked at her surroundings and was no longer surrounded by hot springs of broth.
"I told you, it's just too good. Here you go, Kate. Enjoy." He took out a table and Kate silently stuffed herself with bowls of noodles. He patted her head and Krishna was surprised that her friend didn't do anything. Just enjoying her bowls with a smile.
"Ein-san... Are you some kind of tamer or something? I've never seen her that happy after things went down the drain." Krishna was both surprised and impressed.
"Well, what can I say? I'm quite amazing aren't I?" He then refilled Kate's bowls and she nodded in satisfaction. "Isn't she a cutie? She's just like a squirrel that's preparing for winter." Ein chuckled and Krishna smiled tenderly, happy that Kate could find some kind of happiness. Even in the small things.
"Oh, and before I forget. Were you guys fans of Eden back in your world too?" Ein asked and they both perked up. "Are you crazy? Everyone is a fan of hers." Krishna replied and Ein took out a golden vinyl record, Eden's original album that made her into a star.
"This here, is Eden's very 1st album. It gave rise to the angel of strings, here." Ein gave it to them and they looked at it like it was a divine relic.
"A-are you sure about this? I mean... This thing must cost an entire country by now." Krishna didn't know if they really deserve something like Eden's original limited edition album.
"Well, it reminds you of better times right? Don't worry, I made that with her after all. So I can just create more." Ein said with a shrug and they were really grateful.
"This is so cool. I always wanted one of these." Krishna observed it more carefully and the only thing missing was for her to enshrine it.
"Umu, this is a treasure." Kate eyed it with reverence and Ein patted their heads. "Well, I'm glad you guys liked it. I mostly composed while Eden sang, I hope you enjoy it." He smiled at them.
Kate gave a small smile as well, but Krishna smirked. "Hmmm, Ein-san. You're being too nice, aren't you? I can feel a certain motive here~" Krishna said as she traced a line on his chest.
"K-Krishna! What are you doing?" Kate was surprised by her friend's actions. "What? Don't tell me you don't think he's being a bit too nice? He's basically seducing us, Kate." Krishna rolled her eyes and Ein chuckled.
"Hmm, you're quite the funny one aren't you? I haven't tried seducing someone with my full efforts you know? If I was, you won't be standing right now~" Ein poked her on her nape and Krishna moaned loudly, her legs buckling from the sudden and intense stimulation.
"W-woah." Kate didn't know what just happened and Krishna was panting on the floor. "What... Was that?" She asked slowly, out of breath from Ein's relatively simple attack.
"That, is just a taste of what I can do. And I can do something a little more intense, then they'll be begging for more. I don't play those kinds of games like you, Krishna." Ein raised her chin and kissed her, invading her mouth. Dominating her little tongue as Kate just watched on while noodles were mid slurp.
He then gave her lower lip a little bite. Making her moan loudly as he stood up and stared down at her. "Kind of like that. Toodles, I need to work on something." He didn't elaborate further and just walked away.
Krishna was a panting mess as she looked at his back. Her eyes dazed and completely out of it. "K-Krishna, you okay?" Kate asked with a shaky voice as she has never seen her friend be utterly defeated like that before.
"I... I'm not fine Kate... God damnit Ein-san, why'd you left me like this?" Krishna fidgeted as the spot between her legs were soaking wet.
"Can you smell that? It smells weird." Kate's enhanced senses noticed something in the air and Krishna blushed an atomic red. "Aren't you imagining things Kate? D-don't worry about it, just ignore it okay?"
Kate then nodded and continued eating leisurely. While Krishna was finding an opening to stand up and hide herself as Kate would surely see it.
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Thanks for reading everyone, the Nagazora eruption will start soon. And they will board Hyperion. Anyways, ciao.