Reiki flipped the meat on the grill as it let out a sizzling sound and said. “Oh, excuse me. I completely forgot about introductions.” He spoke in Japanese and gestured at Saria next to him, Reiki continued. “She’s Saria.” Chishiki gave the elf a polite smile and nodded while Akemi gave her a slight bow. He flipped the rest of the meat on the grill and spoke in perfect elvish, Reiki said. “Saria, the one wearing the suit is Akemi. She’s the secretary.” He gestured at Akemi who was slightly nervous as she smiled at them.
Saria returned the smile with a nod while Reiki gestured to Chishiki, he continued. “And over here is the CEO of the company, Chishiki.” Chishiki held her hand out for a handshake, she said. “A pleasure to meet you.” She glanced at Reiki from the corner of her eye and said. “Reiki, can you translate for me?” He nodded at her, Reiki said. “That’s why I’m here.” He turned his head to look at Saira and said. “Chishiki wants a handshake and she said, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Saria extended her hand as she and Chishiki shook hands. Saria said. “Nice to make your acquaintance.”
The two let go of each other hands while Reiki switched back to Japanese and said. “Saria said, nice to make your acquaintance.” Chishiki maintained her smile, she said. “I hope your journey way here wasn’t too long.” Saria looked at the pair of chopsticks on a napkin near her as she moved her gaze onto Reiki and said. “Reiki… I don’t know how to use these… Sticks?...” Reiki quickly spoke in elvish, he said. “Those are called chopsticks and give me a quick second.” He easily swapped back to Japanese as he moved his gaze onto Chishiki who was grilling some meat on the grill while Akemi was placing some sushi onto her plate.
Reiki said. “Can I get a knife, fork, and spoon for her?” Akemi quickly snapped her left hand as the utensils he requested appeared in her palm as she passed them to the elf. Saria took the utensils off Akemi’s hands using both of hers, she said. “Thank you.” Reiki flipped half the meat on the grill, he said. “Saria said, thank you.” Akemi placed a few pieces of fatty tuna on her plate as she didn’t even glance at him, she said. “Thank you for the translation.”
Reiki used his chopsticks to pick up the meat he cooked and placed half of it on Saria’s plate, he said. “Make sure to eat up.” Saria used her fork to cut one of the pieces of meat in half to see the insides were pink in the middle, she thought. Medium rare. Reiki placed didn’t even bother to cut the meat on his plate, he said. “Are you fine with medium-rare or do you want it slightly more cooked?” Saria turned her head to him as she saw Reiki eating the meat on his plate at a rapid pace, she said. “Medium-rare.”
Reiki nodded while Chishiki stared at the two having a conversation, she ate a piece of beef and thought. This is going to be a challenge… She glanced at Akemi who was putting some beef onto the grill using her chopsticks. Chishiki continued her train of thought. Out of all the things we prepared for, we never expected Reiki to be fluent in elvish… Akemi the tip of her chopsticks using a tissue as she placed it back down on the table. Chishiki gently elbowed Akemi’s side as she spoke in a whisper.
Chishiki said. “I think this is a good time to bring out our gift.” Akemi picked up a piece of sushi as she ate it and glanced at her from the corner of her eye and gave Chishiki a look. Reiki placed more beef on the grill while placing sushi on his plate. Saria was cutting all the meat on her plate into bite size pieces, she said. “How exactly is me eating with these two girls supposed to help with your company?” Reiki had a hint of surprise on his face, he said. “You know about me trying to set up a company?”
Saria stabbed a bite-size piece of beef on her plate using her fork, she nodded and said. “Her majesty didn’t tell me everything, she only told me to assist in your company… By eating?” Reiki flipped the meat on the grill and said. “Don’t worry about it, your presence alone means I have a connection with elves. Now they're more likely to listen to my opinions.” Chishiki cleared her throat while Akemi placed her hand inside in her pocket looking for something, Chishiki said. “Reiki, we prepared a small gift for Saria. I hope you don’t mind translating for us?”
Reiki moved his gaze onto the two girls and intentionally made the mistake of answering in elvish, he said. “Sure-.” He stopped mid-sentence and continued in Japanese, he said. “Sure, I don’t mind. If you two have any questions about the company you can ask right now.” Chishiki smiled at him and said. “I’ll take you up on that offer then.” Akemi took out a wine bottle from her pocket, she said. “We wanted to keep it simple at first, but the boss decided we should splurge a bit.” She slowly turned the bottle to reveal the brand to them.
Before Akemi could continue she was interrupted by Reiki, he said. “That’s a domaine de la romanée-conti grand cru 1945. How and where did you two get this?” Akemi and Chishiki had surprised looks on their faces, Reiki continued. “That bottle cost a little over half a million dollars.” Chishiki’s brows furrowed as she gave him an odd look, she said. “How do you know the price? And how did you even know its name?” Akemi stared at him with a raised brow, she said. “I’ll ask the real question here and ask where did you even learn to pronounce the name?”
While placing the meat onto his and Saria’s plates, with a straight face Reiki said. “Let’s just say I’ve seen a few wine collections over there. That bottle along with a few others, they can pronounce in both english and french.” Chishiki stared at him for a few seconds, she said. “Let me start over.” She cleared her throat and continued. “Although it may be lackluster, something to celebrate our meeting. A bottle of DRC for us to share.”
Akemi snapped her fingers as a wine glass appeared on her plate, Chishiki’s, and Saria’s. Akemi took out a corkscrew from her pocket as she started to take the cork off the bottle of wine, Saria glanced at the bottle and said. “Reiki, is this a bad time to say I’m not a big fan of wine?” Reiki picked up a piece of grilled meat on his plate, he said. “That’s surprising, can you tell me why?” Chishiki picked up the meat she was grilling and placed some on her plate and on Akemi’s. The cork came out as it made a popping sound, Akemi skillfully held it from the bottle to let Saria see the brand while pouring.
Saria stabbed a piece of meat on her plate, she said. “I expected more of a reaction from you since there’s such a prominent bias of elves loving wine.” Akemi finished pouring wine into Saria’s glass, she gave her a small smile and said. “Thank you.” Reiki easily ate half the meat on his plate as he gulped down a mouth full of food, he said. “Everyone has the right to not like something.” Akemi finished pouring all three glasses with wine as she sat back down while Chishiki smiled at her and said. “Good work.”
Akemi let out a long sigh as she placed her slightly shaking hands on her thighs, she said. “I thought the bottle was going to slip from my sweaty palms.” She slowly wiped her palms on her suit trousers while Saria stared at her glass of wine, she said. “Reiki… I might need your help for this one.” From the corner of her eye she saw Reiki stuff more meat in his mouth, she thought. The food can wait, I need help! I don’t know how to hold a glass of wine properly!
Akemi glanced at Chishiki from the corner of her eye and gave her a nod. Chishiki gestured at her glass of wine and said. “Shall we toast?” Saria managed to keep a calm expression as Reiki wiped the meat grease on his mouth using a napkin. Reiki spoke in a soft tone enough so that Saria was the only one who could hear him, he said. “Use your thumb and index finger to pick up the glass by the stem.” The three girls picked up their respective glasses of wine by the stem using their thumb and index finger. Chishiki, Akemi, and Saria gently hit their glass together as a soft clink was made from the impact.
Akemi said. “Cheers.” It was followed by Chishiki, she said. “Cheers.” The two girls took a sip while Reiki continued. “Gently swirl the wine inside the glass inside and take a small whiff of it.” Saria did what he said, she thought. Smells like… Cherries. Reiki placed more meat on the grill as he gave Saria a thumbs up below the table where Chishiki and Akemi couldn’t see his hand gesture. Saria took a sip of her wine while Chishiki and Akemi ate some sushi and glanced at the elf from the corner of their eye to see her reaction without making Saria uncomfortable.
Saria’s eyes slightly widened in surprise from the unexpected pleasant taste, she thought. It’s delicious. Chishiki’s brows slightly furrowed as she maintained her polite expression and thought. Is this her first time having wine? Akemi ate a piece of meat while in the middle of chewing, she thought. That’s quite the reaction. Saria felt the hint change in the expressions of the two girls while Reiki was casually putting more different cuts of beef on the grill, she said. “Reiki, they’re onto me…”
Reiki used his chopsticks to flip the meat on the grill and said. “It’s fine, on a different note just slightly raise the glass of wine at me and tell me how you ended up not being a fan of wine?” Saria raised the glass of wine as to show it to him, she said. “... It’s nothing special, when I was young me and my friends scrapped together what money we had and bought some wine.” Reiki nodded in understanding and said. “Ah, I see how it is.” Chishiki was a bit hesitant to say something but mustered up the courage, she said. “Reiki, what does she think of the wine?”
Reiki placed half a dozen of sushi onto his plate and said. “She’s surprised that we have wine that tastes somewhat similar to what her majesty offered her.” Chishiki slowly nodded in understanding while Akemi’s eyes widened in realization, the two girls froze for a split second and simultaneously thought. She’s met one of the queens of the arch forest?! Saria took another sip of her wine as she placed it back down on the table and picked up a knife and fork, she said. “Reiki, what did you say to them?”
Reiki used his chopsticks to pick up a hikarimono he placed on his plate and said. “I told them you had wine with her majesty.” Chishiki and Akemi tried their best to keep their calm while Saria stared at him for a few seconds as Reiki quickly finished the six pieces of sushi on his plate. Saria said. “... Are you trying to get me beheaded?” Reiki started placing the meat he grilled onto his plate and Saria’s, he said. “I doubt they’ll punish you for a small white lie. Oh, and those friends of yours obviously bought the cheapest bottle of wine they could find and pocketed the rest of the money.”
Saria was about to say something but stopped when she thought about the part about the bottle of wine, she thought. … Those little shits… Chishiki tried to keep a calm expression as her eyes betrayed her, she spoke in a whisper and said. “She had an audience with the queen… This is such a missed golden-. No, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can’t even get near it cause of the language barrier…”
She slowly exhaled while Akemi stared at the grilled beef and sushi on her plate as she was lost in thought, Akemi said. “If only I bought that basic elvish for fifty million yen…” Chishiki turned her head at Akemi and said. “You saw an elvish language book that cheap and didn’t buy it?” Akemi used her chopsticks to pick up a futomaki, she said. “Half the pages were missing…” Saria was in the middle of slicing the beef Reiki placed on her plate into bite-size pieces, she said. “Reiki, I don’t think lying using the royal family name is a good idea.”
Reiki rolled his eyes at her, he said. “It’s not like we’re abusing their authority, all we’re doing is mentioning them.” Before Saria could say anything Reiki placed more beef on the grill and said. “You don’t have to worry about a small detail, the day when you have a glass of wine with her majesty is closer than you expect.” Saria’s entire body stiffened as she turned her head to face him, she said. “... What?...” Reiki flipped the meat on the grill and continued. “You’re the representative responsible for interacting with humans, you didn’t think you would just write a report, send it to her majesty, and call it a day did you?”
Reiki placed more sushi onto his plate and thought. Judging by your reaction, you did. Saria picked up her glass of wine as she took a sip, she thought. I just thought my job was helping you and you’d be responsible for reporting to her majesty… Reiki moved his gaze onto Chishiki and Akemi who managed to maintain their expressions, he said. “Saria thought about enjoying our meal first and everything else can wait.” Chishiki quickly put on her best smile and said. “How generous of her.”
Akemi picked up her glass of wine as she raised it with the intention of toasting as Chishiki followed suit while Saria quickly understood the two girls intention. Reiki watched them toast as a soft clink was made by the wine glasses colliding with each other, he thought. This is certainly an interesting conversation. Saria ate a piece of beef as she looked around the room as if she was searching for something, she said. “Reiki, where’s that albino crow?” Reiki ate a piece of meat, he thought. Albino crow?- Oh… I left Cherry outside… Reiki looked around the room and continued his train of thought. No windows to open.
Reiki gulped down a mouthful of food and said. “Chishiki, can you tell me where the-.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed something white from the large panes. He turned his head to the side which made the girls curious as they looked in the same direction as they saw a streak of white heading at breakneck speed at the glass panes. Chishiki thought. What the… She was about to stand up from her seat as Reiki spoke first, he said. “You don’t have to be on guard, Chishiki. It’s just Cherry.”
Reiki thought. Though, I do hope I don’t have to foot a bill for breaking glass today. The streak of white went past the glass pane as Cherry appeared on Reiki’s right shoulder, he looked up at the crow and thought. Well, that partly answers how she managed to get her… Talons on the bar of elven steel. He said. “Hey girl, how was flying around the block?” Cherry flapped her wings and let out a caw. Saria cautiously reached her hand out to the albino bird as Cherry suddenly turned her head to the side as she stared at the elf with her blood-red eye which made her pull her hand back.
Chishiki stared at the crow and said. “Reiki, does Cherry eat anything other than… Cherries?” Akemi’s brows furrowed, she said. “I thought crows only ate carrion.” Reiki gently scratched the top of Cherry’s head, he said. “Crows are omnivorous and I once offered her something other than cherries which she ignored.” Saria slowly placed her hand on Cherry’s back as she carefully caressed the albino crow's back. Akemi stared at Cherry and thought. That bird always gives me the creeps… It’s as if she’s collecting information on everything she sees…
Reiki picked up a piece of grilled meat on his plate with his chopsticks and moved the meat closer to Cherry, he said. “You hungry girl?” Cherry shook her head sideways while Chishiki stared at the bird in interest, she thought. It’s fascinating… I always knew crows were able to understand the language of the country they’re in. But this one shows high levels of intelligence… Reiki ate the piece of meat on his chopsticks as Cherry let out a caw. Saria quickly pulled her hand back from the sudden movement of the bird, she thought. Oh good, I didn’t hurt her.
Reiki placed more meat on the grill and said. “Ok, just make sure not to go too far in this area.” Cherry let out a caw as she turned into a streak of light and phased through the window. Chishiki’s pupils were glowing as she stared at the glass panes, she thought. … Now, how did that bird just go through three four-layer barriers reinforced with inscriptions and a few runes… Saria had a hint of sadness on her expression as she watched the streak of white vanish, she thought. I thought familiars were always supposed to stay with their contractors.
Reiki placed more meat on the grill as it made a sizzling sound while Chishiki was still staring at the glass pane as the glow in her pupils slowly faded. Reiki placed more sushi onto his plate while Saria picked up her glass of wine and took a sip of it, she thought. If all I needed to do were simple tasks like these, I wasted thirty-four years in that library. Akemi used her chopsticks to pick up a few pieces of beef on the grill as she placed them on her plate, she said. “Reiki, if you don’t mind me asking. How long have you been learning elvish?”
Reiki pretended to think for a moment, he said. “Three, maybe four days give or take?” Akemi was in the middle of chewing as she almost shouted in surprise with her mouth full. Chishiki flipped the meat on the other side of the grill, with doubt in her eyes, and said. “You expect us to believe it took you four days to learn an entire language?” Reiki wiped the tip of his chopsticks using a tissue, he said. “It’s your choice whether to believe me or not.”
He started flipping the meat he placed on the grill while Saria had a few pieces of beef left on her plate, she said. “Since you’re starting a company. What position do you get?” Reiki flipped the beef on the grill and said. “I’m just a glorified messenger.” He placed more meat on Saria and on his plate while Chishiki finished cleaning the tip of her chopsticks using a tissue, she said. “Reiki-.” Before she could even finish she was interrupted by him, Reiki said. “No, I will not put in a good word for either of you.”
Chishiki nodded and said. “... Fair.” She thought. … I was hoping he didn’t receive orders about making favorable remarks… Akemi took a sip of water as she placed her glass on the table, she said. “Then what are you allowed to do for us?” Reiki gave the two girls a mysterious smile, he said. “I already told you two, I’m just the messenger. However, if you two would like. I could translate a letter you wrote to her majesty.” Chishiki smiled at him and said. “I’ll think about it.” She thought. If I’m going to complain I want it to be at least face to face… Plus I have a feeling the queen would just use the letter for kindling.
Akemi had a pondering expression on her face as she shook her head and said. “I can’t think of anything to write about.” She ate a piece of sushi while Saria was in the middle of slicing the meat on her plate into bite-size pieces, she said. “Messenger? Aren’t you the one who's setting up the company?” Reiki nodded as he picked up a piece of meat on his plate, he said. “It’s fine, I still get paid either way.”
Reiki flipped the meat on the grill as it let out a sizzling sound and said. “Oh, excuse me. I completely forgot about introductions.” He spoke in Japanese and gestured at Saria next to him, Reiki continued. “She’s Saria.” Chishiki gave the elf a polite smile and nodded while Akemi gave her a slight bow. He flipped the rest of the meat on the grill and spoke in perfect elvish, Reiki said. “Saria, the one wearing the suit is Akemi. She’s the secretary.” He gestured at Akemi who was slightly nervous as she smiled at them.
Saria returned the smile with a nod while Reiki gestured to Chishiki, he continued. “And over here is the CEO of the company, Chishiki.” Chishiki held her hand out for a handshake, she said. “A pleasure to meet you.” She glanced at Reiki from the corner of her eye and said. “Reiki, can you translate for me?” He nodded at her, Reiki said. “That’s why I’m here.” He turned his head to look at Saira and said. “Chishiki wants a handshake and she said, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Saria extended her hand as she and Chishiki shook hands. Saria said. “Nice to make your acquaintance.”
The two let go of each other hands while Reiki switched back to Japanese and said. “Saria said, nice to make your acquaintance.” Chishiki maintained her smile, she said. “I hope your journey way here wasn’t too long.” Saria looked at the pair of chopsticks on a napkin near her as she moved her gaze onto Reiki and said. “Reiki… I don’t know how to use these… Sticks?...” Reiki quickly spoke in elvish, he said. “Those are called chopsticks and give me a quick second.” He easily swapped back to Japanese as he moved his gaze onto Chishiki who was grilling some meat on the grill while Akemi was placing some sushi onto her plate.
Reiki said. “Can I get a knife, fork, and spoon for her?” Akemi quickly snapped her left hand as the utensils he requested appeared in her palm as she passed them to the elf. Saria took the utensils off Akemi’s hands using both of hers, she said. “Thank you.” Reiki flipped half the meat on the grill, he said. “Saria said, thank you.” Akemi placed a few pieces of fatty tuna on her plate as she didn’t even glance at him, she said. “Thank you for the translation.”
Reiki used his chopsticks to pick up the meat he cooked and placed half of it on Saria’s plate, he said. “Make sure to eat up.” Saria used her fork to cut one of the pieces of meat in half to see the insides were pink in the middle, she thought. Medium rare. Reiki placed didn’t even bother to cut the meat on his plate, he said. “Are you fine with medium-rare or do you want it slightly more cooked?” Saria turned her head to him as she saw Reiki eating the meat on his plate at a rapid pace, she said. “Medium-rare.”
Reiki nodded while Chishiki stared at the two having a conversation, she ate a piece of beef and thought. This is going to be a challenge… She glanced at Akemi who was putting some beef onto the grill using her chopsticks. Chishiki continued her train of thought. Out of all the things we prepared for, we never expected Reiki to be fluent in elvish… Akemi the tip of her chopsticks using a tissue as she placed it back down on the table. Chishiki gently elbowed Akemi’s side as she spoke in a whisper.
Chishiki said. “I think this is a good time to bring out our gift.” Akemi picked up a piece of sushi as she ate it and glanced at her from the corner of her eye and gave Chishiki a look. Reiki placed more beef on the grill while placing sushi on his plate. Saria was cutting all the meat on her plate into bite size pieces, she said. “How exactly is me eating with these two girls supposed to help with your company?” Reiki had a hint of surprise on his face, he said. “You know about me trying to set up a company?”
Saria stabbed a bite-size piece of beef on her plate using her fork, she nodded and said. “Her majesty didn’t tell me everything, she only told me to assist in your company… By eating?” Reiki flipped the meat on the grill and said. “Don’t worry about it, your presence alone means I have a connection with elves. Now they're more likely to listen to my opinions.” Chishiki cleared her throat while Akemi placed her hand inside in her pocket looking for something, Chishiki said. “Reiki, we prepared a small gift for Saria. I hope you don’t mind translating for us?”
Reiki moved his gaze onto the two girls and intentionally made the mistake of answering in elvish, he said. “Sure-.” He stopped mid-sentence and continued in Japanese, he said. “Sure, I don’t mind. If you two have any questions about the company you can ask right now.” Chishiki smiled at him and said. “I’ll take you up on that offer then.” Akemi took out a wine bottle from her pocket, she said. “We wanted to keep it simple at first, but the boss decided we should splurge a bit.” She slowly turned the bottle to reveal the brand to them.
Before Akemi could continue she was interrupted by Reiki, he said. “That’s a domaine de la romanée-conti grand cru 1945. How and where did you two get this?” Akemi and Chishiki had surprised looks on their faces, Reiki continued. “That bottle cost a little over half a million dollars.” Chishiki’s brows furrowed as she gave him an odd look, she said. “How do you know the price? And how did you even know its name?” Akemi stared at him with a raised brow, she said. “I’ll ask the real question here and ask where did you even learn to pronounce the name?”
While placing the meat onto his and Saria’s plates, with a straight face Reiki said. “Let’s just say I’ve seen a few wine collections over there. That bottle along with a few others, they can pronounce in both english and french.” Chishiki stared at him for a few seconds, she said. “Let me start over.” She cleared her throat and continued. “Although it may be lackluster, something to celebrate our meeting. A bottle of DRC for us to share.”
Akemi snapped her fingers as a wine glass appeared on her plate, Chishiki’s, and Saria’s. Akemi took out a corkscrew from her pocket as she started to take the cork off the bottle of wine, Saria glanced at the bottle and said. “Reiki, is this a bad time to say I’m not a big fan of wine?” Reiki picked up a piece of grilled meat on his plate, he said. “That’s surprising, can you tell me why?” Chishiki picked up the meat she was grilling and placed some on her plate and on Akemi’s. The cork came out as it made a popping sound, Akemi skillfully held it from the bottle to let Saria see the brand while pouring.
Saria stabbed a piece of meat on her plate, she said. “I expected more of a reaction from you since there’s such a prominent bias of elves loving wine.” Akemi finished pouring wine into Saria’s glass, she gave her a small smile and said. “Thank you.” Reiki easily ate half the meat on his plate as he gulped down a mouth full of food, he said. “Everyone has the right to not like something.” Akemi finished pouring all three glasses with wine as she sat back down while Chishiki smiled at her and said. “Good work.”
Akemi let out a long sigh as she placed her slightly shaking hands on her thighs, she said. “I thought the bottle was going to slip from my sweaty palms.” She slowly wiped her palms on her suit trousers while Saria stared at her glass of wine, she said. “Reiki… I might need your help for this one.” From the corner of her eye she saw Reiki stuff more meat in his mouth, she thought. The food can wait, I need help! I don’t know how to hold a glass of wine properly!
Akemi glanced at Chishiki from the corner of her eye and gave her a nod. Chishiki gestured at her glass of wine and said. “Shall we toast?” Saria managed to keep a calm expression as Reiki wiped the meat grease on his mouth using a napkin. Reiki spoke in a soft tone enough so that Saria was the only one who could hear him, he said. “Use your thumb and index finger to pick up the glass by the stem.” The three girls picked up their respective glasses of wine by the stem using their thumb and index finger. Chishiki, Akemi, and Saria gently hit their glass together as a soft clink was made from the impact.
Akemi said. “Cheers.” It was followed by Chishiki, she said. “Cheers.” The two girls took a sip while Reiki continued. “Gently swirl the wine inside the glass inside and take a small whiff of it.” Saria did what he said, she thought. Smells like… Cherries. Reiki placed more meat on the grill as he gave Saria a thumbs up below the table where Chishiki and Akemi couldn’t see his hand gesture. Saria took a sip of her wine while Chishiki and Akemi ate some sushi and glanced at the elf from the corner of their eye to see her reaction without making Saria uncomfortable.
Saria’s eyes slightly widened in surprise from the unexpected pleasant taste, she thought. It’s delicious. Chishiki’s brows slightly furrowed as she maintained her polite expression and thought. Is this her first time having wine? Akemi ate a piece of meat while in the middle of chewing, she thought. That’s quite the reaction. Saria felt the hint change in the expressions of the two girls while Reiki was casually putting more different cuts of beef on the grill, she said. “Reiki, they’re onto me…”
Reiki used his chopsticks to flip the meat on the grill and said. “It’s fine, on a different note just slightly raise the glass of wine at me and tell me how you ended up not being a fan of wine?” Saria raised the glass of wine as to show it to him, she said. “... It’s nothing special, when I was young me and my friends scrapped together what money we had and bought some wine.” Reiki nodded in understanding and said. “Ah, I see how it is.” Chishiki was a bit hesitant to say something but mustered up the courage, she said. “Reiki, what does she think of the wine?”
Reiki placed half a dozen of sushi onto his plate and said. “She’s surprised that we have wine that tastes somewhat similar to what her majesty offered her.” Chishiki slowly nodded in understanding while Akemi’s eyes widened in realization, the two girls froze for a split second and simultaneously thought. She’s met one of the queens of the arch forest?! Saria took another sip of her wine as she placed it back down on the table and picked up a knife and fork, she said. “Reiki, what did you say to them?”
Reiki used his chopsticks to pick up a hikarimono he placed on his plate and said. “I told them you had wine with her majesty.” Chishiki and Akemi tried their best to keep their calm while Saria stared at him for a few seconds as Reiki quickly finished the six pieces of sushi on his plate. Saria said. “... Are you trying to get me beheaded?” Reiki started placing the meat he grilled onto his plate and Saria’s, he said. “I doubt they’ll punish you for a small white lie. Oh, and those friends of yours obviously bought the cheapest bottle of wine they could find and pocketed the rest of the money.”
Saria was about to say something but stopped when she thought about the part about the bottle of wine, she thought. … Those little shits… Chishiki tried to keep a calm expression as her eyes betrayed her, she spoke in a whisper and said. “She had an audience with the queen… This is such a missed golden-. No, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can’t even get near it cause of the language barrier…”
She slowly exhaled while Akemi stared at the grilled beef and sushi on her plate as she was lost in thought, Akemi said. “If only I bought that basic elvish for fifty million yen…” Chishiki turned her head at Akemi and said. “You saw an elvish language book that cheap and didn’t buy it?” Akemi used her chopsticks to pick up a futomaki, she said. “Half the pages were missing…” Saria was in the middle of slicing the beef Reiki placed on her plate into bite-size pieces, she said. “Reiki, I don’t think lying using the royal family name is a good idea.”
Reiki rolled his eyes at her, he said. “It’s not like we’re abusing their authority, all we’re doing is mentioning them.” Before Saria could say anything Reiki placed more beef on the grill and said. “You don’t have to worry about a small detail, the day when you have a glass of wine with her majesty is closer than you expect.” Saria’s entire body stiffened as she turned her head to face him, she said. “... What?...” Reiki flipped the meat on the grill and continued. “You’re the representative responsible for interacting with humans, you didn’t think you would just write a report, send it to her majesty, and call it a day did you?”
Reiki placed more sushi onto his plate and thought. Judging by your reaction, you did. Saria picked up her glass of wine as she took a sip, she thought. I just thought my job was helping you and you’d be responsible for reporting to her majesty… Reiki moved his gaze onto Chishiki and Akemi who managed to maintain their expressions, he said. “Saria thought about enjoying our meal first and everything else can wait.” Chishiki quickly put on her best smile and said. “How generous of her.”
Akemi picked up her glass of wine as she raised it with the intention of toasting as Chishiki followed suit while Saria quickly understood the two girls intention. Reiki watched them toast as a soft clink was made by the wine glasses colliding with each other, he thought. This is certainly an interesting conversation. Saria ate a piece of beef as she looked around the room as if she was searching for something, she said. “Reiki, where’s that albino crow?” Reiki ate a piece of meat, he thought. Albino crow?- Oh… I left Cherry outside… Reiki looked around the room and continued his train of thought. No windows to open.
Reiki gulped down a mouthful of food and said. “Chishiki, can you tell me where the-.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed something white from the large panes. He turned his head to the side which made the girls curious as they looked in the same direction as they saw a streak of white heading at breakneck speed at the glass panes. Chishiki thought. What the… She was about to stand up from her seat as Reiki spoke first, he said. “You don’t have to be on guard, Chishiki. It’s just Cherry.”
Reiki thought. Though, I do hope I don’t have to foot a bill for breaking glass today. The streak of white went past the glass pane as Cherry appeared on Reiki’s right shoulder, he looked up at the crow and thought. Well, that partly answers how she managed to get her… Talons on the bar of elven steel. He said. “Hey girl, how was flying around the block?” Cherry flapped her wings and let out a caw. Saria cautiously reached her hand out to the albino bird as Cherry suddenly turned her head to the side as she stared at the elf with her blood-red eye which made her pull her hand back.
Chishiki stared at the crow and said. “Reiki, does Cherry eat anything other than… Cherries?” Akemi’s brows furrowed, she said. “I thought crows only ate carrion.” Reiki gently scratched the top of Cherry’s head, he said. “Crows are omnivorous and I once offered her something other than cherries which she ignored.” Saria slowly placed her hand on Cherry’s back as she carefully caressed the albino crow's back. Akemi stared at Cherry and thought. That bird always gives me the creeps… It’s as if she’s collecting information on everything she sees…
Reiki picked up a piece of grilled meat on his plate with his chopsticks and moved the meat closer to Cherry, he said. “You hungry girl?” Cherry shook her head sideways while Chishiki stared at the bird in interest, she thought. It’s fascinating… I always knew crows were able to understand the language of the country they’re in. But this one shows high levels of intelligence… Reiki ate the piece of meat on his chopsticks as Cherry let out a caw. Saria quickly pulled her hand back from the sudden movement of the bird, she thought. Oh good, I didn’t hurt her.
Reiki placed more meat on the grill and said. “Ok, just make sure not to go too far in this area.” Cherry let out a caw as she turned into a streak of light and phased through the window. Chishiki’s pupils were glowing as she stared at the glass panes, she thought. … Now, how did that bird just go through three four-layer barriers reinforced with inscriptions and a few runes… Saria had a hint of sadness on her expression as she watched the streak of white vanish, she thought. I thought familiars were always supposed to stay with their contractors.
Reiki placed more meat on the grill as it made a sizzling sound while Chishiki was still staring at the glass pane as the glow in her pupils slowly faded. Reiki placed more sushi onto his plate while Saria picked up her glass of wine and took a sip of it, she thought. If all I needed to do were simple tasks like these, I wasted thirty-four years in that library. Akemi used her chopsticks to pick up a few pieces of beef on the grill as she placed them on her plate, she said. “Reiki, if you don’t mind me asking. How long have you been learning elvish?”
Reiki pretended to think for a moment, he said. “Three, maybe four days give or take?” Akemi was in the middle of chewing as she almost shouted in surprise with her mouth full. Chishiki flipped the meat on the other side of the grill, with doubt in her eyes, and said. “You expect us to believe it took you four days to learn an entire language?” Reiki wiped the tip of his chopsticks using a tissue, he said. “It’s your choice whether to believe me or not.”
He started flipping the meat he placed on the grill while Saria had a few pieces of beef left on her plate, she said. “Since you’re starting a company. What position do you get?” Reiki flipped the beef on the grill and said. “I’m just a glorified messenger.” He placed more meat on Saria and on his plate while Chishiki finished cleaning the tip of her chopsticks using a tissue, she said. “Reiki-.” Before she could even finish she was interrupted by him, Reiki said. “No, I will not put in a good word for either of you.”
Chishiki nodded and said. “... Fair.” She thought. … I was hoping he didn’t receive orders about making favorable remarks… Akemi took a sip of water as she placed her glass on the table, she said. “Then what are you allowed to do for us?” Reiki gave the two girls a mysterious smile, he said. “I already told you two, I’m just the messenger. However, if you two would like. I could translate a letter you wrote to her majesty.” Chishiki smiled at him and said. “I’ll think about it.” She thought. If I’m going to complain I want it to be at least face to face… Plus I have a feeling the queen would just use the letter for kindling.
Akemi had a pondering expression on her face as she shook her head and said. “I can’t think of anything to write about.” She ate a piece of sushi while Saria was in the middle of slicing the meat on her plate into bite-size pieces, she said. “Messenger? Aren’t you the one who's setting up the company?” Reiki nodded as he picked up a piece of meat on his plate, he said. “It’s fine, I still get paid either way.”
