Binary Soul

> Ellie PoV <

“Here you go Ellie! This is today’s share!” (Clara)

“Thanks Clara.” (Ellie)

I take the heavy bag from her.

This is part of the bounty Kira negotiated for the dragon’s corpse.

It’s been three days, but they’re only halfway through dismantling it.

I think Kira overdid it with negotiations this time though.

If I’m not mistaken, this amount is more than half of what we had to pay to rebuild Runetap.

That fine had taken almost all of our savings to repay, you know?

So by the end of this we’ll have gotten four times more money than we earned from two months of constant work!

“Say Clara, can the Guild really afford all this?” (Ellie)

I’m a bit worried that they’d go out of business.

“It’s perfectly fine! This is Ellie’s reward for being the city’s savior! Besides, I heard the crown was buying up all the meat we can carve out of the dragon!” (Clara)

Oh, so they’re reselling the materials and we get a chunk of the profit!

But it’s a bit strange that they’re focusing on that rather than claws, scales or bones.

“Isn’t the meat rotten already?” (Ellie)

“Of course not! The dragon’s body is still alive, you know? The heart's still beating and the limbs sometimes twitch a bit, too!” (Clara)

What’s with that bottomless vitality!?

If I hadn’t separated the head from the rest of it we might still be fighting it!

“Well, thanks again Clara. I’ll be going now.” (Ellie)

“Take care, Ellie! Come visit me anytime! Literally. Any. Time.” (Clara)

Even without reading her thoughts I understood that's not just some lip service.

She is prepared to see to my needs at the drop of a hat.

Clara is incredibly thoughtful and considerate.

More people should learn from her exemplary service.

I wave goodbye and head out of the guild, turning towards the market.

Kira and the kids went out shopping for ingredients earlier.

She says it’s bad manners to simply freeload on Bork.

Even if he’s Kelly’s cousin and barely uses the house, Kira wants to show her gratitude.

A home cooked meal by Kira!

Nano’s cooking is better, but eating Kira’s dishes brings a different sort of enjoyment!

Come to think of it, is dragon meat tasty?

If the king’s buying it, then it must be, right?

The dragon was truly pitiful, but in the end it was an enemy that tried to eat me, so it had to be put down.

It reminded me of Blinky, the first pet I ever had.

I think it happened a little after my escape from that old fart.

Being the first time without anyone watching my every move, I actually felt incredibly lonely.

Nano tried to comfort me, but without a body it wasn't very effective.

Then, while I was a stowaway on a cargo freighter, I found Blinky sleeping in a cage.

He looked kind of cute so I decided to take good care of him!

Then Blinky woke up and tried to bite me, so I broke his neck.

Who knew a Sephorian Mega-Raptor would object so much to being touched?

I mean, I was only 9 years old back then, so I certainly didn’t.

Though our time together was an all-too-short 40 minutes, Blinky retains a special spot in my heart.

Especially the rump.

Even now I can remember that chewy texture and juicy flavor!

It was the first time I’d eaten actual meat in my life, so I was moved to tears!

Therefore, let's buy some dragon meat tomorrow and have a feast!

* * *

“You know you really didn’t have to do any of this…” (Bork)

“Nonsense! What sort of example am I setting for my kids if I don’t pay back your kindness! Especially after all the trouble we caused! Now dig in while I bring out the second course.” (Kira)

“But-” (Bork)

Kira, who had just served us dinner, disappears back into the kitchen to prepare more food.

She rarely ever cooks so I’m treating this as a special occasion!

“Give it up, cousin. When Red decides on something it happens sooner or later.” (Kelly)

“Mom’s cooking again!? Sophie, you were supposed to stop her!” (Lara)

“I’m sorry Big Sis...” (Sophie)

“It’s not her fault, Lara. Red has been getting better at resisting Sophie’s assault. Next time shoot for a combination attack, just like we practiced!” (Kelly)

“Got it! We’ll prevent her from cooking if it’s the last thing we do!” (Lara)

“Hey cousin, are you sure this stuff is even edible? She said it was carrots and meat, so how come it’s purple?” (Bork)

“Don’t worry cousin, I have a plan. I thought something like this might happen so I always carry a bottle of Rotface Wine. Just make sure you black out properly and you’ll be fine in a few days.” (Kelly)

How can they complain so brazenly?

Have they no shame?

I can’t let this behavior slide.

Since I’m the wife.

“This is food Kira prepared with love and care. Make sure you properly savor it or you will not be forgiven. Am I clear?” (Ellie)

The entire table looks at me like I’ve just sentenced them to death.

What’s with this overreaction?

Don’t get spoiled just because Nano’s cooking skill is higher!

I’ll show them there’s nothing to worry about.

I slice off a bit of the odd-looking dish and put it in my mouth with a fork.

*Nom nom*

Hmm, as expected the taste is pretty bland.

But like I said, the feelings behind it are more important!

So I shall receive them with a smile on my face.

*Gulp* *Nom nom*

Kira comes back from the kitchen as I'm quietly eating.

“Oh my, is only Ellie hungry? The rest of you are just staring.” (Kira)

“S-Somehow just watching Mommy eat is making me full!” (Sophie)

“I don’t feel well, I think I had something strange for lunch...” (Lara)

“Ah don’t mind me, you know I always prefer a good drink before… eating some of your, uh, cuisine...” (Kelly)

I guess my warning fell on deaf ears, this is disappointing.

Especially the girls, I need to be more strict or they will grow up to be spoiled brats!

“I sai-” (Ellie)

“Lady. Your cooking sucks.” (Bork)

“Huh?” (Kira)

The world seems to stop for an instant.

Kira’s beautiful smile is now broken and stiff!

Oooooooohm.

Oooooooohm.

Oooooooohm.

Fuuuuu.

Okay, I’m calm.

I shouldn’t get angry at him since he’s kindly provided a place to stay for free, but this is something I cannot allow!

“How can you say something so rude to Kira! You haven’t even tasted it!” (Ellie)

I point a fork at him accusingly.

“No, listen here, missy! Trusting my intuition is what made me a successful merchant, and right now it’s screaming at me that I will forever regret it if I put this into my mouth!” (Bork)

He stands up and points a finger right back at me.

“If anything, you’re the one I’m more concerned with! How can you eat this stuff so calmly!? Just look at the table cloth!” (Bork)

Huh?

Actually he’s not pointing at me, but in front of me.

The white tablecloth has some stains on it.

Ah, it’s because I suddenly thrust my fork out at him.

Since I had a piece of meat(?) on it, some juices must have splashed on the table.

Okay that was my bad by why does that relate to-

*Sizzle sizzle*

The cloth is letting out a thin white smoke while where the drops of sauce landed.

*Sizzle sizzle*

I can hear a slightly out-of-place noise coming from it.

Judging from their shocked expressions, everyone else can also see and hear this.

…

“Now you’ve done it cousin…” (Kelly)

“Did what?” (Bork)

“Nano.” (Ellie)

{Yes Ellie?}

“Did you disable my sense of taste?.” (Ellie)

{... yes.}

So that’s why it tasted so bland.

“What?!” (Kira)

Now Kira’s making a panicked face.

“And you’ve been doing this every time Kira cooks?” (Ellie)

{... yes.}

Kira puts a hand over her mouth as her eyes moisten up.

“... there’s more isn’t there?” (Ellie)

{Also your sense of smell.}

“Turn them back on.” (Ellie)

I need to know.

{I seriously-}

“Turn. Them. On.” (Ellie)

Even if it’s unfathomably disgusting, I need to know this flavor!

{Okay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.}

* * *

I can understand now why Nano chose to block my senses whenever Kira was cooking.

I understand it, but I don’t approve of it.

I swore to accept everything Kira is.

That includes this last bite left on my plate.

I put a fork in it and bring it up to my mouth.

*Gulp*

I swallowed it almost immediately.

There, it’s done, it’s finished!

“Ellie?” (Kira)

*PLOP*

Hello mister floor.

How are you today?

Did you have some of Kira's meat and carrot dinner, too?

“ELLIE!?” (Kira)

Kira rushed over and holds my hand.

I struggle to lift my head and look into her eyes that are filling with tears.

“Kira… your cooking… sucks…” (Ellie)

It’s a harsh truth, but one that needs to be said.

My throat is struggling desperately to make words come out.

It's taking every bit of my willpower to keep Kira's dinner inside my body.

“I’m… I’m so sorryyy! I thought it was bad! That’s why… that’s why when we met I didn’t… But Ellie insisted! And you ate it with a huge smile on your face! *Sniffle* All this time I just thought it was a difference in preference but *Sniffle* to think I… I… UWAAAAAAAH!” (Kira)

“Don’t cry… it’s okay… I will eat it… every time… my duty…

since…

I’m…

the…

wife…” (Ellie)

*THUD*

My head weakly drops back onto the ground.

I unwillingly close my eyes and let a weak smile on my face float on my face.

I have no regrets.

“Ellie!? No! Elliiiie! Come back to me!” (Kira)

“Mom! Mooom! I’m sorry! I should have said something the first time! I didn’t want to hurt Mom’s feelings so I-” (Lara)

“Mommy! Please don’t die mommy!” (Sophie)

“I’ll go grab a medic! You guys look after her!” (Bork)

“Calm down everyone, she’s fine, just exhausted. She fought an enemy considerably more terrifying than anything she's faced before, but she won. So let her rest and she’ll recover. Physically at least…” (Nano/Armory)

“So she's just being overly dramatic? What sort of response is that?” (Bork)

“That’s not it. It's real. Why do you think I suggested you get black-out drunk first?” (Kelly)

“This is no laughing matter! Sophie, you said something about practicing cooking, right?” (Kira)

“Ah! Y-yes, Nano’s been showing me...” (Sophie)

“Then, Nano, I have a request. No, an order! Teach me to cook! Show me how to make a dish is tasty enough to make Ellie weep in joy!” (Kira)

“Are you sure? This will be a long and arduous road, with many challenges. Turning your demonic ritual of a dish into something even barely edible is a task that's going to be much more difficult than something paltry like bringing down an Elder Dragon!” (Nano/Armory)

“I don’t care! If it’s for Ellie’s happiness I will overcome anything!” (Kira)

“Huhuhuhu, that’s some good spirit! Very well! Then we shall soon see if you are capable of changing your fate with your own two hands!” (Nano/Armory)

“You better bet your shiny metal ass I will!” (Kira)

“You can do it Mom! I believe in you!” (Lara)

“Yeah! We’re with you all the way mommy!” (Sophie)

"Don't worry girls, I will claim victory no matter the cost!" (Kira)

"YEEEAAAH!" (Sophie and Lara)

“Wow, these people get oddly enthusiastic over the most trivial thing, huh?” (Bork)

“Cousin, do you honestly believe that weapon she called a dish was trivial?” (Kelly)

“No, you have a point…” (Bork)

Why are they so noisy?

I'm trying to sleep over here!

Ah, the cold floor feels nice...