The halls of Nova Chaldea were filled with the exhausted chatter of magus and servants. Despite the exhaustion they also held a sense of relief. Finally after countless battles and many adventures Proper Human History had been restored
At the center of it all was the familiar face of Ritsuka Fujimaru, The Last Master of Humanity, and her beloved servant Mash Kyrielight who stood at her side through every trial and tribulation.
"Can we hurry up with this meeting? I just want to fall into bed and sleep for a year," Ritsuka said, exhaustion clear in her tone.
"Unfortunately that wont be possible," an unfamiliar voice spoke up. There standing in the doorway was a face quite famous amongst mages of the clocktower.
"Wizard-Marshall!!!" Exclaimed Director Goredolf "We weren't expecting you sir please sit, sit, is there anything we can get you?" He said in a rush as he popped up bowing at the Kaleidoscope.
"Thank you but i am quite alright, infact i am here to help you all today. But first, Ms Fujimaru on behalf of all humanity," as he said this one of the last Wizards in existence proceeded to bow at the exhausted young woman "Thank you for saving us all."
"No need to bow Zelritch-san i just did what anyone would." The flustered young woman responded.
"Maybe but you were the one who did, which is why I'm terribly sorry for the news I bring," responded the old wizard. "Due to being at the center of everything you did your very existence is threatening the human order."
The silence after that lasted only a moment before dozens of voices rand out angry and yelling at one of the most powerful men alive.
"ENOUGH!" Surprising everyone the voice that eclipsed everyone came from Ritsuka herself. "We didn't fight so long and so hard, and been through so much just to throw it all away because of me! If its to save humanity and everything I love, I would sacrifice myself a thousand times over! So please stop its not like Zelritch-san is the cause, he's only the one who came to warn us!" Despite the words everyone looking at Ritsuka could see the tears she was holding back and the fear in her voice.
"So do i have time to say goodbye or do we have to do this immediately?" Ritsuka said though the way her voice cracked betrayed her fear.
"You don't have to die Ms Fujimaru, I hadn't been finished with what i was saying." The Kaleidoscope said his voice gentle as he placed a comforting hand on the shoulder of the savior of the Human Order.
"Yes you being in our worldline is disrupting its stability but there are other worldlines that you can be sent to without endangering them." Zelritch explained voice gentle.
"But wouldn't that just make another lostbelt situation?" Ritsuka asked her voice confused.
"Not quite, you see our worldline its like a vast tree with many branches and roots, those lostbelts you fought through were like branches that had been infected with a disease, and you and the rest of Chaldea pruned these branches preventing the rot from spreading to the rest of the tree. " The Wizard Marshall explained.
"However ours is not the only tree in the forest. What i am suggesting is sending you to a different tree entirely. And much like grafting a branch from a orange tree onto a lemon tree we can insert you into another worldline stabilizing our own without causing any damage to the new reality."
With every word confusion turned to hope as a solution was presented.
"Then i wi-" a voice quickly spoke over her "Can others go with her?" It was Mash an intense expression usually reserved for combat adorned upon her face.
Zelritch chuckled "Yes Ms, Kyrielight. You may accompany your senpai, and at this point the FATE system is tied to young Ritsuka in such a way that not even being in another world can break. So any servants who wish to visit may do so."
"How would i have enough Mana to provide them with? I doubt i will be able to connect to the Chaldea system at that distance." Ritsuka cut in concern for her many beloved servants clear in her voice, though Zelritch only chuckled.
"Chaldea would not have been able to power this many servants, no in fact it is one of the reasons you are destabilizing the worldline, the Holy Grails from the pruned timelines and lostbelts. They are a part of you and have been providing you the Mana to keep so many servants active "
"Then what do you need to do this? To send me to another world?" Ritsuka asked her famous determination steeling her resolve.
"To send us." Mash clarified stepping forward and grabbing the hand of Humanities Savior. This of course set of a bunch of servants declaring that they would come too.
"I cant send all of you servants with them on the first trip, it would put too much stress on the new reality. Ritsuka will be able to summon you through the Fate system until then you will need patience." The Old Wizard said causing many pouts and grumbling from the servants.
"Now you two will need to pack your things and i will send you over there. Ive already set up a home and identities for the two of you, but we need to send you two as soon as possible." Zelritch spoke with a warning tone.
"Understood, we will pack as fast as we can and say goodbye to everyone." Mash said slipping once more into her mission mindset.
The two girls quickly packed thanks to the help of the many servants and many a tear-filled goodbye was had with the staff of Nova Chaldea, who had been with them through it all.
Before long the girls were back in front of Zelretch ready to start their new lives hand in hand.
"When i open the Kaleidoscope just keep walking until you make it through." Zelritch explained one last time as he drew his Jeweled Sword.
After getting the affirmations from the girls the Wizard Marshall swung his sword summoning a portal of swirling colors.
As the pair walked through Zelritch bowed one last time.
"May you find peace and happiness in your new life, Humanity may not remember what you have done but your actions have been carved into the very heart of the Human Order and i will personally ensure the clocktower never forgets what you've done. Thank you Ritsuka Fujimaru, Saviour of Humanity." And with his last word the portal closed behind the two girls who bore the weight of the world.
"Do you think that Ritsuka chan will really be remembered?" Da'vinci asked unshed tears gathered at the corner of her eyes.
Zelritch couldn't hold back a chuckle. "The story will pass from History into Legend, and from Legend to Myth, and i don't need to tell you of all people what happens to the subject of Myths.
Da'Vinci quickly uneerstood the implication of what the Kaleidoscope was saying. "A servant? You believe Ritsuka Fujimaru has a place in the throne of heroes?"
"Stranger things have happened."
TGOB chapter 1
Taylor trudged along on the way to the bus stop covered in juice again. The trio had once again ruined her schoolwork and did their best to make her miserable.
Unfortunately it seemed like the world wasn't done kicking her because her usual bus stop had a sign hanging on it saying that a cape fight caused some damage to the bus and there would be delays and detours.
Which brings us to now, Taylor was shivering in the november air as she approached the bus stop she would be forced to use temporarily.
"What?! The next bus isn't for another hour?" She exclaimed as she read the schedule. She couldn't stop the tears that started to fall.
Suddenly as she sat there crying in the cold someone approached her.
"Oh what are you doing out here in the cold, and soaking wet no less? Come here lets get you cleaned up." A kind accented voice said before a gentle touch used a handkerchief to wipe her tears off of her face and glasses.
"There we go a nice clean face." Said the woman as Taylor got her first look at her. She was a pretty red headed women wearing an apron. She looked to be university age and had a friendly smile on her face that held soft asian features.
"Now i know the next bus isnt for a little while so why dont you come inside my bakery while you wait so you dont catch pneumonia." The woman said in that same soft voice.
Taylor searched for any hint of deception on the womans face before she pointed at the bakery on the corner a quaint little shop named The Grand Order, which now that she was looking Taylor saw embroidered on the apron.
"I dont have any money to order anything." Taylor said expecting the women to change her mind.
"Oh i dont expect you to buy anything, i just couldn't stand by when i can do something to help. Call it a flaw of mine." The woman giggled.
"Ok thank you." Taylor said not wanting to sit in the freezing cold while she was so wet.
"My names Ritsuka Fujimaru, but most people call me Gudako." The woman said as she held out a hand to help Taylor up.
"I'm Taylor Hebert, and why do they call you that?" She said taking the offered hand and getting pulled to her feet with suprising ease.
"You know I don't actually remember, I had a lot of stuff going on at the time," Gudako admitted with a sheepish smile.
As the pair stepped into the bakery Taylor was hit with a rush of warm air filled with delicious smells, and the general noise of conversation.
"Mashu! Do we still have a spare sweater in the appartment?" Ritsuka called out as she guided Taylor to a barstool at the counter where a beautiful woman with lavender hair and glasses was making drinks.
"Ah I think we should still have one or two up there." The woman said after handing the coffee to a man in a long coat with his dark hair slicked back.
"Ah thats right thank you! Im going to run and grab one for Taylor-chan here. I said she can wait for her bus in here. Can you make her something warm to drink please? On the house," Ritsuka said and before Taylor could say anything she had already darted through an employees only door.
"Heh, Thats Sempai for you, shes like a force of nature. Now what is your warm drink of choice?" The lavender haired girl said a fond smile on her face.
Taylor floundered "I can't pay for anything I don't have any spare money on me."
The woman giggled "Senpai said its on the house, so you don't have to pay at all. Oh let me introduce myself.
I'm Mash Kyrielight pleased to meet you Taylor-chan"
"Um tea thank you but are you sure that Ritsuka won't get in trouble with the owner for giving away free stuff?" Taylor asked not eanting to cause trouble for the cheerful woman.
"Ah no no not at all! Sempai and I opened this bakery together," answered the now slightly flustered woman as she set a kettle on the stove to warm up.
Taylor was a little shocked after all the two girls looked like they were college age and apparently they were already owners of a business.
The two sat in silence, other than a moment when Mash asked taylor what type of tea she preferred, until Riteuka came back through the door
"Alright, I found a sweater and i have some wet wipes and a bag for your wet clothes, there is a bathroom that locks right over there so you can get cleaned up." The cheerful red-head said as she handed Taylor the items that she was naming.
Taylor quickly went to the bathroom to try to get a little cleaned up. After she got the clean sweater on she paused and looked into the mirror. Everything seemed to hit her right then all this kindness, the genuine care that lacked all traces of pity, it was all too much she hadn't felt this warm inside for a while, who knew all it would take was the kindness of a stranger to give her a little hope.
After drying her tears Taylor went back to her seat passing an older gentleman in a fancy suit sitting next to the gentleman who was buying coffee earlier.
"There we go looking nice dry and toasty warm in that sweater! Theres still at least a half an hour left until the bus gets here so why dont you come have some more tea. We can chat a bit while you wait for the bus." Ritsuka said cheerful as ever as Taylor walked to her seat.
"Yes it is very warm, I'll make sure I bring it back tomorrow after school." Taylor responded as she sat down
"Ah no need to bring it back I knit to destress and I always give away what i make anyway so i can make room for more." Ritsuka said waving her hand as if she was physically swatting the idea away.
"Ah look at what I drew!" Thankfully Taylor was saved from having to say anything by a little girl in a oversized Black sweater-dress with a matching hat running up to the friendly owner showing off a rather well done for her age picture.
"Its me, you, Mash and all the other kids eating cake together!" The excited child, who Taylor noticed had a local accent, proudly declared as Ritsuka oohed and aahad at the picture.
"Wow this is really good. Did you want to put it up on the art wall?" Mash asked after Ritsuka showed her the photo.
"Yeah! Lets go, lets go, lets go!" The girl said dragging Maah away.
"Cute as a button, as always," Ritsuka chuckled before turning back to Taylor. "Now I'm not going to push but if you want to talk about why you were soaked in juice and crying at the bus stop I am here to listen, but if your not ready to talk about it that's fine too, i won't push."
The sudden serious tone caught Taylor off guard but she was glad that Ritsuka wasn't pushing. "Thank you but I'd rather not talk about it right now." Taylor admitted softly, which Ritsuka acknowledged with a nod.
"Well you're always welcome back here if you want. I'm always happy to have visitors." Ritsuka said her voice chipper once more.
"Know what, why don't you help me out with something while we wait? Be right back," Ritsuka said before darting away into the back.
For a moment Taylor was paranoid that all this friendliness was just to butter her up to do something illegal for the woman, until she came out of the kitchen with a platter of little cakes.
"I was trying some new recipes and i need a second opinion on if any of them are good." Ritsuka declared as she sat down placing the cakes in front of Taylor before pulling out a notepad. "Just try one and tell me what you think."
Taylor couldn't help a chuckle, "Why not ask Mash to test them?" Despite this she reached for a cake and popped it into her mouth.
"She did but I wanted the opinion of a local, now tell me what you think." Ritsuka had her pen at the ready and a rather serious expression on her face.
This is how the rest of the wait until her bus arrived passed for Taylor and as she rode towards her home she couldn't keep the smile from her face, maybe she will go back to that bakery.
Meanwhile across the city two figures were looking at an illusion showing the girl on the bus.
"Well that went according to plan, though are you sure we cant just tell Ritsuka about the girls potential future?" The Mage of Flowers asked his fellow servant.
"Hmmph don't question my wisdom mage, if we were to tell Ritsuka the girl will feel as if everything she did was manipulation and cease trusting her, but if she ever learns of our actions she will see Ritsuka as an innocent party. This is the best way to prevent the event known as khepri." Said the disdain-filled voice.
"Very well King of Uruk, I will keep my silence."and thus the two went on their separate ways each exploring what this new era had to offer.
And a butterfly flaps its wings, a detective seeks his prey, a cunning old man seeks a fox, and a key prepares for a new experience.
Taylor felt her heart pounding in her head. She had brought her moms flute to school to help her get through the day but the three had somehow stolen it and defiled it.
She saw it was broken and had filth smashed into it before it had been thrown into the dumpster at the back of the school. She felt disconnected as the girls who were laughing at her walked away, not even able to register whatever passing insult they gave.
She had to pick it up, but she couldn't just grab it with how filthy it was. As she was about to walk away to find some paper towels she remembered the plastic bag in her backpack.
So she pulled out the bag from The Grand Order Bakery, the second time this bakery helped her, and turned it inside out and picked it up.
Taylor knew that it wouldn't be smart to take it back into the school, who knew what terrible things Emma and her lackeys would do if she did.
Taylor tied the bag off doing her best to make sure that its smell would be blocked as much as possible by the plastic bag. Then she set off to the bus stop trying not to cry.
She managed to make it to the bus stop and sit on the bench before she started crying again.
"You know this is the second time ive found you crying outside my store?" A steady voice spoke.
Taylor turned and saw Ritsuka standing there a look of concern on her face
"Now i promised i wouldn't push about what made you cry, so instead I'm going to ask if theres anything i can do to help?" Ritsuka continued.
Taylor could only look at her for a moment baffled at the way this woman ahe had met only once before offered her help again.
"I dont think you can help with this, not unless you can restore a flute thats been destroyed." Taylor finally said
"Hmm, I can't fix an instrument but i know some people who probably could, depending on how bad its broken of course." Ritsuka said seemingly missing the sarcasm.
"Seriously? You actually know someone that can do that?" Taylor exclaimed the bafflement clear in her voice.
"Yeah i have a lot of friends with a wide range of skills and talents. Of course I can't promise anything especially without seeing the flute." Ritsuka said still in that casual tone of voice.
"Its in this bag but its covered in filth. I can bring it back after i coean it at home." Taylor said a bit of hope in her voice.
"Nah no need for that we have some disposable gloves and a hose on the side of the building we can clean it off here and I can contact my friends with some pictures so they can give us a good estimate in how hard to fix it is." Ritsuka said with a wave of her hand as she walked into her bakery while pointing out the hose on a open side of the bakery.
A minute later Ritsuka had come back out with two pairs of disposable gloves and an old scrub brush.
"Here this should help and we even splurged for heated water from our hose so no need to worry about getting sick." Said the redhead as she gave Taylor the gloves and brush.
"Now judging by how upset you are i imagine you would prefer to do this part yourself so while you clean this off I will contact a few of my friends and see who knows how to work with flutes. Then once its cleaned off you can bring it in and we can see about sending a picture or two and getting a quote on how to fix this." Ritsuka said confidence in her voice as if she was used to giving orders and Taylor didn't even question it before she had started doing what Ritsuka told her to do.
Before long she had managed to remove all the filth and walked inside the bakery to see Ritsuka on a phone call.
"So you do can fix instruments? You're the best Leo-chan I will send you a picture as soon as its clean. Huh, so you are going to come over? Ok i will have a nice pot of tea ready." As she said this she hung up the phone before turning to Taylor.
"That was a friend of mine, shes an absolute genius so she said she can fix your flute up no problem. She is on her way over here to inspect it in person so she can figure out how much any materials would cost and how long it would take, oh but don't worry, she's extremely reliable so if she says she can fix it she definitely can. Now would you like a drink while we wait?" Ritsuka said her cheerful tone forcing a small smile to Taylors face.
"Thank you, though I don't mean to sound ungrateful but....Why are you going out of your way like this?" Taylor said doubt creeping up in her mind.
"Hmm its not anything in particular, I just like helping people, its how I got close to some of the people most important to me, like Mashu!" Ritsuka said voice thoughtful before cheer filled her voice at the mention of the Lavender haired girl from Taylors last visit.
"So you would do this for anyone?" Taylor asked disbelief filling her voice.
"Pretty much, its always seemed to work out for the most part, and i feel like I've gotten pretty good instincts for telling who shouldn't be trusted." Ritsuka said tone still cheerful.
Taylor was still a little baffled by the altruism she was witnessing. "So you just go around helping people for no real reason?"
"Eh kinda, I mean I don't go looking for people, but if there is someone in front if me that i can lend a hand to, I dont really see a reason not to." Before Taylor could respond to this the bell on the door rang as a tall brunette woman in a red and blue dress walked in.
"Ritsuka, I'm here to save the day again. Hahaha" the woman said with a cheerful laugh.
"Hey Da'Vinci, thanks for coming by so quick." Ritsuka said pulling a big of tra leaves out from behind the counter before grabbing the kettle off the hot plate right as it started to whistle. "This is Taylor the flute is hers and it got vandalised by someone."
"Ah, nice to meet you." The woman said reaching a hand out ro shake Taylor's. "I'm Leonardo Da'Vinci, yes named after that one."
"I'm Taylor Hebert, and thank you for looking at my moms flute, its very special to me." Taylor said to express her gratitude.
"Heh, well when im done with it, you wont even be able to tell it was damaged in the first place!" Boasted the woman.
Taylor laid the flute on a towel that Ritsuka had set aside for it. While Da'Vinci took out some small tools and started investigating.
"Oh this is a beautiful instrument, must have been quite the heirloom because that seems like its made out of solid silver. Unfortunately it looks like a few pieces are missing. Whoever vandalized it probably stoll them to sell it off. Now with the parts that are missing and the supplies I would need to repair the rest of it, you are looking at a few hundred dollars at least."
Taylor felt her heart drop out of her chest at that price. "I can't afford that. I'm sorry to waste your time."
"Thats no problem I can pay for the initial supplies and you can pay me back as you can." Ritsuka chimed in without a second thought.
"No I can't accept that, I don't even have a job and no offense but I don't want any hand outs." Taylor refused
"Its not that much for me though i have more money than i know what to do with, hell this bakery is just for something to do bot because we need the money." Ritsuka shot back.
"You all are ignoring the obvious answer." Da'Vinci interjected.
"What do mean Da'Vinci-chan?" Ritsuka said confusion clear on her face.
"Taylor doesn't want a handout that she can't repay and you don't want to leave a beloved heirloom damaged over something that you can fix. So if Taylor had a way to pay you back then you could both get what you want right?" The woman said before sipping on her tea.
"Yeah, but theres not many places that will hire a teenager with no experience this close to the holidays." Taylor said.
"Then why not just work here at the bakery?" Da'Vinci said leaving the two other girls blinking at her in shock.
"I mean I would be fine with it if you and your father are." Ritsuka said "Me and Mash were talking about hiring on some help so that we have some guaranteed help when one if us has other stuff to do anyway."
"I would have to talk to my dad, and he'd probably want to meet you guys first. But I don't want him to know about the flute. Hes got enough on his plate without having to worry sbout my stupidity destroying one of moms things." Taylor said after a moment of thought.
"Great! I'll have to let Mash know and get a official contract written up, while you get your father on board. And for fairness sake you can bring the flute back on your first day and then Da'Vinci can start fixing it then. Sould good to you both." Ritsuka said grabbing her phone as Da'Vinci nodded, but Taylor suddenly thought of something.
"What if Mash doesn't want to hire a teenager with no experience as a favor?" As she finished the question both other women burst into laughter.
"Nah Mashu is way to nice to say that." Ritsuka said waving off Taylors concern.
"Speaking of Mash where is she anyway?" Da'Vinci interjected.
"Oh shes spending time with her Dad and the others, said something about wanting to bond with them now that we have the time to spare." Ritsuka said with a shrug.
The bell over the door rang and three voices called out "Mommy!""Mama!""Momma!" Three girls ran and jumped for hugs from Ritsuka as a redhead in a green hoodie walked in behind them.
"Hey how was school! Did you make any new friends? Oh thank you again for picking them up Robin." Ritsuka said after giving hugs to all three hyper little girls.
"No problem, I don't mind lending a hand now and then. Now i better run talk to you later." The redhead -Robin apparently- said as he grabbed a bag from Ritsuka before walking back out the door.
The three little girls now that the calmed down a little and strod still long enough for Taylor to get a good look at them seemed to be vibrating with excitement, one of them was the blond girl from last time Taylor was at the bakery, there was also another blond who had her hair cut to her shoulders wearing a green beret and green overcoat that she hung on a coat rack revealing a Jean overalls with red flannel underneath, the last girl was wearing a cute white dress and had the most unique appearance with short white hair and a promenant scar on her face.
"Mama, we were learning about the American frontier! I got to learn about how it went in this world!" The girl in the overalls said her voice having a Canadian accent as she spoke, and Taylor had a double take at what she said, however before she could ask about it the next girl spoke up, this time the girl in white.
"Yeah and at recess we got to play lots of hide and go seek and I was really good at hiding!" Her voice had a rather promenant Brittish accent.
"Um I also had fun and our teacher gave us some permission slips for a tutor to help us catch up." The last girl said her voice having a local accent.
"Wow, you guys had a busy day so lets get you guys started on some homework, I will sign that permission slip, and then I will make you an after school snack. I think its Paul-chans turn to pick the snack." Ritsuka said as she ushered the girls to a table and quickly collected and signed the permission slips.
"Can we have some brownies Mama?" The girl in Overalls, Paul if Taylor was correct, asked.
"Absolutely, oh Taylor the bus is pulling in, you should go and talk to you dad if you guys can come by on Saturday any time we can meet your dad. Though we are closed on Sundays for family days so just let us know if saturday doesn't work." Ritsuka said and Taylor looked and realized she was right so as she rushed out the door to make it to the bus she contemplated everything that happened, somehow she knew that this bakery was going to be a very interesting place.
Missy Biron was not a happy camper her parents were having another fight that meant she had to deal with screaming arguments all the time at home, and to make matters worse some prick had snitched to the yoith guard and now they were forcing her to cut back on hours at base. As she was about to head to the bus her teacher called out to her.
"Miss Biron, I'm sorry to bother you but i was hoping to talk to you about you potentially tutoring some new students, they apparently had an abnormal childhood and now that they have been adopted their new mother has enrolled them into school, but their previous education was a bit scattered.
They are three sweet young girls around your age. You might have met them their names are Abigail, Jack, and Paul Fujimaru.
Missy Biron rode on the bus towards the home of the girls she was supposed to be tutoring. She was early but she couldn't stand being in the same house as her parents a minute longer, who started fighting first thing Saturday morning? Her stupid parents thats who.
She checked her phone to confirm the address and got ready to get off the bus. She had a backpack filled with her old textbooks as she made her way to the doors of the bus and hopped of at the bus stop her map said was right at her destination.
As the bus pulled away she looked at the address and started checking the buildings before double taking as the destination was a bakery.
Once she looked again she noticed that there was an appartment above the business and after a quick check using her powers she could tell there were people in it so she decided to knock.
As she waited for someone to answer she looked around at the neighborhood noting the lack of gang tags and other signs of criminal activity.
She wasn't waiting long as soon the door opened revealing a girl around her age with shoulder length blond hair.
"Hi I'm Missy Biron, I'm supposed to be tutoring the Fujimaru family today."
She introduced herself.
"Hi Missy, I'm Paul my sisters and i are the ones you are supposed to tutor, though you are earlier than expected." The girl said while moving aside and gesturing her in.
"Yeah I kinda overestimated how long the trip would take." Missy fibbed with a shrug.
Paul just nodded before responding, "Well we need to let Mama know your here and Jack and Abby are still getting up for the day. I hope you don't mind waiting a bit before we start."
Missy nodded, silently noting the Canadian accent the girl in front of her had as she followed her up a staircase to a door that she could hear thudding and grunts coming from.
Before Missy could comprehend what she was hearing Paul threw open the door while calling out.
"Mama! Missy is here early for our tutoring!"
As missy followed the blond girl into what she could now see was a rather well equiped home gym a redhead in exercise gear turned from the punching bag that she had been beating on while a woman with lavender hair held it.
"Oh, I wasn't expecting you so early, most kids your age prefer to sleep in. Well have you eaten we haven't had breakfast ourselves yet and I would be happy to make enough for you as well." The woman said as she took off her hand wraps and wiped her sweat with a towel.
"Oh, if its not any trouble that would be really nice." Missy said once the offer registered as the woman walked up to her.
Now that she was closer Missy noticed the powerful muscles that lined this woman's body, but more noticeable were the scars, she had quite a few of them covering her body.
"Well then Paul can show you to the living room and you can watch some tv while we clean up and then I will get started on breakfast. Oh and my name is Ritsuka Fujimaru in the western style and this vision of lovelyness is Mash Kyrielight." Ritsuka said before gesturing to the woman with lavender hair who stepped forward to shake her hand.
"Hello Missy, thank you again for helping our girls out they all had unusual childhoods so their schooling has unfortunately been a little spotty."
Missy couldn't help but silently baffle at the openness of these women practically admitting they were lesbians so quickly, not that she was bothered by this, but she figured they would be a little more careful with the amount of Nazis in this city.
"I'm happy to help Miss Kyrielight, thank you for having me." Missy said before Paul took her hand and led her to a comfortable living room with a nice tv.
The two sat there for a little while watching cartoons before the other two girls showed up.
"Oh hello you must be Missy, I'm Abigail but most people call me Abby, and this is my sister Jack." The new blond in a comfy looking black dress said while gesturing to the unique looking girl beside her.
With white hair and two prominent scars on her face this girl somehow still held an air of childlike wonder about her in her sleeveless white dress.
"Are you here to help us learn the stuff for school?" Asked the unique girl and Missy mentally noted that everyone in this family had a different accent.
"Yeah the school asked me to and I figured I wouldn't mind helping some people out." Missy answered.
The conversation ended from there until ritsuka now dressed in a white shirt with black pants walked in and to the kitchen nearby.
"Alright now that I'm all cleaned up I will get started on breakfast, now since we have a guest I was thinking about doing something special, but first, Missy do you have any allergies or dietary restrictions that i need to watch out for?" The young mother asked which Missy responded in the negative.
"Then in that case I think we just might have some .... Kuroneko pancakes!" Ritsuka said followed by cheering from the three girls with them jumping to their feet and walking to the table with Missy following along not sure what Kuroneko pancakes were.
"Momma can I help?" Abby said getting a quick agreement from Ritsuka.
Thankfully Paul seemed to notice her confusion, "Oh right you probably don't speak Japanese! Kuroneko pancakes means Black cat Pancakes, its a special recipe Mama learned for Abby. They are super tasty, and Abby always sings a cute song when she helps."
Missy nodded with understanding and sat with the others as Mash came over to sit with them and listened to the mother daughter pair singing in what Missy recognized as Japanese as they cooked the food, and Missy was hit with a sudden realization.
This cheerful, goofy chaos was what family was meant to be like, and despite the small feeling of jealousy she couldn't keep the smile off her face as Mash engaged her in conversation.
Last edited: 4/5/2025
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#44
Taylor sat on the bus headed home, her mothers flute tucked safely in her backpack.
Her mind was still reeling at the kindness shown by Ritsuka, or should she call her Ms Fujimaru since she was hopefully going to be her employer?
That brought her mind to her father, most specifically how she was going to ask him about this job, and what excuse she was going to give for why she wants a job.
She knew she had time to think about it as her father was likely working late today, but that didn't mean she wasn't worried.
As she got off the bus and walked the rest of the way home she had decided that she would have to ask him at dinner, thankfully it was thursday so she wouldn't be asking him to do something the very next day.
Entering her house she took her backpack upstairs and hid the flute in the closet under the loose board, in the same place she stored her record of the bullies actions, she also took a moment to document the latest cruelty the three had inflicted.
After returning the board she went ahead and knocked out what homework she had then decided she would get a head start on dinner.
Later she sat at the table eating with her dad and she decided that she should just rip the bandage of.
"Dad, I think i want to get a part time job. I want to make a little spending money and save up some more for college."
Danny seemed startled for a second before wiping his face with a napkin and setting his fork down to give Taylor his full attention.
"I'm not against it but what did you have in mind, where would you want to work, and what times?" He finally said after thinking it over for a minute.
"Well, I've been going by this new bakery because of the bus route changes and there is this really nice bakery that offered me a job on the condition that you came in and approved it as well, they said we could do it on Saturday afternoon if you would be available?" Taylor said keeping the details sparse on why she wanted a job there.
"A new bakery? I had heard that there was a nice new bakery on that side of town from one of the boys at the docks." Danny mused. "And you said they insisted on meeting me? Did they ask for me by name or something?"
"No they just said that I need to bring a parent in since I'm a minor." Taylor clarified. "They aren't from Brockton Bay originally so maybe its something where they are from."
"Oh where are they from?" Danny asked.
"Well I didn't ask exactly but one of the owners has a Japanese accent and the other has a British accent."
"Well, I can definitely make time on Saturday to go to an interview with you."
Taylor couldn't help the small smile that she had on her face.
"Why don't you tell me a bit more about your week, we haven't talked much in the last few weeks."
So Taylor and her father continued their conversation, nothing particularly deep was shared but Taylor was still pleased as this was the most the two had talked for weeks if not months.
Taylor went to school on friday and endured the petty comments the three shot towards her all day. Then on her way home confirmed with Ritsuka that she and her dad would be there on Saturday, though it was a lot busier than the day before so she just sat at a table and did a bit if homework until the bus got there.
Now it was Saturday just a bit after lunch and she was sitting in her father's truck on the way to the bakery.
She had decided to wear some of her nicer clothing and even her dad had cleaned up more than usual to seem more professional.
"Alright, here we are, you ready Taylor?" Her father said as he parked outside the bakery.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Was her response.
The two walked into the bakery which seemed mostly empty, set up on a table Ritsukas adopted daughters were working on some schoolwork with another girl around their age helping them and at the counter was Mash.
"Hello again Taylor, and you must be Mr, Hebert, nice to meet you, I'm Mash Kyrielight. Sempai is in the back but I will let her know you are here if you want to take a seat." After saying that Mash ducked into the door to the kitchen while Taylor and her father took a seat at one if the tables.
"This place is really nice, really elegant color scheme lots of white and black." Her father commented.
"Yeah and the owners are super nice." Taylor said not wanting to drift into awkward silence.
The door to the kitchen swung open again and Ritsuka came out, two plates of cookies, in her hands, while Mash followed behind carrying a teapot.
Ritsuka deposited one of the plates of cookies at the table with the studying girls, which got enthusiastic thanks from all four, and then headed to the table where Taylor and her Dad were sat, Mash serving something from the teapot to the girls before following behind.
"Hello again Taylor. And you must be Mr, Hebert. Nice to meet you I am Ritsuka Fujimaru and this is Mash Kyrielight. We own this bakery and I offered your daughter a job working here." Ritsuka said shaking Taylor and her fathers hands. Before putting the cookies on the table and sitting while Mash put three mugs and poured what Taylor recognized as hot chocolate in the mugs before putting a tin of marshmallows on the table.
"Hello its nice to see you again Taylor, and a pleasure to meet you Mr, Hebert. If you all need anything I will be manning the counter and keeping an eye on the girls." With that said mash turned and walked off, polite smile on her face.
"Alright, feel free to enjoy the refreshments, I like to have sweets at meetings, it always makes them more pleasant. Now I had a friend draw up a contract, and after looking it over I felt it was fair but if you want to look it over or have a lawyer do so that's perfectly fine." Saying this Ritsuka had pulled out a folder and handed over some papers stapled together that Danny took from her to look at.
"Well I am the head if hiring at the DWU so these types of contracts are my bread and butter, give me just a moment to go over them." Her father said.
Taylor and Ritsuka sat in silence snacking on the cookies as her father went over the contract.
It was almost half an hour later that her father had spent going over the contract with a fine toom comb.
"Well I can't find anything in there I would object too. It's honestly one of the most generous part time contracts ive ever seen." He finally said as he finished reading over it.
"Ah yeah, I asked my fried to make it a fair and decently generous contract because I despise the way most companies try to exploit their workers. It might only be a part time job but I prefer to treat people like i would want to be treated, besides its not like it will break the bank or anything, this whole bakery is a passion project not a get rich scheme." Ritsuka said with a shrug as if it was no big deal.
"Well, I don't see anything to object, Taylor if you are sure you want to work here just sign here and I will show you where to fill out the rest of the information." Danny said before helping an eager Taylor fill out the contract. Including a second copy for them to keep.
"That's perfect! Taylor you can come by After school on Monday so we can start your training. I have a friend who can get your measurements for your uniforms too. If you guys don't have any questions I will go file this and give them a call feel free to finish your Cocoa and I will give you a baggie and you can take the cookies too." Ritsuka said with a smile before putting actions to words.
After she walked away Taylor turned to her dad, "Well what do you think about this place?"
"I will be honest its almost too good to be true, if I hadn't gone over every line of that contract myself I would think they were scamming you but she just seems like a genuinely kind person. What do you feel about being hired for your first job?" He responded.
"I'm excited, Its really lucky that Cape fight caused my usual bus route to be out of order, otherwise I would never have found this place." Taylor said a real smile, if a small one, on her face.
"Well I'm really happy for you too. What do you say we go by a restaurant of your choice for a celebration of your first job?" Danny asked more present than he had been since Annette had died.
"I think I'd like that." Taylor said feeling like things were looking up.
Missy walked into the PRT base towards the wards common room, her head spinning. She had a bag of cookies in her hand, Ritsuka had handed it to her when she left with a warm smile.
She wasn't sure why she was thinking about the family so much. Though she had a great day tutoring the girls and all of the food Ritsuka and Mash made was delicious.
"Hey little V, Dean invited me to join your patrol today." Missy startled at the voice of Vicky chiming in from the wards couch.
"Oh hey big V, I didn't see you there." Missy said as she walked over to take a seat next to her older friend.
"Oh, usually you notice me before you walk through the door. Is something on your mind? Is it your parents? Dean told me about how the youth guard is cracking down on your time on base."
Vicky responded a look of sympathy on her face.
"Well they did cut my hours and my parents were up at the crack of dawn fighting but I left as soon as I was dressed." Missy said with a shrug.
"Oh, where were you all day?" The concerned tone in Vickys voice would have irritated Missy but somehow she noticed the sincerity and was reminded of Ritsuka for some reason.
"I'd actually been asked to tutor some new kids at my school, they're a set of adopted sisters who hadn't had consistent schooling. I was at their house all day." Missy replied.
"Oh did you enjoy the tutoring? How was it." Vicky said her face lighting up.
"They were really nice they didn't mind me showing up so early and they actually cooked for me. The parents are a cute lesbian couple who own a bakery, and they really love the kids. There are three of them, Paul is a super nice Canadian, Abigail sounds local and shes super sweet and likes to sing, lastly is Jack shes British and has a unique look shes got some prominent scars on her face and she has white hair but shes an absolute mommas girl." Missy said not noticing that she started to ramble.
"Sounds like you like them a lot. Maybe I should go by the bakery one day and meet them." Vicky says a thoughtful tone in her voice.
"Oh you should! They aren't open on Sundays for family days but the baked goods are delicious. Here have a cookie. Ritsuka gave me a bunch and they are the best I've ever had." Missy excitedly said as she opened the bag for Vicky to take a cookie.
As Vicky ate her cookie she and Missy continued to talk about their respective days until Missy had to go get in costume for their patrol.
The day began as most days in her house did with another fight. Missy sighed as she got up and dressed for the day.
She didn't have any patrols for the day which meant she was pretty much stuck with her parents for the day.
Missy sat in her room trying to find something to do, she couldn't hang out with her fellow wards because she has no reason to know any of them outside of the wards and as such wasn't allowed.
She floated around her room trying a bunch of different things but the yelling of her parents just drove her insane keeping her from focusing.
Eventually after a few hours she decided that she had to leave the house so she just walked out the door no real destination in mind.
Her parents didn't notice.
As she wandered she found her mind drifting to the Fujimaru family.
She couldn't help but compare Ritsuka and Mash to her own parents and her parents were found wanting.
If she was honest with herself it wasn't even close, not just because of how shitty her parents were, but just how amazing the lesbian couple were.
Missy found herself roaming to the park closest to her house, it was the nicest park in the city for anyone who wasn't in the Nazis chosen demographic.
She was walking along near one of the gazebos that people can use contemplating the bad luck she had in getting reported to the Youth Guard.
"Missy! Over here!" A voice suddenly called out startling Missy out of her thoughts.
Running up to her was Paul her face lit up with a beaming smile.
"Hey Paul, are you here with your family?" Missy asked.
"Yeah were playing games and Mama is gonna grill up hamburgers and hotdogs! Oh come on you gotta meet grampa!" Paul said excitement making her voice come out louder than expected, before grabbing Missy by the hand and dragging her over to the rest of her family and a man with purple hair with them.
Missy found herself smiling at the enthusiastic girl and her smile only grew at the excitement of the rest of the family when she was dragged over.
It was Monday and Missy was at school once more. She was looking for a seat where she could eat.
As she was looking, she noticed the three girls sitting at a table by themselves. Missy decided she would see if she could sit with them.
"Hey you guys. Mind if i sit with you?" She said as she walked up next to them.
"Missy! Yeah you're always welcome to eat with us." Abigail was the one who had spoken up this time and Missy wasted no time in sitting next to them.
"So how are you three liking school so far?" Missy said trying to make conversation.
"It's really fun! I never got to go to school before and learning all this stuff is super fun!" Jack said her face beaming as she dug into her lunch.
"That's good im glad you are having fun." Missy said.
"Yeah but it's a little hard to understand that's why we are happy to be learning from you too, you explain it really well!" Paul said chiming in.
"Do you think you can tutor us today too?" Said Abigail.
"Yeah I don't have anything else I need to do today. Do you guys take the bus home?" Missy responded.
"No usually someone picks us up, they always use the same van so we know its for us." Paul explained as she put another bite of her lunch box in her mouth with a pair of chopsticks.
"Do you guys use chopsticks alot?" Missy said curious as she noticed that all three were using them.
"Mommy made us a traditional Japanese bento so we eat them like they do in Japan." Jack said holding up the lunchbox showing the remains of a bunch of food that looked like teddy bears
"Oh that is super cute!" Missy said a surge of jealousy at the homemade lunch, though she stamped it down.
The conversation continued as they all ate until it was time to head to the rest of the classes for the day.
Missy continued with her classes, except now instead of dreading the end of the day she was looking forward to it.
As soon as the last bell rang she packed her bag and rushed out to find the sisters.
She spotted Jack first as she left her class by herself.
"Jack! Hey!" Missy called out as she darted around the other kids.
"Hi Missy. Come on the others are going to meet us by the pickup line. Then we can go home to mommy." The cheerful girl said before grabbing Missy by the hand and guiding her through the crowd with ease.
Before long the two had made their way through the crowds to the blonde sisters.
"Hey Missy, come on the vans pulling up." Paul said as soon as Jack and Missy made it over to the two before grabbing Missy by the other hand and dragging her to a waiting suv that had a man with long black hair step out of the passenger side door.
"Uncle Waver!" Chorused the sisters as the let go of Missy's hands in order to hug their apparent uncle.
"Hello to you as well girls how was school?" The man said as he hugged all of them and reached to open the door for the girls to get in.
"It was fun, and Missy is coming home with us so she can help us catch up on what we need to know." Abigail said as she grabbed onto Missy's hand again and pulled her over.
"Oh, in that case its wonderful to meet you Missy, I'm Waver and its a pleasure to meet you." The formal man said reaching his hand out to shake hers.
"Thank you, and it's nice to meet you too." Missy responded as she climbed in behind the other girls.
As she did she noticed that a massively muscled man with bronzed skin and red hair was in the drivers seat.
"Hello there, I'm Missy, I'm tutoring these three. " She said as she sat down and fastened her seatbelt.
The man turned in his seat with a massive smile. "Nice to meet you Missy. You may call me Iskandar." Before turning back to the road and pulling away from the school.
"That's an interesting name. I don't think I've ever heard it before." Missy responded.
"Thank you, it's a variation on the name Alexander." The man said as he sat in the pickup traffic.
As they drove the three girls were gushing to the two men about how much they were enjoying school and Missy found herself outside of the bakery before she knew it.
Saying goodbye to the two men. The four girls entered the bakery which was rather busy.
Missy looked around at the many people enjoying thier treats when the three girls gave an excited cry.
"Asterios!" Before running up to what had to be the biggest man she had ever seen, and that included Manpower.
Standing at what had to be nearly 10 feet tall with a shaggy mane of white hair was a muscular man who didn't even stumble as the three girls ran into him. He had winter clothes on though they did nothing to hide his muscles or his friendly grin.
He leaned down hugging the three before sweeping them up on his shoulders, which was broad enough that all three could sit on them.
They laughed and giggled with beaming smiles on their faces and several people in the bakery looked on with fond smiles.
"I see you've given my seat to the little ones again Asterios." A pretty voice said, as a short woman holding a box of baked goods walked over to the clearly gentle giant.
"Don't worry Miss Euryale, we have to go do homework so we were just saying hi. After all Asterios gives really good hugs." Paul said as she was lowered back to the floor alongside her sisters.
"Yes his hugs are exquisite. How are the three of you settling in at school?" Euryale said as she was lifted to Asterios shoulder in a clearly practiced manner, before reaching over and feeding Asterios a cookie.
"Its a lot if fun. We've even made a new friend, she's over here, her names Missy and she's super smart." Abigail was the one who answered this time as she pulled Missy front and center.
"That's wonderful. We are here with Asterios' cousin as she had to do something for Ritsuka before we go spend some time with their aunt." The petite woman said.
The group continued to make smalltalk until a gorgeous woman with long hair came out of the door to the upstairs apartment followed by a curly haired teenager.
The two walked up to Ritsuka who was manning the counter and spoke for a moment, though Missy couldn't hear what was said due to the general clamour.
After the exchange the woman walked over to the group while the teenager put on an apron and walked behind the counter to Ritsuka.
"Well, I am finished with what Ritsuka needed me here for, I will put together what she ordered tonight." She said to the pair of Asterios and his girlfriend.
"What did Mommy need you to do Medea?" Jack asked, curiosity clear in her voice.
"She simply needs me to make a uniform for her new hire, though i had hoped for something more fun." Medea said with a sigh.
"Oh! I know!" Jack exclaimed after a moment of her making a thinking face. "I'll ask Mommy if I can have a costume party for my Birthday! They you can make fun costumes for the party!"
"That does sound nice, but your birth day should be what you want it to be." Medea said gently.
"Yeah, but that would be fun! I can do a costume with Mommy and Mummy!" The excited girl said. "I'm gonna go ask her right now!" Then putting actions to words she ran over to Ritsuka.
"Oh dear, I didn't mean to change her birthday plans." Medea said concern in her voice.
"Nah, Jack has had a hard time deciding on what she wanted to do with her birthday anyway, you just gave her an idea that stuck." Paul said with a shrug.
"Jacks birthday is coming up?" Missy asked.
"Yes, expect an invitation once the details get decided on." Abigail was the one who answered this time.
Jack came running back to the group after that.
"Mommy said she would start planning tonight, so we will get invitations soon. But we gotta go do homework now. Bye-bye." Jack said before grabbing Missy by the hand and leading her to the door that leads to the apartment.
"Bye-bye." Came the deep voice of the gentle giant as the group made their way to the door.
Missy was watching them leave as she was dragged upstairs and she noticed a familiar pair walking in as she went through the door.
Taylor found herself looking forward to starting her job as she got ready Monday morning.
As she pulled the flute out from where she had hidden it she remembered the note that had gotten slipped into her jacket pocket.
It told her to bring the flute by first thing in the morning and Ritsuka would deliver it to Leonardo.
As Taylor went downstairs to get ready to leave she found a plate of breakfast and a note wishing her luck on her first day from her father.
That was another positive about the bakery as her having to talk to her father about her job seemed to have lit a fire in him and she found him more active and less in his depressed slump.
Taylor didn't realize how much something as simple as asking him to help her get a job meant to him before this.
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Taylor got off the bus in front of the bakery and saw Ritsuka and Mash handing the girls of to a pretty college age girl with pink hair and felt a small spike of jealousy.
She knew it wasn't fair but she found herself wishing her own mother was around to send her off to school like that.
Mentally shoving that thought into a box Taylor decided to approach Ritsuka as the van pulled away.
"Good morning Ms Fujimaru. I brought the flute like you asked." Taylor said as she walked up to the young mothers.
"Oh, good morning Taylor, Da'Vinci-chan is going to stop by to pick it up later on while you are at school." Ritsuka said as she turned to Taylor with a smile.
"Thank you again for doing this, I promise I will work my hardest to pay back all the nice things you've done for me." Taylor said seriously.
"Hey no need to be that intense, just do your best, there's no need to stress." Ritsuka said as Taylor handed off the flute.
"Hm, that's kinda funny for you of all people to say senpai." Mash giggled from the side. "We both know how much of a workaholic you are after all." She teased.
"Ah betrayed by the love of my life!" Ritsuka declared dramatically before draping herself off of Mash. "How will I ever live with your traitorous ways villain."
Mash and Taylor both laughed at the dramatic behavior of the Japanese woman.
"Oh! I've got to go so I can get to school on time but I will be here on time to work today." Taylor said before she ran off.
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Taylor was anxious all day, she was almost certain that the trio was going to try something but other than them making some comments they seemed to be leaving her alone.
Now though she was anxious for an entirely different reason, she was on her way to the bakery to start her first day at her new job.
As she walked in she was hit by a wall of noise. The bakery was rather busy and Taylor took a deep breath before walking beside the line up to the counter where Ritsuka was finishing the order of a well dressed lady in a fedora.
"Hello Taylor, just take a seat and as soon as Medea gets here she can get your measurements for your uniform, and I will start teaching you a few things once this rush dies down a little." Ritsuka said after seeing her as she counted out cookies from the display case.
"Ok." Taylor said and as she watched, Ritsuka moved like a well oiled machine making drinks taking orders and serving pastries.
Before long the door opened and a group walked in, it was a average height woman with a dress and lavender hair, she had bag in her hand though Taylor didn't pay too much attention as also entering was a nearly 10 ft tall man in fuzzy winter gear with a petite woman on his shoulder.
The giant lowered the woman with practiced gentleness and moved over to the side while the short woman got in line and the average height lady approached the counter.
"Hello Ritsuka, I am here to take your new hires measurements." She said as she walked up.
"Wonderful! Taylor can you follow Medea here upstairs so she can get you measurements?" Ritsuka said as she made the drink of her current customer.
"Yeah I can do that." Taylor said as she got up from her seat.
"Ah you must be Taylor, wonderful to meet you. I've told Ritsuka that she was going to need help at some point and I'm glad she took my advice. That woman does not know how to simply rest and just be anymore, she's always doing something." The woman-Medea-said as she took Taylor into the upstairs apartment.
"She does seem like she works hard." Taylor said awkwardly not wanting to seem rude.
"Yes well, hopefully she can learn to rest. Now I'm going to need you to take off those baggy clothes or I won't be able to get the proper measurements and I refuse to make subpar clothes." Medea said as she pulled a measuring tape out of her bag.
The next few minutes are awkward as Medea gets the measurements, but Medea is completely professional the entire time which sets Taylor somewhat at ease.
"Alright with these measurements, I will be able to have your uniform by your next shift. Now let's get you back downstairs so I can collect my cousin and his girlfriend." Medea said as Taylor redressed.
Walking back down the stairs Taylor saw Ritsukas daughters playing with that giant as his girlfriend say on his shoulders again.
Taking a deep breath Taylor walked over to the owner. "Miss Medea has my measurements and I'm ready to start learning."
"Wonderful, here's a spare apron for you to wear, and I will start showing you how to work the register." Ritsuka said pulling a apron in a sealed plastic bag out and handing it over, and waiting until Taylor opened it and got it on to start putting words to action.
"Mommy!" Ritsukas white haired daughter, Jackie if Taylor remembered correctly called out.
"Yeah sweetheart?" Ritsuka said turning her attention away from the blonde teenager at the register and looking at her daughter.
"I know what I want to do on my birthday! I wanna have a costume party and I want my costume to match with you and Mummy!" The girl said excitedly.
"Oh if that's what you want to do, then you should get your sisters and your friend and hurry up and get your homework done so you can start planning costume ideas ok. I will get you a snack in a moment once things settle down ok." Ritsuka said a smile on her face as the teen at the register hid her beaming smile behind her hands, not that Taylor could blame her with how cute the kid was.
"Ok Mommy! Love you!" She called out before hopping up to give a peck on her mother's cheek, running back to her sisters afterwards.
"That's one adorable kid you have there, does she take after her father?" The teen asked.
"Wouldn't know Jackie lived on the street before I adopted her, but I love all the same." Ritsuka said as she finished showing Taylor how to enter the transaction.
"That makes sense, my sisters adopted too. But it's sweet how much you care for her." The blonde said as she handed over the money, before waving at the tired looking brunette sitting at a table.
The rest of the day went on in this manner with Taylor learning the cash register while Ritsuka made drinks and treats, though Taylor was asked to take a platter of pastries to the kids upstairs at one point.
All together, while busy Taylor found herself with a smile on her face as she worked.
Victoria Dallon flew towards the hospital to pick up her sister with a bag of cookies in hand.
She had just finished her patrol with Dean and Vista, when Vista had given her a few cookies from the Grand Order Bakery for Amy.
As she approached the hospital she didn't see her sister waiting on her and figured she was still healing.
Walking through the doors and up to the reception desk she couldn't help but mentally sigh, as much as she loved her sister she couldn't help but feel like she was overworking herself.
"Hey Brittany, I'm guessing my sisters still healing people?" Vicky said a knowing grin on her face.
"Hah yeah you know that girl, as impressive as she is I'm worried about her sometimes." The nurse working reception replied.
"Well that's why I'm here, to drag her home so she can rest. I even brought a bribe." Vicky joked as she held up the bag of cookies.
"Alright you can just head up to the usual break room and I will have a nurse tell Panacea that you are here." The nurse said grabbing the phone to put actions to words.
Vicky walked the well-worn path that she has walked multiple times a week ending up at the hospital break room.
Giving greetings to the hospital staff by name as she passed them she settled in on "her" chair and pulled out her phone.
It was only a few minutes later when an exhausted teen with frizzy brown hair and white robes on came through the door.
"Hey, Ames. I've got a treat for you today, courtesy of little V." Vicky chirped as she held up the bag of cookies.
As Amy looked at her sister she lit up and walked her way. "What kind of treat did Vista give you?" The perpetual grump that is Amy Dallon asked.
"Only the best damn chocolate chip cookies I've ever eaten." Vicky said as she pulled one out and handed it to her sister.
"Really? Does little V bake now or something?" Amy said before taking a bite, which caused her eyes to light up. "Mm, if so she needs to quit the cape career, cause these are awesome."
"Hah, no she isn't suddenly a master baker, she got them from a bakery in civis." Vicky said as she fished another cookie out of the bag, which her sister quickly devoured.
"Huh well that's interesting, did she tell you where this bakery is?" Amy responded her voice relaxed.
"Yep I was thinking about going after school on Monday. Can't go tomorrow cause they're closed." Vicky said with a shrug.
"Ah and I imagine that you are going to be taking Dean with you?" Amy said a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"No silly, I want to make it a sisters day out." Vicky said as she pulled Amy into her side for a hug. "Just you and me, it's been a while since we hung out just us two."
"That sounds nice Vicky, it has been a while." Amy said as she melted into Vicky's side her eyes drifting shut.
"Come on sleepy head let's get you home before you fall asleep." Vicky said with a giggle.
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Monday afternoon found Vicky and Amy flying towards the bakery after dropping both of the girls backpacks at their house.
Vicky felt excited, she hadn't realized how much she missed having just her and Amy days.
Landing outside the bakery Vicky took note of the high door frame.
Walking in Vicky noticed how crowded it was, people of all walks of life and multiple ethnicities.
Standing in line Vicky took note of the two women manning the register and making drinks, one had red hair and Asian features, while the other has lavender hair and glasses on a face with European features.
Vicky stepped up to the line which was pretty busy and looked at the menu.
Seeing a sample platter she figured that was perfect, "Hey, Ames I'll get us a sample platter and some drinks why don't you go find a table for us to sit at before they are all taken."
Amy looked around and nodded before walking over to one of the last empty tables.
While she was waiting Vicky watched a curly haired teenage girl come in and talk to the the owner for a moment before sitting down at a spare chair.
A wave of cold air hit Vicky, who turned to see what might have been the tallest man she had ever seen enter the store with two smaller women. (one only small relative to him and the other less than 5 ft tall)
The taller of the two women bypassed the line to talk to the redhead and the shorter joining the line while the giant stayed behind, though Vicky now gets why the door and ceiling are so high.
Turning back to the counter, Vicky saw the curly haired teen and the taller woman both enter an employee only door.
As Vicky approached the counter, the red haired woman smiled towards her, and Vicky couldn't help but notice that despite how busy this place was she didn't seem overwhelmed, it was impressive.
"Hi, what can I get for you today?" The redhead, who's name tag read Ritsuka asked.
"Can I get two sample platters and two hot chocolates please?" Vicky responded.
"Sure thing, would you like to try our experimental platter as well? It's some new flavors that we might add to our usual options."
"Oh I'm not sure I should probably ask my sister, she's sitting at a table, can I go and check with her first?"
"Absolutely, thank you for your patronage."
With that Vicky quickly ran over to her sister to discuss it, didn't want any flavors they don't like to ruin their day out after all.
As she walked over to Amy the door opened again and 4 girls ran in, one of them being Missy in civis, meaning the other three must have been the girls she was tutoring.
As she got the ok from Amy she made her way back to the counter as the small woman received her to go order and walked over to the huge man, that had all 3 of the girls with Missy in his shoulders.
The door opened allowing the tall woman and curly haired girl to come back down, while Vicky spoke their agreement to try the new flavors.
As Ritsuka was finishing her transaction, a little girl with white hair ran up to them.
"Mommy!" She called as he got close.
"Yeah sweetheart?" Ritsuka said giving her attention to the ball of joy besides her.
"I know what I want to do on my birthday! I wanna have a costume party and I want my costume to match with you and Mummy!" The girl said excitedly.
"Oh if that's what you want to do, then you should get your sisters and your friend and hurry up and get your homework done so you can start planning costume ideas ok. I will get you a snack in a moment once things settle down ok." Ritsuka said a smile on her face while Vicky hid her smile behind her hands at how cute the girl was.
"Ok Mommy! Love you!" She called out before hopping up to give a peck on her mother's cheek, running back to her sisters afterwards.
"That's one adorable kid you have there, does she take after her father?" Vicky asked.
"Wouldn't know Jackie lived on the street before I adopted her, but I love all the same." Ritsuka said as she finished showing the other teen how to enter the transaction.
"That makes sense, my sisters adopted too. But it's sweet how much you care for her." Vicky said as she handed over the money, before waving at Amy where she was sitting at a table.
After receiving a number for their table, Vicky made her way over to Amy, and noticed Carlos and Dennis entering the bakery.
As she and Amy just had some sisterly bonding time she noticed Carlos and Dennis join a table with a talk handsome blonde guy and a cute blonde with two brunette tufts on the sides of her head.
The lavender haired girl brought their platters over while the curly haired teen brought a electric kettle and two cups alongside a small dish.
After serving their players and having their hot cocoa poured, the dish being revealed for marshmallows, the two women went back to the counter and Amy and her got to try the pastries, which were all delicious even the flavor combinations that were in the experimental platter.
Suddenly they heard a chair scrape along the ground before falling over, and looking over there Vicky saw that blond man from before with a furious expression on his face looking like he was about to hit Dennis, while the girl he was with calmed him down, the pair grabbed their cookies and drinks and walked away.
The girl noticed their table and walked over to them.
"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you but is it ok if me and my brother sits here, the redhead at the table we were at made a crass comment about me and I don't feel like having to stop my brother from killing someone today."
Vicky and Amy shared a look and shrugged, "Sure, we know him from school and he does have a chronic case of foot in the mouth."
"Thanks, my names Gareth, and this meathead is my brother Gawain." The now named Gareth said as the pair sat down.
Gareth started making small talk with her and Amy, but Vicky noticed that her brother kept looking back at the two teenagers with a clear look like he was about to go over there and start a problem.
Hearing Gareth give a sigh, it was clear that she had noticed as well.
"Stop glaring at him, he's just a stupid teenage boy, just like you were." Gareth said.
"He asked if you hair was built in handlebars! He needs to be punched in the face." Gawain blustered.
Sighing again Gareth walked over to her brother motioning him to stand up, which he did.
Vicky figured Gareth was going for the classic hug your sibling to calm then down, when Gareth jumped up and slammed her head into his in a headbutt.
"AHH, WHAT THE HELL GARETH!" The man said as he fell to the ground clutching his head while his sister stumbled for a minute before ignoring him and turning to Ritsuka at the counter, "Sorry about that Gawain is being stupid again." Which got a nod from the nicer redhead.
Ignoring her brother, Gareth sat down at the table again.
"Overprotective brothers, am I right?" She joked.
"Sorry only overprotective sister here." Amy joked pointing at Vicky.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up." Vicky said before she asked something she noticed. "Have you known Ritsuka for a while?"
"Hah yeah Mash is basically family and we've known Ritsuka since she was seventeen, and she was the reason I realized that I like girls as well as guys."
"Oh you guys sure are open with stuff like that, while I hate them myself I know there are a depressing high number of Nazis in the city, so you might want to be a little more careful." Amy said with a concerned look on her face.
"Hah! I'd like to see those bastards try they would get their asses beat ten ways to Sunday. But thanks for the concern cutie." Gareth said with a wink which made Amy blush.
"Confident. Nice, but still be careful they have more capes than anyone else in the city and ties to the Gesselsheft overseas." Vicky said taking note of Amy's reaction for future teasing.
"Capes or no capes it doesn't matter, just you watch those Nazi bastards days are numbered." Gareth said with finality.
The group continued to chat while they snacked including Gareth showing pictures of her golden retriever Anette, who she named after one of her uncles dogs.
And after trading numbers with Gareth, she and Gawain headed out.
Vicky had a good feeling about the cheerful blonde girl.