[Kayda POV]
"What do you want to eat?" I asked, glancing at Kitsu with more than a little hesitation. The weight in the air was unmistakable—icy and oppressive. You didn't need to be a mage to feel the chill in her killing intent. It was practically snowing in here.
The fox was pissed. And hungry. This was a deadly combination.
"Food," Kitsu snapped back, her voice clipped and curt. She wasn't in the mood for conversation. Honestly, I was just glad she hadn't started biting people yet.
"Hey, don't be like this. We can eat at the Kunis later," Stacy offered, trying to sound hopeful.
Her attempt at cheerfulness backfired immediately. The pressure in the air intensified as Kitsu's aura lashed out like a sudden squall. The temperature dropped another five degrees.
"Okay, okay, we will get food," Stacy relented, holding her hands up in surrender.
Smart move. Arguing with a starving Kitsuna was like poking a sleeping dragon with a firecracker.
"How could you not have any food on the plane!? Don't you know how many people want food on their flights?" Kitsu growled, turning her glare on Stacy like she'd just committed a war crime.
"Uh, well, I forgot to restock at the Anabalds," Stacy admitted, looking away like a guilty child caught sneaking snacks. Her cheeks turned a soft pink as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Tsk." Kitsu clicked her tongue, already looking around. Her eyes locked onto a building in the distance, and she jabbed a finger toward it like it had personally offended her. "There. We will eat there."
I squinted in the direction she pointed. It was far, but even from here, I could see the unmistakable signage and structure of a steakhouse. A big steakhouse, to be specific—and a famous one at that.
"Of course, we'll go eat there," I said with a nod, trying to keep things smooth before she stormed off.
Too late.
I turned back and found her already halfway across the street, marching with purpose like a soldier on a mission. She didn't even spare a glance for the waiter at the door. Instead, she threw up two fingers over her shoulder—her way of saying, 'Don't be slowpokes'—and disappeared inside.
"Sigh, what a troublesome daughter," Stacy said, holding her cheek like a dramatic noblewoman in a tragedy.
"Says the one that knows she eats a lot and forgets to bring her food," I muttered, shaking my head at the absurdity.
"Hey! You could have reminded me!" Stacy exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
"After you beat me up just because we made you wait for a little?" I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "You could have restocked in the time you were pacing angrily around the terminal."
"... Let's get a move on before she eats the restaurant out," Stacy said, clearly ignoring me as she briskly walked past.
Figures.
As we approached the restaurant door, a man in a pressed vest and crisp shirt greeted us with a forced smile.
"I presume you two are with the fair lady?" the waiter asked, his voice tight but polite.
"You mean the grumpy fox?" Stacy responded with a raised brow and a half-smile.
"Y-yes?" The waiter blinked, clearly thrown off by the casual tone.
"I think 'scary fox' would be a better description," I added, giving the man a sympathetic nod.
"That might be true," Stacy agreed, stroking her chin as if pondering something truly philosophical.
"Ah, I see. Well, let me take you to her booth," the waiter said, regaining composure and motioning us inside.
"Thank you, and do forgive her for her attitude. She's just… not very happy currently," Stacy said, trying to sound diplomatic.
"Thanks to you," I added under my breath, just loud enough for her to hear.
"That, uh, that's fine. She wasn't disrespectful at all," the waiter said, shaking his head and relaxing a bit after hearing our banter.
"If you say so," Stacy mumbled with a half-shrug.
"Haha, don't worry. She wasn't the worst we've had," the waiter chuckled, leading us through the bustling restaurant. The place was alive with clinking glasses, sizzling plates, and dwarven laughter. The earthy scent of cooked meat and strong ale lingered in the air.
"Hmm, you get bad customers regularly?" I asked as I glanced around. Dwarves occupied most of the tables, but a few demi-humans were visible among the crowd.
"Bad attitude ones? Yes, especially from the noble crowd. They're well-known for it, so we've gotten used to it," he explained as we reached the stairs.
"I see. I hope we won't get them today," Stacy said with a sigh, already predicting drama.
"Flag," I muttered darkly. That was practically a cosmic invitation for trouble.
"They were here yesterday, so I highly doubt they'll come today as well," the waiter said with the confident tone of someone tempting fate.
"Maybe not. But we have Kitsu with us. She always brings trouble," I muttered, my voice just above a whisper.
"What the hell are you muttering about, Kayda?" Stacy asked, glancing at me suspiciously.
"Ah, just our future doom, that's all," I replied with a small, cheeky grin.
"Huh?"
"Well, ladies, this is the room your friend is in. I'll send a waiter to get your orders shortly," a deeper voice said. The manager himself had appeared to greet us, placing a hand on the booth door.
"Ah, you're the manager? Before you go, may I ask you something?" I asked, gently catching his wrist before he opened the door.
"Yes, certainly," the manager said, stepping back with a polite nod.
"Do you guys have bones?" I asked.
"... What?" he blinked, clearly not expecting that question.
"You know, bones of meat left over, stuff like that," Stacy clarified with a sheepish smile.
"You mean the leftover bones from animals and monsters?" the manager asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, the leftover bones of the animals," I said, snapping my fingers like I'd just remembered something important.
"We do have some, but we usually throw them away. Why?" he asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Well, can you do a special order for us?" I asked, smiling sweetly.
"..."
"Can you take all those bones, bake them in spice, and then bring them to the fox? She will adore you guys afterward," I added, gesturing enthusiastically.
"... Sigh, I'll see what I can do," the manager finally said, rubbing his temple.
"Please, it'll help all of us," Stacy added, bowing slightly in thanks.
"Yes, thank you," I said, bowing as well.
"If I can get that scary fox on my side, then won't the two Kuni brats be easier to handle?" the manager muttered as he walked away.
"Pfft. I guess those two haven't grown up yet," I said, snickering under my breath.
'Though that manager knows how to think,' I thought, nodding at his retreating back.
"Meh, whatever happens, happens," I said with a shrug, stepping into what could only be described as the ice room of death.
"Kitsuna, can't you make it a bit warmer in here? It's fucking freezing," Stacy whined as she rubbed her arms, shivering like a wet cat.
"Sigh, you won't be able to get through to her right now," I said, settling beside Kitsu. She was sitting stiffly on the floor in front of the low table, eyes locked onto the empty surface like it had insulted her ancestors. Her aura was still aggressive—like a volcano just waiting for a reason to erupt.
Sighing, I released a bit of scorch mana, spreading warmth through the booth like a heated blanket.
"Ah, you guys really are a perfect match. I won't talk anymore," Stacy grumbled, pulling her jacket tighter around herself and facing away.
"So, what will we do after this?" I asked, turning my attention to her.
"I guess we need to find the plane first?"
"Hmm, shouldn't they have landed at the Kuni's mansion?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Well, I don't know. We jumped out before that," Stacy replied with a shrug.
"We did need to follow Kitsu, after all," I said, glancing sideways at the ravenous fox.
"I'm not complaining about that. I know she jumped out because she was hungry, but we followed her without telling them what to do," Stacy said, her voice tinged with guilt.
"... I don't think they'll need orders to know something like that, Stacy. They're not dumb," I replied, frowning slightly.
"That might be true, but you never know," she said again, her gaze dropping.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Good afternoon, ladies and... ladies! I will be your waiter for the evening," a cheerful dwarf woman said, pushing the door open and stepping inside with a practiced flourish.
"Haha, good afternoon to you too," Stacy said with a chuckle.
"So! What will the ladies be having tonight?" the dwarf asked, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Food," Kitsu grunted, eyes still glued to the table.
"Hmm, ribs, steak, and a lot of sauce," the dwarf muttered to herself, nodding thoughtfully.
"Pfft, I'll take some steak with a lot of fat," I said, snickering. I could feel Kitsu's low confusion ripple next to me, which made me smirk harder.
"I will have fish," Stacy said, raising her hand slightly.
"... Fish? You came to a steakhouse for some fish?" the dwarf asked, staring at Stacy like she had three heads.
"I didn't pick the place. The fox did," Stacy said, pointing at Kitsu.
"I see, I see... I'll check for something you might like," the dwarf said, shaking her head as she left the room.
"Hey, what about my fish!?" Stacy cried, standing up.
Knock knock.
"Huh? My fish?" Stacy muttered, appearing in front of the door like a ninja and slamming it open.
"Ah, thank you," the manager said from the other side, sidestepping her swinging arm gracefully. He carried a small pot, steam wafting out with the rich scent of spices and meat.
"Special delivery for the fair lady," the manager announced, placing the pot gently in front of Kitsu.
"Thanks," Kitsu mumbled, immediately digging in without ceremony. Her icy aura melted in an instant, replaced by something warm, inviting, even… grateful.
"Hehe, my pleasure," the manager said with a wink, retreating quickly.
"Are you happy now?" I asked.
"Uh-huh," Kitsu nodded, bones sticking out of her mouth like a weirdly adorable horror show.
"Sigh. Enjoy."