Kazu wakes without the sun in his eyes for the first time since he has been in this world. Anna shifts next to him. He looks at her and runs his hand through her hair. As she begins to wake up, Kazu sings quietly to her. "Good morning beautiful, how was your night? Mine was wonderful with you by my side, and when I open my eyes and see your sweet face. It's a good mornin' beautiful day."
Anna kisses him and says with a smirk, "Good morning, handsome. Welcome to tomorrow. That was a beautiful song. Did you make it up?"
"No," Kazu answers, "It's a song I heard many years ago, and seeing you lying there, the song popped into my head, and I had to sing it to you.
Anna kisses him again and gets out of bed, completely forgetting how she's dressed.
Kazu sees her from the back in all her glory, and another song comes to mind, and he begins to rap it. "I like big butts, and I cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny…" His rapping is interrupted by a pillow hitting his face, followed by her tackling him.
Kazu rolled them both over so he was now on top, "Oh, so you want to play rough, I can play that game too." He holds her hands with one of his hands and starts nibbling on her neck and tickling her with his free hand.
Anna, now laughing hysterically, pleads with Kazu, "Stop, you are gonna make me tinkle." He stops his tickle offensive, kisses her, then lets her up.
As she is hurrying to the bathroom, Kazu says, "Definitely a beautiful day."
A short time later, Anna calls for Kazu, "Can I get you to fill the tub? I want to bathe."
"Absolutely, be right there." He says as he begins moving to the bathroom. A few moments later, he has finished filling the tub.
Anna immediately slides into the water as Kazu starts to leave. Anna calls out, "You need a bath too. After yesterday, you should just join me." Kazu drops his shorts and heads for the tub. This action invokes this world's version of a "Wolf Whistle" from Anna. Kazu smiles at her and then steps into the tub.
A few minutes later, they hear Felina call out, "Hello, are you two styll yn here?"
Kazu answers, "We are in the bath. How can we help you?"
Felina and Felix walk into the bathroom. Felina says, "Prefect, we were wantyng to take a bath. Can we joyn you?"
Anna giggles and replies, "Family bath time it is, I guess, get your little tushies in here."
Anna moves next to Kazu as the twins get ready to enter the bath. Seconds later, they are undressed and step into the tub.
Felina sits on Anna's lap and asks, "Can you wash my back today?"
Anna replies, "Yep, I can do that. Stand up, and we'll get started." Felina stands up, and Anna begins washing her back. After a minute, she handed the soap to Felina so she could do the rest on her own. When she is done washing, she sits back down, this time on Kazu's lap.
"Felix, it's your turn," Anna instructs.
Anna is handed the soap and begins washing Felix's back, handing him the soap when she finishes her part.
After he is done, Anna asks, "Who's next, you or me, Kazu?"
"Kazu's fyrst," Felina says as she moves to the opposite side of the tub.
He stands and moves to the center of the tub, and Anna starts soaping his back. Finishing her part, she hands the soap to Kazu. He finishes washing and switches places with Anna. Kazu begins washing her back.
A mischievous smile creeps onto Kazu's face as he runs the soap around her back with one hand, and he is gently caressing her back with his other hand. Gently sliding his hand down her back till he reaches her thighs, then traces his path back up and starts all over again. When he finishes washing her back, he hands her the soap. She then sits down in Kazu's lap and begins washing the rest of herself.
She then turns to him and whispers, "This is for teasing me, you cad." As she washes herself, she makes sure to move as slowly, and yet as much as possible, on his lap.
After 5 minutes of washing herself, Kazu jokingly says, "Wow, I did not realize you were this dirty. Do I need to get another bar of soap? Wait, let me sniff you, I'll make sure you are not stinky." Kazu starts making exaggerated sniffing noises.
Frustrated, Anna reaches into the water and pulls the drain plug. As she gets off of Kazu, she whispers, "How come I can never embarrass you, but you can do it to me."
Kazu laughs and replies, "Because I hide it better."
Everyone dries off, then heads to their rooms, and they all dress for the day. The twins come out of their rooms wearing the same worn-out clothes they had on the previous days.
Kazu claps to get everyone's attention. "So here's the plan for today. Anna, I need you to take the twins to town to get them some new clothes. A week's worth should be good for now. If you need some clothes, get yourself some too. Any clothing used for Hunter's Lodge quests needs to be leather or have metal armor on it. If you two want to learn to be hunters, you will need an outfit for that, too. If you can find socks, we all will need those."
Anna asks, "What are socks?"
Kazu replies, "Well, if you do not know what they are, then I guess they won't have any. We'll make our own. As for what I'm going to do today. I am going to source some materials for our enchanting business. Once we are all done for the day, we will meet back here and finally get to work on figuring out gear enchanting. Speaking of gear, go by the weapons shop and get my prepaid special-ordered knives and any weapons you all may need."
Kazu hands Anna 10 silver coins, 10 bronze coins, and 20 copper coins, enough money to buy what they need several times over. Kazu then searches the house for Lina, finally finding her as she heads from the servant's bathroom to her room in just a towel.
"Lina, quick question. I need to find leather and a blacksmith from whom I can purchase various metals. Know anyone?"
Lina stops and turns towards Kazu. "Sorry, sir, it is best to ask Rask, our handyman, for that info."
Kazu replies, "Do you know where Rask is?"
"Should be in the tool shed or fixing something around the property," Lina says.
"Thank you, Lina. I'll go find Rask. Also, you do not need to hide your ears around me." Kazu says as he turns to leave.
Lina reached up and felt her ears sticking out from under her towel. She blushes.
Wandering around the property, he finally found Rask repairing an exterior door behind the house.
"Hello, Rask, I'm the new owner of the house and property," Kazu says.
Rask stands and turns around to meet the new boss. She stops for a moment, talking in the view of the huge man standing in front of her. Rask is a muscular female dwarf, 1.24 meters tall, with white hair and emerald green eyes.
"Greetings, sir, nice to meet you. My actual name is Rebal Askheart, Rask for short. How can I help you today?" Rask asks.
"Rask, I am looking for a leather merchant and a blacksmith who sells raw materials.. Do you have any suggestions?" Kazu asks. Rask thinks for a moment, stroking her chin. "For leather, you'll want to see Eldrin, the Tanner. He's got the best hides in the city, always fair prices. As for metals, Borin's Forge sells raw ingots and custom orders. They're both near the market square."
"Perfect, care to join me? I'd like to get to know you better, and this seems like a perfect opportunity to do so."
Rask grins. "Lead the way, boss. I know this town like the back of my hand."
They set off towards the city market, the morning air crisp and carrying the scent of baked goods and distant livestock. Kazu observed Rask's confident stride.
"This place is always teeming with activity, isn't it?" Rask comments, her voice softer than he would expect for a dwarf. "Keeps things interesting, though."
Kazu nods, a smile playing on his lips. "Indeed. The energy here is vibrant and refreshing, a stark contrast to the monotonous environments I'm accustomed to. Back home, crowds moved with a sense of mechanical obligation, their work devoid of passion. For most, their work was a mere mechanical task, performed without passion or joy, merely to fulfill an obligation."
"You'll get used to it," Rask assures him, her green eyes twinkling. "Just stick close, and I'll make sure you don't get lost in the shuffle."
Kazu smiled, grateful for her guidance as they continued their walk. They arrived at the market square, a riot of color and sound. Eldrin's store, a messy collection of cured hides, immediately caught Kazu's eye.
"So, this Eldrin fellow, does he have anything for… larger builds?" Kazu inquired, glancing at Rask's sturdy frame.
Rask let out a hearty laugh. "Eldrin? Aye, he's got hides tougher than dragon scales and thick enough for armor. You won't find better anywhere."
Rask points a thick finger towards a table overflowing with tanned animal skins.
"There's Eldrin's. Best in the village, hands down."
Kazu's eyes scanned the piles of leather, noting the various textures and thicknesses. He spotted a hide that looked exceptionally robust, perfect for reinforcing Anna's hunting gear.
"That one," Kazu pointed, his voice decisive. "And perhaps a few more of similar quality for general crafting." Rask nodded, already striding towards the stall, her heavy boots echoing on the stone.
Eldrin, a man whose face was as weathered as the hides he sold, greeted them with a nod. "Looking for something specific, Rask?"
"Just the best, Eldrin. My new boss here needs supplies." Rask gestured towards Kazu.
Kazu met Eldrin's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. "Indeed. I need strong, durable leather. Something that can withstand… a great deal."
Eldrin surveyed Kazu, then the hides, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Strength, you say? I have just the thing. Hides from the Gnashfang Boar. Tougher than your average beast. If you need tougher, I might still have some Wyvern hide left, but the price is exponentially higher."
Kazu considered this, picturing the swift, scaled creatures. "Wyvern hide it is, then. Price is no object." Eldrin, sensing a serious buyer, retrieved a rolled hide from a shadowed corner of his stall. It was a deep, iridescent green, surprisingly supple yet impossibly dense. Rask let out a low whistle.
"Now that's quality," Rask rumbled, giving Kazu an approving nod.
"The Gnashfang Boar is formidable, but Wyvern? That's a different league entirely," Eldrin stated, his eyes reflecting the shimmer of the hide. "You have a taste for the truly rare, sir."
"The Wyvern hide has a natural resistance to… most elements, doesn't it?" Kazu asked, running his hand over the cool, scaly surface.
"Aye, it does," Eldrin confirmed, his voice laced with respect. "A potent defense against fire and frost, if my memory serves me right. Though I'd wager you're planning something more… esoteric with it." Kazu bought enough of the Wyvern hide to outfit all of them in reinforced armor, and Rask then led him to Borin's Forge. Kazu eyed the assortment of metals, from gleaming steel ingots to rough, unrefined ore. He decided to purchase a significant quantity of steel and mithril, knowing these would be essential for future endeavors. Rask nodded in approval, recognizing the quality of Kazu's choices.
"Now that we've got the supplies, let's head back," Kazu suggested, placing the heavy bundles of leather and metal into his spatial bag. "Anna and the twins will be eager to see what we've found." Rask is curious about the bag Kazu carries.
"That bag," Rask began, her brow furrowed, "it's quite… capacious. What manner of magic allows it to hold so much?"
"It's a spatial storage bag
, a gift I received and am in the process of trying to decode the magic powering it," Kazu replied.
Rask's eyes widened slightly, a spark of curiosity igniting within them. "Magic, you say? This world holds many secrets, but such advanced enchantments are rare indeed. I've only heard whispers of such items in ancient texts." Kazu smiled, eager to share his discoveries with Anna and the twins, anticipating their excited reactions to the new materials.
"I can't wait to see their faces when they see this," Kazu said, patting the pouch. "And think of what we can craft with this much mithril."
Rask grinned, her own excitement mirroring his. "Indeed. This will set us up nicely for your enchanting venture."
"I am so glad I found you, Rask. You're a gem," Kazu said as they continued their walk. Rask shrugged. "Just doing my job, boss."
Now that they are finished with their shopping, Kazu and Rask head back to the house.
Halfway to the house, four bandits jumped into the road in front of them. The ugliest one yells out, "Hand over your money, and we'll let you live."
Kazu and Rask laugh at the same time. They look at each other, and Rask asks, "Which one do you want?"
Kazu says, "I'll take those three. You can have that one."
Rask complains, "How about I take those three, you can take him?"
As they are in the process of discussing who they want, the bandits decide to attack. Rask punches the closest to her in his chest, and he flies 6 meters and lands, gasping for air. "Hey, that's so rude. We were not finished deciding on who will beat you. Don't be so impatient." Rask retorts.
The one closest to Kazu tries a flying kick at him and gets grabbed out of the air by his ankle, swung around like a baseball bat, and flung into the other 2 attackers, knocking all three out.
Rask walks up to Kazu, "Fine, you can take those three. I'm going to go to town and get the guards. Be back shortly."
To stave off boredom while waiting, Kazu experimentally applied magic to a piece of metal found on the roadside. Through trial and focused concentration, he discovered how to cold-melt the iron without traditional heating methods, then learned to manipulate its form at will. Intrigued, he melted the iron and added a copper coin, creating a unique alloy. With careful crafting, he shaped the molten metal into two delicate rings sized perfectly for Anna and Felina. The result was extraordinary: two rings with a lustrous rose-gold sheen, demonstrably stronger than steel and resistant to corrosion.
Shortly after he finished making the rings, Rask and four guards with a wagon arrived. They took Kazu's account of the attack, and then the guards loaded the bandits into the wagon and took them away to their awaiting cell.
Rask and Kazu continue their walk back home. Just outside of the property, Kazu asks, "What do you currently get paid per month?"
She answered, "1 bronze and 8 copper."
Kazu stated, "Well, if you want to continue working for me, we are going to have to adjust that amount a bit."
Rask, looking slightly crestfallen, replies, "I like it here... what pay amount are you thinking?"
Kazu, his expression contemplative, says, "Well, I've already adjusted Lina's pay, and I feel I need to do the same for you." When Rask begins to speak, Kazu raises a hand, silencing her. "Based on the work I saw you do on the door, your knowledge of local tradesmen, and your ability to defend the house in my absence, I'm going to pay you 3 bronze a month. How does that sound?"
Rask leaps over a meter into the air, wraps her arms around Kazu's neck, and kisses him. "Thank you, sir, you won't—" Realizing she's just kissed her boss, she drops back to the ground. "I am so sorry, sir. I got carried away and—"
Kazu interrupts her, "Rask, if I ever get mad about an attractive woman kissing me... well, that'll never happen." He squats to her level, lifts her chin to meet her eyes, and says warmly, "I'm not upset, offended, or angry. It was nice, sweet, and spontaneous. We're good?"
Rask asks hesitantly, "So you're not mad that a lowly handyman dwarf kissed you?"
Kazu looks genuinely puzzled. "What does that have to do with being mad? Why would I be upset about either your job or your race?"
"Most humans who can afford a house and servants see non-humans as inferior," Rask explains.
Kazu interrupts, "You don't need to worry about that. I've basically adopted twin Felisnekos, who are already family to me after just two days. They're adorable. You get the point, right?"
"So you won't be mad if I hug or kiss you again?" Rask asks.
"Anna might be," Kazu chuckles, "but I won't. In fact, I'd be upset with myself if you never wanted to again. Shall we head home for dinner? And you're joining us."
"Yes, sir," Rask replies, and they continue their walk home.
As they enter, Lina announces dinner is imminent. They join the others in the dining room, where Kazu introduces Rask to the group. Lina soon serves the meal, then takes a seat across from Rask and begins eating. Animated conversation fills the room as the twins excitedly recount their shopping trip, detailing their new clothes and weapons. Kazu then shares the highlights of his day with Rask, including their unexpected encounter with bandits. Rask adds to his account with her own vivid details, bringing their brief adventure to life.
After dinner, as everyone begins to retire to their rooms, Kazu requests that Rask and Lina stay behind. "I have a few questions about your daily routine. My friends rely on me to prepare their baths each morning. How do you manage your water needs?"
Lina explains, "We fetch water from the well by bucket, which takes several hours. Typically, we just use a bucket and rag for a quick rinse. Actually, I had just finished my daily rinsing when we met earlier."
"Do you bathe in cold water, or do you have a method for heating it?" Kazu inquires.
"It's always cold," Rask responds. "Neither of us knows how to use magic for heating. Lina only knows nature and earth magic."
Understanding their situation, Kazu offers, "If you want, I can help. I can fill your tubs with warm water whenever you want to bathe and even provide soap."
The women's eyes light up with excitement. "Can you do it now?" Lina asks eagerly.
Kazu grins, "Of course, ladies. Let's get you a delightfully warm bath."
Kazu follows the women to their bathing room and fills the tub with water warmer than usual. Excited by the prospect of a hot bath, the women begin preparing before he finishes. Reaching into his bag, Kazu pulls out a bar of soap and hands it to Lina, who stands in her underwear. As he bids them farewell, he notices Rask is even less dressed than Lina.
Closing the door, he hears a splash and Lina's protest about Rask's water-displacing entrance.
Upstairs in his room, Kazu finds Anna already in bed, her bare shoulders suggesting less than minimal attire. He undresses to match her absence of clothing and slides into bed, positioning himself on his back with an outstretched arm, wordlessly inviting Anna to cuddle.
Anna immediately nestles close, resting her head on his shoulder and draping her leg across his hips. A soft chuckle escapes as she leans in and whispers, "Feels like someone forgot something."
Kazu's hand glides down her side, coming to rest on her buttock. "Seems like I'm not the only one," he murmurs, giving a light squeeze. "Goodnight, beautiful."
Blushing, Anna replies, "Goodnight, Kazu," and seals the moment with a kiss.
Moments later, they drift off to sleep.