"Big Sis, I want an egg."

"N-Nello! I-I love you, b-but why are you staring at my tummy!?"

There was a T-34-85 Combat Tank that was curious today.

He wasn't sure why he was so, he only knew he saw a lot of people coming and going from the gates of the Capital City. As much as he wanted to roll out from his cover in the bushes, wave his 3 meter cannon at them like the hand of a friendly stranger, and ask them questions to sate such curiosity he couldn't do so. Not conveniently..

He was worried that he will scare the nice people away... or... roll over a color bunny with a cute vest.

Now, that would be a tragedy.

"Um... I keep seeing people going into the city with no egg... and then coming back out with big lots of eggs... Is there something special going on that people are giving away free eggs to everyone?"

"W-well, I wouldn't say it was a city wide sales event. More like a special occassion."

"Oh, for today?"

"Not exactly today per se, but they're preparing for tomorrow."

"Preparing?"

"Yes.Everyone is getting ready for the St. Esther Day Celebration."

".............................................What's St. Patrick's Day?"

"Saint Esther. Sa-i-n-tttt, Esu-thhhh-eeeer..."

"... Oh... sorry."

The tank named Nello looked down with a sigh.

Not in a demeaning way, not like a bully to his prey. Rather, it was simply the fact he was just too big. Even when he sat on the ground on his... hind tracks, his natural size was two - no,no - three times bigger than the person he was sitting in front of. Someone who he loved and trusted with all his... heart (metaphorically speaking for now).

A certain Half-Elf who liked to keep her long blonde hair in a side-tail. She had a frown. No, she wasn't angry at the tank, only idiots would yell at a tank.

"Ahem. In a nutshell--"

"Um...Don't you mean Eggshell?"

"Nellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo."

"Ah! D-did I say something wrong? I-I'm sorry!"

"Let Big Sis talk alright? Cough. In a...an eggshell, essentially, people are buying eggs so they can get them ready to celebrate St. Esther's Day tomorrow."

"Why?"

"So they can take them home and paint them with all sorts of lovely colors, in various patterns, making unique art on the eggs. It's to commemorate the sacrifice of a great hero in ancient times."

"... I don't get it."

"Sigh. If only you were properly connected to the Ethereal Net Drive like most people. That way, I could just download the information package and you would be able to catch up with the complicated science."

"...........................What's download?"

Pastrache the Half-Elf Girl tilted her head, so her lazy hand could reach high enough to scratch it. Seems like she was having trouble in how to best explain the details of this long going tradition involving colored eggs. She even twiddled her hair in her finger, to try and come up with the simplest answer possible. Maybe she could summarize it in 10 words or less.

"... Nah. I'll start from the top. Besides, it gives me a good excuse for me to do what I always wanted to do."

"What's that?"

"Fu-fu. To lecture my little brother♥."

"Uwaaah. Big Sis' eyes look super scary."

[https://66.media.tumblr.com/572f45ad3ccb6622a0d8a75591cbb043/tumblr_pnr1czw6jv1wqnuuso1_1280.pnj]

"The reason why people are buying eggs being related to St. Esther's Day is simple. They are used to remember a Prince who gave up his life to protect his people from extinction. It just so happened, his favorite food was eggs."

"... Oh."

Pastrache nodded after she confirmed the T-34 Tank understood that first part of the whole story. To make the whole lecture easier to 'digest' she throught it was a good day for them to take a stroll.

Or, stroll as in Nello does the walking with his iron tracks, while Pastrache sits on his turret head and enjoys the view. She even plucks down flowers from the branches and startes to make a series of garlands and necklesses. Like a happy go lucky school children.

"... Big Sis. Why did the Prince like eggs?"

"Because Desert Ostrich Eggs are tasty and filling to the stomach. Now, sssssh. Big Sis is talking."

"Oh. Okay. Huuu-mm."

"......... You don't have to hold your breath."

"Buwaaah! Th-thank you Big Sis. Phew."

"... My goddess, Nello, you're just too cute for this world." 

With a coy grin, the Half-Elf would quietly set the ring of Aurora Blossoms onto the turret head. The same way children would give each other a crown of flowers. She stifled a giggle, because it looked really adorable on the tank's head.

"As I mentioned, there was a Prince of an ancient civilization. It was because his entire kingdom was so outdated, the other nations with more modernized technology constantly invaded in order to take over the land and enslave their people."

".......Uh-oh."

"Everyday, the ancient city was under attack. All of their supplies and fossil fuel were cut off, leaving the people to starve with no power to survive. Every citizen were begging the Ancient King and Queen to simply surrender, so this stalemate would no longer drag on. They wanted the suffering to end, and they didn't care who would rule them. Simply put, everyone was a coward who only cared for their own skins."

"......................................."

"However, against the rioting city, the Prince was the only one who encouraged his parents to not give up. He knew if they lost, not only will their civilization become extinct, their people will be the enemies' slaves. They will have no future if they gave into the temptation of surrendering... Then, he made a proposition."

"Oh! What!? What!? 

"The Prince, along with a good portion of his crew, will take a ship and sail through one of the many rivers at night. They plan to use the hidden resevoirs to sneak into enemy ground, and attack their resource lines!"

"Th-that's a really good idea!"

"Indeed, Nello. The Prince may have always been bullied by his court officials, but he comes up with some very lovely schemes. But those stories will have to be told another day. Ahem. As I mentioned, he came up with a plan. There were many rivers in his city, that have never been documented on the map. So, he thought if he could sneak through the unmarked waterways, he would be able to attack the enemy forces where they least expect it."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yeah, yeah! Th-then maybe he could steal some of the bad guy's food and give it to the people!"

"... Yes....Yes..."

"...........................................................Wait. Big Sis... you said, tomorrow is a day to remember his sacrifice....."

The Half-Elf wasn't able to find the right words that moment. So the Tank spoke for her.

"The... Prince didn't win, did he?"

"No one knew if he would have won or lost... he was betrayed halfway."

".............................."

Pastrache lowered her voice, almost into a small lull. It was as if she wanted to talk to a sleeping infant. However, she couldn't bring herself to smile. So her words fell like rain drops to the ground... plip... plop.

"Big Sis... please tell me what happened?"

"The plan would have been a success. If he were not betrayed by the one man he trusted the most."

"Who?"

"His Second in Command, the Kissing Traitor."

"K-Kissing Traitor?"

"There are many variations of this legend, and it's so obscure that no one knows what is the original story. But what this man did was so terrible, they erased his name from the history books and simply called him the Kissing Traitor."

"........................"

"The Prince believed in his men. He hand picked them for this dangerous mission to sneak behind enemy line, in hidden water channels. There was no way the enemy knew beforehand... However, the Kissing Traitor sold out his leader and his crew. For 30 Silver Pieces."

"........................."

"Some say the Kissing Traitor gave up his loyalty for greed, planning on taking this money and live a life of luxury. Some say he was coerced by the enemy, maybe blackmailed. There were some tales that say his family were starving, and his loyalty to his kin forced him to betray his leader for those 30 Silver Coins... but one thing was sure."

The Half-Elf took a deep breath, as she tried to keep her nerves as leveled as possible. 

"The moment the traitor kissed the Princes' ring, to confirm his faith and trust, that was when the enemy boarded their ship and captured the Prince and the crew... They were never to be seen again. And the Kissing Traitor disappeared."

There was a wall of silence, that divided Pastrache and Nello. The weight of this small story, seemed to have struck something within the Tank's armor. The Half-Elf was aware, the tank possessed no human organ, not like a Mimic... but she could feel the tank shuddering from a bad thought he had in his mind.

"...I...I don't get it Big Sis...Doesn't everyone want to be free? Why would they hurt someone who was helping them?"

"It's hard to explain, Nello... But when you're life is on the line, it's obvious you trust no one but yourself."

"... That's not fair."

"No. It isn't Nello, but... that's just the way things are."

The T-34 Tank lowered its cannon. It was close to dragging itself into the dirt, but he didn't care. All he knew, this story was sad... but now that he thought about it.

"Wait. Big Sis, why are people celebrating that he was betrayed?"

"N-no. Nello. That's not the point of the story, the truth is.. the truth was, the Prince sacrificed his life in the end to protect his people."

"How so?"

"The only reason why the Ancient Civilization wasn't conquered so quickly, was the defensive properties of its Magical Iron Walls. It was the one thing that kept the enemy out. However, only people of the Royal Family know how to deactive the defenses, whether it be from outside or inside. So the enemy tortured the Prince to tell them the secret in unlocking the front gate."

"D-did he tell them!? D-did he give up and tell everything to the bad guys!? O-oh please no! That would be very sad!"

"... After 30 days and 30 nights of beatings and interrogation... on the 31st morning, he was... no longer among the living."

"............................."

"... But."

"B-but?"

"Even covered in bruises and wounds... he had this most serene smile on his face... almost at peace."

"...........I think I know why, Big Sis."

"N-Nello? W-whooa!!"

The Tank suddenly came to a halt.

If Pastrache hadn't been paying attention, she would have surely fell off. She watched as the armored vehicle suddenly raise its cannon, up to the sky. It was as if he was preparing to shoot an enemy right of the sky. But there was nothing up in the heavens. no so much as a wandering cloud.

There was this pause of silence... as if to respect the fallen in this story.

"The Prince must have been really proud of himself. Even when the bad guys keep forcing him to tell them his family's secret, he didn't say a word... He was a true soldier."

"... Oh right... I keep forgetting that you used to be a soldier too, Nello. You were once in a war from your world before you...Ahem. You're right. If the Prince gave into his pain, in hopes they would stop hurting him and told the villains everything, his city, his family, the people... they'll all dissappear."

"Yeah... The Prince did the right thing. He was a very good man... Sniff."

"Now, now, Nello. This story happened 1000 years ago. Please don't cry, don't cry."

Pastrache rubbed her hand across the top of the Tank's Turret head, the same way a mother would comfort her child. With a series of small sniffles, the Tank waved his nose to try and re-collect himself.

"I-I'm a big boy now, Big Sis. I-I won't cry...Sniff."

"Aaah. Nello is so cute."

"So... is this why everyone is celebrating for the Prince's good deed?"

"Yes. At the very last minute, by some stroke of a miracle, the enemies' own kingdom broke out into a civil war on their homefront, and they were force to withdraw. One thing led to another, a new government order took over. They declared a cease of all hostility. The Ancient Civilization was spared. Now, they exist to this very day, becoming the number one tourist nation in the world!"

"Uwaaah. So glad the Prince didn't give up so soon."

"To remember his sacrifice for the greater good, his parents the King and Queen would offer jewels and gemstones in the shape of Desert Ostrich Eggs. His favorite treat. As the rest of the citizens were not able to afford something that expensive, a royal maid came up with the idea to buy real eggs and paint them to look like they were gold and gemstones."

"Ooooooh! Is that why so many people are leaving with so many white eggs!?"

"That's right. Every year to this day, people would gather eggs, paint them in vibrant colors and patterns, and then lay it across an altar or statue dedicated to the Prince. As the tradition became more and more popular, it spread through the various nations. Now, even the people of this continent would offer a colorful egg to respect him."

"So that's how St. Patricks Day was born! I get it now!"

"...St. Esther."

"Big Sis! Big Sis! I want an egg! No, I want 20 eggs! Wait-wait! Could you get me 30 eggs!?"

"I-I'm glad you're in the spirit of the holiday, b-but are you trying to bankrupt me!? Do you know how expensive a regular Ostrich Egg is!? Nuwooh! S-s-stop moving around, I'll fall! I'll faaaaaall!"

The T-34 Tank was excited.

His tracks were going back and forth in wild paces that it was hard to tell if he was malfunctioning... or he wanted to do an Irish Jig... Preferably, Riverdance to show his joy.

"Big Sis! Could we get an Egg!? Pretty pleaaaaase!? And a brush!? I want a Round Brush, a Flat Brush, and a Filbert Brush. Oh-oh! And a Sword brush if you can find one! Also, we need lots and lots of pastel colors!"

"Wait! Wait! Wh-what's gotten into you, N-Nello? I-I know kids want to join in on the fun for the sake of coloring eggshells, b-but why you too?"

"I don't know why, but I'm in a really good mood to paint!"

[https://66.media.tumblr.com/572f45ad3ccb6622a0d8a75591cbb043/tumblr_pnr1czw6jv1wqnuuso1_1280.pnj]

"Big Sis! Could you hold the egg a little higher? A little more to the left... right--Yes! Right there, don't move!"

"O-okay, bu-but remember you promised, Nello! Th-that you won't sneeze... o-or else I'll lose more than just my arm."

"I promise.....A...aaah...Aaaah."

"NELLO!"

"Aaaah. I forgot to ask you to get the special yellow. It's an Ochre color made from crushed sunberries."

"GOOD GODDESS IN HEAVEN, MY HEART HURTS!"

Pastrache was shaking. As much as she didn't want to be afraid of her own little brother tank, she had to.

It was because the squishy Half-Elf was standing in front of the T-34 Tank. Both hands up in the air. No, this was not a stick-up, that would be a cruel joke to use a WW2 tank as a pistol.

Rather, one hand held aloft a large egg the size of a baby watermelon. Her other hand carried a wooden artist palette that had various color of the rainbow, as well as drops of white, black, and some grey.

Due to the difference in height, the Half-Elf had to stretch her arms and body at full length, in order to hold the egg and the palette board at the tank's eye level.

As if to let him paint like a human.

........ Some of you may be wondering - how the heck does a Tank paint? It has no hands.

It was simple.

The Half-Elf had already tied a series of Round, Flat, Filbert, Sponge, Fan, and Filbert brush to the end of Nello's cannon. All he had to do was wiggle his barrel around, and draw the colors on the large egg shell as if a canvas.

"W-wow, Nello. I-I thought you were going to draw something simple like X's and O's in a row of three, o-or maybe the faces you see on Jack o Lanterns. B-but your brush stokes are incredible! The overlapping blue hue, d-doesn't it look like a rolling ocean with sea foam!? A-and those dabs of green, wh-why do I keep thinking of a waving grass field?"

"... You think so? I-I kind of felt like drawing it... Ah, I forgot to add the clouds. Big Sis, could you show help me put white and grey on my brush?"

"Hnnnng! T-tryiiiing! Gah! There, that should do it!...W-were you an artist in another life, b-before you were reborn as a tank? I mean, look at this piece of art! I-it should be on a real canvas hanging in a gallery, n-not on an eggshell the size of my fist! Nuwoooh! Y-you're not even finished and I can feel such raw emotions in your art!... W-wait. Nello, those red dots over the green fields, what are they? A-are they falling stars in a garden?"

"No...... They're Poppies... from the Field of Flanders."

"Flanders?"

"... I think... I don't remember what I just said. Do you remember?"

"I believe you said something about Flounders." 

"... I honestly can't remember... Ah. Big Sis, could you hold the egg a little higher?"

"PLEASE SPARE ME! I'M ALREADY STANDING ON MY TIPPY-TOOOOOES!"

And that, is how you teach a T-34-85 Tank, to paint a wonderful rainbow egg.

Happy St. Esther's Day.

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