Chapter 97: Annoying Orange

Emma woke up in a manner familiar to many cat owners; with Saint smothering her face in thick tufts of orange fur. Thankfully, Emma didn't actually need to breathe, or she'd have woken far more abruptly quite some time ago. Still remembering the futility of trying to dislodge Saint the normal way last night, Emma activated Ephemera, using a moment of intangibility to slip through her captor and make her way off of the bed. Leaving Saint to sleep on her now vacant pillow, Emma headed to the door.

[Knob-head (LOCKED)]

The door looked untouched, raising questions as to how Saint got inside. She hadn't done anything harmful though, despite spending the night so Emma pushed the matter aside; Saint wasn't going anywhere soon, and there were things to do on a timer.

[Timed Quest received - All Mart (Time Limit: 6 Days)

Objective: Acquire a homunculus (Emma Knight).

Objective: Acquire a set of formal attire (Eternal Britannian Empire).

Bonus Objective: Acquire a storage item that can hold living beings.

Bonus Objective: Find out how much money Edith Knight has left in her bank account.

Bonus Objective: Acquire a divine artifact compatible with Saint.

Rewards: 500 EXP

Bonus Rewards: Upgrade a random Ability and/or Trait, A large sum of Imperial money, Trait - Babble Fish upgraded to include non-humans.]

Looking at her new quest properly for the first time, it was apparent to Emma that the two main objectives were effectively free. Elizabeth had promised to pay for both items, so the only thing to be done was to emphasise speed; ensuring that both were delivered before the end of the week. The EXP gain was a nice bonus, but the main reward was always going to be the items themselves. The Bonus Objectives, meanwhile, were where things got interesting.

"Amal mentioned storage items existed, but that he couldn't get one at the time, hence the spell he cast on me instead to grant an Inventory," Emma recalled. "So it's probably not something easy to make, nor quick for that matter."

[There are a handful of individuals capable of such a turnaround, for a small fortune. Realistically, buying second hand is the way to go, given the circumstances. That might change, depending on how much is left in my hidden bank account.]

Emma made note of that as she reclaimed the anima within the door, unlocking it.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Speaking of the second objective, you haven't been around for a long time; are you sure the bank's even still around?"

[They were, last I checked three decades ago. Look out for a branch of Sale & Swindell.]

Emma nearly tripped, barely grabbing the railing in time to avoid a tumble down the stairs.

"Please tell me that's a fake name."

[The bank began as a partnership, and following tradition, was named after the surnames of the two managing partners.]

"Okay, it shouldn't be too hard to get your account unlocked," Emma sighed. "Might take more paperwork that I would like, but we can get it done. That last bonus objective though..."

[Yeah, I've got nothing.]

"Aren't you the one assigning the quests?" Emma couldn't help asking as she made her way to the dining room, finding a glass of orange juice waiting for her.

[Part of me is, but information is partitioned for sensitive subjects. All I can say is that you have a chance of success; the System does not assign impossible objectives.]

"How reassuring," Emma deadpanned, heading over and plopping down in her assigned seat.

Mrow?

It was fluffier than she remembered; glancing down, Emma found Saint staring up at her from between her legs; looking more disgruntled than hurt by Emma sitting on her belly.

"How did you even get here before me? Well, I'm not moving; this seat is mine."

An impromptu staredown began; one that Emma eventually won by virtue of not needing to blink. Hissing quietly, Saint's amber eyes glimmered as her bulk disappeared, replaced by a tiny orange snake that easily slithered out from under Emma; returning to her feline form upon landing on the floor. Further escalation was preempted as Noah entered the room, carrying a tin; suddenly, conflict didn't even register in Saint's priorities as the hungry feline headed for a much easier target. Emma's focus, meanwhile, was on the tin in Noah's hands.

[Bastet's Banquet: Goddess-approved food for the superior feline. EXP gained upon consumption by Cat (once per day).]

"Where'd you get the cat food?"

"They came with the aid packages," Noah explained. "Everyone fills out a questionnaire with how many dependants they have in the household, and packages get delivered at the start of each month. I'm the only one here who can read Arabic, so I get everything labelled in it: Saint seems to like it, so I'm not complaining."

"Funny coincidence, that," Emma shook her head, seeing a meddling hand at work.

Elizabeth was the last to arrive, making her way in as Saint began to eat. With a snap of her fingers, the table was set; thick stacks of pancake alongside fresh butter and applesauce.

"Eat up," She ordered, mainly for Noah's benefit. "We'll head out after breakfast; we'll be heading to an alchemist first for the homunculus, then after that an appointment with my preferred tailor to sort out some formal wear. Can't be the other way round, since I need your measurements first."

"Will this take the full day?" Noah asked, looking worried. "I have meetings in the early afternoon..."

He trailed off, eyes unfocusing in what Emma had learned was the telltale sign of the System at work.

"Never mind," Noah corrected himself. "I'm free for the day; Ryan can take care of anything non-urgent."

"It should only take the morning," Elizabeth clarified. "Though if you're free, we can take lunch and do a bit more shopping in the afternoon. I haven't had time for more than the essentials since Christmas, and I'm sure you all have your own needs."

"I'll be sorting out a bank account," Emma agreed, though she didn't mention for whom. "A storage item as well, if I can find one; I got some funny looks dragging a rubber fish over my shoulder, which I'd rather avoid going forward."

With nothing more to be said, Noah and Elizabeth dug into their meal with gusto; Saint, having already finished her cat food in the meantime, jumped onto the table for a second course.