TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 40

Great Sage? Does this count as a sonic attack?

[[That is accurate.]]

Thought so...

[[Damage is being repelled by Multilayer Barrier.]]

Well, that's a relief.

I never knew that Milim could snore as loud as she did that night. I blame the veggies from earlier. Maybe she had an upset stomach or something and it was disturbing her sleep. All I knew was that it was shaking the entire room and Milim wasn't showing signs of waking up anytime soon.

I endured this for a bit before deciding that enough is enough, and slipped away again.

It was full morning now, and there were already people out and about on the streets. I stepped through the doorway that led outside and did a little stretch to start my day, wondering if I should just wander around for a bit before Milim inevitably barreled into me after getting up.

Before I could pick a direction to explore, though, I noticed Hermes making his way right toward me.

"Oh, good, you're awake. Is Lady Milim still asleep?"

"Uh-huh. Can't you hear her snoring?"

"Yes... but she's... uh... faked that before," Hermes whispers very quietly.

"To avoid eating breakfast?"

Hermes gave a small, discrete nod.

"It's that bad, huh? Every meal?"

Hermes nodded a second time.

"It is our way."

"What? To eat the blandest, lamest food ever?"

The man sighed tiredly, "We are not supposed to alter what nature has provided. It's considered sacrilege. Or... rude, or something."

"And you don't agree with it one bit."

He lunged forward and covered my mouth with his hand.

"Be quieter about that."

I nodded my head mutely and Hermes removed his hand, rapidly looked around us, and started talking to me in a soft whisper."I've done more traveling than most of my people and I have experienced a variety of cultures. It's hard to be completely content with the Dragon Faithful's restrictive way of living after seeing how the rest of the world works. I know Lady Milim has done the same and agrees with me that the food served here is..."

"Something that barely qualifies as that?"

"Not exactly... but you get my point. I want better for Lady Milim, and I want better for the rest of us too. If our goddess doesn't support this restriction, then what is the point of it? I've tried speaking to Father Middray about this many times, but he's a very... devout man and doesn't listen."

"Has he ever tried real food?"

"Never."

"Well, then he doesn't know what he's missing. Maybe if we could just get him to try one bite of something delicious, he would change his mind! Especially if we give some to Milim too and show him her happy face. Doesn't he wanna please her?"

"But how am I supposed to take him out of the country to try that food? Father Middray won't go anywhere that doesn't 'understand the true way of Lady Milim.'"

"No need. I can cook for him and Milim." I gave Hermes a reassuring wink. "I'm no professional chef, but I at least know my way around a kitchen."

Although I may be a bit limited on ingredients... and appliances. Well, I'll figure it out.