FATE\Deus Decipit

Chapter 17: Bacon Pancakes

8:30 am, a hotel suite in downtown Athens, the eighth floor

Heping stood in the kitchen with two pans over the lit stove. In one, there were pancakes, and in the other, bacon. Her Servant apparently loved this combination for breakfast, and she saw it fit to deliver, as ironic as it was. Frankly, she got the impression that he would eat just about anything.

Part of the reason she suspected such a thing was because, even now, he was still snacking. He sat cross-legged on the counter with a plastic tray of rice cookies in front of him. No more than a meter tall, he munched away while wearing novelty children's clothes she had bought for him from one of the many stalls in the old town.

It was actually quite adorable. His childish nature made her forget about everything else.

This was her servant Lancer, better known as Pigsy of 'The Journey to the West'. He sat there like a child: short, plump, and stubby with short legs that ended in pig hooves, small hands hardly distinguishable from his arms, large, floppy ears, and an equally large snout that bobbled adorably as he chowed down. His beady eyes were closed as he sat in pure bliss, entirely absorbed by the sweets in his mouth.

He was a glutton, but she didn't mind too much. Between her military background and strict parents, she had never really had much opportunity to try new things, but her Servant's insatiable stomach gave her a good excuse to eat a wide variety of different dishes. The "Hamburger" she had tried the other day was particularly good.

She was slightly unnerved by the fact that his favorite food was pork, but had decided not to question it.

"Excuse me Pigsy, but do you want your bacon crispy or extra crispy?"

He oinked with surprise and some agitation, with his mouth full he chastised her, "Oi! For the last time: I AM NOT PIGSY! I'M LANCER, LADY!" He summoned his nine-tooth rake and pointed at her with it. Its shaft was black like obsidian while the head was a golden bronze. "I will not be disrespected like this! I refuse -oink-!"

"Okay, but how do you want your bacon?"

He swallowed the food in his mouth and made his rake disappear in the air. He pouted, "Crispy."

"Alright. It will be ready soon."

He pretended to be angry, but couldn't keep his tongue from licking his lips in anticipation. A bit of drool slipped from his mouth as he slipped into a small trance, murmuring under his breath, "Hehe, succulent bacon -oink- gooey pancakes -oink-."

Seeming to forget about the rice cookies, he plopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling, or, more accurately, the divider between the kitchen and the living room, for a moment or two. "Oi. Master."

"Yes, Pigsy?"

"What're we doin' today? -And don't call me Pigsy."

"Oh. I thought we would finally make our way to the Acropolis today."

Hearing this, Pigsy sat up with a start, slapping the counter with his palm. "What did I say about the Acropolis!? That place is leyline central!" He crossed his arms defiantly, "There's definitely somethin' spooky there, and I want no part of it! It's just askin' for trouble -oink-!"

"That is true, but we have to go there eventually. I told you, my mother sent me here to investigate, and the leylines are where we start. We have already examined every other part of Athens. I think we have put this off long enough."

She shut off the stove and began to move the hearty breakfast to a separate plate.

"Your mom can go to Hell!" he huffed with agitation.