Feed

Heeeey!

Huh? H-hey, hang on!

Oh, be silent!

Ah...so it was you, whelp. Cease your pitiful howling! And "Hey"? Is that how you feel entitled to address me? Truly? It seems you need some punishment.

S-sorry... But what do you want me to call you?

I'd use your name...

But I don't even know what it is!

Haha...mwa-ha-ha!

Think, whelp. Why would one of my stature tell her name to a pet? Consider yourself lucky that I acknowledge your existence.

Now shoo, whelp, shoo.

I mean, if we're going to be traveling together, it would be nice to at least know...

...Iphi?

...?!

Iphi. That's your name, isn't it? It's embroidered into that ribbon on your arm, the one with pretty silver thread.

......!!

Wha...you... I...this...

...... ......HA!

You must have a death wish, whelp. Do not so casually speak that name.

I only wanted to know so I could call you if I had to...

Ah! Right, I wanted to ask about your bat friend there, too.

What's his name?

Ah, his name is M...

...Mind your own business!

Aw, come on! Why won't you tell me?

I have my reasons, and you are not privy to them. Now! This time for certain, I...

Waaah...

Hm? What's that?

Sniffle...waaah...

Hey there. What's wrong? I don't see your parents around... Are you lost? Do you want to tell me what happened?

Sniffle... A-are you a nice person?

Um, um... I made a present for my mama for her birthday, but, I, I... I-I dropped it, and, and it broke, and I ruined everything...!

Waaah!!

Hey, hey, don't cry!

N-now I don't have a present... I can't fix it, and, and I can't make a new one in time...

You want to make a new one? Well, why don't I help you? We'll have plenty of time, I promise. Okay? Waddaya say? You want to give it a shot?

R-really?

Really!

O-okay! Thanks so much!

Haha, don't mention it. Now, what can I do?

Mwa...

Mwa...ha-ha... Mwa-ha.......

Iphi? What is it?

Aha! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!

Haha... Oh, no, pay me no mind. It is nothing, truly. Just that you really are so very easy to lead.

Well, yeah. If someone needs help, I can't just abandon them. Hey, I know. Why don't you help too?

I beg your pardon? Why should I stoop...

......

...Hah! I take it back. Thank your lucky stars; I will deign to assist.

O-okay. Thanks. I didn't think you would actually agree, if I'm honest.

Come, come. Hurry it up.

Okay, okay! You're a weird one...

So if we're making a new present, we'll need new materials, right?

Y-yeah... Can we go to Keruri Highroad?

Sure thing. Let's head to Keruri Highroad!

Oh, dear, dear...

This whelp truly is nothing more than a whelp, it would seem.

Okay, what are we looking for?

Um... There's this sweet-smelling grass. It's thin and swishy...can you find some for me?

Leave it to me.

Let's split up and look. I'll go this way. Iphi, you...

You must be joking. Why would I ever assist you with rooting about in the mud?

Huh?! But you came all the way here with us!

You truly are addled!

I merely wish to pass the time watching my pet dog digging holes, as befits his nature.

Come, come, get to work. Do try to make it at least moderately interesting for me.

Seriously?! Is that how you talk to...

Mister? Are you okay?

Oh, right, sorry! I'll get looking right away. You just wait for me.

Um, and you...

Hmm?

Hm! Yes, yes. Do not strain yourself. I am in a fine mood at the moment.

Found some! Is this it?

Yeah! This is it. Thank you!

Okay, then let's pack this up...

Can you, like, put it in your clothes somewhere?

...Why?

Um... There's a lot, so I can't carry it...

......? Well, sure, I guess.

Is that everything you need?

No, there's still more... Further along the Highroad. Will you come with me?

Of course I will.

Come on, Iphi, let's go.

Yes, yes, of course. Ha ha...

Ah, whelp? Show me your face.

Huh? Okay.

...Haha. Mwa-ha-ha!

Wh-What?!

Nothing. You are adorable.

Now, come along, whelp.

Okay, what's next? ...Uh, hey Iphi?

Is it just me, or do you look super bored?

Hm? Ah, yes. Well spotted, whelp.

I am indeed bored.

But it's only been a few minutes!

Long enough to grow bored. Doing the same thing in a different place is ridiculous and dull. I wish only to witness the moment of greatest entertainment. Call me when that time comes.

Honestly...

Um, Mister?

Oh, right! Sorry. What are we looking for now?

Um, it's a clump of salt that looks like a rock...

Salt like a rock?

Yeah! Can you find it for me?

Yeah, sure. Just wait here!

So, um...

Hmm?

Is that nice Mister your dog? Or are you friends? Is he important to you?

Hmph. Listen here...

You have no reason to fear. He is nothing more than a pet. Whatever you are worried about, it will not come to pass.

...! Okay! Thanks!

Heeey! Is this it?

Wow, that's it! Thanks, Mister.

Great to hear! Okay, I'll just...

Okay, now can you put that in your clothes somewhere, too? Be sure to break it up!

Uh...what?

Oh, um... It's best when it's been warmed up a little...

Well, okay...

Oh, I never actually asked. What are you making with all these materials?

Oh, um...

...You'll see when we get the next one! Come on, we gotta hurry!

Well, hold on now. Where are we going?

The, uhhh, Man-eating Marsh?

No time for questions! Let's go!

O-okay, I'm coming! I'm coming, so slow down!

Yaaawn...

So bothersome... Yes, yes. Quit blabbing in my ear.

What do you need this time?

Um, Mister?

Do you still have the sweet- smelling grass in your clothes?

Huh? Yeah.

And the rock salt too?

Yeah, I do. It's kind of poking me, though.

Okay, then... We don't actually need anything else.

Oh, really? Then let's hurry and...

Aside from your flesh, that is!!

What?! A monster?!

Huh?!

Now that you're properly seasoned and all salted up... All that's left is to roast you! Thanks so much, Mister!

You tricked me?!

But, but...! I need to learn how to cook human properly, or I'll never be accepted! The pack elders yelled at me so much!

Pack elders?

I guess even monsters have people problems, huh?

Don't get me started...

Well, I can't let you cook me...

But if you're looking for someone to talk to, I could do that. Let's figure out a way to make your elders happy.

Huh? Y-you would do that? Even after I... Okay, Mister. Just come a little closer.

Sure.

Gyaaaaah!!

Iphi?!

Your foolishness has progressed to the point that humoring it has grown tiresome.

But the look on your face when you realized you had been deceived was truly wonderful! So I suppose I do not mind rescuing you from your own mess.

I can't argue with that...

Now, see? Here they come. I will support you from behind...

So do take care not to be shot!

Damn it, damn it! This isn't right! You...! You said he was just a pet!

He is just a pet. I do not have to care about him one whit in order to lend my support.

Besides...

...?! Nnggggh...! Y-you...!

Iphi! What are you doing?! Wait, please! It's just a child!

It still has you fooled, does it? You thickheaded whelp. The only cure for such foolishness is to crush its source utterly.

Damn you, damn yooou! Why would a vampire of the underworld, the right hand of the King, be...

I gave you no permission to question me. Be silent.

Perhaps I would have answered, if the mood had taken me.

Hmph. Drained dry, are you? Meager sustenance, but...

Hey, Iphi...

Now then, it is time to return home. Yaaawn... Today was passably entertaining, I suppose.

H-Hold on a second! Where are you going?! The Derismo Highroad?!

Heeeeeeey! Iphiiiii!

Oh, enough!

What, whelp! Will you perish if you stop howling for even one second, is that it?

No, that's not it.

It's just, thanks. If it was just me there, I probably woulda been done for.

Unlikely. You seem a sturdy sort. I did not save you out of anything beyond a passing whim, understand? I care not for you.

You dogs will grow attached to anyone who feeds you even once. I will have none of it. Spare me your fawning, child.

Oh, come on...

That reminds me. What did you actually do to that monster? You cast a spell, and something came out of it, and then... It looked like your bat ate it?

Yes, I stole its life force. Such is my contract.

Its life force? But why? And what do you mean, contract?

Bah, so troublesome! Must I explain everything to you? Suffice it to say it was merely a magic trick meant to startle and delight you, whelp.

And I will not show you again, no matter how long you stick to my heels. Shoo, shoo.

Farewell, whelp!

I'm not a whelp...

It can be hard to tell at first, but I get the feeling Iphi actually is a good person at heart. I was a bit worried when she refused to tell me her name...

But it looks like we'll be able to travel together after all.

Aah! Yes, one more thing!

Hm?

Oh, Iphi! What's up? Did you forget something?

Yes indeed, I did. The most important thing of all.

What's that?

...Urk?!

I forgot... To have a taste of your blood.