The Paw-ssibility of Love

Another day begins! Time to start training to become a fully-fledged kettle spirit! Let's get to work!

But I'm not a kettle spirit, I'm a teapot pixie.

Someone sure is picky about that. This would go a whole lot smoother if you'd just surrender yourself to the kettle.

Never gonna happen.

So I've been thinking about how we can get you to see yourself as a true kettle spirit, and I have an idea! First things first, we've gotta do something about those clothes. As long as you're dressed in those rags, you're never gonna let go of this silly teapot thing.

What's wrong with my outfit? I thought it was pretty cute...

If you look the part, you'll feel the part. And then you'll know in your heart that you're a kettle spirit.

So...

Ta-dah! What do you think? It's an old one of mine, but it's pretty cute, right?

When you say "old", how old are we talking? Decades? Centuries?

Centuries?! Does this look that old-fashioned to you? Now stop complaining and start changing! Let your heart be steeped in the kettle spirit!

Tea! Pot!

Wow!

You look stunning! I never expected it to look THIS good on you!

It makes me feel weird when you compliment my appearance. It sounds like you're complimenting yourself...

Oh, just take the compliment. Or are you saying you DON'T think I'm also stunning?

Um, I... No, of course not... But what is this thing?

It's a cat. Cute, isn't it?

I don't really like cats.

This is the cats' world, we're just living in it! So don't talk like that when you never know who's listening! Besides, what's there to even dislike? They're so cute!

Yeah, but they're SO useless! And they only get away with it 'cause they're cute. It's not fair!

They're so NOT useless! They hunt down mice in the dead of night and protect our food supplies.

And they're such mean little things. There was once this stray in my village. Everyone used to fawn and fuss over it... But whenever I'd try to pet it, it would slap me away...

Yeah, well you're so dense, it's no wonder even cats look down on you.

That's so mean...

Anyway, now that you're all dressed up, let's go show off your new look to Aldo.

Anyway, now that you're all dressed up, let's go show off your new look to Master.

Anyway, now that you're all dressed up, let's go show off your new look to Lord Aldo.

But we need to find a way to make this fashion show more exciting...

I wonder if he'll compliment me?

It's lunchtime, so we'll probably find him at the Garden of Peace. Let's go.

I thought I might find you here.

Myunfa, what's up?

So it's about Myunfa... My protégée, that is, not me. She's gotten all dressed up, and she'd love to show you.

Oh, really?

I don't see her anywhere.

Huh. That's strange. She was here a minute ago.

Tea...tea....tea...

Oh?! Do you hear those adorable footsteps?

What? No, all I hear is your voice.

Shhh! Listen carefully!

Tea! Tea! Tea!

She's getting closer!

Teateateateateatea...

T-pixie!

Whoa! What a cute surprise! What do you think, Aldo?

You look great! I love the cat theme.

Do you like cats, Master?

You can call me Meownfa if you like!

You're changing your name? That's...random.

Is it, though? 'Cause I've been thinking for a while now... With us both being Myunfas, we never know which of us Master is talking to.

And if Master likes cats, then he'll pay me even more attention if I have a cat-themed name!

I wouldn't change how I acted toward you just because you have a new name. But if you want to be called Meownfa...

I'm happy to call you Meownfa.

Or you could call me Myunya. That works too.

Okay, it is less confusing if we have different names. But what happens when you change out of that outfit?

I'll go back to being Myunfa, duh. There's nothing cat-themed about my regular look.

A limited-time-only name isn't gonna be much use, but whatever. Come along, Meownfa. Time to train you up to be the cutest kettle spirit around!

Ugh, can't we skip it today? I used up all my energy on my grand entrance.

NO! That would defeat the point of this whole exercise! Why do you think I gave you this new look? Why do you think I keep praising you? It's to motivate you to train as a kettle spirit. So GET MOTIVATED!

Yeah, but I don't need your praise. Bombarding me with flattery like some kinda salesperson isn't gonna get me motivated.

Ugh, you impudent child! You're becoming more and more like a cat each second!

I don't know, Myunfa. Trying to force it won't do Meownfa any good.

Aldo! Stop indulging her, or she'll never grow up!

Master! Stop indulging her, or she'll never grow up!

Lord Aldo! Stop indulging her, or she'll never grow up!

Becoming a true kettle spirit isn't something that happens overnight. It takes commitment, and daily train...

Myunfa! I get what you're saying, but Meownfa is... Hey!

That little sneak! I won't let her get away this time!

Being a kettle spirit must be hard.

Stop!

Wow, someone's in a big rush. Something wrong?

Don't you "something wrong" me! You need to do your training!

But I don't wanna...

But you were the one who asked me for training! So why do you keep running away from it?

Because! I know Master will never leave me, whether I try or not.

So you're gonna use his kindness as an excuse to slack off? Honestly, that's pathetic.

Anyway, it's not like you can fall back on his kindness forever...

Huh? Why not?

Aldo is human. Unlike us, he won't live forever.

Master is human. Unlike us, he won't live forever.

Lord Aldo is human. Unlike us, he won't live forever.

Master is human. Our time will come to a conclusion. You think you can use deception.

Are you speaking in verse now? 'Cause if that was supposed to rhyme, boy have I got news for you...

M-Master's gonna die?!

No, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOOO! He can't! HE CAN'T!

Calm down! It's not like he's gonna die anytime soon.

Yeah, but how long will he live? 50? 80? I mean, there's no way he'll get to 100, right?

He will have lived one full life if he did...

But teapot pixies can live for thousands of years! I need him to live that long, too!

Yeah, but that's never gonna happen. And here's the thing. Not all humans are as kind as him. So...

If you don't want your next master to cast you aside as useless, you have to learn to improve yourself now.

And unlike me, you don't intend to use your wish-granting power anymore, right?

I-I don't... But I...I don't even wanna think about what I'll do when Master is gone. Having a master that isn't him? I...

What is it?

Master just needs to get married!

Um, WHAT?

If Master gets married and has a child, I can just serve his child! And when that child gets married and gives Master a grandchild, I can just serve the grandchild!

And so on and so forth, forever and ever! Then he can always look after me, even when he's not around anymore!

You're aware that you're speaking utter garbage, right?

Huh? Did I say something strange?

Not a bad plan! I volunteer as Lord Aldo's bride!

You?! In your dreams! I don't want no nag for a mother-in-law!

And this is the thanks I get for always looking after you? You owe me!

Not a bad plan! I volunteer as Master's bride!

You?! In your dreams! I don't want no nag for a mother-in-law!

And this is the thanks I get for always looking after you? You owe me!

Anyway, why do you expect everyone to look after you?

Hey, I'll look after the baby at least, as an upfront investment. I used to look after my little bro, you know.

Ah, so you'll help for that brief moment when the baby's still a baby, then go back to being a parasite? Don't you see how much you'll tarnish the name of the kettle spirit?

T-pix.

You're not even T-pixie anymore? This is supposed to be your identity! Stop abbreviating it!

I am who I am. I can abbreviate if I want.

Anyway, I shouldn't waste time. I need to find Master a wife, and quick!

Someone kind, who doesn't push any work on me. That sounds like his type to me.

No, that sounds like YOUR type!

Don't be silly! Now, do me a favor and let Master know I'll be gone for a while.

See ya!

Honestly... Nothing gets that girl moving like her own self-interest.

Whatever, it won't last anyway. She'll get bored of this before the day is over.

Heheheh... I finally found you.

It's been a while, my master. A thousand years, I believe. So this is where you ran off to?

Mr. Pot? I thought I burned you to a crisp. But it looks like you're okay after all...

Okay? You call this okay? Is this some kind of joke? You have no idea the pain I suffered in those flames!

It took me a thousand years just to piece myself back together again!

So breaking to bits didn't kill you?

With a body this fragile, I wouldn't last long if a little breakage were enough to kill me. But it's not exactly easy to repair oneself...

Well, congratulations, I guess.

Pretending to be indifferent, I see... I used too much power bringing myself back to life. In human terms, I'm on the verge of starving.

Then you can't use your teapot pixie powers?

Correct.

But you still dragged yourself here to see me? Why? Are you mad at me about what happened before?

No, that was a thousand years ago now. It's water under the bridge. But you know the rules...

A teapot pixie can't move on to their next master until they've granted three wishes of their current master.

Yeah, I remember...

Therefore I...

Hm? What are you doing?!

Aaargh!

So long, sucker! Now, back to the wife hunt...

Urgh... No one wants to be my master's wife. He's a nice guy, but he's just some village guard. And he's the eldest son. Objectively speaking, he's not the greatest catch out there.

I believe some might have been more inclined if you'd mentioned Aldo's name instead of merely his status... Anyway. Shall I take you back to Nagsham?

*Sigh* I guess so, yeah... Thanks for taking me to all those places...

Who could turn down a request from a sweet young girl? Certainly not a gentleman battleship such as I. Just call me the Synth Hydra Z.

I knew I could rely on you.

Here we go! Hold on tight!

There's no sign of Meownfa. Where the heck did she go?

I looked all over town, but I couldn't see her anywhere. Now I'm wondering whether she left Nagsham all on her own...

It's not like she's a child. She's free to go wherever she wants. But still, I do worry about her...

Some...one...help...me...

Huh? Did you hear that?

I can't see it, but I definitely feel it. There's a kindred spirit here somewhere...

But I don't think it's a kettle spirit...

I'm in...the river... I'm...sinking...

The river?

Isn't this Meownfa's teapot?! What's that doing here?

No! Wait!

Thank you, human. I would never have had the strength to crawl out of there myself.

Wait a minute... You're not Meownfa...

Are you Mr. Pot? Meownfa, or Myunfa, as you know her, has told me all about you.

Oh, you know my master?

Wait, so you're the one who turned Meownfa into a teapot pixie and stole all her family's souls?

Meownfa...? Look, you don't need to worry on that front. I don't have that kind of power anymore.

You don't?

It's true, I don't sense much power coming from them. I think we can afford to relax a little. But I don't understand. Meownfa told me you broke into pieces and died?

My body may be fragile, but I would be poorly designed indeed if a little crack was enough to kill me. It just takes time to revive, that's all. For that alone, I guess I should be grateful to my craftsman.

Hmm... I always thought of kettles and teapots as related, but I guess we actually have a lot of differences.

Hm. So you're not human either?

Me, I'm... I'm also called Myunfa. I'm a kettle spirit.

A kettle spirit, huh? I see...

You were something of a mentor to Myunfa, well you know who I mean. So would you mind telling me more... about the teapot pixies? Now that she's my responsibility, I think it'd help if I knew more about your kind.

Of course. I could never refuse a request from a kettle spirit.

Besides, I owe you for pulling me out of that river. I'll tell you everything I can.

Then why don't we go to the inn to talk?

Fine by me... But are you sure about this?

Don't worry. If the pot tries anything, my power will be enough to handle it.

Okay then. I'll leave this to you.

A teapot pixie is a being born of a craftsman's resentment.

Resentment?

Long, long ago, there was a wealthy man from here who fell in love with the culture of the western continent. And so, he decided to order his kettle craftsman to make him a tea set.

Could the craftsman even do that? Kettles and teapots look totally different to me...

The craftsman could hardly disobey his employer's orders, so he went ahead and crafted the tea set. But he took pride in his work and his culture, and was heartbroken at the disrespect shown by his superior... In preferring the culture of another country over their own. He felt ashamed of himself for working for a man who failed to recognize the charms of his own land.

So you were born of the shame and resentment of the craftsman who made you? Instead of wishing for the happiness of those who drink your tea, you wish misfortune upon those who slight you?

Correct. Which is why teapot pixies aren't able to bring benefit to anyone.

They're the exact opposite of kettle spirits.

It's hard not to feel bitter. That one man deprived me of the chance of ever being a kettle spirit like you.

As much as I understand and sympathize with how you and your craftsman felt...

I still can't forgive you for what you did to Meownfa and her family.

Fair enough. Humans and teapot pixies are incompatible at the best of times. If, after hearing my story, you sympathize with my past, that is enough for me.

But I must warn you. My master is not a silly little girl. Underestimate her at your own risk.

I don't understand. Meownfa said she'd never use her teapot pixie powers again...

Powers or not, she's no longer human.

She's an ugly, twisted teapot pixie who brings misfortune to all her enemies.

Master! Don't listen to him! Mr. Pot is a liar!

A liar, you say? Sometimes I may be a little withholding with the truth, I'll grant you, but I never lie.

Nor do I forget. I still remember you setting my body aflame and watching me burn like it was yesterday.

Wait, what? You said it was an accident...

Oh, it was no accident. She sealed off my powers so I couldn't resist, then trapped me inside the fireplace.

She kept that fire burning for days, adding more wood so it couldn't burn out, laughing as I cried in pain.

I didn't laugh!

Myunfa...

I... *sniffle*

Myunfa!

Let me handle this.

Meownfa! Meownfa, wait up!

Meownfa! Just stop, will you?

You have a lot of nerve, ignoring me like this!

Oh, you were talking to me? Then at least call me by my name.

You're the one who asked to be called Meownfa in the first place!

No, I didn't...

Yes, you, Oh, forget it. Why did you run away just now?

Because I got upset...

Thinking Master might hate me...

Did you do something that might make him hate you?

I mean, yeah... I'm a teapot murderer. Why wouldn't my master hate a girl who killed her teapot out of revenge?

You call yourself a murderer, but Mr. Pot didn't actually die.

But still... I lie. I'm lazy. I'm an ugly, twisted teapot pixie, just like Mr. Pot said.

Yeah, but you've always been that way. Why is this only bothering you now?

And I'm such a messy eater. Master's always having to wipe my mouth for me... And I'm such a glutton. Master's always having to give me some of his food...

If you're aware of your bad qualities, then maybe...I don't know, do something about them?

Oh, honestly... Are you upset about him seeing your ugly side because you only want him to see you as beautiful?

Nooo...

Go on, admit it. I'm right, aren't I? And do you know what it's called when we only want someone to see our good side?

It's called "Love." You went through all that trouble trying to find him a partner...

But can you honestly tell me that you never imagined yourself in that role? Not even once?

Me? As Master's...

Hnngg...

Apparently not... I guess you're more innocent than I thought.

Apparently not... And now I've gone and put ideas in your head. Great...

Anyway, he already knows that you're a slob. If you have time to complain about it, you have time to do something about it.

You don't think Master would just accept my ugly side?

Pfft, of course he wouldn't!

Oh...

It's the height of arrogance to expect someone to just accept you as you are. You've gotta try to improve yourself, or at least hide your flaws behind other charms. Once you graduate from a selfish, expectant love, and move on to a love that nurtures the other's feelings... That's when you'll finally know true love!

Whoa, I never realized you were such an expert on love! You're like some kind of love guru! No wonder you've had so many masters in the palm of your hand!

You make me sound like some kind of heartbreaker!

Anyway, let's go back to the inn. Aldo will be so worried about you.

Anyway, let's go back to the inn. Master will be so worried about you.

Anyway, let's go back to the inn. Lord Aldo will be so worried about you.

Besides, you still need to settle things with Mr. Pot.

So just outta interest...have you already known true love?

......

Oh... Not yet.

I'm sorry for throwing you into the fire. I was confused and upset, but that's no excuse. I took things too far, and I'm sorry.

......

My family was killed by an avalanche, not you. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you.

Apology accepted.

Your anger was perfectly understandable. I'm sorry too, for deceiving you.

Looks like they've finally buried the hatchet.

Now that that's settled, let's get some food. I'm starving! Is there anything you can't eat, Mr. Pot?

Not really... But I'll be satisfied simply enjoying the rich aroma of whatever tea this era has to offer.

Then why don't we go eat some beef manju?

Master? Aren't you going?

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Wh-What are you talking about?

Master's not watching now. I can finally drop the act... You didn't really believe what I said, did you? Because I don't think I did anything wrong...

N-No! What are you...

You must know how this goes by now.

Wh-What was that noise?

Oh no...

Meownfa, I think you have some explaining to do...

You shouldn't leave a teapot in a precarious place like that, Master. You know we cats can't resist knocking things over...

Knocking things over...?

I was just being a mischievous little kitty. Say you forgive me!

Oh, let's just let it slide.

Seriously?! Are you sure?

You know the saying, those who thwart another's love life deserve to be punched to death by a cat? Well, maybe that's how she felt about Mr. Pot.

Besides, these cracks will only take a few hundred years to heal. It's not like that time she set it on fire...

Don't worry, Master! I'll clean this right up. I wouldn't want you hurting yourself on these pot fragments!

She makes a mess just to take the credit for cleaning it up. This girl is really not to be underestimated.

Be careful, Meownfa. I wouldn't want you to get hurt!

Master! Is there anything I can help you with?

Master! Would you like me to serve you dinner?

Master! Let me tuck you into bed!

Meownfa's been so eager to help out lately. As much as I appreciate the thought, I don't know...

Hmm hm hm hmm! I just love being able to help you, Master.

She'll get bored soon enough. You just have to wait it out.

You think?

So what's the plan today, Master? If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know!

Forget about her, Master. Is there anything you'd like to ask of ME?

Not you too, Myunfa?! I can't take much more of this...

Hey, you're not playing fair! It's ME who's supposed to grant Master favors, not you.

Stop trying to steal my master! Show a little self-restraint!

But he's MY master! Tell her! Tell her you're my master, Master!

I-I'm not anybody's master...

Stop acting so spoiled! It's getting to Master!

Can you two please try to calm down?

Forget about her, Lord Aldo. Is there anything you'd like to ask of ME?

Not you too, Myunfa?! I can't take much more of this...

Hey, you're not playing fair! It's ME who's supposed to grant Master favors, not you.

Stop trying to steal my master! Show a little self-restraint!

But he's MY master! Tell her! Tell her you're my master, Master!

I-I'm not anybody's master...

Stop acting so spoiled! It's getting to Lord Aldo!

Can you two please try to calm down?