“It has something called a battery. If you fill it with Skill Energy, it will constantly emit Frost Breath from small holes in the pipes. That’s what keeps the things inside cold. It's one of the older models, which means the pipes aren’t exactly hidden by the outside, but it works good enough. It just looks a little clumpy,” Claire replied. She sat back down at the table with three cups and started to pour her friends a drink. Delicious, savory, cold apple juice poured from the wooden pitcher. Momo’s cute nose sniffed twice, grinning at the fruity scent that invaded her nostrils.  

“Then how does the stove work?” Momo looked at Servi when she said that just because she wanted to see the look on her friend’s face when she took a sip. The past few days had been nothing but water with the occasional milk, so something wonderfully tasty should elicit something adorable.  

She wasn’t wrong.  

When Servi put the cup down, she had an apple juice mustache on her upper lip. For a second, Momo wanted to lean over and lick the juice off, but that was very out of the question for someone like her. Claire’s words broke Momo from her daydream, and she looked at her.  

“It also has a battery, but instead of using Frost Breath, it uses Firewall. You see those knobs near the back?” Claire pointed to four dials. Momo took a sip and nodded. “Those control the Firewall that's produced. One dial is for temperature, and the other three dials are length, width, and height. There isn’t anything that says how hot it is, so I always start off on the lowest flame and work upwards. It’s a crazy mix of technology and Skill Energy.” 

“With the Drip Stone, refrigerator, and stove, it seems like you’ve been doing a lotta renovations.” Momo took a sip and savored the apple-flavored juice.  

“I have,” Claire responded. “When you told me about your situation—how you traveled from your village to here—it reminded me about my own life. I left my village as well, but my destination wasn’t Canary. I only wanted something stable in my life that I could call my own, so I traveled around. Village to village… Town to town… And city to city… Eventually, though, I just arrived here, to this little city called Canary. It looked like a well-enough place, so I figured why not stay here. I even thought I could start taking on quests again, but I’m just afraid of getting hurt. And I’m afraid of hurting things, so I gave that up...”  

I gave it up like everything else in my life…  

“Hey, do you wanna know how I actually got a job at Warden?” Claire asked. She leaned back in her chair and tucked her hair behind her ears. A thin film of remembrance sat in front of her purple eyes.  

“If you don’t mind, I’d love to know more about you. I really only know that you’re an Elf who works at Warden, and that’s it,” Momo said, smiling. 

“I guess I don’t talk about myself that much, but it’s just because it’s not that special. I was born, I grew up, and I left. I still send letters to my family, and we have a good relationship… Oh, about Warden. After I came back from a failed quest, my second one in a row, I overheard someone asking questions. The receptionist helping that person couldn’t answer it, so I stepped in. It was something about flowers, but that Dwarf you’ve seen around the building? He’s the manager, and he said he’d wave my penalties if I worked for him.  

“I was poorer than the dirt I was covered in, so I obviously said yes. So, the Dwarf became my boss, and I traded my bow and arrows for a desk and chair. But I can’t complain because my life is as stable as ever, and that’s all I wanted. Besides, I might not be an adventurer, but I’m still helping in a way.” Claire finished her shortened life story and took a full gulp of her juice. A part of her wanted to bring out the booze, but she didn’t know if Momo took well to alcohol. And with Servi being how she was, Claire felt like adding beer was a bad mistake.  

“It sounds like you achieved your dreams, so I’m happy for you, Claire,” Momo said. She stared at Servi and turned back to the casually dressed Elf.  

“Thanks. But as a reward for achieving my stable life, I started to buy some appliances. The stove, fridge, and Drip Stone are proof of that. Whenever I get a loan to buy something, I pay it off and apply for another loan. That’s why I’ve been having a bit of a money crisis. But I’m not entirely irresponsible! I have a rainy-day fund saved up in my safe with my bow. I—” 

“Oh! It’s a good thing you said that. Here!” Momo reached beside her and pulled up her bag. She dug inside and came out with a pouch of coins.  

Claire scratched her face as if she was annoyed, but that wasn’t it. “I was kinda hoping you would forget about that. Momo, you—” 

“I wanna pay you for a cooking lesson,” Momo said. She grinned like a fox and took out 50 dupla. “I’m a girl who doesn’t know how to cook to save her life. I don’t know how to make anything else other than sticking a chunk of meat inside a campfire. This way, you get to treat us for being promoted, and I can learn how to cook this meal if I want to make it for Servy again.”

“Hahaha!!! You drive a hard bargain,” Claire laughed. She took the dupla and rubbed Momo’s head. “We still have a while because we gotta wait for the meat to thaw. You don’t have to wait if you don’t want to, but I think it tastes better if you do. Hey, wanna help me get the pots and pans out?” 

“Yep! Servy, you stay here and watch the food, okay? Make sure it doesn’t go anywhere.” Servi only smiled and turned her unblinking gaze to the line of food. She intently stared at the tomatoes, standing watch as if she was a guard dog. The black hair atop her pretty head playfully brushed against her neck. Momo smiled once more at Servi and followed Claire.

“Okay, we need one of the big pots for the noodles, a few mixing bowls, a cutting knife, and two frying pans. Then we need a potato masher for the tomatoes because we’re going to make tomato paste. There should be a cutting board up here somewhere, and we need that.” Momo gave an affirmative nod and searched the left cabinets. Claire surveyed the right side, and it took them a few minutes to find everything.  

“We fill the big pot with water up to about halfway, then we lay it on the stove. Those four squares are called burners. After the pot is filled, place it on that one. Oh, let me go grab the Drip Stone real quick.” Claire raced up the stairs to the restroom and plucked the blue stone from the pole it was on. She came back down and held it over the pot. Then thinking about it, she handed it to Momo and told her to use it.  

“So it’s just like using the Wash Stones at Warden?” she asked.  

“Yeah. Just give it some Skill Energy and watch it go. It’s okay if the water is cold because it’s gonna be boiling soon enough. Hold on, go until it’s about three-quarters filled. I’ve never made enough for three people, and we did buy a lot of noodles. Oh, before you do that, let me wash the veggies real quick.” Claire said. She took the stone over to another odd device called a sink. It was silver and orange in color. It wasn’t that tall considering it came to its owner’s belly button, and there was a pole with a notch to slide in the Drip Stone. Claire did so and offered it some of her Skill Energy.  

She then got the veggies and gently placed them in the sink. It took a few trips, but Momo was there to assist. “You always want to wash them before cooking them. Just use water and no soap,” Claire said, running the onions over the steady drip of water. After about five minutes, she had everything rinsed off and set them aside. “We might as well wash our hands before we get started.” Claire reached down and grabbed a yellow bar. Momo’s pretty nose smelled flowers and realized it was rose-scented. She called Servi over, and the washing of the hands commenced.  

When all was said and done, Claire handed the Drip Stone to Momo, and Servi walked over to the table and sat down. “Fill it up about three-quarters, okay?” Claire asked.  

“Got it! One pot of water, coming up.” Momo felt something warm and odd flow from her fingers to the blue stone she held, and it started to glow and heat up. It wasn’t boiling hot, but it wasn’t warm, either. It felt nice and pleasant to the touch, like something she wanted to relax in.  “Claire, how many more times can it be used?” 

Claire held up five fingers. “Used it five times this morning. One to shower, one to drink water, one to cook, one to wash the veggies and our hands, and you’re using it now to fill the pot up. Got lucky with the temperature three times this morning, which was a nice bonus. That rarely ever happens, so I knew today was going to be good. While you do that, I’m going to start squashing the tomatoes. And for that, we need one of these bowls and that potato masher. Once you’re done with the water, come to the table, and I’ll show you how to cut veggies. That’ll give them time to dry off.” 

“Yes, ma’am!” Momo responded. The Drip Stone was true to its name, and the water came out just a bit faster than a leaky faucet. She gave it more Skill Energy, and it upgraded to a drizzle, but that was all. If it takes this long to fill a pot, how long does it take to shower? Heck, if I was Claire, I’d ask if I could just do it at Warden.  

Once her task was completed, Momo carried the wet stone to Claire after placing the pot on the largest burner. Her curiosity almost got the cat girl because she looked close and hard at the stove’s dials. Still, she backed off and waited until she was taught more about to use it. She sat down beside Servi and watched Claire mash tomatoes. The once solid red orbs of deliciousness slowly became more paste-like.

“Servy, you’re watching closely, aren’t you?” Momo asked. She reached on the table and grabbed Servi’s hand. “This is the first time I’m ever cooking for you… I… I hope there’s a second time and a third time… Maybe even a 100th time…” 

Claire kept an innocent smile as she slowly manipulated the conversation like a master. By the time she had finished mashing all of the tomatoes, she had made Momo talk in circles around Servi. Every one of her sentences concerned her best friend, and Claire was more convinced than ever.  

Momo loved Servi to the point where she wanted to always cook for her.  

“Momo,” Claire said as she cleaned her hands with a rag. She had just a bit of red paste on her index finger. She licked her finger a moment ago and was satisfied with the taste even before adding anything else. Claire just knew the dinner they were making was going to be a good one.  

“Yeah?” said the Singi. She was busy drawing circles and squares in Servi’s palm.  

“How do you feel about Servi?” said the Elf as she dropped a bombshell.

---

“Eh?!?!?!?!” Momo coughed as if she was choking and went to drink the rest of her apple juice. “I—I mean—what do you—you—I mean—It’s not like— bwha!” When she placed the empty cup down, Momo stuttered when she tried to say something. Eventually, Claire had to step in.  

“Momo, it’s not a trick question. Just how do you feel about Servi?” 

“I… My heart… It feels different when I stare at her. When I even look at her for a second, I don’t know what I feel, but it feels like something is in my stomach. I start to laugh, then I start to giggle… And being with her… Walking around town… Sitting on the benches at Warden… When I do those things with her, it feels like the world’s at ease.” 

“Ah, so here we have a young maiden in love? For the first time?” Claire said. She finished off her own cup of juice and poured herself a refill.  

“No! It’s not like that!!!” Momo betrayed her true feelings, then felt awful. Denying what she truly felt hurt so much more than being kidnapped, so she confessed them to her second closest friend. “It’s just like that... You... You aren’t disgusted by it, are you? A Human and a Singi? With us both being girls?” 

“Please, I have no reason to. Love is love, and that’s all there is to it. If it’s a safe love, no one should be opposed to it. If anyone wants to take offense, you can send them to me, and I’ll sic Dineria after them. Momo, you have my full support!” Claire flashed a smile and offered a thumbs up.  

Momo was petrified! She couldn’t move, and it felt like her lungs couldn’t breathe the air they clamored for. Claire was the one and only person who knew her love for Servi, and she actually approved of it? There was someone who actually respected relationships between Humans and Demi-Humans? 

“How about this? Momo, tell me what you love about Servi.” 

Momo, still frozen in shock, remained motionless for a few seconds. Then she turned to Servi, took her hand in hers, and emptied her heart while staring straight into a pair of red eyes. “It’s easier to talk about what I don’t love about her because that list would be empty. I love the way she looks at me in the morning after I wake up. I adore her cute little laughs and giggles when I make a dumb joke. I know she doesn’t need to laugh, but she does so anyways.  

“I love it when she watches me brush my hair, and my heart races when she says it’s pretty. My tail springs to life when she complements me. If I’m ever in danger, I love how she jumps in to save me, but I’m mad because she could’ve gotten hurt. I love it when we were camping out on the way to Arcton, and she gave me my first ever nickname. And I’ll always look fondly back on when we hugged the night after parting ways with you after we went out to celebrate. Remember when we went to Madam Canary's Sweetie Tweety?  

“On the way home, Servy hugged me, and I think it was right then and there my heart wanted to belong to her. I wasn’t sure of it until she saved me in Arcton, but I’m super positive. And I love the way she fights. When she’s out there dodging or blocking attacks, it’s like I’m staring at a Goddess. I love the way her mouth curls into a smile. Most of all, I love the way her hand feels. I like holding it, caressing it, drawing little hearts on her palm. I love holding her hand and wrapping my fingers around hers. Like when I’m just sliding my index finger down her middle finger, I just love the fact that we were connecting physically. I swear I can even feel her heartbeat when our palms touch.  

“I had never felt so helpless when she was knocked unconscious at the tournament. And I felt the same when Fisher brought her back from his final exam, and she was in horrible shape. No, maybe it was then when I realized I loved her. I just took one look at her and refused to imagine a life without her.  

“If I had to wake up one morning without seeing her beautiful red eyes… Or if I had to live without her smile, I don’t think I could take it. And I love just how friendly Servi is. When we first met, I was absolutely scared of her. I mean, I was looking at a girl with nothing but a blood-covered chest plate and bloody pants. By all accounts and purposes, I should have been afraid of her… But I wasn’t afraid.  I spoke and asked if she wanted to party up. When she said no, I thought that was the end. I was sad, yeah, but at least I tried to branch out from my hollow shell.  

“When Servy turned around and said she did want to be in my party, I had no idea I would grow to have these feelings for her. She protected me, cared for me…taught me a lot… I know she’d do anything for me… 

“Maybe that was when, now that I think about it, I fell in love with Servy. Talking to her was the first time I took grampy’s advice of not judging on appearances. He said a person has to be measured by what they do with the life they are given… I’ve seen Servy’s measure… I know the kind of person she is… She’s the kindest, strongest, most determined girl I’ve ever known, and I know she would go to the end of the world to save me. I’ve seen her cry in sadness and anger, and I’ve seen her weaknesses up close. It feels like I know more about her than she knows herself. There isn’t a single thing I don’t love about her! And that’s… That’s because… That’s because Servy is my best friend, and she’s the girl I fell in love with!  

With her heart exposed, Momo had laid it all on the table. It would have been the perfect confession if not for a crying red-haired Elf, whose sobs broke Momo’s concentration. She turned to Claire.  

In between tears, Claire tried her best to speak, but it came out as garbled nonsense. Momo did understand what she was trying to say, so she stood up and hugged her Elven friend. It took a few seconds for Claire to calm down, but when she did, Momo realized she was the one being comforted. Her fears were on full display, and she didn’t even know it.  

“Momo, I’ve lived a long life when compared to Humans and Singi, but I’m not even a teenager in my own culture. Still, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. That also means I’ve seen a lot of people fall in love… I’ve seen the worries of newfound love with my own eyes. It was easy to see on your face when you were monologuing. The biggest fear in your heart is that you’re afraid Servi won’t feel the same way about you.” 

Momo visually shook and started to weep, her wet eyes leaking an endless amount of tears.  

“But I don’t think you have anything to worry about—no, I know you don’t have anything to be afraid of.” 

“But—but—But what if—I—Right before Servy became like this, I swore I won’t ever leave her side! I won’t ever let her be alone ever again! I promised myself that! I promised a Goddess that! And I promised that to Servy!!! But… But… Even if she doesn’t feel the same about me, I refuse to leave her side! I won’t ever make that mistake again!! WWWAAAHHHHH!!!!” Momo cried some more, accidentally revealing something. As sharp as Claire was, she noticed the particular phrasing Momo used, but it wasn’t her time to say anything about it. 

She had a companion who was deeply in love with her best friend, and that had to come first. But even while all of this was going on, Servi simply smiled. She only smiled and stared at Claire and Momo, and the black-haired girl didn’t move a single muscle.  

“Momo?” Claire said her friend’s name.  

Momo leaned back from the hug and sat back down. “I’m sorry, Claire. I—” 

“Don’t apologize. I bet you feel a lot better, don’t you?” 

Momo turned to Servi and back to Claire. “I do. I’ve said everything I wanted to say, and it feels like a big weight’s been lifted from my shoulders. Even if Servi does remember everything I’ve said, I’m happy with that. If she doesn’t, then it just means I have to let her know I really feel again. And maybe I’ll change it up. I kinda rehearsed it my head, but it came out all disjointed.” 

“I wouldn’t say that. I thought it was very moving.” Claire offered her supporting thoughts. “What—” 

In an out-of-turn fashion, Servi spontaneously spoke up. “Love!!! Love!!!” she chanted.  

Momo immediately started to cry and threw herself at Servi, embracing her in a tight hug. She somehow ended up straddling the chair and Servi’s waist. Servi remained sitting, and her arms wrapped around Momo, who cried her eyes out. She pressed her head further against Servi’s neck.  

“Love!!!” Servi shouted with glee. 

“Servy, I love you!!!” Momo cried. “You feel the same about me? I knew you would! I just knew it!!!”After Momo had said that, it seemed as if Servi’s positivity had run its course. Servi’s arms fell by her side, and it took Momo a few seconds to realize that. She embarrassedly removed herself from her best friend and said a meek apology to Claire.  

“Hahaha!!! See? I said you had nothing to worry about. If Servi is in this state of mind to protect herself from the trauma of taking a life, I’d say this ‘Happy Servi’ is her real self. If not that, then a slice of her true self. Congratulations, Momo!” Claire replied. She started to clap, and Momo smiled harder than she had ever smiled before.  

“But… Until I hear it from Servy after she’s back to normal, I won’t celebrate or do anything like that. But I can’t deny that I’m all giddy now! Servy, until that day happens, your lovable support Singi will be right at your side!” Momo finally sat down and placed her hand on top of Servi’s index finger. She took a second to examine the expression Servi had on her face, and it was back to being one of nothing at all. It was like the definition of neutrality, with no hints of everything else.  

Momo’s hand curled into a fist, grasping onto a part of Servi that she never wanted to let go of.  

But there was a meal to cook, so the time in which they’d be separated was fast approaching. That was fine, though, because Momo was just a few steps away.