Interlude: Tanis

Interlude: Tanis

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Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

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My head ached, my eyes felt heavy, and I barely managed to clamber onto my desk, much to the chagrin of the clerks under my command.

“Lady Tanis, you need to rest.” Scribbling away, whilst pushing up her monocle, Elisa’s long ears twitched in irritation at the sight of me. Why would she not, when she had chastised me yesterday, yet I’d chosen to ignore her words? Even now I was reaching beneath my desk for my ration of Mana, which I could use to clear my mind and fill myself with energy. She glared at the prim, slender bottle, as I drank it, and cast my magics. “You will work yourself to an early grave, whether you are a Lamia or not.”

The rest of the clerks under my command levelled glares at me as well. While not all of them could work and glare at the same time, their support for Ema was made clear, and I knew that the chose her to speak to me about my recent habits. The black-haired Tengu continued to glare at me with a golden gaze, even as she repressed her instincts to flee from me, due to our racial differences. 

“I am glad that you all care for me, but anything I cannot do will fall upon Hachiman to do, and he will never return it to me.” I made my case, as I straightened my hair, and smoothed my clothes. Working with Henri in the dead of night for the project we’d created, so that we could both focus on our respective duties, was more tiring than I anticipated. Despite many years spent in the Academy, learning well into the night, and waking up to take classes for the rest of the day, I could barely manage my current set of duties. “I will be assigning what work I can to you all tomorrow, once I manage to determine which of you to entrust with my lesser duties. That should give me enough time to rest tomorrow evening.”

“You should be resting tonight, Lady Tanis.” Ema gripped and shook her head. A sigh left her lips, even as she began to compare reports against one another. Her duty was to verify the reports given in by various businesses and industries in the town against what Hachiman’s Amazons reported. The stalwart, honest, and respected nature of the latter made it so any difference between the two had to be investigated. Even the Goblins learned quickly that their typical tricks wouldn’t work in Ylstu, due to the system, and ran out many fools. Thus, her role was essential in that it ensured that all businesses and industries in Ylstu properly adhered to the laws Hachiman set in place. “Even if you say that you’re working on a personal project, that you are not spending more hours than you are allowed working, the fact remains that you are tired, stressed, and holding on only through magic. How many days has it been since you’ve slept the eight hours Lord Hikigaya prescribed?”

“It has been two days, if this one is included, but I understand your concern.” Seeing as my subordinate didn’t intend to relent in her argument, I relented in my own. “I’ll get a full night’s sleep tonight, and get start assigning new roles for you all tomorrow to help me in.” I turned my gaze upon each of my clerks in turn. Each one sat straight at their desks, diligently working, but each one had a small smile. For individuals under my direct command, they very much liked to voice their opinion. It’s most likely due to how outspoken Ylstu’s own leader is. “Is there anything else—

No sooner did those words leave my lips did Ema stand up, reach beneath her desk, and place a bag upon my desk.

“Eat. Even if you’re a runt, you’re still a Lamia, so you should be eating more than you do.” The declaration was swift, decisive, and accompanied by the sound of cloth being unwrapped. Within it was one of Hachiman’s inventions, the “bento box” which was a means store food in reasonable portions in uniform containers for consumption. Smaller species could do with just a single layer covered with a lid, while larger creatures such as myself stacked up to five, before covering it all for our day. Yesterday and today, I’d neglected to return to the manor’s kitchen and ask for meals for myself. Naturally, since my dinner had been sparse, my stomach growled at the sight and smell of food. “Now, Lady Tanis, I’m sure you can start working, after you have a small meal, while entrusting your diligent workers to do without you for an hour?”

An hour was more than I needed, but any complaint I had was stifled by another growl from my stomach, while I felt a blush crawl up my neck up to my nose as my staff giggled amongst themselves. 

“Yes, yes. I’ll rest before working. Is there anything else you all want, my dear subordinates?” With all my willpower, I attempted to sit straight, whilst those I’m supposed to lead smiled amongst themselves and looked after me. My attempt to emphasize my superiority, even with half the room being Tengu, utterly failed as I only received warm, gentle looks from my staff at my words, while Ema placed utensils in my hand and uncovered the first box of food. “Please… I can eat by myself, Ema!”

Most of my subordinates were my elders, so I could only suppose that they wanted to treat me well, but there are boundaries that need to be set between subordinate and superior. Those boundaries are what allow for a working relationship to be smooth, as well as efficient. Being bereft of a clear-cut relationship invites nothing short of chaos, as Kindred will always struggle to discern who is the strongest amongst them. That is why Roseanne sent unmarried, older Tengu as my clerks, since she was knowledgeable of my lack of experience in leading others, and wished for me to have an advantage as a Lamia in her prime… yet one and all… my subordinates were studiously looking after me!

I will speak to them about this later… once my stomach stops growling… and after I thank them for the meal. 

Still, after this, I should treat them for being such good, caring subordinates. 

Ylstu’s tavern has been immensely popular since it’s opening, and it’s popularity has only risen after the Dwarves opened their distillery.

That should be a good place to thank my subordinates.

If they think of me as an individual that they must care for and look after, and since I don’t wish to be a tyrant, I should take care of them. Since Hikigaya insists on paying me wages, and I’m receiving wages from Roseanne as well, I’ve plenty of money to spend to influence my staff in seeing me in a better light. Though much of his words are filled with scorn, there is much truth in Hikigaya’s belief that providing the best for one’s people means his people providing the best for him… even if he phrased it in a much more appalling manner, I’m sure that’s what he meant by “proper amenities lets me exploit people the most.”

Yes.

Without a doubt, if I’m to be the best leader to my team, I must establish as myself as their caretaker and not the other way around!

…

“And… and he jusht talks to everyone the sh-same way!” Wow, this… this beer is very good! And, this bar is amazing. There’s space for my tail and all my friends. All the other bars back home had me drink outside, but here I can be with my friends just fine! “He—hic—talks to the Demon Lord like he does the resh-rest of us!”

Wow, oh wow. Everything’s so pretty and perfect in this bar. All the bottles are shiny behind the bartenders, who are shaking drinks with fruits, and stuff. The food is amazing. Grilled, fried, and even raw! And… and there’s loads of games for everyone to play. There’s darts, b-billyards, and cards for everyone! Minstrels are playing lots of music, too!

The tavern is the best!

“Woah, there girl, you’re dead drunk.”

“No, I’m not, Emaaaaa!” Ah, Ema’s so cute. Why isn’t she married? She’s slender, has big boobs, and looks ferocious! Ah, wait. Men in the capital don’t like that… well… they’re wrong and should feel very bad about not liking Ema!” Oh, jeez, you’re a lightweight AND a groper!”

Hehe. Boobs go squish.

“Oh. A groper and a hugger. That’s new. Please do not crush me.” Everything about Ema is soft, so she feels nice to hold. Ah, she’s warm too! Even though I’m warm inside, I’m still a little cold… soooo. “Oh. So, I’m going to get constricted tonight. This is how me evening is going to get spent. A Lamia just wrapped around me, just like in my childhood nighmares.”

“I’m not a Nigh-Nightmare! I’m a Lamia~!” Nightmare are really nice though. They’re very silly, carrying around their scythes all the time, but once you talk to them they always want to take care of you. I write to one named Hannah, and in all her letters, she says she’ll ride to my rescue, if I’m ever in trouble. They say all sorts of terrible things about Nightmares, even though they’re just nice girls with scary powers! “Ema you’re very shi-silly!”

“R-right, I’m silly. What were you saying about Lord Hikigaya again?”

“Oh! Wellllll… he needs to be nicer! A lot nicer! Lots nic-hic-er!” Hachiman would do better by being nice. So many people like him already, but more would like him if he was nicer. But… but he won’t do it, because he’ll be lying, if he did! “But he won’t because, he won’t be Hachiman, if he’s nicer… youuuu… knoowwww?”

Wait. 

He says “y’know” because he wants to be meaner by two letters.

I made a mistake!

Wee!

“Yet, there’s room for improvement for our superior, and we are allowed to properly complain. Do you not agree, Tanis?” Hmmm, Ema’s making a weird face. I have to poke the weird face, because it’s fun to poke weird faces. She looks really funny trying to be serious and cool, while we’re in a bar. Oh, her clothes feel nice too. Silk and feathers feel really good against scales. But just a soft, nice, and warm body is good too! “Do you—guh—not agree? We can… ask for more, right? We’re… not limited to what we have!”

“Gbwuah? More than what we have now? Thash-that’s silly, though!” Hachiman’s given loads to everyone. Not the loads they want, but nice things anyway! People have time to rest AND enjoy themselves, while getting PAID for work, even though they have houses! And, they only pay a little for their houses, as well as their food. “Don’t be silly, Ehm-Eh-Ema! We can’t ask for more things than this!”

“You’re right, Lady Tanis. There’s much to praise Hikigaya for… but there’s more he could do! We need more hands and more talents on our side. Waiting for people to simply appear, or for us to find individuals amongst us who are capable, will surely limit Ylstu more than benefit it!” Oooohhh, I see. I saw. I understand Ema now. She wants more for us, because Ylstu is so great that she wants to be able to do more work for a BIGGER Ylstu! Oh, I’ve known that she’s nice all along! “We… we’re the ones recording, learning, and sending back everything about Ylstu back to everyone! If we had more people, if we have more resources, we could help Lady Kurama’s efforts in acquiring allies for Ylstu! Not mercenaries, or momentary assistance, but true allies who aren’t halfway across the continent!”

“But Hachiman wouldn’t want that, beh-because it’d drag people down with us. Hic.. if we had lots of friends, they’d help us… and they’d get hurt, if we mess up.” Credit, fame, and things like that are important to lots of people, but not if you don’t want anyone around you. Hachiman could be really popular if he tried, but since he can and doesn’t, that means he doesn’t want to try because… because… because he doesn’t! “So, if we want more, we need to get it ourselves! He—hic—won’t stop us from working harder, getting more help, and having Lady Rose help us lots!”

Even though he doesn’t want help, even if he doesn’t want to owe anyone, we can still help him in our own way.

We just have to be very sneaky about it!

“So, that’s why you’re working so much, huh? You want to help Lord Hachiman in a way he can’t refuse?”

“Huh? Oh… yeah! Yepsh!” Working with Henri, so that we can make something that Hachiman needs, means less work for him later. And, it means Ylstu getting more attention from Lady Roseanne, as well as everyone else. With Lady Kurama working with our neighbors, even if Hachiman keeps being Hachiman, we can get allies we can rely on. Lots of friends, who’ll come to help us, when we need their help… without cost! “Thash-that’s what I’m doing, Ema! Praise me, please!”

“Sure, Lady Tanis, it sounds like you deserve it.” Hehee. Even though she’s all wrapped up in me, she’s trying to pat my head. Silly, Tengu, you’re too warm and soft to let go. Oh, would you like some of this beer? It’s very delicious and it makes you feel very, very fuzzy and nice! “Please, accept my apology for thinking you’re simply overworking yourself to attract Lord Hikigaya’s attention. I should have known that you wanted to protect Ylstu like everyone else.”

“Eh-heh, that’s silly. Protecting Ylstu is the only way to make Hachiman happy. Working hard… working hard is the only way he’ll notice you!” Hachiman might like big boobs, strong personalities, and rare Kindred, but if they don’t work hard for Ylstu, he doesn’t care. Even if you’re super pretty, amazing, and great like all the girls he has around him, if you’re not working your butt off for Ylstu, then he won’t care about you. Which is good for me, because I work for Ylstu lots! And… it’s also goof for everyone else! “Emmmaaaa, if you work harder, I’m sure Hachiman will love you toooooo!”

“W-what!? D-don’t be daft, you snake!”

“Emmaaa, don’t you want him to do all the naughty things to you that everyone gossips about… because he’ll actually do it, since he’s different from other guys!”

“O-oh, please be silent!”

“Hachiman will really take charge and make you veeerryy hapsh-happy! He’ll pin you down, glare at you, and say all the right, nasty things you want him to say—

“WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!?”

Hehe.

Birds are fun to play with.

It would be even more fun to play with them with Hachiman, though~.

I’ll hold them.

Watch.

And, wait!

Like the best superior, who treats her subordinates just right!