The Good, the Bad and the Larder

– Nice job, Momo! What does that make, eight?

– I've… still… got it!

– You really are something else! Guys, bring her another round!

– Man… it's so… dizzy…

– Hey-hey! Don't pass out now! Remember what I said?

– 'This makes us… inseparable friends…'

– Forever!

– Yeah!

– Oh, don't fall out of your chair now!

– I'm sorry… thank you Judea… for being my friend!

– No worries! Hey, want to come over tonight? I could show you my bedroom. You know, that would make us even more 'inseparable'! Like… uh… a head from its body!

– Hell yeah! Let's do it! Bring it on!

– That's the spirit! Fast-fast, bring her another round!

I don't remember much from that night. I ended up in my own bedroom, albeit really late at night. My mom was there, checking up on me. She was smiling. She said she's happy about my new best friend.

– – –

– Hey? Are you there?

– Huh?

She was back in the cramped training room. Glechoma was sitting front of her, snapping his fingers repeatedly. Her clothes were covered in dirt and blood, but surprisingly enough her hands were fine.

– W-What happened?

– I could ask the same! They said you spaced out and wouldn't respond. God, you should be grateful she… I mean, Her Highness decided to help you out.

– Her what?

Behind her was a tall titan, roughly one head her size. Her neck to toe dress was made out of iron, much like the headdress that covered the upper side of her head. It was smelted from a shield, giving the impression of a cobra's head with its sharp edges. Besides the titan's black lips and snow-white skin nothing more could be seen from her. The brownish crown covered so much, not even her hair or eyes could be seen.

– H-Hello?

– Don't even try. Her Highness only speaks to those who are worthy. Now, not to be rude, but we have no idea when was the last time she spoke.

– Uh, alright.

Her arms were visible. They were smooth and pale, devoid of any marks or scars. This snowy landscape was only broken by her black fingernail, carefully cut to be an exact healthy size.

– You certainly look pretty! – Katsumi looked up to where the titan's eyes might be, though her lack of reaction wasn't too reassuring. – Aaalright, so… yeah, thank you for helping me out! This whole thing with Liatris just… it shocked me a bit. And… it… helped me remember something I didn't want to.

Without saying a word, the titan grabbed her hand. She opened the door to the corridor and pulled her out. Katsumi looked back at Glechoma one last time, who calmly shrugged.

Through the empty corridor, she was led into a large, cramped room. The titan let go of her and locked the door.

– Hey-hey-hey, what are you doing? Are you some kind of pervert too?

But looking around, her intentions became even more shrouded. Vegetables, fruits, meat and mushrooms ruled over the room from the shelves and bags tightly packed next to one another.

Nostalgia. The smell of potatoes and cabbage brought back memories of the larder in her grandmother's house. They had entire bags filled with the most basic food, most that exist on her homeland too.

A wind of enthusiasm ran through Katsumi.

– Oh my god, look at all these potatoes! How big and girthy, I bet you could feed an entire family with just three heads! And look! So many kinds of peppers! Woah, is that chili?! Why wasn't I told about this place?

The titan leaned against the wall. She wasn't directly looking at her, but Katsumi could still feel her eyes. Her presence was sharp, yet ambiguous.

– R-Right, it's kind of obvious. Wait, if I touch them, do I get a…

/// Chili Pepper ///

All fire based attacks gain strength.

(Tier 2 unlocked at Level 20)

(Tier 3 unlocked at Level 40)

– I see how it is… so different ingredients have different qualities. Chili has a higher quality because it's less common than apple and as such it does more. Man, this system is so cool! I want to touch everything now! Hey, hey! What's your favorite fruit?

The titan stood silent.

– Come on now, don't be shy! Mine's peach, what's yours?

The titan pointed towards a faraway shelf. Katsumi quickly ran there, hopping through bags and spilled out food. Above her, where the titan signaled, was a jar of green liquid.

– What's this? Pickles? Whoa, pickles?! Dude, you've got some taste! I used to love pickles when I was a child. It's not a fruit though, but… just forget it.

It was hard, but she took the lid off. She sunk her hand in the cold liquid and pulled out a small green pickle.

– Just a heads-up, if it has to do something with intelligence or transformation, I'm going to have a panic attack!

/// Ordinary Pickle ///

Boosts the effects of poison and disease heal.

– That's pretty underwhelming. Sorry gal, it does what you would expect. Healing stuff. That's all.

To her surprise, the titan was already behind her with a stack of fruit and vegetables to try. She quickly handed them over, which Katsumi wasn't ready for and got buried in the pile of exotic and ordinary goods. Grunting and cursing the gods, she caught glimpse of a dark smile. It was just for a second though, as the titan quickly went back to her stoic expression.

They sat by a table. The armored warrior handed her different stuff to try and Katsumi read out loud what her system said.

She enjoyed this small game.

– Purple Grapes! Each hit grants a small chance to dizzy the target, which is not the best, but still something else. Cabbage! That just heals. Pig toes! Dashes and charges are more powerful, that's pretty lame because I can't really do those. Bananas! Holy crap, so many tiers! What is this… this has at least 8 different tiers! Currently I have… none unlocked? Excuse me?!

Albeit fun, Katsumi felt disappointed after a while. Most vegetables and fruits had no cool effects, just ordinary heals. There were some exceptions giving unique buffs, but they were not made for her.

– Carrots! Carrots? What the… excuse me, why does it have 4 different tiers? Wait… it empowers sound based attacks? What? Why?! And how does that help me in anyway? – she turned to her armored friend. – I'm sorry dude, but these are useless to me. Do you have any wheateater legs?

She shook her head.

– Well… no problem. Thank you for showing me this place though. I understand if you don't want to talk, but… can I get your name?

She shook her head again.

– Alright… no worries! I'll just refer to you as something cool then. Like…

She shook her head once more.

– Yeah, that was pretty rude of me…

Katsumi lay back in her chair and watched the ceiling. Thoughts and worries rushed through her mind, occasionally disturbed by memories she quickly put aside. Whatever came up, it all boiled down to the same conclusion.

– Gotta' face the facts, I guess. Cooking won't help you in a fight. My job should be supporting those who can. And yet here I am… in a dirty larder… alone… about to fight a giant…

The iron clinked and clanked as the titan sat closer to her.

– Oh, so sorry! I'm more than grateful for your help, it's just…

She grabbed the girl's hand and held it up.

– What are you doing?

She put the knife in her hand. Katsumi could see her reflection from the clean steel. The messy orange hair, the black eyepatch, the unbuttoned uniform...

– Oh. It's me. Again. Gotta' savor it, might be the last I'll see myself. Hah. What did I do to deserve this? To get hurt and degraded so many times? I lost my eye, because I tried to defend a child. I lost my clothes because I tried to get stronger. My hair got all messy from fighting someone way stronger than I am. And what did I earn from any of that? I cannot even pat myself in the back. All I have is bittersweet regret. I tried to live life the way I wanted to. I tried to stay positive and always do the right thing. And where did that lead to? My death. I'm about to go out there, face that giant and die a gruesome death. I guess being a 'Battlecook' really does fit me. It's something weird, just like me. Maybe if I could devour my enemies and gain buffs by that, but that would be even weirder...

She paused. An unexpected thought ran through her mind. Her eyes hurried to the corner of her eye and opened the small menu. Just as she expected, a message popped up.

/// Soul of Liatris ///

Grants user the ability to enhance sounds and create a sonic booms.

– This… this is it! This is it!

The titan slightly opened her mouth in confusion. Katsumi grabbed her by the shoulder and vigorously shook her around.

– I'm weird! That's why I'm going to win! I'm the weirdest sicko these fucks have ever met! My class… it's so outlandish… just like me! They won't expect my class! They won't expect me!

The titan smiled with her half open mouth.

– Yes, that's it! Holy shit, I just need to grab some stuff and…

Gong! Gong! Gong!

These sounds came from the outside. They were the same Katsumi heard before each battle.

It was time to go and face Nasturtium.

The titan stood up and ran to the door. She unlocked it and looked at Katsumi one last time. Her expression was unclear, but based on her lips and body language, Kats could guess what was below the headdress.

– You don't have to wait me! Hush-hush, go ahead! I'll be fine. But… before you go, thank you. You've seriously helped me out.

Her smile was met by a cold stoic gaze. The titan left without a sound (besides the one her iron skirt made, being dragged along the floor). Katsumi hid some food in her pocket and left the same way they came.

Before entering the arena, she paid one last visit to Glechoma. He was able to walk now, thanks to Katsumi's healing.

– Yo, what are you looking at?

– Weapons. I didn't know we have so much of them.

– Why don't you learn one?

– Too late for that.

– It's never too late to better ourselves. – she had a sugary smile.

– Sure. Did she tell you anything?

– Nah. I was led to a larder and now I have some stuff to fight with. She's a chill gal.

– You know who you just called 'chill', right?

– Nope, no idea.

– She's the 'Right Hand' of Gladiolus. The second highest ranking person of our tribe.

Katsumi wiggled from the cold running down her spine. Her smile remained, though not from joy.

– W-W-What?

– What do you think, does she like you?

– I d-d-don't k-k-know! Oh my god, I was in so much danger and I called her dude and bro and…

– Did she stop you?

– N-No.

– Then congratulations. You're the only person she tolerates.

Katsumi could feel the dizziness of shock. She knew this won't end well and quickly ran out of the room, towards the arena.

– Okaywe'lltalkagainsoonwishmeluckbye!