Yuki let out a whoop and pumped her fist in the air as the now useless scaffolding fell away from the clock tower. "Alright! We have the most awesome mansion in Makai!"
Mai shook her head, "Second most."
Yuki shrugged. "Pandemonium isn't a mansion, it's a castle. And besides showing up Shinki would be stupid. In fact we should probably send them an invite to the party along with a gift, just to show we're still proper vassals."
Mai nodded, then the two turned their full attention to the three devils that ran up to them from the construction area.
Apophis, Sakaki and Kirala stood in front of the two magicians, beaming. "So you like it?"
"I love it!" Yuki said. She lifted her voice to call out to the rest of the devils. "Everyone gets the week off!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, except for Alouette who simply nodded. Yuki made a mental note to get one of the other devils to help the maid loosen up a bit. She was getting too wrapped up in her work.
Still that had kept the amount of paperwork down. Yuki was able to spend almost all her time researching at this point.
"Speaking of research..." Yuki turned towards their Stargate. "We've got something else to do."
52qw64
9]
Hello. This is Mai. I've commandeered this keyboard so Yuki doesn't break it over the writers face. I'll have to thank Eskarina for teaching me how to use this strange device.
While I'm here I should like to correct several slanderous portrayals of myself and Yuki that have seeped into this 'game.'
Firstly Yuki has frequently been represented as the only sane woman surrounded by madmen. A square that needs to relax. This is pure nonsense. Just last week she developed a way to drop pies from orbit on those that annoyed her enough to warrent revenge, but not enough to be set on fire. In addition she's far more hot-headed then the writings would have you belive. I speak from experience here. She didn't learn about alcohol via moderation and restraint!
One moment please. I need to get in my own complaints. Some electrical wires will do....
Where was I? Ah yes.
As for myself, I can assure you that my disagreements with poor maligned Eskarina have been blown out of proportion as well. She's a very nice girl, and we've spent some time together discussing how the scientific method can assist in my research.
I believe Yuki's gotten to the folding chair, so I'll be relinquishing the keyboard again. After all there's supposed to be a party. Which is why the writer may live.
***
Yuki had halfheartedly tried to keep the devils from helping to set up the party, but, well, they loved their work. So she simply made sure that if they wanted to goof off there would be workers there to fill the gaps.
And thus the grand day arrived.
It had started with a massive pancake breakfast. One that turned into a food fight at the end, when Heather and Chou started arguing over who was the most overlooked devil. In the end Elminia stood victorious, as her device allowed her to access far more whipped cream then had originally been present.
After that baths were in order (along with wardrobe changes). Then Ruby unveiled a strange game she'd stolen from some alternate dimension. Or perhaps a series of games would be a better explanation. Yuki didn't really understand the 'controller' but it was amusing watching everyone fail in various ways. And more amusing watching Alouette and Elspeth beat Ruby and Eskarina at their own games.
And now that it was approaching noon they'd split up into groups, though most of them were by the pool. Ferra'd set up a massive water slide from the treehouse that several devils were enjoying. Right this moment, Yuki was enjoying a drink on a lawn chair while she took a break from swimming. She figured the pool was going to end up as chocolate sauce at some point during the night, and she wanted to have gotten all the swimming out of her system first.
Yuki took a sip from her drink and watched as Glenda and Maya battled Marie and Helepolis at beach volleyball. Maya was trying to power through Helepolis' defense, but Marie made the save setting up another long voley.
"Oh, that looks like fun."
Yuki leaped to her feet, barely keeping hold on her drink. Standing behind her was the goddess of Makai and her maid Yumeko.
In swimsuits.
There was a long silence as all the devils stared at their creator in awe. Finally a splash broke the stillness as Elle finished heading down the slide.
"Ah, don't mind us," Shiki said, "We're just here for the party. Keep having fun."
There was a little more hesitation, but Yumeko's sigh at her mistresses lack of concern for protocol sealed the deal. The devils went back to their games, though a lot of eyes were still on the ruler of Makai.
Yuki however decided it was a good time to play hostess. "Do you need anything Lady Shinki?"
"On no. I'm fine," Shinki replied. "I'll just put on some sunscreen then jump in the pool, if that's okay."
"That's fine! Just fine," Yuki replied. The magician felt a tap on her shoulder and looked back to find Mai with a small package. "Ah, right! Since you're here allow us to present you with this gift!"
Shinki took the package curiously. "Can I open it?"
"Of course!" Yuki said, as Mai nodded behind her.
The goddess carefully opened the package without tearing any of the paper, to reveal the small mechanical device inside. "What is it?"
"A sonic screwdriver," Yuki answered proudly. "Ruby got it off some doctor."
"What does it do?" Shinki asked.
Mai shrugged. "Anything."
The woman's smile grew wider. "Impressive. Yumeko?" The maid collected the item with a small bow, then phased it to her alternate reality. "Well then, thank you again for inviting me. I think I'll visit the pool."
Yuki smiled as well, though she was still a little worried. It was hard not to be when the undisputed ruler of the dimension was here.
She stiffened again as Yumeko moved closer while frowning. The maid gave the two magicians a look, then sighed and bowed. "Our apologies for bringing excess formality. Lady Shiki will leave after the dinner so you can properly cut loose." As Yumeko turned away she added, "While I dislike how much status you've gained, you seem loyal. So don't worry."
Yuki sighed in relief as Yumeko turned her full attention back the Shinki. "Well that went well."
"Indeed," Mai replied. The ice magician started heading towards the pool.
Yuki looked over to find Shinki starting to orginize a waterpolo game. She wondered how long it would take before on of the succubi stopped being starstruck and tried to 'accidentally' remove a swimsuit.
She began heading that way herself. It wouldn't be too bad, as long as they didn't target Yumeko.
---
The dinner was an great feast, even if Chou wasn't cooking it. Yuki took her time and sampled each course while sipping an appropriate wine. She was laying off the heavy drinking until later, when she and "Shotglass" could hit the bar and go all out.
There'd been a few hiccups here and there. She'd had to get Joan to physically restrain Alouette from trying to serve Shinki at dinner for example. But all in all things were going smoothly.
Unfortunately she was supposed to give a speech soon.
That was going to be a disaster.
Fortunately Mai was going to speak first. Yuki had time to figure out what to say.
There was a chiming of silverware as Mai took the stage. The winged magician smiled. "You all did good." She then gave a thumbs up and whistled. The crowd exploded into applause.
Yuki sighed. She really should have known better then to hope Mai'd written a speech.
Yuki took a deep breath and headed up to the stage. She paused looking over the devils, trying to think exactly what to say.
"Take it off!" Cassia yelled, leading to severral wolf whistles. Yuki sighed and smiled.
"When Mai suggested this plan, I thought she was crazy. Now, after having spent so much time with you all, I know she is."
Yuki felt a little more confident as the devils laughed.
"There were some issues when we first got together. That ghost for example. But we persevered. And you always did everything you could to help all of us. Even before we got you all the names you've earned a dozen times over."
"Admittedly sometimes you tried to help me a little too much," Yuki sighed at the laughs and cheers at that statement. "But you always considered my feelings and left well enough alone. Even if you pretended not to."
"We've accomplished a lot together, and I'm proud to consider you part all part of my life." She looked around the faces of her strange family. "And I love you all. Platonically."
There was a disappointed sigh from certain members of the audience at that.
"I'm sure you've all by now heard how I met up with Mai. And how we became inseparable. And while my first meeting with you all wasn't quite as... exciting, I find that I feel similarly about you all." Yuki cleared her throat. "I guess what I'm saying is that I'm looking forward to many, many years together. And, I hope you all feel the same."
Yuki still felt a little self conscious, but the applause of the devils as she finished her speech made her smile.
"Ah, if I could speak?"
Yuki jumped in surprise as Shinki stood up. After a few more moments of confusion she simply nodded her approval. "Thank you," the goddess of Makai replied. The woman then motioned for Mai to get up on the stage as well.
Yuki looked at Mai who shook her head. Apparently neither of them had a clue what was going on.
Mai hurried up to Yuki's side, as Shinki slowly made her way to the front. She first adressed the crowd. "I'm so very glad to see some of my children make something of themselves in the world. I want you to all know I'm very proud of you."
She turned to Mai and Yuki then. "And I'm very grateful to you two for helping them to find that purpose."
Her face grew more serious. "In the process you've carved out a small realm for yourself. One that is as prosperous as many of my cities, and more powerful then almost all of them. Your actions have changed the face of Makai, and you've all become one of the biggest players in my realm." Yuki gulped at that pronouncement.
"Which is why, in honor of your efforts, I'm declaring you two magicians to be the baronesses of this compound. To hold these lands in my name until such time as you wish to retire from the position in favor of a suitable heir," Shinki finished.
Yuki's jaw dropped.
"Do you accept this charge?" Shinki asked.
Yuki looked at Mai who stared back at her wide eyed. The two turned back to Shinki as one. "Yes!"
Shinki raised her hand and tapped them both on the forehead. "Then I grant you title in service to the realm of Makai. May you govern wisely."
***
The rest of the dinner was a little fuzzy to Yuki. She remembered being lifted up onto the shoulders of the devils, and Shinki once again congratulating her before leaving, but the rest was all a blur.
Though that might be because of the alcohol.
"You want another Mistress?" 'Shotglass' asked holding up one of her new concoctions.
"Maybe later," Yuki said, showing that her glass was still half full. The bartending devil nodded.
Yuki sighed happily as she leaned back in the couch that had meandered out into the yard. Yuki'd guessed wrong. The pool had become strawberry syrup instead of chocolate sauce, and about half the devils were playing in it while the other half were either fiddling with games connected to their specialties or elsewhere.
She heard Mai stir on the opposite couch and she turned towards her lifelong friend. "Hey Mai, I'm curious. Why don't the devils try to seduce you?" Yuki asked.
Mai blinked, then smiled. "Because I seduced them first."
Yuki glanced at the glass to make sure nothing strange was in it, then turned back to her friend. "You're joking right?"
"Maybe~"
Yuki sighed. "You're insane Mai."
"We're nobility. That means we're eccentric," Mai corrected.
Yuki paused, then nodded. "I guess you're right, baroness."
"Indeed baroness."
The two touched their glasses together and went back to the serious job of relaxing with their new family.
-----
And thus this mission comes to a close. I apologize for the time delays here at the end, but I hope everyone had a grand time bringing this motley crew to the heights of glory. I bid you adieu, and with great regret, go to set my ribs. Yuki's got a mean folding chair.
