The Fox Hole

Chapter 40: Let them eat cake…

– Haru –

Sansa Stark sat in a cozy booth at the Fox Hole, her delicate hands resting neatly in her lap as she waited for me to come back with her order. Her eyes lit up as I approached with a slice of chocolate cake.

I set the plate down in front of her, and despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, she let out a delighted squeal.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. "You really do love chocolate, don't you?" I teased, sliding into the seat across from her.

Sansa's cheeks flushed slightly as she picked up her fork. "It's… quite a novelty. We didn't have anything like this in Winterfell," she admitted before taking a small, careful bite. Her eyes fluttered shut, and a soft moan escaped her lips as she savored the cake. "This is incredible."

I grinned, leaning back in my seat. "Glad you like it. So, how are your lessons going? Learning about the modern world must be a lot."

She nodded, taking another bite and pausing to savor it before answering. "They're going well, I think. There's so much to learn, though. Your world is so different from mine. It's… fascinating."

"Are you planning on heading back to Winterfell now that the place has been cleared out of all the Bolton men?" I asked.

Sansa paused mid-bite, her expression thoughtful. She finished the cake quickly but with grace, daintily wiping her lips with a napkin before speaking. "Is it bad that I kind of don't want to go back?" she admitted softly, her voice carrying a hint of guilt. "It's not that I don't love the North… it's just… there's so much less backstabbing and killing in your world. And you have hot running water and electricity too..."

I chuckled. "Those are definitely plusses," I agreed. "But, you know, it's not impossible to get those things installed in Winterfell. Running water, electricity… you could modernize the place. Besides, if you want to be the Queen your people need, you might want to start changing the mindset that betraying people is bad."

Sansa smiled, a playful glint in her eye. "Betraying people is bad," she repeated with a giggle. "It does sound so simple when you put it that way."

The door to the restaurant opened, and I glanced up to see the archangel Gabriel walking in. Her serene presence filled the room as she smiled warmly at Sansa and me before making her way over to our booth.

"Do you mind if I sit as well?" she asked softly. Sansa quickly shook her head and scooted deeper into the booth to make room.

"It's nice to see you again, Lady Gabriel," I said as she gracefully slid into the seat. "What brings you by? Or are you just here for the food?"

Gabriel's cheeks tinted with a faint blush. "I wouldn't mind a slice of chocolate cake myself," she admitted with a shy smile. "But I'm also here on a bit of business."

"Before that," I interrupted, leaning forward slightly, "how did it go with that evil angel on Earth Bet?"

Gabriel's expression darkened slightly, a rare sight for someone as gentle as her. "That… thing," she began, her tone laced with frustration. "It ran away from me..."

"Huh?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"Forgive me, Lady Gabriel, but aren't you incredibly powerful? How did it escape from you?" Sansa chimed in curiously.

Gabriel let out a soft sigh, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "When I went to confront it, it was lurking near Earth Bet's moon. However, as soon as I flew out of Earth's atmosphere, the other angel seemed to panic and immediately bolted. It flew far faster than I expected and didn't stop until it reached Jupiter. There, it hid inside the planet's massive, never-ending superstorm, making it impossible for me to sense it any longer!"

"Wow, those Endbringers are cowardly little shits, aren't they?" I muttered, thinking back to the giant fish monster that had also scampered off just as quickly.

Gabriel pouted at my language, her lips pressing into a slight frown. "Must you use such crude terms, Haru?"

"Sorry..." I chuckled, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Let me grab you that slice of chocolate cake as an apology," I said.

Gabriel nodded gracefully. "That would be lovely, thank you."

As I turned to head to the counter, Sansa spoke up. "Could I have another slice as well? It's just so delicious."

I chuckled. "Of course, coming right up."

A few moments later, I returned with two slices of chocolate cake, setting one in front of Gabriel and the other in front of Sansa. Gabriel accepted hers with a soft "Thank you," while Sansa's eyes lit up as she eagerly took her fork and started on her second helping.

As they were enjoying their desserts, the door to the Fox Hole swung open. I glanced up to see Aela sauntering inside, her usual confident smirk firmly in place. Her armor was covered in multiple different colored bloodstains. Her red hair was slightly disheveled, but she looked happy and victorious from whatever her latest quest was.

"Hello, lover," Aela greeted with a smirk as her piercing eyes locked onto mine.

I grinned, walking over to meet her. "Rough day, I take it?"

She shrugged casually, the smirk never leaving her face. "Just got back from hunting a werebear. Poor bastard went feral and couldn't hold onto his human sanity anymore. Chased him into a cave full of giant spiders and even a few trolls. It was a mess, but," she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a playful yet sensual whisper, "I came out on top."

"Of course you did," I replied, leaning in to kiss her. Her lips were warm and slightly chapped, a reminder of how much she threw herself into her hunts. The gore on her armor didn't bother me in the slightest, but as we kissed, I discreetly cast a quick cleaning spell, the faint shimmer of magic vanishing the bloodstains without her noticing. This was still a restaurant, after all, and I doubted my less robust customers would appreciate the sight of all monster blood.

Aela pulled back, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Miss me?"

"Always," I said.

The awkward clearing of a throat made it clear that I'd temporarily forgotten Aela wasn't the only one who had just walked into the restaurant. I looked up, spotting a familiar old figure standing near the door.

"Hello there, Chairman Netero," I said, apologizing for not noticing him sooner. I hadn't expected to see him again so soon.

"Ho ho ho! Hello there, young Haru," Netero greeted. His eyes twinkled with curiosity as he glanced around. "This is quite the nice and cozy place you have here. I didn't get to see the interior last time. How was your little sister's party?"

I nodded. "It was great. Kunou was really happy with all the food, and she also got a puppy that she's been glued to ever since. They'll probably both run in here at some point if you stick around long enough."

Netero chuckled and waved me off. "That's okay. We're still in the middle of the Hunter Exam, and I'm a bit busy scheduling everything. I was just surprised to see your restaurant sitting in a former empty alley near the Hunter Official Headquarters."

My ears twitched slightly at his comment. "Yeah, it does that sometimes. Just pops up in the strangest places."

Aela was staring at the old Hunter curiously along with Gabriel and Sansa in their booth. I took a moment to properly introduce everyone while giving Netero the usual pitch about everyone being from different Earth's or different dimensions entirely. He let out a few more "ho ho ho's" and seemed utterly fascinated by the concept as he stroked his long beard.

I finished the explanation just in time because Enri walked in the restaurant and smiled at me. She was ready to start her shift and I mentally already apologized to her because I was getting that vibe that told me the restaurant was going to be absolutely packed before the night was out. 

As the day rolled on and lunchtime approached, my earlier assumption proved right. About half the booths and the bar were already full, and the Fox Hole was buzzing with life. I couldn't help but smile as I watched the restaurant hum with activity. This was exactly how I loved to see it.

Gabriel, somehow, was on her tenth piece of chocolate cake, savoring each bite like it was her first. Sansa, on the other hand, had been forced to stop at five. Her pale face and the way she was holding her stomach made it clear she'd overdone it. Sitting with them at the booth, Aela and Sansa's mother, Catelyn, had joined the mix. Catelyn was gently but playfully scolding her daughter for indulging in so many sweets.

"Honestly, Sansa," Catelyn said with a soft laugh, shaking her head. "How do you expect to eat anything else later?"

"It was worth it," Sansa mumbled, looking sheepish as she sipped on a glass of water.

Across the room, Kunou's high-pitched voice caught my attention. "Come back here, Sora!" she called, darting between tables as she chased her mischievous puppy. The little dog had swiped some food off her plate when she wasn't looking and was now expertly evading her. Even though Kunou could talk to the puppy, it didn't mean it always listened—especially when food was involved.

I chuckled as Sora, the puppy, zigzagged under tables and chairs, all while scarfing down the stolen meat. Kunou huffed in frustration but didn't stop chasing the little thief.

At the booth, Gabriel had been in the middle of a lively conversation with Catelyn and Aela. They were comparing the strange gods of their respective worlds. Then, suddenly, Gabriel's expression shifted. It was like she remembered something important. Her bright eyes flicked to me, and before I could react, she grabbed my sleeve and tugged gently, her lips forming a slight pout. "Your cake was so delicious you made me forget why I came here in the first place!" she said.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "That seems like a good problem to have," I teased, pouring some more tea for them as I spoke.

Gabriel let out a tired sigh, drawing concerned looks from the others at her table. It was rare to see her so visibly drained, and it made me pause for a moment, wondering what could have happened.

"What's wrong?" Aela finally asked.

Gabriel began to explain: Some corruption within the church had cost them one of their most devout followers and holy maidens. She detailed how one of their bishops had been a traitor, aiding an evil devil in acquiring holy maidens to add to his peerage.

Ah... It was that guy.

Aela slammed her hand on the table, her eyes burning with fury. "Selling priestesses like that!? Point me to him, and I'll personally remove his head!"

Gabriel's expression darkened, and her voice was cold when she replied. "It's already been taken care of..." Gabriel then turned her attention to me, her face softening slightly. "Haru," she began, "since Asia Argento was excommunicated before all this happened, and many members of the clergy now see her as a witch, she has nowhere to go. I was wondering if you would take her in as a member of your staff?"

The other girls at the table turned to look at me expectantly, their eyes searching for my reaction. They were surprised when I shook my head "no".

It wasn't an easy decision because having a healer around was enticing, but it was the right one. Memories from my past life told me that Asia would be far happier living a semi-regular life, making friends in school, than spending her days working in a restaurant.

Enri didn't mind this kind of work because she grew up in a small medieval village and was used to the demanding pace.

Asia, however, wasn't built for that kind of lifestyle. She needed a chance to recover from her trauma, to experience some semblance of normalcy.

I suggested to Gabriel that she find a way to send Asia to Kuoh instead. 

"That could be a good idea, I suppose." Gabriel nodded.

I promised that I'd ensure Rias took care of the girl. Asia could live a more normal life there, and I knew Rias would never mistreat her. It would also be a win for my fiancée, sending her another potential peerage member—one I knew would be safe under her care.

The only concern was making sure that pervert Issei Hyoudou stayed far, far away from Asia and the rest of the girls. 

Actually, speaking of him, I realized I hadn't heard a single thing about Issei from Rias. It made me pause, my mind drifting to the possibilities. Obviously, my restaurant's existence had altered canon in some ways, but had it changed things that much?

Gabriel waved her hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my thoughts. She giggled as I blinked a few times to refocus. "You zoned out," she said playfully.

"Sorry about that," I replied, rubbing the back of my head.

"What were you thinking about so intensely?" Aela asked.

"Nothing important," I told her quickly, brushing it off.

Sansa chimed in softly. "If Asia needs a friend, I'd be happy to be one," she offered. Her expression darkened slightly as she added, "I know what it's like to be falsely accused of a crime I didn't commit by men in power." She frowned before muttering under her breath, "Although… I certainly wish I had been the one to kill Joffrey."

"You should have," Catelyn said bluntly, causing Sansa to gape at her.

"Well," I interrupted, holding up a hand, "topics of regicide put aside for a moment, where is Asia now?" I asked Gabriel, hoping to steer the conversation back on track.

Gabriel looked a little sheepish. "Um… she was actually on a flight to Japan and should have landed… er… an hour ago," she said, her eyes widening in sudden realization. "Oh poopy… that's the other thing I forgot. I figured you would just say yes, so I didn't have anyone there to pick her up at the airport!"

"Oh," Sansa perked up, her curiosity piqued. "Is an airport the place where people fly through the sky in giant metal birds? I've always wanted to see one of those!"

"I've wanted to see one as well," Aela admitted, leaning back slightly. "I personally prefer to keep my feet on the ground, but I am curious about how a giant, heavy metal tube can fly faster than dragons while carrying far more weight. Especially considering how fat some of the people in this world can get!" She then smirked at Sansa. "Be careful not to eat too many of those chocolate sweet rolls, princess, or you might become like them!"

Sansa let out an indignant huff. "It's cake! And I only indulge once in a while. Besides, I'm sure there's magic out there that can help people lose weight if they have to," she said, turning to me for confirmation.

I hesitated. "Um… not really? You could try asking Harry or Hermione, but I'm pretty sure I saw plenty of fat people in the stands during the first round of the Triwizard Tournament too." 

Sansa paled slightly as the other women chuckled. "Maybe I'll just indulge less often then," she muttered, her cheeks flushing.

She wasn't the first person to discover magic and then realize it couldn't solve everything for them.

A thought crossed my mind. I would like to say I served healthy foods at my restaurant, but maybe I should start expanding my options a bit more now that I thought about it. Adding more of a healthy variety wouldn't hurt.

– Sansa –

Sansa wobbled slightly, pressing a hand to her forehead to steady herself. "Everything is spinning," she muttered, trying to regain her balance.

"You'll be okay in a minute," Gabriel said reassuringly. "Everyone feels like that their first time teleporting." She turned to Aela, raising an eyebrow. "Although you seem to be adjusting just fine."

Aela shrugged casually. "I routinely have all my bones snap and rearrange themselves whenever I transform into a werewolf. A little dizziness is nothing."

Sansa blanched at the comment. The idea of bones snapping and reforming made her stomach churn.

She and her mother were the only "normal" women in Lord Haru's "harem," and she'd been quietly searching for ways to change that. Aela had once mentioned that Sansa smelled faintly like a wolf, which sparked curiosity about the old Stark legends. Allegedly, the Starks were descended from wolves or something similar. Sansa wondered if Aela might one day offer her the chance to become one, though she hadn't worked up the courage to bring it up. Aela was Haru's first official lover, and she could be blunt to the point of being intimidating, which made the idea of bringing up something so personal feel awkward. Still, Sansa had noticed that Aela had a fiercely protective side when it came to her "pack," and there was something comforting about that.

Gabriel took the lead, guiding them through the airport. Sansa couldn't help but notice the stares they attracted from the Japanese travelers. People gawked openly, their eyes flitting to Gabriel's ethereal beauty, Aela's imposing armor and weapons, and Sansa's own beautiful regal bearing--she thought smugly at least.

A security guard eventually stepped forward, his hand raised hesitantly. "E-Excuse me, ma'am! We do not allow people to carry swords or bows into the airport," he said to Aela. 

"Huh!?" Aela fixed him with a sharp glare, and the man's resolve crumbled instantly.

He stammered, holding his hands up. "N-nevermind… I'm sure that's just cosplay anyway..."

Sansa giggled softly, unable to help herself. "That was mean," she said playfully.

Aela snorted. "He tried to deprive a Nord woman of her weapons. He's lucky I didn't break his teeth."

No one else attempted to stop them as Gabriel led the way to the arrivals terminal. They passed through the bustling crowd and approached a set of strange, moving stairs. Sansa stared at them, wide-eyed, as the steps continuously carried people up and down without anyone lifting a foot.

"Magic stairs?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Gabriel laughed gently. "It's called an escalator. It's not magic, just technology."

Sansa and Aela stepped onto the moving stairs cautiously, gripping the railings tightly as they ascended. When they reached the top, they were greeted by the sight of a massive airplane parked outside the glass walls. Both women stopped in their tracks, their mouths falling open.

"Wow!" Sansa gasped.

"That's so much bigger than any dragon I've ever seen," Aela added, her tone equal parts awe and disbelief.

Sansa started scanning the crowd, her brows furrowing. "You said she has long blonde hair, right?" she asked Gabriel, her eyes searching. "I don't see her anywhere nearby."

Gabriel frowned, her gaze darting around the area quickly. "Fallen angels were here," she said, her tone dropping into something more serious.

"Aren't those your enemies?" Aela asked.

"Sometimes," Gabriel admitted bitterly. Her frown deepened. "It seems my little brother Azazel is trying to poach Asia-chan for himself! We're going to have to go pay him a visit to get her back!"

Sansa gulped, her nerves spiking. The simple outing she'd volunteered for was suddenly shaping up to be far more dangerous than she'd expected. She glanced to the side and saw Aela cracking her knuckles excitedly, with a wide grin on her face.

"Can I beat up your brother?" Aela asked excitedly.

"Sure!" Gabriel said without hesitation.

XXX

I have a patreo n. My subs can read advanced updates of my stories ahead of standard release and even check out pics for some of the more naughty chapters. That's a recent development though.

Link:

Patreo n .com (slash) Starwaves

Here is the list of Current Advanced Chapters:

The Fallen Gamer ch 312-316

Thunder and Black Wings 1-5 (New Story)

The Fox Hole 45

The Blood Queen 30

The Titan 22

The Fox Hole 44

The Blood Queen 29

The fox hole 43

The Fox Hole 42

The Titan 21

The Blood Queen 28

The Fox Hole 41