Chapter 575: Wrapping up the Day

Once Lily decided on her affinities, things wound down. Vivian went off to do work, Kat was mildly surprised for some reason about that fact, and Callisto started work on what would be dinner for everyone. Lily and Sylvie played another round of chess which Sylvie won once again, and apparently it wasn't close. Lily was also offered the chance to stay over again but she declined, citing the need to visit her parents and stop them freaking out a little. She also planned to rub in her mother's face the fact Kat was her girlfriend now. She was feeling more than a little petty about the fact they'd insulted Kat for years for nothing and she'd STILL got the girl.

Lily got a hug and a small kiss as a goodbye before everyone else sat down for dinner. Callisto had decided to go all out on a salad for some reason and everyone was provided with large, though scaled appropriately, bowls for their dinner. Kat was actually the one to get the smallest one, though it was a fact she appreciated greatly. Callisto had gotten used to her smaller dietary needs and was starting to compensate so she could participate in meals properly.

Sylvie had the next smallest bowl, though it was still larger than her head. She didn't complain though, and actually enjoyed the flavour the most out of the assembled group. Callisto and Vivian both had their own large bowls of the same size, though the ingredient portions were slightly different with Callisto adding slightly more food to her own bowl.

Once the group was finished with the meal everyone split up again. Kat found herself relaxing on her bed after a quick shower. It wasn't too late just yet but she didn't really know what else to do with herself now that she had spare time. At the beginning she was getting used to living with Vivian and Callisto. The constant flow of Contracts also helped. Now though she found that she had free time and remarkably little do it with it.

At the orphanage what time she wasn't spending on schoolwork was spent helping the kids or tidying up somewhere to save Gramps the effort. Now nothing needed cleaning because Callisto did that constantly, there wasn't any kids to keep entertained and out of trouble, and school was completely finished. She didn't have any homework and likely would never have any more ever again.

*I think I see why Vivian wanted me to buy some stuff now. I don't actually have anything to do. I've spent my life busy in way or another and I don't think I ever realised it. The only thing I can really do is exercise but that'd be completely pointless. I have nothing that would get even close to being heavy enough to count as a work out. Push ups would be a joke. I could easily bench press the bed. Heck I could bench press the room if I could disconnect it from the house safely. Probably not the whole house though. 

That's something I should probably check at some point. How strong am I? I know the answer is VERY but that's like telling someone a car can go fast. Technically true, and somewhat informative if you're comparing a car to a horse drawn carriage, useless for much else though. Speaking of fast, speed is another thing. Don't know how fast I can run or fly. I don't know if I should test these sorts of things on Earth or not. I'm weaker here, and I don't know if the time and hassle testing it would be worth it. 

I know Callisto wrote down a lot of information but I went and immediately ranked up afterwards so it was kinda pointless. Still, Callisto does seem to enjoy that kind of thing so I wouldn't be surprised if I was asked to help with more testing anyway.* 

Before Kat could really think on it longer the door cracked open and Sylvie peered in. Kat didn't have to say anything just make grabbing motions at the door and the little girl practically bounced into the room. When Sylvie jumped onto the bed Kat grabbed her quickly when she was in grabbing range and brought her into a big hug which made Sylvie light up with a bright smile. "Hello there. Why where you just peaking your head in instead of greeting my like normal" whispered Kat as she stroked Sylvie's hair.

Sylvie pouted at the question, not necessarily wanting to explain her thought process. Especially now that it had been invertedly answered by Kat's actions. She did however, also recognise that Kat would keep on asking her, likely daily, until she answered the question because Kat would think she still had an issue. Sylvie knew this was because she was good at controlling her expressions and was mostly her own fault for avoiding her issues in the past.

She debated telling a white lie but decided against it not willing to risk Kat catching her out on it and making an even bigger deal of things. Eventually she said, "I wasn't sure if you'd still want me around now you can sleep with big sis Lily instead"

Kat felt a twinge in her heart and tightened the grip she had on Sylvie. "Nope. You're adorable and I don't want you thinking that. We had to have a bit of a long conversation yesterday and I'm sure you were asleep by the time we finished."

*Of course, we even though we didn't do anything we didn't exactly wake up in the most appropriate positions. Still, I have no issue with Sylvie joining us whenever she wants. Lily might but I can't say no to Sylvie when she's pouting and I doubt Lily is ready for anything we shouldn't be doing around Sylvie anyway. Hopefully if Sylvie does stay the night, we won't do anything inappropriate in our sleep. Might even be a good thing.*

Sylvie was more than smart enough to pick up on what Kat wasn't saying but didn't really mind. She knew it was the most Kat was likely to offer and that she didn't like to stop people as long as it wasn't causing issues. So she had Kat's permission, now she just needed Lily's. With that knowledge secured though, she was more than happy to simply curl up and go to sleep. Kat followed shortly after.

The next morning once Kat began to stir she could see a notification from D.E.M.O.N.S even with her eyes closed and let out a sigh.

User Kat is requested to be present for Arbitration today. User Kat will have one full hour period to ready herself to appear. 

*Welp. Guess that's what I'm doing today.* She glanced down at Sylvie and hesitated for a second before shaking the younger girl slightly. She was therefore surprised when Sylvie instantly opened her eyes, eyes that were completely clear and focused, and said, "Yes Kat?"

Kat realised she was actually the second of them to awaken and smile. "I've been told I have to go to Arbitration today. It's because I was punished when I maybe didn't need to be. I've got an hour before I'll be called up so I thought I'd wake you and we can see the others."

"Ok!" said Sylvie cheerily. "Are you going to get Lily as well?" Kat found that to be a difficult question.

*I'm not sure. Lily sure likes to sleep in even if she's pretty bad at going to bed on time. I really should tell her but I don't think I'll be gone long. I suppose it's really a question of two things. 1. Can I possibly be back before she notices. 2. Will she be more annoyed that I didn't wake her up and informed her, or annoyed that I woke her up for something like this.* 

Kat decided on a hidden third choice. Ask Vivian for advice. Picking Sylvie up and letting the girl rest on her shoulder Kat headed downstairs to find Callisto cleaning the staircase railings with a cloth. "Good morning, Sylvie, Kat." Said Callisto in acknowledgement. "I was just doing a bit of cleaning before breakfast did you want to make any requests?"

"No" said the two girls together, not really having developed much of a preference beyond Callisto's food in general. They took up vigil on the couch after that and Callisto continued to work her way down the stairs finishing up the last of it shortly. The two girls knew better then to ask Callisto if she wanted help. They'd be treated to a rather pointed stare from Callisto if they had tried.

Eventually Callisto got started on breakfast and Vivian came down. "Oh? How are my three favourite people doing. I see you're all already downstairs. What's on your mind Kat? I see you have a question for me"

Kat sighed, not all that surprised at Vivian's notice and said, "Well… it's like this…"