Kitsune Livestreamer: Chapter 4

The entire realm seems to rumble as the projected constellations on the walls seem to change from blue to red... then... gold.

the large flat table-like box slides apart; a singular object being slid out.

The lens in my little scope has cracked a while back after detecting some sort of magical reading.

I reach out, grabbing a cube of pure crystal.

Not the 'concept of nothing' that was in the original game, but it'll do.

a nice little collectible for me.

you see, my powers sort of... combined... in an interesting way.

Jump Jump Hero lets me enter 'challenge rooms' which have collectibles within. Or rather it gives me the ability to have 'collectibles' the ones in 'challenge rooms' are just the strongest, sometimes coming in sets with powers greatly increased when you collect them all.

What happened was my 'Completionist' power seemed to fire alongside my 'Sweet Home' dimension ability to create portal keys- typically to make new entrances and exits to the 'Sweet Home' which in turn made the video game 'The Room' a real life puzzle box.

A long sigh leaves my lips as I gaze over the cube, my eyes narrowing, my voice coming out in a low grumbling rumble. "Before Time Began there was... the cube."

I float backwards, lying in the air as I raise the gemstone. "We know not where it comes from... only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them... with life."

"That was how our race was born." I peer through it, seeing that its actually several different types of gems. The world is distorted as my vision pierces it. Kind of kaleidoscope-like. "For a time we lived in harmony, but like all great power. Some wanted it for good... others for evil... and so began the war."

"A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death... and the cube was lost to the far reaches of space."

Zaze: "What the actual FUCK are you talking about."

I return to my normal voice, looking at chat. "Oh. I was just quoting a movie I watched one time."

"Anyways, I'd say this is worth the... several hours I spent opening that accursed box." I grin 

Zaze: "What even is it?"

Cheesedtomeetyou: "Woah! That looks expensive!"

I flip it on my grasp, letting out a low hum. "This looks to be a... gem Rubik's Cube. A toy from the future. Each side has a single color and you can rotate them. The main goal was to 'solve' it... getting all of the colors on one side."

Unsolved Puzzle Cube:
Arguably the most expensive cut gem in the world. Six pyramids of gemstone perfectly carved and cubed. Internal mechanisms allow the sides of this cube to spin freely.
+0.5% total magical power

as I touch the large puzzle box and shift it slightly. The wood rattling against the floor as I shake the corner of it up and down.

The gem cube is the only 'collectible' in this little 'trial area' of mine... but it seems like I can take this with me.

 You know what? Giveaway time.

"Frankly... all I want is the cube... so perhaps it's time to reveal another aspect of my powers."

"System check. Give me a roulette wheel!"

The screen crackles briefly before a large wheel appears behind me.

It's blank. "Fill it in with the people in chat today."

Names rapidly fill out the spinning wheel before I walk up, grab the edge and spin it with a sound akin to the wheel on the gameshow Wheel of Fortune.

My eyes slowly watch as it spins faster and faster... then begins to slow.

It eventually lands on 'Zaze'.

"Congratulations, Zaze." I hum as I look over the large box. "You get this puzzle box."

With a flash, several foxes made of blue fire appear around me.

"You four. Take that to the person who has the Username 'Zaze'."

They rush forwards, fires coiling around the box.

Then they're just... gone. Along with the box.

"It'll probably arrive sometime in the next few days."

Gap: "I've got a question. Why did you assume this, frankly meager showing of pocket-space magic would make people want to kill you?"

"..."

"Weeeell... I suppose that's a secret, Gap~" I smile impishly. "If you didn't figure it out, that is."

"Nooooow. How long have I been going? About two hours? Eh I can go for a bit longer. I've got to do a little prep-work for tomorrow's cooking episode."

The door back to my pocket dimension creaks open, allowing me to step through, back into my home.

The door slams shut behind me as I stretch my arms above my head.

Thunderbringer: "What will you be cooking this time?" 

"Well, this time Thunderbringer I will be cooking the average fast food burger meal you would get at many of fast-food burger places across America." I begin. "To describe 'Fast Food' as it's something that is still a good fifty or so years out, the general concept is for you to place an order through your telephone, then by the time you get there in your car it is ready and pre-packaged for you, at which point you pull up to a window, pay, take your food and go on your merry way!"

"In the future, you could just go to your average supermarket and grab everything you need from bread to toppings, but I'd imagine things are a little more... hard to come by nowadays- I think... I'm not a historian- so I'm going to be pretty much making everything from scratch."

I step into my kitchen, numerous specters that look like nothing more than large flickering candleflames floating around, sensing my desires.

A pan is brought out of the cabinets, a sack of potatos are slowly brought out of the back room.

"To start off, we're going to make some potato bread. You all probably know how to do this so... I won't be explaining much. Just know. Mashed potato. Flour, yeast, into dough. Pretty simple."

I idly note the chat scrolling by as a pot is filled with water and I begin to peel and cut up potatoes.

"Anyways, now that my pulsing brain isn't really needed for solving riddles and stuff, I'm kind of curious about you all... like... you're all supernatural creatures from across the world, right? I mean... Loki the god of tricks was in here a bit ago. I've been a non-supernatural person for the largest majority of my life. This marks the... fifth week I've known I was a Kitsune and got tossed back in time. So I'm kind of curious. What's the deal with the dinosaurs? Which pantheon was... correct? How'd the earth come to be? I mean Biblically, the earth was made in six days, but if my knowledge of norse legend- supplied purely by heavy metal song- is to be believed, the earth is just a massive, butchered corpse. Which is... uh... a little farfetched, no offense. But I suppose that Kitsune were a little farfetched to me a few months ago."

Zaze: "Dinosaurs are basically just lesser earth dragons. Drakes."

Gabriel: "Of course the lord our God created the world!"

Thunderbringer: "The corpse thing was just a bit of flavor and overexaggeration. Legends really. We did build some of our lands over the corpse of Ymir. Yahweh is one scary god. But we did create the other eight realms through the World Tree. But their size is nowhere close to the size of earth. Even if you combine them all."

Shiv: "It was a collaboration between The One from the Bible and Brahma. I still await the day for my own destiny to arrive. It is reliving that the world will exist for another century... but I can see my time swiftly approaching."

Gap: "The Japanese pantheon only raised the islands of Japan from the sea."

"I see! There's just so many wonderful and fantastical things in this world I've come to realize..." I beam as the water boils- thanks to the heat I produce with foxfire. "One of these days I'm going to go out and experience all the world has to offer! Of course... I'm not leaving my home until I'm strong enough to bludgeon hostile gods like Loki into submission, but one of these days!"

"I'm curious. Does America have any Patheon?"

I see a chorus of 'biblical' fill the chat.

"Ah... yeah. That makes sense." I nod slowly as I turn away, grabbing some yeast and putting it in some warm water. "You know. It's probably a little Ironic... but I'm baptized. An American Japanese fox beast that got baptized! Though even before all of this I really didn't get out much. I was frankly terrified of how people saw me. How I've wasted my life. How I've allowed my friends to grow distant... well, the horrible motion sickness didn't really help any. Not that there was much to do around my home to begin with."

"But... I don't know... maybe realizing that I'm a youkai changed something deep inside me, but I just can't really..." I rotate my wrist as I gather some more stuff. "Bring myself to care anymore. Care about what other people think of me, that is. I don't know. It's weird. Like... I'd like it for people to like me, but at the same time if people hate me or think I'm some sort of abomination..."

I offer a small shrug to the camera. "I mean. Whatever. Hate what you want."

Nine Tails: "Youkai are accepted in Japan. You could always come here."

"Ah. But the thing about Japan is that I've heard some... bad things about it." I admit after a moment. "Such as the suicide forest. Or the fact that most adults are depressed. The fact that everyone's pretty xenophobic, The work culture is only a few steps above slavery. Then there's the used panty vending machines, the toxic environment of respecting elders even if they are undoubtedly wrong. Promotions are dependent on age instead of skill. The police can just grab you for some nonsense crime and hold you for weeks with no phone calls and no lawyer while they try to coax a confession out of you. Then there's the bullshit corporations that go around ruining everything. Like, one of them copywrited the idea of THROWING something and something happening! Like- I kid you not- they copywrited the idea of your video game character throwing a ball and an effect happening afterwords."

Zaze: "Used panty vending machines?! Now THAT'S an idea!"

"They, of course, filed this so they could sue another company whom was cutting into their sales with a game similar to their own. But the thing is, they filed this after said company had ALREADY released their game. But that apparently doesn't matter in the Japanese court of law." I scoff under my breath, as I gaze over the potatoes. "It's like the creator of the car retroactively getting a patent for any four wheeled vehicles and suing the creator of a cart all because they 'didn't want competition'."

"I mean, that's not to say America doesn't also its own issues." I continue, placing another pot on the stove. "Gun violence, for one. School shootings. Drugs. Obesity. Gang violence. Governmental corruption. Glorifying mental illnesses. The health care system. It's... sad."

I pour some milk into the pan, then an entire cup of sugar.

I begin stirring.

Gabriel: "What are your thoughts about places like Italy? Would you ever visit one day?"

"Never been. Nor really heard much about them. Really like their cuisine, though. I'll probably make some pasta dishes or some pizza one day. As for going there... isn't the Vatican there? Considering that all mythology is real I'd probably step on a few toes by walking around. Though I would like to visit one day. I'll just leave that for a day where I'm strong enough to not just get... disappeared."

"Ah! I got sidetracked. My apologies." I sigh, looking back over the stove. "Now, what I am doing is making some ice cream. For that I'll need some sweetened condensed milk which is why I put some milk in a pot with a cup of sugar. You'll want to keep it on a medium to low heat, but be careful with the temperature, you wouldn't want to burn it otherwise you'd have to start over."

I continue to make idle chatter with the chat, talking about events in the world, eventually one of the things I was managing finally getting done.

"Alright, I'm going to sit this aside to thicken up, next. I'm going to start on an ACTUAL recipe. Not just preparation." I start as I drop an entire stick of butter into a bowl. "You see, I'm going to make some Oreo cookies. Well, technically speaking the original was called Hydrox. They're a type of chocolate and cream cookie that was made in nineteen o-eight, however, another company made a similar cookie called the Oreo four years later. The Oreo became a big hit. Probably because they weren't named something that sounds like a chemical you'd use to kill weeds or rats."

"Regardless, even on their own it's a really good cookie that goes quite well with milk."

"Now. To make an Oreo, you take two sticks of butter, one cup of sugar, two teaspoons of salt, you'll want to mix all of that up and-

[Split]

I let out a long sigh, looking over a large basket of fries, numerous potato roll cheeseburger sliders, and two oreo milkshakes.

"I thought this was going to be preparation... not the whole thing... Oh well. I was kind of hungry." I shrug after a moment. 

I gesture to my meal. "Cheeseburger with Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Onions and Pickles, French Fries, and an oreo milkshake!"

"Of course, there's always other things you could order at fast food places, like Onion Rings, some even had fried chicken. But burgers and fries are pretty much where it's at."

"Some restaurants even went crazy with 'eating challenges'... I'm talking a burger with ten patties or a pizza larger than a table! As a youkai... maybe I should see about going through each of those... I'm a collector and a completionist at heart, after all!"

"Now... I should probably eat." I smile brightly.

I reach out and take one of the sliders, then open my jaws wide, pointed and fanged teeth briefly being on display. Then I bite down with a small satisfying crunch of onion and pickle.

My smile grows as I cock my head to the side. "It's... different. Huh... I can't really put my finger on it, though... maybe it's just my new senses messing with me. In comparison to the future, I'm not sure if I like it... or dislike it. Regardless, it's good! I'll be going to eat now! I hope you all have a wonderful day-night-morning-afternoon! Ciao!"

As the stream ends a low breath leaves my lips. I practically deflate now that I don't have a million eyes on me- by that I mean like... five hundred at most-, ears flattening and tail drooping.

I close my eyes, pondering for a brief moment...

Well, that stream was the most successful thing I've ever done. The videos don't even slightly compare...

I managed to collect a fourth of my goal for that one gem magic ability in just one singular stream.

"Rias, Food's done!" I call out just as the door slides open, the short red haired girl stands there, rubbing her hands together as she smiles brightly, there's a glint of greed in her eyes. 

"Yes! I was practically drooling the entire time you were cooking!"

"Thank you for the compliment. I don't know if it compares to fast food. There's just... something they do to their burgers that make them taste different."

She grabs one of the sliders and takes a bite of it.

"Thish ish AWSHOME!" She cheers with her mouth full.

"Don't talk with your mouth full." I chastise gently. "I swear... I thought you were supposed to be some sort of regal devil princess."

"I'm a NEET now!" The girl protests.

"Yes yes. Same for me, I suppose." I agree as I take the tray of food and begin walking towards the room with the Tv. "So. What do you want to watch?"

"Uhhhh Demon Slayer?"

"Sure. The fight scenes in that show are always so beautiful." I agree instantly.

[Split]

With a final twist, I can feel the puzzle in my hands click.

I gaze down at a uniform cube of crystal. The insides are... fascinating. It's as if six pyramids of assorted gemstone are all stacked together to create a cube.

Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Topaz, Amethyst and finally Diamond

A satisfied huff leaves my lips as I look over the gemstone Rubik's cube

Solved Puzzle Cube:
Arguably the most expensive cut gem in the world. Six pyramids of gemstone perfectly carved and cubed. Internal mechanisms allow the sides of this cube to spin freely.
+5.0% total magical power

This right here's going to be the centerpiece of my gemstone collection.

I wonder how much it'll boost my power once I unlock that magical gem ability.

I look to the redhead who has fallen asleep, her head on my shoulder.

I roll my eyes, a small smile forming on my lips as I gently shroud her in magic, then slip out from under her.

I quickly fill the spot I was sitting in with pillows and allow her to gently lay upon them. Then I grab a blanket and cover her up.

With that, I stretch, my arms and legs cracking slightly.

I turn walking out of the room, yawning quietly and wiping an eye. 'Ugh. I'm exhausted. It's been a long day.'

At times like this, I sort of wonder what I should do with my stream points... should I get the thing I intend on getting... or should I wait and save up a bit more.

There are soooo many powers I have access to ranging from things like Yukari's boundary manipulation to a simple Sharingan.

I really need to watch Naruto at some point. I'll see if I can get Rias to agree. Should be really easy. She's kind of a dork when it comes to shounen

There's a handful of things that I could see myself really wanting from the list. But two things really stick out to me.

The first? The gem empowerment ability. Arguably the cheapest 'scale-able' power I can get. Granting me tremendous boosts- with enough gems- and the ability to manipulate time itself.

That's just four simple SP.

I could get that... or I could save up a little more than three times the amount and get a perk that is... interesting...

I mean, it should deal with the fact I have a child body very quickly... at least in small bursts and it would technically make me a god and vastly improve my capabilities.

But is that better than time manipulation and empowerment through gemstones?

Prrrrobably not. But it would give me a cool alternate form... and a further power boost when I inevitably unlock that 'this isn't even my final form' power.

I also need to think of some more livestreams... the videos for my pseudo youtube are going well, I've got a playthrough of Zelda two waiting, then after that, there's Metroid and Castlevania.

But what after that? What can I stream? Most of the GOOD stream-able games don't really appear until the two-thousands at least... and I want to show off all of the old games before I get there.

"Hmmm..." I hum tiredly as I step over the little bridge, gazing up at my cherry blossom tree sat just at the edge of my miniature koi pond, tail swishing back and forth across the smooth wood I am stood upon.

I could also pick up that one power that makes me SUPER funny.

That... uh... might be a good idea?

After a little more walking I eventually make it to my room.

Far enough that Rias is a bit too lazy to wander over- especially after I made this pocket dimension eternally autumn and just too cool to walk around in the nude- but not so far that I have to make a grand journey every time I want to go to bed.

It'll feel even shorter when my legs get longer.

I slide open the paper door a thin smile on my lips as I look to my bed covered in messy unfolded blankets and numerous pillows.

King size so I can really roll around a lot.

I'm kind of a restless sleeper. I used to sleep a lot on my back, but, well, I have a tail now so it's a little uncomfortable to do that.

I step up to the bed and lay down a sigh of relief leaving my lips from the plush and soft fabric.

The mental strain of today finally begins to leave as I lay there in my bed.

With a wave of my hands, a screen opens up, showing my newest video. An edited highlight of the stream.

I sort the comments by newest.

Thunderbringer: "I had a Valkyrie make those Oreo cookies. They are truly wonderful! An incredible taste. And milk does indeed make them better. I haven't yet tried this 'Milkshake' of yours yet, but I bet it will be quite good'."

The corners of my mouth turn upwards slightly.

Faffy: "That gemstone cube! Incredible! How much gold would you trade for it? I need that for my horde!"

Tia: "I'll pay double whatever he offers."

Faffy: "No! Fuck off Tiamat! I saw it first!"

Yuu: "Heh! I just care about the food he makes. Looks tasty."

Jor: "Ah. They're fighting again. Funny."

Yuu: "Is that you, Midgardsormr? You're awake? How have you been?"

Jor: "For now. Getting this... thing... woke me up. And I've been fine. Just bored. This will entertain me for a while... at least until I decide to sleep again. I'm happy this exists as it lets me tell those out in the world how I REALLY think about them without all that effort of finding and walking up to them. On that note. I've been meaning to say this for the past 400 years. Hah. Tiamat. Ddraig took your shit then died. Hahhahhah. Couldn't be me."

Tia: "Oh? You want to go there, you lazy dragon? You don't even have a horde! How can you be called a dragon if you don't horde things?! You're nothing more than an overgrown snake! Just a simple sleepy serpent! How dare you, eel!"

Oh boy... the dragon kings are fighting in my YouTube comments. I'm so honored.

Jor: "Zzzzzzz."

Faffy: "Thought occurs. Midgardsormr doesn't have legs. How is he speaking here?"

Jor: "Speech to text. It said something about that the second the thing showed up."

Oh my, how inclusive.

An Idea for a new stream suddenly strikes me.

A small notes window opens beside me with stream ideas. Most of the games I played as a child is up there, alongside 'All movie games ever'.

At the bottom I write 'Macarons'.

I shift slightly in my blankets a keyboard opening before me as I reply to a couple of messages.

Argo the Fox: "Hello! I'm glad to hear that Thunderbringer. You must really like sweets, right? Well, soon I'll be trying to make a dessert which has only recently been invented a short 10 or so years ago. Macarons. It's French in origin and is slightly similar to Oreos in the way that it's two pastries with a sweet filling. I've heard that they are arguably one of the more difficult desserts to make, and I'd like to try my hand at them!"

Argo the Fox: "Sorry, Faffy, Tia, but I also have the innate and near overwhelming desire to collect shiny things. So, I'm afraid the Gemstone Rubik's cube isn't for sale. If you're looking for things to collect, I'd suggest baseball cards. Those will get REALLY expensive in the coming years. If I remember correctly this one 1952 card sold for literally millions of dollars in 2022. Taking into account inflation it'd be roughly 400,000 dollars today! (Though, of course, with my sudden appearance, it's likely that the player in question will never be born, or the market for baseball cards collapse, etc~ the problems of being a time traveler. The smallest nudge can really send things off the rails, and you have to come to grips that any new atrocity you see is now a direct result of your actions)."

I brush my hands together and close the window, then with a low hum I slip under the blankets and close my eyes.

"..."

I sit up and point at a nearby light switch, a weak orb of energy shooting out and flicking them off.

Then I lay back down. 'haah... how did I live before magical powers?'