Chapter 122: A Question of 'Pets' and a Request for Recipes
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: "@All Members Breaking news! Your girl Stelle has just completed another epic mission! I successfully rescued a precious pet left behind by a dear departed friend! The process was thrilling, the ending was perfect, and I demand a round of applause!"
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Wow! What did you save this time, Stelle? Was it some kind of rare cosmic creature?"
[Genshin Impact - Paimon]: "Saving a pet? Paimon likes small animals, too! Quick, send a picture!"
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: "Don't rush me! I know you're all dying to see!"
[System: Stelle has shared an image - Screenshot of Gallagher's letter.]
[System: Stelle has shared an image - Photograph of 'Miemie'.]
The first image was a snippet of text, a description of a beloved pet named "Miemie." The second... was a close-up photograph taken from within a containment unit. It showed a single, colossal claw—a nightmarish appendage of chitin and sinew, terrifying and ferocious even in stillness.
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: "Ta-da! Presenting... Gallagher's 'little' pet—Miemie! Isn't it cute?"
The moment the photos appeared, the group chat fell into a stunned, dead silence.
[Genshin Impact - Lumine]: "...Stelle, you call this... a 'pet'? And... 'cute'?"
[System: Paimon has sent an image - Paimon_shocked.jpg]
Lumine stared at the nightmarish image, her mind momentarily blanking.
[Genshin Impact - Paimon]: "Waaahhh! So scary! It's even scarier than that mutated Golden Wolflord! Paimon's going to have nightmares tonight!"
[System: Paimon has sent an image - Paimon_crouching_in_fear.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "Stelle... are you certain Mr. Gallagher's definition of 'pet' aligns with that of us ordinary people? And are you absolutely sure this is a pet, and not some terrifying monster born from a mysterious experiment?"
[Genshin Impact - Zhongli]: "...By any common reasoning, the appearance of this creature is indeed far removed from the concept of 'cute.' Stelle, your aesthetic is... quite unique."
In the Astral Express's archives, Dan Heng looked at the photo, silently set down his research notes on Dragon Balls, and rubbed his temples. He had been completely unaware of this entire escapade.
[Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng]: "...Stelle, are you sure it's safe to bring that onto the Express? Is the Master Ball's restraint reliable?"
[Honkai: Star Rail - March 7th]: "Stelle!!! You really caught it and brought it back?! And you even sent a photo?! It's over, it's over! I'm definitely not going to be able to sleep tonight either!"
[System: Pom-Pom has sent an image - Pom-Pom_trembling.gif]
The impact of Miemie's photo was immense. Most of the group members were reeling from the sheer dissonance between the creature's oppressive, terrifying form and its soft, harmless-sounding name.
However, amidst the chorus of "terrifying" and "scary," a different voice suddenly emerged.
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Huh? Wait a second! Don't you guys think... this design is actually... really cool?!"
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Look at its massive body! That twisted, powerful structure! Those claws look like they could tear dreams apart! And that single, giant, overwhelming eye!"
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "It's just like the ultimate monster boss that shows up in a horror movie's post-credits scene, leaving you with endless suspense and a feeling of dread! Just one look makes your scalp tingle and your adrenaline surge! It's so exciting!"
Belle's enthusiastic analysis brought a spark of life back into the stunned chat.
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "Belle... your tastes can be very unique at times."
[Genshin Impact - Lumine]: "Belle's description is quite fitting. It really does have the aura of a final boss."
[Honkai: Star Rail - Stelle]: "See? See! Belle gets it! How cool is Miemie!"
[System: Stelle has sent an image - High_five.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Hehe, thanks for the compliment, Sister Stelle! But..."
Belle's tone shifted, now tinged with a hint of embarrassment.
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "If I had to actually keep it as a pet... then I'd have to pass. I guess I still prefer the fluffy, soft, and cuddly types that can act spoiled!"
[System: Belle has sent an image - Facepalm.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "After all, I still have an empty Elf Capsule, and my goal is definitely to find a cute-type! I know this might be a classic case of admiring something from a distance but not wanting it up close, but what can I say? People just prefer cute things!"
[System: Belle has sent an image - Righteously_posing.jpg]
Belle's honest confession drew a wave of good-natured "hahaha" and "I understand completely" from the group.
As the discussion about Miemie's startling appearance gradually subsided, Wise and Belle took the opportunity to share their own day's progress.
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "Speaking of which, Belle and I have also been working hard on rebuilding Zhitopia today."
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "That's right! We were busy all day, and we finally got the restaurant section looking presentable! It's clean now, and it actually looks like a place that can genuinely operate!"
[System: Belle has sent an image - Hands_on_hips_proudly.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "However, a new problem has arisen. The culinary style here in the Outer Ring... well, it's rather 'rough.'"
Wise's wording was exceptionally tactful.
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "The ingredients themselves are good, but the cooking methods are mostly simple and direct—mainly frying, deep-frying, and grilling, with heavy seasoning. It's not that it isn't tasty, but I always feel... it lacks a certain refinement and variety."
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Exactly! After eating all those delicious dishes from Liyue, Inazuma, and Fontaine that Lumine shared in the group storage, the difference feels even more obvious!"
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Those dishes look beautiful, smell incredible, and the flavors have so many more layers! So..."
[System: Belle has sent an image - Hands_clasped_together.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "So, we'd like to ask for everyone's help. If it's convenient, could you share some recipes from your worlds? They don't need to be too complicated; just some common, characteristic ones would be fine. We want to try to enrich Zhitopia's menu and bring some different flavors to everyone in the Outer Ring."
Faced with the sincere request from the siblings, no one in the group had any intention of refusing.
[Genshin Impact - Lumine]: "No problem. I'll organize some classic home-style recipes later and put them in the group storage. You can see which ones are the most suitable."
[Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng]: "It would be more appropriate to use video recordings. While the chat group can solve language communication problems, the writing systems of different worlds are not interoperable."
[Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng]: "The units of measurement, descriptions of heat, and certain special handling techniques in recipes would be difficult to convey accurately through text alone and could easily lead to misunderstandings."
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "Ah! Mr. Dan Heng's reminder is correct! We overlooked that. The written languages of our three worlds are indeed different."
[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise]: "In that case, I'll go prepare some recording equipment tomorrow! It's just... we'll have to trouble Lumine to record video tutorials. That's really quite embarrassing."
Before Lumine could even reply, an eager voice—or rather, text—shot out.
[Genshin Impact - Paimon]: "No problem! Absolutely no problem! Leave it to Lumine!"
[System: Paimon has sent an image - Paimon_patting_chest_in_assurance.jpg]
[Genshin Impact - Paimon]: "@[Zenless Zone Zero - Wise] @[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle] Don't you worry! Lumine is the best at this! Video tutorials, right? A piece of cake! Paimon guarantees she'll film it crystal clear!"
Paimon's mind was already racing, the gears of her little foodie brain spinning furiously. 'Text recipes? You can only look at those, not eat them! But video tutorials are different! To demonstrate, Lumine will have to cook everything herself! All those delicious dishes with perfect color, aroma, and taste...''Hehehe, and where will they all end up? In Paimon's belly, of course! Although the "Gourmet Tablecloth" in the group storage can also conjure food, those soulless replicas can't compare to the deliciousness Lumine cooks herself, with heart and wok hei! Food without emotion is just a little bit inferior!'
How could Paimon possibly miss such a perfect opportunity—one that would both help Wise and Belle and allow her to feast?
She could already see steaming Mondstadt Grilled Fish, glistening Liyue Crystal Shrimp, and delicate Inazuma Tricolor Dango beckoning to her!
For the sake of food, what was a little extra filming?
Lumine watched Paimon's foodie ambitions practically overflow from the screen and smiled, a mix of helplessness and indulgence in her eyes.
[Genshin Impact - Lumine]: "Okay, no problem. Just @ me when the equipment is ready. Recording videos is indeed more intuitive."
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "That's great! Thank you so much! My brother and I will get the recording equipment prepared tomorrow!"
Stelle watched the lively discussion about food unfold, took another sip of her cold drink, and slumped contentedly onto the parlor car's sofa.
Rescuing a pet, helping friends rebuild their home, and the potential for future culinary benefits... the final moments of this rest day felt exceptionally fulfilling.
She idly tossed the red-and-white sphere that sealed the enormous creature, her gaze drifting to Pom-Pom, who was diligently mixing new drinks behind the bar. She glanced at the closed door of the archives, then at March's room.
Life on the Astral Express was truly becoming more and more... eventful.
She let out a soft yawn and carefully put the Master Ball away.
Tomorrow, they would set off for the unknown starfield of Amphoreus.
Who knew what kind of surprises—or scares—awaited them there?
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