Next, let's look at some properties in this region.
Is it just me, or is it kinda hot here?
Perhaps you should take that off, then.
Oh.
"Property #5: A Community of Homes"
I definitely like warm places like this way better!
I see, so you dislike cold climates.
You're fine abandoning the igloo you built, then?
Yeah.
The yetis were glad to take it off my claws.
Is that so?
For our next potential property, then,
I believe you'd fare well in a communal living arrangement,
so I had planned on reaching out to a few landlords I'm acquainted with...
But their communities are oriented towards bachelors.
Papa!
I'm a bachelor! Papa!
I'm not your Papa!
Here you are, Letty.
Huh? To celebrate the birth of your first-born.
Oh, thank you so much!
Wait!
What kind of home would you like to share with your Papa?
What did I just say?
As I've mentioned before, Letty,
sometimes, when a creature is born, it imprints onto the first person it sees.
R-Right.
It's nigh-impossible to reverse the effects of imprinting.
Y-Yeah, but...
Do you really think it's okay for me to raise it as my own?
Oh, Letty.
I know a story on this very topic.
Long, long ago,
there once was a human explorer who, during an expedition into the woods,
came upon a gigantic egg.
From that egg hatched a monstrous bird.
The bird, believing the human was its mother, began to follow him everywhere.
The explorer tried to return it to the wild countless times,
but the bird was determined to stay with him.
And so, the explorer raised the bird as if it were his own child.
The bird lived alongside him, believing it, too, was human.
Father! The bird lived alongside him, believing it, too, was human.
Wow, imprinting is no joke!
However, the bird did not understand that humans lived short lives,
Father! so when the explorer died, it stayed with the corpse.
Some say that, even now, you can hear it calling "Father! Father!"
"Father..."
Some say that, even now, you can hear it calling "Father! Father!"
And an insistent pecking. Bang, bang...
What happened to the feel-good story?
Even if half of that story is made-up...
Wait, which half is true?
Once it has imprinted upon someone, the chick cannot be returned to its parents.
The first half? The last half?
You brought it with you because you realized that, correct?
Luckily, that's a hraesvelgr chick.
It will grow up just fine without much intervention on your part.
Hooray... what?
A giant eagle with an affinity for cold.
They live along rivers in the northern mountain region.
Their chicks eat snow until they're old enough to leave the nest.
Wow!
Once it's full-grown, you needn't worry about looking after it.
It can summon a blizzard with one flap of its wings.
It will survive just fine on its own.
Somehow, that makes me even more worried!
All you need to be concerned with now is keeping it cool and feeding it snow.
Quite simple, yes?
Sure, but there isn't any snow or ice around here.
Again, simple, yes?
Yeah, simple.
Still...
I'll probably still screw up somehow.
In that case, my idea may work in your favor.
Huh?
Perhaps here...
we can find a parent more suited to raising this chick.
Wow! I've never been to a housing community before!
The price for a home in a community like this
is much lower than an independent unit.
Communal living means you can rely on your neighbors for help.
As such, this would be a wonderful place for your little one.
However, there aren't many units that can house larger creatures.
Most units are designed for small to mid-size beings.
Why are there so few for bigger people?
A dragon?
Whoa, a dragon!
They can destroy common areas with the slightest of movements,
Gotta send this... oops! Leading to increased repair costs.
Oh.
Larger creatures tend to be louder as well, leading to noise complaints.
Damn neighbors! Larger creatures tend to be louder as well, leading to noise complaints.
Sorry 'bout that...
Larger species don't typically live in communal groups like smaller species do,
so there's less demand.
Does that mean the Heroes come to raid here, too?
Unfortunately, less, but not that often.
All right, chumps! Time to clean house!
Ah, speak of the devil.
"A wild HERO appeared!" What, not gonna put up a fight?
Hand over all yer rare items!
Are they gonna be okay, Dearia?
C'mon, fight me, ya cowa...
Hey!
The hell are you doin' to my tenants?
I'm already dead!
The landlords will take care of them in most cases.
Oh, wow.
Most assailants are comprised of Heroes tired of their typical adventuring,
who raid the community as a form of New Game Plus raid.
Don't they realize they're a nuisance?
Come, friends! Today, we pillage every dwelling!
Yeah! Here we go again.
Agents of Darkness! Your luck runs thin this day!
We will purge the earth of your filth by...
All the landlords here are quite powerful.
Thank you, sir!
Don't mention it. Let me know if I can help with anything.
The strong protect the weak who can't fight...
Don't worry, I'm gonna find the best Mama and Papa for you!
"Landlord the First"
Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid our complex can't house...
larger creat... oh!
Dearia! It's been too long.
It's good to see you again.
I'm so glad you're doing well. And who is this with you?
Hello, I'm Letty.
I have a different matter to discuss with you today.
Oh, really?
You're looking for adoptive parents?
I've never met a dragon this caring before.
C'mon, sweetie, I think it's lovely!
Sure, I'll give you that.
Are they, uh, married?
Right? Then we can totally take it in!
No, they're not married.
I don't know...
No, they're not married.
Aww, c'mon, why not?
Because they have differing tastes,
Look, hon, it's not that easy.
it's hard for two-headed creatures to find romantic partners.
It could be!
So these brothers pretend to be a married couple to make up for that.
I know, but...
So these brothers pretend to be a married couple to make up for that.
That's so sad!
You know we'd do anything for you, Dearia...
But lots of our residents have been high-strung lately.
We just had issues with a tenant complaining someone's kids were loud.
And my hearing's been going. Dunno if I can take care of a kid.
Oh, sweetie...
W-Well, it's only just hatched, so I don't think it'll cry that loud.
That's true! Look how small and cute it is.
I suppose it wouldn't be too much hassle takin' care of something this little.
Whaddya say, little guy?
Papa!
"Chick used CRY! It's super effective!" Papa!
Bro! Are you okay?
Hang in there, dude!
"Landlord the Second"
Oh, my!
You're looking for a mom for your little hatchling? You're so sweet!
It, uh... cries pretty loud, though.
That just means he's a healthy boy!
Everyone in our building has kids, so I doubt anyone would complain about him.
How about I take this little fellow in, then?
You mean it?
Why don't you come in for a bit, have some tea? We can chat there.
Just a damn second!
You're bringing in another pet?
You know the HOA doesn't allow pets!
It's not a pet, it's my beautiful son! How rude!
The gall of you, I swear!
And I suppose you'll boast about your cage discipline, then?
Is that how you treat your children?
Our residents always complain about our unit smelling like a zoo!
My, are you sure it's not you they're smelling?
If anyone smells like a zoo, it's you, you filthy cow!
And you don't smell like rotting fish, you disgusting snake?
Perhaps you wouldn't be so stuck-up if you weren't flat as a board!
The hell did you just say to me, you nasty hag? This could get ugly!
L-Let's take a deep breath, okay?
Shut it, you big lizard!
You wanna die?
Mind your own damn business!
I'm sorry!
They're scarier than the Heroes!
Seems this will take a while.
Let's go speak to someone else.
Okay.
"Landlord the Third"
I see. I'd be happy to take the little one in.
I have many children of my own. I'm sure they'll become fast friends!
Come now, children, say hello.
Hello!
Hello! Would you like to play together?
We'd love to!
It won't be lonely here, that's for sure.
Indeed not.
I'm so glad. We finally found a good home for you!
Um, uh, is that okay?
Huh?
Papa!
Dinner time! Papa!
Oh, they're just play-biting.
Just a bit of rough-housing, nothing more!
Yeah, right! Look behind you! See how their eyes are glowing?
Where should we go next?
Lord!
Flame Dragon Lord!
Huh?
Down here, Flame Dragon Lord!
Fancy seeing you here, milord!
I know you!
You're the korpukkur from back then!
What are you doing here?
We come by every now and then to sell the fruits of our labor.
I never imagined we'd meet again here!
What business has brought you here, milord?
I-I'm looking for adoptive parents for a baby.
Oh, then please, let us help you with that endeavor!
Could you wait here for a moment? We'll be back as soon as we deliver this.
Th-Thanks!
So, uh, what is that?
Oh, this? Well...
It's a wildfowl we hunted ourselves!
Subduing the fierce beast was tough, but it's of a quite high quality!
So, what's the child you're fostering like?
Oh, uh...
A-Actually, I think I'll hold off on finding someone to adopt it for now.
Huh?
Till we meet again!
Flame Dragon Lord!
Thank you so very much for offering to help.
O-Of course.
"Landlord the Fourth"
So that's the story; you need someone to adopt it?
Yeah, this little guy needs a home. What do you think?
He's a very good boy.
Boy, I bet this little guy could get swole in no time.
Get on up here.
I'm gonna whip you into shape!
Next up, grab this, kiddo!
O-Oh, no! If I don't stop him, it's gonna...
It's gonna be ripped!
And I won't have that!
What? You changed your mind?
Yeah.
And here I thought you were serious about training.
I don't do demos, y'know.
Sorry 'bout that.
Aww, man...
It sure isn't going the way I'd hoped.
It would seem not.
I wonder how it got separated from its parents in the first place.
After hraesvelgr lay their eggs in the snow,
they keep their nests hidden by staying away until the eggs hatch.
Most likely, this one was in a bad spot, so it emerged from its buried nest.
Aww.
If I'd just left it alone, maybe its mommy would've come back for it.
It's certainly possible, but very unlikely.
Had you left the egg there, some other creature would have eaten it.
I believe the only reason it's still alive is because you protected it.
I guess.
Why don't you raise it, Letty?
B-B-Because I don't think it would want me to be its Papa!
I'm a weak, cowardly dragon.
I probably couldn't protect it if something happened to us.
I'd be a bad dad.
You're right. It may not want you.
You're not supposed to agree with me!
I knew it...
However, I think all parents feel that way.
Huh?
No one is perfect from the start.
One only learns and grows as a parent
by laughing, crying, and worrying alongside their child.
And strength and bravery are not the only things that make a good father.
Though in terms of protection, nothing trumps physical strength.
Yeah, thought so.
Oh, there you are!
I heard you'd come for a visit, Dearia!
My, how good to see you.
Hello.
I've been thinking about renovating my building,
and was hoping you could give me an estimate on the work.
It would be my pleasure.
I'm going to take a quick look. Would you mind waiting here a moment, Letty?
Of course not!
I heard you're looking for parents for a chick!
Everyone's talking about it.
Is that true?
Oh, uh...
If you don't want it, then give it to me!
Dwarves'll pay a high price for rare creatures!
I'd make a nice chunk of pocket change!
This guy seems super sketchy!
This is bad!
We're not selling it to the dwarves! Not in a million years!
Why not? Not like you know what to do with it.
No way, no how!
Fine, then, how about one of those bear cubs?
Absolutely not!
If you lay a single paw on these kids, I'll...
You'll what?
I'll breathe fire on you!
I'll do it, you know. It's gonna be hot.
Sorry, I didn't hear ya. Head's too damn heavy.
C'mon, I'll treat 'em kindly.
Don't make this harder than it's gotta be, mmkay?
I knew I couldn't do this!
I'm not strong enough to protect anyone...
No, that doesn't matter.
I'm gonna protect them!
Hot! Hot! Burning! Hot!
"DOT: Burns" Hot! Hot! Burning! Hot!
Burning!
He may look harmless...
But some call him the Flame Dragon Lord of Mass Destruction.
He's turned countless Heroes to ash
and razed a kingdom to the ground in a single night.
He's the Flame Dragon Lord?
Run now, or risk being turned into BBQ beef.
The Heroes have made you quite famous, haven't they?
I don't wanna be famoush!
Thank you so much!
I was so scared, Dad!
But the dragon was so cool!
It suwe isn't easy being a fathew. Good fow him.
I've something to tell you, Letty.
Huh?
Down, boy.
You risked your life to protect them.
You're a wonderful father.
Papa! Papa!
Thanks!
I suppose we'll be looking for family-friendly properties from here on out.
Yes, if you wouldn't mind!
Have you decided on a name for it yet?
I had to think long and hard on it, but yeah!
I named him Pip!
Not very long, then.
His full name's Piyovelt Phelpia Pi Alpine Piyoderika!
How cool is that?
A doting father already, I see.
"Elf Housing Realty"
When looking for apartments in Japan,
one often hears the English words "apartment" and "mansion."
"What's the difference between 'apartment' and 'mansion'?"
But what exactly is the difference between the two terms?
Each brings to mind a certain type of building,
"Apartment: 2 floors, wooden, neighborly" "Mansion: Huge building, 3+ floors, security"
Each brings to mind a certain type of building,
"Apartment: 2 floors, wooden, neighborly" "Mansion: Huge building, 3+ floors, security"
but the truth is, neither have a set definition.
The property owners decide which term to use to describe their units.
"Looks like an 'apartment' to me!"
The property owners decide which term to use to describe their units.
"And this here's a 'mansion'!"
The property owners decide which term to use to describe their units.
You also see the words "heights," "co-op," and "maison" in their names,
"Heights"Co-Op"
"Maison"
You also see the words "heights," "co-op," and "maison" in their names,
"Maison"
but those are also hand-picked by owners and mean nothing in particular.
"Chimera" "Empusa"Orthros"
but those are also hand-picked by owners and mean nothing in particular.
"Chateau"Residence"
As for the words "chateau," "residence," and "palace,"
"Palace"
As for the words "chateau," "residence," and "palace,"
"Chateau"Palace" "Residence"
while you may associate those words with castles and luxurious mansions,
note that many buildings may not be as luxurious as their names would imply.
"Palace Muscle Panther"
Next time, "A Dragon In Trouble."