So, by overwhelming vote, at least from those of you who commented... When I do take the vote for a crossover, I will make the list, and you, the readers will vote on it. I might even make it a poll on the site... saw an option for that someplace... Hopefully it works, and isn't like the notification system. Sigh...

Chapter 17

(Kodori)

On the way back to the manor I listened to more of the rookie team's adventures. For the most part, it sounded like Kaede and Momiji had performed exceptionally, even in places they were certainly not supposed to be, and had never been to before. Yes, they still made mistakes, but with the rest of the Alliance around them, they were learning experiences, not deadly ones. Delly and Maki also did quite well. Unlike the other two, they had learned as much as I could teach them without actually going into the dungeon, and after being 'reduced' to their basic forms (Delly as a new 'air spirit', and Maki as a single tailed half-kitsune) and having stats of zero, they also did quite well.

Also being my students, they gave suggestions on how I could help them. Maki's sword was very much under powered when it came to long encounters. As a blade, it worked as intended, but as a 'wand' it needed more... oomph. Delly's problem seemed to go in the other direction. She was prone to using too much 'oomph', and had hit mind down.

Kaede's issue was her lack of real protective gear. Momiji's spell was pretty good, but sudden (like an explosion) attacks, or sustained ones (like being bitten), would get through her spell and Kaede would get hurt.

Momiji's issue was the lack of any solid close combat skills. Pure support is good, but being able to kick a monster's head in for getting too close (like Haruhime had learned to) was better.

"Well, I'd be happy to come up with something for you to wear. I'll keep your preferences in mind for sure, but if you want to travel further with us, you're going to have to cover up properly." I said as we approached the gate of the Manor.

"Aww... I know... but I like my outfit." The bunny girl pouted.

"Yes." Maki teased, "It shows off your nice long legs, and slender arms. Prefect for monsters who also like your outfit." She looked down at herself, "Aside from a good wash, I don't seem to have any problems here."

"I have bruises... like everywhere." Delly grumbled, "But no cuts! And my wings are fine too." Her quartet of wings buzzed for a moment, lifting her off the ground for a second. "Going to need more practice though."

"Your tail needs brushing too." I said, "I know I'm one to talk, but now that you can't just vanish into sparkles, you actually need to take care of your appearance." I then looked to Momiji, and she 'eep'ed and hugged her tail, "Yes, that will be the price of the equipment I make for you... No need to be nervous, I can't have any more tails."

"And Haruhime-san would be disappointed if she did something like that." Maki said.

We all shivered a little, and I put my hand on the gate and gave it a push, "Hello the house?"

"Welcome back." Shinkage called out from Gros's enclosure, "We were starting to wonder. Fen-chan is starting to get more and more nibbles from your children."

We entered and closed the gate, and I took a little detour to talk with them without having to call out across the yard. "We'll get out of our equipment and get a little lunch going." Maki said.

I waved to them and stopped at the cage, "Sir Skitters? Are you helping Gros?"

The spider, unable to resist it seemed, did a little spin in place and then a victory crab dance.

"I knew it." Shinkage said, though it was in resignation and not in anger, "I'm not opening the cookie jar for you anymore."

"What?" Gros tilted his head a little as if looking up at the spider on his head, "You expect me to challenge you when I learned the game only a day or two ago? Of course he was helping."

"Any problems aside from it being lunch time?" I laughed, "Oh, B-5 to D-6, knight moves, checkmate."

Shinkage looked at the board, "Aha." And moved her knight, "So there." While Gros and Sir skitters acted shocked, she stood, turned to me, dusted off the rear of her new (non frilly) dress and said, "Oddly no. Your foxes haven't seen anyone, inside or out, who shouldn't have been here. No visitors, and the Ganesha patrols have been regular."

At the same time, we all said, "Too quiet."

I shrugged though, "I'll take it over 'too noisy' though. Going to 'do' lunch now, then I have to go back out and continue setting things up for after the Donatis."

"I suppose I'll just... enjoy the feeling of being encased in nice sand." Gros sighed, "Oh, well thank you." He said as Sir Skitters gave his head a pat with a leg.

(Hestia)

On the outside, she was calm, indifferent to all the shouting and yelling and bickering back and forth from all the other gods as they reacted to the veritable bomb she had dropped, denying Freya's 'nickname' for Kodori, then absolutely shutting her down with a bald faced bid for Kodori's children. It was obvious, from how the room was reacting, that there were a lot of Gods who did not like Freya and her position as 'queen' of the city, and with Hestia 'acting out' against her in such an outright way had emboldened the other smaller Familia to make their dislike of the Goddess known.

Then there were the ones who were perfectly happy with Freya's spot in the city. Who were quick to mention her power and wealth had been earned, and thus, it was proper that she sat where she did. And so, it had devolved from there.

The only ones who were silent on the matter were Freya, who's 'public face' was just on the edge of rage for being outright refused by such a small Familia, and their insignificant alliance. And the other top Familia. Loki was grinning at the chaos. Demeter had one hand to her cheek in an 'oh dear' expression. Ganesha was sitting there with his arms crossed, the elephant mask looking angry. Hephaestus was holding Hestia's forearm, offering stability to her friend who had, in this one meeting, shown off just how much she had grown from when she had bought that abandoned church to some forgotten goddess and gotten her first Familia member.

That said... On the inside, Hestia was a wreck. She knew and understood what might need to happen next was a necessary step. But she also knew it would be one step closer to a 'worst case scenario'. War. All she could do was hope that Freya's pride wasn't inflexible. That her desire to have 'what she wanted' didn't blind her.

Thankfully, the yelling and screaming came to a stop when Ouranos said, "Silence."

That was it. The one god who had no (official) Familia members needed only one word to put a halt to what was basically a city wide civil war in the making. On the back of the pin-drop quiet that followed, Royman (one of Ouranos's Familia) did a perfect 'ahem'. "We will break for lunch, however, we will have to shelve giving Kodori Haruhime a nickname, since it seems a bit of a... contested idea. We have many many more level two and three children to go through however, so look forward to that instead."

There was another moment of silence, with Gods and Goddesses glaring at each other, before they all just grumbled and 'agreed to disagree' for the sake of lunch.

The lunch buffet was just as nice as the dinner one, but that still meant it was a step down from the usual grand affair it usually was. But with the city still recovering, it was to be expected. Demeter however was pleased that whomever baked the bread this time did a proper job of it. Being the Goddess of the Harvests gave her some very specific buttons when it came to food.

Loki, as always, was revelling in the chaos of the meeting, even more so now that Hestia had, in no uncertain terms, told Freya exactly what she could do, and do it sideways for all she cared. Hestia on the other hand, even while getting a pat on the back from an understanding Astraea and Hephaestus, was groaning at just how anxious she was over it all, even with the 'script' in front of her.

"Hmm." Takemikazuchi mused, "Do you know who that god there is?"

All but Hestia (who was basically a salt statue at this point) looked towards where Takemikazuchi was looking. They all shook their heads, except Astraea, "I believe that is Dolos." She said, "We never got along, or spoke much."

Dolos seemed to be the very image of 'a villain'. Dark oily hair, long mustachio, well worn clothes yet wearing shiny black leather boots. His long face was set in a deadly scowl. They'd have missed it had it not been for Takemikazuchi and his combat sense drawing their attentions to him.

"One of Freya's supporters I'd bet." Loki shrugged, "But since they don't even let us have anything more dangerous than a wood spoon here, I wouldn't worry."

"Hmm." Takemikazuchi looked thoughtful and sipped his tea.

(Kodori)

Lunch given, and all but one child taken care of before their afternoon nap, I was well on my way to the rest of the day 'going to plan'.

"And who's a good child?" I asked Toshi as I wrapped him back up and gave his feet a little tickle.

And to my delight, all seven of them started making little happy noises. This of course nearly stopped my plans for the rest of the day, when I gathered them all up with my arms and tails and cuddled them to bits.

"That's not fair." I pouted at the nearest face (Yumi), "O-ma has things to do, but you're all being so adorable."

From my left, from a child being held by a tail, a tiny fist flailed at my nose, "oop." Said Yuki.

"Ganging up on me huh?" I asked, feeling a little hand grab the end of one of my tails and promptly get drooled on. "Well, I suppose I can stay just a little longer..."

(The Dungeon Team)

As a group, they made their way down a floor towards 'the grand descent'. Much like the eighteenth floor, it was a thing of beauty. A massive grand waterfall that poured from the ceiling above, and down a massive column of stone that descended into a grand basin of water and ice. Around it was the spiral of stone and branching rooms, giving a multi angle view of this wondrous landmark of the dungeon.

Except now, they couldn't really pay attention to that. Bell and the others, the two adventurers in tow in the middle of the pack with Haruhime and Asuka, tromped their way down while the ranged fighters (Bell, Asuka, Lilly) shot/burned Harpy and Ignazu who usually inhabited this area. Deadly monsters who flew around in the wide open air around the grand waterfall.

The others were smashing their way through a small mob of Blue Crab, with their hard crystal shells and one oversized claw. Of them all Aisha was having the easiest time, with her heavy wood weapon and experience fighting them helping her find and exploit weak spots. Ouka was doing his best to fight beside Chigusa, the small (yet amazingly tough) shield bearer blocking attacks while Ouka used his spear to poke out eyes and get into the softer gaps in its shell.

"How much further?" Bell asked, scorching a bunch of the smaller ignazu from the sky before they could get too close to Asuka while she put an arrow into a harpy's chest.

"It's around the middle, can almost see it from here. Less than a half turn away!" The 'Hill dwarf' shouted back, running forward and using one of Welf's spare swords to help Chigusa push back a giant claw, "Now now! Right in the mouth!"

Ouka obliged and jammed his spear into the exposed mouth of the crab, sinking the blade of the spear into the monster almost all the way to the crosspiece before ripping it back out in a spray of blue blood. "Now push!"

Ouka and the dwarf pushed the crab off the side, then braced for the next in line. Thankfully, the numbers were thinning out, and it looked like they'd only have a couple more monsters to fight before having a clear run down the path.

Aisha made quick work of another one, sweeping its legs out from under it with her Padao, then kicking it off the side, "Maybe we can get the stones out at the bottom." She laughed, "I'm not hopeful though! Come on!"

If this had been a normal fight and not a rushed one, they might have spotted the danger coming up from behind them. But the only warning they had was Welf shouting in alarm as a dead adventurer, with limbs twisted grotesquely, intestines orbiting the spinning mass, slammed into him from the direction of a side room. Knocking him off his feet and nearly off the ramp, he managed to stop himself and roll aside just before a massive green and black clump of overgrown swamp muck threw another body at him. Both of the corpses spilled over the edge, but its surprise attack had nearly worked.

"Welf!" Bell shouted, "Chigusa! Cover the archers! FIREBOLT!"

Without hesitation, Ouka stepped in front of Chigusa, and the shield maiden slipped back to run defence for the two archers. Like a machine, the new order clicked into place, and almost without pause the monster slaying resumed. Behind them, Bell's firebolt had slammed into the moss monster, but unlike most other beasts, it seemed to just slide right off of it. It did however get its attention, and it turned from Welf to take a swing at the oncoming Bell.

Then Bell saw why his spell had failed. The moss monster, that the dwarf had said 'looked like it rolled around in a construction yard', had bits of wood, stone, and now adventurer equipment laced inside and around its body. The slightly smoking spot where his firebolt had hit, had bits of a tattered salamander wool cloak peeking up from under the moss!

"That's why we had such a problem!" The cat person said, ducking around and staying out of the way of the supporters. "It's somehow gotten stronger by scavenging off other adventurers!"

Bell, even with his sharp blades and great stength, couldn't slice through the monster's arm. As soon as his blade bit into its 'flesh' it was halted by a chunk of stone. He then had to dodge as a 'hand' covered in broken blade bits and jagged wood flailed at him.

It was fast, strong, and was not acting like a normal monster. Seeing that it had been 'hurt' and that it Welf was about to join Bell, it chose instead to run away! With a shiver, bits of itself fell off its body, and smaller versions of itself grew in place to block them from chasing it!

"See!" The cat person yelled.

"How many in your party?" Aisha called out, bringing her weapon around in a great arcing swing that took the huge claw off her opponent, before Ouka ran into it from the side, shouldering it over the edge with a growl.

"Six!" The dwarf called back, "Only four now, at best." He took a huge swing at a crystal turtle who had joined the fray, cracking some of the stone growths over its car sized shell, "If I get out of here, I want one of these swords!"

"Sure!" Welf called back, hacking one of the decoys apart, "After!"

"It's getting away!" Bell growled, his firebolt working on a decoy, turning it to ash as he lost sight of the 'original' as it dashed into a room and out of sight. "We'll have to deal with it later!"

"No..." The dwarf said as they got to the room they were aiming for. His friends were obviously dead, with bits of them all over the room, weapons broken, armour and flesh pulled apart. Haruhime gave his back a pat, trying to console him, but he put a hand on her shoulder to get her to back away. "It came in through that wall there..." He motioned to a very slowly healing wall, the gap still wide enough to fit a person, "And just started to beat on us. We were already engaged too, just like we were now."

"And unless your Familia came down here poorly equipped, it's stealing equipment too." Aisha said, crouching over a deal human wearing half a suit of plate armour, "No cloaks, bits of armour, almost no sharp weapons..."

The people of the Alliance looked at each other, sharing the same thought, 'Xenos'. This was far more than what a normal monster would do. Ambush tactics, using equipment, running away... But, unlike the ones under Lido's leadership, this one was after adventurers.

"We can't let it go." Bell said, frowning, "It's already killed these ones here. And if we hadn't sent our rookies home, it might have gotten them too."

Everyone but the cat person nodded. He just looked scared. But even considering his wounds, he had gotten off luckier than those on the floor.

"I'm in." The dwarf said, "Just... give me a moment to see if I can get something from them to bring up, and maybe see if I can cobble together some gear."

"Well, the room seems safe enough otherwise." Aisha said, "Keep your guards up, but let's come up with a plan."

(Kodori)

This time, I'd I brought the children with me in the mobile crib. Also along for the walk was Hagane, his metal feline/monster body clicking quietly beside me.

At home, I'd made sure Delly was tucked into bed for a nap (and given headpats and Jiru to rest her head on). Our two rookies, Maki and Shinkage were on watch, though, with my foxes and Fen-chan also on watch, I was hoping they were just going to have a nap or something while I was out. Maybe Maki would break out her zither or something, or experiment with the new ice box?

"Curious what a 'jail' looks like in Orario?" I asked Hagane, "Oh, seems you have a fan."

From the side of the crib, a little arm was reaching out for the metal cat. Hagane got a little closer, so the chubby fingers could brush his metal shoulder. "Of a sort. It is also an experiment, to see how well I can work away from my 'power source'."

"Good thinking. I will warn you though, there are some people who know how to insulate places from magic." I said, remembering Hermes being able to block the Occulus from working, "And if you suddenly can't work due to distance?"

"All my capacitors are charged, and well, you're here." He raised his head a little more, so he could look which ever child was trying to pet him in the eye, "Are you sure you didn't add something to my body, to make patting me more appealing?"

"If I did, it wasn't on purpose." I assured, "I wanted you to be capable of being intimidating too."

"Less effort if the fight never happens, yes."

"And before you worry, I won't put fur on you, even if it would make you more child safe."

"Good. To return to your first question... This city seems quite calm for having no real police."

"Well, there's Ganesha Familia." Now that we were starting to hit the main streets, we were getting 'the look' again from people, and other adventurers, "But also the guild."

"The guild seems more a puppet to the powerful Familia."

"In some ways, very much so. But, they also control the money and banks. If a Familia is too naughty, they will simply be unable to do business with the Guild until they pay their fines. And if the offending party tries to use an intermediary, and they are caught, then there will be a fine for their Familia too." I explained.

"Who watches the watcher? Or rather, 'We watch each other'." Hagane 'hurrrrmed', drawing even more eyes to us, "Yes, I am a talking metal cat." He said though unless you spoke Eastern, you wouldn't understand him, "Huh, I meant to say that in... Kione, was it?"

I made note of roughly how far we were from the manor, "Disconnected from Shinkage's mind?"

"Not... sort of? I must think about it more." This was said in Kione, "It's taking more concentration to keep our minds fully connected."

"Well, hopefully you don't suddenly start clawing the nearest tree or something." I smiled, "We're about two thirds there, so maybe about half the city is your optimal range?"

"Maybe. Maybe I will commission a giant scratching post from Welf."

"This is... stupid looking." Hagane said as we stopped in front of 'I AM GANESHA!' The giant 'statue' of Ganesha, sitting down, with one arm raised, silly smile and elephant mask greeting the city around them.

Even the two guards at the front of the walk leading to the building couldn't disagree with the metal cat, once they got over the shock of him actually talking. "Lady Kodori." Greeted the first one to recover. "What brings you today? A visit to the doctor? Not a problem I hope?" He looked at my wheeled crib and broke his professional stance with a little wave at the curious eyes looking at him and his partner.

"No no." I said with a smile, "We had some uninvited guests you see, and were wondering if we could talk to them?"

The other perked up as if remembering, "Ah, it was mentioned you might come by. I'm guessing..." He looked at Hagane.

"Meow." He said, totally unconvincingly, "Yes, I am the one who nearly killed one of them."

"Well, he's still in bed, as is the one who came in with chilblains. However, the other four are in the basement, waiting for the guild to assess the level of fine, and for the Familia to pay it, or work it off."

"I'll take her in. Um..." He looked at Hagane again, then the crib, "Will you be bringing them down with you? There is no ramp." He started towards the big double doors of I AM GANESHA! Which of course were at the statue's crotch.

"I will stand guard." Hagane rumbled, "However, I cannot do much if they get grumpy."

"I won't be long." I said with Akeno's smile, "I'm sure I will only need to ask once."

Leaving Hagane with the children in the daycare (yes, I AM GANESHA had a daycare, someplace in the left leg), I was escorted to someplace near the rear left of the building, where there was a staircase leading up, towards Ganesha's office, and down. If I were to go up, it would be with nice wood panelled walls and various, not quite 'Indian' designs worked into the walls. However, I was going down, and it was made of a thick stone bricks and a well lit stair.

"Ah, we were expecting you, Lady Kodori." Being where prisoners were kept, it was of course guarded. Like nearly all of the Ganesha Familia, he was dressed in that mildly Arabic uniform they all had, as well as a spear and dagger.

"Must of drawn the short straw to be here all day." My escort said with a laugh, "He'll take it from here."

"The things we do." The other said, "This way." He started down the steps.

As soon as I started down the steps, I could smell something odd in the air. "What's that smell? Flowers?" Mildly floral, with a hint of honey?

"The prison is close to the sewer system after all." He replied, unlocking the heavy metal door at the bottom of the steps, "Wouldn't want the rest of the place smelling like that. And while they are prisoners, we do try and treat them well."

The scent got stronger as he opened the door. My first thought was that they had just reapplied the scent or something, maybe in the little metal braziers they had hanging on the walls. Speaking of, there only seemed to be one path past the door, with magic stone lamps and those little incense braziers on the walls. Other than that, there were also cells. Heavy metal bars, incredibly thick stone walls, a hole in the floor, and that's it. No bed, no chair.

It was clean though, at least, and aside from the incredibly thick scent in the air, I'd never have known we were near, or probably above the sewer system.

"They're at the end. We don't usually get many 'visitors' here. Most people are dealt with by whomever they bothered." He explained, slowing down a little so I could pass him, "If you need me, I'll be just a shout away."

"Sure." I continued past him. I could see the end of the row of cells, and it looked like I had maybe three more empty ones before I got there. Idly, I listened to his boots as her went back towards the stairs, but then I suddenly picked up another scent.

Blood. Sharp and metallic, it felt like a little needle to my senses. I took two more steps, then turned towards the stairs, about to call out for the guard.

Then I was suddenly hit by something wet, and the scent of blood washed away that clinging floral scent in my nose. Covering most of my left side, from the side of my head to my knee, was a splash of crimson. Then I heard, "HELP! SHE'S KILLED THE PRISONERS!" followed by rapidly retreating boots.

"Damnit." I sputtered, earning a swat from my tail.

(Hagane)

While he would always suffer from a 'tin ear', the metal cat's hearing was actually quite good. Through some cleverly placed gaps on the sides of his head and a sort of 'nautilus' shape for an inside his ears, he could pick all all kinds of sounds. So long as it wasn't music. Anything that 'resonated', strings especially, gave his ears a weird uncomfortable echo.

And, since the sudden shout of alarm from the direction Kodori had gone off in was not music, he heard it quite clearly. He also heard one of the children squeak in surprise at the sudden noise, as well as a few of the others, since this was a day care after all.

Ranging from two years old to maybe six or so, there were about twenty other children here, as well as about that many Ganesha Familia keeping watch. Kodori wasn't exaggerating at all when she said 'They were a Familia for the People'. The workers seemed to know 'what' he was, and tolerated his presence. The children however seemed fascinated with him, and about half of them had tried to visit and give him a pat or something, before a worker encouraged them to do something else, away from the metal cat.

The second cry of alarm got everyone's attention, and the adults in the room started to round up the children and herd them further into the room, past all the colourful books and toys. Mindful of his size, as well as his long serrated tail, Hagane stood, turned, and put his mouth onto the handle of the crib, pushing it along carefully to the delight of its occupants. It was a little awkward, even more than usual, the fine motions feeling a little sluggish with how far he was from Shinkage.

"Would you lik-" One of the Ganesha workers started, noting how Hagane seemed to be having a little difficulty.

"No." Hagane said firmly, almost harshly, the tone almost making the lady stumble and fall before she recovered and bustled after the other children and workers.

Then someone outside the daycare shouted, "She's killed the prisoners! We have to stop her!" Then the heavy wooden door was thrown open, alarming a few more of the children, including Kodori's, and a half dozen Ganesha Familia tromped in, "Secure the children!"

Hagane managed to get the crib closer to a bookshelf before he let the handle go and turned around. Two of the guards helped herd the other children towards another door further in the room towards a door marked 'school'. The other four however got closer to Hagane and the crib. "No closer." He said, sitting like a good catto. "You will only get one warning."

The talking metal cat seemed to unnerve them, but they at least knew about him. One of them replied with, "We are moving them to-"

"No." Hagane said, "I do not know you, and do not care if you are following orders. If you come any closer to these children, I will ruin your day."

By now the other toddlers and workers has been moved out of the room, and the other two guards returned through that door, standing guard in front of it, one of them even locking it.

"We don't have time fo-" One of the closest four took a single step forward.

From inside Hagane's body, there was a click, the metal cat opened its mouth, and the man was suddenly thrown backwards by a bolt of electricity. From behind the imposing metal cat, who was still sitting like a good catto, there were a couple of happy 'ooooo'!'s, and some clumsy clapping. (Followed by an 'oof', since clapping meant they couldn't hold the side of the crib to keep standing and watching.)

"Guarding these ones is not your job." Hagane growled.

(Kodori)

I'd been had. No doubt about it. I'd let my guard down, in one of the places I thought I was safe, and now, I was covered in (sniff) cow (the closest Orario equivalent to it) blood and looking into a cell with four very dead prisoners. I didn't bother chasing the other guard, figuring that it would only make his shouting more credible if I were chasing him. That said, I also wanted to make sure, one way or the other, the condition of the ones I was going to 'talk' to.

But no. All four had new smiles under their chins, with a random assortment of other nasty wounds ranging from broken bones to removed limbs. That overpowering scent of flowers was even stronger here, but it wasn't enough now that I was this close.

"Loaner, my friend. Loaner my dear. Loaner my trusted messenger." I said, knowing that he would hear me, even though he was someplace most of the way across town. Sure, I could have just said 'Loaner Loaner Loaner', but that was boring, and impolite, since I was going to be asking a favour.

I walked back down the hall towards the exit, hearing all kinds of noise from beyond the door. I walked calmly, hoping that it would help me look 'innocent', but also because I needed a moment more to think. Oh, and clean up a little.

With a few rapid hand gestures, (gather, river, flow), I suddenly had about five litres of water pour itself out of 'thin air' over my head. It was really just a super fast gathering of the local moisture, mixed with my own 'ki' to make up the difference. And while it wasn't enough to wash me clean of blood, it was enough to at least get the worst off me, and leave me smelling like flowers.

I thought of doing it again, but heard rapid footsteps coming down the steps, and didn't want to reveal any of my new tricks to a possible unknown. Well, -probable- unknown at this rate.

The door burst open, and a pair of Ganesha Familia, or at least, they were dressed the part, pointed their spears at me nervously. "Halt, Kodori of Hestia Familia."

"No." I said with a smile, "I would like to speak with Shakti." I also didn't stop walking towards them.

"We will hold you for-"

I took hold of his spear, just behind the metal point, and snapped it off the shaft like a twig, not even upsetting his grip on the weapon. "I would like to speak with Shakti." I gave him my best 'you are already dead' smile, "I will wait upstairs, with my children and escort."

The other guard blinked in surprise, while the one holding the pointy stick looked like I'd just grown horns and dragon teeth. From up the steps, I heard the very distinct sound of a high powered electric shock, and I left the two guards behind, taking the steps three at a time.

I gave the next pair of guards an angry glare, and ran towards the daycare. When I got to the door marked 'daycare', I had to stop and very firmly say, "Get out of my way." There was a small swarm of guards outside the door, as well as a few civilians from other parts of the floor as well as a doctor (not the one I knew) and a few others not of Ganesha Familia.

My aura was certainly not helping my case of 'innocence' but I could hear shouting from beyond the door, and I was not going to slow down for anyone. Thankfully for me (though not for the victims) people literally ran over others to get out of the way of the angry purple smoking/bleeding kitsune.

I pulled the door out of its frame to get past the lock, and stopped cold just inside.

There were three standing 'guards', three 'flattened' guards, one metal cat, and one crib that was missing a wheel and still upright because of a nearby bookshelf. Hagane seemed to be limping because a spear point had been jammed into his hip and the shaft was broken, making it harder for him to dislodge. One of the downed guards had a fist sized burn over his heart. Another looked to be in danger of losing an arm, and the third had been used as a scratching post.

The other three however looked like they were about to make another try for an assault, but had stopped when I came through the door.

"You will all stop. Right now." I said, my breath frosting in the air, my tails lashing about, foxfire beginning to appear and disappear randomly around me.

"One more step, and we go to plan B." One of the guards replied, beginning to reach into his sash.

And then with a sudden 'FWOOSH' of super cold air, he was an ice sculpture.

"The lady said stop." There was another click from inside his metal shell and he pointed his still open mouth at the other two.

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Shouted a familiar voice from behind me, making me half turn and glance away for an instant, it was Shakti.

"I won't go-"

There was another FWOOSH, and I braced the door I still had 'stuck' to my hand to block some of Hagane's excess frost blast from hitting Shakti and I. Another ice sculpture, but this one had a vial of something in his hand, his frozen thumb over the cork. The last guard still standing looked at us, the metal cat, then his five incapacitated friends, then dropped his spear and dagger, raising his hands.

"It seems we have a problem, Miss Shakti." I said.

"Yip!" said Loaner before she could reply.

(The Donatis)

After lunch, with (some) tempers cooled by reasonably good food and a bit of time, they got back to the nicknaming. There wasn't as much 'energy' as usual, with the aforementioned anger sapping most of the mischievous glee the gods got by choosing a nickname for someone else's Familia member.

"Scruffy." Someone suggested, "Isn't she the one who can't keep her hair under control?"

Usually, there would be laughter, but this time there was only a couple of chuckles, "Can't keep her eyebrows either." Someone added.

The one who's Familia this person was from sighed, "But... she's an alchemist! And a girl! You can't just call them 'scruffy'!"

The god sitting next to that one gave him a consoling pat on the back, "At least it isn't 'mouse'."

Hestia was only half listening. Astraea looked deep in thought. Hephaestus looked bored. Miach looked 'mildly amused' (but this was his default look). Loki had her feet up on the back of the chair in front of her. Demeter looked like she was counting in her head (she was, since the winter harvest would be fairly soon, and some of the seeds she'd gotten from Kodori needed that many days, plus or minus one).

Takemikazuchi however was watching. That one god who had been glaring at them at lunch, was STILL glaring at them. The only difference this time was he also looked like he was holding back tears. As peaceful as he looked, he was on high alert for what ever this one might try. Anger and sorrow were one of the most dangerous combinations, child or god.

Ouranos however, was at least looking mildly amused. He might have the face of someone who had to put extra effort into smiling, but he wasn't humourless.

But then his face changed slightly, the -almost- smile that was more in his eyes than on his lips shifting to puzzlement. Then, cutting through the less than energetic mumbling of the gathered gods, there was a single noise.

"Yip!"

(Eina)

Eina returned to her post at the front desk, knowing, deep down in her bones, she was going to have an absolute mountain of paperwork VERY soon. Not only had Loaner showed up, and given her a very disturbing message, with a small footnote from Shakti. He then asked to be let into Royman's office, and be left there alone, at the request of Kodori.

She didn't know why. But the small part at the end of that request, made her think of something Kodori had once called, 'reasonable deniability'. If she wasn't there to witness it, she couldn't tell someone about it.

However, she would certainly ask later. Unlike Kodori, who's 'swear word' was Politics. Eina's was 'secrets'.

(Donatis)

Royman turned to the screen that Ouranos was on, "My Lord?"

Then someone said, "Oh! She's looking at the black page again!"

Hestia stood, as did Astraea and Takemikazuchi. The 'core' of the alliance. The two gods put a hand on each of Hestia's shoulders, giving her a little encouragement. Hestia then took a deep breath, held the black page up a little so she could read it, and said, "Freya. You were warned."

Ouranos, well versed in 'sensing when things were about to go sideways', tried to head off the impending shouting match, "What is the meaning of this, Hestia?"

There were no raised voices. No replies. Instead...

People started standing up.

Hephaestus. Loki. Demeter. Miach. And even Ganesha. They were the next 'ring' of the alliance, trusted by the core explicitly. But it didn't stop there. Goibniu. Apollo. Soma. As well as many others stood up as well. These weren't among the 'trusted' like the others. But in some way, they were willing to support what the alliance represented. Be it just to 'learn' more from what Kodori had offered, because they 'owed' something to the alliance, or to simply oppose Freya.

It wasn't quiet half the room. But it was certainly significant, and almost all of the gods were ones who had been in the city a long while, and not the ones who had recently arrived.

Once the motion had ceased, Hestia spoke again, her voice quivering slightly, her eyes only just able to look at Freya, who was smiling that infuriating smile of hers.

"Because you have decided not to listen. Because you have chosen to try something either overt, or covert, to undermine my efforts to ready Orario for the future. Those you see now Freya, standing before you, will be the ones that I help. Because you could not be content to simply leave things alone, the ones who follow you will now lose out on the teachings and techniques I brought with me. Your Familia will be unwelcome at all places run by those before you. And any pressure you put on them, will be rebuked by those who stand before you."

"Do you really think I am scared of your little-" Freya started.

But again, Hestia found a little more courage, and shouted at the Number one Goddess of Orario, "You wanted my Family and Familia! But all you are getting is a hollow throne! That you can watch from! While the city FORGETS YOU!" Hestia finished, huffing to catch her breath, "Signed, Kodori, the one who stopped the dungeon from taking everything, from everyone. Including you."

Freya's eyes went wide, her face went almost purple with rage, and again, she was about to say something. But before she could, Hestia recovered, crammed the pages back into the nice leather folder...

And left.

Slowly, silently, all those who were standing simply started towards the stairs, then the doors, ignoring Freya as she tried to sputter a rebuke. They all simply walked out on the Donatis, telling Freya, in no uncertain terms, that they didn't care why she called for this meeting, but that it was no longer worth their time.

(Ouranos)

Ouranos, in the Chamber of Prayer, did something he had only done a handful of times in the past decade.

He sighed.

Through the screens he had set up before him, so he could be 'present' at the Donatis, he watched Hestia and many of the other gods leave. This did not bode well. It would likely lead to war within the city, and that would complicate things in the dungeon. He just hoped it wouldn't be as bad as the incident a few years ago, where the last of the Zeus and Hera Familia came to destroy the city...

Thinking on that, he realized that Hestia, and her Familia, were the cause for most of those sighs since that particular incident. He would have to talk to her.

"You stopped." Loaner said, his head basically engulfed by Ouranos's big hand as he got headpats.

Ouranos looked to Royman, who nodded and turned to address what was left of the Gods in the room. Before he could start however, Ouranos made the screens vanish, then looked to the small white fox on his knee, "Your master-"

"Friend. Best friend. I am my own fox, thank you very much Sir." Loaner 'said' to the Eldest God of Orario. But, to show there were no hard feelings, he rubbed his cheek against his hand and flailed his tail happily, "If it makes you feel any better, Kodori also said..." And in Kodori's voice, Ouranos heard between his ears, "I will do my very best to keep the paperwork down to a minimum. But sorry for the mess all the same. I'll send a friend over to play chess with you soon."

There was a pause as Ouranos and Loaner looked each other in the eyes.

Then he did something else he hadn't done more than a handful of times in the past century or so. He laughed. "Very well. If you could return a message for me then?"

"It's my job. But I must ask for payment."

"One is generally paid for work, yes."

"Could you get that spot between my ears? I can't scratch therrrrrr...ooooo."

"Tell her, 'See that you do. I look forward to the future you bring, so long as you can overcome this, and still have a city to bring it to'." Ouranos dictated, still scratching that one hard to reach spot, "There is no rush to tell her this, if you wanted to keep me company a little longer."

Loaner, professional that he was, had memorized the message without a problem. However, he had also been subdued by a really good ear scratch. "Just for a little while then. Would you like a story or two? I mean... if you wanted to get that spot between my shoulders..."

NOTES!

And so, the line has been drawn. Betrayal! Secrecy! Ear scroofles! Murder! Nose boops!

See you all in five days, where we see how Kodori deals with (yet another) problem. The dungeon team deals with (yet another) problem. And Hestia deals with (yet another) fox who refuses to stay grounded!

Daeore on Ko-fi, if you want to toss a coin to your writer.

Daeore on Inkitt, if you want to read my book 'Were Too?'