Two things before I start.

First, it's time for my yearly vacation. The next update is March 5th.

Second, The vote will CLOSE on that day. So if you haven't voted, you still can. It's also a reasonably close vote, so it might change things. :)

On with the show.

Chapter 25

I had forgotten the universal rule.

If there was paint and a child in the same room, and they somehow got within reach? There would be a mess.

It wasn't like I feared for my clothing, I mean, aside from my armour, it had been days since I'd worn anything 'real'. Shakti, smart cookie she was, backed up a little so she'd be well out of little arms reach, and the risk of getting any on her clothes.

However... as if by some magic known only to small children before they grew up, there were sparkling navy blue hand prints on just about everything near her. Me (with two nice and clear hand prints on my cheek and forehead) my neck, the chair, the desk, her own face and clothing, and my robe. Even the glass container had a print on it!

"Well, huh." I used the drying rag I'd used for Shakti's belt on Yumi's hand. She wiggled around a bit, but after a moment I got her hand dry. "Well, suppose I have another project for the night."

Shakti couldn't help herself, and laughed quietly, breaking her usually serious and polite mannerisms, "That does raise the question." She got her giggles down to a smile, "Is this dye permanent?"

"It needs something special to wash it off skin, but it takes to cloth pretty much forever. Leather will eventually lose it, and metal and clear glass won't hold it at all." I replied professionally... At least, as professionally as I could while fussing over the handprints that had gotten everywhere. Seriously! How did they get on the desk? "Anyhow, just to be sure, make sure Lord Ganesha adds something else. Perhaps by holding the cloth tightly between his thumb and index finger, to leave a spot clear of dye."

She nodded, "This effect may be mimicked... yes. I will suggest it." She gave me a small bow, then put her official face back on, "Thank you for dinner, and your help. I should be getting back, now that we have a way to start dealing with this... problem."

"I'll see you out." I nodded, standing up and giving Yumi an exaggerated grumpy face, "And then clean up this mess."

"oop!" No fear for mama fox it seemed.

With a wonderfully generous offer, the Familia offered to care for the children so Haruhime and I could take a bath together. Not one to refuse such a kind offer, we did so. It might have been the only time since I'd returned where she and I were in the same room, alone, for more than a few minutes too.

"Ko-san... are you sure you aren't going to wash that off?" Haruhime, in her lovable way, was fussing over my appearance.

"I should." I nodded, looking at the two hand prints and the little trail of dye that had gone down my chin, "Since it would be a total give away on what Lord Ganesha is doing."

She nodded, "It gives me an idea..." She paused, "Something we sometimes did back East."

"Oh?" I leaned a little back against her hands as she scrubbed my back, my ears rotating as far around as they could to listen, "Do tell?"

"We would sometimes make an impression or inking of a child's hands and feet. Or a beloved pet. Or a loved one. Anyone we cared for really. Just as a reminder of them." She paused as she poured a bit of water over my back to rinse it, then said, "Who is first?"

One, and only one, of my tails offered itself to her. And she started to brush soap into it.

I shivered at the attention, just barely managing to keep that from my voice, "Hm, that's actually a really good idea." I smiled, unable to keep myself from purring, or feeling a little sleepy. It had been days since I had really slept properly...

"Could you make something? A frame? The quicklime? Something to remember them, always..."

"I can. And I will." I smiled, "And maybe a few other things..." I rubbed a finger over the print on my face, "My wife is quite thoughtful."

She smiled at me in the mirror, "As is mine." She moved to the next tail, except the one she'd just finished remained curled around her arm loosely, "With so many of you... I think we have time to hear your thoughts?"

"Of course." I nodded.

"Miss Kodori?"

"Hey sister."

Welf and Bell entered my lab, greeting me as they usually did. This was going to be the last thing I did before turning in tonight, but, it seemed they had just one more thing for me. While their words were the same, their tone was not.

"Just cleaning up before bed." I said, "Going to have to go shopping soon... I hope I can find what I need." Sure, Jiru could grow just about anything plant based... Shame there wasn't a rock version of him... And home delivery wouldn't be a think for a thousand years yet... "You two look serious."

Bell replied by reaching into his biggest pouch (the only one he kept on in the house) and pulled out a length of horn. Deep red, elegantly curved, thick, and ending in a point that looked deliberately sharpened, I knew this horn.

"The Oni gave it to me." Bell said as I looked at it in shocked silence. "It still has the mark I left in it too."

He pointed at it, right where it had been broken off, and I could see a notch in the horn before the roughly snapped off section that the rest of it had. "From your fight... This is from that big sword you had for a while?"

"Before... before I lost." He started, "He threw away the axe he was using, and met me with his horns. I used all my strength, but, he overwhelmed me." He rubbed the notch on the horn with his thumb, "This was the best I could do."

"So this is what they were thinking about..." I mumbled, "Welf?"

"I want to make him something from that. But, we all know that monster is crazy strong." He took the horn from Bell, "There is more here to work with than usual, but, to make something to stand up to another horn like it, I'm not sure..."

I put a hand on both their shoulders, "A pair of geniuses, and you can't think up a way to make this into something? Come on. Where did my brothers go?" I smiled, "Tomorrow, we can come up with some designs, kick a few ideas around, and then maybe come up with something that will put your rival to shame."

"I was thinking... of not using this." Bell said, "I didn't earn it."

"Then don't." I said seriously, "If that is your choice, then stick with it. But, Welf is our contracted smith." I gave Bell's shoulder a little shake, "Even if he's Familia now, we still signed that contract. Trust him, and his suggestions."

Welf grinned in that 'I am an anvil headed yet lovable idiot' way, "That monster broke one of my swords already, I won't let him do it again!"

Bell nodded, a bit of that limitless optimism showing through again, "Yes Miss Kodori. Master Welf, I'll be in your care."

"That's right." Welf grinned, "Okay, enough gloom. I'll need your help sister, to come up with a design or two, but yeah, I think we got this."

"Good. Now shoo. Get a good sleep, another busy day tomorrow."

The next morning, after maybe an hour or so of actual sleep, but much more than that of cuddling my wife and children, we had some early morning guests. Being led by Delly and Lilly (without backpack but with some paper bags filled with groceries), Royman, Loki and Finn entered the Manor grounds.

"Mr. Royman." I greeted, "Looking even better than last time I saw you."

Once grossly overweight, the Master of the Guild, Royman, now looked like a middle aged man who had 'regained his prime'. Sure, he still had a little bit of a belly, and his hair was ever so slowly giving ground to grey, but I could tell he worked out when no one was looking.

"What? Am I invisible?" Loki asked, appearing from behind Royman.

"Only short, Lady Loki." Finn said, appearing from behind her, his spear casually resting on his shoulder, "Though, I suppose I'm one to talk." The Palum warrior looked down at himself, then shrugged.

Royman chuckled, "Well, even with this 'situation' going on, our teams at the guild are running smoothly. Your friend is quite the chess player by the way."

"I hope you told him so directly." I nodded, "Sorry for waking you two up so early, but, I didn't want you to miss out on the food."

"I was told there would be cake." Loki grinned, "And if it's anything like the one you made before, it better not be a lie!"

"Of course not." I scoffed, "That would be rude." I half turned and made way for them to enter, closing the gate behind them, "Almost everyone is getting ready for the 'situation' with the Ganesha Familia."

"Heard a little about that." Loki nodded, "Oh, hey Gros." She waved to the gargoyle, who was staring at us, while upside down, on his nice pile of sand. He didn't reply, but went back to wiggling around like we weren't there. "Eh, indifference is better than hostility." Loki shrugged, "I'll take it."

"Speaking of..." Finn, now slightly shorter than the phoenix, was being given the 'attentive stare' from the birds, "Yes I see you too." He said, "They seem quite smart, these birds of yours."

"I think they're rather handsome." Royman said, "Though... how big do these get?"

"Their parents got to a little over two zelch (metres) tall, and weighed about as much as an adult human male." I said, "Shoo, they might play later."

"woo? Woowooo?" They stopped staring and started talking with each other. Then wandered over to Gros again.

"So, I'm curious." Finn started, "Why exactly did you invite us over? Not just for breakfast and to show off a little I'm sure."

"Well, I promised I'd treat Freya a little something from back home." I said, getting to the door of the manor, "This will require me to go to the Hostess of Fertility." Finn nodded, giving me a smile that told me he understood. "But yes, I DO plan on showing off a little. I even have gifts, aside from food of course.

"Oh?" This got all three of them to give me a curious look.

"My lovely wife, my adopted sister, and wonderful assistant, will all be giving you three a little tutorial on it. This is while I go to the Hostess, and teach the head chef, May, how to make ice cream."

"Aha, this is about the 'ice box' you were talking about." Royman nodded, "I inquired about it, but Lady Hephaestus said she was waiting on your go-ahead before appraising them for the market."

"That's correct." I nodded.

"The Hostess... Mia Grande might be retired, but she is still from Freya Familia." Finn commented, "I thought you were going to exclude them?"

"Consider this a sneak peak. And I know that Mama doesn't give anyone a discount, except her girls." I smiled.

After various greetings/partings, the Alliance got itself organized and out of the house for the day to help Ganesha. I got myself ready, and loaded up the little cart Odds had left with the mini-fridges on it. Aside from a magic stone, they were all ready to go, and I had my foxes run messages all over yesterday, so that deliveries could be set up for today. Soma, Loki, the Guild, and Hephaestus, would be getting the one that I myself was keeping, and the last which would be left at the Hostess.

Before leaving however, I did make sure to give Haruhime a hug. Hestia a promise to be A: on my best behaviour. B: back before dinner and C: a hug of her own. And my children all kinds of attention, telling them not to chew on Finn, even though he might look appetizing. (I did stage whisper to them how Loki was softer and probably easier to chew on though.)

So, dressed for combat in my nice white and silver Fenrir coat, I headed out to the Hostess of Fertility.

I was just rounding the corner to head towards the main street, when Shinkage, riding Hagane, hopped over the wall of the manor. Even though their combine weight hovered around a ton and a half, they barely made a sound past the clicking of metal claws on stone cobble.

"Out for a walk?" I asked, continuing to walk after a second of wondering what they were doing.

"We're coming with you." She replied, "We won't let you walk alone, even if you might be the strongest in the city."

"She also wants ice cream. And to meet your 'family'." Hagane rumbled.

I watched Shinkage give her metal counterpart a dirty look, and wondered again just how much 'separation' was there. "Hm, well, hopefully there won't be any trouble. Shakti got home safe, Ganesha hasn't tried to get my attention again, and," I raised my voice just a little, "No one has gotten any closer to the manor." I lowered my voice again, "Thank you."

"I am just making sure you don't fall the same way I did. Alone." She looked up at me, then at the tail that went to visit, "Brushed for once I see."

"My wife is kind, and knows how to dress me for meetings like this." I laughed as Shinkage tugged the stray tail over her shoulders, "I mean, -I- know how to dress for meetings like this too, but generally don't bother."

"Do you think this will go well?"

"I hope it goes well, and have made ready in case it doesn't." I said with a shrug, tapping the ice box under my arm with my free hand, "Who knows, maybe, just maybe, I can get her to agree to a couple of terms, and we can just... move on."

"Hope springs eternal." Shinkage shook her head.

"Syr, good morning." I greeted the grey haired girl as we got within talking distance of the Hostess.

As usual, she was dressed in the green blouse and white apron uniform of the Hostess, complete with the white bonnet. Also as usual, she waved, smiled, and said, "Kodori, good morning... Who... Oh my, is this the metal cat people have been talking about?"

Instead of saying anything, I looked over to Shinkage, who dismounted from Hagane. "Unless there are other metal cats in this city. Yes. I am Hagane."

Her eyes widened a little, and she looked down at Shinkage. "I am Shinkage." She gave Syr the smallest curtsy.

It took a moment for Syr to say anything, but then, "Welcome, both of you, and welcome back Kodori." She said, "Mama is waiting, and so is May. Try not to upset her?"

"Wouldn't think of it." I smiled, walking past her.

It was still a bit early, but there were still a couple of regulars here. People I knew from my days working here. However, there were a couple who were missing, making me feel a little pang of loss. Only two reasons a regular might miss breakfast here after all. I got a couple of friendly nods, Shinkage a couple of curious looks, and Hagane made a couple of people look into their mugs to make sure they weren't drinking something they shouldn't be.

"You better not scratch my floors!" Was the first thing Mia said as the three of us walked in.

"Yes Ma'am." Hagane said, picking up his feet just a little more as he walked, "You must be Mia Grand."

Mia didn't seem to care that there was a metal cat talking to her, or that it was in her restaurant. "I am. Kodori." She nodded to me, then looked WAY down at Shinkage, "Hmmmm."

In her usual way, Shinkage didn't flinch under the critical look, "Shinkage." She said, repeating the little dress tug of a curtsy, "We are staying at the Hearthstone Manor as well."

"Carrying on the tradition." I said with a smile, "Taking care of anyone who needs it." I looked around, "Say..."

"They're getting ready. You are a bit early." Mia nodded her head towards the 'staff only' door of the change room. "Is that it then? Your new 'ice box'?"

"It is. And I hope to convince a few people today on just how handy they are. If they gain a little popularity, and things go well, then maybe we can get you a real cold storage, and not just a cellar." I replied, giving the box a tap.

"Hm, well it isn't me you need to convince. I'm only the cook in the early morning." She replied, "Try not to upset her."

And from behind me, "Nyaa! All the fluffy!"

"Arnya." My tails had captured her before she could grab one, and now she was tangled up in them, much like a cat with some yarn, "Good to see you."

Mia facepalmed, then glared over my shoulder.

"Sorry, nya couldn't help it!" She said as I set her down. "Oh? Who is this? And... oooo... shiny."

Yes, the cat person was petting the metal cat. "Hello." Hagane said, "This one is... Arnya?

"She is." I nodded, spotting Chloe as she stepped out of the employee door. Much more composed than Arnya, she walked over, gave a couple of my tails a pat...

Then got distracted by the giant metal cat.

"Sigh. Well, if she is Arnya, you are Chloe." Hagane stated, "Yes, I talk, no I won't claw the floors, and yes, I do like that."

"Kodori has told us all about her family, while she was away." Shinkage said, "Go and get ready, I will be fine." She said up to me, "Though, if you could put me on this chair here?"

I helpfully put her on a chair in front of the bar, since they were meant for full grown adults, and she wasn't even tall enough to see over the bar as it was. "Play nice now." I said to them, "And get back to work, I think Mia is looking for her ladle."

To describe May...

Just like almost everyone in Orario, she was shorter than I was. Even shorter than Arnya and Chloe, who where 150cm 157cm respectively (while I seemed to 'loom' at 175cm), May was about 140cm or so. But, that didn't stop her from being a chef worthy of the prices the Hostess of Fertility asked for its food.

Even while I lived here, my interactions with her were limited. So much so, I think the longest conversation I'd ever had with her was about ten words long. But, I did put together a little bit of a picture of her before I moved out. The reason both Syr and Mia had warned me not to upset her, was she had a little bit of a confidence issue. Just a tiny bit past 'humble' like Bell was, she seemed to constantly question her skills, wondering if she was really worth the pay she took home.

"Master May?" I called out as I opened the door of the kitchen.

"Ahh!" There was a clatter of metal cutlery, "No! I'm not ready yet! I need to clear the space! And the morning delivery is late!"

In another case of 'oddly modern' clothing, May was dressed in a chef uniform. Yes, the one you're probably thinking. The French one with the buttons along one side. Even though she was tiny and adorable, she looked very professional in it. However, she wore one of those oversized baseball caps, except unlike Maki, her's had holes cut out for her ears.

I stayed just outside the kitchen as she zipped around to make things ready. "Is there anything I can help with?" I asked, not wanting to intrude on her workspace.

The 'workspace' was actually a little comical. May, being short, wasn't really tall enough to use the 'average sized' things of the world. But, she had all kinds of small sturdy stools, short selves, and a perfect assortment of cupboards that she could just reach inside and grab what ever she needed on the first try.

"Ah, Sister." Ryuu said from behind me, "May? I have brought the morning dairy." In her arms was a wooden crate, and I could smell things like eggs and milk from inside.

I turned, then made space for Ryuu to get by. I said nothing, but bowed my head a little to her.

"FINALLY!" May's whirlwind motion around the kitchen stopped, and she pointed at a small clear spot, "There please." Then she looked up at me, and the ice box, "It's that big? Oh dear... um... ummm..."

"This is all the space it needs." I said, "I can cut vegetables, if you would allow me?"

She gave me an appraising look, "You can make the toast!"

"Very well, Master May." I said.

As a guest in her domain, I did as instructed, and helped her through the real 'breakfast' rush. Once she understood I was able to make toast without any issues (this by the way, is the first task a 'breakfast' maker at a restaurant is told to master), she had me do other things. Reach for things mostly, but there was some cutting and the like as well. She gave me the most intense glares when I got within arm's reach of her spices, and there were a few other things that made her growl like a grumpy animal if I got to close to them.

That was fine. I was the guest.

Once the breakfast rush was done, and Ryuu was doing the dishes, we finally set up the ice box.

"So..." Much calmer now that she wasn't laser focused on cooking, she was practically a different person, "You put the stone in here, close this, then it makes the inside cold? How cold?"

"If you fill it to this line here with water, it will make ice in about two hours." I said, "And if you give it a little wiggle, then flip it over, the ice should just come out."

"Ice? Actual, real ice? Oh... that's..." Yes, ice was one of those things you didn't see a lot of in a place as 'modern' as Orario.

"Yes indeed. But, that is only one of the things you can do with it. The simplest." I put in the little magic stone, closed the panel, and counted to ten. "Good, always check to see if it's working, and remove the stone when not in use."

She nodded, and watched while I went around the kitchen, gathering things, "What are you going to make? Mama said it was something special... Fruit? Cream? Milk? What's that?"

I gently put a finger to her adorable little nose, "This is a secret recipe. I will not tell you what is in it, but show you. You will be one of maybe four people in all of Orario who know how to make this."

Her eyes went a little wide, but she nodded. Everyone had secrets. And while a chef might not be as secretive as say, an alchemist, their secrets were just as important to them. "But... Why?" And they were never given freely, so she questioned me of course.

"Master May. You will never meet them, but, my poor copy of your pasta recipe has served and pleased many people while I was away from Orario. From the greatest, to the most common." Yes, All four of the Devil Kings, two Arch Angels, dozens of Devil nobility, fallen angels, and everyone who went to the Gremory Hotel chain. "So, I'm bringing something back just for you."

A single tear traced its way down the side of her face, and she nodded, once, to acknowledge the gift I was giving her.

"You know..." May commented as I stirred the slowly firming ice cream, "If you were to put something to make that easier... you know, on top. Maybe like a paddle or something..."

I thought of what she meant, then nodded, "If you like this, I will make such a thing for you. And myself, since yes, that's a really good idea." Sure, I didn't really notice the effort, but to a normal person, stirring the hardening ice cream would get tougher over time. "Speaking of... It's almost ready to try. How is that in the oven?"

I was just starting to wonder if Freya wouldn't show. Sure, I understood 'fashionably late', but, if she were much longer, May would need to start on the lunch rush cooking and my attempt at a parlay might end up getting more spectators than I wanted.

But, as I was thinking this, I heard Arnya greet in her usual 'pleased to see you' voice, "Welcome back, Mr. Ottar, and Lady Freya! Nyaa! The honoured guests have arrived!"

This was my cue, as well as May's.

"I think you did splendid." I encouraged.

"But..." She mumbled back to me, looking at the second of two cheesecake pies. Mine was to show her how to do it, and would be given to the girls. May, copying my work and even making it look really nice (with a couple of extra swirls in the otherwise smooth filling and a bright red berry on each of the eight slices). It was fresh out of the oven, so it would be perfect for the ice cream.

She also made that batch herself. And yes, it was every bit as good as mine, and used cloud fruit instead of peaches. I might have Crafting, at rank A, but I could only just barely match the true master of the kitchen here.

"I will be with you. And how often do you hear directly from your patrons?" I balanced the pie on the big metal spatula, and put my hand against the mini-freezer, my unbreakable grip sticking to it and letting me lift it without my other hand, "After you, Master May."

Yes, May's other 'hang up' was a near crippling self doubt. But, just like say, Gasper, a gentle nudge and a kind word was all the encouragement she needed... At least for a minute or two, when she'd go back to cooking furiously.

Ryuu gave me a nod, unseen over May's head, and I returned a wink to her, tilting my head towards the first pot of ice cream I'd made and the cheesecake next to it. This made my sister sigh quietly, looking at the endless stack of dishes in the sink.

The common room was nearly empty. This was the quietest part of the day, when everyone would be at work, the dungeon or otherwise. Mia was at the bar, as usual. Chloe and Syr were bustling around the unoccupied tables, cleaning and tucking in chairs to make the place spotless for the lunch rush. That meant Arnya was outside. Shinkage was still sitting at the bar, while Hagane was curled up in a corner, out of the way and not scratching the floors.

And sitting at the centre table, with the veritable giant Ottar behind her, was Freya.

"Lady Freya, Ottar." I greeted, putting my face into 'Akeno' mode, with the pleasant smile and everything. "Thank you for coming."

Ottar nodded to me while Freya looked a little unimpressed, "Considering your little show, you are lucky I even bothered." She said coldly, "And while I will admit, I do have the occasional craving for sweets, how do I know your offering is in good faith?"

One of my tails rested on May's shoulder as the little chef started to show the first signs of shutting down at the criticism. A second tail joined in, and she hugged it tightly while I replied, "Since I arrived early, I merely taught Master May how to make these. This is as close as I've gotten to the food I am holding right now."

Freya looked at me, then down at May. "Very well, we will try these. Out of respect for the chef." Her voice was a little over the top, but still held real kindness hidden in that imperious tone.

May let my tail go and stepped away, motioning me over to the table. At her direction, I put the pie in the middle of the table, and set the ice box next to it. Chloe, helpful soul she was, set out three dessert plates and spoons before retreating and returning to her cleaning.

"I'm curious. Why here? You seem intent on either annoying me, or avoiding me, yet you must know I own this place." Freya questioned as May herself put a wedge of pie on the three plates.

"What I brought back is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. And even if this place is owned by you, it is run by Mama. The same woman who gave me a home, and even gave me away at my wedding." I said seriously, trying not to smile as May got up on a stool to open the ice box lid and use the ice cream scoop I had Welf make. It was a near perfect replica of the won I sent back from Japan.

Freya, and more importantly, Ottar, was watching what May was doing. "And this? What is it exactly?" Freya asked as a scoop of the first ever batch of Cloud Fruit iced cream was put on each plate and moved to the three seats.

I looked down at May, but she gave me a 'please don't make me talk' look. So I answered for her, "The first is called cheesecake. Much like it sounds, but a special kind of cheese is used. The second is iced cream. Also much like it sounds, it needs this ice box to be made. Where I am from, it is very popular."

With everyone served, I made sure to give May a pat on the shoulder before she bowed and vanished back to her sanctuary.

"Hm, if it is so popular, I wonder why it is unknown here." She watched me sit, and only then did Ottar sit as well. "Many of the 'things' you mentioned in that book the Guild is selling are quite strange."

"Tools. When we need to do something that cannot be accomplished with our own two hands, we make tools." I said. We both looked to Ottar, who picked up the spoon and with a delicacy that belied his size, scooped up a little ice cream and cake, and ate them. I smiled as one of his ears twitched, and he nodded to Freya once, "The second is accident. When someone travels in the colder places of the world, they would notice their food lasts longer." I tapped the side of the ice box, "Then, knowing that, they would wonder how to do such a thing anywhere, creating a need for a tool to do so."

I also took a small bit of each, feeling my own ear twitch a little at the taste. On her first try, May had gotten them both perfect. I was reminded of Mrs. Hyoudou, and how I was truly the amateur. Freya herself probably read my expression, and tried some herself.

I could almost hear everyone in the room stop breathing as she chewed a couple of times and swallowed it, her delicate throat moving slightly with the action.

"I am quite surprised." She said, "This is quite the confection." It hadn't cracked her near unbreakable poise, but, she did nod to me. "Am I to assume this was not included in the recipe book the Guild is also publishing?"

"Some of it is. And it would require both the ingredients, a little experimentation, as this." I motioned to the ice box with my spoon (though not before making sure the spoon was clean). "There are of course many secret things, that I'm sure you are beginning to see around town, sold by people of the alliance."

"Ah yes, your alliance." She smiled, "Do you truly think it will make a difference? I've no doubt you think yourself clever..."

She paused, shook her head once, then had a little more cake. "Not really." I said with a humble tone, "I am actually quite straightforward with my goals."

Again, I could hear the air go still. Freya had turned the topic serious, even as she daintily nibbled at her dessert.

"Yes, your 'goals'. You want to 'advance' the city. Bring new ideas and inventions. Yet, you are trying to keep them from me." She said, her eyelids drooping a little, like a lazy cat examining a mouse that hadn't noticed it yet.

"I'm going to do that anyway. And I'm not trying to keep these things from you. I am trying to keep my family from you. That's all. Simply leave me and mine alone, and we can all play nice again." I said pleasantly.

There was a moment of silent cake appreciation, then, "Except, you have overstepped your bounds, and disrespected me. A foolish action."

"Please then, Lady Freya, tell me how I've offended you?" I of course knew damn well what I'd done, but, I was trying to be diplomatic.

"You know exactly what you have done." She countered easily.

"I am but a mortal child before a Goddess. If you do not explain it, I will never understand." I turned it back on her again.

She sighed ever so slightly, "You truly are a child... You are trying to stand before a storm, yet, you don't seem to even notice it." She shook her head, again, just enough to notice, "You are merely part of a game the Gods play, and should simply be a good piece, lest you be removed from the board."

"A game? It's a shame I don't have time, or care, about playing games. I've seven children!" My 'Akeno' face slipped back on, "They are ever so precious, but very time consuming. But while I do that, I've asked all the willing Familia to help me make sure my family has a future, in case the dungeon decides to act up again." I smiled that ever so gentle smile, endearing to a crowd, insulting to an individual, "I don't suppose I could ask you to leave me and mine out of your game?"

She smiled back, her smile almost predatory, "You and 'yours' already owe me more than you know." She nodded slightly, "And all children play in our games, willing or not." She looked me in the eyes, "Even when they try to become players instead of pieces."

I nodded, but my smile took on its own little edge, "Hermes thought the same way. But he answered for his crimes. I do hope he and, oh dear... what was his name again? Ikelos? Yes. I do hope they are getting along. Maybe exchanging notes on where they went wrong?"

Her smile became the most delicate frown, though Ottar's frown was much more obvious, "Their mistake was becoming isolated from their Familia. Allowing their pieces to get out of control."

"I disagree, Lady Freya. Their mistake was thinking the pieces they were moving didn't have a will of their own. And that being a God put them above judgment." I looked down at my plate, sad that it was empty.

"And your mistake was leaving thinking you could convince me to let you leave the board. My board." She smiled again, "I heard the most interesting rumour. While your Familia was in the dungeon, your home was attacked."

"Oh my, yes it was. Quite dreadful really."

"But also that the ones who did it somehow ended up dead, while you were visiting the Ganesha home." She mused, "And that Ganesha himself seems to have a bit of a problem with his Familia."

"Yes, it is rather sad, but he is." I nodded, "Most of my Familia is out helping him now actually. The Ganesha Familia has helped the Alliance quite a lot, so we are returning a small part of that favour."

"Oh?" She looked surprised, but I could tell it was faked. "But, if they are out, and most of your little Alliance is out, and you are here, aren't you worried your home might be raided again? You've made no secret about the prizes you've brought back with you, and that is sure to draw attention."

"My my, that would be horrible." I agreed, "I mean, my poor children would be quite vulnerable too."

She gave me that same 'lazy cat' look.

But then I smiled, tapping my palm with my fist, "Except today, Master Royman, Lady Loki and Mister Finn are visiting." I said brightly, "If anyone tries to break in again, I'm sure the guild will hear about it right away. It would be a shame to get caught like that. Trespassing is a... five percent fine? So long as there is proof at least."

The look on her face was priceless. Her already pale skin went white, and she nearly dropped her spoon.

"Now that I think about it, one of the newest members of the Alliance can do something similar to what Lord Ouranos did, with those moving pictures? Not so much for viewing distance, but more like a frozen moment in time. Something like that would be perfect for identifying a potential trespasser."

She fixed me with a furious glare, just long enough to break that elegant look of hers. But the moment passed quickly and she put her passive look back in place, "Yes." She said tightly, "It would be a shame."

"I am not asking for much, Lady Freya." I said pleasantly, "My children need time to grow, learn, and ultimately decide what they wish to do. Back home, that age varies between sixteen and eighteen." I knew that here, adventurers could be as young as Bell was when I met him at fourteen. "You will live forever, Lady Freya. What is a few mortal years? If you still wish to pursue them then, they will be old enough to make their own choice in the matter."

She stood up, her face still at the edge of anger. Ottar stood as well, his face passive.

"Until then, they are under my protection, as is a mother's duty." I stood as well, "If you don't agree, then this will be the only place you can enjoy the gifts I intend to give the city. If you do, then you can join me as I bring the world closer together, and into a new age of prosperity." It was a little flowery, but I really did mean it.

And just like that, she left. Arnya 'nyaa'ed?' as they went by, but I sat down again, shaking my head.

"Well, at least no one started yelling." Mia commented, "Dangerous game you're playing."

I didn't answer for a moment, looking through the eyes of Fen-chan. He was standing over the children, his body alert, his single tail swishing back and forth. Other than that, the children were fine, the nursery was undisturbed, and the air was mostly quiet. The fact that he was on his feet however told me something had happened.

"I'm not playing Mama." I said tiredly, "But I was serious when I said this was where she could enjoy my gifts. The food related ones anyhow." I picked up the ice box, still mostly full of ice cream, "Please Mama. Try some. Share it with the girls. If you like it, maybe add it to the menu?"

She must have heard it in my voice, because she put her hand on top of my head and gave my hair a rough pat of motherly praise, "Sure." She pinched one of my ears between her thumb and forefinger, giving it a well meaning scroofle as well. "So May knows how to make these?"

"She does now." I nodded, "There is another cake in the kitchen, as well as another pot of ice cream. "Shinkage?"

"I'd like some first." She said, "You look like you need a few minutes."

I looked down at her, took a deep breath, then nodded, "Sure. Take your time."

Hagane came over to the table, getting another pat from Chloe as she cleared all the plates, leaving me a mug of juice as well. So, while giving his metal skull a bit of attention, I started checking in with all my foxes.

"No problems I hope?" Hagane asked as quietly as he could (not very to be honest).

"Nothing is on fire." I said after a moment, "The Familia is still running about for Ganesha." A pause, "Ganesha himself is... working on that thing still." I felt a little surge of irritation, my old home suddenly not feeling safe. "And... huh... Well, well..."

Because yes, something had happened at home. A half dozen of Loki's Familia was on our front lawn, and the two Oni were holding someone in place while Royman looked at him. The Oni both needed new shirts again, and I could tell Okakai's skin had been burnt, but the man they were holding was... in rougher shape. His dark cloak was torn in many places, and his face (dark skinned with sharply pointed ears, marking him as a Dark Elf) looked like he'd just been through a serious boxing match.

Fen-chan felt a familiar hand scroofle his ear, and he turned to see Delly, "Hey boss." She said quietly, "I know you're watching. We got one."

Fen-chan's 'personality' didn't let me speak through him, but I could tell him to give Delly a 'positive reply'. He chose to give her face a ghostly slurp, then turned around and went back to the nursery, a faint hint of pride that was not mine, growing in his phantom chest.

So, I gave him a mental ear scroofle of my own, had him count all the children for me (four faces, three tiny bums, and eight tails. Perfect). Once done, he curled back up and returned to his duty.

"Your plan worked." I said quietly.

"Good."

NOTES!

So, it seems things have turned a little in favour of the Alliance. At least, we hope so, right?

Last reminder to vote! And that the next update is in... um... EIGHT days.

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?'