Morning thoughts:
It was a beautiful morning in Orario, only a few clouds in the sky and some dark clouds in the far west also some tweeting birds, a beautiful morning indeed...for the most people.
For Bell Cranel the most mornings weren´t that good recently. He rubbed his eyes and moaned still feeling exhausted, the reason was he couldn´t sleep. Ever since he safely returned from the 37th floor he startled in his sleep whenever he heard a sound, almost every five minutes he woke up, that continued until he was so tired that he finally slept for a few hours. Thanks to his Falna it was more or less bearable.
At night Haruhime came often to his room, to keep him company or telling him a story until he calmed down. The stories of heroes that he loved so much never told something like that. But it wasn´t the only thing that kept him awake at night, the face of a certain elven waitress were in his mind, after their "adventure" and the time in the hospital her behaviour towards him changed, but also his view of her.
At first he tried to talk to Ryuu a few times coming to the "Benevolent Mistress" but she avoided him, turning away everytime he might got into her line of view even spinning when she had to.
He would chase her for a few minutes until Mama Mia got annoyed and told him to buy something to eat or stop disturbing the work. The "dance" of Ryuu and Bell got popular with the guests, so some came just to see the show of the two while eating. This continued until the evening of the party where he finally got his chance to talk to her and that made him happy...even if she knocked him unconscious first. The moment he woke up, his head resting on her tights was...indescribable. The look from below...her smell...her face...his heart had skipped a beat.
No not her smell ! and surely not the softness and warmness of her tights !
Those thoughts were impure and Ryuu would surely slap him if she knew he memorized her naked back...wait ! Why was he thinking about that now ?
Gosh...he was tired, but there was not so much he could do about his sleeping problems, Amid the Healer said those would be normal for adventurers that had gone through that kind of experience. The time may or maybe not heal it. Of course he didn´t mention the other reason, what happened between him and Ryuu was very personally.
Anyway...time to start the day.
Bell got out of his bed and made it, Haruhime insisted to hang out the sheets and duvet but had allways a disappointed look when his bed was a mess. After that he took his towel and headed for the bathroom to wash his face, to have running water was a big plus for the hearthstone manner.
From downstairs came the sounds of breakfast beeing made out of the kitchen. Haruhime gave her all and became way better in cooking, Lily still helped her. Hestia described her maternal skills as dangerous at some point, whatever she ment with that.
As allways Mikoto enjoyed the luxury of bathing in the morning, while Welf was in the forge cleaning, oiling and polishing his tools. He threated his creations and tools as if they were his children.
In the bathroom.
"Haaaaah..."
Mikoto let out a big sigh, nothing beat a bath before breakfast. This morning she wasn´t the only one in the bath and that was good because Lily grumbled something about wasting water...as if she would do that !
...Surely not...okay maybe ?...A little ?
Right next to her sat a girl with short dark bangs covering her eyes most of the time. Chigusa had her eyes closed and enjoyed more quietly just like the other girls from Takemikazuch familia. But whey were they in the bath at hearthstone manner this early in the morning ? Hestia allowed them to come over to use the big bath how often they liked...truly a amiable goddes.
But today was a special day. Takemikazuchi and Miach have come over with their familias for breakfast together and discuss a serious matter. A continuous alliance. The first expedition had shwon some problems. The floors that layed beforem them would receive more strength, firepower and logistic, what non of the familias had on its own. And Aisha was not avaible all the time,
nevertheless she enjoyed spending time and dungeon crawling with her "little sister". With the alliance the two other familias would become even more often guests at hearthstone manner. Maybe moving in but that was for later. Not one member raised a voice against it.
Especially the girls from the familias with no own bath.
This also eased the Restlessness in Mikotos heart. One part of her wanted to go back to Takemikazuchi, the other to stay with her other family. Now the problem was solved and she could still share a room with Haruhime who would stay in Hestia familia.
From Miach familia Cassandra and Daphne didn´t join the morning bath, they had no desire for that. They asked Naaza but she said she would only bath alone for some reason, even though Mikoto could swear hearing her mumble "Maybe with Lord Miach..." before blushing and turning around coughing.
"So I will stil have this bath Mhehehe..."
"Did you say something Mikoto ?"
"Ah no no..." Letting herself submerge a bit more Mikoto sighed statisfied "The best...".
At a certain pub.
"Oooooy Ryuu ! Wake up sleepyhead Nya !"
Anya knocked a few times sharp against the door to Ryuus room. This was a first, normally Ryuu would be the first one to be awake and doing her morning training with sunrise. For two reasons she didn´t get up this early. For one, training wasn´t allowed for at least another week. As tender as she looked, Amid could be scary when a patient made her work go to waste. But the missing training or leg problems were not the main reason, that were...trouble sleeping, just like a certain white haired adventurer.
Also said adventurer being the reason for her troubles...and Syr.
Or to be more precise, her heart and her brain fought an all out war inside her and Ryuu was trapped between the two giants who ruled her body. Her brain refused to admit she had feelings for Bell or at least didn´t understand those feelings. Feelings however were the territory of her heart and it jumped every time she saw him or tremble with joy when his name fell in a conversation.
At night her heart demanded to picture Bells face and all good things that happened. Her brain wanted to sleep after a day of work and thought about Syr. She knew Syr liked Bell and she would never betray the girl that had done and meant so much to her. Restless Ryuu rolled in her bed from one side to the other...in a bad night whispering "What should I do..." with small tears in the corner of her eyes. She even developed a new habit in putting extra pillows behind her back when she slept on the side, it helped a bit but certainly not beceause it reminded her of Bells chest pushed against her back...absolutely not !
"I´m awake Anya thanks.."
"Good ! Hurry up, we´ve much to do Nya !"
Ryuu swung her legs around and stood up. It was good she was alone in her room, so no one would see her discomforted face, it took her some minutes to regain control.
Ryuu left her room with a towl and fresh clothes, heading to the bathroom. Recently Mama Mia bought a new magical stone that could heat the running water in the shower. With the old one empty of power a morning shower was many things but not pleasant. With the new stone one could tap on two different stones and adjust the heat. Ryuu stripped down and hold her hand under the water until it had the temperature she wanted. She stepped under the running water, eyes closed and her head leaned back, while slowly stroking through her hair with her fingers.
The sight of the showering Ryuu, how the water flowed over her slender shoulders, down her back and over her rear to her legs. would be enough to let Bell faint for sure...or unleash the beast within him. As Alise told her in the past "Listen Lion, every man out there has a beast hidden in him and another in his pants so watch out !" Lyra, Kaguya and even Neze agreed to that and Ryuu saw Lady Astrea smiling that time so it had to be true. Ryuu who had no experience with men that time had no other option.
Smiling while thinking about the past Ryuu lowered her head and rubbed her body with a sponge. A look to her chest let her think again
"I´m not very womanly aren´t I ?"
What would Bell thi-..Stop ! Why the thought about Bell ?
No man had ever seen her naked skin, she even wore black thights under her skirt while working...well Bell had seen her...twice.
Ryuu stopped the water and dried herself, after getting dressed she hung the towel on a laundry rack and went to the changing room to get her work outfit. "Morning Ryuu !" Syrs joyfull voice greeted her the moment she opened the door. "Morning Syr." As allways the sight of Syrs smile eased her mind. Ryuu went to her locker and started changing.
"Ryuu have you heard ? It seems a storm is approaching Orario."
"Oh ? When ?"
"About two or three days...it seems to be a big one."
"We should tell Mama Mia, just in case."
After changing into the top of her waitress uniform Ryuu sat down and put on her tights. Syr was closing her top right now.
"Say Ryuu.."
"Hm ?"
"Is something on your mind ? You look a bit glum."
Ryuus eyes widened a bit, of course she couldn´t hide anything from Syr.
"Huh ?"Ryuu started to put on her right boot when Syr stepped behind her, laying the arms around Ryuus neck and hugging her softly.
"You can talk to me if something bothers you, you know ?"
Ryuu relaxed a bit in Syrs arms. "I don´t kn...I...how to sta..."
"Is it about Bell ?" The question startled her.
"Syr I..how ?"
Behind her Syr smiled and whispert in Ryuus ear. "Just a guess. I have an idea...how about we have a talk while on break ?"
"Syr I..."
"Ryuu...you are very important to me...whatever it is I won´t get mad okay ?"
"Okay..."
"Aah we must hurry ! Mama Mia waits." They hurried to finish getting dressed and rushed down the stairs, no one let Mama Mia wait.
.
.
.
At Babel a bit earlier.
.
.
.
A beautiful woman with long silver-grey hair sat crossed legs in her luxurious chair, wearing a silk dressing gown and holding a cup of tea in her hand, watching over Orario while the sun started to rise. Lost in her thoughts, the goddess Freya caressed the arm of the bulky man standing beside her. The man was over two meter tall and build like a brick wall, with ears like that of a boar.
A demihuman and captain of her familia...Ottarl. He was used to that behaviour of his beloved goddess in the morning, caressing his muskled arm was a habbit that helped her while thinking or reflecting. Of course he didn´t mind, he enjoyed the skinship. If she wanted his opinion or view she would say something, until then he would wait.
What to do...what to do...
It might be an ordinary morning for everyone else in Orario but not for her. Her mind circled around two people, one was Bell Cranell like every so often the other was...a certain green haired elven waitress.
It´s strange...or is it ?
Since she layed her eyes on Bell Cranell she made the decision that he was hers. He was not the first person she had layed her eyes on but was special...or his soul light was special.
No one was allowed to take away what she wanted and she would deal with every woman wo tried to do that. She even send a few of her familia members after the sword princess at some point.
But now...said elven waitress had fallen for Bell Cranell and that was a problem...or was it ? Of all the people in all of Orario only her familia was special to her...and this elf.
Some would say she had a special position in Freyas heart or to say it better...in Syrs. And this elf, Ryuu Lion was unique in the whole world. Ottarl was special in his own style. Being the captain of her familia and her most loyal child. But Ryuus uniqueness was that she was something to Freya that even no other god was. A true friend...her best friend. As someone living so long as Freya did, charming every mortal person and god with her beauty and standing way above most of them, a true friend was special.
She would...she could never crush Ryuu. So what to do with her falling in love with Bell Cranell.
How did she knew ? She saw Ryuus soul when conversation came to Bell or when she saw him. The green orb that represented her soul in Freyas eyes would start to pulsate, becomming faster the closer Bell came to her, so it was quite obvious.
Freya desired many things, not only her own happiness because she was not so selfish like many people thaught about her. She...or Syr had rescued Ryuu in that side street years ago and she had grown onto her heart. Syr really enjoyed being together with Ryuu, laughing, shopping, working or even getting scolded by Mia.
And Syr as well as Freya wanted Ryuu to become happy. She had suffered in her life and had fought hard in the dark times along with the three great familias. Many had mourn losses but Ryuu lost everything.
Freya knew she wanted Bell Cranell but also, that she would get bored after some years...so...let Ryuu have him ? Maybe help her ? Fighting her as a rival ? Freya giggled. That would be a first.
"Helping..hmm" Freya mumbled.
An interesting considiration. Being immortal had the side effect of boredom and every god or goddesss strived for new experiences but at some point she had seen everything, did everything...but...helping two people like that becoming a happy couple...that would be something new.
"Ottar."
"Yes Mylady ?"
"Say, have I ever brought a couple together ?"
"Not as far as i remember."
Ah that was what she loved about Ottar, he was honest and didn´t try to flatter her or asking why she asked that, just answering the question...that and his nearly indestructible muscular body.
So an interesting new experience if the love was mutual...and seeing her friend happy would make Syr and Freya happy, two birds with one stone like the mortals said.
"Thank you Ottarl."
Freya emptied her cup and put it back on the small table right next to her chair, while standing up. She gave Ottarl a signal to bend down a bit and as he did, Freya stand on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. That triggered the reaction she loved so much, for a moment his closed face lightened up and he was surprised.
Freya giggled. "I have to go."
Ottar understood what the sentence meant. Wait...that could be a opportunity to bring "that" up. "Oh and would you please send a message to Hermes ? I´d like to talk to him."
"As you wish."
The next days promised to be interesting.