The Benevolent Mistress:

"So girls ears up, a storm is approaching the city and we have much to do, I´m not worried about the building but we need to stock up, who knows what might happen to the fields around the city. Also we´re understaffed, Runoa is with Demeter to help secure the fields, as compensation we get some fresh vegetables and a nice discount for future purchases." Mia grinned.
"Anya you clean floor, Chloe you do the tables. Ryuu and Syr i want both of you to go shopping, we need some extra stuff and hurry, we don´t know who might buy everything they can just because it might rain a bit."

Anya sighed "The floor again?..."

"Said something?"

"No!"

hnya grabbed herself a broom, a mop and began to clean the floor, while Chloe got some cloth and a bucket from the kitchen. "Let´s go, I´m sure we will get enough." Syr took her jacket and stepped out of the front door, followed by Ryuu.

The same time at Hearth mansion.

Naza passed the time after breakfast, helping Lily organize some books. The prum decide which one they needed for the meeting and which one not. Naza put back the unnecessary ones in the book shelf.

"I must thank you miss Naza, most member of my familia don´t have the patience to help me with the books, they think it´s enough to listen to the guild advisers."

Naza smiled in her calm manner. "You treated us to breakfast and I´m the only one here who doesn´t go into the dungeon, it´s the least i can do."

"Don´t put your light under the bushel. Your potions are one of the most important things we need, plus someone must guard the house when we´re in the dungeon."

"You´re too kind Miss Lily."

"Ah we supporters must support each other."

Both smiled, it was a common pun between supporters. Naza stretched in the attempt to put back a book into a higher row of the shelf that Lily took before with a stepladder, said ladder used at the moment by Lily. She was a bit to small to reach. The sound of the opening door let her dog like ears twitch.

"You Ladies need some help ?"

God Miach came into the small library and had his calm smile on his lips. When he saw Naza tremble a bit he stepped behind her.

"Here I do it."

In an instant Naza blushed, with her between the shelf and her handsome god who took her hand this moment.

"L...Lord Miach..."

Miach took the book from her and put it into the row she couldn´t reach.

"Something the matter ?" When Naza turned around his hand was still placed on the shelf, while he leaned forward smiling.

Is...is this a wall slam ?

Nazas brain went overtime and her tail wagged like crazy. A moment later Miach reached with his other hand to her face.

My cheek ? What is he planning to do ?

His hand wandered higher to her hair.

Aah...my ears ?...My hair ?...M...Lord Miach...

Lily could swear she saw steam comming out of Nazas head.

Finally Miach wiped away dust flake that hung in Nazas hair. He smiled and petted her hair. "You´re allways so nice to everyone my dear."

Poof !

This time for sure steam shot out of Nazas ears as when she started to melt. Wordless they stared into each others eyes, Miach still leaned forward.

In the corner of her eye Lily saw Hestia through the door gap, at first she wanted to come in to get Miach back to the conversation between the gods but when she discovered the situation she was silent like a mouse.

"I really feel more at ease with you around me Naza, I hope we will stay together forever."

Haaaaaaa...a proposal ?

Naza was at a loss for words, this was the happiest moment of her life.

"I have to go back now, the others wait, until then ladies." He smiled while goint out of the room, Hestia dashing away before he noticed her.

Lily stayed silent for a few moments, while Naza tried to catch her breath. "Does he...allways do things like that ?"

Naza released only a squeal before slowly sinking to the floor and metaphorical melting into a puddle.

"Wow..."

Lily continued with her work, a bit red in the face herself. Lord Miach seemed to be an unconsciously lady killer.

Haruhime had checked the kitchen cupboards, they could need a few more things. Almost everyone was busy right now except Bell who was cleaning, oiling and polishing his armor and weapons.

Haruhime leaved the kitchen and climbed the stairs to the first floor, arriving at Bells room she knocked softly. A muffled voice answered her.

"Come in."

Opening the door Haruhime saw Bell sitting cross legged on the carpet, a white sheet spread out before him, the parts of his armor lined on it. He hold a leather strip in his mouth, the source of his muffled voice, his leg protection in the hand and oiled the buckle.

"Sir Bell do you have time to do some shopping ? I have no one else to ask."

He released the strip.

"Ah of course, just tell me what you need."

Bell closed the oil can he got from Welf and whiped his hands clean with a cloth. After closing his door, he followed Haruhime to the kitchen, got a big shopping bag from her and a list with the items.

"The gods said they would be busy for a few more hours so you don´t have to rush."

Bell grinned to her. "Okay.." he looked through the grocery list. "..Then I´m off. !" He waved to Haruhime and stepped to the front door.

.

.

The talk

.

.

Ryuu and Syr were still on their way to the market place. Orario was a really nice place these days, especially compared to the dark times that Lyu had seen. They came across playing children of which some greeted Syr like they knew her and also a few other people and gods.

Just how big is her fanclub ?

Syr walked alongside with Ryuu. "So Ryuu...what is vexing you ?"

"Syr I.." Ryuu eyes roamed around without looking at anything in particular. She gathered her thoughts and courage. "I..."

The words just refused to leave her tongue.

"Ryuu...you like Mr. Bell...do you ?"

Thank to whatever god or goddess, Syr helped her say it.

"Ye...I think I do...but.."

Syr tilted her head and looked at Ryuu from the side. Ryuus face was a bit discomforted, with a shade of red under her eyes and at the tip of her ears. "But ?"

"I shouldn´t..."

Syr had a puzzled look. "And why is that so ?"

Just a bit teasing wont hurt...teehee.

"I mean...you like him...don´t you Syr ?"

Now it was for Syr to blush a bit. "Ah that...uhm...yeah."

Both had an awkward look on their faces.

Ryuu stammered. "S...see ? If you l-like him then.."

"You shouldn´t ?"

"Yes."

"I´m asking again...why ?"

"I can´t..." Ryuu took a few deep breaths to calm down. They talked quiet enough so no one around could listen. "I can´t take him from you."

Syr giggled. "I see no problem here."

Ryuu looked perplexed. "Huh ?"

"I mean...if you like him..." Ryuu blushed more by those words. "I see no problem ...I´m in no position to forbid you anything."

"But Syr.."

"I think it´s just fair if we both try...don´t you ?"

.

Take the hint Ryuu.

.

Syr continued. "Mr. Bell has a free will, if his heart decides there isn´t much I can do."

"But...but don´t you want him for yourself ?"

Syr hold the basket she had with her behind her back, both hands around the handle, while looking at the sky. No she also stammered a bit. "I..do. But..."

"But ?" Syr turned her face to Ryuu and showed her a smile brighter than the sun. "I also want my best friend to be happy."

Bang ! Right into the heart.

If Ryuu were a man or had other interests she had fallen for Syr for a long time, but instantly the moment she saw that smile. Ryuu was at a loss for words. Syr nudged her shoulder against Ryuus a bit.
"You thought I would be mad ?"

"Uhm...yes."

Syr could swear seeing Ryuus long ears drop a bit, she leaned over and whispered in Ryuus ear.

"I would never be mad at you." and winked.

Ryuu heard her blood murmur in her ears. Her heart danced a staccato in her chest. It was finally out, she said it in front of Syr.

"And...what now ?"

Syr layed a fingertip on her lower lip. "Hmmm how about a proposal ?"

"What kind of proposal ?"

"We both try, fighting fair and square and...if he actually falls in love with one of us...the other one will support the chosen...how about it ?"

That sounded like a good solution.

"O..okay...if I...if he choses you...I will support you with everything I have."

Syr leaned over and tapped Ryuus forehead lightly with her own. "And so will I."

Inside Ryuu her heart blew up the chains her brain had tried lay on it and roared victorious..after all leave the matter of feelings to the heart and not the brain.

Ryuu took another series of deep breaths and tried to calm down her raging heart.

Syr chuckled. "Ryuu...you´re beat red !"

The elf turned her head to Syr but in that moment Syrs face lightened up as she saw someone a bit away behind Ryuu. "Ah Mr. Bell !"

Smiling and waving for the young man, Syr registered that Ryuu panicked a bit, right now seeing Bell might be to much for the young elf, so she hid behind Syr, facing away and tried to calm her breath just as Bell came over to them waving.

.

Bell heard a voice calling out for him and he saw Syr and Ryuus with shopping baskets standing at the entrance to the shopping street.

"Ah good morning you two."

"Good morning Mr. Bell, you´re out for shopping I guess ?"

"Yeah we need some stuff, but not much."

"Are you in a hurry ?...Ryuu why are you hiding ? You´re rude to Mr. Bell."

Syr pulled lightly at Ryuus dress. The adressed turned around, her face was nearly as calm as ever.

"Good morning B...Mr Cranell."

"Ah morning R...Miss Ryuu."

He smiled to her, then faced Syr. "To come back to your question, no I have time on hand. Do you need help ?"

Syrs face brightened. "That would be wonderful ! Mama Mia asked us to buy more ingredients than usual and we could need the help of a strong man."

Her smile alone was enough to convince everyone and Bell blushed clearly at the sight. "I-I would gladly."

Syr nudged Ryuu a bit. "How wonderful right Ryuu ?"

"Y-Yeah...thank you Mr. Cranell."

Ryuu finally got her face under control. Shortly after having that talk with Syr seeing Bell was not easy. Maybe her blood had rushed to her head ? She could swear she heard low voices in her head.

Go for it Ryuu ! Don´t let him get away !

More voices than one...and all female...

It turned out running into Bell was a good thing for Ryuu and Syr. The amount of ingredients they had to buy would´ve been to much for the two to carry. Bell beeing a cavalier took the biggest bags while Syr and Ryuu each took one bag and the basket they had with them.

"Is your arm okay Mr. Cranell ?"

Ryuu allways called Bell "Mr. Cranell" when they were not alone, and why ? Because something like calling him by his first name, should be something when they were alone, or openly when they would be lovers.

Lovers...

"Miss Ryuu ?"

"Your arm...is it not to heavy ?"

"Ah not everything is allright thank you. A few bags are okay to carry. And I can´t let you carry them."

Ryuu looked at him. "Why not ?"

Bell got a serious face. "Because my grandpa said.."When you go shopping with a girl you have to carry her bags so she can enjoy looking at the store windows ! This way you make her happy Bell"...something like that."

Right next to them Syr giggled and even Ryuu had a light smile on her lips. "How chivalrous of you Mr. Cranell." Bell would´ve rubbed the back of his head right now if his hands weren´t full.

After a quarter of an hour they arrived at the Benevolent Mistress, where Syr directed them around to the back door, where she knocked a few times with her shoe. Anya opened the door seemingly completed her task of cleaning the floor...or taking a short brake...until Mia would notice her.

"Welcome back Nya...ah white hair ! Come in come in !"

The airheaded catgirl moved aside to let the three pass through the door. They placed everything on the main countertop, where on of the cooks checked the bags. The head of the black haired catgirl Chloe appeared in the kitchen door.

"Did I hear the beautiful butt ?"

"Chloe !" Syr scolded her with an slightly embarassed look on her face.

"What are you all doing in the kitchen ?"

Mama Mia appeared from a side door and Chloe froze instantly, trying to duck back to safety. "Ah boy, what brings you here ?"

"Mr. Cranell helped us carry the bags."

Mia gave him a pat on the shoulder while grinning. "Ah good boy, good boy."

Then she hold her right index finger under his nose. "But no flirting with my staff again yes ?"

"Eeeeeh ?" Bell became bright red in an instant. "I-I w-would never..."

"It´s all right boy."

"Hmm since you´re already here I have an idea."

"Hm ?"

"Are you being busy tomorrow ?"

"No actually not."

"We could need help here. On of my staff is away and the girls could need help."

Syr threw a begging glance at Bell, while Ryuu remained calm.

"Okay...I think ?"

"Ah not for free of course, it comes with a meal later."

"Around what time ?"

"Let´s say three hours after noon."

In the moment Bell wanted to wish goodbye it came to his mind. "Aaargh i forgot my own purchase." And rushed out of the door. "See you tomorrow !"

Syr smiled at Ryuu "Aren´t you happy ?"

After a few seconds Ryuu nodded with a light smile. "Yeah.."

"Hey you girls ! Back to work !"

""Yes ma´am !"".