AN: Well here we are again at the start of another chapter. I'll be honest, it feels like a lot of people skipped the previous chapter because of the spoiler warning. So, let me know in the comments if you skipped the chapter to avoid spoilers. Anyways, onto the chapter!

Hestia Pov:

I stood in front of the Hostess of Fertility a little before six in the morning with Bell in my arms. While I could have left Bell at the Stardust Gardens, something tells me that if I left him there, Alise wouldn't be getting anything productive done. And as nice as it was to have someone else who would take care of Bell, I felt that for today at least I needed to bring Bell so Mia would know I might need to bring him there often.

As I waited for Mia to let me inside, I wondered what she was expecting me to cook for her. As I was pondering Mia opened up the store and let me in.

"Yer' on time. That's a good start, little goddess. I take it that kiddo in your arms is this Bell you brought up yesterday?"

"Yeah, this little one here is Bell."

"Didn't expect him to be so… young. That's certainly something to consider. Well, I suppose none of that matters if ye' can't do yer' job to begin with. So come on in and let's see what you can do."

And with that Mia led me inside where I saw the light gray haired waitress from last night, who's name as I had learned was Syr, already inside setting up tables for the day.

"Hello again, young lady."

"Ah! Hestia! Good morning!"

"Yes, and thank you for your help in getting me this opportunity today."

"You are very welcome, Hestia."

Huh. That was weird. At first Syr had seemed normal enough, but at second glance she was a bit of an… abnormality. There was the way the head strong Mia treated her, the way she addressed me — most mortals addressing deities with some sort of formality, and most vexing of all was her presence. Whatever this waitress was, she wasn't entirely human. While I wasn't particularly concerned about her (she seemed trustworthy enough after all), that didn't stop her from drawing my curiosity.

"Oi! Little lass! If you're as good as I've heard you are, let's get you cooking. I ain't gonna hire nobody if they don't live up to my standards!"

But then again, there were always exceptions.

"Right! Coming! Excuse me, miss Syr?"

"Yes, Hestia?"

"Could I bother you to look after Bell for a bit while I'm in the kitchen with Mia?"

"Of course! Who could say no to looking after such a cutie?" She replied with a pleased smile on her face.

"Thanks!" And with that I rushed off into the kitchen following Mia after handing Bell and the take care of him off to Syr.

Syr Pov:

I was certainly glad Hestia had decided to come today. And with this Bell she had mentioned yesterday no less! While I had expected a young child, I certainly hadn't expected a baby! But that was fine, I was rather fond of babies. They were always so pure and innocent, there was something about that I had always loved. I looked down at the sleeping child in my arms. He was certainly very cute. It was a shame that I couldn't see his eyes though; I was so sure they would be beautiful. As if suddenly sensing the thought Bell woke up with a cry. Quickly figuring out what the problem was, I took out some milk for him to drink.

Rubellite.

His eyes were rubellite; and to me they were more beautiful than the finest gems in the world.

After finishing his meal he seemed to want to move around some, so I took an appropriate-looking blanket out of the bag and laid it out in the corner where I could watch him move about while I got back to work.

Continuing to watch Bell out of the corner of my eye I proceed to resume setting up the pub for the morning. As I did so I pondered what sort of dishes Mia would have Hestia make for her trial. Of course I had made a specific request for one of them last night, but I was certain Mia would have her make a few other things too.

With that thought in mind, I saw Mia return from the kitchen.

"Sooo? What dishes did you decide to have her make?' I inquired.

"Well, beyond your specific request, she convinced me to give her free rein over the food. I'll say this much though, if she's making whatever she wants it had better be the best damn food I've ever had."

"I'm confident that it will be, Mia." I replied, smiling to myself. After all, Hestia is the best.

Alise Pov:

It was super mean of Hestia to take my little brother away. Who cares if she and Astrea were right that I could be making progress in the Dungeon and should be showing our new member the ropes! Bell was too darn cute!

Buuttttt… sadly duty calls. If I wanted to be a pure and perfect adventurer — and now older sister — I would have to get stronger! Which means off to the Dungeon, and then to visit Bell!

"Wow, your mood sure turned around fast. And here I was thinking you'd be depressed about it for at least another hour."

I turned to the voice addressing me, Kaguya, our newest — and admittedly only other — familia member. She was dressed in a crimson Kimono with an orange sash going around her waist to hold it up.

"Well, someone as Lovelly as me can't afford to mope around!"

I saw Kaguya cringe at my statement, "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes. Yes it was. Now off to the Dungeon!"

Dragging Kaguya behind me I made my way towards the Dungeon entrance. I greeted the Ganesha Familia guards before heading inside to the first floor.

"Normally I would head further inside, but given that this is your first time in the Dungeon, regardless of any prior experience you might have, we'll be staying here for today." I droned on as I led us towards a more isolated section of the floor. "Today we'll be getting you used to the basics of the Dungeon before proceeding further."

"Wait, aren't you supposed to get registered at the Guild first?"

—Ah—

I knew I was forgetting something.

"Nope. We can do that later." Yup, definitely do that later…. Yup, later.

~Later~

After definitely not forgetting to take Kaguya to get registered at the Guild (I was testing to see if Kaguya remembered after all!). We made our way to the Hostess of Fertility to see how Be- err… Hestia was doing, and pick her up at Astrea's request. After all, She seemed pretty confident Hestia would get hired when she told us about what had happened last night.

"Excuse me… Alise!" Kaguya snapped, grabbing my attention. "We're here."

"I suppose we are. Now! Let us go forth and bring my little bro- Miss Hestia back home!" With that proclamation I marched inside.

Entering the tavern for the first time, I took the opportunity to look around. The tavern was lightly filled with adventures coming back from a day's work; it was lively but not as much as one would expect from a tavern at this time of day normally. Which is a bit shocking given its location on Main Street, but this place was new so that probably played into it, most people don't want to try something new after a long day of adventuring. Looking around further, I saw a few tables and in the corner—

BELL! OH, LIGHT OF MY LIFE FOR ALL OF 24 HOURS! THERE YOU ARE!

Upon seeing Bell I rushed to him, not even the Zeus and Hera Familia's could stop my endeavor! At last! Bell almost within my reach!

Pain.

Pain became my reality as I felt something shatter across the back of my head.

"Ain't nobody kidnapping any kiddos on my watch!"

Someone kidnapping Bell! Heaven forbid! Not so long as I draw breath!

"Ya hear me ya red headed lassie!?"

I turned around to give the voice a dumbfounded look, I could get someone else trying to kidnap Bell, but to accuse me of trying to do so!? That was simply ridiculous! After all, why would I need to kidnap my own little brother!?

That thought in mind, I went to address the woman who threw what was apparently a wooden bowl at my head.

"It's not a kidnapping! I'm simply going to take him home with me!"

"That's exactly what a kidnapping is ya' dunce!" Shouted the woman behind the bar. "I swear, no matter how cute that child is, it isn't worth so many people trying to snatch him up…."

I paled at the thought of people trying to kidnap my little brother! I get that he's the cutest little thing in the entire world, but you can't just take some stranger into your family like that! That would just be wrong!

"Who were they! As long as I live, none shall touch a hair on the head of my little brother! I will protect him!"

Just as I was proclaiming my resolve to protect Bell I received another hit to the head.

"Captain. While I can appreciate your desire to protect your sibling, must you make such a scene in the process?"

Looking around, I realized that Kaguya was right, everyone was starting. Not that it mattered of course, after all everyone should know I would protect him!

"Ah, yer the one the little goddess was talking about." The woman behind the bar replied, "I'm Mia, this here is my tavern. I'm the law of the land here and ya'd best abide it, so get yerself seated and don't make any more trouble."

Deciding it would be best to listen to the woman, Mia — who could shatter a wooden bowl across the back of my head with her throw — me and Kaguya took a seat at the bar.

"Now, what are you to lassies ordering?"

"But, we didn't say we were going to order anything." I replied, confusion evident in my voice.

"Are ya questioning me in my house lass?" She said, giving me a scowl.

Scary.

"N-no ma'am!"

After ordering our food we took the time to play with Bell while we waited for it to come out.

"See Kaguya, isn't my little brother just the cutest! He's absolutely adorable! Like a little rabbit!" I gasped with a sudden realization, "He would just look the cutest in a little bunny costume!"

"Yes captain, I know." Kaguya replied with an exasperated sigh. I guess she's exhausted after her first day in the Dungeon. After all, I couldn't think of any other reason she would seem so exhausted.

Soon after that our food finally came out. And boy was it delicious! I don't know who Mia has cooking back there in the kitchen, but if this is the food that they're always going to be serving here I'm definitely coming here often!

After paying for our food we waited for Miss Hestia in order to escort her back to our place. And eventually as the pub was closing down I saw Hestia come out and the three of us, as I had Kaguya go ahead and leave earlier, headed back to the Stardust Gardens.

"So…. How did it go today?" I inquired on our way back, curious to see if she succeeded in her objective of getting a job.

"You're telling me you couldn't tell Alice?" Hestia replied, "That's a shame, and I heard that you quite enjoyed the food I had prepared for you."

I let out a surprised gasp, "Then that means it was you who prepared that wonderful food!"

Then that means I get to eat this wonderful cooking daily! Ah, mother. You truly could not have agreed to a better house guest!

AN: Well hello again folks. It has been far too long since I last posted and for that I'm sorry. But in good news I haven't abandoned the story. However, because of school and work (I know the tried and true fic killers) chapter progress has been slower. Hopefully however, with winter break coming up I should be able to get some chapters out then.

Other news! I now have the story on Ao3, as I'm sure some of you noticed. And those of you who are confused reading this on Ao3, it's been about three months since I last posted. Sooo, yeah….

Anyways, onto questions!

Or so I would like to say. But there aren't any…. Sadness.