Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
Consul of the Underworld: Grinding Phase
Chapter Six: Our Little Killer and the Eventful Ball
Beta: ShadowofAxios
Standing in her Father's throne room, Alkaid resisted the urge to fidget as he looked down at her with displeasure. Usually that look was reserved for Melinoe, so it was strange to be the one subjected to it. Instead said sister was standing beside her Father's throne looking down with an eerily similar displeased look of her own.
Her only hope for salvation was Persephone sitting in on this family meeting via Iris Message. Though since she was currently spending time with her mother, Demeter, that meant having the goddess of agriculture present too. Which was yet another thing for Alakid to worry about. Especially as it seemed to upset her Father even more.
"Do you mind?" Hades said with a glare at his sister and mother-in-law through the I.M.
"Yes," Demeter said with an antagonizing smirk.
"Shameless eavesdropper." The lord of the dead grumbled under his breath.
"What did you call me!?" The goddess of the seasons demanded angrily.
"Mother, please?" Persephone pleaded with her mother with a frown on her youthful face, before she turned to look at her husband, "Hades, do not rile her up."
"Yes, dear." The two elder gods grumbled.
The goddess of the spring sighed in exasperation at the insincere reply.
"I guess we'll have to accept that then." Persephone said. "Since we have more urgent matters to discuss at the moment."
Her stepmother turned to her and asked, "Alkaid, dear, what in Gaia's green earth were you thinking when you adopted someone as dangerous as the goddess of serial killers?"
"That's seriously a thing?" Pyrrha couldn't help but ask.
The various members of the House of Hades ignored her in lieu of exchanging heated looks at each other. Hades and Melinoe overflowed with disapproval, while Persephone was one of concern and curiousity. Alakid for her part just returned their gazes with tired exasperation.
Demeter on the other hand simply huffed, "Of course. She's part of the pop culture pantheon."
"Pop culture pantheon… learn something new everyday." The redhead boggled at the revelation.
Unable to get across her points non-verbally, Alkaid was left with no choice but to properly explain herself. "I didn't have a choice. It was either adopt her or let her kill us."
"I'm sorry, mummies! I didn't mean to." The murderous child goddess cried as she threw herself against Pyrrha for a tearful hug. "I-I was just playing!"
The teary eyed look on her face twisted Alkaid's heart, though the gods just held looks of scorn.
Reaching over, Alkaid gently rubbed her shoulder, "It's okay. We know."
"Listen, kiddo," Pyrrha said with a sigh and held the little goddess against her hip, "you can't play so rough with people, alright? People aren't as tough as you."
The ashen haired goddess nodded tearfully and buried her face further into her hip.
"Aw." Persephone said in a tone that was at once wistful and proud. "To think you would be so good at this already."
Turning to the goddess that had raised her, Alkaid blushed at the look of maternal satisfaction on the Queen of the Underworld's face. Even her mother looked pleased if the small smile on her face was any indication.
If only her Father and sister were of a similar persuasion. Instead both proved they were indeed father and daughter as they both rolled their eyes at the same time in response.
"Yes, considering you swore on the River Styx, I suppose her adoption is official." Hades stapled his fingers while resting his elbows on the armrests of his throne.
"The little psycho hasn't." Melinoe spat out.
"Mummies, what is this Styx thing that you all keep talking about?" Jack the Ripper said, cocking her head to the side in adorable confusion.
"The River Styx is a sacred river that you swear promises on." Alkaid explained to her daughter.
"Like a pinky swear?"
Alkaid smiled at that but before she could reply, Pyrrha beat her to the chase. "It's even more important than pinky swears. Swearing on the Styx is the most powerful promise you can make. Break a promise like that and the Fates themselves will make your life miserable."
Jack shuddered at that for a moment, before abruptly becoming cheerful again.
"Okay! I pinky swear on the River Styx that my mummies are my mummies!" Jack happily declared.
Hades grunted as a soft rumble resounded throughout the Underworld at the oath. He looked to his wife, and nodded at her. Though he was clearly unhappy with it.
"Yes. Hazzah. Jack the Ripper has joined the family…" Melinoe said sarcastically while throwing her hand into the air in frustration. "Like we needed more bad press."
"It's not like it can get worse." Persephone said encouragingly with an uneasy smile on her face.
Demeter just snorted in amusement.
"Perhaps," Hades said with a sigh of resignation. "Though I will not have any granddaughter of mine be named Jack the Ripper."
Alkaid smiled broadly at that. That was as good as her Father accepting her daughter as a member of the family.
"I assure you, we will be picking a new name for her."
"Jackie?" Pyrrha suggested.
Everyone shot her a 'are you for real' look. Even Jack booed at the suggestion.
"Sue me. I'm not good at names."
"It's okay mummy." Jack comforted the redhead. "I'm not good at it either."
"We'll pick a better one. I assure you." Alkaid promised.
"Are we getting more grandchildren later on?" Persephone asked Alkaid with a sly look.
The two demigoddesses looked at each and broke into brillant blushes. Turning back to her family with her face still burning, she shrugged.
Melinoe cackled like a lunatic at that. "That's a yes!"
"Yay! I'll be having brothers and sisters soon!" Jack cheered, causing her mothers to blush even more brightly.
At the sight, the ghost goddess practically doubled over as her cackling got even louder.
Demeter on the other hand looked completely disinterested, "Honestly, how long is this going to drag on for? Persephone and I would like to get back to work soon."
"Ignore my mother, Alkaid. I think it's wonderful you're starting a family." The goddess of vegetation said with a sweet smile for her stepdaughter.
"Melinoe, be silent." Hades grunted and shot a shadowbolt at the aforementioned goddess' feet.
The ghost goddess flinched and stopped laughing though she was still smirking in amusement.
Demeter nodded in approval, before stopping as she realized she was agreeing with her brother. "I can't believe I just did that."
"Oh no, the horror." Hades dryly stated. He turned his attention back towards the new family. "So, what are your plans for the future?"
The couple turned to one another and exchanged a look.
"Father, it's far too soon to tell."
"Nonsense," Persephone chided. "It's never too soon to make plans for your family."
The couple exchanged a lost look with one another as they tried to think of a proper answer.
Sighing, Hades said, "I have a few things you should take into consideration."
Alkaid gulped as she settled into the long lecture that she knew was forthcoming. Adopting her daughter was looking like a whole lot more responsibility than she had ever imagined.
A day later found the new family in one of the many pavilions in the picturesque parks that occupied much of the space within Elysium. At Hades' urging they had decided to pay Alkaid's shut-in sister, Makaria, a visit and introduce their new daughter to her.
"And that's pretty much what happened, Sister." Alkaid explained as she sipped some lemonade.
The reclusive goddess nodded, as she looked over at her niece and Pyrrha roughhousing in the grass nearby.
"And what name have you picked for her?"
"Mina." Alkaid gushed, excited to share anything and everything about her daughter. "It's German for love. We picked out a dozen or so names randomly using a name generator and then had her choose which one she liked most."
"That's sweet, I guess." The goddess said diplomatically. "So what does she call you? Or Pyrrha for that matter? You can't both go by mommy, right?"
"We settled on Mina calling me Mother and Pyrrha goes by Mama."
The goddess of blessed death nodded politely.
"We're still looking for a place to stay. I don't think Father wants Mina here for too long." Alkaid sighed.
Her Father was currently making arrangements with Lord Dionysus to give Mina some training to control herself whenever the family stopped by Camp. Being, in part, a goddess of madness, the god of wine would be the best teacher Mina could possibly have.
"I agree with Father. I don't like her here either." Makaria wrinkled her nose.
Alkaid blinked in shock. She'd honestly never seen her usually reserved sister so outwardly hostile to anyone.
"Do you know how many heroes she's sent here to Elysium in the past few centuries?"
"Um, I have no clue."
"Hundreds, Alkaid. Hundreds!" Makaria said in a harsh whisper. "I don't care if she is so tiny and adorable, and huggable, and innocent looking. I don't like her."
And that's as mean as Makaria can get. Alkaid thought with a surprised look on her face.
"We'll leave soon. I promise."
"You can stay, she's gotta go." Makaria told her sweetly.
Family visits had gotten much more tense it seemed.
After being shooed out of Elysium, the family had been forced to crash at Camp. It was the only place that they had access to which could accommodate the new addition to their family on short notice. It also gave Mina some time getting training with Lord Dionysus while Alkaid was at school and Pyrrha was busy helping Chiron keep the place from falling apart.
The usually grumpy god didn't even seem to mind. In fact, he enjoyed the younger goddess' company.
"She's as mad as I am. How grand." The god had told Alkaid with an honest smile on his face on their first night back.
"I'm glad she's not giving you any trouble." The sorceress had said gratefully. "Pyrrha and I can't thank you enough for agreeing to help her."
"Perish the thought. It's been such a bore here, I needed someone to have an intelligent conversation with." Mr. D said with his usual venomous grin as he eyed the handful of campers huddled around the central hearth that they could see through the windows of his office in the Big House. "Besides, it keeps her from wandering the grounds and doing her thing. As much as I'd like to see her cull some of the waste of space wannabe heroes, that'll just get me in trouble with the other gods."
Alkaid nodded with a grim look. When the Olympians had found out about the goddess' adoption, reactions had been mixed but generally neutral. None were happy however when they'd heard she'd be staying at Camp Half-Blood. Mostly because they didn't like too many gods hanging around Camp and especially ones that weren't Greek.
"I wonder if there are means to 'convert' her. Is it possible?" She asked Lord Dionysus.
"Pantheons aren't some Church. It's not a matter of just wanting something. We'd need the sheeple to change their minds about her to do that." The god explained. "Unfortunately, Jack the Ripper is too deeply entrenched as part of the pop cultural pantheon, if the rabble of misfits could be called such, to be shifted into another pantheon. That being the case, making her a Greek is pretty much impossible."
"I see." Alkaid said with a disappointed sigh. "I had expected as much."
"Trying your luck?"
The daughter of Hades nodded. "Can you fault me?"
"Certainly, but I won't." The god of wine said generously. "Your girl is lucky she managed to keep so much of her nature from when she was a mortal as is. Her sense of self must be incredibly strong, otherwise with how pop culture usually brands the Ripper as a man that's what she'd have morphed into."
Alkaid shuddered at the prospect. Pyrrha and I are lucky that didn't happen. I can't imagine facing a god of serial killers without Mina's obsessive need for a mother to exploit. I doubt I'd have lived through an encounter like that.
Reading her thoughts, Lord Dionysus shook his head.
"You probably wouldn't have." He confirmed. "You barely did as is. You weren't the first to try the gambit you did, you know, but you you were the first to actually succeed in pulling it off. And that's all down to your oath on the Styx."
"Mina didn't even know what the Styx was." The daughter of Hades pointed out.
The god shrugged as he sipped his Diet Coke, "That doesn't really matter. She's still a goddess and could no doubt sense the binding pact the Styx forged between you three. That is the only reason why she stayed her hand and spared your lives."
Alkaid frowned. The realization that she and Pyrrha had lucked out on what was quite possibly the only way to have escaped death at their daughter's hands was a sobering thought. Something that reminded her of another major worry that had been gnawing at her since the adoption.
"Lord Dionysus, may I ask your advice on how to raise Mina?" Alkaid asked sincerely. "As a goddess, I imagine her needs are different."
"I don't know." The god shrugged. "I never raised a god. I do have experience about how I was raised though. It wasn't that grand. In my wild years I was so deep in my cups that once I sobered I found myself in the middle of conquering half of India. Good times."
"I see. I'm taking away from that to not give her wine?"
"That and don't piss off Hera. My madness was originally a result of one of her curses." Mr. D said with a shrug. "I made it my own, so shows her. But yes, it's something to avoid. We all can't be that lucky."
"Anything else?"
Dionysus looked at her for a long moment, before continuing in a faint whisper that Alkaid struggled to hear. "I don't remember much about my foster parents King Athamas and Queen Ino. Hera killed them when I was only three, but I do remember they treated me with all the love they showered on their own children. Do the same with your daughter and she'll be fine. Eventually."
"Thank you for sharing that with me, Lord Dionysus." Alkaid said with a grateful bow.
The god just shrugged dismissively and turned away from her to head behind his office desk. "Get going, Potter. I have work to do."
"Work?" Alkaid blinked in shock. She'd never seen Mr. D do work in Camp. Ever.
"Yes, work." The god snapped, before looking her square in the eyes. "Anything to distract me from thinking about my parents."
Alkaid's eyes widened in shock. She'd known sharing his experience from his childhood had affected him greatly, but to have forced him to seek distraction in something he hated it must have been so much worse than anything she'd ever expected.
Her gratitude to the god was beyond words by this point, so she sketched him another bow and left him to his work.
It had been a week since Alkaid had gotten herself a new daughter and she was on her way to Diagon Alley, London in the latest of what she was increasingly thinking of as a 'welcome to the family' tour of introductions for Mina. This time they were here to introduce her to Alkaid's wizarding 'uncles' Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. The daughter of Hades had informed them of the new addition to her life via letter and was promptly inundated by increasingly whiny requests to meet Mina. Caving to the pressure, Alkaid had finally agreed.
Thank you Pyrrha for that unflattering name for what we're doing. Alkaid thought sarcastically as she and her family portkeyed into the British capital.
Mina wasn't at all thrilled to be back in London and she held her mummies' hand tightly with a guilty look on her face.
"Just take it easy, kiddo. We won't be here long."
"Is that a promise, Mama?" Mina looked up at her with her big doe eyes.
"Sure thing." Pyrrha smirked at her, "I promise we'll be outta here fast."
Alkaid couldn't help but notice the two had connected rather quickly. It surprised the daughter of Hades that Pyrrha had such a maternal nature.
It's gotta come from her mom, because it definitely didn't come from Ares. Alkaid thought as she watched the interaction between her girlfriend and their daughter. Though since Mrs. Branwen has already worked one miracle in managing to teach Pyrrha to be so much more polite and well mannered than her siblings, I guess this isn't all that surprising.
They arrived at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour to find Sirius and Remus were already there, waiting at a table.
They quickly exchanged greetings and everyone settled into seats.
"So this is the lucky girl, huh?" Sirius asked as he looked over at Mina who pressed herself into Pyrrha's side at the attention.
"She's feeling shy." Alkaid said with a fond smile at her daughter.
"She's a beautiful child, Alkaid, Pyrrha." Remus offered kindly.
"Thank you, we're both lucky to have taken her in. Our lives have certainly changed."
"So why don't we place our orders and you all can tell us all about it?" Sirius asked with a smile. "And maybe if the little lady is up to it, she can share a little bit about herself too, that okay?
Mina seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding.
"Great. Then what does everyone want?" Sirius asked as he began checking what everyone wanted. It didn't take long for him to consolidate everything and head in to the counter to place their order.
As he rejoined the table and they waited for their order, Mina whispered to her mummies.
"Why don't we just take the ice cream?" She asked in confusion.
"Sweetie, if we stole from Mr. Fortescue he won't be able to earn the money he deserved for making such delicious ice cream. Is that the right thing to do?" Alkaid asked the little girl with a fond smile.
Mina shook her head side to side.
"Thus, we don't steal things."
"Yeah," Pyrrha nodded, "Plus, it's the right thing to do. Doing the right thing makes people good. You wanna be a good girl, right?"
"Mmhm!" Mina nodded happily, "Because I am one!"
"That you are." Alkaid said as she leaned down to kiss the crown of Mina's head affectionately.
We really do complement each other perfectly when it comes to dealing with Mina, don't we? Alkaid thought to herself as she watched Mina fuss over how she'd 'messed up' her hair and Pyrrha helped her sort it out. I keep talking to Mina in a complicated way because I expect her as a goddess to understand while Pyrrha boils it all down into something a child like her can understand. We make a great team.
The ice cream arrived and Mina, like the adorable little glutton she was, promptly descended on her serving like a ravenous beast, much to her mothers' amusement even as Pyrrha quietly urged her to slow down and Alkaid swept her hair behind her ear to prevent it from getting dirty.
"Merlin, when did Alkaid become so maternal?" Remus said, his voice dripping with incredulity while Sirius just sat there slack jawed at the display.
"My mummies are the bestest!" Mina loudly declared in defense of the couple. Her face was covered in ice cream as she waved her spoon in the air.
"Ssh." Pyrrha told her as Alkaid chipped in as well.
"Uncle Moony here wasn't saying that we aren't doing a good job, sweetie. He's just surprised that I'm so good at being a mummy despite being so young."
Mina seemed mollified by this and went back to guzzling up her ice cream, as if it would be the only time she'd ever have it.
She's like a human shaped vacuum cleaner. Alkaid thought with amused delight.
"I'm actually still surprised that you two adopted a child. When you sent us a letter telling us about it, I couldn't believe it. I'd have thought you'd be too busy with your studies to even think about something like this if I'm being honest." Sirius said as he had some of his chocolate sundae.
"Things happened." Alkaid said as she exchanged a smile with Pyrrha.
"Good things." The redhead agreed.
The two men exchanged a look of their own, though theirs was one of surprise.
"When was the wedding and how did we miss it?" Sirius asked teasingly.
"Seriously?" Alkaid frowned with red cheeks.
"That's me." The Black lord said with a smirk that had Alkaid rolling her eyes.
"As if I would have a wedding and tell no one nor make it glamorous." The daughter of Hades said, ignoring her godfather's bad sense of humor.
"My mom would kill me." Pyrrha grunted in agreement.
"I'd like to point out that neither of you said that it's out of the picture." Remus chimed in, sounding amused.
The couple blushed brilliantly at the observation.
Her cheeks growing darker, Alkaid cleared her throat, "We're just sorting things out right now."
"So a ceremony's on the cards in the future?"
"No! Just stop asking!" Alkaid nearly screamed as her face became a stellar pink.
"Can I be the flower girl?" Mina asked suddenly, looking between her mothers with a pleading look.
"Sure." Pyrrha grumbled as her cheeks matched her hair.
The daughter of Hades just covered her face with one of her hands.
"Mina, sweetheart, I um, the thing is-"
"Looks like even your daughter wants a wedding." Sirius added with a maddening smirk on his face.
"Some day, okay? Just not any time soon. We're kinda not there yet." Alkaid conceded with resignation.
Pyrrha just nodded in agreement.
"Aw, okay! I want a pretty dress though. With ribbons!" The little goddess said with a pout.
"Yes, of course." Alkaid hastily agreed just so she could change the subject as quickly as possible.
"You'll look great." Sirius told the little girl. "A pretty girl like you? You'll be like a princess."
"Really?" The little goddess' eyes sparkled as she thought about the prospect. Clearly she was awed and enamoured with the idea.
Great. Now she'll want a especially fancy dress for the occasion. Alkaid realized as she suppressed the urge to groan at the very prospect. Her daughter was high maintenance as it was but this just looked like it was going to be even more over the top.
"Completely." Remus told the child with a honest smile. "You are absolutely lovely."
"Hee-heh!" Mina giggled excitedly into her hands.
Turning to look at Alkaid, the werewolf continued. "She's been good for you too. You seem to be glowing now."
The brunette bristled slightly at this, seeing it as once more proof that despite her accomplishments she wasn't meeting his expectations of her. He had always disapproved of her focus on politics and business and what he saw as her neglect for more 'normal' things like starting a family
Whatever, you're just a tag along after all. And a hypocrite to boot! Alkaid noted with a roll of her eyes. You're so bigoted even when at the same time you so often decry the discrimination you face for being a werewolf.
"How's this for an idea? Why don't we take the lass here shopping?" Sirius asked as he finished his ice cream. "It'll give us the chance to get to know her better."
Her godfather's suggestion shook Alkaid out of her uncharitable thoughts about Lupin and she turned to her girlfriend for her opinion on the matter.
"Sounds good. She could use more clothes." Pyrrha said with a nod.
"I'll look pretty?" Mina asked with her eyes large and hopeful.
"Always." Alkaid assured her, she was a goddess and should always be radiant. As her mother, the daughter of Hades would make sure of that.
A month later, the new family had settled into a mansion in the California wine district that Alkaid had dipped into her savings to purchase. It had cost a small fortune, but the daughter of Hades felt it was more than worth it especially since it came with a full staff of house elves that took care of all their needs. Mina especially appreciated having the little servants around, mainly because she enjoyed chasing them around and playing with them.
Having the house where it was made commuting back and forth between school and Camp somewhat troublesome but magic made things reasonable, even if the bill for Floo powder was becoming something of a pain. Still, for a stable home life, it was a small price to pay.
All that bonding time had allowed Alkaid and Pyrrha to build a good rapport with their young goddess of a daughter. Even if the demigods were busy with their responsibilities at college and Camp while Mina herself was busy with her training with Mr. D, the family had still spent plenty of time getting to know each other. They had dinner together and family time every night, and made time every weekend to take trips to various sites. Through this Alkaid had learned so much about her daughter.
She's an adorable bundle of contradictions. She's fearless in the face of blood and gore, even raveling at the sight of it, but yet is terrified of bugs. Alkaid mused with a giggle as she recalled the girl running away in abject terror when she'd spotted a spider in the tub just yesterday.
Having made the finishing touches to her make up for her evening at the Ministry of Magic's ball she and Pyrrha were attending that night, the daughter of Hades put away her cosmetics and stepped out of the bathroom to see her daughter gushing over Pyrrha's dress.
"Mama, it's so pretty!" The little girl said enthusiastically as she admired the bright red halter top dress while playing with the sleeves that puffed up midway down her forearm.
"It's not that great." Pyrrha said sounding embarrassed. She wasn't one to normally dress up. Which was a shame, because she pulled off the formal look rather nicely.
Alkaid was certainly an admirer.
"I'm gonna have to agree with Mina here." Alkaid said as she walked over. "The dress is lovely and it makes you look absolutely stunning."
Pyrrha blushed at the compliment and turned to face her only to stop short as she caught sight of Alkaid's outfit.
"Mother looks pretty too!" Mina clapped her hands loudly as she ooh'd and ah'd.
Alkaid smiled in satisfaction as Pyrrha's eyes trailed the deep cleavage v-neck of the black and gold floor length gown that she'd chosen for the night.
Spinning around, Alkaid winked at her daughter, "Of course. Your mother is always a knockout. Mama knows that, right, my love?"
Fluttering her lashes at the redhead, a tongue-tied Pyrrha stammered out her agreement.
Mina looked between her mothers with a knowing look and smiled mischievously.
"Mama and Mother are going to be loud again tonight, aren't you? Mama has that look."
Smirking, Alkaid replied. "I certainly hope so. We have to practice if want we to give you siblings after all."
Pyrrha just groaned. "Do you two have to be so open about it? Thanks to you two our sex life is the talk of Camp, you know that right?"
Mina just blinked in innocent confusion and mouthed the word 'sex' to herself, while Alkaid just lifted her chin proudly in the air. "Let them talk. They can never hope to touch this."
"Mother, what's sex?"
"It's something we'll teach you about when you're older." Alkaid replied easily.
"But I am a grown up!" Mina whined and pouted.
"Not in godly years, sweetie."
Mina just pouted even more adorably and Alkaid had to fight the urge to coo at her.
Pyrrha was apparently made of sterner stuff and managed to keep her cool. "Don't worry, we'll teach all about it when you're ready. Just not now, okay?"
"Yay! I want to sound like Mother! She's always screaming so happily when you get loud."
It seemed the tables had turned and it was now Alkaid's turn to be all embarrassed by their daughter's childish frankness. While not upset at the idea of their sex life becoming gossip, she didn't exactly appreciate everything her loose lipped little girl said about it. In particular, she was unsettled by gaining the reputation of being a screamer.
It made Alkaid just want to crawl into a hole when she first found out. From Chiron no less!
He was surprisingly nonplussed about the whole thing, though he did ask Alkaid to keep her volume down if they ever decided to get it on in Camp.
It was the rest of the reactions that the daughter of Hades could do without.
Lord Dionysus had been so amused by it that he chuckled every time he saw her for a whole week. Then there were the Campers! The dozens of hormonal teenagers had either been amused, scandalized, or worst of all wanted to know more.
What irked Alkaid the most was how Pyrrha could simply shrug it off. Oh sure, she was embarrassed about the whole people talking about their sex life thing but when it came to the bit about Alkaid being, as Connor Stoll put it, 'the loud one in the relationship' she was just fine with it. Heck, she was even proud!
Mina could be the sweetest child most of the time though, so it made up for the mild embarrassment she brought forth. She always went out of the way to show her mothers how much she loved them. Proof of this came in the form of Alecto popping her head through the bedroom door with a reminder for the little girl.
"Miss Mina, the timer just went off on the oven." The Fury told the girl.
"Oh!" The tiny goddess said with a smile as she skipped towards the door. "The cookies are done!"
"You're baking again?"
"Uh-huh." The girl said while bobbing her head. "I put my heart into them mummies. You'll try them when you come home?"
"Of course." Alkaid assured the girl. "Go get them out of the oven before they burn or they won't taste good."
Not that it was likely to happen. Their little goddess was a fantastic baker, much to the couple's shock. Her cookies were to die for.
"'Kay." Mina said before scampering off.
The three women watched the girl go with fond smiles on their faces.
"She's a wonder." Alecto commented. "You're truly blessed by the Fates to have her in your life, Little Lady."
"Thank you for watching her Alecto." Alkaid said in appreciation, ignoring the snub to Pyrrha with the ease of long practice.
Said lover just sighed but made no protest, instead choosing to trail after their daughter and give the daughter of Hades some time alone with her old nanny.
"Nonsense, just as I watched you, I shall watch over her." The Fury said earnestly. "It was a pleasure then and it is now as well."
"Now I wonder what Kaidy was like as a kid." Pyrrha chuckled from further down the hall as Alecto smirked.
"Quite rambunctious if I remember correctly." The Fury said teasingly. "But enough talk, how long are you going to tarry, Alkaid? If you don't leave soon, you'll be late."
"Yes, yes." Alkaid said, trying not to roll her eyes at the chastisement while walking past the older woman to catch up with her lover.
The daughter of Hades found Pyrrha in the kitchen giving Mina a hug goodbye and walked over to the girl.
"Be good for Auntie Alecto, alright?" Alkaid reminded her daughter as she kissed her on the forehead.
"Okay!"
At the cheerful reply, Alkaid smiled and ruffled her silvery locks.
"Enjoy the ball, Mistresses." Cappy, their head house elf said as he popped in and handed the portkey that was their means of transportation to the Ministry ball over to Pyrrha.
"We will." Alkaid assured the servant even as she took a hold of the length of rope that she'd enchanted.
She was just in time for the clock to strike the appointed hour for the portkey's magic to take effect. Her hand had just touched the rope when with the feeling of a hook behind her navel, she and Pyrrha were whisked thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
The ball that the demigoddess couple were attending had been organised by the British Ministry of Magic to celebrate their recent signing of a major trade deal with the muggle British government. As such it was not surprising to them to see a number of muggles attending the event and that there was a equal mix of both wizarding and muggle music being played.
Considering that both Alkaid and Pyrrha had the opinion that wizarding music generally amounted to little more than awful white noise, the latter fact was truly a blessing.
It had turned what they'd feared would have been a drudgery into something somewhat pleasant. A boon which they made full use of as the two danced along with others to the classical muggle music. Alkaid leading them through a dance of twirls and steps.
After the dance and the music changed back into Wizarding tunes, the couple joined the flood of guests escaping the dance floor and headed off to get some drinks. As they did so, they were greeted by an old friend.
"Lady Potter, Pyrrha," Blaise Zabini greeted them with a smile and offered each of them a cup of punch.
"Man, I forgot you had a manservant." Pyrrha grinned, "Sup Zabini? Doing good?"
"Thank you, Blaise." Alkaid offered her friend kindly, even as she idly swatted her girlfriend on the arm for the tease.
The redhead rubbed her arm with a pout.
"I'm doing well." Blaise said as he pulled out a folder, "We have some results for that affair you asked us to look into. We haven't found anything so far, but there are still plenty of suspicious activity for us to look into."
Pyrrha shot Alkaid a questioning eyebrow.
"Just checking a long shot to see if Luke is using the crossroads to move some funds."
"You think he'd do it?"
"No, but some of his patrons might."
Blaise nodded. "There are several Titans such as Ocean and Sun with followings in the Wizarding World, it is entirely possible that they would make use of them."
Pyrrha looked disgruntled at this.
"Fret not, if we can follow the trail, we can snip their economy in the bud."
"Yeah, I think I'll leave this up to you." Pyrrha said with a shake of her head. "As much as I'd like to get back at Castellan, this isn't exactly what I had in mind or what I'm good at doing."
Alkaid smiled at her, one that promised she'd get the chance to crack some skulls later on. For now, it was her skill at business that was getting the chance to shine.
"Alright then, I think I'll leave you two to your plotting." Pyrrha said with a teasing smile before turning to Blaise. "Who's here today? I'll go mingle while you two get things done."
"Most of the old clique are here tonight." Blaise informed the redhead. "I just saw Susan and Hannah catching up on the other side of the ballroom. You might want to start there."
With a thankful nod to the man and a cheerful wave to her lover, Pyrrha sauntered off to find their old friends.
Alkaid watched her go with a tinge of longing. She sorely wanted to catch up with her old schoolmates too. Nevertheless she ruthlessly smothered the feeling. She had business to handle.
"I want most of our resources on trying to track the Titans' monies, Blaise. Any support they have must be severed ASAP."
"Understood, My Lady."
"Good." Alkaid said with a nod. "Now as for the other special project I asked you to do for me."
"The paperwork is complete and uncontestable. To the Wizarding World, the young miss is legally your daughter." Blaise informed her.
Alkaid offered him a radiant smile, "How are they buying the cover story?"
"The Wizarding World believes, as we intended, that you adopted Miss Mina after discovering her magical talent. The muggles though-"
"How are they even involved in this?"
"They have been monitoring the Ministry quite closely lately and apparently came across the paperwork. MI5 sent me a missive saying that it was, and I quote, 'a nice cover story for the wizards but that we aren't as blind.' It then went on to express their thanks for 'dealing with the problem.' I'm honestly not entirely sure what to make of it."
"Of course they would know the truth." The daughter of Hades wrinkled her nose. "I wonder when they'll use it against me. That woman must be biting at the bit."
"Perhaps if you filled me in on the details, I could help keep them in check." The man offered while carefully hinting his displeasure at being kept out of the loop.
"Apologies about that, Blaise." Alkaid said genuinely. "I promise to tell you everything. But not here. I've been busy lately, but I'll be sure to arrange something soon so I can properly brief you."
"Of course, Lady Potter."
"Now that the heavy stuff is out of the way, how are things going with our friends?" The daughter of Hades asked with a light hearted smile.
Following her lead, the Italian wizard relaxed and offered a roguish grin as he replied. "Things are good. Astoria and Gabby have taken over as leaders of the clique at Hogwarts."
"Isn't Gabby only a Second Year?" Alkaid gasped.
Blaise just nodded. "Yes. While she's not you, she's still got a phenomenal amount of charisma. Plus she's teamed up with Astoria who as a Sixth Year and a Greengrass has enough clout to keep even the older members in line."
"A good alliance." The sorceress noted with approval.
"Agreed. It is a good sign of their political acumen."
"Anything else?"
"They've managed to build on and expand the influence we built. They are the most influential group in the school at the moment."
Alkaid hummed, impressed. "So how are our old classmates doing?"
"Apparently they're organizing themselves into a political party." Blaise said with an amused smirk.
"The Wizarding World does not have political parties," The daughter of the Rich One pointed out.
"Agreed, thus why it was so innovative of them."
"And what are they advocating?"
Blaise hummed and said, "They are focusing on education reforms and greater integration with muggles."
"I approve." Alkaid said with a nod. "Give me a more detailed briefing at a later date."
"Of course, My Lady. Though speaking of our old classmates. Do you remember Hermione Granger?"
Alkaid's smile became strained, "Hard to forget."
Blaise looked uncomfortable, "You see, Granger has been working with the Ministry. Though brilliant because of her blood status and poor showing at her interviews, she apparently offended the purebloods on the panel, she was given a joke position at the Centaur Liaison Office. It's basically a job where she wasn't expected to do any actual work, but being the overachiever she is, she decided to visit one of the centaur tribes. Supposedly to help advocate for their rights in the Wizarding World. And she just disappeared."
Frowning, Alkaid asked, "Have they taken her?"
Her loyal butler shrugged his shoulders, "Most likely."
"Have rescue attempts been made? Surely the Ministry won't just abandon her."
"They have launched a search and have been making inquiries, but have been making no progress." Blaise said with a frown. "If the centaurs did take her though, it's unlikely she'll ever be found. Precious few abductees ever are."
Frowning, Alkaid nodded in understanding. She had a run in with a few despicable centaurs and had seen first hand what they could do. It hurt to know how Hermione would suffer a fate similar to those poor Amazons and may never return. Despite their falling out, she still cared for the girl.
I should look into it. I might be able to save her if we can find out her last location.
"Thanks for the update, Blaise." Alkaid offered her friend with a grateful smile. "But I think it's time I go rub elbows with some of the Ministry and muggle officials."
"Best of luck, My Lady." Blaise said while offering her a jaunty wave.
Alkaid strolled around the room, greeting and exchanging pleasantries with a few people. She was soon interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Ah! Madam Alkaid!" An excited accented voice called out. Turning towards its source, the daughter of Hades spotted an angelic and bubbly blonde girl prancing over to her.
In a glamorous blue ball gown, Gabrielle smiled like the little fairy she was. Next to her in a sublime purple dress was Astoria. Seeing how grown up she looked, Alkaid's throat tightened at how much she resembled her older sister.
A small part of her missed Daphne. After all, you could hardly forget your first love. And while she adored Pyrrha as her one and true love, Daphne was still a sore spot in her heart.
"Madam, you look most radiant in that gown. It has been ever so long since we've seen one another. May I ask for a dance?"
"So excitable, Gabby!" Astoria giggled into her gloved hands. "How about conversing with Miss Alkaid first? Like a proper lady."
The half-veela flushed brightly and looked at her crystal slippers.
Alkaid smiled sweetly at the excitable girl. "Now now, Astoria, Gabby is no doubt excited to see me. Still, a dance isn't something I would deny a sweet fairy such as you, my dear."
The French girl looked up at her in awe and blushed like a smitten maiden.
Gods she is such a sweetheart, just like Mina. I wonder if I should arrange a playdate? Mina could use some mortal friends. Alkaid held out her hand and Gabby accepted it as dantily as she could.
Going onto the dance floor, Alkaid took the lead as she led them through a dance. The French girl seemed too overcome by the experience to do much more than blush. As they twirled around the dance floor, the sorceress spotted Pyrrha looking at them with annoyance even as she chatted with Susan and Hannah.
Shooting her lover a amused smile at her jealousy, Alkaid spun them back towards Astoria as the song ended and with a curtsy they stepped apart. Turning to Astoria, the demigoddess graciously offered her the next dance.
Smiling demurely she accepted, but not before shooting Gabby a teasing look that had the French girl pouting adorably.
As they two entered the dance floor, Alkaid smiled at Astoria.
"Tell me, how are things at Hogwarts? I have heard you two have taken over the old clique."
Astoria smiled, "You set the foundation, Gabby and I are simply adding on to it. We've grown a lot, we have roughly a hundred members now."
"That's impressive." Alkaid acknowledged. "Blaise also mentioned that we've become the most influential group in the school?"
"Hehe, hard not to when we have a lot of talented students in the clique. We've been following your example and grooming them while fostering inter-house unity."
As they twirled, Alkaid laughed gently, "I'm pleased then. Grooming young talent and keeping the inter-house unity will greatly benefit everyone in the long term."
"A flowery speech as always, I think I miss that the most. You just led the clique so effortlessly, I don't know how you did it."
Alkaid smiled in reply, saying nothing. She'd watched her Father manage the Underworld for as long as she could remember, so the brunette beauty had just followed his example.
The song ended and Alkaid returned Astoria to Gabby, who the former asked for a dance of her own. The two young girls giggled as they returned to the floor, Astoria teasing Gabby all the while about how she had been whining about how much she'd missed Alkaid but when given the chance to talk to her had been so tongue tied that she'd practically been mute throughout their whole dance.
The daughter of Hades stood there watching them as she was joined by Pyrrha.
"They're cute." The redhead observed as she pulled her lover close. "With all that ribbing, they must be pretty good friends."
"Hm, just look how closely they are dancing though." Alkaid pointed out as Pyrrha's arms wrapped around her stomach.
Pyrrha rolled her eyes, "Not everyone is a lesbian, Kaidy. Though the baby French chick wouldn't mind jumping your bones."
"True, they aren't, but as part Veela, Gabby is at least bisexual, much like myself."
"And Astoria?" The redhead asked, snuggling her closer.
Alkaid shrugged in reply, "I might be wrong, but I do love speculating."
"Great, you might as well plot with Cabin Ten to play matchmaker."
Patting her lover's hands, getting her to let go, Alkaid turned to face her directly so her emerald eyes could look directly into her lover's.
"I'll just let nature take its course for this one. Who knows, I could be wrong and they are just good friends."
"Might be," Pyrrha nodded, "from what I heard from Daphne, her sister's got a thing for Malfoy of all people. Talk about downgrading."
Daphne's here? And Pyrrha talked to her?! Alkaid looked mildly alarmed and Pyrrha rolled her eyes.
"Relax. She's still upset with you, but not as bad as she used to be. Hear she's been a bachelorette for a while, must be still keeping to her high standards while looking for someone like you."
"I...I see."
Pyrrha leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek.
"Don't worry about it. You've got me and Mina, right?"
Alkaid's pale cheeks dusted pink as she smiled.
"Yes. I know."
Alkaid and Pyrrha's moment was interrupted as Sirius stepped off the dance floor and spotted them. He quickly excused himself from his dance partner, a pretty blonde that Alkaid vaguely remembered being a Ravenclaw that had been a year or two ahead of her at Hogwarts.
"Alkaid, Pyrrha, fancy seeing you two here." Sirius said as he walked towards the couple.
"We did mention we'd be attending when we met up last month." Alkaid pointed out with a sigh.
"Did you? I don't recall." The man said with that ever present humor of his.
"We definitely did." Pyrrha shot back. "Is your memory starting to fail you already, old man?"
"Old!? I'm not old!" Sirius replied theatrically, even going as far as to grasp his hand over his heart in shock.
Alkaid rolled her eyes at the display, though Pyrrha giggled.
"Good to see you, Snuffles." Pyrrha teased, using the childish nickname that Lupin had introduced them to. One that the Animagus had apparently been gifted when he'd used his animal form to entertain a group of neighborhood children back at Grimmauld Place.
"Must you? Honestly?"
"Ain't my fault you make yourself so easy." Pyrrha shrugged with a cocky grin.
"And ignoring you for now. So! Alkaid, where's Mina?"
"Hello, Sirius. We didn't think that she's ready for something quite like this yet." Alkaid said with a smile as she gestured towards the elaborate event that was going on around them.
"Aw, a shame then. Hopefully next time." The man frowned but soon smiled again, "How about a dance with this stud dog."
Alkaid just slapped him on the arm in exasperation. "Oh stop being such a wannabe comedian. You're not as funny as you think you are."
"So no dance?"
Rolling her eyes, as she always ended up doing whenever she interacted with her godfather, Alkaid obliged. "I would be delighted."
"Thank you, my fair lady."
Moving onto the dance floor, the two settled into a slow pace to match the tempo of the song being played.
"I'm incredibly proud of you, you know that right?" Sirius said with a genuine smile.
Alkaid nodded, touched.
"I am a little sad that you're been so busy lately though. I'm feeling neglected." The man continued, with a frown though the humor dancing in his eyes gave him away.
The daughter of Hades rolled her eyes again and squeezed her hand on Sirius' arm in annoyance.
"I have been sending you those monthly letters you were so insistent on."
"It's still only once a month." Sirius said with a pout.
Shaking her head in a mixture of exasperation, amusement and frustration at her godfather's behavior.
"I write a lot more than many young adults do to their crazy uncles."
The wizard chuckled, "That's very true. Glad I'm the crazy one though. Still, a few extra visits couldn't hurt."
Flashing a small smile at him, she said, "I'll try, but no promises."
"I'll take it."
"Now about you finally getting a wife…"
"Hey, hey! I'm too free spirited to be tied down." Sirius brushed off the notion immediately.
Quirking her lip, Alkaid wordlessly promised to bring the topic up again. For now though, she might as well throw him a bone. She'd had her fun.
"So I've heard that my friends are starting up their own political party, know anything about it?"
"I might have talked to a couple of them about it." Sirius hedged.
If he is aware of it at all, then I doubt that's all he's done.
"And you didn't donate any money to the cause?" Alkaid asked through narrowed eyes.
"Maybe just a little?" The Wizengamot lord said with a shrug. "I do agree with a lot of their goals. I dunno about this 'party' thing or some of their pro-muggle stuff, but as a whole they have my vote."
"You're not just saying that, right?" Alkaid asked suspiciously.
"'Course not." Sirius scoffed. "I'm not stupid enough to think of currying favour with you through your friends. Not only would that offend you, it would have pissed them off too. I might act like it at times, but I'm no fool."
Alkaid nodded in approval. "Just checking."
They spent the rest of the dance chatting about lighter topics. Mainly ribbing on Remus for what even Sirius felt was his 'stick-in-the-mud' attitude to life.
They were thus in a good mood as they parted. Though on Sirius' part that might have a lot to do with the pretty blonde from earlier asking him for another dance. From the lust radiating off the two of them, Alkaid really hoped one of them remembered to use contraceptives. She'd had more than enough surprise additions to the family in the last few months already. Thank you very much.
These thoughts were blasted out of her mind however as she spotted Pyrrha nervously conversing with the Sorceress Supreme.
As shocking as that was, what really stopped Alkaid from entering the conversation was the sheer beauty of the dress that Sakura was wearing. It was a ivory floor length dress with a slight train and a band at the waist that served as a belt which emphasized the powerful magician's hourglass figure and modest bust. The outfit was completed by a over robe that was covered in designs that along with its flowing sleeves made it reminiscent of a kimono. Altogether the fusion style dress made the light brown haired woman with her beautiful natural mix of caucasian and Japanese features look even more of a embodiment of the combination of East and West than she usually was.
"Lady Sakura, a pleasure to see you once again." Alkaid bowed her head respectfully and walked up to stand next to Pyrrha. Her lover looked relieved with her by her side as the smaller woman looked up at the two.
"Alkaid, it's been forever." She smiled kindly at the duo, "I was just talking to Pyrrha here. She's a sweetheart."
"She says that about everyone." A animated stuffed toy with yellow-orange fur, big ears, and small, white wings said as it floated over to the group, a slice of cake thrice its size floating beside it.
"Kero-chan, please. At least show some dignity here."
"It's not like anyone can see me. My wonderful and brilliant Mistress had the foresight to cast invisibility and "notice-me-not" charms on me after all." The creature singsonged before literally diving into the cake and starting to devour it.
Sakura just sighed in exasperation.
"And there are plenty of people here who can see past that. Or did you forget Lady Williams?"
Alkaid filed away the fact that Morgan was apparently here and hadn't come to cause her any trouble. Hopefully that meant she had stopped wanting to make her life miserable.
"I do not recall the event in question." The creature said as it stuck its cake covered face out of its treat to retort.
Its mistress just groaned.
"If you ever find yourself ever needing a magical guardian, make sure they know how to properly behave, girls."
"He's your familiar?"
"Yes." "Yup!"
The pair responded in sync.
"Your dress is lovely, Alkaid." Sakura complimented, trying to move the conversation away from her familiar's antics.
"Thank you, My Lady. But it pales in comparison to your own. May I know who designed it?"
The woman flushed a bit, though the shy smile she wore spoke volumes.
"Tomoyo! My Mistress' mistress!" The stuffed toy familiar announced cheerfully, and dare she say it, proudly.
"Kero-chan!" The Sorceress Supreme hissed, her face red with embarrassment.
"You're having an affair?" Pyrrha blurted out, her shock overcoming her sense of caution towards the Greatest Magician Alive.
Alkaid held her hand over Pyrrha's mouth, worried she might have offended the very powerful sorceress. Though she too was surprised someone like Sakura would do that.
"I-It's not like that. It's, uh, what did Tomoyo-chan call it? Kero-chan help me out."
"Polyamory." The familiar said helpfully. "My Mistress is in a polyamorous relationship with her husband and her mistress."
"...That's hot." Alkaid muttered. Quickly, she covered her own mouth. Apparently she could not trust her own voice either.
"That's what Syaoran-kun said." Sakura said with a defeated sigh. "It's what everyone ever says."
"The brat only said that after Tomoyo promised to share the tapes she makes of you two going at it like rabbits." Kero said with a teasing smirk that had its mistress blushing radiantly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Don't be, only she complains about it." The plush shook his head.
"B-Because it's not proper!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't you have something to tell them about besides your amazing love life?"
Sakura swatted at her familiar who deftly flew out of the way, still buried in his half eaten sugary treat. Unfortunately for him, his mistress wasn't intent on letting him off that easily and had in the same gesture unleashed some of her other familiars to punish their counterpart. A small bird like creature with a fish-like tail, thin wings and a long tuft of hair sprouting from its little round head and a pair of small cogs on its upper body as well as a a pair of falcon sized birds made of fire and water respectively with a crown that hovered over their heads chased after him. In the face of that, the stuffed animal fled in his confectionary chariot as his fellows chased after him.
"...What a lively display." The daughter of Hades uneasily commented.
"Hmph, that should keep him occupied. Now, let's never talk about that ever again. Understood, girls?" Sakura puffed out her cheeks and did her best to look stern.
"Yes ma'am!"
Sighing in relief, Sakura quickly schooled her features into a serious cast before addressing the couple.
"I've have some bad news. There's a rogue arcanist here in London, one that the local groups have been unable to handle. I was hoping I could ask you two to deal with him."
"And why not yourself? Surely you could end this individual with ease."
The Sorceress Supreme frowned, "Sadly, there are jurisdictional issues. Red tape sure can be a pain. Being the granddaughter of Clow Reed doesn't help. The Crown still hasn't forgotten how he's the product of his father cheating on a princess with a Chinese sorceress."
"You have a complicated family history, My Lady." Pyrrha observed.
Sakura shrugged and gestured at Alkaid. "It seems to be the norm for powerful magicians. The mixing of magical bloodlines in unorthodox ways seems to tend towards brilliance. Isn't Alkaid herself not a child of a god and a descendant of the fae?"
The brunette blinked in surprise. She hadn't known that Lily Potter had fae blood.
"My mother was part fae?"
"She was at least eight generations removed from her, but her ancestor was one of the line of Titania herself." Sakura confirmed.
"...Then why does that crazy fae woman harass you so much?" Pyrrha asked in bewilderment.
"Fae don't care about non-fae relations." Alkaid explained. "That said, how did my mother not know."
"Fae blood is fickle." Sakura said soothingly. "Even changelings, first generation hybrids, tend to only get a smidgen of their magic. Over the generations it is likely that your mother's family completely lost its magic until by some quirk of genetics it reawoke in your mother. Though it does tends to lead to quite impressive results when that does happen."
Alkaid nodded as she processed the information. It took a moment, but she eventually collected herself and turned her attention to the matter at hand.
"As for your task, may we ask for more details?"
"Of course. From what I've heard, the arcanist in question has been using his magic to turn people into mindless pleasure dolls for sale on the black market. From what was uncovered, he shatters their minds and strips away their memories to make them malleable. It's atrocious!" The Japanese woman fumed as if she wished to go take this monster down right now.
Pyrrha growled, equally furious. Alkaid herself was also incensed but she kept her cool, and pressed for more information.
"Do we have any clues?"
"Unfortunately not. The man is indiscriminate in who he targets. Men, women, even children and he has been known to operate throughout the city. As a result, we have not even been able to build a profile of his victims and narrow down his base of operations using that." Sakura informed them regretfully.
"Though he has been known to capture specific targets upon request. The local magicians considered exploiting that, but-" The sorceress trailed off, looking if possible even more furious.
"You didn't want to put anyone at risk?"
Sakura nodded. "There were volunteers, but I couldn't allow it."
Both demigoddesses nodded sympathetically. They wouldn't stand for anyone risking a fate like that either.
"We'll get it done. I assure you." Alkaid told the Sorceress Supreme with confidence, while Pyrrha gave her own determined nod.
"May hitsuzen be with you then." The Japanese woman said as she gave them both a respectful bow.
Omake: Little Goddess Fashion Show
"I wanna go!" Mina whined as she rolled around on Alkaid and Pyrrha's bed.
The couple had been looking over the selection of dresses that they'd had to choose from for the upcoming Ministry ball and had decided to bring their new daughter into the process as a bit of family bonding. Only now it seemed to have backfired terribly.
"Mina, darling, acting like this just shows how you are not ready to come with mummies during an event." Alkaid told her sternly.
"Mina is a good girl! I want to go!" The childish goddess complained and banged her fists against a pillow. Obliterating it in the process.
"Can you promise, and be truthful, that you'll be able to be in a large crowd and not try to kill anyone?"
"I wouldn't, Mother! I promise." Mina said before pouting while biting her lower lip.
"Mina, kiddo, you bite your lip when you're lying. It's not nice to lie to us."
The ashen haired girl gasped and covered her mouth. Her green-yellow eyes glared adorably at her Mama.
Sighing, Alkaid knelt down to her level and brushed at her loose locks. "How about this? Mother promises to buy you some fancy dresses to dress up in. So when you're ready for the next party, you can come with us."
Mina nodded with a pout on her face, "At least I get to play dress up."
A few days later, a whole new wardrobe had arrived from mail order for Mina and now her mothers were sitting in her room to let her show off her new purchases.
Smiling brilliantly, Mina stepped out of her bathroom dressed in a new pearl pink A-line ball gown, complete with floor length court train and flower ruching that her Mother had bought for her.
Alkaid clapped enthusiastically as the little goddess twirled around the room, all while smiling brilliantly. Meanwhile, Pyrrha was busy snapping away at a digital camera.
Mina was a whirlwind of bubbly laughter as she spun around in her fancy new clothes.
"This is great mummies! I've seen lots of ladies in fancy dresses, but I never thought I'd get to wear one! Haha, this is fun! I'm a princess!"
"Well, since you are my daughter and I'm a Princess of the Underworld, you technically are too." Alkaid politely clapped as she watched her daughter stop and look at her in shock.
"I-I am?"
"Of course."
Tears welled in the goddess eyes as she ran up to Alkaid and pulled her into a tight hug.
Smiling pleasantly, Pyrrha snapped a picture of the heartwarming scene.
Those dresses cost a fortune, but this makes it worth it. Alkaid thought to herself as she hugged her daughter even more tightly. Exchanging a look with Pyrrha, she knew they were in total agreement.
And done, thanks to the team of Nameless and Axios as always.
Man, what a chapter. Am I right guys? I mean, murder lolis, danger, cake! It was all there, no?
Nameless: So this chapter is something of a filler to see how our heroines react to suddenly becoming mothers. Of the goddess of serial killers no less! We tacked on the ball scene at the end to catch people up on the Harry Potter side of things, which will sporadically make appearances in the story from now onwards. Sorry for those of you who want us to give it more focus but for the most part Alkaid has moved past that part of her life and the story is reflecting that.
And yes, Sakura is back with her Clear Cards...which we hate but we won't get into that. Not here anyway. And yes, Tomoyo is Sakura's mistress, I mean come on guys...she's Sakura-sexual and I doubt Syaoran would argue against it. There, that's said and done.
Nameless: Syaoran is kinda whipped in every incarnation of the CLAMPverse as far as I can tell. Sure, he'd keep secrets from her and what not, but he seems to be willing to do anything for Sakura's sake. So what's letting her keep a lesbian lover on the side?
SxT, SxT!
So Alkaid actually has fae blood in her, we thought it would be some nice lore fluff and help explain her magical power level.
Nameless: As for the mission Sakura sent the girls on? Well, I won't deny its more filler but it's filler with purpose. It establishes the precedent of Alkaid and Pyrrha doing missions for Sakura which is pertinent later in the story.
You know what to do! Smash that review button and tell us what you love! No flames and peace off my peeps.