Authors Note1: Sorry it took so long, have too much work at the moment. I changed the time they have until the festival starts from two weeks to five, sounds more realistic.
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Bell had made many experiences over his time in Orario, but being part of a festival preparation wasn´t one he had made so far. The big festival should start in two weeks and it would take about three days.
Starting at the last day of a normal week, and the two days of the weeks end...the gods liked to have fun over more than just one day. Also the mortals in Orario wanted to have some nice times too, it was a time to let loose a bit and enjoy the life.
Since what was the purpose of facing dangers in the dungeon when someone wouldn´t enjoy the life now and then? But still, Bell would have never thought that he would one day take part in a stage play...and that he would play Argonaut!
He really had to thank Hermes for that chance...and for what he had whispered to him. Bell of course couldn´t know that Hermes immediately sent a letter to a certain god after Bell agreed, informing him about his plan, except for a secret agenda...
But right now, Hermes was begging Mia Grande on his knees to allow two special waitresses of her to get the evening of the third day free to help him...and he begged those two to help him with the stage play. Since he would need a female, elven bard and a singer.
Ryu was not really sure if she should do it...but the expression in Syr´s eyes and the begging of her goddess convinced her...Astrea wanted to see her beloved child dressed in a nice outfit...and Ryu would do everything for her goddess and Syr...if Mia would agree. Mia gave her consent under one condition, Hermes´ Familia had to do some things for her, mostly getting special ingredients from the dungeon for her.
And Syr demanded a beautiful dress, she wanted to shine next to Ryu.
In the morning of the next day, Bell visited the Twillight Mansion again. He knew that Ais wasn´t here, she went into the city with Tiona and Tione...and that was actually according to his plan...it was better that Ais wasn´t here at the moment. He waved friendly to the two guards at the door,
Bell got a free pass from Loki to come and go whenever he wanted. But strangely, Loki said something that he wasn´t allowed to just go and come whenever he wanted...Bell didn´t understood what she meant with that. When he entered the building, Bell asked the elf Alicia if it would be possible for him to talk with Loki and Riveria in privat. She nodded and told him that she would ask her goddess and Riveria. The twillight Mansion was rather empty, since the Loki Familia enjoyed a bit time of peace after the fight. Bell smiled when he walked past the hallway of the mens rooms and noticed just barely Raul entering his room, kissing with someone that had cat ears and a tail.
He had become friends with Raul and was happy that things seemed to go well with him and Anakitty. Not minding further to let them alone, he continued his way to Loki´s office. But to reach it he had to walk past the library...and as many times before, a very familiar elf was inside it.
"Good morning, Lefiya."
"Ah, good morning Bell!"
Lefiya smiled happily, due to everything that had happened between them, she had really opened up to him.
"You look as beautiful as always...no wait...maybe even more than usual."
"Mou Bell...you shouldn´t say things like this to any girl except Ais, you know?"
"I wouldn´t tell that to anyone else, only Ais and you."
The feelings between Lefiya and Bell had become deeper than in the past, not in a romantic sense, more like...siblings.
"Oh, you have something there."
Lefiya naturally leaned her head down a bit when Bell moved his hand up, gently pulling thread of dust out of her hair.
She smiled shyly and blushed a bit when he dared to pat her head one time. This had happened a few times when she was part of his Familia, it just felt so natural between them...as if they were actual siblings...or had some connection between their souls that let them feel like this.
He was the only male person beside her future husband that would ever be allowed to touch her body.
"Ehe, thank you, Bell."
"Have you seen Ms. Riveria?"
"Lady Riveria went to Loki´s office...why?"
"Promise to not tell anyone?"
"Of course."
"Pinky promise?"
Lefiya giggled. "Sure."
Bell looked left and right before showing her the reason, Lefiya squeaked in joy.
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Bell knocked softly and waited.
"Come in."
After opening, he saw Loki and Riveria in the office of the goddess.
"Ah, little rabbit."
"Good morning, Bell."
"Good morning, Lady Loki, Ms. Riveria."
Riveria wore her usual green robe and dark pantyhose, but instead of boots she wore...slippers. Loki didn´t seemed to care much and used her boots and blue outfit.
"It is rare to see you without Ais these days."
"What brings you here, Bell?"
Bell closed the door and walked towards them.
"The reason that I am here is exactly because Ais isn´t here. Ms. Tiona and Ms. Tione were so kind to invite her into the city."
"Oh? So you have business with us?"
"Yes, there is something I would like to talk with you about."
Loki leaned back in her chair, crossed her hands behind her back and waited. "I´m all ears."
Bell cleared his throat for a moment, before focussing on Loki, putting on his serious tone.
"Lady Loki, goddess and leader of the Loki Familia. As a member of another Familia, I came with urgent buisness to you on this day, regarding your follower Ais Wallenstein."
Riveria slightly raised an eyebrow at Bell´s tone.
Don´t tell me he...
"Oh? Someone sounds serious, eh? What is it, little rabbit?"
Bell stepped forward and pulled something out of his pocket, a tiny box. He placed the box on the table in front of Loki, so that Riveria could see it too and opened it...there was a golden ring inside.
"O-Oh my...l-little rabbit...that is so suddenly..."
"Loki why are you blushing? I´m very sure Bell doesn´t mean you..."
"Let me have some fun, Riveria!"
Loki showed a wide grin when Bell continued.
"Goddess Loki as you know I love Ais more than anything in the world. Since you are her goddess and she belongs to a different Familia, I came to ask you on this day. Will you allow me to ask her for her hand in marriage?"
Riveria´s smiled widened.
Finally...my little girl...
"Hehe, was about time eh? Was waiting for this. Now tell me little rab-..No..Bell Cranel...what can you offer me?"
"I will always care for Ais, I will love her beyond the end of the world. I will never betray her trust. She is the only woman I will ever love and never put my eyes on another. Whatever difficulties await us on our way, I will get through them with her."
"Sounds good, add lots of children and I´m in."
"*Cough*"
"Loki, that´s a bit much right away."
"Yeah, yeah you are right Riveria. Allright little rabbit, I give you the permission to ask my little Ais. As long as you make her happy I´m all in."
Bell bowed down deep. "I thank you, lady Loki."
After getting permission from Loki, he turned to Riveria.
"Now Bell, why am I here exactly? You only need Loki´s permission."
"Ms. Riveria, I want to ask you something too."
"Oh?"
"I´m not giving you my little Ri-Ri too! One girl is enough! Okay maybe Lefiya...but not three!" Loki slammed on the table.
"Loki!"
Riveria´s body jerked and she blushed deeply all the way up to her ears.
Suddenly, Bell felt an icecold chill by her gaze to him. "Bell, you better forgot the name you just heard..."
"Wh-What name? I-I didn´t heard anything..."
"Good..."
Bell coughed lightly to cover his embarrassement.
"No, what I want to ask you is something else."
Riveria found her balance back and looked at him with crossed arms.
"Ms. Riveria. I know that you mean the world to Ais. You are far more than just a Familia member for her and she looks up to you. For her you are very close to a certain person and as much as I heard...you care about Ais a lot too."
I have a bad feeling where this is going...
Bell took a deep breath. "So Ms. Riveria, I want to ask for your permission too, to propose to Ais. I know that she sees you as her "Mom"...so...I want to ask...Ms. Riveria...will you...entrust your daughter to me? Will you allow me to marry your daughter, Ais?"
He bowed deeply before Riveria at the end of his sentence.
Silence followed. Loki´s cheeks arched more and more as she tried to contain to burst into laughter. Riveria´s expression was...strange. A bit perplexed..shocked...touched...and...pleased.
Hah...how much of a mother can I be...I´m not that old...
Riveria took a deep breath.
"Bell, look at me, please."
His expression was serious, for him it wasn´t a joke nor did he tried to make fun of her. For him, Riveria was the mother of Ais that he wanted to ask for permission. Ais was much more for her than just a girl she took care of.
"Bell Cranel. *Sigh*...Do you promise to love my little Ais? To protect her, care for her, be there for her, help her with her problems, never betray her."
"I promise."
Riveria nodded with all the seriousness and grace that she was capable of.
"Then I, Riveria Ljos Alfr will give you my approval to propose to Ais. Make her happy, Bell."
Again he bowed deep down before her.
"I thank you, Ms. Riveria."
Riveria showed him a light smile. "I really appriciate that you came here only for that."
"Then I you´ll excuse me, I have to go before Ais returns."
"Hehe, feel free to go, lover boy."
"Mmmh..."
"Loki, don´t tease him. Have a safe trip, Bell."
He bowed down again and left the room.
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"Hehe...your little girl is going to marry...Mommy."
Riveria got slightly red again. "Who is a Mom..."
"Hehe...you totally are, Riveria."
"Mmh.."
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Lefiya did her best to hold in her excitement.
Bell is going to propose to Ais! They will get married! Wait...D-Does that mean...when they...kiss afterwards...they will...have a baby? Aaaaaaah! I can´t waaaaait!
"Excuse me."
"Huh?"
Lefiya turned around when she heard a male voice behind her...someone that visited her Familia´s home too.
"God Hermes?"
"Little Lefiya, do you have some minutes? I would like to ask you something."
"Sure, I guess."
"Hehe, now listen..."
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A few hours later Bell returned to the Loki Mansion again. Loki and Riveria had given out an order that everyone had to pretend they didn´t saw him today, to keep it a secret from Ais that he was there earlier.
Loki took it on herself to inform Raul and Anakitty, she had really much fun to knock on the door and waited. Grinned even more when the door only opened slightly and Anakitty´s head appeared, while she tried to hide behind the door, Loki noticed that she only had a blanket around her body.
"L-Loki? Wh-What brings you here."
"Just wanted to tell you, you didn´t saw the rabbit this morning." Loki´s expression told Anakitty that she was serious.
"O-Okay."
"Now continue to have fun you two."
"Mmmh..."
"Also, I expect some cute kitten soon!"
"L-Loki you dummy!"
Anakitty shut the door and Loki went her way, whistling.
The reason this time was equally serious to his first visit of the day, but from another nature. Bell went to the Loki Familia´s armory this time, and more people would be present. After knocking on the door, it was opened from the inside.
"Come in, Bell Cranel."
"Thank you Mr. Finn."
Except for Finn there were other people too. Riveria, Gareth, Ais and Loki. When Ais looked to Riveria, Loki winked shortly to Bell. There was also someone else that he didn´t expected.
"Ah, Belli! Hidiho!"
"Mmmf!"
Tsubaki put her arm around Bell and hugged him to her chest, he couldn´t react much, since he didn´t wanted to put his hands on her body.
"Man you´ve really grown! How are your sword and armor? Still good? Man I´m so happy that you will be part of the Expeditions now! Will be lots of fun!"
"Tsubaki...please let go of Bell...he can´t breath like this...and it is inappropriate." Riveria sighed.
"Hm? A I don´t mind a bit touch of my chest, don´t care bout em much."
Tsubaki still let him go and patted his shoulder.
"So let us come to the topic of the day, as I told you before, we want to discuss this."
Finn pointed with his hand to the side, there were various items put on a big table and a few on the ground.
The dropp items from the Hydra.
There were six giant scales on the ground as well as a few hornplates, each of them bigger than a normal used shield. On the table itself were teeth and an enormous horn. What caught their attention the most, was the indigo colored orb in the middle of all the items.
"We wanted to talk about what to do with these items."
Bell noticed smiling that Tsubaki was shaking slightly, her hands twitched...she really wanted to work with these items.
"Normally when our party earns the items, we would decide what to do with them. But you Bell and you Ais defeated the Hydra nearly alone, while Ottar destroyed two of the heads, he already claimed he got his reward for serving his Mistress. So this time it is for Ais and Bell to decide what we will do with this."
Ais and Bell could literally feel Tsubaki´s intense stare, her trembling lower lip and the tears in the corner of her eyes...she reeeeaaaally wanted to work with this unknown stuff.
"Do you have an idea, Bell?"
"Ahm, if you could let me take two of these scales, two hornplates and a few teeth, I would be happy. Not too much of course, and only if it is okay...I have the feeling Welf really would like to work with them."
"Is that all, Bell Cranel? Not more?"
"No, I think it is for the best if you use the rest to make equipment. I will join your Expeditions too, so it only makes sense, I guess."
"You are really humble, Bell." Riveria smiled.
"Besides that...there are many people in this Familia that I like...I would feel sorry if one gets hurt because he or she didn´t had the best equipment possible. Also, I have already so much to thank for, Ms. Tsubaki helped a lot with my sword and armor, it is only fair."
Tsubaki´s eyes shone. "Haaaaah! You are such a good boy Belli!"
Before Tsubaki could press him onto her chest again, something that glowed green and golden moved way faster than anyone could see. Bell felt his face pressed into something heavenly...Ais´ cleavage.
"Bell is my rabbit..."
The sight of the pouting Ais was beyond adorable...and that she defended her "property".
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"Bell, I love you!"
"Welf? What is with you?"
"I suddenly have the feeling that Bell did something great for me! My brother from another mother!"
"You are strange..sometimes..."
Hephaistos raised an eyebrow while she looked at the man she had fallen for.
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"Weeeeeeelcome my dear children! Thank you for coming this early!"
Hermes threw his arms into the air as he greeted the people in front of him. It was the early morning of the next day...the very early morning. The sun was only about to rise when Hermes welcomed them in the home of his Familia.
Except for Bell and Ais, there were quite a few people here, some of the Loki Familia, some of Bell´s own...and even a few from the pub. Lefiya yawned from time to time, swaying slightly back and forth, she ended leaned against Bell with her head resting at his shoulder.
Ais didn´t minded it, she felt that there was no "danger" coming from Lefiya. Next to Ais waited Riveria who was a bit unpleased about Lefiya´s behaviour, but she said nothing. Tiona and Tione were equally tired, there were up for a long time last evening.
On Bell´s other side...Haruhime did the same as Lefiya, she was still very sleepy or else she would probably have fainted from leaning against Bell.
Asfi waited next to her god, her arms filled with papers. A few of Hermes´ children were also there, he made sure that Laurier wasn´t among them, it would hurt the poor elf if she saw Bell with Ais. She had fallen for him after he saved her life from monsters...but it would never be, since he had Ais.
"God Hermes, could you please yell a bit more quiet..."
"Oh of course, Riveria!"
Asfi in the backround looked a bit troubled. "I apologize for him..."
"Okay let us not waste time and start right away! You all agreed to take part in the stage play and I want to thank you for that. It shall become a really big show and the most important thing is, that you all have fun and experience something new!
That said, I plan to make this the greatest stage play that ever existed!"
Hermes climbed on a small box so that everyone could see him, they could see him anyway but well...Hermes just had fun.
"A few of you already know that, but the play is called "The journey of Argonaut", and it will be about an adventure of the hero Argonaut, that sets out to defeat the Demon Queen, a being of unrivaled beauty that stands atop all demonic beings.
Our male lead role will be Bell and for our demon queen, the lovely Ais!"
"Unrivaled beauty? *Püh*" Syr pouted by his words.
"D-Don´t worry little Syr! You have a special role and will not directly take part in the play, so technically she isn´t compared to you...okay?"
"Hmm...okay!" She smiled.
Hermes wiped his forehead shortly before he continued.
"So to explain it further, the play won´t take part directly in Orario, but my children are preparing the stage outside, we found an old castle that can be used. We could have used the old fortress...but someone...olbiterated it..."
Bell whistled innocently.
"The heroes party will start a bit away from Orario, the journey will also include the way and the dialogues on the way, so it will go for over an hour."
Hermes showed them a map that Lulune of his Familia had made for him.
"Bell you will start about here, move this way, that way, over here, there, here, back to here, over there and then finally here."
"Uhm...ah...o..kay?"
"Don´t worry, you will have enough time to practice, there are four and a half weeks left."
"So, I will just sit in the castle and wait?"
"I´m sorry little Ais, but yes. You can use the time to remember your lines and think about some cool fight scenes, since Bell knows you good enough, I´m sure he can adjust to it. Also, and I really have to ask you two this...please don´t obliterate the castle, you two are at level seven and so you should hold back a bit.
On top of that, you will get special weapons for this day, they will look flashy and have the Durandal effect, but that is all. I want to give everyone a good show, so fight to your hearts content without destroying the castle. In addition, everyone that takes part in the fight scenes will receive a pendant from my lovely Asfi over here!
They will prevent you from getting hurt, we want to give a good show and not some real fights. The whole show will be transferred by my magical mirrors, so they have the divine rule. Which means no blood wounds, gore or nudity will be seen, it will get blurry at that part. So just in case someone gets his or her costume damaged don´t be worried."
Hermes took a deep breath before continuing.
"On a few places of the road there will be points that Bell has to reach to show the whole story and get companions. The first one i-...Wait...where is Finn?"
"Finn excuses himself but he has work to do, god Hermes. I will inform him later."
"Oh okay, alright, thank you Riveria."
"Where were I...right! Okay so the first point is over here where the you will meet the first minion of the demon queen."
"Fighting against boss? Sounds great!"
Otara´s eyes gleamed, her ears twitched and her racoon tail wagged. Hermes had tried to get Bete for the role of the "beast person battle maniac", but he had to decline...he had promised Lena to spend the festival together with her.
"God Hermes, can I keep my lance? It is my favorite weapon!"
"Since Bell is two levels above you...I think it should be okay. But it is a shame...we wanted to prepare a special spear weapon for you."
"Oh?"
Hermes showed her a drawing. The spear was more a halberd or rather a mixture of spear and halberd. There was a small hook at the end part and the front wasn´t a normal spear tip, but it looked somehow a bit like a sword blade, with only one cutting edge.
What really stood out, the blade was attached to a repertier boltthrower, an armless version of a crossbow, the blade sat below the muzzle, the shaft was filled with ornaments and the trigger was down on the perfect position to use the spear with both hands and fire it at the same time.
"What is THIIIIIS?! I never seen a weapon like that!"
"Oh one of my children likes to experiment, I wanted to let you keep the weapon to test it...but if you want to use your ow-"
"I TAKE IT!"
Otara´s tail wagged even stronger, Bell could see her drool because the drawing of the weapon...this woman loved her weapons.
Hermes grinned. "Fine, okay onto the next spot. Argonaut will have to visit this holy temple, guarded by the beautiful Miko, to receive the blessing of the goddess of Justice! Oh wait...little Ryu, where is Astrea?"
"Lady Astrea is busy this morning, I´m sorry god Hermes but she wants to excuse herself, also...she said she wanted to go on a d-d-d-date...on this day."
"Hmm oh..right, okay. Lucky Ganesha I guess..."
Riveria raised her hand a bit. "God Hermes."
"Yes, Riveria?"
"There were no gods during the time of the hero Argonaut, it wouldn´t make sense to let him meet her."
"Ack!" Hermes made a shocked face.
"Didn´t you knew that?" She raised an eyebrow.
"O-O-Of c-course I knew! It was just a minor mistake! Pssst Asfi...any idea what we can change the goddess to?"
"How about an artefact for the heroes?"
"Sounds good!"
"Okay, so the beautiful Miko will test the heroes to grant them entrance to the temple, played by the adorable Haruhime!"
Haruhime was a bit embarrassed about the attention.
Hermes continued to describe the path of the stage play, as well as the points where different actors would have their moment.
"God Hermes."
"Yes, little Ryu?"
"You didn´t said where Syr and I will have our position."
"Oh you two will stay in Orario, you are providing us with the backround music."
"Huh?" Ryu blinked.
"Astrea raved about how good of a singer you are, and that you can play the spirit harp and violin."
"Mot-...*Cough*...Lady Astrea did what?"
"Oh she was so proud of you, so I wanted you to take the role of Ryulu, the elven bard that accompanied Argonaut. Together with me you will be the narrator, then you will play the instruments to give Orario the perfect backround music for the journey and fights. And our lovely Syr will sing to your music, to make it truly epic! You two will be visible the whole time through an extra mirror."
"Ack..."
Ryu didn´t liked much attention...she was granted amnesia by the gods for what she did and her blacklisting was taken back and she was officially recognized as the captain of the Astrea Familia. It was Freya´s idea to do that, since Astrea wasn´t allowed to ask for that, as her goddess.
"Ryu! This will be so much fun!" Syr´s eyes shone.
"Syr...I´m not so sure..."
"Aw c´mon...for me?"
"Syr..."
Freya used her special, secret weapon. She looked up to Ryu, using her puppy eyes and used the very special sentence.
"Is it...no good?"
Mmmmh!
Ryu got red when Syr looked at her like that...she was too weak against her.
"Okay..."
"Yuhu! I love you, Ryu!"
"S-Syr...stop hugging me like that...everyone is watching...wait! D-Don´t rub your cheek against my ear...geez...you are just like Alise..."
To take the focus away from the embarrassed elf, Hermes continued.
"Okay, so that everyone knows who has which role, I will tell you. On the heroes side we have Bell as Argonaut and Lefiya as his little sister Fina."
"I´m older than Bell..."
"But he is taller, also Fina was said to be Argonaut´s little sister."
"Okay.."
I will be Bell´s...little sister?
"Later you will meet the Miko played by Haruhime and the "Fire Devil", Crozzo, played by Welf. Gareth will play the gatekeeper and will fight together with Tiona as the Oni. And also to answer your question from yesterday Tiona, yes you have to wear underwear in addition to your costume."
"Meh..."
"This isn´t supposed to be a lewd play."
"What´s lewd about that?"
"Tiona...most of the people in Orario aren´t amazons, they think different."
"Okay okay.
Hermes waved over to Tione. "The lovely Tione will fight together with Finn, he will be the handsome prince and you are the succubus that fell for him and got pure due to his love, having only eyes for him and protecting him with all you have."
Sounds not so different from normal.
Lefiya wondered if that was on purpose.
"Our saint Amid will play...well the Saint. Little Mikoto agreed to play the ninja."
"Why a ninja?"
"Because it is cool!"
"Oh...okay."
"And last but not least, the lovely Riveria will play the Ice queen, the foster mother of the demon queen. She who is the strongest out of all the demons under the demon queen´s rule and an incredible strong mage. She will be the last boss before the demon queen, and it will be mostly Fina´s, Crozzo´s and the Miko´s part to face her."
Not too far from reality again.
Lefiya giggled...then she gulped heavily as she thought about facing Riveria in a magic fight.
"We have already the first drawings for your costume, Riveria!"
Hermes held up a drawing...the costume looked incredible...but showed lots of skin...lots...lots of skin.
"Declined."
"Huh?"
"I´m not wearing that."
"B-But...I..."
"No buts, declined."
A dangerous glow came to Riveria´s eyes and Hermes swallowed.
"O-Okay...we will change it."
"Thank you, god Hermes."
Asfi leaned to Hermes and whispered loud. "See? I told you she isn´t going to agree with it!"
"R-Right, okay but we also have a first protoype of Ais´ costume!"
Hermes pulled something out of a box, the costume looked even more incredible but...
"Declined...I´m not wearing that."
"WHY?!"
"Too much skin...only...Bell is allowed...to see me like that..."
"Hah..."
"God Hermes, I thought you said this isn´t going to be a lewd stage play?"
"Th-These were the only costumes that were a bit risky! I swear! But we will change them."
Riveria still held her eyebrow raised.
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Later...Ais would ask Asfi if she could have the demon queens outfit that she just declined. No one would ever see her in that...except Bell...
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Authors Note 2: I had to include that Bell asks Loki and Riveria for permission. Next chapter the preparations will continue and will be called "Night date", and include what Bell and Ais do on a date at night, nothing lewd I can promise.