Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon: The Prophecy (Short Story) Part 2
The Hestia Familia:
Entering the Mansion, all of his Familia was there. Though Lilliluka was out of breath from running. Bell suspected that Lili had run to one of the Windows attempting to overhear what he and Ais were talking about or at least be a chaperon. He also suspected it was Hestia who had sent her. After introductions, they all moved to the Living Room and sat down. "So what does Ais Whaterhuzit want?" Hestia asked giving the young woman one of her best frowns. Completely not liking the fact that Bell was sitting next to the young woman across from her. But she had to be at least cordial since Bell had invited Ais inside. To her dismay and frustration. He told her exactly what Ais was there for and Hestia did not like it. Voicing her opinion loudly and verbally. "It will be a cold day in summer before I would agree to that." She declared.
"Actually Goddess it might be beneficial to us all and the Familia." Lili said from one of the other Coaches and Hestia glared over at her. "Think about it. As Partner Familia's we would be able to go on Quests and Adventures with them."
"Who else thinks it is a good idea?" Hestia asked looking about to the others. Slowly Welf Crozzo rose his right hand, then Mikoto Yamato and finally Haruhime Sanjōno. Growling she inhaled sharply. "Fine don't let it be said that I am not reasonable. But I want all aspects of this Partnership in writing and more importantly.." She smirked and gave a soft chuckle. "I want Loki to apologize to me personally. Then I might consider it." She stood and looked down at Ais. "It is late...so I guess to be a good host...you may spend the night in one of our Guest Rooms and join us for dinner." She said forcing herself to be just that. A good host. Ais smiled.
"Thank you Goddess Hestia. I accept." Ais said and Hestia grumbled.
"You are most welcome...Bell please show her to one of the Guest Rooms and...make sure it is one of them next to mine. Far away from yours as possible." Hestia ordered sternly and then went out onto one of the Balconies. A few seconds later they all heard her scream in frustration. Doing as instructed Bell showed Ais one of the Guest Rooms and then left. She had wanted to talk to him again privately, but he seemed too embarrassed when he arrived at the Room to do so. There was much she wanted to discuss with him, mostly about them becoming Partners. Placing her Sword onto the bed, there was a knock on the door and when she turned there stood Mikoto Yamoto, Lililuka Arde and Haruhime Sanjono. She looked at them curiously.
"We wish to ask...What are your intentions towards Master Bell?" Mikoto Yamoto asked and Ais smiled at them finding it endearing that his Fellow Familia were concerned about Bell. There had to be no other reason for them to ask her that way.
"As I had said..I wish for him to be my Partner." Ais replied and she noticed that Liliuka and Haruhime winced. She immediately suspected that the two like their Goddess had more then a mild interest in Bell. She began to wonder how many of the Females that she had seen him with also had the same interest in him. She had seen where the Amazon had hugged him inappropriately and the Elf seemed to be willing to fight for him. Then she had overheard what Eina Tulle's had said to him. Each one appeared to want to be more then just his friends. "Though I would be lying if I...I would like to be more then that." She said softly and again the two winced.
"We care a great deal about Master Bell. So please don't hurt him." Haruhime said then turned to leave before Ais could say anything. Then Lililuka left as well, both seemed to be visibly upset. Mikoto still remained.
"We all care and love him." Mikoto said and smiled. "We all would hate it if...if this is just Goddess Loki playing some type of joke upon him. Or if you are. I do not think he would be the same if it is." She admitted and Ais shook her head.
"No this is no joke. As I had said I wish to have Bell as my Partner. So much so that I before Loki agreed, planned on asking to join the Hestia Familia." Ais told her and Mikoto knew what that entailed. She had done it to help Bell with the War Game and now did not regret at all her decision to join the Hestia Familia. It actually felt more like home then when she was in Takemikazuchi's Familia. That and she really loved the Bath that Hestia had put in. Not that the Bath was what made her want to remain.
"Oh...I have done the same. I joined the Hestia Familia and I have not regretted since." Mikoto turned to leave, satisfied that Ais could be earnest in wanting Bell as her Partner. "After Dinner we all take a Bath...you are more then welcome to join us." Realizing what that sounded like, she quickly explained blushing slightly. "No...No that is not what I meant. It is that all of us...Girls take a Bath and the Boys of course are not there." When Ais smiled chuckling lightly.
"I would be pleased to join you." Ais said and then followed Mikoto to Dinner. Finding she found she was beginning to like being there and considered asking if she could officially just move in when the two Familias were combined. To be closer to Bell.
Within the Bath, Ais leaned back and enjoyed the hot water. This was far better then the Bath that was at the Loki Familia home. For one it was larger and there of course was another more important aspect that she liked. She did not have Loki trying to spy on her or attempt to grope her. Though having a pervert as a Goddess did have one good benefit, it kept her sharp and on her guard. The other Girls within also were enjoying the soak in the huge tub. "How do you like this, Sword Princess?" Hestia asked and Ais looked over at her.
"Ais please...everyone just calls me Ais." She said and then Ais smiled. "It is most enjoyable. Generally it can feel crowded back home." She commented closing her eyes and fully immersed herself in the feel of the soothing hot water. Later back in the Living Room, she once more sat next to Bell. Only Lili remained and Ais suspected it was under orders from Hestia for the younger Girl to play chaperone. Still she and Bell stayed up late, just talking about anything but the Combination of the Familias.
In the morning, Ais stood with the Hestia Familia outside as Finn Deimne, Riveria Ljos and Gareth Landrock came thru the Gate. Loki of course lagged behind. Nearing the three bowed while Loki grumbled a greeting. "Shall we go inside...oh Loki I have plenty of Alcohol all ready...because I do not know about you. But I want to be drunk during this meeting." Hestia said then turned and went inside. Still grumbling slightly at the prospect of combining her Familia with Loki's.
"Wait Hestia...there is something I wish to discuss privately with you. Before anything else. Though getting drunk would make this easier." Loki said stepping past the other three and walking up the steps. She then followed Hestia inside and into a private room.
"What do you want Loki?" Hestia demanded pouring both of them a shot of Fortified Mountain Mist Whiskey and they both downed it without flinching. Then she poured another.
"Wow that is good." Loki whispered, it was not Soma Wine but it was close enough to hit the spot. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at Hestia. "Okay as I expect like you, I am not exactly thrilled with this Combining our Familias into a Partnership. But...and I highlight that word...it seems that my Ais favors your...cough Bell Carnell." Hestia drained down her shot and Loki did the same. Then the shorter Goddess refilled both glasses again.
"I do not like it either...but our Children seem to...so what can we do. So we have no choice. As much as I hate the idea and I really really hate it." Hestia admitted and Loki smiled slightly. Then leaned closer.
"If we do Combine...then we need to share all of our secrets...and the one in particular I want to know about is how Bell Carnell is able to advance so quickly." Loki stated and Hestia winced. She sighed and leaned back against the padded couch.
"What will you concede if I do share that one?" Hestia asked and Loki frowned.
"What do you want?" Loki asked back and Hestia smiled wickedly. Crossing her legs and smugly chuckling.
"Nothing too outrageous. But I believe it would make my Bell happy and that is extremely important to me." Hestia said and Loki exhaled sharply.
"So what is it?" Loki asked getting impatient and again Hestia chuckled.
"You allow Ais Wallenbutt to move here into my Familia Home." Hestia announced not really liking the idea herself, but like she had just said it would make her Bell happy and that was important to her. More important then her own desires to keep him away from Ais. Loki grumbled.
"Fine! But I also want at least two others of my Familia to move here as well." Loki countered and Hestia nodded.
"But I get to pick them." Hestia said back and Loki grudgingly agreed.
"Let us return so that Finn can put this all into writing." Loki said then slugged down another shot. As did Hestia. After they both signed, Hestia took Loki aside swore her to secrecy and then told her. "By the...Liaris Freese...he has Liaris Freese? That is...that is incredible." She gasped placing her hands over her mouth and looking towards the other room where Bell was chatting with those from her Familia.
"I believe it is because of...her." Hestia pointed at Ais and Loki looked over at her. "Now you cannot tell anyone...I mean it Loki..if any of the other Gods found out..." Loki cut her off.
"Yeah..Yeah I know. He would not be safe. Every Familia in the City would be after him." Loki went over grabbed the bottle of Whiskey and guzzled half what was left. "I want permission to at least tell Finn and Riveria. Don't worry they won't say anything." She said and Hestia nodded.
"Bell does not know so don't say anything to him. I do not want him to accidentally tell anyone." Hestia warned her and Loki nodded with understanding.
"I think Ais knows already. She once asked me what Liaris Freese meant and I told her." Loki said and Hestia looked back over at the young Blond Girl that was still standing only a foot from Bell. "We might want to tell her not to say anything to him and to keep it a secret. Though I suspect she has already figured that out." To Loki that was the final piece she needed to understand why Ais wanted to be his Partner. Along with why Freya had such an interest in the Boy. He was a rarity. A barely .01 percent rarity that in another hundred or so years might never occur again. That definitely made him special, even to the Gods.
0
Five Hours after the visitors including Ais had departed. Ais and the two Hiryuke twins returned with their possessions. All three were to move into the Hestia Mansion. At that point Hestia allowed their House Guests to find their own Rooms, with only one stimulation. They could not be within five rooms of Bell's Room and there would be no visiting each others room for any reason. She may not be able to stop what she believed would happen between Bell and Ais. But she could slow it down. it was also put into effect that the three Loki Members would be going on Quests and Adventures with those from the Hestia Familia. Even though Ais was Level 6 and the two Twins were Level 5 each, they would take orders from the Hestia Captain. Which was Bell who at the moment was only a Level 3. When she told them that.
"None of us a problem with him being the Leader." Ais said and looked over at the twins who nodded. She had been the one to suggest to Hestia who to have accompany her to the Hestia Familia and live there. Believing that Bete Loga would not be able to handle taking orders from someone he deemed weaker then him and Leyiya Viridis needed to remain with Riveria Ljos. None of the older Members would not be a good idea either. So that left Tione and Tiona. Though Hestia was a little reluctant to allow two more young possible suitors for Bell's attention to move into close proximity to Bell. But was convinced the two were the best choice. Neither actually showed any interest in being in the lead. Rather they preferred to let others call the shots as long as they got to fight. While Tione and Tiona was shown around by Mikoto, Lili and Haruhime. Bell pulled Ais aside.
"Mis...Sorry Ais. I need to ask a favor? Well one that my own Goddess cannot or does not have the Clout to do." Bell said softly to her and Ais smiled.
"What is it?" Ais asked and Bell shifted from one foot to another. Hoping that he even could ask Ais and then Loki to do for him.
"I owe someone a lot and I need...well I need someone like Loki to...if she knows a way." Bell began to wonder if it was even possible. Ais looked at him weirdly and he nervously began to fidget. "It is about Miss Ryu...she has been banned from being an Adventurer. I want to know if Loki can somehow have it where she can be one again?" He asked her and Ais smiled.
"Let us go ask her right now." Ais took his right hand in hers without thought and led him out of the door. Not realizing she was holding his hand until they were halfway down the street. She found she liked it so she continued to hold his hand right up to them arriving at the Loki Familia Home.
When Ais grabbed his hand, Bell had a severe panic attack that threatened to once more send him into unconsciousness. Almost fainting as he was essentially dragged along and when she continued to hold it, he once more found himself completely smitten with her. If only's flowed through his mind as they walked. Never even noticing when they had arrived at the Loki Familia Home. Or when she had taken him right in to see Loki. Standing there in a dazed stupor while Ais told Loki what he would like her to do. Sitting behind her desk Loki at first was a little peeved that Ais was holding Bell's hand. But after a few moments she could see how much Ais liked it, so she decided to ignore that for now. Deciding to have a long chat with Hestia later about this. "So let me get this straight..you want me to talk to the Guild about reinstating..what was her name again?" Loki asked and Ais elbowed Bell lightly to get him to answer.
"Huh..Oh sorry...Uhm...Miss Ryu Lion." Bell stammered out as he blushed realizing that he had just stood there in a confused daze. Loki chuckled and shook her head. Even though she was into Girls, she had to admit that Bell was kinda cute in a way.
"Hmm...that is a lot to ask. As I remember she was kicked out of being an Adventurer for a reason. I doubt there are any Familias that would take her even if she does get reinstated." Loki told them and Bell smiled slightly.
"My Goddess would. Once I ask her of course." Bell said blushing again and feeling guilty that he had not asked Hestia about that yet. Though he knew she would. They all owed Ryu a lot.
"Let me see what I can do. As I understand it the Guild does owe you for helping with the Monsters that invaded the surface and your status right now as a Hero of that disaster..could be used to convince them." Loki said and then frowned. "You know kid. You have a lot of nerve to ask me to do this. We barely have become a Partnered Familia's." Slapping her hands on the desk, she lunged up and laughed. "Don't fret...it sounds like fun." Bell bowed to her.
"Thank you Goddess Loki." Bell said and Loki smiled. Finding herself really liking the young man.
Outside, Ais walked with Bell back to the Hestia Familia. Still holding his hand. She had come to really like it and did not want to stop and of course Bell did not mind at all. "Thank you too Ais. I now owe you another favor." He said to her and she smiled over at him.
"It was important to you. So as your Partner...it is important to me." Ais said and then stopped walking, stepping in front of him and lowered her gaze downward. "Bell...I...I do not know how...I have never really...I do not know how to say this because...well...I..." She shifted back and forth, nervously. "I would like to be more then friends...more then Partners." Her words were soft and her voice low as she blushed. Bell swallowed and blushed as well.
"I..I do not know what to say." Bell said softly back. "But I would like that. Ais I care about you a great deal...you know I...I really like you, right." He asked and she nodded. With a deep inhaled breath, she reaffirmed her resolve.
"Bell can we..can we...date?" Ais asked him and Bell began to waver a bit. He stared at her wide eyed and had a huge goofy smile on his face.
"I would like that." Bell quickly said and Ais raised her head, then smiled at him. They then walked on, neither knew how to proceed from there. But they were both anxious to find out.
First Date:
Secretly scheduling their first date was not exactly easy. They both decided that they needed to go somewhere that no one would leak that they were together on a date. So that meant they could not go to any obvious places such as the Hostess of Fertility or anywhere else where they were both known. Bell had a splendid idea that Ais found perfect. Only two others knew of the place and she doubted that either would think to look for them there. The exact spot where she had trained him. Before they arranged to meet there, Bell packed a small picnic diner and then sneaked out the back of the Mansion. While Ais taking a blanket, did the same out the side. Meeting up with him two blocks away. "For a time we will have to do this if we...if we want to see each other secretly." Ais said as they walked thru the different side alleys heading towards the Wall. They dared not go along the open streets in fear that someone would see them and ask why Bell had a picnic basket and Ais had a Blanket. Once on the Wall, she laid out the blanket and he unpacked the food. It was not much, just leftovers that Mikoto had made for lunch. But it was still good and easily enough for both of them.
"I was going to ask Welf about what...well what we do on a date. But I did not want him to ask why I needed to know." Bell said finally and Ais smiled. She had thought to go back to the Loki Familia and ask Riveria the same thing. But she also did not want to answer any questions that could raise.
"This is fine. We both are kinda new to this..so lets just enjoy each others company." Ais said and took a healthy bit of the Cheesy Potatoes that she did not remember them having at Lunch. Then it dawned on her. "You went and got these earlier today, didn't you?" She asked indicating what she could tell were from the Food Cart. He nodded.
"Of course...I remembered that you like them...so I made sure to have them." Bell replied and Ais smiled fondly over at him. After they ate, they leaned back against the wall next to each other, she took his hand in hers and they watched the sun slowly set.
"You know...neither of us exactly know what or how to...date each other...but I have to say...if it is anything like this...then it is perfect." Ais said then with some hesitation, leaned her head down onto his left shoulder. He immediately stiffened and then relaxed.
"Yes this is perfect and I do not want it to end." Bell said back and Ais smiled. She did not want it to end either.
"Bell..uhm..you can say no...but I have never really kissed a boy before..can we?" Ais asked not about to admit that she had in fact kissed him once before when he was unconscious. It mainly was at the time to confirm that she did have feelings for him. Now though she wanted him to actually kiss her back. She could feel him stiffen again and swallow several times. She could see small beads of sweat roll down his face.
"Okay." Bell said with a shuddering breath. Raising her head off his shoulder, he turned his head towards her. Leaning together, they lightly pressed their lips against each other and what was only seconds, but to them felt like an entirety. They parted and smiled at each other. Then kissed again, then again and then again. Both liking the sensation. "Ais...I know I...this may sound...I think I...I think I am in love with you." He whispered to her and she smiled widely at him.
"I think I am in love with you too, Bell." Ais whispered back and kissed him again.
Returning Home, they held hands the whole way. Beaming awkwardly at each other as they walked. It was entirely new to both of them and neither knew how to actually proceed. They both guessed that they continue to date and spend time together. Though Ais wanted to learn more about kissing. Even though they both enjoyed it, she believed there was more to it then just pressing their lips against each other. She had seen others kissing and it seemed more intense then what she and Bell did. Now she was willing to ask Riveria about it. Because she would be more then happy to answer any questions, though she would ask the Elder Elf to keep what they spoke about secret from everyone. Especially Loki. Sneaking back into their Rooms from the outside windows, Bell made it undetected. Ais though got caught by Tione and Tiona. Who both were waiting in her room.
"My, My, My look at this Tione. Ais sneaking into her room through the Window. I wonder what she has been up to." Tiona said with a huge smile crossing her arms over her flat chest.
"Oh and look, she is blushing. One has to wonder after all." Tione said back with the same huge smile. "You know Tione...I checked and Mister Argonaut was not in his Room. I would guess that he and Ais sneaked out together." They both giggled as Ais Blushed a deep shade of red.
"I have no idea what you are talking about...I just went for a stroll." Ais said though she knew that her two Familia Sisters could tell when she was lying. Especially when she was not good at it.
"Oh really." Tiona giggled again and Ais went over to the dresser to put her Sword on top of it. "Come on Ais...you went somewhere with Mister Argonaut didn't you?" Turning Ais glared at the two and they giggled again. Lowering her gaze downward.
"Okay...Yes...I went out with Bell...we went on a d..d...date." Ais admitted and now both descended upon her wanting details. After swearing both of them to secrecy, she gave them the highlights. Which included them kissing and they both believed that they were in love with each other. This caused both sisters to gasp audibly and slump down onto her bed. Wanting even more details, mostly about the future. She refused to answer any of those questions, because she did not know the answers. Not yet anyhow. "You two better go back to your rooms...we are going on an adventure tomorrow and you should get some sleep." She finally said, basically kicking them out of her room and the two Sister complained but did leave.
In his own room, Bell felt too good to actually go to bed. He could not believe it. It felt too unreal. Like it was a dream. But after he stubbed his big toe on the Linen Chest, he knew he was indeed awake and it was real. Not only was he now dating Ais Wallenstein the Sword Princess. But they had kissed several times and they both told each other that they were in love with each other. So he now was too giddy to even think about sleep. Wanting to go outside and howl at the Moon. Or at least go tell someone. That he knew would be a huge mistake, because who could he tell. Lili and Haruhime would definitely tell Hestia and then his life and Ais life would be a living disaster. Mikoto would keep it a secret if asked, though he would feel uncomfortable discussing it with her. That only left Welf. So leaving his room, he went and knocked on the only other males room. He also needed some advice on how to be in a romantic relationship with Ais. For he had no idea at all.
To be continued:
