In the FGO story, the faerie of paradise is meant to be a calming presence to faeries not belonging to those of six-clans of faerie Britain, as well as to faeries who are not in a good emotional state. I decided to take the special nature of Artoria being an Avalon le Fae into consideration and made it so that in this story, spirits and elves would have a natural attraction towards her, as well as anyone who seeks solace, regardless of race.

"Riveria! I need your help."

For many in the Loki Familia, Ais Wallenstein was an enigma, someone that simply could not be deciphered. She was socially aloof, detached in her mannerisms, and terrifyingly powerful. It was a combination that left few in her familia knowing how to interact with her, and fewer still who could claim to understand her.

This wasn't a problem for the elven princess Riveria. She had taken the role of Ais guardian and mentor since the girl had joined their familia at the age of seven, and watched her grow into the powerful level 5 adventurer now known as the Sword Princess.

It was no doubt then that Riveria had come to understand Ais better than anyone else, finding no trouble reading the taciturn's girl's expressions and the emotions conveyed in her succinct words.

But at this moment, Rivera doubted that any of the members of the Loki Familia would have failed to notice the concern present on Ais's face.

"What happened?" Rivera asked Ais.

"Someone's hurt." Ais responded.

That was what Riveria had feared most when the minotaurs had fled from the seventeenth floor, that an unrelated adventurer would be harmed as a result of their carelessness. She had hoped the familia members chasing after them would have dealt with them before it became an issue, but it seems that was not to be.

"Can they be healed?"

"Yes." Ais eagerly nodded. "Follow me." She then said, tugging on Riveria's arm.

Riveria turned to her fellow Loki Familia member, Raul, and instructed him before leaving, "Tell everyone who returns to stay with the group and keep moving upwards. We'll meet up with you once we handle this situation."

"Yes ma'am!" Raul saluted, seeing the two executives of his familia rush off towards the upper floors.

When Riveria arrived at the hallway on the seventh floor where Ais had been guiding her, she had some expectations on what she would see. The aftermath of a battle; the sight of an injured armor. Now, that wasn't to say any of those were missing from the picture. She could see to her left a gravely injured white-haired adventurer who required her immediate aid. And towards the back she could see the remains of one of the minotaurs that had escaped them.

But it was everything else that seemed utterly nonsensical. It was a sight that caused even someone like her, someone with countless years of experience in the dungeon, to momentarily question her senses. And at the center of it all, staring down their fellow familia member, Bete, was a blond, green eyed mage around Ais's age.

The mage's appearance stood in conflict with the adventurers around her. Hers was not the appearance of someone who was venturing into a treacherous place, but instead of a noble heading off to a soiree. There was no helmet, but instead a navy-blue colored beret of clear high quality. There was no breastplate, but instead a white buttoned shirtwaist with a lovely bow tied around the collar. She did not dare ruin her ensemble with a cloak of a mismatching color, a cloak that might have some protections from the lethal elements of the dungeon. No, she covered herself with a fine mantle of a color matching her hat with gold linings, gently draped around her shoulders. Fine stockings covered her legs, while equally fine gloves hid her hands. And lastly, dark purple boots whose beauty no one would dare sully by bringing them into the dungeon protected her feet. Not even the staff the mage held in her right hand could be called a proper weapon, its appearance even more ornately designed than the one wielded by the princess of the elves.

This was not the appearance of someone who was venturing into the dungeon. Without a doubt, the mage should be sticking out like a sore thumb against the drab of the labyrinth. And yet, Riveria couldn't say that the mage felt amiss among her surroundings. To the point that she would say that it was everyone else but her who was out of place in this picture. And the reason for that was the field of violet flowers, and the floating butterflies of light, that surrounded the mage.

"Is she the one who can heal these two?" The mage asked, turning away from the gray-haired werewolf and towards Ais, who stood to the right of Riveria.

"Yes." Ais responded.

Riveria took a step forward and gave a respectful nod. "Hello, I am Riveria Ljos Alf. I apologize on behalf of the Loki Familia for what has occurred here, and I will heal anyone you need me to in an effort to make amends.".

"Then, please do so." The mage said, returning a shallow bow at Riveria.

As she made her way over to the injured adventurer, she found herself subconsciously taking careful steps so as to not trample the beautiful flowers around her. Although far more conscious was the way in which she held back her childish desire to chase after the butterflies made of light that fluttered just out of her reach, butterflies which felt very reminiscent to spirits.

It was an utterly surreal sight. One that would be difficult to find in the most peaceful of forests, and one that should be impossible to see in the dungeon. It was a sight that any elf would consider themselves blessed to see, and even more to walk among it.

And if her assumption was correct, the creature of this scene was the low-leveled mage she had just met.

She put those thoughts behind as she arrived next to the boy. He was badly injured, that she knew, but seeing it from up close only increased the guilt that she felt. She was responsible, even if indirectly, for his current state. And so, despite his tenuous hold on his consciousness, she adopted a gentle tone as she apologized to him and promised that she would do all in her power to set things right.

Thankfully, the damage on the young adventurer was something that she could fully heal, and by the time she was done, he was essentially completely healed and peacefully sleeping. All that was left now was the other adventurer, who appeared to be in a much better situation than his friend had been. Although her prior meeting with the mage made it clear that he too required her aid.

"If I may." Riveria spoke up, interrupting the lively conversation between the black-haired youth and the mage. "I would like to heal you now."

The youth agreed, and Riveria immediately got to work, although not before–-

"Ais, could you go watch the young man over by the wall for me?"

Ais had been trailing behind during all this time, watching her in silence as she got to work. She could guess that the girl was dealing with the same feelings of guilt that she herself had felt upon seeing the white-haired boy, and that she was waiting for an opportunity with which to make herself useful. An assumption that was proven when Ais, with great determination on her face, nodded at her and immediately made her way over to the sleeping adventurer.

Once healed, the black-haired boy gave a bow to Riveria, "Thank you, Miss…?"

"Riveria."

"Then, thank you, Miss Riveria, for healing me and Bell."

"Please, there's no need. It was our fault you were hurt in the first place. Again, allow me to apologize for this blunder on our part, Mr…"

"Fujimaru. Fujimaru Ritsuka. Although you can just call me Ritsuka."

Riveria nodded at the young man. With her job finished, Riveria decided to focus now on the great oddity that had held her curiosity ever since she had arrived here. That being, the unknown mage before her.

"Forgive me, I haven't caught your name yet, what should I call you?"

"Artoria Avalon."

That it was a name she didn't recognize told Riveria that the girl was either new to adventuring or Orario. Or perhaps both. Although with the way she was dressed, donning the clothes of a noble instead of an adventurer, Riveria could safely assume she was still new to adventuring.

Still, there was something more to the girl than just being another novice mage, and not just because of the incredible sight Artoria conjured that tugged at Riveria's elven sensibilities.

There was, surprisingly, a sense of familiarity that Riveria could feel towards the girl. As well as a strange sense of tranquility that being in her presence brought.

To some extent, the girl even reminded her a bit of Ais. Although whether that was due to the future potential she believed the girl to have or something else, she could not ascertain.

Artoria lazily waved her staff, an action that caused the paradise around her to dissipate into nothing. If there had been any doubts that Artoria wasn't responsible for this peculiar sight, they were finally put to rest with that action.

"May I ask what kind of magic that was?" It was definitely a question that broke the usual boundaries between adventurers. That which was written in a person's falna was a secret between them, their god, and their familia. It was not something to be shared with an outsider.

Nonetheless, Riveria's curiosity took the best of her. Magic that could create such a sight that resonated with her elven sensibilities to such a powerful extent, was something she couldn't find it in herself to remain ignorant of. Which is why, if the mage held any curiosity towards the magic she herself possessed, then Riveria was willing to exchange some information in order to solve the anomaly she had just witnessed.

"It was to keep those two safe until you arrived."

It was an answer that was lacking in significant details. An answer given out of curtesy, but that still let Riveria know that the mage was not willing to discuss any secrets about her magic.

"I see. Thank you."

It was disappointing, but she would have to drop the matter. At least for now. To ask further would be a grave violation of etiquette on her part, and it would reflect badly not only on her, but those she represented.

"Ais, what the hell are you doing?" Bete spoke in a befuddled tone, garnering the attention of all present. "Put that kid down and let's go back."

When Riveria turned to Ais, she witnessed the girl carrying the white-haired adventurer, who she now knew was named Bell, on her back.

"What are you doing?" Riveria asked Ais, slightly amused.

"He can't move. I'll carry him out of here."

On another occasion, she might have agreed with Bete's words to just leave the boy to his own familia. However, ever since leaving the eighteenth floor, Ais had been acting in a distrait fashion.

She knew the cause was the incredulous piece of information they had received on said floor. The kind of information that had forced her to keep an eye on the girl just to make sure she didn't run off to verify the veracity of it. And although Ais had mellowed out somewhat since then, it wasn't hard to notice that the words she had were still at the forefront of her mind.

"You two wouldn't mind her escorting you to the entrance of the dungeon, would you?" Riveria asked, hoping that a distraction could serve some good to Ais.

"Huh? Have you gone mad you hag? Are you really telling Ais to waste her time on these losers?" Bete strongly interjected, letting his displeasure on that plan be known to all present.

Ais however, completely ignored the werewolf's outburst. Nodding to Riveria and telling her "Okay" before making her way towards the other two.

"We will be returning to our familia." Riveria addressed the group before her. "Again, allow me to apologize over what occurred here."

The two adventurer's returned a strained smile her way and thanked her before exiting as Ais led them. She had no doubt the cause of their expression was the growling Bete to her side. So she side-eyed him in disapproval, before calmly making her departure.

"Let's go, Bete."

Bete continued to glare at the departing figures of the group before him. Once they were gone, he let out a "Tch." and began to trail Riveria.

"Ais shouldn't be wasting her time with losers like that." He said.

"It was our fault they were hurt in the first place. A bit of goodwill in ensuring their safety could only serve us well at this point."

"They can take care of themselves."

"Bete" Riveria chastised the man, believing his tone to be a dismissal of her words. However, the words that soon followed cleared up any misunderstandings.

"I'm not joking. It wasn't me or Ais who took out that minotaur."

Bete looked at her, his expression completely serious as he said, "it was that mage with them, she took out the minotaur with one blast."

"Hmm.." Perhaps, Riveria mused, Artoria wasn't as new to adventuring as she had believed…

"Are you feeling alright, Rituska?" Artoria questioned.

"Hmm? Yeah, Miss Riveria did a fantastic job of healing me." Rituska answered.

"Oh, well, it's just that…if something hurts or you're feeling tired I could, you know, carry you up?"

"No, I'm fine, I can walk by myself."

"Oh…Okay."

Ais watched the exchange with her usual stoic expression. She had been sneaking glances at Artoria every once in a while(which hadn't gone unnoticed), and for some reason Ais couldn't explain, there was something oddly soothing and familiar about Artoria's presence. Even without talking to the two, just being near her caused Ais to feel that same sense of tranquility and belonging that being next to Riveria and the others gave her. It made her want to talk to the girl, to figure out why she was feeling this way. But for some reason, Ais was finding it difficult to find the words that would properly convey her feelings to Artoria.

Once more, her spying on Artoria was noticed. And once more, her golden eyes met Artoria's emerald eyes.

She hated the way she was feeling. Hated the hesitation she felt at interacting with this person she had never met before, yet who she felt a certain attraction to that only few in her familia make her feel. And when Artoria smiled at her, she only found those feelings amplified.

"Thank you, Miss Ais." Ais heard Ritsuka say to her, a distraction that she was thankful for. "For taking your time to guide us back."

Ais shook her head. "It's fine. It's because of our mistake that you got hurt in the first place."

"What happened anyway?" Artoria asked.

Ais didn't immediately answer, and the other two didn't press her for an answer, creating a short moment of silence. "The minotaurs we were fighting ran away." She eventually said. "We tried to chase after them, but…we couldn't catch all of them on time. Sorry."

"It's fine." Ritsuka said. "Accidents happen, and you've made up for it."

"I guess…just try to be more careful next time." Artoria said. Her words weren't particularly accusatory, nor did her tone of voice contain any negative emotions. Nonetheless, it made Ais feel a great deal of guilt. Which is perhaps why she told Artoria, "I will." with a deep determination.

The group fell into silence once more. But with the awkwardness of starting up conversation already passed once, it wasn't long before Ritsuka once more addressed Ais. "Say, Miss Ais-"

"Ais is fine."

"Then, Ais. You're Loki Familia's Sword Princess, right?"

"Yes."

"That means you've made it deep into the dungeon, haven't you?" Ritsuka commented.

"Mm."

"Could you tell me about it? About what it's like down there?"

Ais didn't answer at first. Not because she was opposed to telling him about her experiences, but because she was going through her memories to make sure that neither Finn nor Riveria had warned her as of late about disclosing such things.

"I'd like to hear about it too."

When Artoria voiced her curiosity, Ais decided that she had, in fact, not been warned about such things. So Ais felt that, so long as she didn't disclose familia secrets, she would be fine.

At first, Ais wasn't sure how she should go about breaching such a broad topic, what it was that her small audience would be interested in. So she started by retelling her latest trip down the dungeon. As she talked, Ritsuka and Artoria would ask her questions pertaining to her stories, and from there, her conversation with the two rolled off with surprising ease. And as more and more words left her mouth with an ease that she hadn't felt since she was little, she became certain in the belief that there really was something special about Artoria, something that made it so easy for her to lower her guard and simply relax for a moment.

"Is the dungeon always the same?" Ritsuka asked from beside her. Ais wasn't sure when, but at some point, she had begun walking side by side with Artoria and Ritsuka.

"For the most part." Ais answered.

"For the most part? Does that mean the dungeon has acted differently at times."

Ais nodded in response.

"Has it done that recently?" Ritsuka asked innocently.

Recently…Ais would call that an understatement. The reason she was here in the first place was because her familia had been forced to cancel their expedition early after a surprise battle in the fiftieth floor. A battle in which monsters they had never seen before made an appearance and laid waste to their supplies.

However, this was something she doubted Finn would like her discussing with outsiders before her familia itself had a proper discussion about it.

"No." She lied. She wasn't confident in dancing around the issue, so she decided to sidestep it in its entirety.

Ritsuka nodded and Ais believed the topic to be done. However, Artoria's eyes lingered on her for a tad longer than normal, and Artoria's expression was lacking in that warmth that had grown during their conversation.

Thankfully, Artoria didn't keep staring for long. At some point, Artoria realized she was staring, and let loose a nervous chuckle before returning her gaze to the front.

Their conversation didn't resume after that, however, as a group of killer ants chose this moment to make their appearance. Ais quickly took two steps forward, putting herself between the ants and the duo she was escorting. She had promised them, after all, that she would guide them back safely as a way to atone for her failure to stop the minotaur. So it was her responsibility to deal with the monsters. The only reason she hadn't cut them down at first sight was the sleeping adventurer on her back, which she didn't wish to disturb. Her plan was to offload him to either Ritsuka or Artoria while she made quick work of the ants. However, she never got the chance to do so.

When she turned around to tell the duo her plan, she was greeted with the sight of Artoria slamming into the ground her glowing staff. She felt an influx of mana from behind herself, and instinctively turned her head back to the front, just in time to catch a circle of blue light appearing from under the ants and engulfing them in its brilliance. When the light cleared, no trace of the monsters remained.

Ais stared at Artoria. She knew the girl wasn't weak. She had, after all, arrived just after Artoria had killed the minotaur. But this was different than just using magic to blast a monster to death.

Even if the power outputted by the spell wasn't all that great, the ease with which Artoria had cast her magic was one that even Ais, who herself was not a mage, could understand the impressiveness of.

The magic had been instantaneous, done in a single movement that had gone undetected by Ais. But even more impressive, was the complete lack of a chant needed by her. It was as if casting magic was as easy as breathing to the girl before one, bringing her an uncomfortable memory of someone she had met years ago.

"You're strong." The words escaped from Ais's mouth before she even knew it.

"Mm." Artoria responded without any hesitation.

Ais met Artoria's gaze. At that moment, she wondered: If Artoria really was as capable as this display of power proved her to be, then why had she allowed the battle with the minotaur to reach such a critical point as she had.

"Why didn't you kill the minotaur earlier?" Ais asked.

"I…wasn't there when it attacked at first."

"You should keep a closer watch on them." It wasn't until the words had left her mouth that Ais felt they had come out a bit too harsh. Her mind had been on past memories, and it was those that led her to chastise Artoria. But even she could understand that she had no leg to stand on this topic, as it was her own failure that led to Artoria's two friends to be hurt in the first place.

Thankfully, Artoria didn't seem to take offense to her words, answering her with a firm, "I will.".

Ais wasn't completely sure, but she felt that Artoria moved a bit closer to Ritsuka after that.

The rest of the journey up to the fifth floor was done in relative peace, with any monsters that appeared being quickly destroyed by Artoria's swift magic. The complete lack of tension that resulted from this allowed their earlier conversation to resume, and so Ais once more found herself talking far more than she had done in a while.

While Ritsuka would ask her about the many monsters she had come across and try to glean some tips on dealing with them from her, Artoria would ask her more about her journey, her familia members, and the people she cared about. It was Artoria's questions that she enjoyed answering the most, and Ais was once again surprised at how easily the words would come out of her mouth, as well as how pleasant having the conversation felt.

Talking about the members of the Loki Familia, about the way Riveria would teach her when she was younger, brought a very pleasant warmth to Ais. It was a warmth that helped to fill the void that still remained in her heart. And as she thought about her mother, she remembered the information her familia had received on the eighteenth floor.

Ais wasn't sure why, but at that moment, she had a feeling that if she asked Artoria, she might be able to discover once and for all the truth of those words.

"Have you–"

"Ahhhh!"

A scream from the boy on her back interrupted her.

"Stay still." Ais chastised the adventurer on her back who was trying to escape her grasp.

"Sorry…." Bell apologized, calming himself down.

"Welcome back. Bell." Ritsuka greeted Bell warmly.

"Ritsuka! W-what happened?"

"You don't remember?" Ritsuka asked.

"I…I do. I think?"

"You think?"

"It's just that, well…I'm not sure my memories are correct."

When Bell saw the confused look on Ritsuka's face, he decided to explain his meaning by revealing to him what he remembered.

"I…remember losing to the minotaur" Bell shivered slightly when he thought back to the enraged face of the monster before it sent him flying across the dungeon. "After that…I think I remember…flowers? There was also the sound of bells too. Also, I think I remember an elven goddess healing me…"

"That was Riveria." The girl that was carrying him added.

"Is that her name? I need to thank her."

"I'll let her know." The girl responded.

"Thanks."

Perhaps, Bell had still been a bit out of it, because it was just now that he realized the situation he was in.

He was being carried by a girl in the dungeon.

He was being carried by a girl in the dungeon.

He stiffened up and let out a squeak.

"Is something the matter, Bell?" Ritsuka asked.

"W-w-w-w-why is she carrying me?"

"Ais offered to carry you back to the surface since you were asleep."

"Oh…well, I-I'm awake now so…"

Ais felt Bell try to escape from her grasp, so she held on tighter so as to not allow him. So far, Artoria had handled all the monsters that had made the mistake to appear before them. If it wasn't for the adventurer she was carrying on her back, Ais would feel as if she wasn't contributing anything to the group. And therefore, wasn't doing anything to atone for her mistake.

"You're still tired. So I'll carry you." Ais told Bell, ignoring the protests from the boy.

"I'm fine, really…"

"No."

"No?"

"Just give up." Ritsuka advised Bell, the look on his face belonging to someone who had been into and lost this kind of fight time and time again.

"But…" Bell tried to complain, but a headshake from Ritsuka and the iron grip of Ais forced him to concede defeat. And so, red faced and feeling more embarrassed than he'd ever felt in his life, Bell mumbled, "This isn't how it's supposed to go at all…" as he tried to relax into Ais's grip.

Wait.

Wait.

Ais? Riveria?

He looked down at the girl who was carrying him, looked at her long flowing golden hair, at her exposed back to which he was clinging to, and at the sword that hung from her side.

Oh gods, oh gods.

Even a new adventurer like him knew about the famous executives of the Loki Familia. About the Nine Hell Riveria Ljos Alf, and about their Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein.

He was now clinging on to that Ais Wallenstein's exposed back.

"Stay still." Ais once more told the boy on her back, her tone a bit rougher this time around.

"D-did you save us?" Bell asked Ais once he had managed to calm down a bit.\

"No. it was your friend there." Ais responded, nodding to Ritsuka's side.

It was then that Bell became aware of the other blonde girl walking next to Ritsuka, one wearing the outfit and carrying the staff of a mage.

"Uhmm…hello." Bell greeted the new girl.

The blond girl stared at him with a gentle smile and waved at him.

"Hey." She said.

Ais turned to look back at Artoria, a confused look on her face as she asked, "Do you two not know each other?"

"No, me and Artoria know each other." Ritsuka answered, "But this is Bell's first-time meeting Artoria."

"Did you finally find a new familia member?" Bell asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I…hadn't gotten the chance to introduce her to you."

"Oh, then, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Bell. Thank you for saving me."

"Don't worry about it. And I'm Artoria by the way."

"Are you three not from the same familia?" Ais asked.

"I'm from the Ereshkigal familia, while Bell is from the Hestia Familia."

A bit odd, but not uncommon for people of different familias to team up. So Ais put the thought to the back of her mind. What she found more interesting however, was the new information she had learned.

Ereshkigal Familia

It was the familia Ritsuka was in, and therefore, the one Artoria belonged to. It was a familia she had never heard of before, and she would make sure to ask Riveria or Loki about it when she made it home.

The more time she spent with Artoria, the more that sense of familiarity, and that strange attraction she felt towards the girl, grew. She didn't want this to be the last time the two met, so she would make sure that she found Artoria again. And while Ais may not be all that informed, she was sure that Loki or Riveria would have something to say about Artoria or her familia.

An adventurer as capable as her should not be unknown, after all.

When they finally made it out of the dungeon, many an adventurer's eyes were drawn to the odd sight of the Sword Princess carrying an unknown white-haired adventurer on her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"There." Ais said as she finally put Bell down on the ground, a satisfied look on her face.

Bell, for his part, seemed completely exhausted. He looked far more as someone who had just recently faced a minotaur as a lvl1, than as the lucky adventurer who had been given the privilege to be carried by Ais Wallenstein.

"Thanks again, Ais." Ritsuka spoke.

"Don't worry about it." Ais answered.

"Are you going to wait for your familia here?" Artoria asked.

"I…" That had been her idea up to now. It wouldn't be long before they exited the dungeon after all. But once again, as she stared at Artoria, thoughts about that conversation on the eighteenth floor returned to her mind.

"…Can I ask you something?"

Artoria nodded.

"Sure."

"Have you heard about a Fairy King?"

The immediate recognition on Artoria's and Ritsuka's face did not go unnoticed by Ais, who immediately closed the distance between herself and Artoria until only a few inches separated them.

"H-have you? Does that mean that he really exists?" Ais asked them with what almost seemed like desperation in her voice.

Artoria and Ritsuka exchanged a glance. For them, the words Fairy King immediately brought to mind one person. Someone who had once been a dear friend and companion, as well as the ultimate foe they faced at the end of their journey.

"By any chance…" Artoria spoke up, "Was this fairy king you heard about called…Oberon?"

"Welcome hooome!"

A bullet in the shape of a person shot out to greet the returning members of the Loki Familia as they stepped foot into their familia's base, the Twilight Manor.

"Hmm? What's got you in such a bad mood." Loki asked, pinching on Lefiya's cheeks as she stretched them so as to form a smile.

"Lady Loki, please…"

With a serious expression, the Loki Familia's patron goddess, Loki, turned to the tall elven princess beside Lefiya, Riveria Ljos Alf, and asked, "Did something go wrong?"

"There are some things I would like to talk to you about, Loki." Finn Deimne, the short, pallum captain of their familia answered solemnly. "That said." He continued in a more cheerful mood, "We suffered no casualties on this expedition, and are all alright."

"That's great!" Loki cheerfully answered. "Then, what's with…" Loki once more pinched Lefiya's pouting cheeks.

"She's sulking because Ais has gone missing." Riveria answered calmly.

Loki looked at

"What the hell do you mean Ais has gone missing! I thought you said there were no casualties!"

"Ais is fine." Riveria answered. "It's just that…"

"She left with some nobodies when we got to the eighth floor." Bete, the gray-haired werewolf spoke. "Probably got tired of all that stupid shit you keep trying to pull on her you hag."

Bete easily dodged the shoe that was thrown his way.

"See." Bete said.

"Shut your trap you ungrateful brat." Loki chided back. "Hey, seriously, where's Ais?"

"She's probably out there looking for someone we heard about back in Rivira."

"Oh yeah Loki!" Tiona excitedly ran up to her goddess. "They said there was a fairy king down in Rivira!"

"Apparently, we just managed to miss him on our way down." Finn added, "And he supposedly left for the surface by the time we passed Rivira on our way back up.

"Hey, is it true?" Tiona asked with stars in her eyes.

"I don't know. But, Hmm…a fairy king." Loki turned to Riveria, a pensive expression on her face.

"I-I'm going to go look for her." Lefiya exclaimed.

"Riveria already sent some people looking for her." Finn answered. "It shouldn't be too difficult to find Ais."

Loki nodded her head. "Yeah, leave it to them, Lefiya. Besides…" Loki took a few sniffs of Lefiya, then let out a 'Bleh' as she stuck out her tongue and pinched her nose. "You can't go outside with how dirty you are."

Her goddess's implication that she stunk terrified the young elf, who turned beet red and tossed her goddess away and put some distance between herself and the rest of her familia members.

"Tiona, Tione." Riveria called out. "Why don't you two head to the baths with Lefiya. The

"Aye-aye, ma'am!" Tiona saluted, running off towards Lefiya's direction.

The poor elf on her part, was left mortified by Riveria's words, which only reinforced in her mind the idea that she truly must have stunk if she was being sent directly to clean herself.

When the trio had left, Loki, while putting the shoe she had thrown back on, said to Riveria, "Let's go bring Ais back before she does or says something she shouldn't."

"It's been a while since that girl has caused us this kind of trouble." Riveria answered back, a fond expression on her face.

"Thank you again, Lady Riveria." Eina, guild receptionist and daughter of Riveria's dearest friend, said to the High Elf walking beside her.

"It's not often you and I get a chance to enjoy each other's company." Riveria replied, an expression of fondness on her face. "So this was a perfect opportunity to do so."

The first thing the duo of Loki and Riveria had done was visit the guild in search of information. Although they had found none, Riveria decided on what was mostly a whim to bring her friend's daughter along to aid them. in case they did meet the supposed fairy king and he truly turned out to be one, it would definitely be an experience any elf would relish.

"But a fairy king…" Eina mused, a tinge of excitement on her voice. "Do you really think this Oberon is one, Lady Riveria?"

"I wouldn't get my hopes up." Riveria soberly replied. "If there really was a king of a group of fairies, we would at least have heard something about him and them by now."

"Don't listen to her!" Loki interjected from the other side of Riveria. "Of course there's a fairy king!"

"Really?" Eina asked.

"Yes! If not, how else am I going to complete my fairy collection? I already have my Queen right here, so all I need is a King to complete that pair, right?"

"Feel free to ignore her." The princess of the elves recommended to Eina.

At Riveria's response Loki exaggeratedly sighed and said, "The leader of our fairy force can be so dull at times."

"Fairy force?" Eina asked, amused at the name.

"I already told you not to call us that." Riveria sighed.

"I think it's a lovely name." Eina commented.

"Right!" Loki replied, a wide, smug smile on her face.

Loki was about to say something when Riveria held out her staff, stopping both of her companions.

"Wait." She said. Riveria then proceeded to close her eyes, focusing on her hearing.

"There seems to be a commotion coming from over there, let's go."

Riveria picked up her pace as she hurried over in the direction of the noise, the two other members of their trio following along behind her.

After one particular turn down a street, the trio came upon a large and very excited crowd gathering just outside a very familiar establishment.

"I wonder what's going on?" Eina asked surprisingly.

"Only one way to find out." Loki said.

Riveria cleaved her way through the crowd, creating a path for herself and her two companions. In no time, the trio had made their way past the crowd, and now had direct access to the Hostess of Fertility, where, upon opening the door, the group was left stunned by the sight before them.

""Welcome."" Two blonds wearing the iconic green waitress outfit of the pub, one of them which everyone recognized, and the other which only Riveria did, bowed to them in greeting.

"Ais? What are you doing?" Riveria asked, completely stumped by the sight before her and trying to somehow imagine what kind of scenario led to this.

Loki, for her part, barged in and right through the blond pair. Through the many full tables of the establishment. Through the other waitresses and the fairy whose sky-blue eyes met hers for a fraction of a second. And right into the kitchen.

"Hey, Mama Mia!" Loki called out.

"What is it?" The large woman replied, her defiant expression daring the goddess to put forth her complaint.

Loki peeked her out of the kitchen in order to take a good look at Ais. There she was, her familia's princess, one of her favorite pieces of her collection known as the Loki familia. Instead of wearing an outfit whose design was guided by her own hand for her own viewing pleasure, she now wore a foreign green dress with a white apron and white headpiece.

Her precious Ais had been taken from her, forced to wear an outfit she had not approved of, and made to become the eye candy of others.

She glared at Mama Mia, something that the intimidating woman was more than happy to do back. The two women stared at each other, measuring each other up, testing their wills as a silent battle took place.

Time seemed to stop for the employees in the kitchen, a chill running down their backs as the two indomitable wills faced against each other.

Then, surprisingly, the women smiled at each other.

And that was when, raising her right hand, Loki, with a pleased expression on her face, spoke.

"Nice!" Said the perverted patron goddess of the Loki Familia, holding a thumb up in approval towards the proprietress of the pub.