+A Field Trip+
The next morning, everyone met in the living room and left to head to the beach. Ceresei and Apollon lead the way. Ceresei had the map in her hands. Ane walks beside Takeru and Tsukito. Thor, Balder, Loki, Fu, and Freya were walking together. Hades was in the back keeping his distance from the rest of the group. The weather was warm and clear. The sun was out and it radiated heat. The trail leading would take a bit of time, but with everyone walking it would be more of an opportunity to explore. The atmosphere was perfect. "Hey, I haven't been hiking since my preteen years," Freya said as she watches the birds fly through the sky.
Thor and Loki look at Freya. "Hiking?" Thor questions as he did not understand. Freya smiles as she casually picks up a leaf off the ground. She fiddles with the leaf between her fingers. "When I was younger I went hiking through the woods. I got scared whenever I encountered insects I didn't like." Freya explains. Loki laughs. "Sounds like you were a scaredy-cat." Loki had a mischievous grin on his face. Freya puffs her face and looks away. Loki continues to laugh and Thor shakes his head. "I can handle the outdoors pretty well thank you. It's pretty peaceful on most days." Freya continues to speak.
"So humans would hike to different places just for entertainment? That is something..." Thor said as he was learning something new. Freya smiles, "Yes! We would enjoy the scenery." Loki folds his hands behinds his head as he hears the birds chirp. Fu was taking pictures as she listened to the conversation. Balder watches Fu take a few more pictures. He was amused, "What are you doing Miss Fu?" Fu glances at Balder and pauses herself from taking any more pictures.
"Eh, call me Fu. I'm taking pictures using this camera. It's probably new to you so I will explain." Fu says as she shows Balder how to use a camera. Balder becomes intrigued and he and Fu have a good conversation. Fu could sense something at ease when it came to Balder. She could understand why the souls were attracted to him. When it came to Loki, Fu could either like him or dislike him. He was her rival. The two rarely got along with each other.
She could sort of understand why Loki was close to his friends. "Sei-san. How are you feeling today?" Apollon asks Ceresei who was staring down at the map. Ceresei does not look at anyone and answers, "I'm fine. A bit tired." Apollon frowns and then smiles. He did not want to push her. Dionysus walks beside Hades. Hades keeps to himself as he watches everyone else converse. The walk took some time until they were able to reach their destination. Everyone was in awe as they stared at the water.
"It's amazing," Apollon says. "My first time seeing..." Hades slowly approaches the water. The water was clear and clean. As if nothing tainted it. Everything looked amazing. "Well, let's get started," Apollon says as he follows Hades. "Huh?" Freya blinks as all the gods drop their book bags. "What? We are wearing our swimsuits under our uniforms." Takeru said. The gods begin to strip and Freya and Ane panic.
Freya turns around and closes her eyes. Ane chokes and turns around to not look at them. Fu had a smirk on her face while Ceresei sighs to only place the palm of her hand on her face. "The hell this is not graded school. Who suggested this idea?" Ceresei said. All the girl's faces were red. Even Fu who had never looked away. "Oh ho...It was mine." Fu said as the smirk never left her face. Each god looked good in their swimsuit, skin and all. Ceresei opens her eyes to see Balder standing right in front of her. "You should go change." He spoke politely.
Ceresei stares at him for a moment and Fu places her hands on Ceresei's shoulders. "Let's do that. Give us all a few minutes." Fu winks and drags the girls to find some privacy in order for them to change into their swimsuits. Freya came out wearing a one-piece swimsuit. It was white with violet and blue flowers as a pattern. She slowly approached the others. Freya was nervous. Fu came out wearing a green bikini with pink lilies as a pattern.
Ane wore a bikini with red and black tiger stripes. Ceresei was the last person to appear. She wore a one-piece that was crisscrossed revealing her abdomen and lower back. The bathing suit was black and had a silver and purple flower pattern. Dionysus whistles in approval. Takeru and Loki grin while Apollon, Balder, and Thor smile. Tsukito and Hades notice the girls. "I enjoy this view. For humans, you girls are cute." Dionysus says with a smile.
Freya shakes her head nervously and hides behind Ceresei. She was too embarrassed. "Heh, look. The stubborn ones can look good." Loki teases. Fu smirks, "Likewise ass." Ane and Ceresei were quiet. "You look Sei-san." Apollon compliments. "You all look lovely." Balder agrees. "Quiet," Ceresei said as she watches Apollon run into the water. Tsukito approaches Freya in a manner. "You...look nice." He said. Freya looks at him and her face completely heats up.
"T-Thank you," Freya says as she refused to look at him. "Come in the water. It's nice!" Apollon calls out to everyone. Tsukito walks into the water. Balder walks over to Ceresei. "Do you want to build a sand castle with me?" He asks. Ceresei glanced at Freya. She did not want to leave the girl. "Sure. Freya, come help us. We should them we are at it. Can't have anyone drift away." Ceresei said before she and Freya follow Balder. Takeru, Ane, and Thor were sitting in the sand. They were relaxing. Fu and Loki were at wits' end as they were trying to force each other into the water. Hades was listening to Dionysus talk.
"This isn't so bad..." Hades said as he watches the water. He sees Freya and Ceresei try to build a sand castle. "It is better than being in the classroom." Dionysus smiles. "These girls are helping Brother out and even communicating with us. You should give them a chance. I mean, you won't feel alone." Dionysus said as he pops open a bottle of his juice. "You know that I will wind up bringing misery. Although, is it possible for them to not meet their end? Each one will suffer if we cannot graduate and the first one..." Hades spoke as he was in deep thought.
"Then let's make sure we all can pass. I bet they can help you. You are even out here because of them." Dionysus explains with a smile. Hades closes his eyes. He could not understand why any of the girls were nice to him. The girls knew what god he was. In the end, the god of the underworld was one for the despair. "...I will try." Hades said. As the time went by the weather began to change. The sky became gray and it began to snow.
"What the-" Fu gasps as she shivers feeling the cold breeze. Freya and Ane look up at the sky. "Snow? It is not the right season." Freya said. "Cold weather means...!" Takeru said as not noticing that the water was now cold. Basically freezing. Takeru turns to Tsukito and Apollon who were now trembling. "I will get them out," Ceresei says as she stands up to head into the water. "Sei-san! Don't get in! Achoo!" Apollon says ending with a sneeze.
Ceresei rolls her eyes and sighs. She steps forward and the snow changes to rain. "Ceresei, it's too cold. Getting in will make you." Freya said. "I will be fine. Everyone, grab your stuff and head to the beach house." Ceresei said as she casually walks into the water. Balder and Thor easily listen and gather their bags. Freya and Ane help the others. Ceresei was able to gather Apollon and Tsukito out of the water. As Ceresei walked Apollon and Tsukito out the water, the rain continued to pour. She appears to be exhausted.
"Damn..." Ceresei said once she fell on her knees in the sand. Balder hurries to her side. "Miss Ceresei. Are you all right?" He asks as the weather kept changing from rain to snow then rain again. Ceresei breathes softly as she slowly stands up. "I'm not sure." Ceresei answers. "The weather. She is trying to keep us from being snowed on." Tsukito said. "What?" Loki questions in shock. Balder lifts Ceresei off the sand and holds her bridal style. "We need to hurry," Tsukito spoke. Everyone agrees and heads to the beach house immediately. Ceresei was too exhausted to protest as Balder held her close to his body.
"That girl. She is tampering with the seasons." Now I understand. Her abilities are a part of nature." Zeus spoke as he watches the weather change appearance opposed to his control. He watches the sky. Everywhere was cold as for the winter season but now it was slightly warm with the rain. Thoth notices the changes as he was filing papers from his office. The human souls were confused as they noticed the weather change within minutes.
Thoth sighs as the weather was to be clear. "Good grief. Either Zeus is having fun or someone is playing games." He said. Anubis walks down the hall as he had sensed the unusual change.
Everyone was in the living room of the beach house. Freya made tea for everyone. Apollon and Tsukito had blankets wrapped their bodies. Ceresei was laying on the couch. She had a minor headache. Takeru stood by the window to check on the weather. "Well, this was a bust. Zeus did this on purpose. Now I'm bored." Takeru said. Loki was sitting on the floor. He held a piece of candy within his hand, "Zeus wanted to ruin our fun. The usual." Fu takes out a deck of playing cards from her book bag. Thor and Loki stare at her.
Fu removes the cards from the box and begins to shuffle them. "What are you doing?" Thor asks. "I am shuffling the cards. Nothing special." Fu answers. Ceresei sits up. She places her hand on her forehead. Her headache was going away but she was dizzy. "How are you feeling?" Ane asks. Ceresei shakes her head and leans her back against the arm of the couch. "I...am back. I just need something to drink. Why do I feel like-" Ceresei said.
"Like crap? You involuntarily changed the weather. I'm guessing it was while you were getting Tsukito and Apollon out of the water. It kept raining and snowing." Fu explains as she shuffles the cards. "What? How?" Ceresei was in shock. She did not do anything particular. She just wanted to make sure everyone did not catch a cold due to the weather. Freya hands a cup of tea Ceresei. Ceresei takes the cup. She thanks, Freya.
The beach house appeared to have two floors. There was a deck in the back and a porch in the front. The majority of the furnishings were made of wood. The environment was homely. Portraits of boats, fish, and aquatics were hanging on the walls. The long curtains were blue and green. The couch was a dark blue.
"Sei-san, I'm sorry for having you go into the water. I didn't expect Father to do this." Apollon said with great concern. Ceresei takes a sip of the tea before she speaks, "I didn't expect to mess with the weather." Hades, who sitting on the love seat by the fireplace, glances at Ceresei before looking back at the flames.
"You are the goddess of agriculture, Demeter. Zeus possibly did not expect for your abilities to react to his doing. In the past, the goddess was able to change the seasons. With everyone limited to using basic skills...your connection to us is more obvious." Hades explains. "So, that means you are father's sister," Dionysus adds. Ceresei chokes on her tea, "No! I am an incarnation and an only child. There is no way I am related." Hades sighs and closes his eyes, "You are not related by blood. Only in the past life." "I doubt any of us are related." Fu scoffs.
"With your perversion...I doubt it." Ane retorts as she takes a seat on the floor across from Fu. Fu shoots a glare at Ane then deals the cards. "So, what should we do now?" Loki asks. Apollon stands up abruptly. "I know what to do. Sei-san please come with me." He says. Ceresei blinks and moves off the couch. She places the cup on the table. "Are you sure you should be moving Miss Ceresei?" Balder questions. Ceresei nods, "I will be fine. Let's hurry this up Apollon. Ane, Fu, Freya...entertain them. We will be back." Ceresei and Apollon leave the room to exit the house. Fu grins as she finishes dealing the cards.
"Where are they going?" Takeru questions. "Somewhere not important. However, they might as well kiss." Fu answers. Ane narrows her eyes as she grabs her cards. She carefully arranges them. "Silence. Besides, shouldn't you and Loki be doing the same thing by now?" Ane remarks in a casual manner. Loki coughs and glares at Ane. The thought of him and Fu behaving in that manner made Loki cringe. "I rather eat damn toads than touch that human," Loki said. Fu had a crooked grin on her face as she turns to Loki. "I would drink poison!" She says without raising her voice. Tsukito, Takeru, and Freya watch Fu and Loki glare at each other.
"You are an idiot who deserves Ceresei getting close to your little friend over here. I think you're jealous since he is the hot one." Fu said. Loki growls and grabs a pillow off the couch. He tosses it at Fu. Fu dodges it and Ane gets hit in the face. "Not this shit!" Ane grips the pillow tight and she slams the pillow into Fu's face. Ane did not care who she struck. Fu fell back in reaction to slam the same pillow into Loki's back. "Admit it! Balder is interested in poor Ceresei!" Fu scoffs. Loki's anger showed as he was ready to fight.
Balder took a stand in between them. "Handle this without killing. Yes, I am interested. I feel in debt to her." Balder spoke in honesty. "They are humans! Nothing more than God incarnations! What can they do for us?" Loki spoke up. Balder looks at Loki in disappointment. He did not want Loki to hate the girls. "These girls can help us Loki. You may not agree with me, but I believe in them. They do not hate us." Balder explains as he sat next to Fu. Loki does not say anything more, he leaves the house. Freya chases after him.
"Loki! Please stay!" Freya shouts as she closes the door behind her. The room was awkwardly silent. Takeru lets out an annoyed groan and he breaks the silence. He walks over to sit next to Ane. "Teach me how to play." He said. Fu grins and starts to the deal the rest of the cards, "The game is called "Spades". Although, I want to know something. Balder, why be so attached to Ceresei?" Balder blinks and he takes a moment to think. "You do cling to Ceresei a lot." Tsukito stated the obvious, "You privately talk to her at night." Balder narrows his eyes and frowns. "It is nothing of your concern. " He said.
"I think it is nice that you talk to her. We are friends after all. Communication is important." Ane said. Hades was looking at Ane. He felt that Ane might not be difficult to deal with. Fu nods and she finishes dealing the cards once more, "I know I said too much before. I'm sorry." Balder and everyone else looks at Fu. "It's okay. Though tell that to Ceresei and Loki." Ane said. Fu groans in annoyance. She did not want to apologize to Loki. The two, of course, did not get along. The arguments were proof.
Freya follows Loki onto the beach. Loki was silent. Freya did not say anything. He stares at the water. His gray eyes reflected the color of the water. Freya stands beside him. She stares into the water in silence. "...You know, it's hard. It has only been one day and it is difficult for everyone to get along." She said. Loki does not look at her.
He does not say a word. "Do you dislike us Loki?" Freya asks. "No, I do not. I just don't want Balder to get attached. We are different from you girls. If he gets too close to Ceresei then he won't let her leave." Loki said. "What do you mean?" Freya questions. "He will fall in love with her and because none of you girls are affected by his god ship that will have him fall for Ceresei even more," Loki explains. Freya could understand why Loki was protective. The girls could not fall in love with the gods. They may have been incarnations of gods, but they were still mortal.
It could never work. "...I know Ceresei isn't interested in anyone so just try explaining to Balder about the situation. Also, you should try getting along with Ceresei and Fu. They aren't bad, okay maybe Fu." Freya said. Loki chuckles. "For a shy girl, you sure can talk." Loki teases. Freya's face heats up and she sighs in shame. She smiles and picks up a seashell out of the sand. "I can be somehow helpful. Besides, Fu tricked you yesterday. Ceresei was tutoring Balder and Thor." Freya told the truth. Loki looked dumbfounded. Freya nods. For one to be causing mischief the god was tricked by a human. Loki had a rival and the intention to get even. "This isn't over," Loki grumbles and he turns around to head towards the beach house. Freya follows him from behind.
In the beach house, Ane and Balder along with Tsukito teamed up together to go against Fu, Takeru, and Thor in a game of Spades. Ane and Fu were glaring at each other. They have been teaching the gods how to play. Tsukito places a two of hearts on the table. Takeru tossed a king of clubs on the table. Thor had a four of spades. Balder had a nine of diamonds. Ane and Fu stare at each other. The two girls displayed the tension.
Fu was not intending to lose. "Okay...on the count of three. One...Two...Three!" Takeru said and the two girls slammed the cards on the table. The pair of Spades made contact with the wooden table. Fu had a four and Ane had a six of Spades. "Damn you!" Fu shouted as Ane gathered the cards and counted them. Takeru grunts but laughs in a response. Fu huffs and leans back against the couch in irritation. Ane smirks while the others were amused by the game.
Balder was laughing while Thor had a smile on his face. Tsukito was completely focused on learning about the mechanics of the game. "What the hell, Ane? You aren't supposed to be good at this game!" Fu said as everyone starts holding their playing cards in their hands. "This is fun. I did not expect humans to have this type of entertainment." Balder said as he tosses a card onto the table. "Hey, not all humans are boring." Fu grins as she watches the gods enjoy their time. Freya and Loki enter the house. Everyone looks at them.
"Look who is back. Come join us." Takeru said. Freya looks at Loki. She gives him a gentle smile. Loki looks back at her and nods. The two walk over the rest of the group and sit down. "Ane is beating Fu. You both should play with us." Takeru said. Thor chuckles as he sees Fu look irritated as she glares at Thor then Takeru. Freya giggles. "Can I join your team, Ane?" Loki asks. Ane smiles and nods. Fu grumbles as Ane hands Loki her playing cards. Ane was going to help him learn how to play the game.