Good day, gentlefriends, and welcome again.

So now we start to get into the actual story line itself. Matching lines with the anime and light novels. Things will be close to the main story, but certainly not exact. If you wanted the same story, you would watch or read the original, would you not?

Shall we continue then?

Chapter 5

It was two days after I had made the deal with Hestia. The three of us, Ryuu Luniore and I had just finished cleaning up after our morning spar and I was now standing in front of the mirror in my room.

It had been almost two weeks now, and I still wasn't really at home in this body. I watched myself stretch, the muscles under my skin still warm and loose from the sparring. The logic side of my brain had been perking up every time something 'impossible' happened, while the creative side was telling me just how amazing it all was.

I lowered myself to the floor, doing a split that would have had most of the modern world either jealous or holding their groin in agony. I felt the gentle stretch of my hips and inner thighs, my palms resting on the floor in front of me. Eyes closed I simply -felt-. I started lowering my body to the floor, hips rolling forward, until my big toes touched the floor and my breasts started to compress against the slightly rough floorboards.

There was a tap on the door. "Kodori?" It was Ryuu.

"Enter." I said slowly, to make sure I said the word properly. I saw the door open from the corner of my eye. I saw Ryuu's booted foot take a half step into my room, hesitate at what I'm sure she saw, "Please." I continued, and her foot moved forward again. She closed to door behind her.

I only made out some of her words. And she was keeping them simple for me, "Are you well? Something wrong?"

"I am well." my words came out slowly, as I tried to use the words I knew to make a sentence that would make some kind of sense. "Try to think. Not like home. Not like old Kodori."

"Home sick?" She asked, sitting on the bed behind me as I let my body simply lay there on the floor. I felt my tail swish against her leg, and her hand pet the end of it.

"No... yes? Think like old Kodori. New Kodori, need new think." I sighed, hating my lack of words. I pushed myself up, looking over my shoulder.

As usual her eyes were hard to read. But she gave me a tiny smile and pinched the tip of one of my ears. "Work soon. Hurry."

"Thank you." I said to her back as she closed to door. I tried to flick my ear a few times to get the tingling sensation to subside. I got dressed, listening to Mia and Luniore walk by my room.

Realizing that I could actually flick my ears made me feel better about myself, strangely enough.

Now that I could understand bits of the language, I took more interest in the patrons. Not to say I hadn't been interested before, but now I could actually engage them on a more tangible level. Not just serve them but say hello, and catch little bits of conversation. Mia noticed my change in attitude, and grinned at me after I returned to pick up a plate for another table.

"More fun now?" She asked, adding, "Window table."

"More fun." I agreed, "Yes Ma'am." I finished, taking the plate of food over.

I hardly noticed the passing of time while I worked. Listening to things, making broken small talk, and generally feeling like I actually belonged.

When evening fell, I found myself greeting Bell, as he was dragged in by Syr. "Bell, hello."

"M... Kodori. Hello." He quickly corrected himself, before Syr sat him down at the bar.

"New friend Syr?" I asked.

I could have imagined it, but I think Syr blushed when I asked. She waved away my question, but then Mia put a monstrous plate of pasta in front of him. "Heard you helped Syr. Eat eat!"

Syr looked embarrassed again, but sat down next to Bell. I tuned out their chatting and went back to cleaning up tables. It was by far the rowdiest evening since my arrival. Cards, drinking, food... Some one even got up and started dancing on a table, before his friends dragged him back down to sit again.

Then, with a 'nyaa' Arnya came back in from serving a table outside, announcing, "Guests have arrived!" There was a little more to that sentence, but I didn't know the words.

The bar went nearly silent as these guests arrived. The one in the lead was a boyish looking girl with orange hair and eyes that were almost squinted shut. The smile looked like one you would wear if everything was right in the world, and you were the one who made it right in the first place.

Next was a male Parum, with a mop of blond hair and a perpetually young face. He was also smiling, though it looked like the smile of one enjoying the atmosphere.

Side by side walked two sisters. Only a little shorter than I was, they looked to be twins, except one was just as boyish as the figure in the lead, and the other had a bust that rivaled Hestia. The less endowed of the two wore her black hair short, while the other had hair that was nearly to the floor. Of them all, they also showed off the most skin, which was a pleasing dark tan. Amazon race maybe?

Next was a bored looking werewolf. Grey hair, amber eyes, much like my own. He was tall and muscular. He gave off an air of 'whatever'. I liked the armor on his shins and forearms though. Protective and functional.

Behind him was a woman, also looking a little bored, but that very well could have been her default look. Green hair and sharply pointed eyes marked her as an elf. She wore a robe with a white cape that looked like it could cover her completely.

Beside her was a dwarf, for no other race could be so stout looking. His face was serious, but I think the reason for that was he was now in a tavern, and there was ale to be had.

A second elf, or half elf? Walked in behind him, smiling happily. She looked younger than either Ryuu or the green haired elf, though I could only guess at how much.

Last was a blond haired woman who seemed to make the rest of the bar start whispering. Long blond hair, perfect curves, form fitting backless white shirt and short skirt. She was like a masterpiece marble statue come to life.

Her expression actually drew me away from her beauty though. Her face was just as perfect as the rest of her, but blank. Golden eyes set in a face that was just as unmoving as an actual statue.

I caught words and names. 'Loki Familia' and 'Aiz Wallenstein'. As well as 'Don't stare'.

As they got seated, Chloe, Arnya and Luniore started bringing out food and drinks. They filled the middle of the tavern's biggest table in a flash with our best dishes, before Ryuu brought out a tray filled with mugs.

They all took a mug and with a flourish, the one who had led the group in declared "Good work out in the dungeon guys!"

I missed the next line, and only heard the clunk of mugs distantly as my brain connected a couple of dots. She was a god. And if that was Loki Familia, then THAT was Loki.

"You would think I'd be used to surprises by now." I mumbled, walking past Bell and Syr with a platter of empty mugs.

"Huh?" Syr asked as I went by.

I stopped and watched the party at the middle table start really going. "Sorry. That Loki?" I pointed to the short flat chested lady who was standing with one foot on the table and drinking her ale like it was going out of fashion.

"Yes. Something wrong?" Syr inquired again. "Loki Familia. They come here often."

I shook my head and continued on my way.

It wasn't much later, after many refills, that they got even wilder. Loki, who I noticed had opened one eye at me, as if to say 'I have noticed you', was chatting with Ryuu. Or rather, chatting AT Ryuu, who simply stood there, making sure Loki didn't drown herself as she kept refilling her mug directly from the keg on the bar top. The werewolf was starting to talk about something, getting the others to look at him with mixed expressions. He was obviously a bit drunk, as I could make out even less words than usual.

What I did pick up on was how something funny happened in the dungeon. Followed a monster. Saved a boy. Tomato. The green haired elf told him, "Bete, stop." but he kept on going, leaning over the table at Aiz, who sat opposite.

The Parum told him he was drunk, but he kept asking/shouting questions at Aiz.

Then Bell, now most of the way through his massive pasta dish, got up and ran out the door. His face was red with embarrassment, and I put the dots in my head together instantly. I turned to Syr, who had followed him out the door, hand over her mouth in surprise, and to my surprise, so did Aiz.

I heard Loki say something like 'brave to run from Mia.'

Turning back to the table, I saw the werewolf tied to the ceiling and the two amazons dusting off their hands, one of them saying "Cool off, you're drunk."

"Wow, that was fast." I mumbled to myself.

"Happens... All the time." Loki slurred beside me, mug once again almost empty. "You speak funny. You new here?"

Ryuu, seeing her chance to escape, melted away, leaving me there to entertain the mostly drunk Goddess. "I'm learning." I replied. "I'd never believed you were a Goddess, but since you can understand me perfectly..." I shook my head, "I'm new in town. Your Familia seems to be doing well."

"O'course! We're the best!" She crowed, "Especially Aiz! Nothin' my Sword Princess can't do!" She downed the rest of her mug and looked at the bottom as if it offended her. "More please!"

I took her mug and filled it for her, tugging the back of her shirt to stop her from trying to drink from the spigot. "You're the second Goddess I've met so far. Not what I expected." I said, "Figured you would be less of a light weight."

"You callin' me flat?" she stopped in mid drink to bring her face right up to mine to look me in the eye. Her hand went to my breast while she did too, "Just cause you got these doesn't mean you can call me flat!"

I was at a loss for what to do. Grabby patrons got a slap, drunk grabby patrons got the 'Chloe Javelin' treatment. But what about a drunk Goddess? Objectively, I considered that she was being rather gentle for someone that...

I took the offending hand in mine and pushed it away, "You're not drunk at all, are you?"

She kept her slightly rosy coloured face smiling, but she opened one of her nearly closed eyes and looked at me, "Sharp one, ain't ya?"

"An outsider's perspective." I said with a smile of my own, "I don't really care, but if you do that again, I'll hand you to Mia." For being a Goddess, the look of abject terror on her face at my threat was rather surprising, yet VERY satisfying. "Refill?"

"Is our Goddess giving you trouble?" The Palum man came over to us, his 'amused at the world' smile still intact. He asked a question too fast for me to follow, and I raised my hands in mock surrender.

"Slow, please. Still learning." I said to him.

"You are new girl." He nodded as if to himself, "Heard of you. Want me to take her away?" He spoke slowly and with simple words.

"Could you please?"

The cleanup was... Epic. Loki Familia certainly knew how to party. Dishes, bits of food, mugs, bits of rope from where Bete the werewolf was tied to the rafters... By the time it was all cleaned up, I felt like skipping my evening stretches and just passing out. But I didn't.

I was just finishing up when Mia tapped on my door. "Enter."

She opened it, "Good work." She said with a grin, "Didn't panic."

I chuckled, shaking my head, "Old skill. From before. Loki was not drunk. Only play."

"Acting." She corrected me, "Words coming well too." She frowned slightly. "How long you staying?"

The question felt like it had physical force. I felt my heart lurch, before I caught myself and let logic think for me. "You heard Hestia." I stated. This time is was logic telling my heart to sit down and be quiet.

"Yes." She replied simply.

"Made promise. Must ask right before I go." I turned and smiled at her, "No good if I can not talk. No good if I can not read." I chuckled, "No good if I eat and run."

"Bad joke." Mia chided me, but nodded, "Always welcome. Go to sleep. Lots of work."

I was just walking down the steps when I spotted Bell bowing to Mia, holding out a back of what I presumed were coins. Syr was there as well, looking to be offering moral support to the boy as Mia stared him down.

"Sorry. Here is the money I owe."

They went back and forth, a few times. Bell trying not to shrink into a little ball under the much taller woman's stare, and succeeding, if only just.

I found myself respecting him for that. More than a little too.

"So it was you." I commented. "Bete was talking about." I felt like I had kicked a puppy when he looked up at me. "Sorry." Mia and Syr glared at me.

"Yes. Miss Ais saved me." Bell replied, remembering, even in his embarrassment, that I was still learning.

I gave him a pat on the shoulder, while Syr held up a little box. "Going to the dungeon today? Here. I made lunch for you."

I raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment as Bell stammered out a few things before taking the lunch and carefully putting it in his pack. With a smile Syr went to the kitchen, while Mia and I stood there watching him collect himself again.

"It might be embarrassing." Mia started, putting both big hands on Bell's shoulders and looming over him, "But in the dungeon, if you live, you win."

I considered her words myself. Sure, I had been in some bad spots in my life. But the dungeon itself was a deadly place. I had no idea how I would handle myself. I still added my own comment, "All well, I work with you. I will need a teacher."

"I will never forgive you if you don't come back." Mia added, turning Bell around and giving him a little push in the direction of the door.

Compared to the previous night, that evening was quite tame. Even a little dull, honestly. I had plenty of time to try my eye at reading. And was doing fairly well too, as I pointed to the various signs around the room and sounded them out. One sign in particular made me curious, so I asked Mia. "Hostess of Fertility?"

"Yes." She paused, "Stopped working... Re-ti-er-ed from Freya Familia."

Enlightened, I nodded, but didn't ask further. If the dungeon was indeed a deadly place, a person would have any number of reasons to pack it in and stay home. Though I did ask, "You keep Falna?"

She was surprised at the question, though she shook her head as if remember I wouldn't know. "Until death."

I nodded and blinked as I saw a familiar mop of white hair walk through the door. "Bell wins." I smiled at Mia, earning a halfhearted glare, before I ducked my head and went to do some dishes.

Again I was looking in the mirror. I was sore from the sparring session with Lunoire, but feeling good none the less. Today had marked the first time I had actually made contact with my sparing partner. Sure, it was with just my little knuckle just touching the the fabric over her short ribs, and I had been given a little nudge, sending me tumbling all the way to the wall of our little arena. But I still managed to do it. All the previous practice I'd gotten being pushed around and tripped up meant I hadn't even bruised myself when I came to a halt either. Just looked rather silly as I looked at Luniore while upside down against the wall, and said "HA!" pointing at her.

I leaned close to the mirror, nose almost touching, and looked into my own eyes. Maybe that is what was stopping me from my body feeling real? No that wasn't it. I laughed, pinching my arm gently to make sure one last time that I wasn't dreaming, and started laughing.

I was laughing so hard that I hadn't even noticed Ryuu or even Mia enter my room until I felt two big hands grab my shoulders and give me a shake. Blinking my eyes clear of tears, and trying to get my breath so settle down took effort, but eventually I stopped hiccuping and smiled at the two worried faces.

"Not a dream." I said, pausing to gather more of the half learned language and some more breath. "Dreams are too far. But I touched it. Not a dream. This is me. I am here. New life. New body. New routine. But I am still me." Lost in the fight between my logical side and emotional side, was that little fact. I was still myself.

I stood suddenly, the pair of them getting out of the way, and stood in front of the mirror. Still dressed in only my undergarments, and looked at myself in a whole new light. "I get it now." I said in English.

"Mia." I started, looking back at her and speaking in the language of this world, "I would like to join Hestia Familia." I turned to face her completely and bowed deeply. "Please."

I felt Mia's big hand rest on top of my head, and pet me between my pointed ears, "Yes you may." She continued, saying, "When Bell comes, go with him to the Guild."

"This place... Is big." I said to bell as I stood beside him, looking up at Babel. I didn't know the words for 'huge' or 'titanic' or 'ridiculously compensating for something', so I went with 'big'.

"Yes. First floors are shops. Floors after, up-per floors, are homes for Gods." Bell replied, "Guild is here."

He pointed to a much more modest place near the tower. Modest was still many times larger than the Hostess of Fertility, but still, when I thought about just how much paperwork managing not just a group, but a city of adventurers, I wasn't surprised. The building itself was well kept, and the walls were hung with various banners. We entered the front double doors, and I followed Bell past a series of paper laden billboards to a row of desks with various uniformed people sitting behind them. There were a few short lines leading to each person, making me think, properly so, that this was the front desk, and we were basically taking a number.

I noticed Eina, the guild representative who visited me, at the front of the line, helping some one in a suit of tough looking leather armor.

"Guild works one on one?" I asked over Bell's shoulder.

"Ad. vis. er. Adviser." He pronounced for me, "She teaches me, when I am not going to the dungeon."

I hmm'ed to myself, as we found ourselves standing in front of her now. I gave her a friendly wave, "Good morning." I said as clear I could. Her face brightened somewhat at my words. "I have come to sign up."

"Re-gis-ter." Bell corrected me. "Register."

"Register." I stood corrected, "To be an adventurer with Hestia Familia."

"Have you received the Falna?" She asked, adjusting her glasses and getting a form from inside her desk.

"No. Hestia does not know yet." I smiled, crossing my arms under my breasts, "I want to surprise her. And get..." I kicked the words around in my head a moment, "directed? No..."

"Oriented." Bell supplied helpfully. "Or-ee-ent-ed."

I kicked that word around in my head for another moment, then tried, "Orient earing? Orienteering?"

Eina smiled as I seemed to get the word right. "Very well. Here." She handed me the paper in her hands, and I glanced at it. My eyes picked up on a few words, then a few more. I would have to translate some of it tonight.

"Bring that tomorrow." She continued, "Today... Come with me." She turned to a co-worker, a human if her ears were any indication, "Misha? I am taking these two for..."

"Con-sul-ta-tion." Bell supplied, "Consultation, teaching." He was really getting into the role of teaching me.

As we followed Eina down a hallway, I resolved to find out what Bell's birthday was or something.

What followed was a brief but well practiced lecture on the upper floors of the dungeon. What to expect, how to deal with it, and simple do's and 'do not's. There was also a very detailed map. Part of the service the adventurers provided, aside from keeping monsters from jumping out into the town was to provide findings to the guild so that they could play the role of administrative support. The guild was also responsible for quests. Special materials and the like were often sought after by smiths, so they would post the request on the guild board, and offer compensation.

It was like I was living a video game. The dungeon itself was like a giant monster hive. Continuously hatching monsters. She mentioned, but wouldn't say more on a sort of safe spot about eighteen floors down, but otherwise, and occasionally even there, the dungeon was dangerous.

It played no favorites, it took no prisoners, and unless some one was there to take your remains back to the surface, it left nothing behind of the fallen.

Magic stones were the main prize of the dungeon. Useful in almost every way, and with a guild branch dedicated to researching more, they were the most common 'drop' of a monster. It was almost like their heart, and when removed, the body of a monster would turn to ash and be reabsorbed by the dungeon. Kind of creepy, but it made me think of the history I grew up with. People find something in the ground, build town, town grows, resource runs out, town vanishes. Unless it had a substantial trade or the like.

And it seemed Orario had even that. A big part of the city was set aside for smiths and artisans. Which made sense. With this many people swinging swords and the like around all day, there was bound to be a way to fix them some where around. Armor too. And monsters bits some times found their way into these weapons too.

My logical side didn't even twitch when I found out Hephaestus was a woman.

After the lesson, it was well into the afternoon. Bell and I were both told to return tomorrow to finish the orientation, and for Bell to teach me more on being prepared. We both stood outside the guild, stretching out our backs in exactly the same way.

"Lunch?" I asked Bell, who nodded, "Find Hestia? She does not know yet."

"She is working a few streets from here." He replied, "She should still be there."

To say Hestia was happy was something of an understatement. Bell caught her basket of potato snacks before it could be thrown into the air. I had to catch a happy very soft girl, and suffer myself to be hugged and be 'squee'd at.

After I put her down and pat her head to try and calm her down, Bell returned her basket.

"I am sure the entire district knows of your good fortune, Hestia." A calm male voice called out as the owner of said voice walked around a corner. "I assume this is the young miss you were talking about?"

"Ah, Take'! Yes. This is the Renard lady I mentioned. Isn't she adorable?" Hestia commented.

I felt something tickle in the back of my mind at how the man looked, and her pronunciation of his name. He was dressed like a some what down on his luck priest from Japan. Traditional black hair done in loops to keep it out of the way. A tattered at the edges, priest or perhaps politician frock with baggy pants. His outfit went out of style around a thousand years ago back home, but I suppose, a God dresses how ever they please.

I could also understand him perfectly. I tried my hand over fist bow to him, just to see what sort of reaction I'd get.

"I am pleased to meet you. My name is Kodori."

His handsome face was looked pleasantly surprised as he returned my fighter's salute. "I am Takemikazuchi. A pleasure. Where did you learn that language? I've not heard it before."

"I am... Very new to town." I smiled, then curious, I asked, "Wakarimasuka?"

"You know Eastern?" He was surprised again. But then shook his head, "Well, you are a Renard after all."

"No. I was just testing a theory. I know almost nothing of Eastern, though, I suppose if I had talked in it, some one might have come to help sooner." I replied, waving away the issue.

"See? She doesn't even have my Falna yet, and she's so talented." Hestia bubbled.

"Not yet." I confirmed switching to the local language and holding out the bit of paperwork I was given. "I can also properly register my name as well." I said to her, "Once we fill this out." Both Hestia and Take' reacted to my emphasis on the word.

"Yes yes!" She recovered quickly, "Want to do it now?"

"No." I said flatly, "You are still on the clock."

And she suddenly had the kicked puppy look again.

"You said we are a small Familia. That you had to work part time to make ends meet." I continued, making her pout and fidget on the spot, "So, finish your shift. I promised I would join you, for helping me, and so I will." She looked hopeful, "AFTER you are done work." and then she was back to looking like a kicked puppy again.

"Miss Hestia, I will take her back home. Miss Eina asked me to help her with tomorrow."

"Fiiiiiiiiine..." She pouted, making Take' laugh quietly.

"I like her." He said with what could easily be called a winning smile. "She is already working hard for you."

"So this, is home." Bell said as we arrived.

"You know... I think I saw this home when I first came here." I said, "But..."

"Oh! This isn't... At the back." He pointed, and I spotted a door at the far back.

It was the old ruin of a Greek temple I had gone past with Syr, after my attempt at a rescue. The marble was half overgrown, and only a few pillars still stood. But at the very back, past a stone floor that was almost totally gravel now, was a solid wood door.

Following him through, and heading down, I found myself in what was easily the local equivalent of a large bachelor apartment. Small kitchen, well worn but comfortable looking couch, coffee table, and a large bed tucked into the far corner. There was a door to another room near that, which I assumed was a bathroom, and... not much else.

It was well lit with magic stone lamps, and it felt... Cozy.

"It is not much." Bell said shyly. "But it is home."

"I like it." I said with a smile. "Comfortable." I sat on the couch and sunk into it pleasantly. "But, to work." I said, pulling out the paper from inside my shirt.

By the time Hestia returned, Bell and I were just finishing a list of things I would need before starting into the dungeon tomorrow. I had already written what I could onto the sign up form, and needed Hestia for the rest. The rest of the time was spent on light conversation and Bell helping me with my reading, which was far far behind my speech.

Still in high spirits, she slammed opened the door with a "I'm back!" and bounced over to where Bell and I were sitting. I could have sworn I saw something cross her face when she saw how close we were, but I could have easily imagined it. She had a basket under her arm, smelling of potato and spice, and a clean sheet of paper in the other.

"Ready?" She asked, "I got some of the left over potato puffs to celebrate afterward!"

"Yes, Goddess, I am." I said formally. "What must be done?"

"First You need to show me your back." She turned to Bell, "No peeking at a her while I do this! Move to the bed and lay down. Its easier that way."

I raised an eyebrow, but for the Goddess's sake, I waited until Bell, red faced, had turned away before moving to the bed and pulling my top open to the waist, and tugging off my sports bra. "Like so?" I asked, moving my hair out of the way and laying down on the bed. Hestia's scent tickled my nose as I lay there waiting. I moved my legs apart slightly and told my tail to play dead.

I felt Hestia's weight settle on my rear as she sat on me. I noticed the glint of a small knife in her hand, the paper in the other. "This might tickle. Try not to move."

I was worried for an instant, but she instead applied the knife to her own fingertip, and lightly touched it against my back.

Author's notes.

There is it gentle readers. There is no going back now. Our heroine has come to grips with her change, and is now changing herself again. How will this change the original story? Well, keep reading. And we shall all find out together.