Chapter 53

"This... You know, I have no words." Welf said as he stood beside me, looking up at I AM GANESHA. The two guards laughed a little awkwardly, and he looked at them, "We have something for Him."

On both our backs, were wrapped bundles. On mine, was the new blade, and on Welf's the old. We had both come dressed in casual clothing, but had our best salamander wool cloaks. A live demonstration would be rather hot, and even with my near immunity to fire, I wasn't sure I could take something THAT hot. That, and I liked my clothes.

"He did say something about that, didn't He?" One guard asked another, who shrugged, "Follow me." He turned and started towards the double doors at the groin of I AM GANESHA.

"What a silly building..." Welf muttered, "I mean..."

"I know." I replied, seeing the guard look a little depressed at our words, "But, there is a lot in here. It might look silly, but if I ever need a dentist, I know where I'm gonna go for it."

"True enough." He replied as he looked around, "Clinic, public workshops, library..."

"Lord Ganesha might be..." Our guard didn't finish that one, but continued, "But, he has his moments of clarity."

I knew better, but didn't say. "I'm curious, what sort of books can you find in that library?"

"Most everything." He replied, stopping at the front desk, "A moment." He turned to one of the people working there, a familiar face to me, it was the same man who helped me at the last monster festival. "Where is Lord Ganesha?"

"I think he might be in his study... If he even studies? I mean..." He grinned at me, "Had to call his office something right? We have a list of jobs for your Familia, if you'd like to pass the word on." To Welf he said, "Including another house building project."

"When we're not busy with our own home improvement, we'll see if we can do that." Welf said with a grin, "Man, feels good to be appreciated, eh sister?"

"Yeah." I smiled, "See? We don't just have to go to the dungeon to make a name for ourselves."

"Good luck with Lord Ganesha." The man behind the desk said as our guard led the way again.

"Right, as for the library. Most anything really. You obviously won't find tomes or dangerous information, but there is something under almost every topic you can think of." He led us up a few flights of stairs, down a short hallway, then up some more. If I had to guess, we were going to the top floor.

"I wonder if it has anything on old legends." I said, "Or alchemy."

"Sure, though some of our older books are... cryptic." He replied, scratching his chin, "Translations of translations and the like."

"What ya thinking sister? Something new, or rather, old, to show up poor Nazza?" Welf teased, "When she saw your potion pills, her tail was wagging back and forth like crazy."

"Actual enthusiasm? From Nazza? No!" I replied, acting shocked.

"Nazza..." Our guard looked thoughtful, "Chienthrope, shy about her arm?"

"That's the one." Welf replied as we finally finished going up the stairs, finding ourselves in front of another double door, this one in the shape of Ganesha's elephant mask. "Seriously?"

"I'm afraid so..." Our guard said, "I'll announce you, just a moment."

He was about to open the door with a cleverly disguised doorknob that was pretending to be a bit of the elephant's trunk, when the door was thrust open violently, splitting in the middle and nearly knocking the guard over.

"I AM GANESHA!" The God announced as he held both doors wide.

Our guard recovered quickly, picking up his dropped spear and looking first at us, then Ganesha. "My Lord, two guests that you've been expecting?"

"Ah yes! Ganesha has indeed been expecting you!" The tall muscular god posed himself with a textbook strongman stage flex. "I will talk to them, good child!" He said to the guard, "And have tea brought up!"

"Yes my Lord." The guard replied, giving Welf and I a very apologetic look.

Ganesha himself got behind Welf and I and put a hand on both our shoulders, nudging us into His study. "This way this way! We have much to talk about!"

His study was rather well appointed. The room itself was contained in the 'head' of the I AM GANEHSA building, the two 'eyes' were also windows, giving us a clear view of a good portion of the city. Mostly round, the walls were lined with bookshelves. Small trophies and many books lined these, and more than a few of the items caught my interest.

Like a tooth the size of my leg. That one had a story I was sure.

As the door shut behind us, our Host let our shoulders go, and stepped ahead of us, "Please, have a seat, anywhere you like." He motioned to the chairs in front of a wide desk, with all manner of trinkets on it. As well as a pair of couches that faced each other across a huge tree stump table.

Welf gave me a look, then nodded his head to the couches, so we sat there. Big fluffy things, done in a nice brown with just the right amount of padding. Perfect for napping, or reading. Ganesha waited until we had sat down before sitting across from us. "Does it get tiring?"

"The act? Yes." He said plainly. His normal voice much smoother, just right for a radio show. "But, acting like that helps keep people from suspecting you are smart enough to hide anything." He smiled, his mask catching a little light from the high quality lamps, "Master Welf, I am guessing you are bringing your payment, as promised?"

"We are." Welf said with a nod, "Sort of." He unhitched the bundle from his back, while I did the same.

"Sort of?" Ganesha asked, "Your reluctance to make magic sword is known throughout the city. Having descended before your bloodline was cursed, I can guess why. But..."

"Let me explain." Welf said, holding up a hand, "Though, you're right. I hate magic sword. Our two Familia keep a couple around, just for emergencies, in case we are about to get overwhelmed."

"A wise idea." Ganesha agreed.

"But, Kodori here, got me thinking. Maybe I'd been going about it all wrong? What if I could make a magic sword, that never broke?"

He took a moment to unwrap the first blade, the wide black blade soaking up light as the red traces of magic moved under the surface. "This was our first attempt to make such a thing. What you see there, is the fire from the only Crozzo blade to survive the elvish curse that destroyed all the others."

Ganesha's eyebrows shot up, "You mean..."

"We made a blade that eats other magic swords." Welf said with a smile, "And." He nudged me, and I unwrapped the second blade. "This is our second one."

Ganesha stood, and picked up the blade. With a proper steel cutting edge, it was a perfectly functional scimitar. Made for the taller man, it was just the right length, to both be balanced for a strong but 'non-adventurer' and be intimidating at the same time. The hilt was long enough to be held in both hands, with an elephant's head on the pommel. "These three swirls..." Ganesha eyed the black 'ko-steel' spirals that fed into the back of the blade, "Will they absorb other magic swords?"

"Yes." Welf said, "We figured, that being popular can be dangerous. But, your Familia has the best reputation."

"I see..." Ganesha took a few experimental swings, switching hands, then holding it in both. After living in this city for a year or so now, I could tell he actually knew what he was doing. "And one can release the energy back again..."

"Exactly. We even have a demonstration if you want..." Welf looked around, "But this place is a little too... papery."

Ganesha chuckled, before perking up and switching to his public persona, "Thank you Mister Welf! This is truly a wonderful blade!"

There was a knock on the door, and it was opened a moment later by a different person than before. I found I recognized her too, "My Lord, I've brought tea."

"Miss Shakti!" Ganesha greeted his captain, waving the sword around like a very tall child, "Look at this amazing sword! Swish! Swish!"

Dressed in the same, though much cleaner than the last I saw her, orange t-shirt with the missing shoulders, she deftly dodged the swings as she delivered the tea, "It certainly looks sharp." She said returning to a safe distance, then looking at me, "How is your pet? The needle rabbit?"

"Chime is just fine." I replied, getting into the act with Ganesha, and leaning over a little to dodge a swing that in reality, came no where close to me, "Hasn't eaten anyone's socks, and never gets underfoot."

"A smart critter then. Have you ever considered trying your hand at taming?" She asked, smiling slightly when I took a sip of the tea and perked up. It was really good chai.

"Well... Aside from dogs, I have no experience." I said honestly. Though, it wasn't like Chime really needed to be taught. Sneaky critter.

"A shame. But, if you ever wish to try, let me know." Then to Ganesha, "My Lord, please don't swing sharp objects around? You have far too many breakable things in here."

"OH! You're right Miss Shakti! I should stop Oops!" He managed to catch a lamp with a back swing, the dull spine of the blade sending it towards Welf, who caught it deftly, "Yes, I think I will put this away now!"

With a sigh, Shakti left. Ganesha waited for some unseen signal, then relaxed again. "You even have your captain in the dark?" I asked.

"Yes and no." He said, sitting back down, "She knows, but doesn't know who else knows. But, no one knows about our... Other friends. How is she doing?"

"Did you bring it?" Welf asked me, "I saw you put it in your pocket, but you never delivered it."

I thought for a moment, and realized he was right. I'd meant to give the little dragon statue to Hestia before we left to give Ganesha his sword. Fishing it out of my pocket, I put it on the table. "This is the first enchanting idea I put into practise. It's a memory stone." I explained, the masked God leaning over and picking it up carefully. "It gives you the feeling of being right next to that person... sort of."

"The detail is remarkable." He said after a moment, "But..." He paused, his eyebrows raising again, "I see... She does well then. Such... Innocence." He said with a smile, "I am some what envious." He put the little dragon back on the table, "To be able to hold such feelings, despite what has happened."

"She is a special one." Welf said while I nodded, "Its a little tiring though, ha ha! She's like me, when I first started at the forge, except, with everything!"

"That's good though!" Ganesha said with a grin, "It's my hope, along with the others who know, that they too will join us up here, with the rest of the Children."

"I'm curious though." I started, "From how Wiene describes her dreams... Is the dungeon some kind of..." I hunted for the word in the local language, but couldn't think of it. So I used the English one, "Purgatory?"

"I am not sure." Ganesha said after a moment of looking at me, his eyes hidden behind the lenses of the mask, "Not even Ouranos has told us his thoughts on this. But its an interesting theory."

"What was that word?" Welf asked.

"Purgatory." Ganesha said, "A place without the light of the Gods, where corrupt souls go to be cleansed and reborn anew." He rubbed his chin, "To be honest, I never thought of the dungeon like that. Though, I've also never been in the dungeon."

We nodded as one, then Welf shrugged, "Well, is there someplace better suited to demonstrate the sword?"

"Yes, though, please, enjoy your tea first. It feels good to be able to act as myself." Ganesha said with a sigh.

"I suppose I'll ask about your library then." I said, taking another sip of tea.

We had only a small group of Ganesha's Familia watching as Welf and I stood apart from each other in one of the big empty animal enclosures of the zoo. Being unable to use a weapon of any type, Welf held the prototype sword, Oblivion Cup, while I held the 'Mk. 1' blade, as yet unnamed.

Mostly unnamed, because I told Welf it wasn't his to name. Not because he has terrible naming sense. Honest.

And while I was being honest, I was a little nervous. I knew how hot things would get. I was protected, both with the salamander wool and my own immunity. But...

A hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my downward spiral of thinking, and I found clarity. Ganesha, as he walked by, gave me a token of encouragement, before passing by and sitting on the grass a safe distance away.

"I am Ganesha!" He said proudly, "Show me what this fancy sword does!"

Welf and I nodded to him, then to each other, "Ready sister?" He asked, raising the sword over his head, the black blade not even glinting in the sunlight of early afternoon.

Bracing my feet, I held the blade in front of me, one hand on the hilt, the other just past the three spirals. "Bring it." I said.

"Empty out! Oblivion Cup!" Welf shouted, swinging the blade down, and unleashing a torrent of flames.

"Take it in." I said, squinting my eyes and watching the stream of red and white fire race towards me, the air getting thinner as it devoured everything in its path. My heart started to speed up, and I had to bite my lip to keep the rising feeling of terror under control.

About a meter in front of me, as the salamander wool started to heat up, the flames simply stopped. Shimmering with heat, the air before me compressed down and was taken in by the blade. The blade itself started heating up too, my fingertips suddenly feeling like I'd just reached into the forge.

Then it was over. Welf stood across from me, sword still extended, but now, the black blade was all black, with nothing to be seen of the red traces of power it once held. The blade in my hands however, had one of the spirals glowing with the same red traces. Breathing a sigh of relief, I relaxed, shaking out my hand to try and cool it off.

Our audience... Of the dozen or so who were watching, most were slack jawed with what had just happened. They had just witnessed a magic sword get stopped cold. Ganesha Himself was clapping with delight at the show, though when I caught his eye he gave me a nod of approval. So, I walked towards them, carefully holding the blade. When I was only a pace away, I knelt and offered the blade across my palms.

"Lord Ganesha, for the service of helping my friends and Familia heal me, as well as the purchase of the Elixir that ultimately restored my body to allow me to stand with them again, Hestia Familia offers this sword to you as payment, as agreed by our Master Smith, and yourself, Lord Ganesha, God of the People." Much more formal than simply passing it across the table, the three of us agreed in His study that we should make a show of it.

The God stood, his shadow falling over me as he took the blade from my hands and held it. "I am GANESHA! And I really like this sword! I think we can call it even between our two Familia! Oh... I think I need a sheath for this... Did some one bring one?"

Formal mood broken by the fake idiocy of their God, the observers all sighed.

"Did you see the looks on their faces? I wish the rest of us were there to see it." Welf grinned, the original sword strapped to his back again."

I chuckled with him, his good mood keeping the dark thoughts away for the moment. "I did notice that the blast was weaker than when it went in." Over my shoulder, replacing the gifted sword was a leather sack, containing two well wrapped books.

"Yeah, I noticed that too." Welf nodded, giving my shoulder a tap, "But it worked! I mean, nothing broke! Your idea to keep the magic contained is amazing."

"And your ability to actually make the things is even better." I said, "Maybe we can come up with something to replace the magic? A container or something... I'll have to draw it, I don't have the words." I kind of felt I was getting close to 'too advanced' with my idea, but a certain magical girl anime came to mind.

"I look forward to it." He replied, "How about you? Those are some heavy looking books."

"I'm hoping they have something for me to work with. I mean..." I sighed, not wanting to get too personal with the details, "And I have to keep it a secret from her."

"Don't worry sister. I'll take it to the grave, until you tell her at least." Welf said seriously, though his grin was still in place, "I'm done my part of the ring though. I should really treat that Asfi lady to a drink or something, enchanting isn't that hard when you know where to start."

"And have a sister with fur you can mix to make magical iron?"

"And have a sister with fur you can mix to make magical iron." He admitted. "And great ideas."

"Thanks." I said, returning the shoulder tap, "Go check on the project, I'm going to stop in at the Hostess. Unless you want tea or something."

"Nah." He brushed off my offer, "I've got some minor stuff to hammer out, and if I leave it too long work will stop." He held up a fist dramatically, "The trails of a smith are never done."

"Tell Ha-chan I'll be home soon, really this time. I'll have Ryuu walk me home, maybe have dinner with us." No more travelling alone for me, though I didn't say that.

"Extra salad then. Right." He turned at the next corner, leaving me on the main street just out of sight of the Hostess of Fertility.

As I covered the hundred meters towards the place I once? First? called home, I was wondering how Mia reacted to having another girl show up. I knew Ryuu would explain things clearly, though she might leave out a few of the... bloody details. But I couldn't just not show up and explain it myself.

And I needed to see the face of my former enemy.

"Welcome!" It was Syr who greeted me, making me realize it wasn't quite lunch time. "Um..."

"Not sorry." I said, being totally improper and giving the girl a hug, careful not to ruffle her uniform bonnet.

"It's okay." She replied, "But um... We've been a little worried." She returned my hug and nudged me away, "Not just you, but..."

I put a hand on her shoulder, "We've been doing some work." I put a little lean on the word 'work', "And it's kept us from being as social as we like. I'll be sure to tell Bell to visit."

She blushed a little, but nodded, giving me a smile, "Thank you, now shoo, go get lunch or something. I could hear your tummy rumble."

Giving in to her gentle push to get me out of the way of the door, I entered the Hostess proper, and felt a little surge of warm memories at all the scents coming out of the kitchen as it got ready for the lunch crowd. Like a proper customer, I found a table near the back wall, away from the windows and sat down, avoiding the gazes of the handful of patrons as I stepped around them.

Peeking her head out of the kitchen at the noise my chair made, I gave Chloe a little wave. Little triangle ears perking up, she turned back, said something I couldn't quite hear, and after a moment both her and Luniore stepped out, the latter drying her hands on her apron. "Nyah! You're okay!" Chloe said as she got closer to my table. Not even pretending to be proper, she leaned over and gave me a hug, rubbing her cheek against the side of my head.

Returning the hug, and telling my tails they could be social, but not 'enveloping' I replied, "More or less." I nudged her away gently and caught Luniore smiling, "Would you like one too?"

"If you don't mind dishwater." She replied, switching places with the cat girl, but refraining from giving me a cheek rub with her hug.

"Have I ever?" I asked, mock offended, "Lunch before business though."

Chloe winced, "Nya... Mia was a little... Well..."

"Yes." The voice of the proprietress said from the kitchen, "Mia still is." A pause, then much quieter, "Keep working you... Stir that a little more too."

The two girls and I shared a nervous laugh, "Yeah... I..." I faltered.

"Have lunch first." Luniore said with a smile, nudging Chloe, "Come on cat, take her order already."

"nyaaa." The black haired cat girl stuck her tongue out at her co-worker and looked to me, waiting for my order.

Belly full of well made sandwich and salad, it was Arnya who brought me a little pot of tea and a cup. She waited until after setting them down to give me a hug. "Ryuu hasn't said much about what happened." She started quietly, mindful of the lunch crowd that had come in part way through my meal. "But..." She paused as one of my tails flopped over her arm for attention.

"Maybe later." I said, "I still have to talk to Mia about it."

"Yeah..." She gave my tail a pat, though that only encouraged another to join, "Hey no fair!"

"How is she?" I asked, finally able to ask the question without needing to pull one of the girls aside.

"She's... Shaken. But handy in the kitchen, being so tall." She replied, using her tray to block the rest of my tails from latching on to her for attention. "But well..."

She looked across the room to the bar, Mama Mia's usual spot, where she could run the till and keep an eye out on everything that was going on. Being nearly two meters tall gave her what most would call, a 'commanding presence'. She finished cashing out a customer, and caught the two of us looking her way.

And glared.

For a half second.

"I'll just finish my tea then..." I said nervously.

"Back to work back to work..." Arnya said, vanishing from my side to return to filling drinks.

I held up my teacup meaningfully towards Mia, who nodded. Once. And went back to minding the bar.

Sighing, and trying to enjoy the last of my tea, I finally stood up and made my way over. Dutifully, I pulled out my money pouch, paid for my meal, and let Mia close the till before sitting myself back down on a bar stool. "Sorry." I said to her as she put a mug away under the bar top.

"Sorry? That's it?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"For a bunch of things." I continued, keeping my voice low, "For screwing up, nearly getting myself killed, worrying all of you, and dropping someone on your doorstep without actually being there to explain."

"Ryuu hasn't said much about it." Mama replied, "And while I respect that, your new arrival..."

So I told her. Most of the story about Ishtar, including my torture. The 'incident' in the room where only getting most of my ribs broken stopped me from killing a dozen people. The truth behind Ishtar getting sent back up. Haruhime. The resentment of the now homeless Berbera. And how they got their revenge on me for my involvement.

She put a mug down in front of me, and a clean cloth to wipe my eyes with.

I got my self under control, wiping my eyes and taking a sip of what was in the mug. Sweet and mild, I could still taste the alcohol, so I pushed it away. "No... I'm not taking that way out." I said quietly.

As always, Mia didn't judge, just took the mug away and put down another, the mild smell of milk coming from it. "Doesn't excuse what happened. But what about her?" I looked up at her as she pointed with her chin towards the kitchen.

"I... Made her an orphan, again." I said, "But... Leaving them without a path to follow is how this all happened. It was the only thing I could think of, past the obvious."

I took a sip of the milk, finding it warm and spiced with something that tasted like nutmeg. Mia 'hm'ed thoughtfully, and replied, "Well, I suppose I'll keep her around then. It will be nice to have some one else who can reach the top shelves around. After you left with Lady Hestia, I've had to put all the stools back in the kitchen."

"Thank you. Has someone come to..." I was about to continue, but Mia put a hand on my head, petting my ears a little roughly.

"Finn and a couple others from Loki came to talk with her. Hermes too." She replied, taking her hand off my head and giving my forehead a flick. "Next time though, ask first. I can't just pick up any old stray."

Rubbing the middle of my forehead, I replied, "If there was a stray you couldn't pick up, I'd be surprised."

"Do I have to get the ladle?"

"No Ma'am."

"Good." She huffed, satisfied, "Did you want to talk to her?"

I thought about it. It was my original plan, but now... "No. I want her to settle in first. If it's important, Loki or Hermes Familia will tell us."

"No problem." Mia said, putting a hand on my shoulder, "Go home, get some rest."

"Not yet." I said, smiling back at her, "I have to ask Ryuu to walk me home."

Side by side Ryuu and I walked. She wore her usual 'in disguise' flower shaped green cape, that covered everything but her calves and hands. She was armed too, though I knew that only because I saw her put her wooden blade under her cape.

"You look tired, sister." She said finally.

I didn't say anything, though one of my tails perched on her arm. After a moment of feeling her run her hand over the fur, I said, "I haven't even looked in a mirror since before..."

"I was the same, for a time." She admitted, dropping her arm and the tail that was on it, then raising it again to encourage another visitor. "The dreams too."

"I'm afraid to be alone." I replied, "I nearly wrecked the workshop a few minutes after Welf had left it. I couldn't sleep even with Ha-chan in my arms. Hestia herself could only keep the worst of it away."

"In a way, you're lucky." She said, running her fingers through another tail, not quite touching the skin under all the floof. "Mia could only give me a home and work to keep my mind off what had happened."

"It got easier, right?" I asked hopefully.

"After a time. Trust your friends, lean on them. They healed your body without complaint, your mind shouldn't be any different." She gave me a smile, touching my forearm.

"I only hope I have time to heal." I sighed, patting her hand once before we both dropped our arms, "There is something ominous about all this, and something else is going to happen."

"You deserve a rest." She urged, "You can't always be there for everyone."

I understood her meaning, but I couldn't just walk away. Even if I'd... removed the problem directly involving me, there was still Ikelos, the Xenos, and Wiene. "It's personal." I said, "They are being targeted, and they saved my life. I'd rather not have to avenge them. Done that once already this week." I tried to joke, but earned only a raised eyebrow.

"I understand." She said, as we got within sight of the white marble walls of my home, "But as you are now, just as I was, you are not ready for a fight. It took me four years to step back into the dungeon again."

"Three and a half." I said, "War game, remember?"

"Does that count?"

"Ask Apollo." I chuckled.

"Fair." She said with one of her small smiles.

"I'm curious. Sister. Do you still keep in touch with your Goddess?" I raised a hand, "I don't mean to pry, but..."

"I... Know She hasn't returned. And where She went after... But not if She's still there." She sighed, the sound of it almost heartbreaking, even in my current state of mind. "She was even worse than I was, when it happened."

I actually managed to beat my tails this time, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Would you like to send Her a gift? Something to remind Her you still care, and that someone cares for you?" I sighed as well, "I need to occupy myself, or I start thinking..."

"I... Yes. I would like that." She replied.

"You have to eat dinner with us though." I said seriously, "It's very important."

"Oh?"

"There will be extra salad. And we only have one tiny rabbit to eat the leftovers."

Before dinner, I managed to get into the workshop with Ryuu. I let her choose the shape, a palm sized oval shaped leaf that was from the same kind of tree that her sword was from. Mixing copper, some of my fur, then her hair, I melted the mixture into a small ingot, then worked on it. Welf, as usual, watched with interest as I used my bare hands to move the metal around.

"It's so..." He said, watching me stretch out the bar, "I mean..."

"Do you know how hot you can manage?" Ryuu asked, keeping her distance from the furnace.

"Drake fire, and molten stone is the hottest I've been hit with." I said, not thinking about the events, but instead adding little veins into the leaf with my fingernails. I didn't know what sort of scale they used to measure temperature here in this world. But I knew stone melted anywhere between 600 and 1200 Celsius. "And I've handled nearly molten iron, though that caused a few blisters." That was about 1500 Celsius.

Ryuu was a little shocked, but as she watched me put the half shaped leaf back into the forge, she shook her head at me. "You've overcome much since you arrived sister."

Welf and I shared a fist bump, "I have good friends to lean on."

"She still can't keep her eyebrows though." Welf said with a chuckle, rubbing his shoulder when I punched him for it, "Hey ow. Not my fault your eyes can't see the colours quite right."

"True. Something to do with being able to see in almost total darkness, means some other colours aren't quite like others see them." I pulled the leaf out again, "Now hush, I have to think."

"Is enchanting difficult?" Ryuu asked, though as I started to focus myself, I only half heard her.

As I added every detail, from the little veins to the saw blade edges, I thought about Ryuu and everything she meant to me. My first real teacher, even before I could learn the language. My first cooking tutor. Confidant. Person to lean on. Virtual saviour of my Familia during the war game. There when I needed her, and never feeling absent when I didn't. She had broken her retirement to help Hestia Familia, and continued to help us when ever she could. No questions, no complaints. In this world, she was my hero.

"You okay there sister?" Welf asked. "Your crying."

Blunt as always, he was right. "Lemme cool this off." I replied, examining my work then carefully dipping it in the water trough. I could feel the water sizzle around my hand, as well as the leaf, making me shiver a little. "I'm going to have to mix up more hand cream." I mumbled as I offered the leaf to Welf.

Taking it carefully, he did a little hot potato act before he could hold it properly. "Oh..." He said after a moment, looking away and scrubbing his face, "Yeah, something in my eye. But I think you got this one done just fine." He offered the leaf back to me.

"And by the time it gets to Her." I said, gently taking a soft wire brush to the surface of the leaf to polish it a little, "It will have turned green."

"Wonder if you could mix your fur with paint or something." Welf asked, taking his place by the forge now that I didn't need the fire anymore.

"I don't think that's a good idea." I said, wrapping up the leaf in a bit of orc leather, "It might try and peel off the walls to hug people."

Welf laughed, watching the bar of metal he had just put into the fire, "I'll be at dinner, just a little more to do for the pool, then we can lay in the pipes and put all the dirt someplace."

I handed the leaf to Ryuu, who smiled, accepted it, and put it under her cape someplace. "See you there then, I'm going to set something up on my alchemy table. Could you turn the flame off before you leave?"

"No sweat sister."

Dinner wasn't quite as lively as it used to be. Everyone was worried about the Xenos, and people were still sort of dancing on eggshells about what had happened to me. I understood, but it was still a little depressing. Ryuu, however, added her own excitement simply by being there. The orphans, when they weren't shovelling food into themselves (politely, as the Takemikazuchi Familia would accept nothing less than good table manners) they were either admiring her, or asking questions. The Takemikazuchi Familia itself was listening in as well, and Mikoto actually worked up the courage to ask for a lesson. The usually quiet Ryuu took it all in stride and didn't seem the least put out by all the attention.

It did me good to see her smile so much. Kind of how Lilly was, right after we pulled her out of Soma Familia.

"Ko-san..." Haruhime nudged me gently, though I almost lost what was on my fork anyhow.

"Ah, sorry Ha-chan." I replied, looking over to her after making sure I didn't accidentally get tomato into my shirt.

She lowered her voice a little more, "Are... You coming to bed tonight?"

I blinked at her, but couldn't help but smile. It was as close to 'demanding' as she got, and I wouldn't tell her, but I liked that side of her. "I might be a little late, but yes. I can't tell you why yet, but..." My tails swayed over to hers, and curled around them as they usually did when it wasn't convenient to hug.

She gave me her brightest smile, then returned to watching Ryuu, her tails replying to mine in kind. "We have to thank Aisha-san too." She said quietly.

"When we figure out how, yes. I don't think Aisha's one for dinners like this." What does one get for a tall athletic woman who already knows exactly what she wants, and how to go about getting it? "Maybe you can help me pick out some clothes for her, or design some armour. As little as she wears, she should at least protect herself."

She didn't reply, though her ears perked up and her tails tried to wag excitedly for a moment.

After seeing Ryuu off, and insisting that she didn't need to help with dishes, I went to find Hestia. Not a particularly difficult task, as She was a creature of habit, just like any mortal. Curled up in her favourite reading chair, she was idly petting Chime who was sitting her her hip as she leafed through a book. Chigusa was there too, on her favourite couch corner. She gave me a timid wave as I passed, then went right back to reading.

"Lady Hestia?" I said, kneeling in front of the chair. Not really out of formality, but she looked comfortable, and I didn't want to make her look up at me. Chime's ears perked up as I knelt, and the micro rabbit hopped off Her hip and into my arms. "Hello to you too." I put the bunny on my shoulder and she gave my neck a headbutt.

"Kodori? How are you feeling?" She looked into my eyes, and I had to force myself not to look away, "Did you want..."

"No, not tonight, thank you though." I mustered a smile, remembering yesterday, "I do need a little help with something though. A couple of things, actually..."

"Sure." She smiled, holding out her hand.

I took her hand and helped her to her feet as she uncurled from her chair. Unable to resist, I touched the back of her hand with my lips and stood, "My Goddess is kind." I said seriously.

"Oh stop it..." She huffed, taking her hand back, blushing a little.

I noticed that Chigusa was watching us as we left, though she tried to hide her eyes behind her bangs.

"Ohhhhhhhh." Hestia marvelled, looking at the two rings I had made and enchanted. "You're getting really good at this."

"Welf helped with one, since I can't really make a memory stone for myself." On the surface, they were nearly identical. I had very carefully braided two strands of Ha-steel, with one strand of Ko-steel. The mostly gold with threaded black rings were memory stones as well, the Ko-steel holding the enchantment. It didn't stop there however. The Ha-steel held its own enchantment, mostly for durability, but also a tracking element, so that we'd always know which way to go for a hug. Lastly however, I had carefully used the brightest bits of the jade block I had bought and set it on the face of the ring. Not traditional, but the softer stone let me polish it perfectly smooth, so I could never hurt someone with it, and have it disintegrate because of my curse.

"I can feel the magic you put into them. Have you asked yet?" Hestia asked, holding her hands close to each ring, but not touching them.

"No. There is something I have to look into first. That's the second thing I need help with, but after." I cleared my throat again, looking at the workshop door and making sure the lock was on. "Lady Hestia," I knelt as well, taking each ring and holding them, one in each hand, "I ask your blessing, for what I hope the upcoming union of myself, and another of your Familia, Haruhime. May I ask for a single drop of your blood, so that you, the Goddess of Family, Hearth, and Home, ensures the enchantment will never fade?"

It was something Asfi told me, and Nazza too. The blood of a God was powerful stuff. But, it wasn't something given lightly, and in most cases, was extremely illegal to use. One such use, was a potion that could make a persons 'status' appear on their back, without their God bringing it forth.

"Have you considered..." Hestia started, sounding unsure, "That she might say no?"

"That's part of the second thing." I replied, still holding my position.

"And if she does?"

"I will throw the rings into the fire, so that Your blessing cannot be used against You, or for any other purpose." I said seriously, though I felt my throat getting sore, and I could feel tears trying to well up.

"If she does say no, I will be surprised, and kind of disappointed." She said, picking up something from my workbench. I felt a little dampness on my fingertips as something was dribbled over first one ring, then the other. "I give you my blessing, and hope that her answer is yes."

I could feel the enchantments in the rings change. I could feel only the strengthening enchantment in the one ring, with my 'memory' in it. But on Haruhime's 'memory' it was almost as if she was in the room next to me, holding my fingertips and smiling her amazing smile. It was so intense I had to quickly stand and put her ring inside the special box I had made, before I burst into tears or ran to her. "Sorry... It... No, here, feel for yourself." I offered Hestia the other ring.

Only remembering that when She held a memory stone, the power in it was even stronger.

"Um..." I heard suddenly in my ear, "Kodori? Can... You let go please?" Hestia said, patting my back. "I mean... I like your hugs, but... Kinda can't move, and my legs are dangling..."

Coming back to my senses, I realized I was holding Hestia, with all my tails wrapped around the two of us, and that I was holding Her off the floor. "Oh... Sorry." I put her down carefully. "I guess it works?"

"I'll say..." She dusted herself off, and gently swatted my tails away as they tried to get another hug. "So..." She started as I put the second ring away, tucking them both into the hidden spot on my workbench. "What was the second thing?"

"I need help reading something." I replied, stepping over to my alchemy bench and putting my hand on the two stacked books Ganesha had lent me. "It's in hieroglyph, the God's script."

"Did you want me to read it?" She asked, looking at the two thick books, "I mean, I could but..."

"No. Just get me started, like you did the first time." I smiled.

"I'll do my best." She said with a smile.

Notes!

Epic side quest starts. I'm sure, that if you've been following along, you know where this is going.

As for 'the rest' of the story... That's next chapter. :) Soon I'll know where to take the rest of the story, and that will mean I can finish up things.

I do plan, even after I 'end' this story, to have some 'side stories', before I make the jump to Highschool DxD. And, I might come BACK to this world, after I conclude DxD.

Maybe. This is thinking a year ahead or more, so yeah... who knows.