Chapter 61

The smell of blood, sweat and fear thinned out as I made my way past the various sections of the I AM GANESHA main floor. What ever stigma my Familia had gathered from Bell protecting Wiene, or the rumours (fact really...) of our debt, hadn't touched the dozen or so Ganesha Familia I passed in the halls.

Or, it had, but they didn't seem to care. Though, in all fairness, Takemikazuchi and Hestia Familia both, had helped pick up a little of the slack the Ganesha Familia left when doing city based guild missions.

That made me want to hug my tails. It felt almost like I had a big brother in the room.

The zoo was much how I'd seen it last. A truly titanic open field with large, strongly barred cages. Just as noisy too, but it wasn't the excited noises of animals being fed, or 'trained', it was the noise of animals wanting out. They could smell the fear in the city, just like I could.

From where I was standing, at the top of the stairs leading down to the main walkway, I scanned the paths for the tallest person, no, second tallest person I knew. It didn't take long to spot Him, standing more or less near the middle of the zoo itself, and talking to Shakti, his captain, and ace tamer.

And while He was dressed in what looked like twenty kilograms of gold jewellery, complete with gold trimmed elephant mask, a gold chain necklace that would have done Mr. T proud and totally impractical gold trimmed gauntlets, he was doing none of the funny poses and showboating that followed His usual conversations.

The two, as far as I could see, were also alone. Aside from the monsters, growling and pacing in their cages, I couldn't spot a single person, other than the two of them.

As I got closer, navigating the hedges and keeping out of claw/tail/long neck reach of the cages, I started picking up bits of their conversation.

"You know, Shakti, I didn't want to take you off active duty. I wanted to give you time to think, and recover." Ganesha said, "Not as a punishment."

"I understand, my Lord, but... To keep such a secret. From the Familia, from me?" She replied, not angrily, but... her disappointment was clear.

"But you know why I have hid this from you." It was strange to hear the usually excited God sigh like he had just heard his favourite pet had died. "What we, Ouranos, Hermes, and now Hestia and Takemikazuchi are trying to do... Erasing a thousand years of 'truth' must be done carefully."

Feeling guilty about eavesdropping, I stepped around the last hedge, "The only way to do it, without all the secrecy, is through force of arms." I said, "And that only leaves the bitterness of the loser, and the fragile dominance of the victor." The two turned to me, surprised, Shakti's hand going to a long coiled whip at her hip, "Sorry to drop by unannounced." I gave them both a fist-in-palm bow, "Lord Ganesha, Ma'am Shakti. Namaste." I used the Indian greeting, wondering if they'd know.

"Ah. Miss Kodori." Ganesha, for a half second, started to slip into his exuberant persona, but stopped himself, "No, it is of no concern. Though, actually, this is an opportunity." He put a hand lightly on Shakti's shoulder, "Shakti, Kodori could answer many of your questions, about the Xenos. She has... Had, two living with her for a little while now."

Shakti looked surprised, both at the greeting, and the news of my two guests, "Truly? But... That..."

"Let's find a place to sit." I suggested, "Being an outsider to the city, I have none of the thousand years of 'truth' behind my view on the Xenos." The three of us walked a little further into the zoo, finding a stone bench. I motioned for the two of them to sit, and continued, "I've seen, and read about similar problems before. And I was able to at least turn my Familia from the idea of 'all are evil'. It only took about... three days. Yeah, three days for Wiene to convince everyone in my home that she was worth a chance to get to know."

"Then the second Xenos?" Shakti asked, running a hand through her dark blue hair, making her garnet earrings glitter in the overcast light of the early afternoon. "Wait, the needle rabbit?"

"Yes. That was their test to me. You may have heard I stayed behind as rear guard, and went missing for a week. I was actually in the care of the Xenos. Chime, was chosen to come with me to the surface, to see if I, and my Familia, could be trusted." I smiled, "If I had been almost anyone else, I'd probably have shoo'ed it away, or killed it out of hand. Though, to be fair, if it had been an actual monster, it would have stayed far away from me."

"True. Your name, as well as Bell Cranell, are on the list of adventurers to watch." Ganesha said, His mouth curling into a smile under the mask, "There is even a modest betting pool on how many times you will get your hair burned off, between the last Gods Meet, and the next one."

I scrubbed a hand through my hair, the length just long enough to cover my fingers, "Seriously?" He nodded, laughing that familiar laugh. "Anything for fun... Though at least it's not like Hermes..."

"Has the Traveller been causing trouble for you?" Ganesha asked.

"Part of why I'm here." I said, reaching into my satchel and removing the old book, "I'm still working with the other one, but this one doesn't have what I need." Ganesha accepted the book, while Shakti raised an eyebrow.

"That is from your personal library?" She asked the masked God. "I cannot read the title."

"Alchemical theory. By Vulcan." I said, "I may want to borrow that again, as I am a fairly proficient smith. But for now, it is safer with you."

"You lent her a book..." Shakti was in shock, but Ganesha reached out and gave her shoulder a pat. The effect was much like it had been for me, and her composure returned instantly, "Lord Vulcan is considered the creator of alchemy. That book could be beyond value..."

"If you can read hieroglyph." I said with a smile, "But no, the other one I still need."

"Ishtar was quite upset when she found her brother had given me that book." Ganesha said with a laugh. "I take it you found what you are looking for in it?"

"Demosthenes compendium." I said, again making Shakti's eyes go wide. Poor girl. "Yes I did. He wasn't shy about where He got his sources from either. There is what might be an Amazon signature next to the chapter I need... Which makes sense, considering..."

"Well, I know what we will be betting on next about you." Ganesha said with a laugh, though Shakti seemed to have no idea. "Keep the book until you are done."

"Many thanks." I said, "So the next thing... Hermes... I think I'll sit down for this one too."

My satchel was almost empty at this point, so I put it under my knees as I knelt, formal Japanese style, in front of the two. For the next, maybe half hour, I went over everything I knew, and had Hermes and Asfi admit to, things He had done to my Familia. I finished up with, "So I'm making sure everyone I care about knows it too, in case he tries to get them involved."

"That is... Troubling indeed, Miss Kodori." Ganesha said, the lenses of his mask, and the frown on his face giving the impression of a slow anger. "It is rare for Him to bother so much for a single thing. I suspect there is something else driving Him, and not just His usual urges to create mischief."

"At this point, I don't care." I said flatly.

"A fair point of view, Miss Kodori. I will cation my Familia, and my Friends to be more wary of him." He sighed deeply, seeming to deflate somewhat, "This entire situation is very close to the worst case that could have happened."

It was Shakti's turn to comfort her God, patting his bicep, about the only thing not covered by gold or brightly coloured cloth. "Speaking of." I started, "Ma'am Shakti, you've said I should try my hand at taming. Since you're here, could you show me how it's done?"

Ganesha smiled and stood, "What a wonderful idea!" I could tell He was gearing up for His other 'persona'. "I should go back to my duty as God of the People! This is a dark time for the city, and I must help those in need." In full swing now, he started to flex, "For I... AM... GANEHSA!"

"If you can answer some of my other questions about the Xenos. I'd be happy to." She looked to Ganesha, and sighed, "Don't over do it, my Lord."

"Of course not, Lady Shakti." He said, perfectly serious again, "Be well, and careful, Miss Kodori."

"You as well, Lord Ganesha." I said, bowing to him from my kneeling position, my head almost touching the stone pathway. I wasn't much for formality, but I really did respect Ganesha.

Shakti and I waited until He had closed the big double doors to the main building. Then I stood, motioned with my hand, and said, "Lead the way. We can start with something simple, I hope? And you had questions?"

For the next hour or so, I tried my best to learn how to basically make a wild animal submit to me. The concept was simple. You simply forced the animal, in my case, a Hard Armoured, to realize it stood no chance against you. One of the big problems here, was that a dungeon monster was basically a rabid beast. Almost no reason, almost no instinct for 'pack leader'.

If it were a dog, I'd have been able to at least make it understand I was 'alpha' and I wouldn't put up with it trying to bite me. But near the end of the hour, the Hard Armoured simply passed out, still growling at me.

"Well, you're certainly a skilled handler." Shakti admitted, "Most trainers, when they start, kill their first few monsters. You hardly left a mark on it. And you yourself are unharmed."

"I have a good grip." I said with a smile, dusting myself off, "Back home, my sister had dogs. Different sizes, as the years went by, but she was good at training them." I considered what I'd learned, and sighed, "If I wasn't dealing with what amounted to a... um... water sick... feral..."

"Rabid." She said, "Yes. It is similar, but that is more or less what we have to break first."

We left the cage, Shakti locking up behind me, "Any more questions for me then? Looks like it might rain, and I have other places to visit..."

"Do you think they have a chance? Of being accepted?" She asked.

"Right now? No. Some day? Yes." I said with a grin, "Small doses. That's the only way to do it."

"It's like we are the animals, in this case." She sighed, "Please, come by again. I think you show promise, and wouldn't mind teaching you more."

"I just might. Though I'd have more confidence in my learning, if I could tame my tails." I looked behind me, the slow constant motion of my tails freezing, "Yes, I'm talking about you." I said to them.

This had the desired effect of drawing out a laugh from Shakti, who gave me a small bow, "Good luck in what you are about to do. I will help if I can."

"Thank you for the offer." I replied, bowing as well.

"This... Is actually quite tasteful." I said to myself as I stopped in front of what people on the street had told me was Loki Familia's home, the Twilight Manor. European cathedral style, it had several tall towers, with a sort of overlapping support structure. Looking left and right, I noticed I could actually see the property lines of their home. Not a large plot, but they had certainly put a lot of work into it.

"Eh? The Demon Fox?" The voice was sort of familiar. Gruff and deep. Drawing my attention away from the centre tower, by far the tallest of the many that were part of the manor, I spotted... It was kind of like seeing a short wall of armour with a beard. Thick plates of armour, and what looked like a shield that was more than a meter wide on his back, his brown hair was covered by a spiked helmet that encapsulated almost his entire head, leaving only his eyes, mouth and beard exposed. "Considerin' what that Bell kid did, this is probably the last place I'd think to find you."

Searching my memory for a name, I recalled a serious dwarf about to party it up at the Hostess. "You would be... Gareth? We met at the Hostess, and again before the Black Goliath, right?"

"I am. You've certainly come a long way, from bein' a serving girl." He said, not unkindly, but a little impatiently, "Place doesn't usually need a guard, but I asked you a question."

"Actually, this is personal business, with Lady Loki." I said, "Nothing to do with what happened." He grunted and shrugged, "What did happen? I mean, I've only heard a little, but..."

"Hmph, no harm in telling you I guess." He got a bit closer, giving me a once over and taking off his helmet, "I've been at this a while, even before I joined, I've been fighting beasts. But I've never ever, EVER, fought anything so... stubborn. Smart, strong, tougher than anything I've ever met."

"Heard you wounded it though." I fished.

"Yea. All of us managed to make a single opening, and caught it just above the elbow. But it kept fighting! Never seen anything like it. It was like, it just wanted to fight." He used his free hand to scratch his beard, "Thing is though, he didn't lose. There was a little lapse in the fight, you know, where everyone takes a breath." I nodded, "And he just... Left. 'You aren't the fight I'm looking for'. It said."

I blinked at him for a moment. "It spoke?" It wasn't so much a bluff, as me changing the question on the fly. 'It said that?'

"Don't play dumb." He said, again, not unkindly. "We know you and yours are involved in this mess. Finn told us about what you said, even though you didn't outright admit it."

I shrugged, but remained silent.

"But yes, that's what it said. Tired, hurt, and with even Riviera out of magic, we had to let it go."

"Tunnels under Daedalus street..." I thought out loud, "Bad place for a group fight."

"You have the ken of it." He said, "Finn told us to let it go. It won't get far, and with one arm and the beating we laid into it? I wouldn't be surprised if there's a crystal down in those tunnels someplace."

"One can hope..." I mumbled. "Any luck with the rest that got out?"

"No. They went to ground, and we've been trying to keep a watch on the places Finn found out about from that new lass at the Hostess. Your doing there right?"

"She surrendered." I shrugged, "Mia will keep her in line."

"Easy on the eyes too."

"Solid seven out of ten at least."

"Just a seven? Really?"

One of my tails decided to get adventurous, and tried to visit the dwarf, "I've already got a ten at home. I'm a little biased about tails. And she tried to kill me."

He held out a hand and let my tail perch on it a moment, before shoo'ing it away, "Ah right, fair enough." He 'ahem'ed' politely, "Anyhow, let who ever is inside know I let you by, Loki should be... someplace in there. Chasing a skirt or something, probably."

"Thank you." I said as he plopped his helmet back on.

"Don't die." He said with a chuckle, "And don't let Loki get away with anything. You'd only encourage her."

I listened to him clank his way down the street and around the corner before turning back to the manor. "Well, lets hope this goes well then..." I mumbled to myself as I walked up to the door and opened it.

Inside was almost plain compared to the outside. Brick and stone, wood and glass. Like they ran out of budget after doing the exterior. Not to say it was cheap. The design was simple, functional, and clean. But it didn't feel... Lived in. Like someone had said 'put a room here, and here and over there, and use whatever, and paint it all the same.'

"Can I help you?" A new voice, from a short elven girl, asked me as I closed the main door behind me. She seemed vaguely familiar too, but I couldn't place where. "Do you have an invitation, miss Fox?"

"I passed Gareth out front, told him I have business with Lady Loki." I said, looking her over a little better. Bright blond hair, deep blue eyes, adorable face that was trying so hard to be serious, it was having a negative effect, wearing a simple white shirt, pink dress, and red half cape. She made all the 'little sister' buttons in my head go off, even as her ears twitched in annoyance. "Sorry, I know I've seen you before... but..."

"You were still in shock, when Lady Riviera healed you. The little rookie was fighting a minotaur." She said. "My name is Lefiya." She said.

Of the few places in my memory that were unclear, since receiving Falna and becoming an adventurer, that was one of them. "Kodori." I replied, "I kind of remember meeting you... You were watching the fight... No, watching Ais watch the fight." one of my tails swayed around, and I held it on reflex, playing with the fur thoughtfully, "Yes, that's right. Pleased to actually meet you." I said finally.

"At least you're looking better." She replied, though her near white face was starting to blush a little, "If you really want to see Ma'am Loki, just head to the centre tower. Just don't let her get away with anything."

"That's the second time someone's said that to me, and I've only met two of Loki Familia today." I said, "How bad can it be?"

Now she really was blushing, probably remembering something... It made me think of the time I surprised Chigusa and hugged her like a teddy bear, and turned her into a stuttering idiot. "Just be careful!" She finally blurted out, walking away in a huff.

"O... kay?" I said to her retreating back, turning, and looking down the main hall and what I hoped, was the direction of the main tower.

I remained unchallenged by anyone else on my little exploration of the halls. More than once however, I did get lost, taking a set of steps up, turning a corner, and finding myself back where I started. I suppose with all the overlapping supports for the many towers it was bound to happen, but...

"Oho..." A little chill went up my back as I felt an aura of ... not evil... but really close. A moment later, my golden tail had a hand brush through it, while another very firmly cupped my left butt cheek.

While my spine locked up and I made a rather embarrassing noise, my black tails encircled the offender and lifted who ever it was off the ground. "huff..." I looked behind me at the single hand and most of a leg peeking out of the loops of black and gold fur. "Is that you, Lady Loki?"

"mnyes" The hand gave me a thumbs up.

"Oh good. Is there a place we can have a chat?"

The hand pointed to my left, down a hallway that looked like it didn't go anywhere. "dat way." Mumbled the voice. "leggo?"

Starting down that hallway, one I'd passed at least twice, but since it seemed to go in the wrong direction, I hadn't bothered with it. "I'd like to, but sometimes my tails need a little convincing. Rebel... doesn't follow commands... umm..."

"ebel'ous" I felt Her struggle under the tails, a mouth making an appearance, "Rebellious. Phew."

"Thank you. This it?" I stopped in front of a modest double door.

"Ya." She said after wiggling a little more, one of Her squinted red eyes peeking out, "Second thought, just carry me. A few stairs to climb."

"Sure." At my agreement, my tails decided to shift around a little more, cradling Loki like they would Haruhime. "This is a really interesting building, you have here." Opening up the doors, I found they lead to a neat, tile and stone staircase, going both up and down. Figuring Loki was like just about any other God or Goddess, I started heading up.

"Ooo, soft." She commented, about to reach for my rear again, but being stopped by a tail, "Protective bunch you have back here."

"Twisted someone's head off once." I commented, smiling out of sight as Loki gulped.

"Yeaaaah... I kind of got really really drunk the night I designed this place."

"Let me guess? First really good haul from the dungeon, big party, needed a bigger home for the Familia?"

"That's right! Well, except it was really REALLY good haul. And I think half the city got involved with that party." Loki giggled lustfully, "Such a good party... Pretending to be a lightweight can create so many little opportunities."

"I suppose we were lucky. That stupid war game had its perks in the end." I said, my borrowed tail not punishing me this time. "I'm curious about something."

"Just one thing? How dull." Loki ran her fingers lightly through the fur on one of my tails, "Now I want a Renard in my Familia... not even my cat folk have such nice tails."

"Well, one thing to start." I laughed, "You missed a bunch of them a little while after the war game. Tried to take me East."

"Oooo Story time! But, since I'm being treated to such a nice seat, I'll let you go first."

Nodding to myself, understanding how my upcoming exchange with Loki would go, I asked, "Current thoughts on what's going on? With all the trouble in the city?"

"Pfft, trying to fish for information?"

"If anything, I've got more than you. Just curious. Wow this is a lot of steps."

"Honestly?" I felt a little chill up my back as Loki used that word, "I'm just watching. This is a fun little mess, and for once, I get to see my Children play on the surface, instead of being all bored and alone up here."

"I wonder if you divine types ever, I dunno, settle down to play a card game, instead of waiting for a big spectacle to come along."

"Most of us cheat at cards. And the ones who don't make for boring players." Loki laughed, leaning back a little, the back of Her head resting on my shoulder and her red hair spilling down my front, "More information you said?"

"Story or news?" I asked, my golden eye meeting Her red one.

"mmmm... Story first. About half way there, by the way."

"Well, it was just as the Rakia army started it's... Well, I suppose you could call it an assault..."

By the time I finished, we were seated across from each other sipping tea. Loki herself was laughing like a child, almost spilling Her tea as She laughed. "Oh boy. Gives me hope for getting my own Renard one day! Haha..."

"Glad you approve as well, I suppose?" It was good tea at least. "This is a nice room you have. Almost as well decorated as Lord Ganesha's."

And it was. Nice, spacious, done in a clean European style, with books and interesting nick-knacks on any flat surface where there wasn't a book or some sort of trophy.

"A perk, for being the best exploration Familia in history." She said proudly, "Suppose it's your turn?"

"Seems like it." I replied, putting my teacup down, "So, you might know by now, I'm not from around here."

"Loli-boobs brags about Her ace foreigner." Loki replied, "She's just lucky I didn't snag you."

"Ahem." I did my best Eina impression, "So my version of Your stories might be a little different. One of them, involves a bet, a wall, a particular trouble maker, and a certain eight legged horse some time after."

I could see Loki's face go pale with almost every word. More than once, She tried to stutter something to stop me, but it was only after I picked up my teacup again, that She blurted "HOW THE HELL DID YOU KNOW THAT? I made sure those records were burned back in Tenkai!"

"Maybe You missed one?" I shrugged, "But embarrassing story aside, I have something very important to make. But I need a certain... How did Lady Hestia call it? Aspect. One of change."

She had stood up, one foot on the dark wood coffee table, the other on the couch, during Her little fit. Sitting back down and catching Her breath, she looked at me, "Are you asking..."

"Yes." I reached into my satchel and took out an empty glass vial. "Ichor, with the aspect of change. I was hoping I could barter for it, since you are a Goddess I at least know. Instead of trying to find someone like Proteus or some such."

"He never descended." Loki said, "Barter you say? What could a little Familia like yours have that I want?"

"No no. Nothing to do with Familia. This is a personal request, for a personal reason. So please, just between us." Before She could answer, I added, "I also have a small list of things a deep diving Familia like yours might know how to find, or have on hand to sell."

To Her credit, she didn't instantly go for the first thing I thought she would. That being, to make grabby hands and try and get under my shirt, or more. Considering how important this deal was, I honestly wouldn't have minded. Also to Her credit, She asked the first important question. "What's it for?"

"I'm sure You, and well, most of the city, by now have noticed that Haruhime and I are... How to put this, 'an item'."

"Well yeah. She might be all proper and ladylike, but you make no secret about it." She grinned, "How is it? Between you two? Just as soft as she looks?"

"Mostly." I smiled, "She's very much trying to 'not be a burden' in our battle group. And has been taking her lessons with Lord Takemikazuchi seriously. And since she and I swapped tails, she even has some of my original ability."

"That being?" She asked, both Her eyes opening fully.

I knew She was fishing for information that the Guild wouldn't give, but since it was about me, more or less, I replied, "Turning magic power into physical ability."

"Oooo, so that's how you killed that ugly Amazon... Phryne?"

"It certainly counted for a lot. Yes."

"Wow... To cross a two level gap like that... I'm really sorry I was too drunk to think about getting you into my Familia that one night." She pouted, sitting cross legged on Her couch. "So, you were saying?"

"Well, after my... incident with the former Ishtar elite, I basically swore that I would marry Haruhime."

"What? So? Wouldn't be the first time I've heard of such ... a... ohhhhhh..."

"I knew you weren't just a perverted lush." I smiled, offering to refill her teacup from the pot sitting between us. "Lord Ganesha, after much... waiting for Him to get to the point..." It was a little bit of a lie, as the God of the People was in 'normal' mode, and only had to dig around on His bookshelves... "But yes, I found what I was looking for, and just need to make it now."

I could see the gears turning in Her head, "Well, I certainly like the idea of more fluffy tails in the world." She sipped her refilled cup, "But what to ask for in return..." Still sitting cross legged on the couch, She rocked side to side, thinking. "Don't need money. Even though your Familia is doing pretty good. Not sure what sort of favour I could ask... Well, that's a lie. I could think of all kinds of things..."

She looked at me, as I calmly put my teacup down and moved it to the side. "I've been told twice today, not to let you 'get away' with anything. But, if that's what you wanted in trade, I have little to do until, say, dinner time." I wasn't keen on the idea, but I knew it might be something She would ask.

"Eh, maybe later." She shrugged. "Are you a gambling woman?"

"I have been known to take risks." Usually ending with me either hurt, or bald, or both. But I didn't tell Her that.

"How about... You bet me something. If you lose, I lock the door until dinner time. I'll still give you what you want either way."

"Very generous."

"BUT!" She held up a finger, "I get to come to the wedding."

"You were on the list anyhow."

"Really?"

"You are a regular at the Hostess, and you keep your tab clean. To us, that's almost family."

"Deal. So, what kinda game do you wanna play?" She leaned forward and opened a drawer under the coffee table. "Cards, chess, dice..."

"Chess? Do you have an hourglass?" I suddenly had the most amusing idea, to turn her lecherous nature against Her.

"Hm... Oh, here it is. Just the hourglass? I think this one is a two minute timer..."

"Perfect." I smiled my best Hostess smile, "Put it on the table."

"Okay... What did you have in mind?"

"I bet, that I can stop you from counting to thirty, before that two minute timer runs out. But if you DO count to thirty, you have to turn it over. Just give me a moment to put something on the table first..."

She raised an eyebrow at me, showing Her doubt at my bet. "You're not planning something naughty, are you?" She grinned, telling me She probably wouldn't have minded if I was. "Suppose I'll find my knife while you set up..."

To Her credit, She did count to thirty. But, in the two minutes I had, I gave Her a Haruhime special' back rub. Even used my tails to help. As the two minutes went to ten, then twenty, I had basically turned Her into liquid on the coffee table. Seeing as it had started to rain, and Loki was threatening to pout if I stopped, we were just about to hit the half hour mark when there was a tap on the door.

"Lady Loki?" It was Lefiya, "Is everything..." She spotted me, hands working on Loki's slender bare back, "WHAT ARE YOU... Wait... What are you doing?"

"Leffffiiiii" Loki droned lazily, "Not so louuuud..."

"Do I win?" I asked innocently, eyeing the long run out hourglass, resting on the table just above Loki's head.

"How..." Lefiya was still puzzled, standing over the two of us. "Wow... I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone so relaxed before."

"Do you do the front too?" Loki mumbled hopefully.

"Can you roll over?" I asked, looking up and winking at the once again stunned Elf.

A pause, a quiet grunt, then a return to total limpness, "no."

"Guess I don't then." I took Loki's shirt, folded up neatly on the couch behind me, and draped it over Her back. "Keep an eye out for your invitation."

"k."

I stood, and picked up the bottle of Loki's 'blood' from the end table She had placed it on, taking a short length of wire from my satchel and very firmly securing the stopper. I also made sure to bend the ends of the wire into an 'L', making a mental note to label it properly as soon as possible.

Lefiya watched me, blinking, "Is that...?"

"Yes." I said quietly, as I heard Loki start snoring. "Heh, lightweight."

I walked towards the door, my tails gently herding the Elf along with me, "But... What do you need it for? I thought..."

"Personal matter. Don't worry, this is between Her and I."

"Invitation?"

"Wedding." I replied, quietly closing the double door behind me, "Phew, glad I've been practising."

"Wait... So you gave Lady Loki a back rub, for a vial of Her blood?"

"No, I won a bet, for a vial of Her blood."

"What if you lost? Lady Loki always gambles, usually wins too..."

"Then I'd still be in there, except the door would have been locked." I watched as my words sunk in, and she started to go red, "Hey wait! No breaking! I need your help to get... out... Sigh... Too late."

After carrying what was basically a Lefiya statue to the bottom of the stairs, I finally got her to come back to her senses and help me find my way out. From there, I had nothing left to do but go home. One of the three vials of Ichor I needed was at home, representing family. Hestia, while a virgin Goddess, was certainly qualified to represent the 'home' aspect. The last one however... Fertility. I only knew of one in the city, since Ishtar got sent back to Tenkai. I could have asked the guild about it, but I had a hunch Freya was my only bet for it.

But what could I offer Her, that She wasn't already powerful enough to just take.

By the time I was within sight of the Hearth manor, I had boiled down everything to two possibilities that I could accept. Something unique, or something that didn't exist yet.

"Kodori!" I looked up as someone called my name, the voice not registering in my distracted state. I spotted Asuka just a little ways off, giving me a wave and jogging towards me. "Fels got a message through." She said as she got closer.

"Damn, okay..." I was hoping for a little more time to prepare, "The others?"

"My Familia is out looking for Welf, Bell is out with Lilly and Marius to get something Fels mentioned." She replied, falling into step beside me.

"How did he get through?"

"His owl. I never noticed, but did you know one of its eyes is fake?"

"No... But that would explain why he couldn't use the occulus. If one half is gone..."

"It's still at home. Hopefully it didn't try and eat Chime." Asuka pouted, "I really like the little critter."

"We all do. It's family, just as much as Weine is. Just tiny and fuzzy." I chuckled, the two of us getting to one of the outer walls of our home, "You know, I have to wonder just how much use a wall of this height is..." I bent my knees a little, and simply jumped over the three meter wall, Asuka following me an instant later, touching the top of the wall with her hand and vaulting down from there.

"Well... Most people aren't so rude as to just... trespass. And larger Familia usually have a couple of people on guard... Or like Soma Familia, and have towers." Asuka said, looking around, "I don't hear Welf in the shop." We had landed within sight of the workshop, the manor itself the only source of lights in the early evening gloom.

"We should look into brightening up the place." I said, heading towards the front door, "I never really noticed just how... dull this place looks on a rainy day."

"That's because you stay inside with our ray of sunshine." She teased.

"Do I have to tickle you?" I threatened, my golden tail swishing at her, "Ask Lilly if you doubt me"

"You're back!" Hestia greeted us at the door, Takemikazuchi standing beside her. Hestia looked Her usual 'worried about everything' self, though, She had been getting better recently. Takemikazuchi had... a big black owl on His shoulder. His perfect calm undisturbed, the owl stood proudly, regarding Asuka and I with one bright green eye. "Bell and the rest aren't back yet. And we've been wondering what to do in the mean time."

"Let's head to the dining room." I said, "Anyone else here?"

"Mikoto-chan just came back with Ryuu and Aisha." Takemikazuchi said, "Bell thought it prudent to include them, or to at least ask if they could join in."

"Lady Hestia, give Bell a hug when he gets back." I said with a smile, "A really good one. Once everyone gets back, we make some kind of plan..." I looked at the owl, who returned my stare with far more intelligence than just a trained bird could have. "You're... Much bigger than I thought you'd be. How much can you carry I wonder."

In reply, the owl blinked at me, and, mindful of Takemikazuchi's head, spread its wings. Strapped to its body, under its wings, were two flat pouches. A quarter of a meter long or so, they were well made, and didn't seem to inconvenience the owl at all. Settling back down, the bird hopped off Takemikazuchi's shoulder onto the dinner table.

"Perfect." I said, "Let's put together a care package, and when Bell gets back, we can write a letter too. Did any thing else come with the owl?"

"Actually, yes." Hestia said, "Asuka? Where did Bell put it?"

"I'll go get it." Asuka gave Hestia a small bow, then darted off in the direction of the living room.

"I'm a little disappointed, actually." Hestia said with a frown, petting one of my tails, then stepping closer so She could just hug them all at once, "That Fels person wrote a letter asking for help."

"How would that be disappointing?" I scratched my head, then one of my ears when it suddenly became itchy.

"Well... It was worded as if we might not help."

"As if your assistance was ever in question." I heard Ryuu say as Asuka returned, Mikoto and Aisha coming in as well.

"Yeah. It's like asking if water is wet." Aisha laughed, "The question isn't if you will help, but how." the taller woman scratched at her cheek, "Loki Familia isn't going to just let the Xenos walk away."

"From what I have heard," Mikoto chimed in, "They have taken it as an attack on their pride, for the Xenos to be up here. No matter if they are good or bad, they are here, and this bothers them."

One of my tails slipped away from Hestia to rest on my shoulder, "No, I wasn't going to swear." I told it, "As much as I want to. It won't be easy, but when everyone gets here, we can take stock, and make a plan."

The owl ruffled itself out a little, "Let's get some food together in the mean time." Asuka said, "And this is what came in with the owl." She added, putting a small collection of re-used potion bottles on the table. "I'm not a potion maker, but... That's blood, isn't it?"

I picked up one of the vials and squinted at the contents. Deep red, but not quite like human blood, "If I had to make a guess, this is monster blood." I picked up another vial, this one lighter, almost pink, "This one too... Actually, I'd almost bet this is Wiene's."

"Why would Fel's send a bunch of blood?" Aisha asked, poking one of the vials with a fingertip.

"Good question." I replied, "But as a fellow enchanter, I'd bet there is a good reason."

"We're back!" I heard Lilly call out from the front door, followed by the rush of feet and noise of armour in motion.

It didn't take long for everyone to filter in. Lilly and Chigusa were carrying full packs. Welf had a grin on his face that looked like he just won first prize at something. Haruhime and Marius had a couple of bundles under each arm. And Ouka was looking out of breath, but also carrying something under one arm.

"You would not believe what Fels told us about..." Bell started.

Notes!

So, yeah... More or less the start of the finale in the next chapter. Hope you guys are ready for it. :)

I myself am kind of dreading it. It's so close to the end, and I honestly wish I had more 'main plot' to follow. But, as of right now, I don't. So, I'll do a few little side stories, then jump universes. :)

Until next time.