Before I begin!

Please, if you want to read more of my work, look up my book (yes, book) on Inkitt. It's called Were Too? And if you like my style, you'd probably like this. I'm also a huge Dresden Files fan, so my book has a similar vibe to it. (Though, I only noticed about half way into writing it.)

And! I don't know who, but I do know some of you, have looked at it already. My very small readership for the book has pretty much doubled since I mentioned it. So THANK YOU BUNCHES!

Anyhow. On with the thing you're actually here for. :)

Chapter 70

Ouka was right. The women were plotting against me. To be fair, I suppose I was taking the lead all the time. I mean, I was captain. It's what I did. I trusted them all with my life, but when push came to shove, I was the strongest, knew how to lead, and had taught them all to be more effective than they might have been otherwise.

I suppose, maybe, this wedding planning was something they knew they could do. So, with Aisha as my tail sitter, (though, she thankfully didn't sit on my tails), I was in the workshop, mixing up potions.

"So I've been wondering..." Aisha started, as she sat next to me, covered with visiting tails, "Well, about a few things, but first, why the rush?"

I didn't look at her, as I was very carefully measuring out ingredients. Healing potions needed to be made just so. Our lives depended on them. "Hm? The rush?"

"Nine days. I mean, some people spend months planning a wedding."

"I have spent months planning this wedding. Sort of..."

"Yeah, but, what's a little longer then?"

Putting the final mix into a little alembic, I put it onto my magic stone hot plate to simmer. "Really want to know?"

"Sure. Come on, you know who I am. What's there to be shy about Fox?" She had waited until my hands were empty, then gave my ribs a little elbowing.

"Fair. I mean, I never really think about that with you. Kind of like Ha-chan."

"A decent person despite the weight of my past?" She grinned, "I was wondering if you had any romance in you at all, with how serious you are most of the time."

I felt myself blush a little, and tried to recover with my best Eina impression, "A-hem. Well... I figured out a way for her and I to have children."

"Got that. Really surprised you'd go that far, but yeah." She nodded, petting one of my tails, then another, "It's like I'm wearing a fur coat..."

"They know what you can do with my ears." I chuckled, "Anyhow, the recipe was made by an Amazon. It also involves God's Blood. Knowing what I do about Amazon..."

"Why'd you even bother looking into us? Not that I mind."

"My girlfriend's best friend is an Amazon. My good friends, have good friends."

"Flatterer."

"Anyhow." I turned my body on the bench, and leaned back against her. I kind of wanted to hide my face, and she was quite comfortable to lean on, "Knowing what I do about Amazon, I figured it wasn't going to be a simple 'drink this, have children'. Reading the instructions, after getting past the flowery speech of the writer, it boils down to this..."

From memory, I recited, "The day before, the day before, the full moon, drink the potion with your partner. Spend the time until evening in repose and preparation. The brew will last until the evening the day after the full moon."

"So... Drink in the morning before the full moon, have a nap, have lots of sex, and it should wear off by the next evening." Aisha translated bluntly, her closest hand doing that thing with my ears that she was just so good at. "Well... You know how Amazon usually go about it. Who ever figured this potion out must have been trying to save her tribe or something."

"I thought as much." I knew the forge was banked, and in the next room, but my face certainly didn't think so. "I mean, as fun as it is, two women together just don't help with making children."

She laughed, "Usually, two women together, especially Amazons, means we go hunting for a man." She ruffled my hair, then pushed me forward a little, "But occasionally, tribes go through a bit of a dry spell. That's why I came here in the first place."

"Is that why you're still here?" I grinned.

"Maybe. I'm having fun either way." She punched me in the shoulder, "Hows the potion?"

"Watch this." I opened up the alembic, the potion not quite ready to boil, and added a little powder from out kitchen. Putting the alembic lid back on, I turned the heat up just a little and placed a potion bottle under the spout. Slowly, drops of bright red formed on the spout, hung there for a moment, then dropped into the bottle. But instead of splashing, they bounced, a little potion pill.

"Heh, that's really neat." Aisha said, leaning down to look as the potion bottle slowly filled with 'pills'. "I should have taken your offer, when you rescued Hime."

"In a way, I'm glad you didn't."

"Oh? Worried I'd have hogged her all to myself?" She turned to look and grinned back at me, "Or stolen Bell?"

"Not at all." I grinned back, "Ha-chan would probably have invited you to join us by now, and Bell... Maybe you would have helped Bell loosen up a little around women." I poked her nose at the surprised look, "No. You joining Hermes gave you a little more freedom. Without that, you might not have been able to help as you have. And now that you have stood up for us, the rest of your 'Familia' is keeping their distance from us."

For once, I seemed to have flustered her. I'm sure the score there was something like Kodori 1, Aisha 10000, but it felt good. Finally, she asked, "Why should I ask Hime?"

"Because she has my heart." I replied, "If she wants to share it, then I'm fine with it. Remember? I'm the Demon Fox. Someone has to hold my leash."

"You're a sap, you know that?"

"Still waiting for you to ask."

Kodori 2. Aisha 10000.

"Ko-san..." Haruhime greeted me as I got to our room.

"Hm?" A pause as I looked at her in the darkness of the room, "Oh... Are they trying to keep us from..."

Wiene was there in bed with her. The dragon girl was curled up a little and facing Haruhime, one hand hugging one of her fluffy black tails to her chest.

"Mikoto-san said you wouldn't agree to being apart from me, so..."

"Mikoto is wise." I replied, slipping under the covers behind Haruhime, my tails reaching over both her and Weine, gathering them up a little closer. "I don't mind."

Haruhime snuggled a little closer into me, and I felt Wiene cling to one of my tails reflexively.

Day two of my... I wasn't sure what to call it. It wasn't really being grounded, but... Maybe 'enforced vacation' was closer. Most of the men were still out, I was restricted from the forge, and Aisha was still following me around like she was being paid.

Not that I minded. She was good company. And we were technically paying her with food.

A little after breakfast, I heard Gros growling. Again, it amazed me at how someone who couldn't breath could do something so distinct as growl. Especially a growl I could feel in my chest, inside the manor, when he was roughly two hundred meters away. It was only a low growl, so it meant we had a guest.

"Wow. That's some doorbell you have." Aisha commented as she followed me out of the kitchen, the well toned Amazon surprisingly handy in the kitchen.

"That's just a visitor. I told him to be much more... intense if it were someone like say, Hermes." I replied, leaving through the front door and spotting Eina standing at our front gate. "I think Gros and Takemikazuchi have a special one for Him."

"You do know, that if you put all the Gods in a room, with no Familia members and their weapon of choice, Takemikazuchi would be the only one to leave, right?" Aisha stated, chuckling, "I asked for a lesson this morning, shoulders are still sore."

"I know. If it's not against the rules I'm under right now, I'll show you what he's taught me." I waved to our favourite Guild employee, "Hey Eina, good morning."

"Good morning, Kodori, and... Aisha?" She entered as I unlocked and opened the gate, looking up at the Amazon, "Yes, you have to be her."

"No other body, would contain my soul." Aisha said with her best smile, extending a hand, "We've met in passing, but I think this is our first formal meeting."

They shook, making me smile a little. "I'm sure you felt Gros, lets get you properly introduced, and I'll go fetch the occulus."

Eina nodded, adjusting her black Guild vest just a little. If I didn't know better, I'd have guessed she was nervous. Though, to be fair, Gargoyles were not a weak monster, and to a normal person, let alone an adventurer, Eina wouldn't have lasted more than a second if Gros were so inclined.

"Good morning Gros." I greeted, stepping through the bars of his cage, "Not too early for a visitor?"

I could see it was taking almost everything Eina had to keep still as the bus length statue did that odd 'stop go' walk towards us, its feet making almost no sound, despite his weight. "No." He rumbled, "I find mornings up here... Refreshing." He swept a claw over the grass lightly, the dew sprinkling everywhere. He stopped in front of us, lowered his chest sized head towards Eina, and blinked at her slowly. "Go ahead." He said to her.

"W...What?"

"I've found the first thing people around here want to do, is put a hand on my nose." Gros replied, "The... little people... do it. Wiene does it. Even Hestia. So, go ahead."

"Oh." Eina said, raising a hand and putting it on his beak. "Hm." She relaxed just a little, her instinct to learn things probably calming her a somewhat. "You're smoother than I'd imagined."

"Kodori managed to get some very nice sand." Gros replied, "It helps..."

Aisha and I shared a fistbump, and I jogged back to the house.

I spent most of the rest of the day doing chores with the orphans, brewing potions, doing more chores, starting some furniture, and at one point, hitting the pool. Aisha had a lot to say about my bathing suit, which made me wish I'd tickled Lilly more. Kodori 2, Aisha 10001. But since she joined us, I got her to try running neck deep in water.

When dinner came around, Eina had joined us. Her, Weine, Gros, and anyone who wanted to join the conversation through the occulus stone, had literally spent at least twelve hours simply chatting. I was sure the notebook Eina had brought was probably full by now too.

"What do you think, Eina-san?" Haruhime asked as we tucked in for dinner.

"It's... Not something I thought I'd ever do." She admitted, "I even put a hand on one of the eggs..." She paused, "I hope... I hope that they come to be accepted at some point."

"In the city of Orario, one can find anything." I replied, "Or at least, so I've been told."

"I like Eina." Weine declared, "Can we keep her here?"

A few of us laughed quietly, "She has work, and a home already."

"But... All my favourite people are here." Wiene countered. "Well... Except Mr. Lido and some of the others..."

Eina gave the dragon girl a pat on the back, mindful of her sharp scales, "It's okay. I'll be sure to visit more, now that I have approval from Royman."

"Oh? Switching jobs?" Ouka asked.

"Only a little. Twice a week, he wants me to come and visit, and learn more about the Xenos." Eina replied, "Something to do with a project he, Lord Ganesha, and Mr. Fels are working on."

"Speaking of..." I started, all the women, save Wiene and Eina focusing on me like some kind of predator, "I'd like to chat with Fels." Hestia had all of the occulus... Occuli? She and Takemikazuchi had done so well coordinating our communications during the last mission, that none of us wanted to take them from Their keeping.

"Whyyyyy?" Hestia readied Her hand.

"Well, if I'm grounded from anything wedding related, I'm going to run out of things to do. He promised to instruct me on enchanting." I leaned over and hugged Haruhime, "And since I seem to have been forbidden from otherrrrrr things..."

"Oh my..." Takemikazuchi said, "Hestia broke."

"Why certainly, Lady Kodori." Fels replied through the blue occulus. This one I could actually see through. The majority of the ones we had were all green, just for talking, but this one was a deep blue, almost black. By the look of it, Fels was sitting at a desk. The view was a little fish-eyed, wide with gradually increasing distortion as you got closer to the edges. "I'd be happy to give you a lesson, seeing as you are... restricted from other crafts."

"You've been told, have you?" I replied. I too was sitting, though at my alchemy setup in the workshop.

"Yes. I have no wish to anger anyone of your houses, and have also been forbidden from teaching you anything that might ruin your eyebrows. For now." He chuckled dryly, "Not that I've had eyebrows to burn off for... seven hundred years?"

"Arrange a time then." I laughed, "Not like I have much else to do for the next seven days."

"I will draw up a list of material you should set aside then, and arrange time for... after dark tomorrow." A pause, his hand stopping almost as it touched his occulus, "How are they? Really?"

I wondered who he meant, but figured he could only have meant the Xenos, "Weine is bright and cheerful, and learning like a dry sponge in water. She's almost as good at reading as I am, though, her writing is still nearly unreadable." We shared a chuckle, "Gros is... Less grumpy than I thought he'd be. I know he still isn't used to being up here, but he hasn't given me or anyone else any trouble. Even says please and thank you." I paused, then perked up a little, "Oh yes, and there is a hell hound puppy, who seems to be a hit with the orphans one of my friends takes care of. Very smart, very gentle. And Chime... Well, she hasn't tried to eat any more hot peppers, and is being treated like you'd expect, being an adorable little critter, by people and Gods alike."

"That's... A relief." Fels said finally, "The people are quick to put problems behind them, but have long memories when it comes to faults in leadership. It's something I've noticed over the years."

"Speaking of faults... Haven't seen Hermes, or Asfi since. I mean, it might be because Lord Takemikazuchi only takes his sword off at meal times now..."

"He was told, very politely, to stop meddling, by Ouranos. I also hear there is a bit of an uprising in his Familia. He has left the city for now."

"Good." I grinned. "I expect He'll try something when He returns, but for now..."

"Indeed. Sleep well, Lady Kodori." He moved his hand again, the occulus going dark and quiet.

I put a little bit of softened orc leather over my occulus, and tended to my potions.

Day three started with me leaving Wiene and Haruhime to sleep in, as I went to the practice field to get some early work in. It was odd, how this had become just... Normal for me. Wake up, make sure everything was working, do morning exercises, then go about the rest of the day. Since I was actually alone in the field for the moment, save for Gros, who I could tell was 'awake', by the shiny glint of the predawn light off his obsidian eye, I simply did some stretches. Just like I had when I first arrived, to test the limits of my new body. Except now, I could touch the back of my head with the flat of my foot without bracing on anything for balance. Diligence, as well as my Goddess's gift of Falna, had kept me in top form.

It was while I was doing my mix of martial arts/ballet stretches, that I realized something. Something very important. Especially since I was about to get married.

I didn't have the first clue how to dance. Aside from 'don't step on your partner'. I wondered if I could somehow sneak in a little marriage related work in, without the committee growling at me.

"Kodori-san, you really don't know? You've never done this? Your mother never showed you?" Mikoto asked me, a little astonished by the second revelation I had on my list of 'things most women knew, but I didn't'.

"No, I've never done anything with makeup. At all. Ever. The only thing close, would be when I coloured my hair." Though, it was my sister who did that, I just sat there and didn't move.

"Hm." Mikoto, Chigusa, and Asuka all looked at me, then each other, then to Aisha. "Aisha-san?"

"I never bothered much with it either." Of us, she was the only one standing, she was simply leaning against the door frame of the dining room/kitchen. "To be fair, most people never really got around to look at my face until later." She grinned as the more modest Easterners went crimson, the Amazon striking a bit of a pose. With her short pants and what was basically an armour cloth sport bra, her 'pose' showed off her rock solid abs, exceptional bust, and shapely rear. "See? Got the Fox's attention."

Aisha 10003. "Yeah well... *ahem*." I looked her in the eyes, and she winked at me, "You play dirty, but still, it's just something... I've never had to do."

"Don't worry. We'll get you all pretty for your big day." Aisha grinned, "Not like you really need it, I mean... The only issue might be your hair."

"Hey, my hair is fine. No one's let me near anything that might hurt it."

"Except maybe a pair of scissors. You're looking a little... scruffy, I think."

We all looked to Chigusa, who tried to hide behind her low hanging bangs, as usual. But after a moment of fidgeting, she nodded, "I'll make sure you're hair is done properly."

"Think the dresses are ready yet?" Asuka asked.

"Should be. But since I can't go check..." I grumbled a little.

"Anything else you need to learn beforehand?" Aisha asked.

Figuring I'd do better asking now, then trying to find a book on it and dancing with my shadow, "I never learned to dance either."

"Well, that won't do at all." Aisha grinned.

Mikoto was... for the first time ever... directly jealous of me. Sure, she had, on numerous occasions spoken to me about how she envied my skill. Or knowledge. Or blind good fortune. But those were from one warrior to another.

As Aisha directed me, and my dance partner, across the recently cleared living room floor, I could feel Mikoto's eyes digging into my back. Because my dance partner, was none other than Takemikazuchi Himself. Being the same height as me without his wooden gata, Aisha had drafted Him to help me learn to dance.

And, being oblivious to the feelings of the fairer sex, He agreed without a second thought.

The steps were simple. With two people who were already very familiar sparring partners, it made me think of a kind of kata. But after about ten minutes of basic steps, with a few warnings and suggestions from Aisha, I was pretty sure I had it down. So, being the big sister, I did the only thing I could think of to make it up to Mikoto, who looked like her face might stay permanently glaring.

"Its a big room." I said, "Ouka? Step up, Mikoto, switch with me." I was sure to use a little of my 'morning sparring' voice, to try and push them past the 'stuttering idiot' phase of being young and shy. Aisha caught on instantly, and gave Mikoto a nudge in my direction, while Ouka stammered out a couple of words before I split from Takemikazuchi and took his hand. Asuka and Chigusa were also present, so, "You two pair up. Let's see if we can all avoid stepping on each other."

Being a big sister is hard. But, after a couple more partner switches, including me putting Chigusa and Ouka together, and pairing up with Mikoto while Asuka danced with Takemikazuchi, we managed to skip most of the socially awkward moments and made it into actual fun. Even Weine, curious as to why we were all spinning about in the living room, managed to learn the basics from Aisha, who simply took the dragon girl's hand and said 'don't step on my feet, and follow along with me'.

At about the half hour mark, everyone had danced with everyone else, and not a single stubbed toe was to be had.

"Hey... Where did Ha-chan and Lady Hestia go? Lilly too... They'd probably have enjoyed that." I asked, looking around the room. Aside from the still missing boys, everyone else was here.

"You said the dresses would be ready by now." Asuka commented, "They left a little after lunch."

"Oh." I hm'ed, "I hope she likes the dresses."

"So long as they are boringly modest, I'm sure she's wear anything you suggested." Aisha quipped, earning herself an elbow from Mikoto. "What? She's adorable, but still has all those Eastern hangups when it comes to how to dress."

"You haven't seen the maid outfit, have you?" I asked, "You have Lilly to thank for that one."

"What sort of dresses did you ask for, Kodori-san?"

"We're back!" Lilly's voice called from the front door.

We went to greet them, and were surprised to see they had Naaza with them as well. "Hey guys." She said in her usual, almost lazy, voice, "Heard there was a wedding going to happen."

"I'd have invited you personally..." I started, all the women looking at me at once, "But, have been forbidden from planning any more than I have."

"That's fine. I have my invitation now. I'm actually here to help with that too..." She looked to Haruhime, who returned one of her perfect smiles, "She told me you needed something to keep you occupied, that didn't involve any risk to your eyebrows." She grinned at me, "She also told me I'd be payed in food." Her tail swished exactly once.

I made sure to give Haruhime a hug, though only a little one, as well as Hestia and Lilly, "You guys are the best. Fels will be stopping by after dinner, so I suppose Naaza and I will go to the workshop until dinner."

"Ko-san... What about the dresses?" Haruhime asked.

"If the tailor did her job, and I know she does good work, they should both fit. Pick the one you like best." I looked to Aisha and Mikoto, "I think this is definitely your job here."

"We'll get her fitted properly." Mikoto said with a nod, looking up at the Amazon, who nodded as well.

"Does this count as planning?" Asuka asked Hestia, "I mean..."

"We can let her get away with it. This time." Hestia looked up at me, readying her hand, "But only because she had them made ahead of time, and they look really nice."

"My Goddess is kind." I said, earning myself a Karate Chop of Justice anyhow.

"Wow... You've really added to your workbench since I was in last." Naaza commented as she sat next to me at my alchemy array. "I almost had to bring my own stuff when... Well..."

"Well, now you won't need to. Besides, I needed some of the extra stuff for the special potions I made for Ha-chan and I." I replied, turning on the little magic stone flames to get things warmed up for actually making something.

"I heard the little fox say something about that... But I thought I misheard. You really made something to... umm..."

"Yes." My tails slowly went to visit her, Naaza's real hand petting them then shoo'ing them away individually, "Speaking of..." I reached up to the shelf above the workspace, and took down the book Ganesha had lent me, "I found something that might help you get started in your quest..."

For the next couple of hours, the two of us went back and forth over the pages of the book. She didn't have a clue on how to translate the hieroglyph, but once I started naming ingredients, she started putting things together herself. This plus this made that, add this and now it does something else... That kind of thing. She really was good at her profession. For the most part, even with my skill of 'crafting' I was simply copying others work and process, not inventing anything on my own. Not really at least.

"Have you tried making potion candy yet? I mentioned it, but not again since then." She asked.

"Yes, but when I try the next step, and make it into a hard candy, it comes out a paste. It still works, but unless you wanted to brush your teeth with it, it's no good for the dungeon." I replied.

"That's a funny thought." Naaza replied, "Why don't we work on that. All this godly text is hurting my eyes."

"Sounds good. Oh, and maybe a way to improve that skin lotion. Last time I was able to use the forge..." I gave the metal shop door a wistful look, "I could actually run my hand through molten iron. But it still makes my skin roughen up really bad."

"I'll bet that makes you unpopular later..." She gave me a knowing smile.

"I've actually been forbidden from going to bed without treating my skin after working at the forge." I admitted.

"Lilly likes this." Our supporter said just after dinner, as I ran my hands over her cheeks and shoulders. "But Lilly is wondering why you aren't doing this to Haruhime."

"Because she's over there." Over there being next to Aisha across the table from me, "And, your skin is pretty soft too. She'll get her turn."

"Already going after other women, and you're going to be married in seven more days." Aisha teased.

"Remember, Kodori-dono." Mikoto started, her butter knife glinting in the light of the room, "You promised."

"Now now, I am sure Kodori-san wouldn't do anything to dishonour her relationship with Haruhime-chan." Takemikazuchi said, though I noticed that His katana was leaning against the table by His left hand.

Taking it all in stride, I said confidently, "If I make Ha-chan sad, I'll gladly submit to your judgement, the both of you." I stood and offered my hand to Mikoto, "But really, Naaza is a genius."

"Oh..." Mikoto said, taking my hand and running her fingers over my palm, "Can you make more?"

Disaster averted, "I don't even have to use fire to make it, so yes." I grinned, getting a chuckle from Naaza herself.

"If I can get seconds, I'll even teach her to make some of the other skin care items I know." Naaza added, Chigusa dutifully putting a second helping of stew onto her plate.

"Now now. No ganging up on Ko-san." Haruhime said, "I'd never try and keep her all to myself." She seemed to realize what she was saying, and looked down at her plate, touching her index fingertips together nervously, much like Hestia did when She had to finish an embarrassing sentence, "I can't always be there to give her a hug..."

"Hugs are best when you share them!" Wiene, unknowingly, rescued Haruhime from the rest of that sentence, "Ohh, soft hands." The dragon girl said as I gave her a head pat.

"Oh." Ouka perked up, as if realized something important. "What are we going to to about Wiene? I mean, if we've invited a bunch of people, and not all of them know everything..."

There was a moment of silence, then, "She can wear her new tiara." I said, "There is no way I would even consider telling one of my Familia to sit out of something so important." I looked to Wiene and opened my arms, the dragon girl getting out of her chair and hugging me tightly, "Besides, it might be a good opportunity to have her meet people who do know at least a little. Everyone who's coming knows a bit already. Some more than others, but still." Wiene smiled up at me as I gave her more head pats.

"Well said." Hestia said, "She's part of my Familia, and I won't have her hide in a closet because she's a little different." She paused, "I'm proud of all of you, and since we are hosting the event, I get to show you all off, instead of only bringing one or two guests, like Apollo had us do."

"Indeed." Takemikazuchi said, "Besides, Kodori-san, isn't that why you had that tiara made in the first place?"

"Mostly. It will also stop people from just taking her stone away again." I let Wiene go, though she cling to me a moment longer before letting go as well and sitting back down. "As captain, even if I'm not allowed to plan my wedding, I will do my best to keep you all safe."

Fels arrived like he always did. Suddenly. It was like he just happened to be where he wanted to be, when he wanted to be there. I know it wasn't quite like that, but I had to admit, it was really cool.

"A wizard is never late, they arrive precisely when they mean to." I commented, as Fels appeared by the workshop as I got within sight of the door. "Good evening."

"Lady Kodori, a pleasure." Fels greeted, "I hope you are ready to begin learning."

"I am. Though, so long as it doesn't involve fire. Or lightning... Or acid..."

"Worry not. Your first lesson will simply be... a primer, to greater things. Let's step inside, and you can show me how you go about enchanting something simple, and I will hopefully be able to direct you further." Fels stepped aside for me to unlock the door of the workshop.

Forbidden from the forge, I actually had a hard time trying to enchant anything. Everything I'd done so far had been almost literally, from molten metal onwards. Fels came to the rescue however, as I sat there scratching my head on how to begin.

"I understand your method by your describing it. And see the problem, since you've been banned from the fire for now." He paced, his feet seeming to not actually touch the floor, obscured as they were by his inky black robe. "Have you tried to make a tool then?"

"A tool? No. I've always, quite literally, had a hand on my enchanting as I go. From the forge to the jeweller's table. Until recently, I was unable to project my magic out of my body, so I used my shed fur, since it's full of magic already, and holds it in really well even when no longer attached to me." I replied, holding one of my tails. "Reminds me... Have to make sure to brush you all really well."

"I see. Well, I suppose further lessons will have to wait until you are able to use the forge, but, I can at least tell you how to try making a tool for yourself." His left hand vanished under the sleeve of his robe, and returned with what looked like a small chisel made of silver. It looked to be made of a solid piece of metal, with only a small part of the rounded handle covered in blue leather. "For me, who is capable of projecting his magic power outwards, I use this." He offered the tool to me. It was much lighter than silver would be, and the edge looked very sharp. "The metal is a mix of high silver and gold, the leather is from a dragon. These materials I harvested myself, and over the years, have become almost as familiar to me as the robe I wear."

"High silver?" I asked.

"It is like adamant, but in its raw form looks almost liquid. It is found occasionally past the thirtieth floor, between the water caverns and magma tunnels." Fels replied.

"Huh... A naturally occurring alloy..." I handed the tool back before I accidentally destroyed it by not using it as a tool or something. "Does the material matter?"

"Honestly? Not as much as the personal nature of its creation. You would likely be fine with simply making it out of your 'ko-steel'. But, the important part is that it conducts magic. It is with this, that you can inscribe power onto an object, without needing to enchant something from molten metal onwards."

"Hm..." I thought of the Hestia Knife, that Bell had, and the thousands of little runes etched into the blade itself. "I begin to see."

"Indeed." Fels nodded.

"Does it matter what I carve into something? Is there a specific language for 'magic'? Or will anything do?"

"Ah, that I can teach you... Do you have some parchment?"

Tonight, Haruhime and I's chaperone was Hestia herself. Her and Haruhime were quietly chatting back and forth as I entered, our Goddess brushing my love's hair. Without interrupting, I sat behind Hestia, and started to undo Her twin tails, brandishing a brush of my own. I wonder how many other Familia had a God or Goddess who was so... Familiar. Chatting together, brushing hair, washing backs, baking cookies... It wasn't like She was above the Familia, but part of it. A real part.

"Hey... I'm supposed to keep you from doing that." Hestia said as I hugged Her.

"Best Goddess." I said, making Haruhime look behind her and giggle quietly.

"Ko-san is thinking something sentimental." She commented, shuffling over a little and hugging Hestia as well. "Lady Hestia looks good with Her hair braided."

"Oh... Maybe you should wear that dress Bell and I got you, and I'll braid your hair before the guests arrive." I said, "Do you think Bell will be able to dance without falling over?"

"If it is Lady Hestia in his arms, he won't falter." Haruhime said, "Oh dear..."

Our Goddess was slowly starting to steam from the ears between us, "You've danced with him before, no breaking."

"Poor Bell... If they are both like this, then they won't be able to dance properly."

"I know what we should do when he gets back..."

"Dance practise?"

"Actually, that too. But, I think I have an idea, to keep Bell from freezing up when he looks at Lady Hestia."

"I'm right here, you know."

"Do you think we can have it ready in time?"

"Hey!"

"I have all kinds of spare time right now."

"Hey! No planning things!"

Haruhime and I shared a look of determination, then wiggled about so that we could both face Hestia. "We are going to make you a new dress." We said together. "And then you are going to dance with Bell."

Six days left, and despite Hestia's original complaints, after a good night's snuggle, and a little breakfast, She was a little less reluctant to be at Haruhime and I's mercy. Mercy being a little ominous sounding, but we did have Her in the workshop, with all the lights up, all the windows locked, and the door closed and barred. We wanted to get Her dress exactly right, and for that, we needed perfect measurements.

"It's odd, you know." I thought out loud, "You wear this dress all the time, and Bell has no problem with it. Even though, as two women to another..." Haruhime nodded in agreement, "It always seems one stiff breeze away from coming off of you. Not to mention it shows off your legs, yet never seems to show your underwear. And!" By this time, Hestia, who was naked in front of me, was blushing so hard I feared for my eyebrows. "When you lean down just so, you can get lost trying to find the bottom of Your divine bust." I called off a couple of numbers to Haruhime, who recorded them faithfully, "And, as someone much taller than you, it's a constant hazard."

Finally managing to stutter out a reply, Hestia said, "It's my favourite dress! Given to me by Hephaestus back in Tenkai."

"Oh I understand completely where you are coming from." I made ready to measure Her bust, "Pardon my hands, but deep breath please." She took a deep breath, and I continued, trying my hardest not to get distracted by Her divine perkiness, "I find the Hostess of Fertility boots to be the most comfortable, no matter how many pairs I seem to wreck. Let out your breath." She did and I took another measurement, "But, that's part of the problem."

"What do you mean?" Hestia asked, accepting a towel from Haruhime and wrapping Herself up.

"Well, your dress is fine, until something happens." Haruhime explained for me as I looked at the measurements she had written down and went to our cabinet with all the cloth materials, "Too much wind. Or when you lean over, or trip on something, or give someone a hug." She looked over to where I was, "In a way, your dress is too perfect. It fits you so well, it leaves no room for anything else."

"But... It's still my favourite..."

"Well, this is going to be for special occasions. And I think, we can make it so you can do things like hug someone, without well... Overstimulating them. Like Bell." I said, turning around with two sheets of fabric in my hands, "Light blue then white? Or white, then light blue?"

Hestia had long since re-dressed, and though She was still pouting a little over the facts about Her favourite dress, I caught her smiling more than once as Haruhime and I worked together almost without words. Never more than two tail lengths apart, we moved in synch as we put the pattern of our Goddess's new dress together. It would be up to me, with the crafting skill, to do the stitching, but Haruhime had, by far, the better fashion sense.

It was then, around lunch time, when we got a knock on the workshop door. We'd been so busy that I'd forgotten to unlock it, but since we did at one point, have a naked Goddess in here with us... "Love?" I looked to Haruhime, who's tails gave mine a hug before she left the work area to answer the door.

"I wonder who it is." Hestia asked, "I am getting a little hungry though..."

"It is around lunch." I said, laying out the pattern on the table, "Come look. It might look like scraps of fabric now, but..."

"Oh... This does look pretty. Hehehe." She cackled, that rare, but very distinct 'I'll show those other Gods and Goddesses just how special my Familia is' laugh.

"Lady Heista! Kodori!" It was Weine, "It's almost lunch! We are wondering if you are hungry and coming to eat Mikoto's sandwiches!" She saw what I was doing, then stopped in mid step, "oooo. What's that?"

"This is going to be a new dress for Lady Hestia." I explained, "Once I put it all together." I realized something, then looked to Haruhime, who blinked, then gave herself a very gentle facepalm. "Lady Hestia? Tell Mikoto we will be there soon. Wiene, can you hold off on eating for a few minutes?"

"Umm... okay?"

"We're back!" I heard Bell call from the front entrance, along with two other sets of boots, meaning Welf and Marius had also returned, "I hope we aren't late for dinner!"

"Yeah... Campfires can only go so far, when compared to home cooking." I heard Welf say.

"I do my best, with what I have." Marius said with a sigh, "Is my cooking really so... bland?"

"Maybe a little?" Bell replied in his usual 'try not to hurt your feelings/brutally honest' tone.

Everyone else was in the dining room already. Lilly, with the help of Ouka, who could reach all the shelves, Mokoto, our master of vegetables, and Hestia, our better than average bread maker, were just starting to bring out the food.

"Well, you're in luck then." I said, looking at the three of them, "Its... Wow... What were you guys doing?"

From head to toe, the three of them were covered in 'work'. Mostly dust and mud, they had random scrapes, a few bruises, some ripped clothing, and of all things, Marius had some feathers in his short cut hair.

"Just a little renovation, Ma'am." Marius answered, "But you are right, we should clean up before..." He sniffed the air, "It's taco night, isn't it?"

"Best timing for our return!" Welf did a little victory dance, then started to quick-step towards the bath, "You guys better save me some!"

"I look forward to it!" Bell said, pausing, "Is that a fox?"

Over dinner, with everyone making the usual reactions to Lilly's spicy food, we told them about the letter we had received, and introduced the messenger, Jinsoku, who accepted Welf's pat on the head, Marius's chin scratching, and Bell's pat on the back with equal grace. That is to say, he soaked it up as if it were his due. Kind of like a cat. We passed around the picture of Miyuki, and the three of them smiled broadly.

"I'm a little disappointed I wasn't here to meet them." Marius said.

"You were on the other side of the wall, wishing Ares wasn't such an idiot." I commented.

"I am a little worried on what I'll find on my return." he replied, taking a bite of food and shivering a little, "Aside from the bland food. My stay here will ensure that I will always want something other than army rations."

"Lilly can give you the recipe."

"And I am sure you can grow some of the things there." Asuka commented, "It's like alchemy to me, but I do know most of the spices are pretty simple to grow."

"Once I am king, I will have our best gardeners figure it out."

"One of the privileges of rank, is dividing up the labour, right?" Welf grinned, "I almost want your wedding to be over already. I should have most of that adamant ready for re-working by tomorrow."

"Actually, can I get your help with something else tonight?" I asked, "Need a little help with some leather."

"Eh? Sure. Don't see why not."

"And don't worry, this project isn't planning for the wedding. So it's approved already." I assured, getting a smile from Haruhime, and a faint blush from Hestia.

"That's right," Haruhime added, "It's for just before the wedding. Maybe after too."

"Now I'm curious." Welf said.

"Well, after you help me, you can see if it was worth it."

In five days.

HA! See what I did there?