Bell sat atop the wheat manor. Dawn's ballad in hand. He didn't know what time it was, but the moon was high in the sky.
His familia knows he's staying there for the night, as he had told Regis through their mental link. With Astraea and Loki down in the deep floors of the dungeon, and the Ganesha familia running security for the city while setting up for the summer festival, and nobody was gonna ask Freya because she'd ask for some outlandish favor in return.
Leaving Bell to hold the line by his lonesome. Freya, the goddess of beauty that was after him yet, hadn't made a move yet. The one who turned Allen against Anya and caused her to be so miserable for years.
He was glad he got Anya out of there. Now all he needs to do is make Allen come to his senses so they can all be together again.
Bell heard someone land next to him, but he knew they were friendly, so he didn't mind them being here.
"You gonna sit up here all night," Lunoire asked, taking a seat next to Bell. She had her adventurers uniform on, which consisted of a white button-up shirt and brown shorts with a red scarf around her neck.
"Gives me the best view of our surroundings. Why you worried" Bell replied, not looking at her.
Lunoire let out a sigh pinching the bridge of her nose. "A little, but not as much as Demeter. She's worried you'll get sick."
Bell quirked an eyebrow as he looked at Lunoire. "She knows I can't get sick that easily, right? I mean, I have a mana core and a falna."
Lunoire let out a small smile. "You know she's just like that. Always worries about the little things that won't happen."
Bell shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, she was always like that when she visited. Then again, Regis and I constantly tried to blow each other up, so I think her concerns were valid."
Lunoire giggled at the thought of a small Bell and Regis trying to blow each other up while Demeter freaked out.
"I can imagine you gave her quite a fright," Lunoire said as she laid down on the roof.
"Well, when you're looking after a seven-year-old and their talking dog, and he just so happens to be a pyromaniac. Things get pretty hectic." Bell chuckled.
The two sat in silence, Bell keeping a lookout of the perimeter and Lunoire lying on her back, her eyes closed, enjoying the cool night's breeze.
"You can fall asleep if you want. I'll keep watch," Bell told her, his eyes still peeled for even the tiniest of things out of place.
Lunoire's eyes remained closed as she smiled. "Aw, are you worried about me now" she teased.
Bell rolled his eyes as he glanced over at Lunoire. "You must be tired from working all day. Might as well get some shut-eye."
Lunoire smiled as she rested her hands on her stomach. "You're very sweet, Bell. Anyone ever tell you that before."
Bell was confused where did this come from. "Uh, thanks? Where did that come from" Bell asked?
Lunoire didn't say anything as Bell heard soft snores come from her. He turned to look at her but quickly turned away as he could see her nipples poking out from her shirt. It appears someone doesn't believe in bras.
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Airmid had just finished up work for the day. She was locking up the shop and getting ready to head home before a hand was around her mouth. She tried to scream, but her screams were muffled, and she could feel rope tying her hands and legs together.
She tried to struggle, but something hit her in the back of the head, causing everything to go dark.
A man threw her over his shoulder as he and his accomplices began to flee.
"Halt" a guard yelled, chasing after them.
The group used speed-enhancing magic and got ahead of the guard, but not before the guard saw the red runes going down their spines
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Lunoire yawned and stretched her arms as she woke up from her slumber. She rubbed her eyes, and when she opened them, she saw the sun in the sky and noticed a blanket falling off her.
Her head quickly shot next to her, and she saw Bell still awake and keeping watch. He had bags under his eyes, yet he still remained alert.
"Morning, did you sleep well," Bell asked, not looking at her. It seemed like he was doing his best to look away from her.
"Why didn't you wake me," Lunoire asked as she yawned.
Bell shook his head, trying to keep himself awake. "Cause you were tired."
Lunoire looked down at the red blanket and wondered where he got it from. "Where did you get this," she asked.
Bell showed her his hand that had his dimension ring. "I always keep one in here in case someone needs it. It was a little chilly last night, so I thought you could use it."
Lunoire felt a little touched by Bell's kindness as she curled up with the blanket again. "Oh, I assume you saw my nipples, and that's why you put the blanket on me."
"No idea what you're talking about," Bell lied.
Lunoire had a small smile. "Liar"
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Bell arrived home an hour later as some of Demeter's familia did a changing of the guard to give Bell a break. Before he left, Demeter gave him a hug but didn't smother him this time.
This one was full of auntie love which Bell held on to a few minutes more than Demeter thought he would. It made her happy knowing Bell was coming out of his shell a bit more since coming to Orario.
After breaking his hug with Demeter, Lunoire gave him his blanket back. Bell put it in his dimension ring before receiving a kiss on the cheek courtesy of Lunoire.
"Maybe next time you can see me without the clothes. You already know there's nothing underneath," she whispered in his ear.
Bell felt his eyes widen at the words before he excused himself and headed home.
Which brings us to Bell and Aisha lying in his bed as he explained the events. Bell had his head on his pillow with his eyes closed as Aisha ran her finger through his hair.
"That waitress sounds like my type of girl. You should bring her over for a threesome," Aisha laughed.
Bell let out a groan opening his eyes to look at Aisha. "Aisha, I am too tired to have this conversation right now. Can we pick it up another time, please"
"So you're open to the idea," Aisha questioned.
Bell let out a breath of annoyance as he closed his eyes again. "If I say yes will you drop the subject."
Aisha pecked him on the lips. "Yes. But I do find it sweet how you worried about Demeter like that."
"She's my aunt, and I worry about her. She always treated me with kindness, even if she could be overbearing at times. I don't want anything bad to happen to her," Bell explained, telling Aisha how he felt about all this.
Aisha played with his hair some more, running her fingers through it. "That's very sweet of you, Bell. I'm glad to see all those emotions that were buried come up to the surface."
Bell let out a sigh. "I am too, but it feels weird. I'm not used to feeling like this. It's kinda scary."
Aisha leaned down and kissed Bell's forehead. "You don't have to be scared. Remember, I'm right here to help you along the way."
Bell smiled as he held Aisha's hand. "I know, and I love you for that. But I'm tired. Can I get some sleep now"
Aisha blushed a little at how easily Bell said he loved her. "Sure, I'll be right here," Aisha cooed.
Bell finally let himself fall asleep, feeling the darkness take hold and usher him into the land of dreams.
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"Bell, wake up," Aisha said with urgency in her voice as she shook him awake.
Bell opened his eyes and looked at the clock. It was only 9:00 AM. He had only slept two hours.
"What's wrong, Aisha" Bell mumbled, still tired.
"Shakti's here. She says it's important," Aisha said, her voice laced with worry.
Bell quickly got out of bed and walked with Aisha to the living room. When he arrived, he saw his entire familia here, including Anya, as she was taking some days off work.
Shakti hearing him come inside, turned to face him. "Glad you could join us," she greeted.
Bell returned the greeting before crossing his arms. "Not to sound rude, but I was catching up on some sleep I missed. What's so important? You had to show up this early."
Shakti cleared her throat as she looked at Bell. "My apologies Mr Leywin. But early this morning, Airmid was kidnapped."
This put Bell on alert as he straightened his back out a little. "Tell me what happened."
"Early this morning, when Airmid was closing up shop, she was assaulted by a group of men. Their numbers are unknown as it was dark, but the guard that chased them noticed red runes running down their back," Shakti explained.
If Bell wasn't fully awake, he was now. "Must be Alacryans or people associated with them. I'm assuming you came to me as I have the most knowledge about them."
Shakti nodded her head. "That is correct, Mr Leywin. The guild has issued a top-secret quest to your familia. Only level 4 and above are allowed to partake, and only two of you can come with me. With the festival preparations and the Astraea and Loki familia in the dungeon, you're are next best bet if we don't want Freya involved."
Bell nodded in understanding. "Got it. I'll pack my things, and we can bring Anya with us since she has a better sense of smell than we do. Will that work for you"
Miach raised his hand. "Now hold on, Bell, you just got out of the hospital. You can't even use your right arm properly, and you want to go and fight Alacryian mages," he protested.
"Miach's right, Bell. You're not at full fighting capability," Nazha added.
"I say let the dipshit go. He needs to go and be Prince Charming for the hot doctor lady," Regis said, sticking up for Bell.
"I say let the lad go as well. He knows more about these mages than we do," Zald added.
"As long as Master Bell comes back safe, Lili doesn't care if he goes. Besides, it'll give us more time to plan our training expedition without him worrying over it," Lili commented.
"I'll worry about Master Bell's safety, but he's been through worse. Remember when he lost three liters of blood and still made it back to us" Haruhime said, her voice full of confidence which caught everyone off guard.
Welf cleared his throat. "I got your armor repaired and more sturdy than the last. Made a modification so it can fit with your cast on"
"I don't think boss man should go since he's crippled. Last time when he ran into that Uto guy Bell had both arms and was caught off guard," Lena pointed out.
"But he was also a level two and had spent hours fighting," Daphne reminded her.
Laurier raised her hand. "Bell's gonna go anyway as it's in his nature to. Not like we can stop him."
Bell looked to Aisha on what he should do.
Aisha sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't want him going at all. He should be resting and healing that arm of his. But knowing him, he'll sneak out or just not listen to us at all. So I say he goes."
Bell smiled at Aisha before turning to Cassandra. "Any vision that pertains to my doom Cassandra" Bell asked.
Cassandra shook her head. "N-n-no, Bell. I haven't had anything," she nervously sputtered.
That put everyone's mind at ease a little before Mikoto approached Bell. "I have some more throwing knives for you to use. They're laced in a paralysis effect, so be careful with them."
Bell took them and stored them in his dimension ring and put a hand on Mikoto's shoulder. "Thanks for these, Mikoto. Keep an eye on Lili and Haruhime for me while I'm gone."
Mikoto nodded her head. "My promise still stands from that night."
Bell smiled as he patted her shoulder. "Well, it looks like votes are in, and I'm going. Miach, Nazha, I promise not to lose another arm and be as safe as I can."
Bell gave them his Everything will be alright smile. But the last time they saw that smile was right before Alfia nearly killed Bell. Remembering that night didn't fill them with much hope, but they decided to put their trust in Bell.
Shakti then cleared her throat. "Now that we've decided who's going, we must leave now. Time is of the essence."
Bell looked at Anya, who nodded. Both grabbed their gear and were suited up in less than two minutes, after saying their goodbyes to everyone at Orario's southern gate. Then began to run as to catch up with the kidnappers.
The Airmid rescue mission had begun.
Sorry, this took so long. I had no idea what to even put here. Also, starting a new story cause my ADHD makes me think of like 17 new ideas a day for stories.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that little character trait Lunoire has. Just something random I thought of to make her more unique.
Well later.