Sitting down on the couch closest to the doorway, his back facing the entrance he glanced around the room recognising it as a drawing room used for receiving guests. Paying no mind to the bookshelves which occupied either side of the walls, he began to squint at the excessive use of lime green wallpaper questioning the daring choice of colour.
The clicking sound of the door opening disturbed his waning thoughts as someone who could only be described as a child with luscious blonde hair yet with an air of maturity entered the room. His young face conflicted the air of power that permeated the room when he entered. His posture ramrod straight and his every step demanding attention.
So this was Finn Deimne.
The strongest Pallum in Orario and the captain of the Loki Familia. Standing up in respect Moriah bows low, something he recently learnt observing the people in the city whilst on his way to the Familia's house. It seemed to be significant sign of respect to one's superiors and part of the city's noticeably eastern mannerism. Truly a testament to my suspicions of this world being based off an East Asian form of entertainment.
Once all was settled and both him and the pallum captain were seated opposite to the other, his gaze rose to meet the pallums hardened eyes standing firm under his scrutinising glare. Seeing the mental hazing wasting precious time and effort he began to promptly discuss matters of business - firstly, introducing himself to the captain.
"Thank you for seeing me today, Sir Deimne my name is Moriah. While I know you and your Familia have been busy with the recent events this past year, I appreciate you taking the time to look at my application"
Finn smiled, acknowledging the courage it took to begin the proceedings in the face of his insurmountable power. But that was where his consideration ended.
"Well, you caused quite the commotion outside it would be a shame to turn away an aspiring adventurer such as yourself."
His eye's narrowed as he leaned forward. His chin rested on his clasped hands as he propped up his elbows on his knees. A small ominous smile now plastered on his face.
"As the Familia's captain I have a duty to uphold the honour and dealings of my Familia. So Moriah. What can you offer that will elevate the might and strengthen of the Loki Familia in Orario."
Whoever said pallums were the weakest race in Orario must have been delusional. Finn Deime was neither weak nor a push over. Perhaps he was an anomaly, but that did not disqualify the potential for all Pallums to reach his strength. He declared his response to his application viciously like a volatile snake awaiting a moment of weakness to butcher its prey.
Under the scrutinising gaze of someone at the top of the food chain, most would've already surrendered to the monster known as ⌜Braver⌟. Fortunately, years of back breaking office work under his superior's fearsome rule largely mitigated the fear factor. After all, there was nothing scarier than a lack of job security and the dread that came with working long hours wondering if you were the next to be fired.
Staring into his firm eyes with unwavering confidence he declared
"I think you have mistaken my intentions Captain Deimne." His eye's leveling a glare forward as the rising anticipation of his next words sparked a sudden fire in Finn's heart.
"I am not here to join the Familia as an adventurer"
"I stand before you as an individual willing to help shoulder your burdens and as a person who is willing to take up the mantle of administrative might."
Despite the seriousness of situation and the unmoving stoic expression on Moriah's face a small smirk made its way on his face. The smugness of his next words served as a provocation to Finn's ego.
"And if you still have doubts, put my conviction and skills to the ultimate trial. If your prepared to pay the price of course."
Finn reeled back in surprise at the unsuspecting declaration and subtly scrunched his eyebrows as his expression faintly morphed into one of confusion; retaining his expression just as fast. A sign of the years of experience he had acquired in controlling his facial features when the advantage was seized. Moriah internally bathed in the raw satisfaction of outmanoeuvring the sharp wit of Finn Deimne. However. That was a lie he thought. The word's he so proudly declared a few moments ago were nothing but a sham. After all, to work was to lose. But to survive in this world he would have to put in the bare minimum of effort to ensure he would have some amount of power. And the Loki Familia was just the best next option to ensure both his safety and security.
"I can assure you my assistance will by a vital for your Familia." He continued
"If not, I hear the Freya Familia are recruiting for potential members, and while their goddess is known for handpicking each member, my confidence is not unfounded."
Moriah mind worked as he compiled the pieces of wisdom, he secured in the small amount of time he regained consciousness. The wit he was demonstrating revealing the years of experience that allowed him to survive up to that point. He was confident in his skill to sway opinions to his side. Poking areas where wounds were still fresh and where competition was still apparent. It was just one of the many methods he utilised to his own benefit.
This was a merciless world where only the strongest survive and the weak succumb, only those who took the initiative would be able to emerge as victors. This time he resolved to pursue a fate which would offer him victory. Victory using the shortest and sweetest route.
Finn's provoked expression was becoming apparent at the slight downturn of his lips however they were soon concealed by the sudden opening of the door.
"YAHOO FINNNNNNNN! I heard a little deer was standing outside our Familia waiting to join. I even heard they scared the guards out front."
Loki boisterously announced her presence, smirking as she came face to face with Moriah.
'So this was their goddess Loki' he internally thought.
Her hair was short; tied back into a small ponytail and if he hadn't known any better, he would've assumed she was a man in disguise. However, her thin stature and apparent female clothing left little to imagine and discarded any doubt that she was a man to begin with. His foresight and deduction cautioned him to address her as a female as she walked in moving scarily closer to where he sat.
"Lady Loki" he nodded.
He stood up as her face zoomed in millimetres from his face standing still in the divine presence of the goddess. He wasn't interested in offending one of the three axis powers of Orario in his barely passable few hours of existence. While baring his fangs at Finn had been his way to gauge and subtly prod at the captain's capabilities. His slight insinuations at the Familia's lacking status in comparison to the Freya Familia may have been taken for more than a joke. And while his fall-back plan of joining the Freya Familia was a possibility it was more of a last resort. Their reputation as a Familia infatuated with their goddess, leaving its members as fanatic's made it a less then desirable alternative.
Absentmindedly, he thought whether all gods were similar to the goddess Freya. Crazy and self-indulgent. The reason for their descent was pure entertainment after all, and there was nothing more exciting than being an eccentric god with powerful children; watching them grow to become a source of amusement as their infatuation for something unattainable drove them to succeed.
Unfortunately, his internal musings were cut short as a sharp chop to his head was felt.
"Hey kid are ya paying attention"
Loki retracted her hand from his head has she stared down at his small form; a smirk of amusement plastered on her face. He once again questioned his own ability to make rational decisions as the small amount of uncertainty he had in confronting the Loki Familia once again flared at the mischievous face of their goddess. No doubt a test to his mettle and testament to the oncoming suffering he would experience as the goddess new toy.
If there was any consolation, the insecurities surrounding her flat chest seemed to be a prime target for teasing; hopefully a strategy that would divert her attention enough to defend himself from the schemes of the goddess.
"HEY! Your thinking about something rude aren't you!?"
His eye's widened a minuscule amount as he noted to himself.
'god's seem to have an intuitive sense when it comes to face to face confrontations perhaps from centuries of practice or some other unknown divine force'
Internally nodding at his own deduction, he began to reevaluate the dangers of confronting these 'gods,' however, he vaguely began to recall an essential piece of information Rehmer had told him just before his confrontation with the Loki Familia.
Loki's face adorned an expression of annoyance a tick mark appearing on her forehead at Moriah's blasé attitude.
"DON'T IGNORE ME WHEN I'M SPEAKING TO YA KID!"
Her arms crossed in front of her chest as she pouted like an ignored child, a small frown marrowing her face as she stared down at him.
"Forgive me goddess Loki" He replied "I was just in awe of your glaring radiance"
His stoic facial expression however only served to further her ire. Fortunately, before another round of bickering could begin the forgotten presence of Finn seemed to emerge. Reining in Loki's childish behaviour his exasperated sigh bore a touch of fondness and resignation – it seemed as if this had become a habit for him.
"Moriah," Finn began. "While your intentions to join are somewhat dubious from what I gather they are sincere. Are you truly ready to take on the workload and responsibilities that'll accompany this position. Above all, this placement is one that need's unconditional trust."
"Well" He began with the same infuriating emotionless mask "hire me and you'll find out"
The corners of Loki's mouth began to rise.
"Don't worry your pretty little head Finny you can trust him" Loki chuckled smiling ominously towards him with a ravenous greed in her eye's.
Moriah shifted slightly, an uncomfortable revelation dawning on him in his upright stance – the most emotion he had shown towards the duo.
'Ah I forgot' His eye's glinting with nervousness the vital piece of information Rehmer had incessantly repeated coming to the forefront of his mind.
'god's can tell if you lie'
And so began the survival of a salary man and future Hero in the hands of a mischievous goddess.