Ryuu kneeled and pulled her top of out of the tub with the soap, wrung it out and smelled on it. She made a face, it still had the smell of dragon spit on it. Her skin was slightly red, she had scrubbed herself for ours to get rid of the smell on her body. It wasn´t a pleasant experience for her, especially as an elf.

"And ?" Astrea stood behind her and leaned forward to look over Ryuu´s shoulder.

"Still smelly...I can´t wear this today."

Ryuu took her clothes out of the tub and put them in another tub that Astrea had prepared for her. There was soap and a few herbs in it, that should neutralize the smell.

"I´m sorry but I have to borrow your clothes for a while longer lady Astrea."

Astrea giggled. "Oh please Ryuu...mother is fine."

"Nah!" Ryuu´s face went red...so Astrea had heard her.

"I was really happy when you called me that."

"I-It was just...it was faster to speak...than lady Astrea..." Ryuu grew quieter with every word.

Astrea still smiled.

"..."

"M-..."

"Mo-..."

Ryuu became more and more embarassed.

"Mother..."

Astrea´s smile was brighter than any star, she seemed to be extremly happy.

.

Ryuu was grateful to borrow the clothes, but there was only one top she could wear, an old shirt. The other ones were to loose around Ryuu´s chest and even that one...

I never thought the day would come where I have a problem with the chest of my goddess...

"But you have something to wear."

"No I don´t.."

Astrea´s smile went wider. "Come, I would like to show you something."

Confused, Ryuu stood up and followed her goddess upstairs to her room. Bell used the chance to get into the bathroom and finally washing himself. Ryuu had apologized to him for blocking the bathroom for hours.

"Say Ryuu, have you opened the closet once?"

"No, I didn´t."

"Ah so thats why, open it please."

Ryuu opened on of the doors and went silent.

A few garments were hanging in the closet, some short, some long, but all in various forms of green.

"These are..."

"For you, I always hoped to see you someday in one of these." Astrea showed her a warm, motherly smile.

"Thank you..."

"But...I never really wore dresses."

"Just try one of them, but we might have to change them a bit."

"But...would a dress suit me?"

"Of course!...And I´m sure Mr. Bell will love it to see you like that." Astrea winked.

Well...Bell said something like that in the past...

On of the dresses caught her eye, Ryuu pulled it out of the closet and looked at it.

The color was a light green, with short puffed sleeves that ended a few centimeter over her ellbows, with a white lace hem. The skirt in the front reached down to her knees, in the back down to her ankles. The lace hem in the front was also white, but the one for the back a light yellow. Another white lace hem covered the cleavage and one layed around her hip. A long blue ribbon would be drapped around her stomach.
Her boots might look a bit strange with that, but she would never show that much of her legs in front of many people...

"This one?"

Ryuu nodded. "It looks cute..."

"And so will you, try it on, I wait outside."

While Astrea closed the door, Ryuu put the dress on the bed. After she heard the clicking sound, Ryuu took off the long shirt and her pants. Looking at the dress for a moment, she started to put it on.
For now she let the ribbon loose, Ryuu looked at herself in the mirror on the wall. Herself in a dress was an unfamiliar sight.

"I´m done."

Astrea came in again and looked at Ryuu.

"As I said, it suits you very well."

"Thank you, but..."

"But?"

"It is a bit tight..."

"We have to change it then, where is it tight?"

Ryuu looked a bit embarassed and placed a hand on her chest. "Around here..."

"Leave it to me." .

.

Bell took his time to walk around the village, it was a nice change to Orario. Since the villagers were used to monster attacks, the situation was peaceful again. Thankfully nothing important was destroyed, so they just had to clean up the broken trees and the damage in the field. The dragons head, the only part the bunny had left behind, was carried to the butcher. He would carve out any flesh and clean up the skull, they planned to hang it up on a post near the northern forest. This way they honored the bunny for their rescue and perhaps would scare away weaker monsters with the scent. Some of the villagers greeted Bell and thanked him for fighting the dragon, even though he wasn´t the one killing it. After walking a while, he saw some villagers working in a field,
they walked around a rock that was stuck in the earth.

"Do you need help with that?" Bell walked over to the villagers.

"Ah adventurer, help would be nice, this rock is pretty heavy and we have no tools to get it out of the earth."

"Let me try it."

Bell took off his shirt, he was used to work shirtless in the fields since childhood, so he wasn´t really embarassed. Also he didn´t want his shirt to get dirty. Bell rubbed his hands for a second,
then he stepped over to the rock and looked at the point where they had dug, they had reached the lower edge.

"Please step back."

"What? Do you intend to do it alone?"

"Ahm..yes?"

The villagers looked at each other, as Bell placed his hands at the lower edge and crouched down. His was became focused, he adjusted his feet, then Bell tensed his muscles.

"Hnnnngh!" Bell´s muscles swelled up.

Slowly the rock started to move, as the earth loosed its grip.

"Raaagh!"

With a jolt, Bell levered the rock out of the earth.

""Woah!""

The villagers exclaimed in surprise, here was the difference in sheer strength between an adventurer and a normal person. The rock weighed at least one hundred and fifty kilogram...it had nearly three times Bell´s weight.

Bell rolled the rock over and stepped back.

"Thank you very much adventurer! From here on we can pull it away with ropes."

"No problem." Bell smiled, he was happy to help them.

He washed his hands with the water from a bucket that a villagers reached him. Bell shook his hands out, took his shirt, wished goodbye to the villagers and went on.

Right when he turned around, his shirt still in his hand, he saw Ryuu standing a few meters away. She had looked for him, but now she was silent.

Bell´s well toned upper body in bright daylight...her eyes wandered down from his face by their own will.

When the villagers saw him shirtless, it was no problem for Bell, but now that he stood in front of Ryuu...

"Ah, Ryuu."

Hastily, Bell turned slightly away and put on his shirt again. Ryuu snapped out of her thoughts, turned pink and looked away too.

Ah! W-Why did I just stare at him!

"Ah eh..Bell, I wanted to come for you...L-Lady Astrea said we should repair the fence before the festival starts..."

"Oh eh..right."

They walked side by side to the house, both still embarassed.

.

A few hours later.

.

Bell sat on the couch in Astrea´s living room and waited. His clothes were clean and he had washed himself. Now he waited for Ryuu and Astrea to get ready.

He was nervous...Astrea told him to look forward to see Ryuu, she would wear something special.

Bell had tried to cover up his light embarrassment. "W-Why are y-you telling me that...we´re j-just companions."

But Astrea only smiled and whispered to his ear. "I am a goddess Mr. Bell...I see how you look at my daughter."

"Ah eh.."

"Don´t worry...I don´t have any complain...I would like to give you a small advice..."

"Huh?"

"Elves tend to get in a romantic mood at a full moon night...like today."

Bell gulped and his mouth became dry.

He had thought for a while now about Ryuu and him, thought about...confessing his love to her. But thinking about it and doing it, were two different things. Would Ryuu reciprocate his feelings?
Would she become angry?...Maybe it would change things between them.

Astrea had smiled at him. "Just try your luck tonight Mr. Bell, trust me."

.

So here he sat and waited for them.

What should I say...how shall I say it? Aaargh...

His thoughts ran wild and he was nervous...he didn´t have the idea to confess tonight until Astrea brought it up.

What if she says no...what if she feels sorry...wha i-

Bell´s thoughts were cut off when Ryuu entered the room.

It was Bell´s first time seeing Ryuu in a dress...it was beyond beautiful.

The light green color matched her hair perfect.

Bell stood up when Ryuu and Astrea entered the room, the goddess wore the white dress from the first day they met her.

"Bell so-"

"You´re so beautiful...and insanely cute." His words just came out, his brain was on shut down for the moment.

Poof!

Ryuu looked embarassed the moment he spoke these words, her heart skipped a beat.

She had something in her head that she wanted to say to Bell, but now it was gone.

Ah, Bell..

An embarassing silence followed, thankfully interrupted by Astrea.

Astrea giggled. "See Ryuu? I told you Mr. Bell would like it."

"Ah moth-...lady Astrea.."

"Now..shall we go?"

Ryuu and Bell nodded silent.

.

It was getting dark outside, the sky was clear, not a single cloud could be seen, only the stars and the giant full moon. The moon somehow looked way bigger than in Orario.

"They say an old elven magic creates this illusion, that the moon looks five times bigger here...a few hundred meters outside of the village and the illusion is gone."

They followed the path to the open gras field where the villagers had brought the pillars. Lines with lanterns were stretched between the posts, as well as some benches, in the middle was the shrine with the pillow...and on top sat Mr. Cranell with a statisfied look on his bunny face. Some villagers had placed offerings in front of him, fruits and some vegetables. They showed him their respect and even without his antlers, he made an imposant figure...sort of.

A few stalls with food were on one side and four villagers stood in the middle and played on music instruments, two had violins, one a harp and one a pan flute. The music and lights created a relaxing atmosphere. All of the villagers were here, some talked, some danced slowly to the music and some came to the shrine, bowed before the bunny and layed down flower rings.

"Enjoy the festival you two, just look around a bit...and ? Please don´t tease Mr. Cranell." Astrea winked and mingled with the people.

"I-I won´t!"

Ryuu and Bell stood there fidgetting a bit.

"Sh-Shall we look around?" Ryuu looked at him.

"Y-Yeah.."

Both were pretty nervous, Bell because he thought about how to confess...or if he should confess. And Ryuu...Bell didn´t knew, that he had gotten the same tip as Bell from her goddess.

What shall I do...what shall I do...how can I say something like that to Bell...aaaah lady Asrtrea! Why did you tell me something like that!...

They looked at the stalls, one handed out drinks, water and juice but no alcohol. Another had freshly baked bread, another fruits and another vegetables. There was no meat, only cold food, except the bread.

Although Bell was very nervous, a lewd idea came to his mind when he looked at the fruits. He went over and bought two apples.

"Do you..want one?" He held out an apple to Ryuu.

"S-sure...thank you."

Ryuu took the apple with both hands and as they continued their way she started to nibble on it.

Astrea told the truth...she looked so cute right now, Bell was in heaven.

I´m sorry Ryuu...for tricking you like that.

They walked over to Mr. Cranell who eyed the dancing villagers.

"Good evening Mr. Cranell."

"Geh!" Bell had his problems with the bunnies name.

"Kyu!"

The bunny bowed his head to Ryuu and allowed her to touch his head.

They went on and sat down on an empty bench.

"Its so peaceful here." Ryuu leaned against the backrest and nibbled on the rest of the apple.

"Yes and so relaxing." Bell also leaned back and looked at the small festival.

"It is a nice break but...I look forward to work at the pub again, to see Syr and the rest again."

"Yeah...I´m sure they´re waiting for us."

They talked a while about their journey, how Ryuu had problems to get her clothes clean again and other things.

"Have you decided what to do with the antlers?"

"Not yet, back in Orario I will ask Welf to take a look at them, maybe he has an idea. It should be something special."

"You should treasure them, it is a rare gift."

"I wouldn´t call it a...gift."

Ryuu chuckled. "Well maybe a price."

Bell looked at Ryuu from the side.

You would be the biggest price...Argh what am I thinking!

She looked up to the sky. "The moon looks amazing like that."

He followed her gaze.

Ryuu´s heart pounded like a smithing hammer, she could hear her friends again.

Goooo Lion! Claim your man! Take him! Don´t let him escape Lion!

She was fidgetting more and more, she hoped Bell didn´t notice it.

"B-Bell!" Her ears became hot. "W-Would y-you come w-with me for a bit?"

"S-Sure..."

Ryuu could feel her heart in her throat.

Oh god oh god oh god...what am I doing!

They walked away from the festival a bit until they were alone on the meadow, only illuminated by the moon. They could hear the music from the festival but were alone here.

"I..wanted to take off my boots for a while..y-you know? F-Feel the g-gras under my f-feet." Ryuu´s brain had given up at this point.

"Oh..a g-good idea." Bell´s mouth became dry again.

Both took off their boots, Bell just realized how much of Ryuu´s legs were covered by her boots. Seeing her in the dress with free legs, made him swallow again.

The cool grass under their feet helped both to calm down a little bit...but only a little bit.

"R-Ryuu!"

"Y-Yes?!"

Say it Bell, say it!

He swallowed.

"I..eh..h-have you ever danced?"

Argh come on say it me!

"Ah..N-no..I didn´t.."

"W-w-Would you like t-to try?"

Ryuu panicked a bit.

"O-Okay..."

They stood in front of each other, both weren´t thinking right now, Bell took Ryuu´s left hand in his right.

"I have..to t-touch your h-hip...will that be o-okay?"

She only nodded and placed her hand on his shoulder.

What am I doing? I have to say it...I want to say it! But what if he says no?

Slowly they started to move back and forth and turned slightly around.

Wait! W-Why are we dancing? No clear thought wanted to form in Ryuu´s head.

Ryuu looked up into Bell´s eyes, her own shimmered. He was so close to her...

Bell felt Ryuu´s hip shaking under his hand.

How did it come to this?!

Both continued to dance awkward to the silent music.

Aaaaah...what are we doing?! What am I doing?!

Aaaah...what is happening with me?

Alternately, their mouths went dry or they had to swallow.

Say it, say it, say it! Dare it!

The dance continued for a while...both felt very happy and incredible nervous, they didn´t notice it, but they danced for half an hour. They spoke no word the whole time.

"Ryuu I..."

They stopped the dance and slowly sepparated their hands.

"Y-Yes?"

Oh god! What is he going to say?!

"I...Argh!" Bell broke the eye contact and took deep breaths.

"B-Bell! I-I..."

"Hm?"

Ryuu squealed. Aaaaaah...I can´t...I have to...do it me!

"Bell..I...!"

"..."

Bell´s breathing quickened.

Do it! Do it! Do it! Aaaaaaargh! HERE GOES NOTHING!

Before his fear could stop him, he stepped to Ryuu, took her hands in his and nearly shouted.

.

.
"I love you!"

.

BOOM !

.
.

He did it, he said it!

Ryuu´s eyes widened, as in shock or something else, Bell couldn´t say it.

Bell stood their with a pounding heart, waiting for a reply.

Aaaaaaah ! Here goes!

Ryuu squeezed her eyes shut and...

.

.

"I love you too!"

.

.
Poof!

.

Both faces became deep red in an instant and they stammered.

"I-I...for so long..!"

"M-Me too...ever since..."

Even if they had just confessed their love for each other, both were embarassed and very shy.

The voice in Ryuu´s head squealed in excitement. I´m so happy! Aaaaah!

They squeezed their hands together, their hearts just wouldn´t stop pounding.

W-what do we do now? D-do we have to k-k-ki-kiss?

Despite being such a strong warrior, Ryuu was a pure maiden at heart.

"I-I dream only of you...whenever I look at you I.." Bell didn´t know what he did right now.

They went a tiny step closer.

"B-Bell..I..."

The full moon was their only witness.

Closer and closer they got to each other, their thoughts raced.

"Ryuu..."

"Bell..."

They stared into each others eyes, only a few centimeters separated them.

.

.

But in the end...both did not have the courage, they were just to shy for the moment to do the final step.

They just kept looking at each other, standing so close together and holding hands.

.

.

.
"I love you, Ryuu."

.

"I love you...Bell"

.

.

The moon watched over the young couple. Both were as happy as never before. .

.
And so the night went on...hours later they returned to the festival, still holding hands shyly.

.
When Astrea saw them together like this, she could only smile...her heart was filled with joy for Ryuu.