Orario...
Sometimes this city was peaceful...sometimes it was shaken by fights and agression...
A special time of the year came again.
The dungeon changed it´s appearance again. A wall blocked the path down to the sixth floor and the monsters that spawned on the first five floors changed.
Instead of goblins and such low level creatures, more...lovely monsters spawned. Cupids...tons and tons of cupids in various forms. Some small, some big, some with animal features.
They left behind precious drop items. Ingredients for chocolate...special chocolate. Mostly female adventurers or couples went into the dungeon at this time of the year.
The cupids weren´t really fearsome, only their special attack. They used bow and arrow and every single cupid had two special arrows in its quiver. The arrowhead was heartshaped, the damage it dealt was low. But...when those two arrows hit different people...they immediately fell in love with each other. For around five minutes. That was why mostly couples or solo female adventurers went into the dungeon. And this effect stacked, for it was a five minutes for every hit, since they tend to attack in swarms it was quite fearsome.
The male adventurers feared what would happen if they were hit by such an arrow, while their girlfriend or wife was on the surface, because not even the dungeon could be that fearsome.
It was a time were Orario came to a hold.
Love filled the air.
And...
It was the most fearsome time of the year for the Freya Familia.
In this special time...
Freya went...crazy.
It might had something to do with her being a goddess of love and this was the festival of love.
Every year Ottar and the rest of the higher ones had to make preparations, no one knew what their goddess might do.
As long as she was Syr, she was...somewhat...stable.
But as soon as she changed back into Freya...well...she went nuts.
One year she threw Vals coins out of her window while laughing. She just wanted to do good but...coins falling from such a heigh...it was like a bombardement.
When the guild asked what the reason was, Ottar explained to them it was an accident.
And this year...Freya wanted to make chocolate.
The person who suffered the most from that was Helen, because whenever Freya tried to cook something, Helen was her taste tester. That was the reason why Ottar had provided Helen with a huge amount of antidots beforehand. Helen was the important member for Freya´s time as Syr, so they couldn´t let her die from that.
But...to her back luck...they couldn´t rescue her either.
"Lady Freya...please..."
Helen had seen her life before her eyes more than one time already. It was fascinating how Freya managed to make poison out of almost every ingredient.
"Please..." Helen whimpered.
She would never refuse her goddess, but it was hard.
Especially this chocolate right now. It was fine and not poisonous, but Freya wanted to test out a special aphrodisiac for fun. Right now Helen went crazy because of that, somehow Freya had increased the effect tenfold...
Freya stirred in a bowl.
"What is it Helen?...Oh..."
She saw the state that Helen was in. The young woman was down to her knees and rubbed her thights together, she looked at her goddess with a flushed and pleading face, her arms wrapped around the torso.
Freya put the bowl down and tapped Helen´s shoulder.
"Meep!" Helen´s body jerked upwards.
"Looks like I got a bit distracted...do you want to take a break?"
Helen couldn´t answer, she just looked at her goddess shuddering.
Freya sighed. "Maybe it was a bit too strong...guess there is no helping it..."
"Ah, L-Lady Fr...ahn "
The goddess helped her follower in her own way to get rid of the effect, she had to take responsibility after all.
It would be the greatest honor of someones life, but Helen´s mind was so overloaded, that she wasn´t able to feel honored...she wasn´t even able to remember what happened after she regained consciousness.
Helen just wondered why she was sleeping on the ground, she saw Freya humming happily while she stirred in a bowl.
"Helen would you be so kind and taste this chocolate for me?"
Freya turned around with a lovely smile on her face and...hearts in her eyes...
"Eeep!"
Valentine´s day was two days away and the effect on Freya already started.
Ryuu was restless.
Right now she cleaned the tables in the mainroom. She and Bell would soon go on their first date, only after they had agreed on a date, Ryuu realized that this day would be the Valentine´s day.
It wasn´t her first Valentine´s day in Orario and she usually didn't care too much about that day. But now that she had Bell...and would go on a date with him...
What is wrong with me? I´m so nervous...
The date wasn´t the only thing that made her nervous. Today Bell wanted to tell his Familia about them. For Ryuu was the love between two people only a thing between them, yes he should tell his Familia, as she would have with her "family" at the pub if they hadn´t found it out by themselfs, but for some reason it made her restless. For what she had seen from his goddess, Ryuu didn't think she would be against it.
But...what if someone from his Familia was in love with Bell? It would be a hard situation and probably hurt them alot.
Sigh...
"uuuu...Ryuuuu...you there, Meow?"
"Huh? Eh, what?!"
"Meow...lost in thoughts again?"
She only noticed now, that Anya stood in front of her and eyed her.
"Oh, Anya...I´m sorry..."
"Thinking about white hair again, Meow?"
This time Anya wasn´t teasing her but looking at her with actual interest. Although she was usually quite free spirited, sometimes acted normal and even had good ideas and for Ryuu, Anya was part of her family.
"Mhm.." Ryuu nodded slightly.
"Hmm...If I remember right meow, white hair doesn´t like sweets. Do you plan to make something else for Valentine´s day, Meow?"
"Mh you are right...but I don´t know what to do.."
Anya tapped her chin. "Meow...how about a picnic? And you two make the food together Meow?"
Ryuu was amazed...such an idea from Anya...
"Anya...you´re a genious!"
The catgirl puffed her chest. "Of course I am! And while you're at it meow, make some snacks for me as thanks meow."
The elf nodded. "Sure."
"What? Really meow?!" She grinned happily.
Meanwhile all of the girls knew that Ryuu had a date with Bell on Valentine´s day, they had reacted in different ways.
Chloe looked dejected. "No way Nya...our unfriendly elf has a boyfriend and a date on Valentine´s day before me Nya!"
"I can hear you Chloe..."
"Nya! Then stop showing off with your boyfriend Nya!"
"I´m not showing off!"
"And the time he pushed you down on your bed, Nya? Or when he hugged you Nya? You two show off quite alot, Nya!"
Ryuu looked embarassed. Well Bell had done those things with her in front of the others...
"Nyaaa! I want a boyfriend too...no a harem!"
Runoa continued brooming. "Hmm..It would be nice to find someone...but I´m happy that you have someone Ryuu."
"T-Thanks.." Ryuu was still embarassed about that topic.
"Just you all wait, the nyautiful Anya will have someone for herself next year Meow!"
"By the way...why does Ryuu have a day off on Valentine´s day Nya? We will have a full house Nya! Thats not fair Nya!"
Mia was working at the counter. "Because Ryuu has a boyfriend. If you had someone you would get the day off too."
"Nyaaa..." Chloe cleaned a table and pouted.
Thinking about Anya´s idea, Ryuu walked over to Mia.
"Mama Mia..."
"Hm?"
"Would you...show me and Bell..how to cook something?"
"For a picnic hmmm..sure...but you pay for the ingredients."
Ryuu bowed lightly. "Thank you."
"And what do you have in mind?"
"Uhm...I don´t really know what you eat at a picnic."
"I will think of something that you two will be able to make together."
Mia normally showed her rough and unforgiving side to everyone. But she really cared about all of her girls. One time she walked into the underworld of Orario and destroyed a criminal organisation in one night, just because they were targeting her girls. Of course she only did it because being attacked by criminals would bother her...
Ryuu didn´t knew this but Mia even talked to Bell one day.
"Hey boy, do you have a moment?"
"Oh eh, sure."
Mia waved him over to the stairs where they would be alone.
"So this about you and Ryuu is official now."
"Y-Yes."
"Good, I will only say two things to you."
"Yes?"
Mia put a hand on Bell´s shoulder and looked at him seriously.
"Take care of Ryuu and...if you make her cry...I will come for you."
It was by no means a hollow threat.
Bell nodded with a serious face. "I will never do that, I swear."
Mia nodded statisfied. "Good."
"Oh and one more thing, when you both get married, I expect you guys to throw a big party here...it´s not everyday that one of my girls does that."
"S-Sure."
She lightly squeezed his shoulder. "You´re a good one."
"Now then, back to work girls, the next days will get busy."
"""Yes Ma´am!"""
The Benevolent Mistress always made a huge amount of money on Valentine´s day.
At Hestia Mansion.
Bell gulped and took a deep breath. Today was the day he would tell his Familia about Ryuu. He had a feeling he should do it before Valentine´s day. It was good that the three Familia´s had breakfast together, he counted the other two Familia´s as part of his own.
Phew...I´m nervous...
It was a normal morning, the weather was good and nothing unusual happened. Well Bell still felt bad about the evening yesterday...he didn´t knew what had driven him to act the way he did...and to call Mia something like that...He was glad he was still alive.
His cheeks went warm when he remebered how the girls told him that he had pushed Ryuu down and other things.
Bell slapped his cheeks a few times softly to get a clear head again.
He waited until the breakfast was over before he cleared his throat.
"Ahem...could I get a moment of your time please? I have to tell you something."
The attention of everyone wandered to Bell, it wasn´t often that he wanted to tell them all something.
"I...phew...I actually don´t know how to start this..."
"Just relax brother." Welf leaned back in his chair.
"What is it Bell?" Hestia looked at him smiling.
Bell concentrated on his goddess, she was always there for him, her friendly smile calmed him down.
"I ahm...How do I say this..."
Just do it me...
He took a deep breath. "I have confessed to Miss Ryuu."
Silence followed.
Some seemed surprised, some happy and some...not so happy.
It was Welf who broke the silence. "And...what did she say?"
"She also has feelings for me."
Miach smiled friendly, he saw all too well how some of the girls reacted, so he spoke to give them time to collect themselves. "Congratulations, Bell."
Naza smiled, she got her gods intention. "From me too, good for you Bell." It still hurt Naza to see the look in Hestia´s eyes.
The others from the Takemikazuchi´s and Miach´s Familia´s congratulated him, after that finally Hestia spoke.
"You really love her, Bell?"
Bell looked his goddess in the eyes. "I do."
Hestia smiled...the smile didn´t reach her eyes. She knew in heart all along that this day would come. "Then I´m happy for you."
Lily looked down but she still smiled to Bell. "Congratulations, Master Bell."
Haruhime´s tail hung down and her ears dropped a bit, she had a smile on her face that looked sad. "I´m happy for you, Sir Bell."
"Bell..would you tell me how it happened?" Hestia tried to calm down.
"I...ever since we came back from...the dungeon...I had this feeling about her. And when we were on our journey..one evening I..just did it."
Hestia sighed. "Haaaa...I knew all along that you would fall for some girl you rescued someday..."
"Goddess?"
"It´s okay, would you invite her tomorrow? I would like to talk to her."
"S-Sure."
Now Hestia really smiled. "Don´t worry, I won´t do her any harm."
Bell nodded.
"But!"
"But?"
"I won´t allow that she takes my precious time with you away!" She showed more of her old behaviour.
Miach and Takemikazuchi were amazed how much Hestia had matured. It was not like she wasn´t sad...but she didn´t showed it to Bell, so that he won´t feel bad."
"L-Lily too!"
"I also would like.." Haruhime mumbled.
"Of course I will spend as much time with you as before!"
The three young women looked pleased.
But still...
Each of them...cried their hearts out this night...
Mikoto tried her best to help Haruhime...she hold the Renard in her arms while she cried big crocodile tears and sobbed uncontrollable.
"I.*Hic*..I..*Hic*..I waited too long...*Hic*"
"Lady Haruhime...He will not be gone, I..." She didn´t really knew what to say.
Mikoto patted Haruhime on the back, her crying only intensified.
Naza kept Lily company...she didn´t want her friend to be alone with a broken heart. The prum girl was lying on her stomach and cried in her pillow.
"Aaaaah!.*Hic* waaaaaah!...*Hic*..waaaah!...*Hic*...Why did Lily wait so long!..*Hic*"
Deep in her heart she knew that Bell didn´t love her that way. He loved her as a friend and family member..but not the way she had hoped.
"Waaaaah!" Lily pressed her face more in the pillow, it hurt Naza to see her like this.
"Lily..."
"Aaaah!...*Hic*...Waaaaah!" Lily cried..and cried...and cried.
And Hestia...she went out to drink with Takemikazuchi and Miach, they let her cry and lament all she wanted. No customers at the bar complained, they knew a broken heart when they saw one.
"*Hic*...My cute little Bell..*Hic*.."
"Hestia..." It was Takemikazuchi who talked to her. Since Miach was in a relationship with Naza now..that might only hurt her.
"He was taken from me...*Hic*".."
Not many mortals saw a goddess shedding tears so openly, it made many sad to see her like this.
That night all three of them let her feelings run wild. They had prepared their hearts for a long time, that this day might come. It still hurt.
But not one of them held a grudge against Ryuu. Bell´s heart had chosen her, they had fallen in love, that was a wonderful thing and nothing that they should be angry about.
After the breakfast, Bell visited the pub, they haven´t opened yet, but he was allowed to enter through the back door.
He told her about the request of his goddess.
"I can understand that she wants to talk to me, I will go when I have my break."
Ryuu stood in front of the entrance of the Hearth Mansion, Mama Mia let her earlier to her break. She emphasized that this would be an exception.
Mia had grinned as Ryuu was about to go. "Already talking to his goddess...you two don´t waste time huh?"
"Mmhh!" Her heart was already pounding and Mia´s words didn´t help to calm her down.
"You´re still too easy...now go." Mia had pushed her out of the door.
Why am I so nervous...
Her unrestless didn´t show on her face.
Phew...
Ryuu knocked lightly.
After a few moments she heard steps and the young man with red hair opened the door.
"Welcome, Miss ah..Lyon?"
"Thank you ."
After taking off her boots, for work she wore normal short ones and not those that reached over her knees, Welf guided her to the big living room.
Hestia awaited her, the tiny goddess sat in her armchair with a cup of tea in front of her, a second cup stood where Ryuu was supposed to sit, a teapot stood between the cups.
She smiled friendly, Ryuu calmed down a bit after seeing her.
"Ah , thank you for coming."
Ryuu bowed respectfully. "Goddess Hestia, thank you for your invitation."
After Welf left, Ryuu sat down on the couch, despite her try to be calm, she was fidgeting a bit.
Hestia giggled. "Relax, I mean no harm to you, I just want to talk with you about Bell, but don´t worry, I won´t ask about details, that is only for you two. I am, by no means, against your relationship."
"Thank you, I know that you are worried about Bell."
"And I would like to know you better, if that is okay with you?"
"Of course."
"Then...please allow me my most important question first...and sorry but I have to ask, I hope you understand. You really love Bell, do you?"
A simple question, at least it looked like one. But a few factors made this question not so simple. For one, Hestia was a goddess, so she would see through any lie. Ryuu was an elf, she absolutely hated lies and...elves were known for taking only took one partner in all of life. Elves didn´t marry like the other races, they confessed their love to each other and promised to be the others forever.
Some races fell in love and that for many years, but some fell in love anew after their partner was gone for a long time. Not so for elves, even with Bell being an high leveled adventurer, Ryuu would probably live longer than him. But she would never...could never...fall in love again.
"Yes goddess Hestia, I love Bell."
And that answer told Hestia all she had to know.
"I´m glad, that Bell has found someone like you. As far as he told me, you never believed when there was ill talk about him around, but always wanted to know his point of view. Would you tell me about you a little bit? I didn´t ask Bell, because I wanted to ask you...say only those things you want to say."
Ryuu was relieved, she wasn't mistaken about Hestia, the goddess was really friendly.
So Ryuu told the goddess Hestia about herself, at least as much as she would reveal, she never lied to her but some things were just to personal to be told to others.
"Lady Hestia, I have something for you from my goddess."
"Hm?" Hestia looked curious.
Ryuu handed her a letter, Hestia looked a bit confused, but after she read it, her face became normal again.
"I see." She smirked. "Astrea had forseen this."
"Miss Ryuu." The goddess looked at the elf, it was the first time she called her by name.
Ryuu had nothing against it, being called by her first name. Hestia was more polite than other gods.
"Yes?"
"As the goddess of this Familia and the lead member of our small alliance, I welcome you to our home. You will always be welcome here, be it for visiting Bell or other things. I understand that you want to stay with your friends. But our door will always be open for you."
Hestia had such a warm and welcoming smile on her face, how Ryuu had never seen it before, except by her goddess.
"You have my thanks, Lady Hestia." Ryuu smiled.
"But!..."
"But?"
"I won´t hand over my precious time with my little Bell! And no flirting in the house! I absolutely won´t allow that!"
What a funny and friendly goddess, but...
Who would´ve thought that one day I would sit on a couch and have such a talk with the goddess of Bell...
Ryuu´s cheek got a bit pink, her heart also felt warm.
"Of course not."
They continued their talk for a while.
"Lady Hestia, I must excuse myself for now, but I have to go back to work."
"Oh of course...I ahm...you two...are you going on a date tomorrow?" The goddess was fidgetting now herself.
"Oh ehm...w-we do..in the afternoon."
Hestia grinned. "Hehe...then I have Bell for myself in the morning."
"Then I wish you goodbye for now, Lady Hestia."
"Goodbye then, Ryuu."
As soon as Ryuu went out of the door she let out a deep breath.
Pheeeew...I´m glad she is such a nice .
And inside the mansion.
Pheeeew...I´m glad sie is such a nice girl..
Back at the pub, Ryuu was bombarded with questions from her friends.
Valentine´s day.
Ryuu was up early today too. But this time not because of her habit or her morning training. This time because she was as nervous as never before.
Oh lady Astrea...what is wrong with me?...
Her cheeks burned and her heart pounded like crazy.
Our first date...oh by the gods...what do I do?
She paced up and down her room.
Huh?!..Oh no!...What do I wear?! A-and what about my hair?..Dear gods! When did I became so girlish!..
Ryuu panicked, she opened her closet and looked around. Nothing fitting for a date...
"What do I do now?..."
A knock came from her door, Ryuu felt incredible relieved when she opened it and a smiling Syr was on the other side.
"Let me guess...you have no idea what to wear for your date?"
"N-No..."
"Hehe..." Syr showed her a large backpack. "I have everything we need."
"Syr...you´re a lifesaver..."
"Aaaawww...Ryuu you´re so cute...your first date! Who would ever thought this day would come!"
"D-Don´t tease me..."
"Aaaawww come here you!" Syr pulled Ryuu into a tight hug and rubbed her cheek against Ryuu´s
This behaviour was nothing new for Ryuu, Syr always got very clingy at Valentine´s day, one year she made Anya more than flustered with the things she did to her.
"Hehe...I know all of your weak spots Anya, you cute little kitten." She had blown softly into Anya´s ear and tickled the base of her tail.
Ryuu remembered how the catgirl had whimpered and meowed with...pleasure? It only stopped after Mia bonked Syr lightly on the head. Thankfully Syr never did those things to her...and that this happened only once a year.
After Syr let go of her, she followed Ryuu into her room and closed the door. She put the contents of the bag on Ryuu's bed.
"We have this and that...and this...and this...aaaaand this, oh and this of course." The grey haired girl was as strange as every year on this day.
Various clothes laid before them. A combination of a blouse and long pants, right next to it, long leather pants and a shirt with long sleeves. Next was a short green dress and a white dress with a wide hat, that looked like it was made of a short sleeved shirt and a long skirt.
And then...a nearly transparent neglige with very daring underwear...
"S-Syr..." Ryuu hold up the neglige trembling. "W-W-What is this?"
"Hm? Oh, I think they call that "battle garment"...or something like that?"
Ryuu face went deep red, Syr had guessed that her friend was too pure for something like that.
"W-W-Why?"
"You don´t need it?"
"N-No!"
"You sure?"
"YES!"
"Hmmm...I will leave it here...just in case you will need it...someday?"
"Hauuuu..."
Syr stepped behind Ryuu, grabbed her shoulders lightly and whispered seductively into her ear. "Just imagine how would react, seing you in something like this...hm well...he would probably faint."
"Syr!" Ryuu´s face couldn´t become more red.
The last item was just a long shirt with long sleeves, it had only the three buttons from the bottom up to the belly button. What kind of shirt was only able to be half closed?
"What is that?"
"Oh that is supposed to be worn in the morning after you wore the neglige."
"Huh?"
Syr whispered again in Ryuu´s ear.
Poof!
This time steam came out of the elves head.
Thank the gods, Syr was not so...lewd?..the rest of the year.
"Ehehe, sorry Ryuu...now which one is of your taste?"
She looked back and forth between the clothes. Green was her favorite color...but that white dress...
Syr smirked. "I see, we have a winner."
"Huh?"
"Just try it, you will look beautiful in it, trust me."
"If you say so..."
Syr turned around and put her hands over her eyes. Slowly, Ryuu took off her clothes and put on the white dress, for now she let the hat on the bed.
"Y-You can look."
As Syr turned around and made a happy face. "Ryuu! You look absolutely gorgeus! I´m sure will be heads over heels for you!"
"Y-You think so?"
"Of course! And...wait..." Syr eyed Ryuu from head to toe.
"What is it?"
"Say Ryuu...I know you don´t like that question but...have you grown bigger?"
"H-Huh? W-What do you mean?"
Syr pointed at Ryuu´s chest. "Well...about here."
"What! Ah eh...no!..I mean...m-maybe?"
"Ah come on Ryuu..." Syr winked. "That dress was mine you know? And it nearly fits you."
"Oh..." Ryuu looked down at herself.
Syr whispered into Ryuu´s ear. "But you are lucky that there is a little bit room, that dress is supposed to be worn without a brassiere."
"Huh? W-What?! Why do you have such a dress?!"
"Because it looks cute? I never wore it when it was cold outside, so there was no problem."
"I-I see.." Ryuu forgot that Syr could be very bold sometimes.
"Shall we cut your hair?"
"Ah no..I...want to let it grow."
"Why that?"
Ryuu was fidgeting. "Ahm...Bell...likes...long hair." Her voice became smaller and smaller.
Syr wiped a tear out of her eye. "How my little Ryuu has grown...Sniff."
Then she got a shocked face. "Don´t tell me...your body got more womanly because you are in love? Is that some kind of elven magic?"
"No!"
"And here I thought I solved a mystery about your people."
"Syyyr!" For a pure and innocent elf like Ryuu, that talk was too much.
"I wonder what kind of face will make when he sees you in it."
Ryuu nodded, she also asked herself that.
"But I´m sure he will be overwhelmed." The human girl smiled. "You should probably change, work will start soon...oh that reminds me..."
Syr pulled something out of her backpack...it was...a small box. Ryuu had a bad premonition...
"I know you´re not a fan of sweets, but I´ve made some chocolate for you!"
Oh oh...
When Bell opened the door to his room in the morning, a small pile of boxes piled in front of it and there was a letter on the top.
"Hmm I wonder..."
He took the letter and opened it.
.
Good morning, Bell Cranel.
I send you this letter to explain the boxes.
Your "good friends" wanted to give you something when I told them about this day, especially the young Wiene.
Because it was a good opportunity, I sent you some "items" I´d like you to test them out and send me a review.
The description is attached to each item.
Happy Valentine´s day.
Fels.
.
Maybe the letter was a magical item itself, but Bell swore he could hear Fels´ voice reading the letter.
So Fels had delivered him chocolate from the Xenos and some magical items that he wants field tests with...
How did he get into the house?
For now he put all of the boxes onto his bed, after the breakfast he would look into the big box with the magic items.
He met Welf in the bathroom.
"Yo Bell, already got tons of chocolate hm?"
"Y-Yeah..somehow..and you?"
"Oh I will get mine later when I visit Hephaistos."
"Oh, you visit her today?"
"Of course, we have a date." He grinned proud.
"And what are you planning to do?"
"Oh thats a secret. And how about you?"
"Lady Hestia wants to go shopping with me, about noon I am awaited at the pub, Ryuu said she had a little surprise for me."
"Hmmm...slowly gets serious with your lady hm?"
Bell looked embarassed. "P-Please don´t say that..."
"What? Are you embarassed hmmm?"
"O-Of c-course not..."
"Yeah right." Welf laughed.
After the breakfast, where he received more chocolate, Hestia dragged Bell to the door. "Come come Bell!"
"I´m coming!"
Love filled the air in all of Orario and so too at the Twillight Manor of the Loki Familia.
"Ne Tione...are you giving the chocolate to Finn or what?" Tiona sat on the bed in Tione´s room.
"Don´t rush me! I will give it to the captain!"
It was a nice change for Tiona to see her sister all flustered.
"What kind of chocolate did you make?"
"That´s only for the captain to know."
"And are you two going on a date?"
"I...don´t know."
"Jeez...you sure are hopless sister."
"You are no one to talk!"
"Why? I have a date later."
"W-Wha...?"
"Forgot to tell you?"
"Whait, whait, whait! YOU have a date? YOU have someone to go on a date?!"
"Hey now...don´t look so surprised..."
"Who is he?"
Tiona grinned. "Oh you would like to now soooo badly right, right, right?"
"I get it, you don´t have one..."
"Of course I do!"
"Then what´s his name?"
"Valrik!"
"Valrik...that sounds...dwarfish?"
"Well he is a dwarf."
"You and a dwarf?"
"Hehe...you have to see him."
"What does he look like?"
"Oh he is unlike the most dwarves. If I had to guess...he is a bit taller than Gareth..still smaller than me. But he is slimmer than Gareth. He almost looks like a small human, but his hairstyle makes him look taller than me. He wears no armor except for two bracers and a big belt and a loincloth in back and front."
"His hairstyle?" Tione slowly got curious.
"His head is shaved, except for a big red mohawk, around twenty centimeters high...his beard is also red and reaches down to his stomach."
"How...old is he?"
"Twenty."
"And he has a beard that long?"
"I asked Gareth, he told me that beards grow early at young dwarves."
"How did you met him?"
"Oh, oh, oh! That I will never forget. Remember when we went into the dungeon five months ago, where I got separated from you and returned home alone later?"
"Ahm..yeah I think I do."
"Well I heard a scream and followed hit, then I saw that lone dwarf jumping into a crowd of minotaurs laughing. He beat them to a pulb, it was amazing to look at. How he swung his axes...those strong arms...those muscles...Ehehehe." Tiona smiled innocently.
As an amazoness she would only take a strong partner and that dwarf fell into her eyes.
"What happened then?"
"When he saw me, he yelled "Don´t you dare take away my fun!"."
"Fun?"
"Yeah, I talked to him after the fight, he was grinning as if he had the fun of his life. Apparently he goes to the dungeon and fights as many strong monsters as he can find."
"And his party?"
"Oh he goes alone, he said being in a party doesn´t allow him to go all out and feel fully alive. You know? The thrill of actual risk of death."
"Go on."
"He told me, as a kid he read stories about heroes and some kind of death cult of the dwarves. They don´t seek death but they spit it into the eye while laughing, he ever wanted to be like that."
Reading hero stories...wanting to be like those...that reminded Tione of a certain white haired adventurer...no wonder Tiona got interested.
"And afterwards?"
"We discussed the advantage of my Urga and his twin axes."
"Aha."
So two battle idiots...
Tiona looked really happy now, telling her sister about the guy she seemed to have...romantic?...feelings about.
"And you met again?"
"Yes, I visited him at his Familia and we went to train somewhere, a few times in the dungeon. Training at his Familia´s home would be...misplaced."
"Which Familia does he belong to?"
"The Anubis Familia."
"Anubis...Anubis...that is...a small Familia right?" Tione had heard this name before, but she was not sure where.
"Yeah, about six members and the goddess Anubis...she is smaller than me! Her skin color looks almost like ours, she wears clothes like the people in the southern desert. And she has Jackal ears on her head." For some reason she grinned.
"And they go to the dungeon?"
"No, only him, the rest keeps the big graveyards in check. He isn´t the captain either, he told me he didn't get on well with his old Familia, he couldn´t fight the way his heart yearned for."
"So he changed the Familia?"
"He said he was alone for a while, until he met Lady Anubis."
Now it clicked in Tione´s head, the goddess Anubis and her followers lived at the big graveyards in Orario and tended the graves and they took care of burials. The goddess Anubis was said to have a special permission to use parts of her power as a goddess. She helped people to say goodbye to their lost ones, by talking one last time to their souls. She also cried everytime someone died through accident or murder, that´s why she was often called...the crying goddess.
"And...what do you two are planning to do on your date?"
"We will meet on the top of the walls and fight aaaaaall day...oh and talk in the breaks." Tiona grinned again.
For Tione, this dwarf sounded like he would fit to her sister.
"Do you know his alias? And his level?"
"He is close to level five and I think it was...Slayer?"
A level four but close to five...and that alias...Tione never heard of him.
"Oh and you will see him when we watch the tournament, he will participate."
"Hmm..then have fun...I guess?"
"Thaaanks!" Tiona grinned all over her face.
A knock came from the door.
"Coming." Tione went to the door and when she opened it..."Captain!"
"Hey Tione."
"W-W-What brings y-you h-here?" The strong amazoness was fidgetting.
Finn smiled, he had a talk with Riveria and Gareth beforehand.
"Finn..don´t you think it is time to become closer to Tione? Everyone knows and sees how much she is in love with you."
"That may be...but.."
"But? Finn enjoy the good things in live a bit, take her on a date or something like that."
"Hmm..."
"I wanted to ask you if you want to spend the day with me, Tione."
Badumm...
The captain wants to spend the day with me...
Badumm...
Today is Valentine´s day...
Badumm...
Spending the day together on Valentine´s day means a date...
Badumm...
A date means marriage...
Badumm...
Marriage means love...
Badumm...
The captain loves me...
Click!
"Caaaaaaptaaaaaaain!" A dream came true for Tione, everyone in the Mansion could hear her joyful cry.
.
.
In another part of the Twillight Mansion.
Ais Wallenstain sat on a couch in the big living room and was reading a book for once. Riveria told her it would be good for her to do something else beside fighting, that she spent way too much time in the dungeon recently.
"Ahm... ?"
Lefiya stood at the entrance and was hiding something behind her back.
"Lefiya, come in."
"Ah eh, yes!" The young elf walked over to Ais and sat down on the couch next to her, she still hold the thing behind her back.
"I have something for you, ."
"Hm?" Ais closed the book and put it down on the table.
Lefiya took a deep breath, gathered her courage and held out a large box. On top of the Box was the Symbol of Jaggarmaru-kun.
Ais looked shocked. "Th-This is...!"
"Yes, the limited Valentine Edition of small Jaggarmaru-kun snacks!"
Lefiya had fought hard to get her hands on one of those, only twenty existed in all of Orario.
With shaking hands, Ais opened the lid and looked inside, she started to drool right away.
"Lefiya..."
"Y-Yes?"
Ais closed the box and also put it down on the table, then she turned to Lefiya and hugged her.
"I love you." Ais meant that sentence in another way than most people would.
"Hiiiiiiii!" Lefiya was on cloud nine.
Ms. Ais is hugging meeeee! I have no regrets left!...!
"Ah eh... I have...something else."
Ais turned her head and looked into Lefiya´s face, slowly the hug loosened.
"Th-This! I...I wanted to ask you..."
From her pocket, she took out a silver ticket. It was a coupon for the limited couple Edition of Jaggarmaru-kun. Only usable today, for couples on a date. Lefiya knew how much Ais loved this potato snack.
"Gah!" The human girl looked even more shocked.
"Lefiya! That...That..!"
The elf had fought even harder for this one...only ten existed in the city.
"L-Let´s go on a date right now, Lefiya!"
"Kyaaaaaah!" Lefiya was as happy as never before.
In another room Rivera tried to read a book. "So noisy...I wish they would stop screaming around..."
Lefiya couldn´t stop smiling as they strolled through the streets. She wore the pink dress, it was her favorite one. Ais wore her white blouse with the blue skirt and the long white kneesocks.
Today...today I will make fall for me!...
They saw many couples on their way, most of them holding hands. How Lefiya wished she could do that with Ais, maybe in the future.
Suddenly, Ais grabbed Lefiya´s hand.
Her brain activity stopped.
Eh?..
"Come Lefiya! We must hurry or it will be gone!" Ais went into a light jog.
Lefiya just followed her.
A part of her brain registered some whispers from people they came across.
"Look it´s the sword princess."
"Is that her girlfriend?"
"Are they a couple?"
"No way!"
"They look so cute together."
"The sword princess with a cute elf...a picture out of a dream!"
Ehehehehe...
In her mind, Lefiya was drooling with pleasure. The people thought she and Ais were a couple!
Savor the moment Lefiya!
And so she jogged with Ais to their destination.
"Would you show me your coupon?"
"Here!"
The older woman who owned the stall took the coupon and looked at Lefiya and Ais.
She smiled. "What a cute couple you are."
Haaauuuuuuu!
The woman worked for a while in her tiny kitchen and produced two special potato snacks with some sort of cream on top. They were big enough so that they would need two hands to hold them.
"And here are your special limited Valentine Jaggarmaru-kun for couples edition. Each is made with different secret ingredients, so if you want the full experience, you have to share or feed the other."
She handed them two special made potato snacks.
F-F-Feeding ...? Wait! That would be like an indirect K-K-Kiss!
"Enjoy it while it´s hot!"
They went and sat down on a nearby bench.
""Thanks for the food.""
Lefiya took slowly one bite after the other, it was really tasty. She glanced at Ais and enjoyed how cute she looked while eating her snack.
"Lefiya."
"Y-Yes?"
Ais hold her snack towards Lefiya. "Want to try?"
I-I-Indirect kiss!
"S-Sure."
Lefiya leaned forward and took a small bite, then she offered Ais her own snack.
This is the happiest day of my life!
"Lefiya, stay still."
"Hu-?!"
Ais leaned forward and...
"Chuuu-"
Wawawawawa! Ais is kissing me on the cheeeeeek!
When Ais leaned back, Lefiya turned her flushed face to her.
"Wh-Wh-Wha-?"
"You had cream on your cheek." Ais held up her snack to show that her hands were full.
Yes, Yes, YES! Thanks to all the gods!
Lefiya would love to have her whole face covered in that cream right now.
Some passers-bys saw how the two acted, Lefiya heard their mumbling again.
"Gods, they sure are cute together..."
"What a sight..."
"I wish I could switch with each of them..."
"What a lucky elf..."
This day, was by far, Lefiya Virdis´ best Valentine´s day in her life.
Around noon at the pub.
Right before the break started at the Benevolent Mistress, Bell arrived. He had spent the morning with Hestia as promised until ten o´clock. The last two hours he had spent time with Lily and Haruhime.
He entered through the front door, only two customers were left.
"Meow, ah white hair, come in." Anya greeted him when he entered, it looked like she was about to go.
"Are you going shopping?"
The catgirl shook her head. "No, I will visit someone, Meow."
Now Bell saw, that Anya held a box meant for chocolate in her hands.
Does she have a boyfriend?
"See nya later, Meow!" She waved and left the pub.
"Have a save trip." Bell closed the door.
"Ah hello!" A smiling Syr came over to him. "Oh Anya already left?"
"Yes...ahm...does she have a...?"
"Oh no, she will visit her brother."
"Oh." That made sense to Bell.
"Ah that reminds me, I have something for you!"
Oh Oh...
"I worked reeeeeally hard on that...Tadaaa!" Syr held a box to him. "So happy Valentine´s day!"
"Th-Thank you very much!" Bell took the box from her, it was by far the largest he got today.
"I hope you will enjoy it! There are some special pieces in there, a friend helped me tasting them, she said they are reeeeeally good!" Syr smiled so innocently and cute.
Bell couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth.
"I am sure they have a unique taste."
"So I have to go myself, I have much to do while we´re on break, Bye-Bye!"
"Have a save trip."
Is it just me...or is she even more energetic than usual today?
The last two customers left and Runoa started to clean up, she greeted him before she started.
"Welcome , Mama Mia awaits you in the kitchen."
"Thank you."
Bell knocked lightly against the door to the kitchen and entered after a few seconds.
"Good day."
"Ah boy, right on time."
Mia stood there alone, apparently May had started her break.
"Oy Ryuu, why are you hiding, come in here."
From the side door, she appeared.
Bell stopped when he saw her, for now she wore normal clothes, short pants and a shirt but...also an apron. She had one with her uniform but this was different.
Ryuu in normal clothes and an apron...praise the gods...
She looked shyly to the side. "Don´t stare so much..."
"Hey what are you two getting flustered for? You can flirt later all you want, let us begin, I need my break too."
""S-Sorry."" They were both equally embarassed to see the other on that special day.
"So listen up, since you two are not really good at cooking, we will make something easy. A few sandwiches and an easy salad, boy you are better with knives, so you make the sandwiches."
"Understood."
Mia laid out some vegetables that Bell would have to cut after washing them.
"Ryuu you will start with boiling these eggs, first you need to poke the eggs so they don't burst when they cook."
"Yes."
She took the tiny tool in her hand that Mia handed her, it was a tiny hourglass with a hollow on top of it. If someone laid an egg in the hollow and pressed lightly, a tiny thorn would poke the egg and create a tiny hole. That should be easy enough, but...
Crack!
Ryuu looked surprised when the first egg broke in her hand, leaving her fingers dirty.
"Too much force, be more gentle with the eggs."
"O-Okay.." It was embarassing for her to fail in front of Bell.
In the meantime, Bell had washed the vegetables and started to cut them highly concentrated.
"Thats good boy, slowly just like that."
Ryuu managed to poke the other eggs without breaking one, she put them carefully in an empty pot, filled it with water and put the pot on the stove to heat it.
"What now?"
"Cut down the head of lettuce, carefully."
She tried her best, but Ryuu was really not good with such fine knife work.
"No not like this, cut here and here, slowly...gods..not like this." Mia sighed. "I have an idea...boy come here."
"Hm ? Okay."
As Mia waved him over, Bell came to her.
"You will show her." Mia shoved Bell lightly against Ryuu.
"Mhwa!" Ryuu´s body jerked lightly as Bell was pushed against her.
"H-Huh?" Bell looked at Mia surprised.
"Take her hands, hold her firmly and show her slowly how to cut."
"B-But.."
"Now!"
"Y-Yes!"
Bell put his arms around Ryuu and his hands around hers.
"B-Bell..."
"W-We do it together."
Ryuu nodded, Bell who looked over her shoulder, his body slightly pressed against hers, could see that her face was red...of course his was too.
She is so soft...Ah no! Concentrate Bell!
Bell had to fight the urge to pull her more into his arms and enjoy the softness of her body. Doing that in front of others was out of question.
His chest is so hard...ah no! Concentrate Ryuu!
She had to fight the urge to snuggle against him, she didn´t want to do that in front of others, but her body had his own mind right now.
With pounding hearts, Bell guided her hands gently. He placed the hand with the knife on one side of the lettuce and slowly they cut it together, holding the lettuce in place with the other hands. After they cut the lettuce, they continued with the tomatoes and the mushrooms. Their fingers interwined more and more and they felt the breath of the other, especially Ryuu in her neck, it sent shudders down her spine, that Bell felt against his chest. Together they managed to cut the lettuce and all the vegetables for the salad together.
Meanwhile Runoa and Chloe peeked into the kitchen, they whispered to each other.
"They look like newlyweds..."
"Nya...they´re showing off again..."
Mia crossed her arms. "An impressive way of showing her how to cut things."
"Eh? Y-You told me to do th-that!"
"I only said take her hands, not hug her from behind...*sigh*...and here I told you two to wait for later with your flirting..."
"Mh-!" Bell looked embarassed.
"W-We are not flirting!" Ryuu stammered.
"Yeah sure...now continue to move your hands! Can´t take that long to make a salad!"
""Yes Ma´am!""
Together they managed to get the salad done, meanwhile the eggs cooked in their pot.
"Good, we´re finally making progress. Now, boy had already cut the other ingredients, time to make sandwiches out of it."
They used mostly vegetables and a finely cut sausage, in the end they made more sandwiches than they needed, the others were meant for Anya, as Ryuu had promised.
After twenty minutes they were finally done.
"You two sure have a unique way to make food."
The food was packed in boxes and those in a basket they got from Mia.
"Thank you for your help Mama Mia."
"Yeah yeah sure, I take the cost for the food off your next payment."
Bell thanked Mia, then he and Ryuu went back to the main room.
"Bell please wait here, I will be back in a few minutes."
"Okay."
Ryuu went up the stairs and Bell waited in the main room.
"Nya, hey there lover boy."
"Oh , hello."
"Quite the show you two put on there, Nya."
"Well..ahm..we just followed her orders.."
"Mhm...sure..Nya."
"Ahm...are you on your break right now?" Bell didn´t knew what to say.
Chloe smirked. "Obviously, Nya."
"R-Right.." Bell stepped from one foot to the other.
"Nya...well have fun you two...I will take a nap." Chloe went to the stairs and waved over her shoulder.
Runoa went in and out of the kitchen humming, it was her turn today to clean up and start her break later.
"Do you need help?"
"Mh-Mh." She shook her head without stopping her work.
"So uhm...are you doing something today?"
"I don´t have a boyfriend so I will just work."
"Oh ahm...sorry."
"You don´t have to, you couldn´t know it."
"R-Right..ahaha.." It was really awkward for Bell.
"Bell."
He heard Ryuu´s voice from the stairs and when he turned around...
Whoa...
Ryuu stood at the base of the stairs, wearing a simple white dress and a large hat. She was fidgeting shyly while she looked at him, the hat´s brim covering one of her eyes. The dress flattered her figure and showed the outline of her body very well. Bell´s eyes wandered by their own will over her for a moment, the dress showed no cleavage but he could see the elegant curve of her chest and hips. The skirt reached down below her knees and caressed her legs, her feet were in sandals. The sleeves covered only half of her upper arms.
His eyes were drawn to her neck, slightly visible between the brim of her hat and her dress.
"Bell?"
"B-Bell?"
"Ahm..?"
"You look indescribably beautiful..."
Poof!
"Mh!" Ryuu pulled the brim of her hat down a bit and turned away slightly, clearly embarassed. "Th-Thank you..."
"No I mean it! That dress suits you perfectly! The color and form just enhances your beauty!" Bell´s tongue was faster than his brain, he was enchanted by her looks.
"Ah..." Ryuu started to squeal because of Bell´s praises.
Now Bell´s brain kept up and he went silent, realizing what he just had yelled out.
Wow...no wonder Ryuu fell for him...
Runoa coughed lightly. "You look really good Ryuu, now you two time to go, I want to finish the cleaning."
"Oh eh..right...sh-shall we go?" Bell took the basket from the table.
"Y-Yeah."
When they left, Runoa closed the door and could finally start her break. "Well...that was embarassing to watch."
"Dooooryaaaaah!"
The loud yell from an amazoness echoed over the top of the walls of Orario. She whirled her long double sword "Urga" around and slammed it right into the weapons of her opponent.
The sturdy dwarf used all of his strength, but he was still thrown back against the wall.
"Umpf!"
"Hehe...how was that?" Tiona grinned as she leaned her sword on her shoulder.
The dwarf shook his head and got back on his feet. "Not bad...not bad at all." He grinned like her.
"Your strength is really impressive Tiona."
"Hehe.." She rubbed her nose. "Thanks."
They had fought for over an hour now, both bodies glistened with sweat. The most people would wonder why they trained with sharp weapons while being half naked. Tiona wore her usual chest band and sarong.
The dwarf wore only a wide belt and a loincloth. Amazones had a different feeling of shame than most people and the dwarf just didn´t cared. It was rare for them to be able to go all out like that, it was a real fun.
The greatest difference was their level, a level six against a level four.
"You want to take a break?"
"Nnnnn..."
"Hm?" Tiona tilted her head with a cute smile.
"Nnnn-!"
The eyes of the dwarf started to glow, on his arms, legs and torso, various dwarfish runes appeared and gave off a fiery glow. His mohawk swayed back and forth.
The runes imbedded in the ax heads also started to glow, as if they sensed their master's rising battle rage.
"Oh oh oh! Finally!" Tiona grinned, took her sword from her shoulder and got back in battle position.
Whenever this happend, the real fun of their fights started. He had no control over that.
"WHAAA!" With a ferocious cry, the dwarf jumped forward.
Since his bracers were his only armor, he was much faster than other dwarfs, his skill boosted his stats for a short while. A real challenge for Tiona now, a level difference was not everything in a fight.
They exchanged wild blows for a while, the outcome of the battle wasn´t important, just to fight. What ended the fight was a whirl kick from Tiona to his head, that knocked him unconscious.
Panting heavily, Tiona looked down on the dwarf. Her muscles ached and her whole body was covered in sweat...it felt really good.
Wait...Ais told me about such a situation...
She crouched next to his unconscious figure.
I want to try it!
A lap pillow sounded easy, but not when the other person had such a frisure, carefully Tiona got down on her knees, lifte his head slightly and placed it on her thights.
This feels nice...
The young Amazoness had never done something like that.
Her breathing calmed down, she leaned against the wall and let her gaze wander over Orario.
What a fine day.
In another part of Orario.
A date with the captain~~~a date with the captain~~~
Tione sang in her head, she was so happy right now, she couldn´t stop smiling.
Finn wore his fine clothes and Tione had searched for her best clothes, they were revealing als always, but she was only a little bit shy because of that when she was around Finn.
They sat in a street restaurant and enjoyed the food. Normally the restaurant was booked up, but when they noticed Finn as the Captain of the Loki Familia, they made an exception.
"And? Is it good?" Finn smiled as he watched over to Tione.
"Yes, Captain!" Tione smiled like a child.
Only from time to time, her expression changed when she heard passer-by.
"Oh look it´s the Loki Familia Captain."
"He is so cute."
"So handsome!"
Tione tilted her head to the talking girls. Her expression said loud and clearly. "I´ll murder you if you come closer!".
The girls that had talked shrieked and ran away.
"Ahahaha..." Finn laughed lightly embarassed.
"Hey Tione.."
"Y-Yes Captain?"
He winked. "You look really good today."
"Ah..oh...eh..." Tione was fidgeting on her chair. "Th-Thank you, Captain..."
Finn thought that Rivera and Gareth were right, it was nice to spend a day like that.
"Oh and Tione?"
"Y-Y-Yes?"
"Just call me Finn."
BADUMM!
The blood rushed to Tiones head.
H-He wants me to call him by his first !
BADUMM!
We´re getting closer!
BADUMM!
Calling each other by first name and dating means we´re a couple now!
BADUMM!
The thoughts rushed in Tione´s head and she drew conclusions again, but instead of yelling out his name, she shyly averted her eyes, only looking at him out of the corner of her eyes.
"F-.."
"Hm?" He smiled.
"F-F..."
"Just say it."
"F-F-Finn..." Her voice grew lower and lower.
I SAID HIS NAME! AAAAAAAAH!
And when Finn took Tione´s hand...that pushed her over the edge.
It was too much happiness for her, she just sunk down in her chair and smiled blissfully.
Bell and Ryuu started to walk without thinking about the direction for the first minutes, it was their first date after all and both didn´t knew how to start it.
The city was filled with couples that were on dates.
"Bell?"
"Y-Yes?"
Ryuu looked at him from the side, smiling.
"I´m happy that we´re doing this today."
"Me too."
Like this, the ice finally broke and they started to talk about various things, without paying attention to it, they walked into a certain direction, to a very important place.
"Have you heard about the tournament?"
"Yes, it will be quite a festival, Mama Mia is pleased that they use the magical mirrors to show it around the city. We will have a full house."
"I bet there will be fierce fights, the winner must be someone really strong."
"I heard that the Loki and Freya Familia´s are forbidden to participate."
"Oh? That will make the fights more interesting."
Something came to his mind so Bell changed the topic.
"Is your work going well? You said you have much to do."
"Yes, don´t worry. Mama Mia let me work more than the others to make up for the time of my "vacation"."
"If you need help, I will gladly help you."
Ryuu giggled lightly. "I...won´t say no to that."
The shyness between them vanished. Bell was the only person beside her family and goddess, to see this side of Ryuu. She only let her guard down and showed her feelings more open, because her trust in Bell was absolute.
The streets of Orario went by while they talked, at some point they saw Ais dragging Lefiya behind her as they jogged in another direction.
"I wonder why they are in such a hurry?"
"Must be something important."
Ryuu noticed how happy Lefiya looked, she smiled as she saw her friend grinning. She had met Lefiya and Filvis at the last Holy winter Night festival days, Ryuu was out for food shopping. They had talked for a while, they got along pretty well. Maybe it had something to do with them being young elves, they all had something in common at this point, they were really inexperienced with love. And so Ryuu managed to become friends with these two. The sword princess on the other hand...she had mixed feelings about her. Not because Bell had a crush on her in the past.
Ryuu had fought the sword princess twice. One time in the past when she was beyond agitated and the second time when she tried to stop her to help Bell with the Xenos.
At this point Ryuu couldn´t know that she would meet the sword princess again in the future, in a fierce fight with a life on the line...
Thinking about the sword princess brought Ryuu to another thought.
"Bell."
"Yes?"
Ryuu lowered her voice. "Say, would it be possible in the future to meet the Xenos?"
Bell had told her all about them for various reasons, one was that she deserved an explanation after the incident in Orario, another was that the Xenos had rescued them at the 37th Floor.
And finally, it was very likely that Bell would work with the Xenos again in the future and he decided not to have secrets from Ryuu.
"I think so."
"I would like to thank them for rescuing us."
"They will be happy, I´m sure."
Ryuu and Bell enjoyed the warm and clear weather, the city was so peaceful.
Before they knew it, they arrived at the foot of a hill...a special hill. From the top of the hill, one could see over all of Orario. It was the high place that Ryuu had visited with Bell after they got out of the hospital. The place where she felt her heart throbbing for him for the first time. They had made their way here unconsciously, as if their hearts were drawn to this place.
"Here might be a nice place for a picnic."
"I think so too."
So Bell and Ryuu went up all the way to the top and to their luck no one else was here. A lone tree stood here, next to it Bell rolled out the blanket they had taken with them.
"It´s really nice here." Ryuu leaned her head back while she took off her hat and enjoyed the gentle breeze.
After taking of their shoes, they sat down on the blanket.
Bell smiled at her. "I´m happy that we´re here."
Ryuu showed him that lovely smile that was reserved for him alone. "I am too."
"Shall we eat?"
"Mhm"
One piece after another was taken out of the basket, beside the food they had two cups and a bottle with tea.
""Thanks for the food.""
"Ah..uhm..B-Bell.."
"Yes?"
Ryuu took a sandwich out of the box and held it out to him. "S-S-Say...Aaah..."
Bell got as red as her. "A-Aaah..."
He carefully took a bite from the sandwich, then Ryuu took one.
"S-Syr told me, thats w-what couples do..on a d-date.."
...may you be blessed...
"I-Is that so..."
"Y-You didn´t like it?"
"I liked it really much."
Ryuu smiled shyly.
Following her idea, Bell picked up some small pieces of vegetables with his fork and held it out towards her. "Say A-Aah.."
She gulped lightly but opened her mouth. "Aah.."
They had the thought that this was an indirect kiss afterwards.
The food was simple but very tasty, since they had made it together.
Bell smiled sincerely. "I could eat your food every day."
"I..will try my best.."
I have Mama Mia teach me more about cooking.
I want to make her happy.
After their meal, both layed down and looked up to the sky, it was a shiny day.
"Ryuu?"
"Hm?"
Ryuu turned her head to Bell, noticing that he looked at her.
"I love you."
Hearing these words made her both, incredible happy and embarassed. "I love you too."
More than statisfied by the food, they enjoyed the light breeze and presence of the other, slowly drifting into an early afternoon nap, lying side by side.
It was very peaceful here indeed, so peaceful that they didn´t notice the calamity that befall Orario...
"Ahahahahahaah! Here my lovely mortals! Chocolate for everyone! Ahahahahaah!"
Laughing happily like a maniac, Freya ran through the streets, her face still covered by a veil, and threw tiny packages with chocolate into the crowds of people.
"We have to stop her! Pin her down if we have to!" Allen Fromel ran behind his goddess and catched as many packages as he could.
As much as he loved his goddess, this was just annoying. And today he was annoyed enough, since his stupid kid sisters visited him and gave him her stupid chocolate with a smile. Of course he didn´t throw the chocolate away, even he wasn´t that heartless. He even ate something of it and told her it tasted good. But not because it was actually delicious...definetely not!
He said it only to get her off him, yes that was the only reason...absolutely not because it made her happy...absolutely not!
"We can´t! She forbid us to touch her body today! We can´t defy her order!" Ottar ran beside him and caught other packages.
Hogni and Hedin ran beside them on the rooftops, it was incredible with what force and speed she was running. As if the day of love powered her up. Her Familia had troubles to follow her.
And no one knew just how much packages were still in that bag she had with her.
"Gulliver! Search in the crowds! We can´t allow to miss even one package!"
""""Understood."""" Normally the four prum brothers didn´t take orders from Ottar, it showed how dangerous the situation was.
Ottar had found Helen twitching on the ground in Freya´s private kitchen. Freya must have tested all kinds of things on her, he heard Helen´s stomach grumbling from pain.
"You´re a brave one.." Ottar had given her a strong antidote and a high potion, then he ran off after his goddess, just as the groaning Helen pulled an empty bucket to her and started to vomit.
"Ahahahaha! Here even for you sword princess!" Freya ran faster and threw a package to a blond haired girl that was accompanied by an elf.
"Sha!" The young elf slapped the package out of the way, could she feel the danger? Or was she just jealous?...
The Freya Familia had covered themself with masks, so everyone in the streets only saw nine hooded figures that threw and catched packages, a truly strange sight.
"Ahahahahaha! More chocolate for everyoooooone!"
Freya´s joyful laughter filled the streets as she ran even faster, at this point even Allen had problems to catch up to her.
Using all of their strength, the Freya Familia managed to catch every single package. If they had missed even one, it might be like a biological weapon.
"Ahahahahaah!"
"Follow heeeeer!"
The great calamity of Orario...turned away by a hair's breadth...
After an hour Bell started to wake up again. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes, was a white dress.
Huh?
He noticed that he didn´t lie on his side anymore, but on his back and his head rested on something very comfy...Ryuu´s thights.
"Bell? Are you awake?"
"I am not sure...I might be dreaming or in heaven.." Looking straight up...something heavenly hindered him from seeing Ryuu´s face.
Ah...bliss...
She leaned slightly forward, she had her hat on again.
"What are you saying?" She smiled.
Slowly, Bell raised his right arm and carefully caressed Ryuu´s cheek with his hand, his mind was not fully awake so he did something he would normally have problems with.
"You´re so beautiful..."
Ryuu´s cheeks turned pink, but she enjoyed the skinship. She slowly caressed his hair. Doing that was only possible because they were alone up here, right now the only thing in the world that existed for them was the other one.
For a few minutes they just looked into each others eyes.
And right when Bell was about to get up again, he noticed a light tug at his shirt.
He turned around, Ryuu held the hem of his shirt and looked at him with a strange shine in her eyes.
"Bell..."
Both had prepared their hearts for this special moment.
Alise...everyone else...please...don´t look...
Bell turned around, both standing now in front of each other. "Ryuu..."
Nothing else was here, only them. Nothing else mattered right now, only them. Nothing else existed for them right now...only them.
He came a tiny step closer and Ryuu raised her head a bit.
"Bell..."
Another tiny step, Bell placed his hands on her shoulders, Ryuu placed hers on his chest.
"Ryuu..."
They looked into each others eyes, they saw love...complete trust in the other...and...more love.
Their hearts pounded, but it was by no means an unpleasant feeling.
Closer and closer they got until their lips nearly touched.
Bell...
Ryuu...
They closed the last distance bewteen them, closed their eyes...
And then finally...for the first time...their lips touched.
The world came to a hold...it felt like an eternity.
No thoughts ran through their minds.
After eight seconds they separated lightly and opened their eyes.
We have kissed...for the first time!
I kissed Bell...I am so happy!
Both looked into each others eyes, not letting go of the other...and then.
As Ryuu leaned forward, Bell removed his hands from her shoulders, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight but gentle hug.
They closed their eyes and kissed again, this time longer.
Ryuu sighed into the kiss, the feeling of being embraced by Bell alone here on the hill and kissing...it was like no feeling ever before.
Bell heard Ryuu´s light sigh and pulled her a bit closer to him. His heart didn´t race anymore and all the embarassment between them was gone.
They just felt calm, protected and comfortable.
After another eternity they sepparated their lips again.
"Ryuu..."
"Bell..."
Ryuu looked a bit embarassed, but not because of the kiss. "I´m sorry...somehow I can´t stop grinning...ehehe..."
Bell grinned too. "Eheheh, then you are like me, hehe...I rea-mf!"
Ryuu didn´t let him finish his sentence, she pulled down the brim of her hat to cover their faces, while still being embraced by Bell, tugged on his shirt to pull him closer...and then...
Their lips met for a third kiss, filled with all the love they had for the other.
When Bell´s embrace tightened, a tiny squeal escaped Ryuu´s lips, being held like this by Bell made her happy.
I am so happy...
I am so happy...
