Once Allen left, Freya turned around to face both gods who seemed involved in a small conversation.
As she approached them, they stopped talking and turned their heads to her.
- Freya
- Yes, what is it Yem?
- Is there any change I got to cook for you?
Asked Yemoja while joining both of her hands together, she was begging Freya to let her help in the kitchen.
- Of course, Yem.
Yemoja returned a big smile and stood up and launched another question.
- May I trouble you to guide me to the kitchen?
Before Freya could even answer, Olorun calmly rose his left hand spoke.
- I'll wait here if there's no problem.
- Really? If that's what you want, for sure. Here, follow me Yem.
- This way.
The two goddesses left the old god behind. While Freya was leading Yemoja to the kitchen, Yemoja asked her what would she like to eat, Freya answered that she was not that picky with her food, so anything was fine. In return Yemoja told her that if she was fine with anything, she would prepare her cardinal meal, but did not tell her any details about it, which left Freya to wonder what would it be about.
Finally, they arrived at the kitchen where Heith and the cooks were about to begin preparing food.
- Heith, may I disturb you for a moment?
- At your command Lady Freya!
- I want to ask you to let Yemoja cook with you, well, more like you let her cook anything she wants.
- As you wish, we will follow her instructions!
- No, no. She just wants to help whilst you let her prepare some dishes of her own. No need to do as she orders.
- As Freya just said, I just want to help a little in the kitchen. And if possible, I would like to prepare a special meal to my dear Freya.
Yemoja got a tour by the kitchen and started to make preparations along the other cooks.
The she turned to face Freya and spoke.
- I'll call you out when dinner's ready.
- Now go, it's a surprise!
Freya waved her hand at Yemoja. And returned to her room.
She noticed Olorun was nowhere to be seen within the room, but as she entered, she heard something and got closer to the balcony's doors.
There he was, sitting on the balcony's edge, humming a song.
The moment Freya set a foot on the balcony Olorun stopped humming and turned to face her.
- Mmmm? What is it my dear?
- Olorun. -What should I do? About these feelings... About this love, no. This lust.
- I want to believe that deep within, you already know the answer. That would be why you summon us...
- But if you are willing to hear my humble thoughts...
Freya noded and said
- Yes, please.
Olorun turned his whole body as he remained seated on the edge of the balcony and then spoke.
- So, Love, eh?
- Love- A beautiful thing, the utter foundation of all things if I dare to say. The force that drives us forth. Many are its faces. A mystery. Hard to understand, some would say: Irrational, they are not that far from the truth, for it is beyond comprehension.
Why should I feel the way I do? Why did I do the things I did?
A powerful force, indeed. But as with all power, not many handle it as it should be...
Everything is fine, until it is not... If so, then it was not Love, but mere attraction, a mockery. A feeling masked as Love. For Love shall endure even the harsh times...
...
- And yet, Love might just be a medium to an end...
- I genuinely think that Love is just the way, our goal is the bond, the relationship we seek to sow, to nourish and finally, experience. Nonetheless, there are situations, like the one you're in, sweetheart, where said bond cannot be established because though love can be, in fact, one sided. A relationship will never be.
- And yet we know that love is blind. For we do not choose whom we fell in love with.
Then Freya spoke softly:
- But we can still choose to move forward...
- Yes, yes, my dear. It would be wise to let go of a relationship that will not come to be. But that does not mean we will always know how... We are afraid of screwing up. We are afraid of the pain we will surely experience.
To those words Freya did not know what to reply. To which Olorun flashed a soft smile in return.
- You know. Throughout my journeys I've seen many situations like the one you're in. And I personally think there are four main conclusions.
...
Olorun rose one index finger before continuing.
- Would you bear a grudge against that guy and hate him? Would you try to manipulate him into loving you? Would you distance yourself from him and cut your relationship with him? Or would you stay by his side as the dear friend you are to him?
- I would say two have the worst ending, one is rather awkward for both parties, and the remaining one might only have a chance of being wholesome at the end...
SILENCE
...
...
...
- You never dared to badmouth him... Not even once.
When Olorun pointed that out Freya averted her gaze and blushed a bit.
- I thought it might be a mere attraction, but as you talked, by the way you acted. I am convinced you are feeling the real deal. You love him... But your love will not reap what you want. In the same way an apple tree will not give you a peach; he's not likely to become your mate.
- You told us that he already has another girl in his heart. And I will tell you this; a man who is committed to the woman he loves is one of the most wonderful things there are, the other way is also true.
- So, unless the girl is a bad influence, a freeloader or worst. Do not plot to weaver his feelings, do not scheme to twist his resolve, do not tempt him... Furthermore, if you truly find comfort in being by his side, if you are willing to love him without ever becoming his woman. Stay by his side. Encourage him, give him advice, be there for him in the good times and the bad ones. Be the friend you have been until now.
- Let your love for him burn, as if it were a bonfire. Stay by his side and enjoy his warmth. Don't try to touch him, for you will get burned. Let your longing for him burn until all that remains is a beautiful friendship... Then move on.
- Then take a moment to look at what you have already got. Your Familia, your friends. Your home.
- You may know, but it has not been revealed to you. You may know, but you do not comprehend...
...
Another silence fell upon them. Freya's gaze was directed to the floor.
...
- We should leave it here for today.
Olorun got up and stood in front of Freya.
He then put his left hand over Freya's shoulder, Freya lifted her gaze to meet his. He then spoke.
- My little girl... No matter what you decide, I'll be by your side, ready to get you off the wrong way.
With that Olorun finished his speech.
Freya looked at Olorun and with broken voice said:
- Thank you. Thank you for taking care of me.
She then closed the distance between them. Olrun stood up and let Freya hug him.
He returned the hug.
- Thanks to you for entrusting this old spirit with your sorrows.
A few moments passed before Freya released her embrace. They both sat on the edge of the balcony.
Olorun then began humming, continued for a few seconds before stopping and asking
- Do you remember this song, my dear?
To which Freya replied:
- Yes, I do...
- Would you like to join me?
- I'll be glad to.
Soon after they started to hum together. As the sun's last rays of light were barely visible anymore.
It would be after some time that Yemoja would arrive to tell them dinner was ready.
The three gods headed then towards the dining hall.