You're only getting one plate! Lady Freya insisted I help you shop for better wears for tonight." Hedin said as he pushed up his glasses as he heard Bell's swallowing and slurping down his food.
"But thish is a pub, it's not like schome five shtar reshturant."
"Don't talk with your mouth full. Even so, you are aware that you dragged me here with a half bloody shirt and look dirty right?" Hedin said as Bell swallowed his food and looked down at hus button up.
"Fair enough. Besides I could use some extra clothes later down the line until I can afford some on my own. Plus, you should feel glad it isn't your money were spending right now huh?" Bell elbowed Hedin, to which he was surprised as he saw him smirking a little.
"I cannot deny that plus. I think this is still part of Allen's punishment for what he caused a few days ago. So might as well ring his wallet dry as a desert."
"See!? And here I thought you couldn't smile pops. Hey Mama! Give my pops whatever he orders! And put it on Allen's tab tonight!"
"Hey now, I didn't say-"
"Coming up brat! I'll practically be swimming in Valis tonight thanks to your new goddess. I'll have his order out in a minute!" Mama said in a cheerful tone as she went back to the kitchen. Not before giving Hedin a menacing glare speaking: shut up and take it.
"Hehehe. Come on now pops you gotta lighten up. I get you're the vice captain. But you don't have to stress about everything. Besides, we've got time to spend before coming back here later tonight. So why not unwind and take the time to enjoy it." Bell said as he took a whif from his cup of coffee and sipped it.
"Mama, thank Syr for me for keeping my food warm next time you see her. And make something light for pops here. Even though I've barely meet him today I can tell he'll be a bit of a stiff."
"Hah! Barely a day and the brat has you pegged Hedin. Alright. Since your new brat is being awfully considerate for you, I'll serve you something light. Here, one Arnold Palmer and a roasted vegetarian skewer set of two." Mia said as Hedin looked down at the food before looking at Bell.
"*Sigh* Might as well take this in. And odds are you'll be pestering me more and more later on."
"See? Now you're getting it! By the way, where were you planning to take me to get clothes anyway?" Bell asked as Hedin began to eat his food while Bell talked on about what he knows sofar about Orario. Listening how the boy practically explored the more dangerous areas and back allies on day one coming to here.
While Hedin listened and continued his own pace of eating the meal. Elsewhere, at a large manor on a different part of Orario, inside was the odd sight of a red-haired woman being held in a full nelson by an all too familiar High Elf.
"Nooo! Come on mama I need to go see this for myself!"
"LIKE HELL YOU WILL! YOU DRUNKEN BITCH!"
The executives in the room all flinched in terror of the tone the woman gave to the red headed woman as she then tackled her down and binded her body with magic chains. Snarling as she picked herself up and dusting off the dirt before looking down at the chained woman now sitting on the floor.
"I at least gotta learn his name! Freya of all people looking for a new member!? That just doesn't settle right. She could have anyone, but she's insistent on one specific mortal? Something seems verrrrry off here Riveria." She called to the high elf, now known again from before as Riveria.
"Even if it is odd. Give me one viable and reasonable excuse to allow me to have you go off on your own and try to look into this, without any actual scouting members doing so right now?" She said with the harshest glare and magic pouring out of her that caused the papers and furniture in the room to blow away and or shake.
"W-Welll...I'd figured we would take them in. Y'know to mess up whatever Freya would be plotting down. Plus, it would be fun brining in a new recruit. You did say someone would need to keep an eye on me for a while." She said as she found it harder and harder to talk with Riveria scowling at her.
"Lady Loki, you may be able to tell if we lie. But you are absolutely awful to try and fool me. Bringing them in I wouldn't mind, but would you be ready to fight a war with her?" She said to the woman, now known as Loki. Goddess of the Loki Famila.
"I agree with Riveria on this. Sure having an extra member wouldn't be bad. But still the outcome of war would be a pain. Especially since we just got finished with our recent expedition Lady Loki." A small dwarf, one of the executives of the familia, Gareth spoke.
"Feh! Like we need any more weaklings anyways." Bete snarled as he looked away in annoyance.
"You sure you should be saying that? Remember that white hair guy a few days ago in the dungeon. I kinda wanted to see what he would've done to you if you kept calling him a rabbit~" Tiona said with a smirk and snicker at how Bete then looked at her as if trying to rip her head off.
"SHUT THE HELL UP YOU IDIOT AMAZONESS!"
"I'm not hearing a no! But I kinda want to meet that boy again, he seems like a pretty fun guy huh sis?" She said as she looked over to her sister Tione as she pondered about it and smiled.
"Well I wouldn't mind someone like him to join our familia. But it's up to our dear captain and goddess to decide. Well? Captain? What's your take on Loki's plan." She asked with happiness in her voice as she rolled back and forth on the balls of her feet and saw the blonde short pallum looking out of the window.
"Finn?"
"Something really doesn't add up to all of this. But I think we should keep an eye on him." He said surprising them all. Especially Riveria and Loki the fact he sounded more onto Loki's side of the situation.
"My thumb hasn't stopped throbbing the past three days now. And with our recon teams and spies reporting about Freya's recruitment. It puzzles into what happened on our way back from the expedition."
"Wait a minute Finn. Explain. What are you piecing together in that head and twitching thumb of yours." Loki asked as now Riveria helped her up and undid the magic chain locks on her body as Finn turned to them and began keeping a count.
"The fact that the boy three days ago was actually about to kill the minotaur we accidentally let loose. Ottar's support for him since he saw him battle it without stepping in is also a large hint. Not to mention what he said."
"That's right, the boy was still a young adventurer. But the way he apparently fought it from Ottar's view."
"Meaning something is amiss. I doubt he was actually registered in any familia. But the way he fought must mean he had been dungeon diving before. Ether from a lesser dungeon outside Orario. Or immediately when he arrived here."
"Woah! You mean white hair was able to kill monsters without a blessing! That's amazing!"
"But incredibly dangerous Miss Tiona! He could've died so soon and he was so reckless in that fight with the minotaur. He's lucky to not be crippled or even have any broken bones from them."
"Come on Lefiya, you were there too and remember what he said. He had no regrets if he died. He wanted to fight it to test and grow stronger! A guy that does what he wants and has no regrets about it, it's kind of admirable don't you think?" Tiona asked Lefiya as the elf girl now became silent, though tints of red dusted her cheeks and ears.
"Hmm...it's possible in actuality. There are unblessed humans that do hunt monsters and dungeon dive outside of Orario. It's rare. But not uncommon back then. But I assume there's more to it than that Finn?" Loki said as she crossed her arms in thought of who this boy they meet was.
"Skilled in fighting monsters. Dungeon diving without a blessing. And word had it that same day Ottar took him to the hostess. Honestly, with these in mind, it might be too late already. They could've brought him into their familia." Finn said as he bit on his twitching thumb.
"Hmm...it's a probability. But I doubt it. Look at the time since you saw the boy and Ottar in the dungeon. And the current time it's been since. Plus, lately you all've been seeing more of Freya's family in the streets." Loki stated as all turned towards their goddess.
"Meaning they're still searching for him? It would fit as to why we've been seeing more of them in groups than usual." Finn added.
"Not to mention clusters of groups. Think about it, would they willingly be in a group together unless it was an order." Gareth stated as a look of relief was on the executives faces now. Though with Aiz she had a odd look on her natural stoic face. A small frown if you could call it that.
"We shouldn't wait too long to find him. At least let's question the kid before doing anything rash. But for now, let's just focus on relaxing. You all got back from the last expedition longer than estimated. So tonight, let's just unwind and have a nice meal at Mama's." Loki said as she went over to her desk and sat in her chair.
"Very well. And even if we tried, you'd say it was an order. But keep your hands to yourself tonight!" Riveria said with a small scowl to her goddess as she saw the woman smiling and folding her arms behind her head.
"Aiz? Helloooo~ You okay? You haven't said anything at all." Tiona said as she looked at her fellow 'sister' looking lost in the clouds. Surprising her, Aiz turned her head to face her eyes. The look of pure confusion and wonder sparkled in Aiz's golden colored eyes, which honestly frightened Tiona and startled Riveria when she turned to her pseudo daughter.
"How come, that boy didn't know me? Does he not care about my status or title? Is he, someone I can be friends with?" She wondered aloud, making the executives and Loki's jaw drop. And Bete to faint right on the spot while Tiona laughed so hard, she clutched her sides and curled into a ball. Much to Aiz's confusion of why they were looking at her like that.
Hours had passed since the meal at Mia's with Bell and Hedin. Along with the Loki familia reviewing and identifying what Freya's plan is with searching for Bell with what information they surmised. Both Familias now bided their time and relaxed until their reservations were coming soon.
For now, Bell was being adjusted to his new room in the manor of Folkvangr. At first, he was amazed at how large the room was compared to his old home back in the village he grew up in. Baffled that all this space and large bed and everything inside was for him.
Now he was struggling to look at himself in the mirror with Hedin assisting him as if he was a toddler refusing to wear clothes their parents bought him. The elf now in the midst of fixing his wild free flowing hair to a well-groomed comb over style, yet his stubborn hair would move to its own place.
"How is it possible your hair is just as wild as you are? Honestly, I'm tempted to use beeswax and hard gel to set it in place. And stop fidgeting around with your clothes. They're needed for tonight and honestly, after what I saw what you packed you needed them."
"I can't help it pops! I've never worn anything this fancy looking before. Back home the only thing I had that was fancy at least was a used hand-me-down suit." Bell said as he adjusted the collar on his outfit and tugged on the open part of his jacket.
'Seriously though, pops does know how to choose my clothes. I wonder if this is the kind of style elves just like to wear? Or maybe Pops thinks this somehow fits me perfectly. Maybe I should ask Lady Freya's opinion of my style or Pop's clothes he picked for me today.'
He thought to himself as looked at the mirror's reflection. Seeing himself once again in the mirror with his new clothes. A white and grey coat over a stripped green shirt underneath it. His collar and upper chest area shieled with an attachable piece of armor with gold linings.
Black ebony pants with a simple brown belt at the waist with a gold ring as the buckle, but the side of his hips was an attached pouch. His pant bottoms tucked away in long crimson boots, matching the gloves Hedin bought for him. Though forgoing the additional armor meant for his kneecaps, somehow the outfit matched his eyes and hair perfectly.
A knock at the door was heard in the room. Both boys turning behind to see who was now entering as the sound of the doorknob turning lured them away from the mirror. In doing so, Bell's combed hair now 'poof'ed back into how it usually was.
Entering in Bell's room was none other than Freya herself. Garbed in a elegant long white dress with gold strappings around her waist going up to her breast area. Robed in the most elegant emerald, green cloth covering her shoulders and wrapped around her forearms.
A golden choker around her neck as the pendent attached to it nestled between her voluptuous breasts. Noticing Bell's reaction to her dress and body, satisfied her greatly as she entered in and came closer to the two. With Ottar and Allen behind garbed in their usual attire for adventuring.
"My my, you boys seem to be having fun dazzling each other well? And did you pick out Bell's outfit tonight, Hedin? My oh my how you chose well for your son's celebration. It suits him perfectly." She gushed as both of them became flustered and their cheeks turning red.
'I seriously do wonder if they are actually related. They act so similar and yet they hardly meet only for a day. Perhaps I should have Helun and Heith take their hair strands or blood to send to get tested.' She thought happily while the two of them were too flustered to even speak a proper word.
"I-I um...thank you my Lady for such praise. And might I say that's an enchanting dress you've chosen for tonight. Quite rare for you to go with different colors than your more traditional black and red. Or even purple and white dresses." Hedin said as he composed himself before looking at Bell.
"Bell! Aren't you going to say something to our lady?" Hedin asked sharply as to get the boy's attention before he would drool over their goddess like many other idiots that have gazed upon her beauty.
"A-Ah. Sorry. I was lost from the sight of her pops. Is it possible for a god to even look more holy or heavily than they do now? If so, is there even a word to say to our goddess?" Bell asked with genuine honesty and confusion as to what to comment about the beauty his new goddess radiated before him now.
"Well there's...no. Wait, is there such a word to praise her beyond beauty and goddess?" Hedin muttered as now both he and Bell were now muttering and wondering what word fits Freya as she is now.
Yet while the two were now lost in their thoughts to praise their goddess. Said goddess was practically red in the face with the most joyful smile she had. To the point that it was almost looking like she wanted to cry in pure ecstasy joy.
Composing herself, she clapped her hands as both Hedin and Bell looked at her.
"You two can discuss the different praises about me later. Tonight, we celebrate hearty with a lovely meal with the familia members able to attend at the pub. I can't recall how long it's been since we celebrated a new member. Best not keep Mama waiting~" She cooed as both of them stumbled out of their seats and hurried behind her.
Though majority of the familia stayed behind in the manor, Bell was more than happy to still have people around to celebrate. Looking inside the carriage he entered with Hedin, and the others following, he gave off a cheeky little grin as he rested his head on his hand while leaning to the side of the car.
Hedin along with Hogni by Bell's side of the car. While their goddess Freya was in the middle looking happy with Ottar and Heith on her right and left respectively. The carriage behind them had the Gulliver Brothers and could hear the annoying cries of Allen too.
Looking outside seeing the sights of Orario from a distance now growing closer and closer. Seeing all the shops and stores going by until their carriage stopped in an alleyway near the Hostess of Fertility. All boarding off, but with a spring in his step as Bell got off first, they soon made their way together to the pub with Freya behind with Ottar and Heith.
"Something troubling you more my lady? Is this about, us sharing the pub tonight? Heith asked her goddess as Freya's silent sigh rang in both their ears as her gaze looked over to Bell. Happily bouncing in his steps with Hedin watching him close and near.
"I'd rather have more of our members here in the pub than saying behind. But, I can not deny Mia's rules of the pub. So let us try to be civil while those fools are partaking with us tonight. Though, be on guard if they do anything funny with Bell."
"Understood my lady. But do you think they would do something like that in public? And risk going to war with us or losing a lot of funding? They recently returned from their expedition." Heith asked as she looked back between Bell and Freya with a worried look in her eyes.
"No. They wouldn't. But Lady Loki's tendancy with alcahol and dining with her children often do lead to trouble. Plus, they know we've been seeking Bell Cranel since I meet him three days ago." Ottar stated as a scowl grew on his and Freya's face at that tidbit.
"Hopefully we'll be inside earlier than that fool so we can have a chance to prevent anything from happening should Bell meet them in per-"
"Mama Mia!/ Helllo! Hostess! I've returned to eat my full/I'm here for our reservation!" Two child like voices echoed in the bustling streets outside of the pub. As the sounds of footsteps came to a halt. And if listening closely, one could hear a small squeaking noise coming from Freyas mouth and a certain redhead now across from her and her familia.
Both Familia's now across from one another outside the pub. With the exception of Bell and a particular amazon now one foot inside. Both gods and their children looked at the two of them, now silent and looking behind at their respective familias.
"Hmm? What's the matter guys/pops? Why are you just standing there?" They said in near perfict unison. Realizing the echoing of their words, both of them turned to now face one another. Instantly realizing who else stood before them in such close proximity.
Bell's ruby red eyes staring into Tiona's dark green hues. Blinking once, then twice. Until it seemed to click in their heads who the other one was. Their jaws slowly opening wider and wider. Small whimpering and squeals coming from the both of them as they raised a finger to one another and pointed.
Freya and Loki instantly panicked at the sight of their children's mouths opening a bit. Fearing the worse would come to happen in their mind as they scoooted closer and closer. Reaching out to pull their children away. But before they could do so. A scream was heard.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
"It's you! Urga woman that understands romance!"
"I can't believe I'm seeing you again! It feels like it's been forever White Hair!"
"Hell yeah! It feels like months! Urga!"
"White Hair!"
To the shock and baffling surprise of both familias present. And to the staff of the Hostess inside. Bell and Tiona smiled and began to high five each other. Though it was turning into practically an extreme version of it. Each slapping each other's hands high and low together while they laughed and smiled.
"Urga!"
"White Hair!" Tiona smiled in glee as she smacked him accidentally across the street. Crashing him into the wall of a store, smashing the wall as both familia's were now on edge. Yet the surprise grew as Bell got up laughing and looking at Tiona, now jumping up and down waving her arms at him.
"Oh do me! My turn! My turn!" Tiona said excitedly as Bell smiled and ran towards her. Dashing and jumped into headbutting her stomach as both tumbled into the pub rolling around on the floor. Until parting ways and shakily using the bar stools to stand up.
Their stomachs now hurting due to how hard they were laughing. Their breath's heavy and strained as they signaled for a drink from Ryu and Chloe. Their laughs dying as they finally got a mug of water.
Both taking a break to drink their mugs. Raising them to their lips as they began to chug every single drop of it. Once finished, they let out a sigh of relief and slammed their mugs down on the counter. Their shoulders relaxed as they turned to face one another and smiled.
"So, who are you again?"
Utter.
Shocked.
Expressions.
On each and every one inside the pub. Outside the pub that looked in to see who was fighting. And both of their familia members now inside, preparing to go to war and separate the two. Now looking pale and white as snow with their eyes rolled to the back of their heads and jaws dropped.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!?!?!?"