Sorry y'all, kept you waiting extra long for this. Holidays were harsh and I'm still getting over being sick, but that's neither here nor there right now.

I've mentioned a few times that, among my "Big Three" stories, this one is winding down to the end the fastest. I'd say, at most, probably another ten chapters before we come to the end of this "book." And it's gonna be a spectacle once things kick off for the finale…

But enough delays, read on people!

Bell's feelings were… complicated this morning. And it all came back to Wiene.

It started the night prior, with the pair returning from their first foray into the dungeon. After a hasty drop exchange at the Guild – mostly to keep Wiene from snacking through their haul – the dragon girl's sensitive nose directed them straight to the Hostess.

Well, they made as straight a path as they could. The festive preparations that marked their morning commute were in full swing, some entire streets overtaken by vendors setting lights and decorations. Wiene's usual levels of wonder about the above world were going into overdrive, the amount of "what's that"s being hurled at Bell becoming frankly frightening. And the boy's lack of ability to answer didn't help anything.

Enter Syr, the serving girl curiously prepared for their arrival before they'd even turned the block. The chipper waitress had thrown Wiene over her shoulder and tethered herself to Bell's arm as they were approaching the entrance, calling out their arrival whilst kicking the doors open.

Mama Mia's immediate glare pierced the girl like a javelin. It visibly floored her when it had no further effect at all on her peppy employee. The promise of unobstructed Wiene Time surpassed any and all attempts at intimidation.

But Syr's true value showed after she whisked her favorite duo up to the bar, quickly belting out an overindulgent order that put some degree of a smile on Mia's face. Before their silver haired server could beat a retreat, Wiene made her move.

"Syr! Do you know why all the town is putting up de-cor-a-tions?"

The combination of youthful zeal and that staggered pronunciation move, the girl in green was seized. Ryuu groaned as she made to take over Syr's now abandoned section, Mia nodding towards the stoic elf.

"Precious Wiene," Syr half sang, wrapping her arms around the blunette's head, "is it the Monster Feria that you're curious about?"

That got Bell's interest. He hadn't even been through his first season in Orario so his knowledge on customs and holidays was severely lacking. "So it is some kind of festival?"

The grin that parted Syr's lips at Bell's interest was beyond satisfied, downright predatory really. She reeled it back some before continuing, but that expression would stay in the back of the boy's mind.

"'Festival' might be selling it a little short, to be honest. Ganesha's familia does the bulk of the footwork and the organization with the Guild providing support and security. But with how… passionate Ganesha is, the whole thing ends up more of a spectacle every year. The Guild had to impose a three day limit on the event after that one year where the city partied for half a month."

Bell felt his eye twitch at that, memories of his home village and the outrageous ways his grandpa celebrated Bell's birthdays rushing through his thoughts. He cold still smell their neighbor's house burning after Grandpa's Grand Fireworks Extravaganza.

Wiene's mouth, which had been widening throughout the explanation, was probably big enough that an entire loaf of bread could pass through. The way her topaz orbs sparkled was feeding Syr's soul.

Flinging out her arm in a grand display, Ryuu narrowly dodging by dipping forward, Syr pressed on, "And it all centers around the glorious showing in the arena! Days of song, dance, and a monstrous feast all surrounding the Ganesha Familia's feats of dungeon delving prowess!"

She was really playing it up, even Bell getting caught up in the moment. Of course, Wiene was practically ready to worship the young waitress if only for the prospect of more. The dragon girl might have been an unintentional powerhouse of charm, but Syr could be scary too.

Mama Mia reached across the bar, smacking the skull of someone lingering just behind Bell. The rookie adventurer turned to see Anya, the tawny haired catgirl having been entranced by Syr's words from across the room. She pouted as Mia pointed the girl back to her station.

"So," Bell ventured, "what kind of show are we talking about? Is it something like Dungeon Oratoria?

Syr gave him a somewhat… complex look. Her eyes flicked briefly towards Wiene before settling back on her scarlet eyed customer. It seemed like she was mulling over how to answer.

"A monster taming show."

The flat response had come from the side. Ryuu was tending to a nearby table, responding to the inquiry whilst trading plates around. Bell's mind stalled for a second, his expression perking up as the words registered.

Ryuu clarified, "The Ganesha Familia's specialty is handling monsters from the dungeon. During the feria, they put on various displays related to the taming and extermination of monsters they've captured."

And that had been the topic occupying Bell's mind all the way through to the next morning. Knowing what he did now – having Wiene as a front and center example of a monster with thoughts and emotions, a Xenos…

Bell hadn't mused much on anything other than escape during his and Wiene's initial flight from the dungeon. There was little room for ethics as they carved through killer ants on their way to the surface, their concerns solely on survival. He'd been more preoccupied in watching over Wiene during their "dry run," and then caught up in the rhythm of combat when the two of them stumbled into the Pantry.

The lack of distinction the monsters showed between them had dulled his apprehension. They held the same level of savagery whether it was Bell or Wiene, regarding them equally as intruders. It was easy to dispatch them, to view these bestial fiends as a purely hostile force.

But the notion of capturing these beings, of deploying them as a means of entertainment… Again, it left Bell with complicated thoughts.

Then there was Wiene.

Bell couldn't help feeling confused at the sheer excitement that had overtaken the girl. At a glance, it made sense. Wiene had never really experienced a party, let alone a festival, one that would span multiple days. Once she got the gist that it would entail lots of food, crowds of people, and a plethora of colorful displays, the girl was more than sold.

The fact that she seemed to spare no thought to the idea of her "fellow" dungeon born being used for sport was… perplexing. Bell had heard of a human equivalent, gladiatorial games where often the worst kinds of criminals were pitched into death matches against fearsome beasts and each other. Even if they were the kind of people who deserved such a fate, it would never sit right for Bell to use someone's imprisonment/execution as a form of entertainment.

But he supposed Wiene was young, her survival prowess notwithstanding. Maybe she didn't fully grasp what the entire celebration was centered around. Maybe she was only concerned with the idea of feasting and partying.

Of course, given the fact that the dungeon's denizens had spent the weeks immediately following her birth relentlessly hunting her, perhaps some darker notions were at play. Bell decided not to question it, lest he ruin Wiene's good mood.

"Bell! Bell! When are we going!?"

A good mood that was still going strong the morning after. Wiene was practically bouncing off the walls in a very literal sense. Bell chuckled to himself as he laced up his boots, shifting slightly to avoid the girl as she tumbled across the bed.

Hestia still hadn't come back. She'd never cited an exact date that her "business" would be done, but knowing a festival was starting up he hoped she'd return in time for it. It would be nice to go out with the whole family again.

That thought put a stupid smile on the young man's face.

Bell still managed to turn aside the "sneak attack," rotating onto his feet and catching Wiene mid dive. She was a storm of giggles as Bell kept spinning with the girl in his arms, making whoosh sounds to simulate flight.

He noted Wiene was wearing a sort of reversed color scheme of her usual outfit: her wrap and sarong a lively orange with her bandanna a pure black. The material was also glossier than usual, just an overall more festive vibe. It was a cute look for her and Bell hated that he had to attribute that to Nessa.

The rookie adventurer finished his spin as they reached the stairs. Wiene had wiggled her way out of Bell's hold and clambered up his frame. She had now reclaimed her rightful throne, seated atop her savior's shoulders. Tapping her heels against Bell's chest, she thrust forth her arm with finger pointed up the stairs.

"Onward, Papa!"

It concerned Bell greatly that a single word held such influence over him.

Orario's main gate was chaos, pure and simple. On a regular day the backlog of traders, tourists, and aspiring adventurers could stretch for literal miles depending on the entrance. But with Monster Feria in full swing, any semblance of order that may have existed was thrown to the wayside.

Enter one Shakti Varma, current captain of the Ganesha Familia and lover of wearing orange. As what was, by her count, the third brawl of the early morning broke out mere meters away from the azure haired executive, Shakti could only blink. Slowly. Then she was pinching the bridge of her nose, sighing in tandem with some of fellow familia members as they stepped forward to deal with the issue.

Really, did they think they were going to get away with open fist fighting right in front of Orario's gates, right in front of several seasoned adventurers? Shakti was starting to lose faith in people.

That was accentuated by the attitude of those not involved in the fighting. One would think they were in the arena proper, the crowds enthralled in some gladiatorial display, mad roars and howls of encouragement erupting all around. Instead, they were on an overpacked road, a band of gnarly brawlers being detained by a pair of adventurer volunteers as a chorus of boo's rose up from the surrounding mass. Shakti swore she saw several vexed exchanges of money amongst the crowd.

She understood that the waiting period, especially during Monster Feria, could be an arduous undertaking. But channeling frustrations like this for the sake of cheap entertainment was just barbaric.

A round of precise, rather thunderous applause brought a sudden air of order to the rowdy horde. And speaking of "barbarians…"

The single figure issuing those measured claps made their approach, their flaming burst of curls towering over most in queue. Course, that was due to the fact they were riding on another's shoulders. Once they were properly in view, Shakti understood that the redhead was actually quite short, likely a dwarf judging by their robust frame.

Also very female judging by the exceptional bosom barely being contained by that tiger print top of hers. The wizened man serving as her mount seemed quite appreciative of this, his rider's massive mammaries almost crushing down on his scalp.

"Alright people," the tiny, tanned woman announced, "that's another round, done and dusted! Hand off your money and trade your grievances, see if we can get some more 'contestants' on the dance floor!"

The various cheers and jeers that came from the apprehension of the previous fighters gave way to a chorus of laughter. Shakti grumbled, setting her jaw as her fellow familia members ushered the detained towards a holding area along the wall. The blue haired captain allowed the air to settle a moment, waiting for the piggy-backed redhead to step back before approaching.

In the background, a short figure garbed in blue and a tall person wearing heavy hues of tan were shooting the breeze with a trader near his wagon.

"You need to stop instigating these people," Shakti spoke directly and with authority. She was also speaking to the designated troublemaker's back, neither her or her carrier deeming her worthy to face.

The rider was at the very least willing to converse, "What? You have a problem with some frustrated people trying to work out their tension?"

Shakti resisted the urge to roll her eyes, redirecting those facial muscles into a sterner scowl. Just what she needed, a combative punk to deal with. "I know we're not inside the city's walls, but this ground here," the Ganesha captain jabbed a finger towards the stony road, "is well within Orario's jurisdiction. We conduct ourselves like civilized people here."

The mini redhead giggled, her freckled features twisted up in humor. "'Civilized,' you say? I think I know that language, let me see if I've gotten rusty." She then reached a hand – the whole hand – into her cleavage and began to rummage. The old man upon which her melons were perched put up a stoic front, but it was clear he was fighting desperately not to smile like a lecher.

After a couple seconds fiddling around, the little deviant pulled something small and polished out in her fist. With a swift flick, she threw the retrieved objects onto the road in front of Shakti. The orange clad adventurer stared down, watching the clinking bits of metal bounce to a halt around her feet. Valis, a couple coins all of fairly substantial denomination.

"Pretty sure that translates to 'I can do whatever the fuck I want,' right?"

Shakti returned her sight to the tanned tramp at breakneck speed, her vexed features having tipped entirely towards "impending violence." If there was one way to send the blunette right over the edge, it was implying she took part in petty corruption like bribery.

For someone who lived through the city's cold war with Evilus – someone who had lost people to those treacherous snakes – it was the highest form of insult.

"Magna," the old man called out, clearly trying to get through to his smirking rider. He'd sobered up pretty quickly once that glare took over Shakti's face, displaying a keen enough level of situational observation. Now that the one eyed man had drawn attention to himself, Shakti couldn't help but notice something… odd about his presence.

"You're spoiling my fun, Daddy," the small woman, Magna, returned with an air of playful annoyance. But it was clear that she had stowed a fair degree of her earlier aggression.

In the background, the contrasting pair talking with the cart owner learned that the merchant was peddling fireworks. The duo were immediately interested, Ghiran much more than Foust.

"Alright," Magna breathed, sounding as though she were releasing the last bits of her bad attitude. Then her tawny eyes locked back onto Shakti's deep blues, "I'mma want my money back though." She emphasized her statement by shifting sights between the scattered coinage and the stunned Ganesha executive. The old man carrying the little bitch blew out a long breath as he stared pointedly off to the side.

Before Shakti could fully weigh the benefits versus consequences of spitting onto the tossed valis, a new actor stepped onto the stage. The young girl marching into their midst kept her violet lockes pulled up into a high, off-center ponytail. Her chest length hair bounced merrily in time with the girl herself, her peach features pulled into a grand smile and her icy teal eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Dearest Big Sis Mag, have you finished regaling the masses with your joyful mischief?" Shakti wanted to bite off her own tongue at the apparent reverence this child showed to this shameless goon. The way Magna preened at the "big sis" moniker was almost too telling.

"Your words stoke my soul, little Bris," the freckle faced shorty huffed out in a… suggestive tone. She'd also clapped a palm over her heart in a "pained" manner, eliciting a sharp, fleshy slap that rippled across her bulbous breast. Many among the crowd, again eager for distractions from the endless queue, latched their sights upon the display of jiggle physics.

That part of Shakti that was giving people the benefit of the doubt was hanging by a thread, an agonized groan rumbling all throughout her body.

If possible, Bris' already chipper mood turned somehow brighter, her smile outright radiant. "Happy to be your light," the purple haired child intoned, her enthusiasm fully genuine.

The two mingling with the fireworks seller were soon joined by another pair. A woman in form fitting armor with smoky red hair approached at a march, yanking both Foust and Ghiran – mostly Ghiran – into a heated round of chastisement. The second newcomer clad in a marine hued hood and cloak stood nearby, her soft smile the only part visible.

Magna's pleased face turned curious. "What'cha got there, girly? Some new project of yours?"

Shakti as well had hardly noticed the way Bris was working her hands, the same way she had been ever since appearing. In contrast to her distractingly bright, jubilant demeanor, her digits moved with a phenomenal degree of precision and expertise. Whatever she was fiddling with was hard to make out between Bris' shifting digits, only that whatever contraption she was handling was angular and dark.

"Just a bit of the usual. I'll have use for it now that we've reached the dungeon city," the smiling girl announced, practically bouncing in place. She didn't seem to be paying any mind to her hands' manipulations, yet their movements never slacked.

Hearing Bris' phrasing of "the usual," Shakti took in the girls attire. The green top and leggings were a coarse, heavy fabric lined in thick bands of yellow, the sleeves and pants quite wide on the kid. Atop these, Bris had donned a faded tan blacksmith's smock, the garment covering front and back with ends reaching down beneath her knees. The piece's front was criss-crossed and pock marked with dirt and grease stains.

Overall, the look of a designated craftsman.

Then Bris ceased her machinations, holding up the now visible device and finally taking a look at her handiwork. The little black cube perched between the young lady's fingers looked innocuous to the untrained eye. Many straight grooves were etched into the block, separating it into smaller cube sections. A blue sheen raced through the etched lines, drawing a few short gasps from the surrounding observers.

Shakti wondered how many of them realized the shine came from within the carved block, not simply a reflection.

Bris, quick as always, wrapped up her inspection and reached for her hip. Hanging off the dense straps that connected the front and back of her smock, Bris had placed a pair of… "saddlebags," was the best description. She opened the flap of the right pack and plunked her finished cube onto a bunch of identical trinkets.

The little craftsman speedily twisted back the other way, nimble hands swiping open the flap of the left bag. All the onlookers got from this was a sudden burst of teal as Bris drew something dark and misshapen from the glowing depths. The flap slapped closed, the crowd's view of the reclaimed item quickly obscured as Bris' hands flew into motion.

Back with the fireworks peddler, Ghiran was doing his damnedest to sell Rethusa on the finer points of festive explosives – to varying results. Her hidden goddess openly giggled at the back and forth, the somewhat sidelined merchant quietly awed by Artemis' natural charm.

Foust silently slunk around the back of the stocked cart.

But while this small group was absorbed in their own business, the bulk of the crowd swiftly moved in on Bris and company. Odd instantly moved in to block an angle, his gnarled staff stamped onto the stone road in a forceful display. At the same time, the one eyed man's free hand reached into his cloak, drawing forth Magna's bulky mace and passing it overhead. The short punk swept a predatory grin over the eager horde as she settled both palms onto the weapon's handle.

Shakti, a high level adventurer in her own right, was armed solely with a reinforced truncheon, the captain not expecting much more than minor mischief whilst on guard. Seeing the undulating sea of people surge forward and the promise of violence from the troublesome duo, the blue haired captain clenched the handle of her weapon.

Bris invalidated everything. The cheery girl overpowered the approaching throngs, fielding hollered inquiries and cries of praise like an expert orator. The overwhelming wave of positive engagement brought on by interested merchants and wowed tourists only seemed to play to the crafter's favor, her energy appearing to build with every second.

"What's that doodad you had? Is it the same as the one you're holding now?"

"It's something personal. And yes, this one will finish the same as its fellow!"

"How much do you want for a few of them?"

"I fear I cannot sell them. They serve a very particular purpose."

"And what exactly is the use of such strange trinkets?"

"That's a secret~!"

The crowd rang with laughter and Shakti's jaw slackened at the display. She was used to merchants, particularly those who visited during festivals, being much more aggressive. This was doubly so when a "unique product" was on parade in front of them. Bris, this girl maybe half the Ganesha captain's age, was handling them with finesse.

Course, the lack of incident or argument could have been attributed to Shakti's own proximity. More likely, it was the presence of Magna and the old man, the muscular little lady still having her mace at the ready.

Or maybe it had to do with the way Bris continued to breeze through her shifting of the prospective cube, never slipping as she issued rapid fire responses to the curious masses. She'd actually traded out for a third trinket, her movements almost automatic as she still paid them zero conscious mind. Honestly, the show of multitasking was getting unnerving.

A sudden pop made every soul on the street jump. Odd was partially blinded as his mount's stripe bound breasts folded over his brow, blocking his eyes. The fireworks merchant gave the most pronounced reaction, mostly because the sharp snap had come from the cart behind him. His cart. The one full of explosives.

Having his attention turned away from his potential buyers, the salesman couldn't have noticed the crooked smirk on Ghiran's face. Nor would he have seen the cloaked Artemis impose herself in front of Rethusa, the redhead groaning before rushing through a hushed chant. He may have spotted Foust coming back around the now smoking trade cart, but his worry over his goods kept the man from registering that detail.

As a series of erratic cracks sounded from the wagon, any eyes that weren't already on the situation quickly locked onto the smoking cart. When the first rocket tore free of the covering tarp with a screeching wail, every possible reaction was felt throughout the crowd. Then fireworks erupted upwards in a mad barrage that sent the whole thing into chaos.

Bris was one of the few people whose response was not to scatter or panic, the girl instead watching the explosive display with lips formed into a silent "O." During this, she completed her third cube and thoughtlessly reached for a fourth. A strong hand grasped the back of her heavy smock and undershirt before yanking the young craftsman back.

Shakti's response had been swift but she found her efforts hindered by the panicking civilians all around her. Her fellow familia volunteers were even worse off, having been escorting the detained brawlers to a holding area and being much further away from the commotion. Though she didn't want to hurt visitors to the city, Shakti had her truncheon drawn, ready to force her way through the smoke and towards the disturbance.

But while she was pushing through the heat and haze, a waft of cool air struck against her front. A second passed before a wall of mist threw the smoke aside, the shift in temperature throwing her off balance. Shakti's sight was also obscured, but it sounded as though the heavy moisture had doused the fires, the crackle of explosives dying out.

The Ganesha captain found the fireworks peddler by literally stumbling across him, the inconsolable man hugging the wheel of his ruined cart like a dying relative. Shakti snatched his shirt's collar with her free hand and easily hauled the man back, warding off a few confused bystanders as they nearly charged into her. She had hardly began to contemplate the next step of their disaster response when the literal cloud of fog all around them suddenly dissipated.

Shakti's frame slackened in disbelief as the unexpected turns came at her in rapid succession. Looking around, it seemed most of those present were likewise stupefied by the swift changes, fallen to the ground or frozen in place, staring blankly at their surroundings.

But as her returning faculties took in the area, Shakti realized that a few notable figures were absent…

Beyond the open gate, slipping through as dumbfounded guards rushed out to survey whatever the hell was going on outside the wall, Odd did his best to hold in his peels of laughter. Magna made no such effort, cackling madly as Bris, being held high in the stout woman's grip, joined her with a far more innocent round of giggles.

She was now working on her sixth black box.

Rethusa appeared quite put out by her part in this, somewhat haggard from maintaining such a large area spell. As she threw back her cloak's hood, Artemis placed a comforting palm onto her child's shoulder. Ghiran attempted to offer the redhead an encouraging grin, serving only to annoy her further. And Foust moved on, his expression betraying no emotion.

The one boon Shakti could claim from this encounter? She made sure to pick up that valis that Magna left behind.

Wiene was fucking vibrating.

The fact that Bell had not yet suffered a heart attack from the stress of attempting to wrangle her was a miracle in and of itself. The usual zeal that possessed the dragon girl had been amplified ten fold by the festive atmosphere.

Though, in all honesty, Bell's own hype factor was riding pretty high itself. The preparations they had viewed the previous day did the city's present palette no justice, the buildings and avenues a canvas for every possible color. Bell could only imagine the spectacle Orario would become at night, once the lights and torches were in play.

Maybe there'd even be some fireworks – Bell thought he'd heard some going off before, maybe a trial run of sorts?

The main roads were understandably more congested than usual. Almost three times the number of street vendors lined the ways, a chorus of merchant calls roaring out in an effort to overpower one another. In addition to curious natives, scores of excited tourists were practically jumping between stalls and wagons, further congesting the avenues.

This all played out well in Wiene's favor, people person that she was. Even her more monstrous traits were easily dismissed as an aspect of the feria, plenty of passersby donning decorative paints and trinkets to mimic the appearance of various fiends. If anything, the people visiting purely for the sake of the festival were overjoyed to interact with the jubilant vouivre, a feeling she eagerly reciprocated.

They had spent almost two hours just navigating towards Babel and the Guild.

This was where they happened across Eina. The half elf receptionist was on duty monitoring the area outside the Guild building, part of the organization's efforts to aid the Ganesha Familia with the ongoing feria. It probably shouldn't have surprised him as much to see Ms. Rose, armor in place, also stationed nearby.

Wiene's thirst for greetings was immediately satisfied as the orange clad girl slammed into the Guild instructor's back. Only a last second awareness of her approach allowed Eina to keep her balance, the giggling Wiene almost barreling through the woman.

They'd missed Eina when turning in their magic stones last night, the half elf busy briefing on their protocols for the festival. The disappointment Wiene felt from missing her before was being paid with interest now, the little monster utterly euphoric to see Bell's advisor.

Rose gave the two of them a quick little eye roll, smiling at the scene on her periphery. She was so wrapped up in her good humor that she was caught completely flat footed when Wiene pounced on her next. To the red wolf's credit, she quickly returned the affection, rubbing the girl's head as she nuzzled her forehead into the suit clad woman's thigh.

Bell turned his focus onto Eina, "Are you… doing okay?"

The Guild secretary jolted slightly at the younger man's words. She knew quite quickly what her ward was referring to. She'd thought she kept her reaction contained, that she kept that initial freeze response mostly under wraps. But when Eina met Bell's gaze, she could see in his eyes that he understood.

She still wasn't comfortable with Wiene.

"… I'm okay. I'll be better." It was all she could offer in exchange. Relaxing, Eina aimed a somewhat janky smile at the young adventurer. Bell stared a second longer before his own grin brightened his features.

"Papa!"

Wiene's exclamation sent scarlet across Bell's face. But Eina's reaction was far more pronounced, the half elf sputtering violently and rocking back as though punched in the stomach. Wiene looked ready to rush to the brunette's aid when Rose halted her progress, the werewolf having brought the girl over.

"Color me impressed, Mr. Cranel," Rose spoke with an air of mischief, "Taking such a grand step into adulthood, how manly of you."

The mild bit of flirtation at the end there went completely over Bell's head. The white haired rookie could only concentrate on the swell of pride he felt in being acknowledged as a father. It was written so clearly on his face that Rose just scoffed before moving on.

"Eina," the Search and Rescue agent moved towards her fellow employee. The Guild advisor quickly latched onto the "command" of her superior to regain her own composure, her head immediately swinging up from her hunched over stance.

When Rose pushed Wiene into the center of her view, Eina fixed the girl with a strangely haunted expression. The dungeon child gave the half elf a curious glance, tilting her head and allowing a curtain of blue lockes to spill across her shoulder.

Rose pressed, "There's a celebration going on, how about you do something with Wiene's hair? You know how, don't you?"

Still in a near fetal position, Eina stared a moment longer as it seemed her brain was attempting to catch up. Bell had no idea how to respond, taken off guard by the werewolf's suggestion and still rather concerned over Eina's feelings on Wiene. As some degree of agency began to shine in her eyes, a smaller shaped garbed in identical shades of black and white dropped to a crouch beside her.

"Are you alright Eina? I saw you fall over, was it cramps or something?"

Bell's instructor reanimated in an instant, arms whirling as she wrapped her coworker in a rough choke hold. Eina's pink haired colleague, Misha, flew into an absolute fit as she was dragged onto her rear and deprived of a significant portion of her air supply. The girl had always been loose lipped, but yelping about feminine matters right in front of her charge was a tad much.

Of course, seeing the new "game" starting between one of her favorite people and one she'd yet to meet spiked Wiene's enthusiasm. Rose didn't even try to stop the dragon girl as she shot forth, eagerly leaping into the wrestling match.

Bell observed the chaotic match for a moment. He turned to Rose, noting her utter unwillingness to intervene. He again spectated the three way scramble as Eina fought through a leg hold from Wiene to keep a desperate Misha from escaping. By this point, a bit of an audience had gathered, the people thirsting for any form of entertainment.

His options weighed, the rookie adventurer placed himself close to the brawl… but made no move to interfere. Rose seemed like the capable sort, so taking a cue from her was probably a good idea. They'd tire out soon enough, surely things wouldn't escalate from here.

It was in the midst of this display that Hestia ran across her familia members.

The pair rising out of the dungeon were an exercise in contrast. The more visible of the two was a unit of a being, standing a full head taller than the majority of adventurers around them. Their considerable frame was put to full use carrying the set of stuffed travel bags lugged across their back, additional satchels hanging about their flanks and waist.

But the figure's great size and display of strength were not the only point of interest about them. Perhaps more eye catching was the stuff that could not be seen, not a stretch of skin made visible by their manner of dress.

Lumbering forward with long strides, the pack bearer's loose, grey top and leggings swayed mightily with every motion. The exposed bits of their limbs were covered in rough wrapping, the hands and feet bound with particular precision. A grey hood concealed their head, facial features hidden behind the long, curved beak of an ivory bird mask.

The covered hulk paused as their much smaller companion reached an arm across their path. The beady black orbs of the bird mask turned down towards their comrade, meeting the lime colored features of the woman's own facial covering.

Unlike her loosely clothed partner, her choice of dress made it readily apparent that she was female. Some rounded sections of armor guarded her front, back, and hips, the scuffed metal molding snugly against her curves. Beneath this she wore a brick red longsleeve and dark olive pants, both padded and armored. Light brown boots and rough hide gloves covered her appendages, iron guards strapped to her elbow and kneecaps.

The mask gazing up at her taller companion was a vibrant green, an exaggerated smile etched over its round surface, the grooves colored in with blood red lipstick. A woolen, forest green cloak hung down her back, the hood pulled up to meet the edges of her mask.

Though unlike her partner, she allowed a few strands of scarlet to peek through.

"You understand what I need you to do," the woman asked, her extended arm flaring out her cloak. This revealed the hilt of a short blade resting against the small of her back.

The bird masked brute returned a low growl, unamused by the "coincidental" showing. The scalp of the larger figure's hood shifted strangely.

The giant's wrapped appendage reached for a few of the smaller bags along the front of their waist. In particular one of an identical pair of drawstring sacks, plucking it off as the weighty contents ground together. It sounded like a shifting mass of pebbles or seeds.

Offering the bag to the woman, the larger being wordlessly made their intent known. The smile stretching over her features, though hidden by her mask, seemed to charge the air. Taking the small sack, the cloaked woman backed away, extending her arm with a showman's flourish, as though presenting the way forward.

Huffing at their partner's flair, the covered brute shrugged their many satchels into place and began to stalk out from under the base of Babel, into the light of day.

One of the few adventurers heading into the dungeon today did a double take at the passing hulk. But rather than the size of the person or the plethora of bags they were hauling up, there was one specific detail that captured his attention. Something draped over the large packs, a plane of pale fur that looked to be stitched together in places.

The rookie adventurer, Dor, voiced stupidly, "Nob, is… is that guy wearing a cape… made of kobald fur?"

Dor's ever present and ever critical female companion, Nob, turned to call out his foolishness. Then she saw what her friend was pointing at and similarly froze in place. Even for novices, the idea of someone managing to skin a kobald…

Beneath their avian mask, the big brute did their best approximation of a grin. And all the while, their lithe accomplice was heading in the other direction, out onto the festive roads of Orario.

I think I have some sort of fixation on characters giving others piggyback rides. It's happened a few times in this story, Secondary Options has Minetta as a main character and he's always being carted around, and Cloudchasing has the entire cast literally living on Azurda's back. I might be developing a very niche fetish at this point…

Monster Feria has begun! And Bell feels a little weird about it. Considering how much the truth of the Xenos got to him in season three, I can only imagine how the notion of a monster taming show would sit with a post-reveal Bell. He can still fight monsters in the dungeon, particularly since he's seen firsthand how the dungeon denizens themselves treat Wiene as no different from any other intruder. But using them as a means to entertain the masses just feels… off.

Wiene is quite pumped to experience her first festival. So what if the driving force behind it is exploiting beings "like" her? Fresh food and new friends are all that matters! And really, how many would expect Wiene to identify with the very fiends who hounded her for weeks on end, literally since she was born? Nothing psychologically damaging about that, nothing at all…

With the festival ongoing, of course the path into the city is gonna be a nightmare. What a great time for Odd and company to make their return! The various actors are converging…

Magna likes to stir the pot. Though she may have pushed things a little too far in provoking Shakti. Probably not the best idea to "play" bribe someone who fought against the dark machinations of Evilus… and lost her sister to those same schemes. At least the others in the familia alliance have a plan b – or maybe this was always plan a – to gain access to the city. Your sacrifice will not be in vain, fireworks peddler.

Bris is a character I've had planned for some time, I wanted her specifically to play a big role in a future arc/"book." My original idea was o have her with a much more subdued personality, something I likened to Raven from the OG animated Teen Titans. But then I realized that that later arc was gonna have her playing off of a lot of "dour" personalities, so I pretty much wrenched her in the opposite direction and ended up semi modeling her after Starfire. A little bit of Mei Hatsume to add that flavor of "obsessive artisan," you'll understand exactly why later.

The black blocks serve a very particular purpose…

Eina is still not quite "okay" with Wiene. She's at that stage where she's fine interacting with her but physical contact is just a step too far for now. Even being a bit more informed by her talk with Crossette, old values and such are difficult to shake in just a few days.

Hestia picks a grand time to join the party…

Some shifty characters make their debut in the final section. Well, one of them does at least, the other we have been introduced to before. And there seems to be a plan in place, the pair splitting up to cover more ground. You didn't think the feria was gonna go smoothly in this universe, did you?

Next time: Party… Crashed.