The afternoon sun hung low over Orario, casting long shadows along the back streets that paralleled the main thoroughfares.
Monsterphilia had transformed the city into a carnival of color and noise, with crowds gathered along the eastern avenue to witness the parade of captured beasts and the various exhibitions hosted by the Ganesha familia.
Most people took the direct route, eager to soak in the festivities, but two figures had chosen the quieter path, coincidentally meeting.
The two goddesses stared at each other for several awkward seconds before Hestia felt compelled to break the silence.
"Did you perhaps come to watch Monsterphilia? Taking a back road like this, you must also be in a rush," Hestia said, offering a friendly smile.
Freya seemed to contemplate the question for a moment before responding.
"In a sense, yes. There are many children on the main street, so I'm staying out of sight. Sneaking around back here is the fastest way to get around," she explained, her voice carrying the melodic quality that made everything she said sound like poetry.
"Ah! Must be difficult being a goddess of beauty!" Hestia replied, feeling a genuine spark of sympathy.
It was no secret that Freya's presence caused commotion wherever she went.
Everyone who saw her had a different reaction…..some stares were reverent, others were awestruck, and still others were simply shameless.
Many tended to stop and stare, blocking traffic and causing scenes.
Freya could avoid a lot of hassle by staying out of sight, but that meant she couldn't ride a taxi or navigate the busy streets normally.
This back alley was undoubtedly her only viable option.
In a way, Hestia reflected, Bahamut and Aasterinian were in a slightly similar situation, though not quite as extreme.
They were dragon-goddesses after all, and their forms commanded attention.
But Freya's beauty was in a category entirely its own...a charisma that affected mortals and gods alike.
Freya seemed to read Hestia's simple mind, as if the thoughts were playing across her face.
A knowing smile curved her lips, but she said nothing, leaving the observation unspoken.
Hestia gave her an affirming nod, indicating her intention to continue on her way.
She needed to find Bell before the festival crowds grew too dense.
But just as she turned to leave, a sudden idea struck her, and she stopped in her tracks, feeling rather clever about her sudden inspiration.
"Oh, Freya, while I've got you here. Have you seen the boy in my Familia? I'm looking for him," Hestia said, trying to sound casual.
It was a long shot, certainly…..Freya moved in different circles, and Bell was still relatively unknown.
But it was worth asking.
Freya put on a perplexed expression, as if she had no idea who Hestia was speaking about.
Her brow furrowed slightly, and she tilted her head in apparent confusion.
Hestia fell for Freya's false expression, realizing her mistake.
She had been too vague.
Of course Freya wouldn't know who she meant…..she needed to be more specific.
"My child is a human boy with white hair and ruby-red eyes… Kind of looks like a rabbit!" Hestia mimed out her explanation, forming rabbit ears with her hands on top of her head for emphasis.
The gesture was comically earnest.
Freya's smile flickered and went silent for a moment.
Something passed across her features…..recognition, perhaps, or some emotion Hestia couldn't quite identify.
But the smile soon returned, and she spoke with the certainty of someone sharing helpful information.
"Now that you mention it, I might have spotted someone similar to the description you gave," Freya said.
"Quick, tell me, where did you see him?" Hestia asked, her tone coming off a bit more impatient than she intended.
The excitement of perhaps having found a lead was getting the better of her.
"Hmm, I recall seeing the person on east main, not too long ago," Freya said, her eyes seeming to study Hestia's reaction.
"Really?! Anything else?" Hestia asked, her eyes widening with hope.
"Yes. It seemed like he was heading toward the stadium. So if you take a left up there, you should be able to avoid most of the crowd," Freya explained, pointing in the direction.
Accepting her directions without a second thought, Hestia thanked Freya with her biggest smile yet and set off at a brisk pace.
Freya watched her go, a different kind of smile playing at her lips….not the warm, benevolent expression she wore for the public, but something more mysterious, more knowing.
"Thank you so much! I owe you one!" Hestia called over her shoulder as she hurried toward the intersection.
Freya raised a hand in a gentle wave, watching until Hestia disappeared around the corner.
Then, with a soft laugh that was barely more than an exhale, she continued on her own path, heading deeper into the back streets.
Hestia followed Freya's directions, turning left at the intersection.
As she walked, she noticed that more and more sunlight was illuminating the back street as she got closer to east main.
The shadows thinned, replaced by the golden afternoon glow that made the city seem almost magical.
When she could finally see the end of the alley, where it opened onto the main street, Hestia picked up speed.
She burst out of the side street and into the throng of people on the main avenue.
The difference was immediate.
Where the back street had been quiet and empty, the main street was alive with chaos.
People navigated through crowds, street vendors called out their wares, and children ran between the legs of unsuspecting adults.
The noise was almost deafening after the peaceful quiet of the back alley.
And yet, as if it were somehow destined, Hestia spotted him immediately.
In the waves of people, she found Bell's white hair trying and failing to move forward through the crowd.
He was pushing against the flow of pedestrians, his small frame making little progress against the dense mass of bodies.
His ruby-red eyes were wide with frustration as he attempted to break free.
"BELL!!!" Hestia yelled, her voice carrying across the din.
It was embarrassingly loud, and she knew it, but she didn't care.
She needed to get his attention.
"Huh?" Bell turned to find who had called his name.
It didn't take long to spot her.
Hestia's short, petite frame was jumping up and down, waving her arms as if they were flailing to get his attention.
Her ridiculously large chest jiggled comically with each bounce, making some of the more.... cultured men in the crowd smile as they unconsciously created space for her to jump some more.
Bell stood completely taken aback by his goddess's sudden arrival.
A sheepish smile spread across his face as his mind churned, trying to process what was happening and what he should say.
It had only been a little over two weeks since he joined the Hestia Familia, so he wasn't completely comfortable with the attention Hestia gave him.
He was still getting used to being the sole focus of a goddess's affection.
"Uhm! What are you doing here?" Bell asked as he managed to force his way through the small circle that had formed around Hestia.
The crowd had reacted to her outburst, parting to give her space…..just as they always did when she made a spectacle of herself, even unintentionally.
"Hey, don't be stupid! I wanted to see you, why else?" Hestia replied with a dumbfounded expression, as if the answer should be obvious.
'That's not really an answer...' Bell thought, feeling both nervous and uncomfortable with how many eyes were on him and his goddess.
He could feel the weight of countless stares, some curious, some envious, some merely amused.
"Yeah, I wanted to see you too, but not that. Where have you been…?" he managed to squeeze out, trying to salvage some coherence from the situation.
"What a wonderful coincidence, don't you think? I wanted to see you, and here you are! We must have some kind of special connection! Hee-hee-hee!" Hestia said, completely ignoring his question.
She had entered her own little world, one where logic and linear conversation didn't apply.
"Sigh, goddess, you seem to be in a really good mood. What happened?" Bell asked, completely giving up on his earlier question.
It was clear he wasn't going to get a straight answer.
"Hee-hee… You want to know? The reason why I'm happy…" Hestia asked, her voice taking on a sing-song quality.
"Uhhhh….yes?" Bell said, completely oblivious to why she was acting like this.
"The truth is…" Hestia paused, leaving Bell waiting for her to continue.
But she didn't….not immediately, at least.
Instead, she looked around the street, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival.
Children were running around with balloons and candy.
The air smelled of roasted meats and sweet pastries.
Then she stared up at the sky for a few seconds, as if lost in thought.
When she looked back at Bell, her expression had shifted to something playful.
"…Hmm. We're already out here, so I'll tell you later!" she announced.
"Ehhhhh?" Bell exclaimed in shock.
She had kept him in suspense only to say that?
"Look forward to something really special!" Hestia added, enjoying his cute reactions far more than she probably should have.
While Bell was still dazed, trying to process this non-answer, Hestia suddenly grabbed his hand! Her small fingers wrapped around his palm with surprising strength.
His heart skipped several beats as she took his right hand and pulled him along, forcing him to stumble forward.
"Let's have a date, Bell!" Hestia suddenly said as she turned her back and looked over her shoulder with a cute little smile.
"…A date?!" Bell asked, still in a daze.
The word echoed in his mind, refusing to fully register.
"Yep, yep! Just look at the city! Everything looks so fun! We'll have a great time!" Hestia insisted, tugging at his hand again.
"Sure, but what do you mean, a date?" Bell asked, unsure of how to interpret her advances.
His face was growing warm, and he was suddenly very aware of every person around them who might be watching.
"Hee-hee! Let's go, Bell! Let's go!" Hestia said, not giving a meaningful answer.
She was already pulling him down the street, her silk-like fingers clamping down on his hand with an unbreakable grip.
Hestia looked so happy.
Her eyes were sparkling with a joy that was utterly infectious, despite the confusion and embarrassment swirling in his own chest.
He knew he should resist, should ask more questions, should insist on explanations.
But the truth was, he didn't want to.
Being with Hestia like this, in the middle of a festival, feeling her hand in his…..it was nicer than he wanted to admit.
And so, with no form of resistance left, he let himself be led away into the crowds.
.........
While Bell and Hestia were just beginning their impromptu date along the main street, another couple was also starting their own adventure....though under rather different circumstances.
After a lengthy conversation with Miach, Draco had returned to the Bahamut familia estate.
The walk back had given him time to process everything they had discussed.
Miach was surprisingly easy to talk to, despite being a god.
They had shared several topics of interest, from potion making to the finer points of alchemy, and had become fast friends almost instantly.
It was unusual for a mortal and deity to be friends, Draco reflected.
Many deities tended to not cross the line, of viewing mortals as followers or children at best.
But Miach was just that approachable...genuinely interested in Draco's thoughts and opinions, even asking questions.
He was also a tad bit gullible, falling for simple jokes and misdirection without suspicion.
It was almost endearing.
But Miach was perhaps his first male friend, Draco realized.
Even though this had been their first meeting, talking to Miach felt natural, like reconnecting with someone he'd known for years.
The god's easygoing nature and quick smile made conversations effortless.
Draco was in a very good mood as he approached the familia estate.
The sun was high in the sky, and the sounds of the festival drifted on the breeze even from this distance.
He was already calculating how much time they had lost and whether there was still opportunity to enjoy Monsterphilia before the evening arrived.
At that time, most adventurers would have returned from the dungeon, eager to join the festival too.
And wherever too many adventurers gathered, there tended to be annoying conflict.
So the best time to enjoy the festival was at noon.
Upon arriving at the estate, Draco was immediately set upon by Bahamut, who had long since returned home and been waiting for him.
Her arms were crossed, and her expression was a careful mask of disapproval that couldn't quite hide the underlying worry.
"You're late," Bahamut said, her voice carrying an edge that made Draco flinch.
"We were supposed to have joined the festival around twelve noon, but it's already past one."
Draco opened his mouth to explain, to apologize.
But Bahamut was already moving on.
"As for Asta, she got bored of waiting and went ahead already," Bahamut continued, her tone shifting to something more... calculating.
A sly smile crept across her face as she continued.
"Seizing the absence of the third wheel...Asta... I've decided our outing should be a date."
Draco felt his stomach drop.
"Ugh….."
"No arguments," Bahamut said, her smile widening.
She reached out and took his hand, her grip surprisingly strong.
"We're going to have fun, just the two of us. Now come on!"
Before Draco could protest further, he was being dragged out the door and into the city streets.
.........…
The festival was in full swing by the time they arrived at east main.
Bahamut moved through the crowd with surprising agility, pulling Draco along with an enthusiasm that was almost childlike.
He had rarely seen her like this….so open, so carefree, so...mortal, in a way.
"Draco, look! Oh, and that too!" Bahamut gasps of wonder punctuated each new discovery.
She pulled him to yet another street vendor, her eyes wide with fascination.
The vendor was selling small souvenirs…..key chains, accessories, and various trinkets featuring different familias' emblems or cute chibi versions of monsters.
Draco studied them with interest.
"Aren't those... real weapons?" he mused, examining a small dagger that was attached to a key chain.
The blade, though miniature, seemed to have been properly forged.
"Not the highest grade, but they're very real," Draco muttered, seeing how weapons with accompanying accessories were popular and fast selling.
"Only in Orario..." he added, shaking his head at the sheer creativity of the merchants who catered to adventurers and their familia's.
However, his attention was soon pulled away by the sound of loud explosions.
Looking up, Draco realized that it was just fireworks being shot off…..not the sparkling kind, since it was still daytime.
These were smoke fireworks, emitting colorful plumes of red, blue, green and much more, that drifted across the sky.
"Draco? Draco?" Bahamut called out, tugging at his sleeve.
"Ah, yes. What is it?" Draco replied, taking his eyes away from the sky.
"Ahhh...nn," Bahamut said, making a soft eating noise.
"…Huh?" Draco stared down at Bahamut in slight embarrassment.
Bahamut was holding a crepe that she had purchased from who knows when up to his mouth with a radiant grin on her face.
She had somehow acquired the confection without him noticing, and now she was comically on her tiptoes, holding out the crepe with both hands and trying to get him to open his mouth.
This caused Draco to freeze at her cuteness.
His eyes locked on the pastry a few inches away…..the sweet batter, the whipped cream, the fresh fruit arranged artfully on top.
His mouth watered despite himself.
"My Lady, why do you tempt me so?!" Draco said, his voice cracking slightly.
"What do you mean? Just say 'ah'! Ready, ahh-nn. I always wanted to try this," Bahamut said, persisting in her mission to feed him.
There was a gleam in her eye that suggested she was enjoying this enormously.
Draco looked around, suddenly very aware that they were in public.
People were staring…..at Bahamut's beauty, at his obvious discomfort, at the absurd tableau they presented.
But Bahamut didn't seem to care at all.
She was focused entirely on him, on this small moment of shared intimacy.
With a sigh that was half resignation and half acceptance, Draco opened his mouth.
Bahamut's smile split into a grin of pure triumph.
She placed the crepe on his tongue with the careful precision of someone who had been waiting for this moment.
"Good, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
Draco chewed slowly, tasting the sweet richness of the cream, the slight tartness of the berries, the delicate flavor of the crepe itself.
It was surprisingly as delicious as it looked.
"...Good," he admitted quietly.
Bahamut laughed….a bright, clear sound that seemed to ring with genuine joy.
Then she broke off a piece for herself and popped it into her own mouth, mmmm-ing with appreciation.
They stood there like that for a moment, sharing the crepe in comfortable silence.
Around them, the festival continued…..vendors calling out, children laughing, fireworks crackling in the distance.
But for Draco, the noise faded into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of this moment with his goddess.