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Rating:
Not Rated
Archive Warning:
Major Character Death
Category:
F/F
Fandoms:
Parahumans Series - Wildbowダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか | DanMachi | Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (Anime)
Characters:
Taylor Hebert | Skitter | WeaverQueen Administrator (Parahumans)Bell CranelHestia Familia (DanMachi)Tiona HiryuteLoki (DanMachi)Demeter
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2022-08-25Completed:2022-10-27Words:146,083Chapters:53/53Kudos:1,251Bookmarks:306Hits:60,387
Dungeon Warlord
bridielux
Chapter 3: Hatchling 1.2
Chapter Text
Hatchling 1.2
"You're not a monster?" Tione said. "Yet you attacked us. You destroyed our dungeon stone. Adventurers have died for less."
I ignored how cold the dungeon's air felt against my bare skin. Nudity was suboptimal, but also beside the point. Life and death hung in the balance, not just of me, but everyone. Anything that failed to provide me an advantage had to be ignored.
I held Tione's eye, matching her stare. I held my back straight. I retained the posture fitting of a Monarch. Despite her scimitar at my throat, I would not show weakness.
And then, in a complete reversal, Tiona started laughing.
"Naked in the dungeon!" Tiona said, smiling and over emoting as if she were in a theater class. "I don't think even my sister would try that!"
"Tiona," Tione said, not that Tiona paid any attention to her sister.
"You're really lucky my sister spared your life, you know?!" Tiona continued. Less than a minute ago, I thought Tione and Tiona would kill me, and now Tiona was smiling? She confused me. I felt her expressions failed to match our situation. And yet, she continued in an effervescent manner. "What're you doing down here anyway?" Her eyes leered my chest and legs, leaving me uncomfortable. I refused to act coy though–I had to own up to my position if I wanted to be taken seriously. "You must be very confident in yourself, aren't ya?" Tiona finished.
"...Tiona!" Tione said, more firm this time. And still, her sister ignored her.
"Well?" Tiona asked from where she held me by my shoulders.
I slowly turned to regard her. I needed to buy time to rebuild my swarm. I first formed midges and gnats and fleas, to keep track of the Amazons and anyone else who would ambush us.
"What do you have to say for yourself?!" Tiona chattered away. "Are you a super confident adventurer? Did the Ishtar Familia put you up to a dare? Or did some scallywags try having their way with you? If that's the case, point them out to me and I'll pound em."
She punched her fist into the palm of her hand for emphasis. Literally everything this woman did was over the top. She must have been insane. I really wished I had gotten away. None of my time as a cape had prepared me for this. How was I even supposed to respond? I realized though, that Tiona was a distraction. It was Tione that held a blade to my throat.
I turned back to Tione and ran my tongue over my teeth–they felt sharper than I remembered. What other changes had been forced upon me? This was another piece of evidence at the meddling of a bio-tinker.
I opened my mouth to speak and finally got a word in edgewise.
"I–" I started, but then realized I was unsure of how to proceed.
What could I say? What did I know? How could I allay violence? I dared not attack again. What would Lisa say–no, wrong. Lisa would probably make things worse. What would be the exact opposite of what Lisa would say.
"...I'm sorry for your loss," I said, digging up as much empathy as I could. I thought of Alec, of the oil rig, of all the people I might never see again. I hoped that I conveyed that emotion. From the softening of Tione's face, I thought I might have been successful.
"Thank you," Tione said. She lowered her blade. I had no doubt she could bring it up in less than a second to cut me clean through if she changed her mind, but I appreciated the gesture nonetheless. It was a step towards deescalation.
"Now that we're all friends!" Tiona said, her face turning from a smile to a frown so abruptly I had whiplash. "Who are you and why did you attack us? Do you know how easy it would have been to kill you? I kinda want to right now! You wrecked my beautiful gorgeous one of a kind dungeon stone worth billions of vasils, a stone I spent days lugging around! And you broke it!" She stamped her foot, once again playing up the theatrics.
"Sister, calm," Tione said.
"It's just–she's standing there like she didn't use her magic on us. If we weren't the Loki Familia, we could have been really hurt! Lesser adventurers could have been killed! The dungeon is no place for fooling around like that–"
Tione put a hand to her forehead and said, "Ay." Or I thought that was what she said.
"-And look at her!" Tiona continued. "Are we sure she isn't a monster? She doesn't smell human, and I don't think any of the faunus have scales." Tiona pointed at my chest.
The skin was discolored with black and green and molting–it almost did look like scales were starting to grow, but they could have also been scars. But for another matter, while I was looking at my chest, I realized something horrific.
Unbidden, the words fell from my mouth. "My chest shrunk!" Damnit! I should have been over this! It had been years since I had worried about that superficial bullshit. The world was ending, not just Earth Bet, but all of them. And my breasts are what come to mind? Something was wrong with my mind.
"You mean you weren't always as flat as my sister?" Tione said in a dry voice, almost smirking.
"Hey!" Tiona sputtered, her face turning red.
"Rude!" I said at the same time.
Again, I had more important things that I should be worrying about than niceties. Why the heck was I even worried about that? I would say something was in the water here, but I had yet to actually drink it. Maybe the air?
"Besides sister," Tione added. "Monsters don't speak. But questions do remain. For instance, your name and Familia?"
I coughed and tried to cover my blush. "Taylor Hebert."
"Like the job?" Tiona asked. "What's a Tailor doing down here naked anyways? I'd figure if anyone had clothes it would be you!"
I groaned and reminded myself why drowning the world in bees was a bad idea. Not that I actually considered it at this point, but the fantasy helped me pull through the awkwardness I was feeling. I spelled out my name for them.
"And your Familia?"
"Like my family name?" I asked. "I doubt you'd have it here, but my family name is Hebert." I almost spelled that out for them too.
"No, your Familia. Like, the Divinity? You know? The Falna? Any of this ringing any bells?" Tiona said, increasingly exasperated as she saw my expression stray further and further to confusion.
"I'm not an adventurer," I said.
"But you have magic," Tiona said, pointing at the miasma hanging around my feet.
"Magic without incantations like that is rare–like Ais." Tione added, before sorrow took hold of her face. Ais must have been one of their comrades that fell.
Seemingly oblivious, Tiona continued. "Powerful magic too. We had to take health potions. If you could have kept that up, we might have been in trouble! By the way, you're gonna need to pay us back for all that."
"I don't have a Divinity though, or a Falna. I'm a parahuman."
"Para-what-now?" Tiona asked.
"Enough," Tione said. "Gareth and the rest will expect us to return. And the question remains, what shall we do with our captive?"
Slowly, and with care, I gestured down at my naked body. "Perhaps help me find clothes?"
"Why?" Tiona asked. She seemed genuinely confused.
"Unless you would rather your captives to remain nude?"
"Know many Amazons?" Tione asked, a slight smirk to her face. She and her sister both laughed, though Tione's was more subdued than her sister.
I may have misjudged. I should have predicted this. Of course, a group of people that wore sports bras and short-shorts into battle would have different views on nudity and conduct towards prisoners of war. But what could I answer without causing alarm, or giving away too much? I did not know what Thinkers these people had available. Any clues given could be deleterious. And yet, in this case, the truth might work. Besides, I was finding myself coming to like the sisters–Tiona's antics almost– almost –reminded me of Aisha.
"You are the first Amazons I have met," I said.
"Wait–really?!" Tiona asked.
"We are not that rare," Tione said, frowning. "Either you met some without knowing–"
"-nope, we're pretty obvious sis!"
"-or you're lying. Which is it?
"Do I look like I meant to be here?" I asked them, giving them both pointed looks, but especially Tione.
"I've seen stranger things," Tione answered. "Though you do appear ill equipped, even for a mage. But enough. I hear them calling for us."
I heard nothing of the sort. But the Amazons probably did have a low ranking Thinker power, at least Tione. It would be hard to describe Tiona as Thinker anything–unless it was an act to throw me off, in which case well done.
The Amazons marched me back towards their party, where Gareth met us by the supporters.
"Who's the lass?" Gareth asked, careful to avoid ogling my body. Not that I could blame him for ignoring me. My chest was as flat as ever, flatter than normal even, and a green black discoloration had formed over my chest. Wait just a darn second–why was I upset that he acted with integrity? There must have been some sort of low key Master effect or compulsion in effect, because this was not right.
As he approached, I took the opportunity to spread small gnats across everyone present, from elbows and knees to spines and sheathes. It was a habit at this point.
"And what is that hanging about her feet?" he added.
I glanced down. I realized that the miasma from my dead swarm had pooled there, reminiscent of a black mist, like on a rare sunny day with a damp tarmac. It rose up to my ankles and trailed off in wisps as it circled outward.
"It is the magic that she used to attack us with insects," Tione said.
"And get this, she doesn't need an incantation to do it either!" Tiona added.
Tione nodded. "Apparently she has no Familia nor Falna. We weren't sure what to make of her."
"I don't know if she knows what to make of her," Tiona added with a smile. So we were back to smiling again. Then she frowned. "But she broke our stone! And those insect bites were really annoying!"
"This true lass?" Gareth asked me. His face could have been cast from steel, whereas just previous he had at least appeared somewhat warm.
"That is one interpretation of events," I said, "But I would offer another."
They stared at me and waited. I stared back and arched an eyebrow.
"Well what is your interpretation then?" Gareth asked, exasperated.
"I'll tell you once we get out," I said, adding all the firmness I could to my voice. I did not know much about the dungeon, but I knew that it was not a conducive place to have a discussion.
"And why should we wait?" Gareth asked. I noticed that the Amazons defaulted to the dwarf.
"If I give you an answer you dislike, I don't wish to be disappeared."
"You think so little of the Loki Familia?" Gareth said, frowning now.
"I know next to nothing of you or yours," I answered. "But this dungeon seems like a place to lose a body."
"And you would know about disappearing bodies?" Tione asked.
"I would not know," I seethed. I almost said more, but I stopped myself. I would not give away any of the scant few advantages I had. My knowledge was one of them. And while I did intend on revealing the imminent threat from Scion, how I doled out that information would have a large impact on my chances of success.
Gareth's eyebrows furrowed together and he worked his lip and beard. "There be a story here, I think. It would be best to take the matter before the Goddess to decide."
"Goddess?" I asked, and then immediately mentally kicked myself for revealing more of my ignorance than had been necessary.
"Aye, Loki." Gareth waved a supporter over, one who carried a backpack larger than me. "And get the lass something to cover up with. No need to give Orario a show."
Tiona grumbled, but said nothing further as they dressed me in a silk robe–on loan, since it was apparently one of the mage's that had perished–and they marched me past where the dungeon stone had broken. I noticed that all the fragments had been cleaned up, likely claimed as 'loot.' If the stones were that valuable, then I had to wonder if I could make the case that the stone rightfully belonged to me? I doubted I could convince them of that from my current position of weakness, but hanging onto that fact might be worth a bit of leverage later.
We made quick progress through the rest of the dungeon. We only had three floors to go, and the monsters kept well enough away from the 'top tier' adventurers in the Loki Familia.
Again, more questions. Was the Loki Familia a gang? Were the monster's controlled by a sentient force, or were they sapient themselves? Not for the first time, I was tempted to turn to my Amazon captors and demand answers. However, asking questions would give away far too much too early. Hence, I refrained.
We exited the dungeon.
The scale of the construction impressed me. We came up a spiral of steps carved into a wide circular pit, and far above us was a tapestry reminiscent of Michelangelo which covered the entire ceiling.
Once we reached the top, Gareth turned towards a supporter. "Inform Her that we have returned, and that we require her assistance."
The supporter nodded, barked an affirmative, and rushed off. The customs had almost seemed militarized, but just slightly relaxed. I almost felt that the encounter was missing a salute of some sort.
As we came up from the dungeon, I had been sending out the smallest of my fliers to get a scope of the room.
The room was large. Very large. A reasonable sized building could fit in the chamber. The walls were lined with great columns, and a single exit had adventurer's coming and going.
"Hail the Loki Familia," an short and slim adventurer in green armor carrying a spear called out as he headed down into the dungeon. "Taking applicants yet?"
"Gain a few levels first, yeah?" Tiona said with a smile, causing the adventurer to blush. I thought I heard Tione sigh wistfully after someone named 'boss,' but it clearly was a different guy.
"Besides!" Tiona added as an after thought. "Loki has standards! Beautiful women preferred. The bigger rack the better."
"Wonder why she let you in then," Tione whispered to her sister.
"Ay!" Tiona grumbled good naturedly.
The adventurer barked a laugh as he headed down the steps.
Gareth sighed and shook his head. "Amazons," he said. He turned out a brisk pace towards the exit, while the Amazons flanked me and ensured that I followed. Meanwhile the rest of the party seemed to disperse in clumps, talking about exchange stones or checking on gear.
We ended up in a Guild side room meant for standing meetings, although several benches lined one of the walls. The Amazons pushed me towards the bench and crossed their arms, smirking and leaning against each other as if they were posing for an unseen camera.
"Ready to tell us about your alternative interpretations?" Tiona asked. Now instead of a smile or frown, she was smirking.
"Not until a Divinity shows up," Gareth said. "Otherwise it is a waste of words."
While we waited, I ignored the Amazons and dwarf and instead focused on mapping the building. I found an elevator shaft and infiltrated it. But as my insects climbed in elevation, they had yet to find a top.
This building must have been massive. Easily a skyscraper rivaling a modern metropolis. But the clothes of the adventurers appeared almost primitive, and medieval. A seeming contradiction. I distracted myself and almost missed the next comment a few minutes later.
"This is boring," Tiona said. "We should be out raising cups for our fallen, not watching babysitting…?" she trailed off, searching for the word to describe me. She turned to her sister Tione who offered up, "villain?"
I arched an eyebrow at the Amazons but kept silent otherwise.
"You don't deny it?" Tiona finally asked.
"You seem to have made up your mind," I answered. "Besides, I thought we were waiting for a Divinity to show up?"
"You attacked us with venomous insects in the dungeon," Tione said.
"You broke my stone!" Tiona added.
"You lived," I said.
"Hmph. Still unpleasant," Tiona now. She frowned, then quirked her mouth up to the side in a pinched-thoughtful expression. "What kind of magic is that anyways? Those shadows seem pretty evil…"
I shrugged. "When I woke up today, I didn't believe in magic. So I don't know."
I felt a disturbance out in the hallway. The door slammed open and a tall, thin, red haired and red eyed woman stormed in.
"Gareth!" she shouted. "What happened?!"
"My Goddess," Gareth said, bending low in a bow, his hands gripping each other tightly. "We were ambushed… I should have forced Finn to be more careful. We lost–We lost so many…"
The Goddess, I assumed Loki, had been crying. She rushed forward and wrapped the dwarf in an awkward hug. "You couldn't have made Finn do anything–" Loki waved the Amazons to join in on the hug "-it's not anyone's fault except that damn dungeon."
I felt awkward sharing the room with them as they grieved and shared consolations. Truthfully, I had both heard and said some of the platitudes. Survivor's guilt sucked. If I thought it might help, I would have offered my own.
Another, far shorter woman, stepped in. Where Loki was a beanpole, this new one was–I actually did not have a shape to describe the impossible physique. No woman should have that much curve in that little space.
"Loki," the new entrant said. "I heard–my condolences."
"I don't wanna hear anything from you shrimp. Just let me grieve with my Familia." Loki's version of grieving included fondling Tione. Tione pushed Loki's hands away from her chest but otherwise did not act nearly as upset as she should have. Was that behavior typical for Loki? And Loki was a Goddess?
"Unfortunate circumstances aside, we are here for a reason?" Another woman, about my height, with pitch black hair and golden irises said as she entered. She wore a long gown dress that shimmered with green and gold scales–almost reminiscent of snake skin. It looked expensive. And it fit her svelte figure wonderfully.
"While we all mourn with the Loki Familia, we have been called for business."
"Shut up!" Loki said. "What are you even doing here, Echidna? Why'd you bother descending? You can't think anyone would risk joining your Familia."
That name…
"I was also unaware that Echidna had descended," the short curvy woman said. When she saw me staring at them confused, she waved. "Introductions then, I am Hestia."
I waved half heartedly. Was that woman really named Echidna? "Mother of Monsters?" I half said.
"Not me," Hestia mistook me as talking to her. "I'm Goddess of Family, Hearth, and Home. That–" she thumbed at the black haired woman "-is the Mother of Monsters."
"My reputation precedes me?" Echidna asked.
"Honestly?" I said, "No. I knew someone else by that name, a long time ago."
"Really?" Echidna asked, a slow smile growing. "You must describe her."
"Horrific."
"Ha! Even the weird shadow girl knows you!" Loki said. Though she straightened herself out, then turned towards the dwarf. "Speaking of. Why did you call me here?"
"Because of her–" Tiona pointed at me, answering out of turn. "She attacked us and broke a dungeon stone."
"How is that a matter for the gods?" Echidna asked. "Are you not able to resolve this amongst yourselves?"
"It was a very large dungeon stone." Gareth gestured with his hands to give an impression of its size. "It's the one we found where Finn and the rest…" He choked up and didn't finish his sentence.
"And this bitch broke it?!" Loki snapped, pointing at me without really looking. "Fuck that. Give me your sword Tione."
Loki appeared unstable. I glanced at the other two 'Goddesses' for help. Hestia was giving me a serious side eye, but Echidna was the one to answer Loki with a scoff.
"We may as well hear her point of view. We are already here after all."
"She said that she had a different 'interpretation' of events," Tiona offered, before smiling once again. It was a sweet smile, not mischievous at all. I felt it should have been mischievous.
"I did say that–" I started. "Because it is true. I won't argue that the dungeon stone broke. But I think it changes your perspective significantly if you were the one trapped inside of it."
"What?" Loki's jaw dropped.
"No," Tiona said.
"She's not lying," Hestia said.
"But how?" Tione asked.
Gareth seized initiative. "How is that possible? How did you even insert yourself into the dungeon stone?"
I shrugged.
"What does a shrug even mean?!" Loki shouted, throwing up her hands. "This flat crippled bitch thinks she can mess with my Familia? After they suffered losses? What, you think we're weak now because we lost some executives? Well I got news for you lady!"
Tione put a hand on Loki's shoulder and gave a squeeze. "Let her answer, I am also curious."
"If you would elaborate," Echidna said. She spoke with the same credence that old money did, the inherent refinement. Wither her dress, her braided hair, and her on point makeup, I could easily see her attending a cocktail party with the rich and wealthy.
"This will sound far fetched…" I started.
I had been planning what to say since I had been caught. How I would inform them of Scion and convince them that I had woken up encased in a gem without knowing how. But I had not anticipated that these Divinities could determine the verity of the spoken language. Clearly, I had underestimated them. Now I needed to scramble to find the correct strategy to divulge information.
"I had already been in the dungeon stone for some time before the Loki Familia found it–me."
"I thought it felt like there was something moving around in there!" Tiona commented. Her sister gave her a stern frown and mimed to shut it. "And when it had been getting lighter… no!" Tiona gasped.
"You speak truth, and yet… this is most irregular," Echidna said. She turned her attention to Tiona. "Can you describe the nature of this stone?"
"Hey!" Loki shouted. "It's not my Familia that's getting questioned here."
"It's alright my Goddess," Tiona offered, "I can elaborate. The stone was ovoid in shape, rough in texture, and large enough to hold her–" she thumbed my direction.
"She was naked when we found her," Tione added.
"Ovoid…" Loki repeated slowly. "Wait–like an egg?! You brought a giant monster egg up to the surface?"
"-Monster's cannot speak," Tione said.
"-I'm not a monster," I said by reflex at the same time.
All three Goddesses turned towards me the moment the words left my mouth, and I had to turn back and review what I said.
"What?" Loki asked.
"You don't look like one," Hestia thought out loud. "Are there any types that look like people?"
"Who knows what's on the deeper levels. My Familia brought an egg to the surface with some kind of person shaped monster?! Is that what killed my Familia? This–" Loki waved at me "-thing?!"
"She looks nothing like the beasts that arrayed against us," Gareth said. "And her magic is far different. She also was far far weaker than the dragon and Demi Spirit we fought."
"Why do you think I might be a monster?" I asked, careful to keep my voice neutral.
"I think the better question is why do you think you might be a monster," Loki added.
"I…" I bit off what could I say? I had done terrible things. But every one of those actions had been justified. Monsters beget monsters. One could not confront the likes of Jack Slash while maintaining innocence. But how to put that into terms they would understand. "I was not born in the dungeon, if that is what you are asking."
"Ok, so you weren't born down there. Doesn't mean you're off the hook," Loki said, her arms crossed. "Why do you think you're a monster?"
How could I explain myself in a vacuum without context? How could I gain their aid in fighting Scion?
Self interest had been proven to be insufficient to gather allies against the apocalypse. I could not trust altruism. Why had I uttered those words?
I dumped my emotions into my swarm. I calmed myself.
I could do this.
I just had to change tactics, put context into place.
The right context.
"I was not born in the dungeon, nor was I born in this world. This is my first time entering Orario–" I spoke over the scoffs and incredulous chatter "-stop me if I lie only please–" I caught all three Goddesses eyes and waited for them to confirm before continuing.
"The world I arrived from was dying. Great monstrosities assaulted it, people exhibited awesome powers, but the most terrible of all was a golden man–"
"-partial lie-"
"Golden alien," I corrected "who pretended to be a man named Scion."
"If he was so powerful then how was the world dying?" Tiona asked. She was not mocking, but appeared to be genuinely attempting to understand. "Was he a god then?"
"He was an alien. And he was the one killing not only our planet, but trillions of others. An unfathomable amount of murder and genocide. I had devoted the past year to stopping the end of all worlds, and in so doing, I made mistakes that cost innocent people their lives… I… I regret many of my actions."
"Where's this guy now then?" Tiona asked. She was pounding her fist into her palm again, as if a Brute could stop Scion.
"I don't know," I said slowly. "For all I know, he's still out there annihilating worlds… I wish I knew."
"Nice story, but how'djya end up in that crystal then, huh?" Loki asked.
"I… don't know."
"Was it a reincarnation?" Hestia asked.
I waved the stump of my right arm at them. "Do we reincarnate with the scars of our past?"
"The answer depends on if Thanatos does his job," Echidna said. Ok, but who was Thanatos? And was reincarnation an actual thing?
"Before I came here, I asked a woman to alter my brain and my power so that we could have a shot at defeating Scion. I… I don't know what happened after that."
I almost begged for them to send aid. But I knew better than to ask for help. If I wanted them to chip in and help fight, then I had to make it seem like it was their idea. Too much too soon would be counterproductive.
I needed them to take the bait first. To volunteer.
"Well it didn't work, whatever changes you had done." Tiona said, not cruelly. "You're weaker than a level one. You gotta get training!"
"Does she even have a Falna?" Tione asked. "I don't think she does."
"I am unsure as to what a Falna is."
"My Goddess," Gareth asked Loki. "Should we prepare in case this threat arrives here?"
"If it is truly this dire," Hestia said, sounding timid and unsure, "then perhaps an alliance is required?"
"As if anyone would want you shrimp," Loki scoffed.
Hestia frowned and her face turned red, but Hestia did not object. There might have been a hierarchy present.
"We don't even know how to get to the world she's describing," Loki said. "And if this guy shows up here? Pfft, we'll just unlock our Arcaneum. No prob."
"You seek a way to save these worlds?" Echidna asked me.
I nodded silently. But how could I? Nobody understood until it was too late, just how herculean and hopeless the fight seemed against Scion.
Hestia seemed to pick up on my feelings, because I heard her soft voice. "Anything can be found in the dungeon, if you go deep enough…"
"Anything?" I asked, perking up. "Even a way to defeat Scion?"
"Heh. Don't kid yourself kid," Loki said. "You got a long way to go before you can even think about going down there. Not even my top class Familia has reached the bottom."
"How do I grow more powerful? This… Falna?" I asked, feeling the vestiges of hope. This could be exactly what I needed.
"When you join a Familia, the God or Goddess blesses a person with a portion of their Divinity. In return, the mortal helps and supports their God or Goddess."
"Does it come with compulsions?"
"I can't believe we're even talking about this!" Loki shouted.
"Loki," Echidna chided with maximum passive aggressivity. "Please control yourself."
"Which Familia has gone the deepest?" I asked.
"That would be Loki's," Hestia sighed.
"Don't even think of it," Loki snarled. "We aren't looking for any weak sauce recruits. Especially not ones looking like you." Loki actually leered at my flat chest when she said that. Gross.
"Loki…"
"Fine!" Loki threw up her hands. "How about she solos Goliath. After that, then I'll think about it. But not till then."
"But that would be suicide for most anyone!" Hestia sounded horrified, she even put her hands on her cheek and gasped.
"Heh, good."
"If you're looking for a Familia, I could introduce you to Bell." Hestia offered. "He's my captain. If you two hit it off, maybe you could join. It would certainly be safer than Loki's test."
"How deep has Bell gone?" I asked.
"He's just starting out like you–you could help each other get stronger!"
"I knew you were desperate Hestia, but really?" Loki asked. "Besides, are you sure you could afford it?" She raised a sleazy eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Hestia asked, nibbling on her lower lip.
"The girl attacked my people. They had to drink a high grade potion each. Do the math. And that's not to mention the dungeon stone she broke."
Echidna, who had largely remained silent up to now, cleared her throat with a delicate 'ahem.'
"It appears that the child wishes to receive a Falna and join a Familia. This should satisfy your requirements Lady Loki, as with a Falna she can begin earning reparations for any damages she caused to you and yours."
"Who would even want her?" Loki asked derisively. "I mean sure, she's got the creepy shadow magic going on, but bugs–really?! Besides, she's damaged goods."
Hestia winced and raised her hand. "My Familia might not be the best place for her, but not because of any of that or her injuries. We do need to make sure she joins the Familia that is right for her though."
"Uh Huh sure," Loki said, rolling her eyes. "Even the shrimp knows. Unless you can think of any other Divinity we can con her off on."
"This behavior is beneath you Lady Loki," Echidna chided. "It is not a question of if a Divinity will accept her, but a question of finding the correct Divinity to pair her with. And as I gaze upon the child, I wonder if she would not fit in with me and mine."
"Shut up Echidna!" Loki swore. "Of course you'd want the monster. Freaks."
"Take care of your words, Lady Loki." Echidna spoke coldly. "I fear you allow grief to cloud your judgment. Insults once loosed can seldom be recaptured."
"Ugh. You're–just–the–worst! Fine, whatever. I'll send you all a bill. I'm done here. Gareth. Ladies? Let's get wasted."
Tione and Tiona shared a glance and shrugged, while Tiona gave me a little finger wave. Gareth at least had the good grace to look embarrassed by his Goddess' behavior. All four of them trooped out, leaving Hestia, Echidna, and myself in the room.
"You'll adopt her then?" Hestia asked.
"Perhaps," Echidna said as she continued examining me. "If she and I agree on the matter. However, I believe that a decision would be premature at this time, and I am certain that she has many questions."
I nodded, I really did have a ton of questions.
"Does adoption come with a compulsion?" I asked.
I remembered that some parahumans such as Teacher could bestow gifts alongside a Master effect.
Both Goddesses watched me without answering. "Elaborate, please." Echidna finally said.
"If I receive a Falna, would I be unduly influenced by the 'Divinity' to perform their will?"
Hestia gaped. "You mean does a Falna remove free-will?" she asked.
"Or perhaps such as Freya's and Ishtar's auras," Echidna offered.
"No," Hestia said, shaking her head quickly, causing her ridiculous curves to wobble. "That would be horrifying. A perversion. Mortals in the Familia want to help their Divinities, not because they have to, but because they are family."
"There are many cases where children leave their Familia as well, if there is a severe hurdle that cannot be otherwise overcome."
"Or like Artemis with–" Hestia coughed and her face blushed "-sex." she said quietly.
"Like so," Echidna said. "But if I may be so bold, the hour grows late, and the child has no current living arrangements. I propose that she either come with one of us, so that she may ask questions and learn to her heart's content."
"Hmmm maybe she'd be better off going with you?" Hestia said, chewing on her lip now and wincing, as though afraid I would be upset. "I'm out of food…" she mumbled. "But oh! Do you have a place? I know you just descended."
Echidna smiled, "I do indeed. And if it is to the child's liking, that will answer many of the questions regarding if she will fit in with mine."
"Alright. But don't hesitate to find me if you need! Bell Cranell is in the Dungeon most days. You know–" Hestia winced "-if it doesn't work out with Echidna."
"Indeed," Echidna said with her smile, it almost reminded me of Lisa's, but less foxlike, more subdued, but just as predatory.
Hestia waved and quickly left, leaving just me and Echidna. She turned to me and offered the crook of her right arm.
"So tell me about yourself."
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