Capítulo 18: Parrtyy
Bell was extremely happy to see that his level up was not only official, but brought with it a new magic- his new magic- Caelum Veil. It was partially because of this, but also on the counsel of both Aedan and Alfia that he chose the Mage ability. They had well explained the benefits of it to any user of magic, and with his new one, it would be a massive benefit to him, not that the other two weren't good choices, too. Still, he had been shocked to learn that frontline fighters could put the Mage ability to good use; in either case, unlike the last time he received magic, he was patient. This was not only because they had literally just returned home from the Dungeon, but because it would not be long before they were to be celebrating at the Benevolent Mistress. Looking at it though, the magic was another short chant, even if it was longer than Firebolt…
Well, he would try it out later, for now, his whole Familia was getting ready for a party.
As Hestia Familia made their way to the popular pub, they attracted attention as had become usual, but their obvious good mood was so infectious that it practically spread out from them like ripples. Many eyes were on their captain, who was especially jubilant; of course, even if it was official, it still wasn't announced that he had levelled to 5. Lili's level up had been announced, but being a level two, she had garnered relatively little attention in comparison, and probably would not until the regular Denatus. Still, when their full group arrived at Mia's, everyone was in good spirits.
For the waitresses, they had been surprised; not by the arrival which they were of course expecting, but the composition of the party. Bell had only told them the number that would be attending, but it soon became obvious that it was solely Hestia Familia, and that Hestia Familia had almost completely become…
"Nya, it's totally a harem! White hair is totally nyaughty after all" Anya whispered to her fellow Chloe, who was pouting slightly at the group.
"There's no way I'll cop a feel tonyaight" as she mumbled her lament, she felt a chill run down her spine and turned to see a beauty with long white hair. It seemed as though she was glaring through her soul, but her eyes weren't even open; gulping, Chloe resolved to avoid aggravating the woman at all costs. She was not the only one to notice, either.
Mia and Ryu, as well as all of the workers at the Hostess of Fertility- as it was nicknamed- were instantly aware of the presence of first-class strength among the Hestia Familia, but they in particular were sensitive to the feeling. Mia could tell that some of that feeling was coming from Bell, which did shock her a bit, but even that was overpowered by the man with them and then from the white-haired woman…
"Mama Mia, she~" Ryu managed to keep her voice from wavering, but was unable to finish her statement. She had seen the man with Bell a couple of times now, and was aware that he was the strong new member of the familia that the rumors were stirred up about; however, she actually recognized the woman.
"Aye, ah know, Ryu; let's just take it easy for now. Things are obviously calm, and ye can talk to the kiddo 'bout things when ya have the chance" with the simple solution, the night went on. Hestia Familia had paid well for a party and that's exactly what they got: platters of fine food followed by jugs and gourds of potent alcohol, sweet brews, tangy juices, and fragrant teas were brought out to them in course. The revelry was long-lasting, most of the Familia going long into the night, even as other guests came and went around them.
Mia had come out with some especially strong liquor at the request of the few men of the Familia, who wished for a contest. Among adventurers, this required excessively stout drinks taken in quantities that unblessed people would drink weak ale in. Not that she could know, but the contest would not be fair in any shape, as Bell had an edge with his Abnormal Resistance, but Aedan much more so with his Immunity. Still, she brought out her own special secret among the brewers of Orario: the 198 proof Aetherclear Nectar; a clear-bluish potent alcohol she made herself using fruits harvested from the Dungeon and distilled until it was potent enough to be satisfactory. While it could be mixed in small amounts for cocktails, for adventurers of high status wishing for alcohol to actually affect them, it was almost a necessity.
As she placed the jug down, the oldest man called out in slight surprise, "Mia, s'that you?" Apparently, someone hadn't been paying much attention as the night had worn on; she'd been out to their tables a number of times already, "It is you, well I'll be! I never expected ya to be running an establishment like this" she focused on the man and found herself a bit consternated that she didn't realize who he was. Well, obviously he was the level 7 the rumor mill wouldn't shut up about, but beyond the obvious, "Well, I gotta say it suits ya fine anyway; it's a great place!"
"Thank you very much, but- not to be rude- do I know you?" the man took a long draught of his drink before looking her in the eyes.
"Oh yeah, gods got me that new name; before that announcement I was called Horus"
Oh… what!?
Her eyes widened in uncharacteristic shock, "The Slavedriver! I can't believe I didn't recognize you; guess that explains a few things, but how did ya end up here, if you don't mind me askin'?"
"Well, I never left Orario; after the last expedition Zeus an' Hera's kids went on, I decided to stay here. Eventually, I ran into Alfia, and we decided to petition Goddess Hestia to join her Familia" she deadpanned at his brief explanation, but didn't press him for more; they were in public, and his familia was paying her well for the night. That didn't mean she was able to suppress the chill that ran down her back as one of her first trainers looked her in the eye when he accepted his drink.
"I meant it; it's a fine place, Mia"
"Thanks old timer" she eased a smile as he did, watching him, Bell, and Welf start in on their drinking. Shaking her head, she went back to work.
The contest went predictably, but was still good fun as Welf tottered in his seat, Bell laughed with a flushed face, and Aedan sighed as he began to feel the beginnings of tipsy tingling in his fingertips. Remembering something he wanted to do before the night was out, Bell took the moment to excuse himself to the restroom to use and wash up before coming back and finding his quarry.
"Miss Ryu, do you have a moment?"
The elf in question did not flinch, but known only to her it was a close thing; her attention had been mostly focused on the white-haired woman for most of the evening, but she did not approach her and nobody made a scene. Needless to say, even a slightly sloshed Bell was able to sneak up on her.
"Bell, of course. Everyone seems set for the time being, I can check on them after… that's right; you said there was something you wanted to ask me"
"Mnhmn, yup; do you wanna go…?" he gestured uncertainly, but Ryu managed to pick up on his meaning easily.
"Yes, we can step out to the courtyard at the back" she led the way; busy as the Hostess was, the courtyard was completely deserted. The night sky was clear, and the brightest stars managed to be seen through Orario's lights alongside the full moon. Ryu's heart sped up as she imagined the upcoming conversation and other things.
Bell chuckled as they came to a stop, sitting down on a bench before ushering Ryu to take a place beside him, "I'm really happy Miss Ryu; in a short time, my Familia has grown so much, and I even went and became a level 5. Honestly, I wasn't sure I would be able to go back down into the deep levels after what happened…"
"You went there for your adventure?" she was a bit anxious, but talking with Bell- no matter the subject- was soothing to her.
"Yeah, Aedan took me to solo Udaeus"
"!" she was taken aback for a moment before she pinched his ear, unknowingly pouting while she scolded him, "That was incredibly reckless Bell! You're quite lucky to have pulled through such a fight as a second-class adventurer"
"Sorry! Sorry… haha, but I really did it. I still have a ways to go, but I'm getting much stronger than I ever thought, even if I'm not where I want to be yet" he took a breath, looking up at the night sky, "Everyone is supporting me, and we're all getting stronger together, even though our goals aren't all the same; it makes me so happy that I came here and found my Familia" her heart warmed to hear his words, even if she felt the phantom ache of lacking the very thing he was describing, as she remembered those same feelings after she joined and found a home in Astrea Familia.
"It all made me feel the best I have since my grandfather died, and I left to come to Orario" she kept her silence; Bell hardly ever talked about his past, and she secretly wanted to learn more about him, "and I thought about how I wanted to share that feeling; the first person that my mind went to when I thought that was you, Ryu"
"Me?" she placed her hand on her chest; she didn't think the conversation was going to turn to her, but if he was going to ask her something… wait, was he really!?
"That's right" he smiled, "I might have had the same thought before what happened in the deep levels, but especially now I know I'm sure. I want to ask you Ryu- and feel free to think before you give your answer~" she was starting to shake imperceptibly. He was really about to ask her! Now!? She wasn't ready; they weren't even in a forest! Of course he was sweet and got them some privacy; she knew he could work a miracle, but that didn't mean she was any more prepared…
"Ryu?"
"Y-yes?"
"Would you join my Familia?"
Oh… oh! That wasn't exactly what she was thinking it might be, but when the question registered in his mind, Ryu's face still burned with blush as her ears tilted down, also flooded with a red hue. Her hand came up to cover her face, but she kept her eyes open and facing him. Her reaction must have worried him, as he gently grabbed her shoulder, "S-sorry, I really didn't mean to spring it on you, but I thought this was a good chance to ask you… like I said, take as long as you need; you don't have to answer right away!"
"Erm, thank you Bell; I would like some time to think on it, but I can say that the offer itself… this means very much to me" they stayed together in silence while she calmed down a bit and he sobered, happy at how things had gone. They returned to the party before they were missed, save for a couple pairs of eyes.
The night continued until bellies were filled and eyelids grew heavy, and the party moved slowly from the pub back home, where it would crash almost instantly into rest. At the Benevolent Mistress, there was still cleanup to be done. Ryu worked with Chloe, Lunoire, Anya, Mia, and May as Syr had somehow gotten off somewhere again. It was while wiping down tables and putting away chairs that the elf shyly mentioned to Mia the offer Bell had presented to her.
"Well, that sounds great, but what're ya asking me for about? You don't need my permission to do anything about it" Mia grunted, "if its advice ya need, then do what you feel like doin'; whatever you think is best, try that"
"Mama Mia's right Ryu; I think you have the most right of all of us to be a little selfish if you want" Lunoire smiled at her, "Not saying you have to accept, or even that if you do you won't be workin' with us anymore, but you shouldn't leave a cute boy like Bell waiting on your answer whatever it is"
Cheeks red, she retorted, "I didn't plan to make him wait, I just wasn't sure of myself; if I accept, it will be a big change. That affects you all, too. So… I just wanted to think it over properly"
"Well, it's pretty clear nyou want to accept" Anya hummed, stroking her chin, "honestly, nyai probly would, too, so you should accept!"
"Anya is right" Chloe agreed, "Did you see all those new members? They're all women! You need to join to make sure he keeps coming here and they don't monopolize that tight~" Mia cuffed the woman over the head before she could finish her vulgar train of thought.
"Careful there, pussycat, or did ya not notice the white-haired women with them was already keeping hawk eyes out for any shenanigans?"
"Reow! Of course I noticed, it's why I didn't try to cop a feel tonight. I could feel it; if I'd gone for his tush, she would've skinned me alive"
Mia sighed at her airheaded workers, and addressed Ryu, "I ain't gonna tell ya what to do, but I think the girls are right, and Syr would probably agree. It's okay for things to change from time to time, ya foolish girl"
The talk continued as they worked, but Ryu knew she had made up her mind even before she mentioned it to them at all. She knew what she wanted, after all; the issue she couldn't address was whether she deserved it… but that wasn't for her to say. Bell had offered it to her, and had thought carefully about it, if he knew about asking her for some time already. He was sure about this, and he is the captain of Hestia Familia; so she was well able to accept, and she was going to.
This was how- as the first thing in the morning- Ryu ended up going straight to Hearthfire Manor, full of her usual cool confidence after a final reassurance from her friend Syr that morning. She was taken in by the early risers of the Hestia Familia: Haruhime, Bell, Mikoto, Aedan, Alfia, Iris, Oriana, and Gita. Her eyes caught Alfia in the large room Haruhime took her to, as well, but the woman didn't seem to even acknowledge her presence, so she tried to relax. Haruhime and Mikoto were concerned at first when she came, thinking that there was some issue that required their help, but were surprised when she simply said, "I would like to accept your offer, if you will still have me, Bell" with all possible elven grace and mannerisms, she bowed her head and displayed the utmost decorum, but her words caused some flustered confusion in some of her audience. She also became acutely aware that she now had Alfia's direct attention, frightening as it was, but she showed no outward signs of distress. At least, until Bell clasped her hands in his, beaming widely.
"Really? I'm so happy to hear that, Ryu! Goddess isn't awake yet, but why don't you stay with us until she is and I can tell her. Our newer members may have met you last night, but once we're all awake, we can have a proper introduction" Just like that, every bit of tension seemed to evaporate as the others eased into Bell's unintentional reassurance, knowing that an answer to the situation would not be long in coming.
When they had the explanation, they were both excited and happy to know of Ryu's acceptance; most of the Familia were already acquainted with her, and knew she was strong and reliable, as well as friendly enough. The introductions proved pleasant- if a bit formal on Ryu's part- and by the time Hestia was ready to accept their newest member, everyone was happy with the decision: Ryu Lion joined the Hestia Familia.
There was simply one issue with her joining, though.
"I'm afraid I'll have to act discreetly for some time; after all, I am still blacklisted by the Guild" Ryu said solemnly, her ears drooping just slightly as she relayed the reality of the situation, "Given what happened before in the Water City, you all must know that I still have an 80 million vallis bounty from the Guild…"
Her words silenced the cheer, as the girls had not known that information, and the other Familia members had allowed the fact to evade their memory.
"That is an issue, but you can still work with us" Aedan nodded, "we cannot announce you as a member, but for the time being, I should think that going into the Dungeon with us will be enough?"
"Of course, after all, fame and recognition are not goals of mine in the first place; simply being a member of the Familia is enough. Still, I do not want to bring you all any trouble or misfortune"
"Ryu, I invited you knowing that some difficulties might come our way. Can't you let me cover for them, as your captain?"
"Well said, Bell" Haroeris smiled, "Just lay low, and we can look for a proper solution with time. I can look into it; there was an old loophole for blacklisted adventurers, but it was rarely used"
"What was that?" she asked.
"If they- or someone on their behalf- were to pay the Guild the value of the bounty instead of turning the person in, they could get the Guild to clear the bounty as though the blacklisting had been rescinded. Essentially, it's a formalized bribe; if it's still in place, we would need to pay the Guild 80,000,000 in order to get Ryu's bounty clear"
"!"
"I couldn't ask that; such an amount is on par for what one could get a first class piece of equipment for!" Ryu argued, "Perhaps I can stay concealed long enough to earn that myself, but~"
"Too late" Welf grinned, looking at the change on Bell's face.
"Right, don't worry Ryu; we should be able to manage that before too long. If that loophole doesn't exist anymore, we'll just have to figure out something else…"
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