fter the first day in the Dungeon:
The group emerged from the first floor of the Dungeon, their clothes and hair disheveled from their encounters. As they stepped out into the bright sunlight, Alise turned to Ais with a concerned expression on her face.
"I have to go separately. I will see you later bell." Ais said a she prepared to leave to avoid being noticed with Bell.
"Ais, are you sure you can make your way back to Twilight Manor by yourself?" Alise asked
Ais nodded, knowing that she need to minimize the chance of being seen in public with Bell, least her familia learn of her deal with Alfia and try to stop her.
"I'll be fine," she replied confidently
"Be careful on your way back," Alise reminded her as Ais took off towards the entrance.
"Oh, that girl," Alise sighed with a slight shake of her head before perking back up. After Ais's departure, the group resumed their ascent and quickly reached the streets of Orario.
"Alright Bell, how does it feel to have your first time taken by such beautiful maidens?" Alise asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she looked at Bell's flushed face. He opened and closed his mouth, speechless until he finally managed to mutter something.
"What was that, Bell?" Alise prodded, her grin widening.
"I... um... enjoyed going into the Dungeon with all of you," Bell stammered out in response to Alise's loaded question.
"Hehehe, thanks Bell," Alise chuckled as she pulled him into a hug and gently patted his head. "You were incredible in the Dungeon. Both brave and amazing. You did an exceptional job. I still can't believe you made it all the way down to the 6th floor on your very first trip. Right Lyon?"
Ryu's soft voice trailed off as she mumbled her reply, "Yes, you were quite good, Mr. Cranel."
Bell's face lit up with a bashful smile, "That was only because I could trust you and Ryu so much. I knew that you would have my back and watch out for me."
Alise playfully teased, "Oh Bell, you flirt. You're making Lyon blush and fidget." She turned away to hide the fact that her cheeks had now started to match the color of her fiery red hair. Meanwhile, Ryu twiddled her thumbs and averted eye contact with Bell, as her elven ears wiggled up and down
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean it like that," Bell replied shyly, clearly embarrassed by the teasing.
"Alright, enough loitering. Time to get you back home and pick up the rest of the girls," Alise declared, finally managing to suppress the lingering blush on her cheeks. "We made it so that they could get a whole day of training with Alfia. I'm sure they made the most of it."
As the trio strolled through the lively streets of Orario, their eyes scanned their surroundings for any signs of impending danger. Alise and Ryu, both seasoned adventurers, knew to always be on guard. As they made their way further into the city, they come across Ardee and Shakti on patrol.
"Hey, how's everyone doing? Did you all just come from the Dungeon?" Ardee asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Yeah, Ryu and I just took Bell for his first time," Alise replied with a grin.
"Oh, that must have been thrilling! Did you play the hero and protect all the pretty girls, Bell?" Ardee teased, noticing the blush on Bell's face.
Bell glanced at Ardee before nodding shyly, causing her to giggle and affectionately pat him on the head. "Good job, Bell. What's your next move?"
"We're taking Bell back home and picking up the rest of the girls," Ryu explained.
"Big sis, can I go with them?" Ardee implored.
"Of course, but stay on patrol while you're walking him back," Shakti reminded her sister sternly.
"I will!" Ardee happily joined the group as they continue their journey.
Luckily, their walk through the bustling city passes without incident, though Alise and Ryu remain cautious until they reach their destination.
As they approach Midnight Garden, the once tranquil atmosphere is shattered by the cacophony of screams and wails of despair. A look of concern crosses the girls' faces, their expressions mirroring the chaos before them. Bell face meanwhile has deadpanned at the noises and is already anticipating what is to come.
With a sense of urgency, they quickened their pace and enter through the gates, pushed open by Bell's trembling hands. The sound of a fierce battle grows louder as they near its source. Rounding the corner, they are met with Alfia's commanding voice,
"Is that really all you LITTLE Noises are capable of?"
"GRRRR. I sincerely hate this bitch…" Kaguya spat and glared at Alfia with fury.
The training yard was a scene of utter destruction. Neze and Maryuu lay in a heap, barely conscious with bruises covering their exposed skin. Lyra, bruised and battered as well, was frantically preparing another explosive to use against Alfia. The only time Alfia bothered to administer potions was after knocking everyone out. As such the Astraea girls had already used up their own supplies.
As the training progressed, the other members of the Astraea familia returned and to observe how their sisters were faring. Alfia, as usual, did not tolerate any objections and insisted they join in on the training. The outcome was catastrophic.
Iska was currently dangling upside down from one of the trees paced 10 meaders beyond the training ground, her body limp and unconscious. It seemed like she had been thrown into the upper branches of the tree and fallen until she got caught on a lower branch. Broken branches littered the ground beneath her. Asta lay against the wall, passed out with broken shield on either side of her body.
Ryana and Celty struggled to cast their spells, hoping to create an opening for Kaguya. Both of them were covered in bruises, their clothes torn and dirty from the beatings they had taken. Meanwhile, Noin hunched over the wall, gasping for breath after being kicked under the sternum by Alfia during their training session.
Zald, his head buried in his hands, watched with a look of profound exasperation while Erebus stood beside him, his face twisted in mortification as his brow twitched.
"Ahh, I see that you're back, Bell," Alfia remarked, turning her back on Kaguya to face the new arrivals. They gulped nervously under her intense gaze. "You are rather early. I was expecting to have to drag you out of the Dungeon. Care to explain?" The air was thick with tension as the group exchanged uneasy glances.
Kaguya's muscles tensed as she lunged forward, her sword glinting in the sunlight as she aimed for Alfia's chest. But to Kaguya's surprise, Alfia's hand shot out and caught the blade between two fingers with ease. With a snort of derision, Alfia turned her attention back to Kaguya who was desperately trying to free her katana from the Alfia's grasp.
"Not a bad plan," Alfia remarked, "but you're much too slow to pull it off against me, little girl. Maybe try again after a few more levels, and there's a slim chance you'll succeed."
With a swift roundhouse kick, Alfia sent Kaguya flying back, the sound of bones crunching beneath the impact echoed through the clearing. Kaguya let out a pained cry before crashing into Ryana and Celty, who were both taken aback by the sudden collision. Despite their best efforts to dodge, they were too slow to evade Kaguya's flailing form and all three ended up in a tangled heap on the ground.
Casually brushing off her hands, Alfia turned to Bell with a nonchalant expression.
"So, Bell," she began as if nothing had happened, "what brought you home early?"
Bell felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he stumbled over his words.
"Uh...we had to call it an early day because Ais's weapon broke and we didn't have a replacement." He avoided making eye contact with Alfia.
Alfia and Zald both raise an eyebrow in surprise and curiosity, their gazes locked intensely on Bell.
"Bell, how did a level 1 adventurer manage to break a sword in less than a day? Don't tell me the blacksmiths got as shitty as the rest of adventurers in this city." Zald questioned, his tone laced with doubt.
"It looked like a standard Guild-issued sword. I've never heard of anyone else breaking one so quickly before, Mr. Zald," Alise responded
"Just call me Zald, kid. No need for formalities here," Zald replied with a friendly nod.
"Well regardless, this is an opportunity. Bell, we will continue your training from this morning. And you three little noises will be joining him," Alfia said with determination as she eyed the three girls standing around Bell, each of who all instinctively gulped at her intense gaze.
"Oh dear, it seems I must be going now. Nice to meet you Ms. Alfia," Ardee said hastily, attempting to make a quick exit but feeling a firm hand on her shoulder stopping her.
"Did I make it seem like a suggestion, little girl? You will be joining us for training whether you like it or not. Your only other option is to resist; however, I assure you that it will be futile, but you are welcome to try" Alfia states firmly, her grip tightening on Ardee's shoulder.
Before Ardee can even formulate a response, her felt her feet leave the ground as she soared through the air. She landed with a resounding thud, her body jolting from the impact in the training yard. Three more thuds follow as Bell, Alise, and Ryu joined her.
"Yo, I'm glad you all made it," Lyra said through gritted teeth as she winced while trying to move.
"Ugh, Auntie is always like this," Bell muttered as he struggled to get up from the ground.
"Oi, any brilliant ideas Captain?" Lyra asks with a hint of sarcasm, eyeing Alfia's approaching figure.
"We will give it our ALL and show Ms. Alfia what we are capable of," Alise declared confidently as she thumps her chest.
"Always so optimistic, Captain," Kaguya muttered under her breath as she finally recovers from the previous fight. Neze and Maryuu staggered over to join the rest of the group.
"VERY WELL, little girl. Let's see what you've got. Though I highly doubt it will amount to much. And besides, I have several bones to pick with you in particular," Alfia sneered as she glared at Alise, her eyebrows furrowing in irritation.
"Just wait and see, Ms. Alfia. We'll show you what we can do. Let's go girls and Bell!" Alise declared, undaunted by Alfia's comment.
And so, the grueling training continued until the sun began to set on the horizon.
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Astrea Familia's Return to Stardust Garden.
As the sun began to set, the Astraea familia, having been put through rigorous training by Alfia, returned to their awaiting Goddess.
"Hello there, girls. I have been waiting... WHAT HAPPENED?" Astraea's voice began in a calm tone but quickly escalated to a horrified pitch.
All of the girls that have just walked in have severely disheveled. Many of their clothes are ripped and all are stained with varying amounts of mud, sweat, and blood. A few of the outfits appeared salvageable only as scrap cloth.
Lyra's voice drips with venom as she declared, "That woman is a demon."
Kaguya spat out the words "evil hag"
"Sadist." Neze cursed
"Monster." Iska spoke as she shuddered
"Demon." Maryuu muttered
"EVIL." Noin cursed
"Wench." Asta spat
"Monster" Ryana cursed
"Bitch" Celty muttered, shocking everyone that the most mild-mannered one would swear.
Astrea stood in stunned silence as she watched the girl's reaction. She had only thought that this would be a simple training session, but something had clearly gone awry. Her mind raced with questions and concerns as she tried to make sense of what could have happened.
As the last two arrived, Alise leaned heavily on Ryu for support, her body battered and bruised. Astrea's worry grew as she hurried over to them both, quickly checking them over before speaking.
"Girls, what happened? I thought you were just supposed to be training. How did you end up like this? And why are all of you so beaten up? I only expected a few of you to be training," Astrea asked urgently as she started to fret.
"We're back, Lady Astrea," Ryuu groaned, her eyes glazed over from exhaustion and pain.
"Uh...Alfia's idea of training is...rather extreme, Lady Astrea. We weren't prepared for how intense she would be," Alise explained, gingerly attempting to stand on her own. It was clear that Alfia had made her the focus of the brutal training session.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"Alright girls," Astrea said, looking at the group of tired young women in front of her. "You all must be extremely tired from your hard work today. Would you like to have something to eat first? Or a bath?"
Kaguya chimed in with a mischievous glint in her eye, "Or are you an option as well, Lady Astrea?"
Ryu blushed fiercely at the suggestion, exclaiming, "What the... Kaguya! How could you!"
But Kaguya just laughed and teased, "Well, well. What are you imagining? You're supposed to be a virtuous elf who can't even imagine a single dirty joke."
Ryuu was taken aback and retorted, "How dare you...!"
"I'll will get into the bath first then!" Alise said.
"And Alise goes ahead and does whatever she wants as usual," Lyra muttered.
"AH. I just had an idea befitting my brilliance! Why don't you take a bath with me, Lady Astrea? Then I can have the pleasure of both the bath and you," Alise suggested.
"UH," Kagayu/Lyra/Ryu replied.
"Oh dear... Looks like you won this one, Alise," Astrea sighed before giggling.
"Come now, Lady Astrea. We can wash each other," Alise purred.
"STOP! YOU disrespectful thing," Kagayu/Lyra/Ryu rushed to stop their wayward Captain from going any further off the rails.
The rest of the girls, though exhausted and bruised, started to giggle.
"Okay girls, let's all take a bath together as a family and we can talk about what you went through today," Astrea said with a smile towards her girls.
"Okay, Lady Astrea," the girls chorused and moved gingerly towards the baths.
Several minutes later in the baths.
Lyra let out a long, contented sigh as she sank into the warm water of the bath. "Ahhh... I feel alive again," she murmured.
Kaguya's expression was less relaxed. "Tch, speak for yourself. I had to fight her up close. What I wouldn't give to get one solid hit in on that bitch," she growled, grinding her teeth. She too had submerged herself in the bath up to her chest, which bobbed up and down with the gentle movement of the water. The other girls slowly made their way into the pool, each one letting out a relieved sigh as the water washed away their fatigue and pain.
"Ugh, it was something else alright," Neze chimed in, wincing at the memories, has she begun to clean her tail.
"I can only imagine how intense it must have been if it left such a mark on all of you," Astrea said, watching as the girls began to help wash each other off.
"Well, I am grateful for it..." Alise started as she thumped her chest but was cut off with a sharp intake of breath and a pained grunt
"Ack... still hurts," she managed through gritted teeth.
Alise quickly regained her composure and resumed her speech with determination. "Now, our Justice will shine brighter than ever before after this and future training sessions. As for the next ones to accompany Bell into the Dungeon, we have Kaguya and Neze. Are you both okay with that?"
Lyra couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Damn, nothing gets her down."
Neze chimed in with a mischievous grin, "I don't mind looking after Bell. He's adorable and fun to tease. Hehe. He makes the cutest faces. "
Kaguya added with a sly smirk, "He's certainly cute enough to warrant some private extracurricular Dungeon education." She licked her lips suggestively.
'KAGUYA! That is filthy!" RYU screeches while the others sigh at the direction this is going to take.
"Whatever could you mean Lyon? I merely meant that I would give him little one-on-one sparring education. Perhaps even take him off the beaten path and find some rare monsters. What were you imagining, you perverted elf?" Kaguya said as she aimed a Cheshire cat grin towards Ryu.
"URK…" Ryu immediately blanched and looked around only to see the others looking at her with pity.
"You perverted elf. How could you imagine doing something like that in the Dungeon?" Lyra snickered.
"You really walked into that one Lyon." Neze said as she sighs.
"Hey now, I still love you Lyon. Even if you are a pervert elf," Alise said as she grabbed Ryu from behind and hugged her.
"EPP! Alise, watch your hands" Ryu shrieked as Alise's hands trailed over her chest.
"PFT...watch for what, LITTLE elf?" Kaguya says as she placed a hand upon her own ample bosom and looked at Ryu's more petite frame.
"What Did you say?" Ryu yelled and immediately lunged at Kaguya. Only to be restrained in a hug by Alise.
"Okay, okay. No teasing Lyon about her chest size. I'm sure she'll get bigger. Besides, have you seen her butt and thighs? They're perfect. Not as perfect as mine, of course, but give us a twirl, Lyon, let us see that elven bubble butt. See, watch," Alise said as she started to twirl Ryu, prompting the other girls to whistle.
"ALISE!" Ryu started blushing and fidgeting.
The rest of the girls burst into laughter and continud their bath. They all relax and wash away the day's extremely grueling training. After the bath, Astrea updates the status of the girls.
Average Status Update(I didn't want to write 11 full status updates so I did this. )
Strength: +10
Endurance: +24
Alise's Endurance rises 26 points after Alfia's personal attention.
Dexterity: +8
Agility: +12
Magic(where applicable): +5
(they are not under the effects of Bell's skill quite yet. Just as a point of clarification.)
I will probably go with this format in most cases going forward. With the exception being when I have someone gain a new skill/ magic. Otherwise, it will get tedious fast.
I also had trouble deciding what is too much/ too little so let me know what you think of this.
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Midnight Garden:
The men of the Erebus familia entered a smaller open-air bath they had set aside for relaxation, having already washed themselves. The open concept bath was suitable for a dozen people and the warm steam creating an inviting atmosphere. Bell sighed as he sank into the soothing water, his muscles relaxing.
"Ahhhh. I feel alive…" Bell murmured, closing his eyes as he sank into the water.
Zald chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed in the bath. "BAHHHHH. Rough for you, Bell?"
Bell winced, remembering the grueling training session. "URK. You have no idea. I know Auntie was pulling her punches, but it sure doesn't feel like it."
Zald's laughter softened, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Just think of it this way. It shows how worried she is. She wants to make sure you can handle anything the Dungeon can throw at you. Now, how was your first trip in the Dungeon?"
Erebus, sinking into the bath across from Bell, listened attentively.
"It was good," Bell replied. "I made it to the 6th floor before Ais's sword broke and we had to head back."
Zald shook his head in disbelief; "Unbelievable. I can't believe a rookie adventurer broke a sword in less than a day. Did you notice anything about how she did it, Bell?"
Bell paused, reflecting on the day's events. "No? though..." He trailed off before continuing, "Ais was basically splitting monsters in half and making them explode with a single strike most times."
Zald's eyebrows arched in shock. "Bell, are you serious?"
"Yeah," Bell said, recalling the sight vividly. "I saw her do it a few times during our fights. It was like the monsters were ripped apart rather than stabbed."
"I see" Zald pondered Bell's words, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "Seriously, ripping monsters apart with a single strike is not something a newbie should be able to do. Unless it's a skill, maybe?"
Erebus turned his gaze to Zald before addressing Bell. "Well, how did you like fighting with Ais and those two Astrea girls?"
Bell hesitated, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Fighting with Ais was good. We got along well, and our fighting improved as we worked together." He paused, the blush deepening as he continued. "Going into the Dungeon with Alise and Ryu was good. They let me and Ais handle almost everything until Ais's sword broke. That was the only point where they jumped in directly."
Zald leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "I see. Now, Bell, I have a question for you. What happened when you stayed at Stardust Garden? I know it is something that will set Alfia off by the way you tried to hide it. By the way, you are terrible at lying."
Bell's face turned a deeper shade of red. "URK. NOTHING HAPPENED AT ALL!"
Erebus shook his head, a knowing smile on his lips. "Tut, tut, Bell. I don't have to be a god to tell that while you are not necessarily lying, you are not telling the whole truth."
Bell shifted uncomfortably. "Urk. So, uhm, when I stayed over, I spent the night in Alise's room. Since they are all girls, Alise said she would make sure I did not do anything improper while the girls were sleeping. So, I had to sleep in her bed while she slept in front of the door."
Zald and Erebus exchanged a glance, nodding in agreement. It seemed reasonable enough. Sleeping in front of the door would indeed prevent Bell from sneaking off to do something to one of the other girls.
"Well, uh, I ended up having a nightmare about Mama," Bell continued, his voice softening. "Alise came over to the bed to comfort me, but I woke up. We talked for a little bit and then we fell back to sleep in the same bed."
Zald and Erebus's eyebrows twitched in unison.
"Anything else happened?" Erebus asked, his tone neutral but curious.
"Well, uhm, when we woke up together, I ended up being hugged by Alise and, uhm… my… face… was… umh… buried… in her… uhm… chest." Bell stuttered, his face turning crimson as he remembered the softness and warmth of Alise.
"AHHHH," both men deadpanned, staring at Bell.
Zald leaned forward slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "I take it you like her, Bell?"
"URK. Well. I… uhm… I mean…" Bell stammered, his heart pounding. "What makes you think that?"
Zald chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I guess it is a good time to have THE TALK with you. You are about that age."
"WAIT… WAIT." Bell's eyes widened in horror, his voice rising in pitch. He couldn't bear the thought of this conversation.
Zald suppressed a laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "OH. Do you want to have this conversation with Alfia instead?"
Bell shivered and all life, color, and joy drained from his face at the mere thought of discussing anything remotely related to THAT topic with her was enough to enough to make him shudder.
Seeing Bell's reaction, Zald softened his tone. "pft. Listen, Bell, it's normal to have feelings for someone, especially when you're spending time together. But it's important to understand those feelings and handle them responsibly."
Bell swallowed hard, trying to calm his racing heart. "I know. It's just… I've never felt like this before. It's confusing. No one ever reached out to help or take care of me before. Plus I haven't had the opportunity to do a lot of things since Mama always took priority. I don't know if these are romantic feelings or just admiration for what Alise has done."
"Ha! No worries, Bell. This is a good place to be," Zald chuckled, clapping a hand on Bell's shoulder. "We can talk more about that in the future. For now, focus on getting closer to her if you are truly interested. Spend time with her, learn what she likes and dislikes. Find out her favorite foods and learn how to cook them. Good food is an expression of affection that goes beyond material gifts."
Bell frowned in thought, "It is?"
"Of course it is," Zald replied confidently. "People can only accumulate so many material things before it becomes clutter. Good food, though, stays with a person forever. It's a sign that you put your effort into making something special. Though this is just one man's opinion, I'm sure others will disagree."
Erebus spoke next; "I have to agree with Zald. There are as many ways to express love as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand on a beach. There's no one right way. Find a way that works for you and Alise, if she's the one you care about. A healthy relationship should be one of equals. Anything else can lead to problems down the road. Relationships between different familias are often discouraged, but given the affection between you and those girls, I don't think it will be a problem."
Bell's expression softened as he thought of Alise and the others. "I want to be their friend. They were kind to me after Mama died, and Mama liked them. I'm going to protect them no matter what."
Zald laughed, ruffling Bell's hair affectionately. "Look at this rookie adventurer, bragging about how he's going to protect his seniors."
Bell's cheeks reddened, but he muttered determinedly, "I just have to catch up first."
Erebus nodded approvingly. "Well, regardless, you should get going, Bell. I'm sure Alfia wants to hear about what happened today."
"Oh, right. I have to tell her everything," Bell said, hurriedly gathering his things and leaving the bath.
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With only Zald and Erebus remaining, they turned and smirked at each other.
"Well, he certainly takes after Zeus, I will say that much," Erebus remarked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "First time meeting a woman and he gets invited into her bed. I can't recall how many times that happened to Zeus."
Zald's chuckled at the future prospects; "Hahaha! Alfia is going to have a royal series of headaches to deal with. Did you notice how affectionate all those girls were with Bell?"
"Oh, yeah. I think Bell has already wormed his way into their hearts. He's rather adorable and honest. Plus, given that they're an all-female familia, they have fewer chances to interact with men than most. So he probably made a bigger impact on them than familia with less sheltered women" Erebus responded
Zald's grin widened. "Alright, betting time. Who do you think Bell will fall in love with first? I bet that redheaded captain."
Erebus chuckled softly. "Ah, well that is too obvious. It's not much of a bet. Next."
"Alright," Zald conceded. "So, do you think the redhead is the only one Bell charms into being his girlfriend?"
"No," Erebus said thoughtfully. "I foresee Zeus's definition of a man's romance for Bell. I see a harem for Bell when he's older. Based on how Astrea's girls are already doting on him, probably a large one. One that will likely include several of them."
Zald chuckled at the prospect "Alright, so who do you think the second one will be? My bet is the far eastern one."
Erebus broke the silence first. "I have to say, that blonde elf of Astrea's familia…"
Before he could finish, a cold voice from behind them cut through the steam, freezing both men in place. "Well, isn't this a lovely little chat you two are having."
Zald's heart skipped a beat. "URK. Alfia, I thought you were looking after Bell…?" Sweat began to bead on his brow, despite the warmth of the bath.
"I was," Alfia replied coolly, her gaze piercing through the haze. "I told Bell I had to leave for a moment to get a book to read to him. Plus, knowing you two, once Bell said you remained behind, I figured you were scheming something." She placed a thick tome on a nearby stool, far from the water, and crossed her arms, her glare unwavering.
"Damn her intuition," Zald thought, feeling the sweat trickle down his temple.
Erebus, now equally nervous, thought, "AHHH. What a truly terrifying woman. The only other woman I know with intuition this good is my lovely wife Nyx. And she literally holds dominion over foresight." He too began to sweat and not from the heat of the bath that suddenly began to feel oppressive.
"WELL," Alfia said, her voice like a whip, "do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
Zald cleared his throat, "Now, Alfia, listen. Bell is a boy. We were just discussing guy stuff." He offered a weak smile, hoping to defuse the throbbing veins in Alfia's forehead
"Wrong. Bell is too young for that. I will not allow my nephew to be a pervert." Alfia retorted sharply. "Gospel."
"SHIT" are the collective thoughts of the men on the receiving end of Alfia's magic.
Single Day Damage to the Midnight Garden:
Total Damage: 30,000 valis
Source: Alfia
Repairs: Lawn care (10K valis)
Bath replacement (20K valis)
Injuries to others: Minimal bruises to Zald.
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Captain's Quarters:
A simple room that one wouldn't expect in the residence of such a familia. Minimal decoration and furnishings. The Captain's Quarters was placed on the highest floor of the residence at the center rear of the mansion. A simple yet well-made desk looking out the window over the rear garden of the Familia residence in one corner. While a large bed was pressed up against the other rear corner. And on two of the remaining walls were bookshelves that were mostly empty but in the process of being filled.
"I am back, Bell," Alfia said, her voice soft yet carrying a hint of weariness.
Bell glanced up, his eyes widened with concern. "Uh, Auntie, why is your dress wet?"
Alfia chuckled "Oh, I just had a nice little chat with Erebus and Zald. We will need Gobinu Familia to put in a new bath as well."
Bell winced, imagining the aftermath of such a 'chat.' "Uncle Zald, Lord Erebus, I am sorry for you," he thought, shuddering slightly.
Alfia's gaze softened as she looked at Bell. "Now, how about you tell me about your day?" she suggested, shifting closer to him.
Bell's face lit up with excitement. "Sure!" He began recounting his adventures, his voice animated as he described the day's events. Alfia listened attentively, her fingers gently running through his unruly hair, a soothing gesture that seemed to calm the boy as much as it comforted her.
"And then..." Bell yawned, the day's excitement finally catching up to him. His words trailed off as his eyes grew heavy.
"You must be tired," Alfia murmured, her voice a gentle lullaby. "Here, I will read a few pages of a story to help you sleep." She reached for a book lying nearby, its cover worn from many readings.
As Alfia read, Bell's eyes fluttered shut. He leaned into her embrace, the steady rhythm of her voice weaving lulling him to sleep. Before long, he was fast asleep, his head resting against her chest. Alfia closed the book softly, placing it on the nightstand beside her. She cradled Bell in her arms, listening to his noises.
Noises that from anyone else would have annoyed her to no end. But when they are from Bell, they are not so tedious.
"I promise that I will raise him right, Meteria," Alfia whispered into the quiet room. Her eyes flickered with sorrow as she contemplated the cruel twist of fate that had separated her from her twin. "I will live long enough to see him become a man,"
"I am sorry, my twin. It will be a while longer before I get to see you again. And here I thought we would be together much sooner," she mused, as a melancholic smile played at the corners of her lips.
"I cannot leave him now," she said "I will see his story through."
"I will not let this disease take me before I have seen him achieve his dream, I will make sure that he will have everything he needs to succeed," she promised.
As the quiet of the night enveloped them, Alfia found solace in the rhythmic rise and fall of Bell's chest and his gentle breathing. Cradling him in her arms, she felt a profound sense of peace wash over her. Gently stroking his hair, she whispered words of love and protection into the darkness, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"I love you, Bell," she murmured as she drifted off to sleep protectively cradling her nephew.