Thoughts of Damien

The Goddess Verana held back a sigh as she tried to explain the situation one more time. She was currently with another 'client', a man from Earth who had valiantly saved a bus full of kids. As he was about to die, he had been spirited away (literally) to the heavens, and then assigned to her for relocation to one of her assigned worlds.

“I can't send you back to Earth, or you'll actually die,” the Goddess explained.

“But, I wanted to get promoted one day, and pop the question to my girlfriend, and...” he puttered off before he started sobbing.

“There, there,” she said. I get it's jarring to be suddenly ripped from your world, but try to think of the bright side. “Look, just think about what you would want to do, if you could do anything.”

The man seemed to think for a bit, then said, “I'd want a quiet life outside of the city, where I don't have to work. Maybe just spend my days fishing for food, and have a cute wife to tend the garden. And we'd have three kids...” he started going on.

Well, that sure was quick. She started going through her worlds, and found a quiet farm area in one. It was low magic, so he shouldn't get too out of element. She found a quiet farm town with several lonely women looking for a solid husband. “Here we go, I'll plop you down in a nice farm town that could use some help. You can choose from a few girls. Oh, and I'll de-age you a bit so you're closer to them,” she said, with the wave of her hand.

The man felt astonished as some of the creases came off him. “Really?”

“Yup! Now have a good time, but don't do anything that would upset me, okay? I don't wanna have to keep checking up on you,” she wagged her finger.

The man nodded vigorously.

Verana smiled, then snapped her fingers, and the man disappeared. After he was gone, she slouched in her chair. Ugh, this is grueling... she sighed. It had been a few millennia since she had ascended to the ranks of the Goddesses. It had been rewarding work at first, but eventually she grew tired of the monotony, and lately, she had been amusing herself with pet projects. Smiling to herself, she pulled up a promising one she had been working hard on with her viewing orb.

Damien and his party were currently fighting some chameleons on the island of Estora again. They had been working hard lately to raise their levels, and, to her excitement, Damien had been doing an excellent job curing the loneliness epidemic in the world. Well, obviously it was only a few woman, and not a lot by itself on the grand scheme of things, but the fact it was working proved it could be useful to implement on a larger scale. Damien just needed to get to level 12 and start using the unique magic she had cooked up for him, and she'd have a stronger argument. Hopefully the Head Goddess listens to me...

As if on cue, Verana felt the presence of the Head Goddess descend behind her. “Verana?”

Verana quickly hid her viewing bubble and stood up to turn around. “Head Goddess?”

Like all the Goddesses, she had stark white skin, although unlike Verana, who had more 'bubbly' features, the Head Goddess was tall and had sharp cheekbones, looking like a more mature beauty. And instead of the silvery robes Verana had, she had bright red adorned with gold. Verana also had blonde hair, contrasting to the jet-black hair of the Head Goddess. The image looked like a supervisor about to scold their underling, which was exactly the case.

“Verana, you're only completing your reincarnations at 73% of quota. Other Goddesses have had to pick up your slack,” she said.

Since they had had this conversation hundreds, maybe thousands of times (Verana lost count) she gave her usual reply. “Yes, but my worlds also have 47% lower conflict then the average. Plus, my clients have been happier and die early less often than the average.”

The Head Goddess grabbed her forehead and sighed. “We go through this every time. I appreciate that you're doing a good job on that end, but have you thought that maybe the other Goddesses would do better if they didn't have to pick up your slack?”

Verana was about to apologize like always, but felt a twinge of anger. “Why don't we have more Goddesses, then? This wouldn't be such an issue.”

The Head Goddess was taken aback at the new reply, but shook her head. “You know, since you went through it yourself, that it's no small feat to recruit women pure-hearted and excelling in the administrative decision-making needed to be a Goddess.”

“Maybe..., and I only say this as a suggestion with good intentions,” she added quickly to sound less confrontational, “maybe we should lower our standards a bit? Requiring them to be virgins is already a tall order, but maybe for some of the easier clients we could get some... slightly less qualified individuals? Not every case is incredibly hard to place.”

The Head Goddess paused for a moment, lips pursed and eyes closed. “I will...take into consideration your suggestion, if you would like to bring it up at our next meeting, but for the time being, I need you to increase the amount your getting through in a day. I don't want us to have to work overtime again.”

Verana winced a bit. It had been a century since the last time, and she still remembered the glares from the other Goddesses. “Understood.”

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The Head Goddess nodded, then faded away as she left.

Verana sighed, I guess I need to push forward my plan a bit, she said, checking in on Damien again. They seemed to be settling in for the night. She conjured a pen and paper in front of her and quickly started writing.

Diana sighed as she dumped a new bin of laundry into her washing pan. She was currently working one of her jobs, washing laundry at a nearby launderer. It was mostly used by the middle-class folks that didn't have servants to wash like the upper-class, but could afford to pay someone else to do it, unlike the lower-class. She grabbed and started scrubbing against the washboard, occasionally stopping for a moment to wipe the sweat off her brow.

Lately, the job had been a bit harder to focus on. She'd end up daydreaming about Damien coming to sweep her up off her feet. Of course, she knew that wouldn't happen. Or at least, she didn't think it would the way she envisioned it.

Her relationship with Damien was a bit confusing. They had sex, and Damien helped around the house a bit (both physically and financially) and even acted as a bit of a father figure for Dora. But, he also had multiple other women, and she often only saw him twice a week, maybe three if she was lucky.

I want to make sure he's serious about me, but I'm scared of coming on too strongly and losing him, she thought, absentmindedly stopping her scrubbing. I've got to be low on the priority list, right? I don't think he's just using me, but I'm not blind. He's got younger, prettier women...

“Diana, are you alright?” said the old lady scrubbing next to her.

Diana blushed and started scrubbing again. “Sorry ma'am.”

The old lady shook her head. “It's alright, I'm not gonna be mad if you need to rest a tad. You seem like you always got something on your mind nowadays, though.”

Diana blushed again.

“It's a guy, ain't it? What, you think he's cheating on ya like yur husband was?”

Diana shook her head. “It's not that...I just don't know if he's serious or not. I think he is, but I'm worried he'll lose interest in me.”

The old lady sighed, then leaned back a bit. “Well, you gotta make him serious, right?”

Diana raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you gotta do something to make sure he's serious about you.”

Diana thought for a moment, but shook her head. “I'm afraid he might get pushed away, though.”

“Well, you rather he get pushed away now, or in a year after you've wasted yur time?” the old lady laughed.

Diana gulped, “I see your point. What do you have in mind, then?”

“Well, tell 'im yur pregnant and see how he reacts.”

Diana blushed, “I can't do that!”

The old lady laughed harder, “Haha, why not? Always worked for me.”

Diana blinked then shook her head. “I wouldn't do that to him.”

“Well, think of something that forces a decision on him, and see how he reacts.”

Diana thought for a moment, then blushed after she had an idea. I guess I could try that.

Feya was walking through Ancona, carrying some dresses she had just purchased. She was wearing a t-shirt and shorts (similar to what she'd seen Bluey wear, as she had sound she liked it) and much of her tanned skin was exposed and spilling out of them, drawing the gaze of men (and some women). She didn't notice, though, as she hummed to herself.

She got back to her room at the inn, and laid them out, before changing into a white one that contrasted starkly with her skin. She gazed into the mirror (another expensive purchase she had made recently) and looked at herself. I look cute, right?

She turned around, but there was no Kevander to compliment her. No anyone. She deflated a bit, before falling onto the bed.

Betty said I don't need guys for 'validation', whatever that means, but I just want someone to say I'm pretty! She said if I still wanted to have sex with Damien after a few weeks, I could talk to him, but I don't wanna wait that long!

It had currently been a week and a couple days since her breakup with Kevander. While she had enjoyed being able to wear whatever, and do whatever she wanted, without having to worry about what he might say, she had started to grow lonely in her room by herself.

She said their going to Estora right now anyway. I want to go on missions with him, too! She thought for a moment, then had an idea. That's right, I'll just do that!

She got up and grabbed her guild card, and headed across the street to the Guild Hall. Looking around, she found the Guild Girl that Damien's party used, and got in line.

After a few minutes, she got to the front.

“Hello...I think I recognize you, aren't you with a different Guild Girl?” the Guild Girl asked.

Feya pouted, “No, I got kicked from my party, so I wanted to join a new one.”

The Guild Girl smiled. “Oh, well that's no problem then. I'm not taking new applicants right now, but if you are joining one of my existing parties, that should be fine. My name is Liz, by the way,” Liz explained, holding out her hand.

Feya smiled and nodded excitedly, grabbing Liz's hand in both of hers and shaking. “Thanks Liz, you're a lifesaver.”

Liz giggled. “Of course. Now, what party are you wanting to join?”

“Um, I don't know their party name, but it's the one Damien and Betty are in.”

Liz seemed a bit surprised. “Oh, okay. They're 'The Goddesses' Fated Chosen'. I don't see anyone from that party here, though.”

Feya squinted her eyes a bit at the name, but shook her head. “I know, they're on Estora right now, I think.”

Liz giggled, “Well, unfortunately, I can't just add you without their approval.”

Feya started pouting. “Aww, I wanted to join them though. It's no fun being by myself.”

Liz tapped her cheek for a moment, then nodded. “I understand. I'm not supposed to be taking new clients right now, but if it's just a one-member party it should be fine. If you get their approval, I'll merge you into their's later,” she said, sliding over a piece of paper.

Feya hugged Liz, who was surprised but then patted her back. Feya started scribbling quickly.

Once she was done, Liz processed the paper quickly. “Thank you.”

Feya ran out of the Guild Hall quickly. I have so much to do!

Carleen sliced through the leg of the wyrm as she dodged it. The wyrm started crying as blood spurted everywhere, and it tried and failed to keep moving, instead just sliding around and increasing it's blood loss. She then walked over and jabbed her sword into it's neck, finishing it off.

She looked around at the others in her party, which had finished off the others.

“You distracted by that guy again?” Baurus asked.

Carleen blushed, although Baurus couldn't see that since her helmet was on. “What are you even saying?”

“Well, you're slower at killing then normal.”

“Shut up and focus on your own,” Carleen said, walking past him.

Baurus just gave a 'hmpf' and shook his head.

It was true that Carleen had been thinking of Damien a lot lately, but she stayed focus while on the battlefield. It was instead at night, while lying in bed alone, that she thought of Damien. His arms holding her, his hands going to her breasts and nethers to carefully caress them, his-

She had to stop as she almost ran into a tree. She blushed harder and shook her head. Dammit Damien, once I'm back I'm going to keep you up all night!