"I don't see what the problem is? He's too cute for that." Violet is never really bothered about anything, in fact, I would have gone as far as saying she didn't care about anything. Except for some reason, the purple-haired Dragon has grown awfully attached to the bear cub she brought back from our trip to the forest yesterday.

"Me said it's mindless. That means it will attack without thinking. You don't want it hurting or scaring people do you?" I try to reason with her. It hasn't worked so far though and it's still not working now as she squeezes the poor soul tighter. It's easy to forget the triplets are Dragons, all things considered, but Violet has brought the little cub everywhere we've been so far today. Including two trips to Ali's.

"He can't hurt anyone if I'm holding him and he definitely can't scare anyone if I'm around. Because of your power, people love us and are happy every time we see them." Violet counters me with the The System's stupid flavour text and unfaltering logic. Damn.

"Blondie? Amber? Don't you have an opinion on your sister's pet bear?" I seeked help in the only place possible, but neither of them offer anything helpful.

"I don't mind at all, Abi."

"I think it's nearly dinner time, Master."

I've probably sighed more than two dozen times already today as I one more to the pile. Giving in, I accept Violet's argument and hope against hope that she manages to keep her pet under control as we see Veris strolling towards us.

It feels like it's been a while since I last saw Veris. I think the last time was when I made the pleasure Palace into an actual building. She must have been busy since then enjoying herself as I haven't seen Peaches or the Sweets in some time either.

Ah, the responsibilities of a leader. Life's hard when you have to follow up on the people you delegated tasks to, you know? Plus there's the whole Land Acquisition to Tune, then Ishda to get on with now that I'm back on track.

I hope I'm back on track. I should really make a list for all my accumulating shit. Better yet, I should ask Sacha to do it. That would be ideal. Once I'm finished, I'll get Sacha to make me a proper list for things I need to do, and then follow up on that when I can.

"Hey, Boss. Cool bear, kid. Can I stroke him?" Veris starts ruffling the cub's fur before the Dragon can say yes. "Does he want an outfit? I've got lots of little ones that are sure to fit a cutie like him. Oh, like this." Veris pulls out a few small leather straps from her back pocket before I step in, ending that conversation before it can go any further. I already feel like Amber's little soul has been corrupted by Light and Sophie. I don't need Violet tainted by Veris.

"What's up, Veris. It's rare to see you strolling the streets. In clothes no less," I remark feigning shock. Although my surprise is quite real, I was just acting for dramatic effect.

Veris is wearing a black one-piece bodysuit, made from skin-tight leather. I can't even complain to be fair because the last time I saw her she was covered in straps like the ones she was trying to palm off on Violet.

"Nothing, actually. I was just on my way to Lucinda's to pick up my package. Do you want to know what it is?" She asks the triplets in a teasing tone.

"Meh."

"No thanks, Veris."

"Is it food?"

Getting no takers apart from a hungry Dragon, the Boss of my dungeon faces my way next. "What about you, Boss?" She winks, trying to be as mysterious as possible.

Normally my curiosity would outmatch my sanity and I would end up being on the receiving end of a ridiculous answer that I would have been better of not knowing. I must be learning because I quickly shake my head and disappear with the triplets before she can say another word. There are some things that are better left unknown. Like the activities of Veris and her associates.

"Master." I hear my name being called amidst whispers as I realise I wasn't thinking about a destination when I ported. Normally, I end up back in my tower without having to think about it. This time though, I think I've really put my foot in it.

Turning around, because we arrived facing a wall for some reason, I found a rather large crowd seated and staring directly at me and the triplets. Mouths hang agape, and some of the people burst out crying. I'm also pretty sure this is the dungeon church. It's kind of evident by the faces of Ang and Zen, the first Acolytes I summoned, gawping at me from the front row of people. If that wasn't enough, Cardinal Carn is stood to my left and is eyeing me up reverently. I don't miss his lips curling up into a smile as he throws himself to the floor and began prostrating before me.

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I'm pretty sure that I've already been seen teleporting around town by now. I mean, I do try to keep myself from being noticed, but every time I'm trying to avoid something, or someone, I generally teleport away without putting too much thought into it. So, when the Cardinal's flock saw the voice of God drop to his knees and begin worshiping me, I wasn't particularly surprised to see them follow suit.

No. I had known the Cardinal was preaching dungeon love and acceptance at his masses. I'd heard about it from Me, who had told me that Carn's sermons were quite intriguing and that some people were actually swayed by his words. I didn't actually expect people to buy into it, not with how dungeons are generally viewed by the regular populations, and have a need to be regulated.

I was actually impressed with what he was trying to do. Foolhardy as it may be, Cardinal Carn was trying to get the people of Varona to accept me and my dungeon for more than we were. I was definitely going to reward him for his hard work. Even though he hadn't managed to make much progress, I was still proud and pleased with his efforts.

Sis could learn a thing or two from him.

What does surprise me though, as I stand on the podium and watch person after person drop to the ground and began offering me their prayers, is the fact that I'm able to hear them. If that wasn't mind-blowing enough, the fact that every single one ended in Lady Abi, almost made my head explode.

I must be red. Blushing so hard that Noir's hair has nothing on me. How the hell do they know my name? I give Cardinal Carn the death stare and even though he's looking at my feet, I'm sure he felt it.

I'm frozen. Stuck to the spot having so many people notice me at once. I can't even explain the feeling if I try. It's like euphoria, but riddled with a crippling embarrassment from being called a Lady by so many people. I'm sure as hell am not a Lady. I'm pretty sure that's an established fact by now.

So why is it that I can't do the norn and port away in true Abi fashion? Do I like it? Even though it makes me feel slightly... Off? Not me-like? I'd like to be a Lady, but it's not likely that will ever happen. Abi the Lady would say something vulgar, or inappropriate at the wrong time and be cast out of high society at the first ball she ever attended. Doomed to be an outcast because she doesn't quite know how to fit in.

I'm pulled from my thoughts by Blondie, tugging away on my dress once again. Abi the Lady, I laugh, giving Blondie my attention and distracting myself from our latest escapade. "What's up, Blondie?"

"Um... T-There are lots of people here, Abi." This is the first time I've seen the blonde Dragon show any signs of fear. She even brushed Veris off better than I do. Maybe it's the size of the crowd that's got her spooked. Amber appears to be daydreaming, probably about what she's going to have for dinner later, whereas Violet is more interested in her Bear cub than the events playing out around us. Neither seem to be bothered by the large number of people worshiping us like we're Gods.

What would a God do in this situation? They'd help Blondie feel better, right? Not likely. Gods are fucking useless. They don't show it up when it counts and when they do, it's to punish you for trivial reasons. If the Lazy God is anything to go off of, then the rest of the Gods are all probably self-serving assholes too. Fuck it. I'll help Blondie my way.

I kneel down and come face to face with the nervous Dragon, patting her head. Reassuring her that everything will be fine and that the people gathered are all here for us, I turn around and step forward.

Probably going to make a gigantic ass of myself here, but as long as it makes Blondie feel better it will be worth it.

"Hello, citizens of Varona. It's er... Nice to see you?" Talking to people who are facing the ground is more awkward than you would think. For starters, you don't even know if they're listening, and worse than that, it's just plain weird. I can also see that my weak start has done nothing to alleviate Blondie's stage fright.

"Everyone stand up. Carn, get up off the floor. You look like an old man, you shouldn't be down there," I whisper the last part, but he only smiles at me. The people begin standing up, looking directly at me and the triplets. Cardinal Carn doesn't say anything and waits for me to continue. I was really hoping that was all I had to say and we could be done, but no joys.

"As you all apparently know," I eye the Cardinal again. This time he clearly sees me, but shows no remorse. Sneaky bugger. "I'm Abi. Not Lady Abi, but just plain, old Abi. No need for titles. It's lovely to meet you like this. It was a bit unexpected, I know, but I hope we can all get along. These are the triplets," I wave my arm in the direction of the girls behind me from left to right, "We got Amber, who loves food, Blondie, who's secretly everyone's best friend and Violet the bear hugger on the end. Unfortunately we can't stay long and have..." I'm interrupted by tugging at my dress once again. This time however, instead of a nervous Blondie, it's a serious Amber.

Funnily enough, I know why she's so serious.

I spotted it a moment ago and no doubt did the redhead Dragon as the drool is practically dribbling down her chin. At the back of the room is a row of tables lined with silver domes. Each one of them contains food underneath. Food that was supposed to be ready for when the Cardinal's sermon was meant to end. We threw that off-track by accident, but it smells good from here, and if I port us away now, Amber will never let me hear the end of it. Hence why she's tugging on my dress hard enough that I have to hold on to it to keep my modesty.

"I see it, Amber. Yes. We'll stay," I snap as the redhead runs off smiling before I can say stop. "I guess we're not that busy after all. We can stay for a while and chat while we eat," I tell the congregation as I hear Amber shouting "Food time!" from the other side of the room. I take Blondie's hand and reassure her again.

"You can stay with me, OK? Amber and Violet should be fine on their own." Leading her into the crowd of people, we start mingling to boost Blondie's confidence.

Not to mention my own.