Bell stared at the book before him upon his small desk. He and his party had arrived home after their little stop by The Hostess of Fertility and were welcomed back with warmth and congratulations from his other familia members. After thanking them and asking how their day was, Bell hurried to his room with his new book in hand.
Though he did stop briefly to stare at the main lounge area. Apparently, while Bell was out with his party, Hana and Chitoge decided on a potato puff eating competition. There was a brief argument between the two about which flavor of the starchy snack was the best and ultimately correlated with Hestia arriving home with extra potato puffs she was allowed to bring back. One thing led to another and the challenge was on.
It ended in a draw, with both participants laying flat on their backs, bellies sore and faces a mess with fried potato specks, as Bell had found them.
At the very least, they seemed to ultimately respect each other's favorite flavor in the end and tapped their wrists together in a sign of respect and solidarity.
Takeru, off to the side, commented about the whole thing.
"Friendship forged from spuds. Now I've truly seen everything."
Bell elected not to comment, choosing to continue his trek upstairs, giving a brief hello to Koukin and Arue, who both decided to avoid the brief chaos and read in the upstairs lounge.
Now here he was, a book before him and curiosity in his heart.
With little else to consider, he opened the book up and started to read.
At first he was confused, he started to follow along well enough, then suddenly the words started to jumble together.
He felt dizzy. Did something ask him what he'd do with magic?
He answered.
Everything went black.
Someone was shaking him.
Bell slowly opened his eyes, his head hurt. He was laying down on the table, the book off to his side. Someone shook him again and Bell raised his head from the table. Blinking blearily, trying to get himself coordinated.
"Bell," a voice called to his side. He turned to see the concerned crimson eye of Arue looking at him. Koukin was just behind her, looking just as concerned.
"Captain, are you alright?" Koukin asked.
"Yeah," replied Bell, "I'm a little dizzy, but I'll be fine in a moment," he could already feel his senses returning to normal and he demonstrated this by standing up. Arue and Koukin looked ready to catch him in case he fell but he felt fine for the moment.
"Guess I dozed off reading," Bell said with a nervous laugh.
Arue gave a huff and poked at his chest, her frown evident and her visibly eye glowing with undisguised worry and anger, " 'Dozed off reading'? Bell, Hestia practically shouted from downstairs for you several times by now for dinner. Myself and Miss Shuuyu have been calling our souls out and shaking you like mad to wake you," she closed her eye and took a calming breath, dousing the fires of her worries, "whatever you read must've been tediously boring for you to sleep through such noise."
Bell was surprised he slept so deeply. After a few trips into the dungeon, in his earlier days in the familia, Bell had been made into a light sleeper. Ready to act to any surprises waiting for him when he woke up.
Granted, Hestia seemed to be able to crawl into bed with him without stirring him. An impressive feat in and of itself.
"…Bell, what is that?"
Bell looked again at Arue and saw her looking at the book on his desk.
"Oh," he started, "That's the book I got from the pub. Someone left it behind and never returned. Str gave it to me."
Arue drew closer to the book and looked over the pages, eye opening wider as a result of the realization she came upon.
"Bell," she began, "This isn't a normal book."
Her captain blinked curiously and in puzzlement at her.
She elaborated, "This is in fact a grimoire, a tome with magic inscribed in it. Meant to be read so that magic may be passed down to another. They are very rare and powerful pieces of text to some people. With who knows what kind of magic instilled in them," she looked to Bell, an expression of sympathy on her features, "They can also sell very well, with prices for such texts numbering in the tens, if not hundreds, of millions."
Bell sat stock still at that information, his thoughts in flux at what he was told.
A book that granted magic.
A book that was worth millions.
A book he just read.
Arue looked over the pages once again before giving a great sigh.
"And this one is now useless. Congratulations are in order, captain. You are now in possession of whatever magic was in this book."
Bell possessed magic? He had magic now?
He had magic! He nearly jumped for joy before suddenly realizing the painful truth.
He had magic…at the expense of a book that was potentially worth hundreds of millions of valis.
Hundreds…
of millions…
of…valis.
Bell passed out again, this time of shock. His two familia members stared at their captain with blank expression. They had expected a dramatic reaction and this was one in the realm of certainty if they knew him well by now.
They looked at each other then, thinking the same thing.
"I guess we'll have to tell the others what happened," said Koukin, in a tone that said she wouldn't enjoy the explanation to give.
Arue, the cheeky red-eyed mage, gave her a smile and pointed at her dramatically, before replying, "A duty I feel falls right upon your stern shoulders my dear vice-captain. What other person could there be?!"
Koukin looked at Arue for a moment, taking in her dramatic posturing. She then looked down to Bell, her captain.
Koukin sighed. Her new position as vice-captain is already starting to weigh on her.
She made a mental note to plan something for Arue later.
Good reasoning or not, she'd be damned before she let anyone shovel the entire responsibility on her like that.
Bell woke up some time later, on one of the lounge couches downstairs.
When he awoke, he was told his status was checked by Hestia to see if anything came about from reading the grimoire. To his, but to no one's surprise, he was now in possession of magic.
Firebolt: Swift-Strike, chantless
When Bell read the description, he was already anxious to head back into the dungeon again to test his new spell out, but a stern talking to by Hestia put a stop to those plans, telling him that one trip was enough for the day, it was further backed by the others chiming in in support of the short Goddess's decision.
Hestia also emphasized that Bell should keep the fact of him finding such a valuable lost book to himself, especially since he felt inclined to give it back to the pub so it could be returned to its proper owner.
He was met by a resounding unanimous "No" by his entire familia and the matter died at that.
Some time passed and Bell had a good night's sleep following the end of the day. Eventually though, his excitement superseded his need for more rest.
He woke up and at a glance outside, he saw the sun hadn't even peeked over the horizon yet. It was still very early in the morning.
Perhaps he should wait a bit more for everyone else to wake up and they could venture down together to see his new magic.
But Bell was anxious and he honestly couldn't wait any longer. Besides, it's not like he'd be gone for long.
Yeah, he'd go in the dungeon early, test out his new magic, and be back before everyone wakes up.
A solid plan!
…well the best one he could think of.
Bell got up from his bed, donned his armor, equipped his knife, and made his way out of his home.
He moved as silently as possible, to avoid waking his familia members up so early and ruin his plans. Pausing only briefly at Chitoge's door, hearing her loud but cute snores.
He finally made it downstairs and successively at the front door of his home. Smiling broadly at his victory. He opened the door and left with nary a sound behind him, closing the door just as quietly.
With it shut, Bell turned and proceeded to make his way to the dungeon.
"Took you much longer than I thought it would, captain. I expected better after all I've taught you so far."
A voice off to Bell's side made him jump and yelp abruptly, causing him to cover his mouth and look at his home with sudden worry, afraid he woke everyone up.
When no sign of the others' awakening came, Bell relaxed and turned to look at the speaker who surprised him.
It was Takeru, in her usual vestments, staring at him with her arms crossed, a smile on her face.
Bell had no words to say. What could he say? He'd been caught red handed.
Takeru walked towards him, "Honestly," she began, "you're like a child with a great birthday gift who wants to open and play with it immediately. What are we gonna do with you?"
Bell had no reply, but found himself scratching the back of his head and laughing embarrassingly at her apt descriptor. She'd been right, he was absolutely excited to test his new magic out.
Takeru stopped next to him, her expression mirthful, "Luckily for you, our vice-captain saw this coming and had two of us wait out here early enough to help you in testing your new magic."
Bell wasn't really surprised that Koukin saw through him like that, it made sense and it wasn't like he disguised his intentions. Though that did leave one question.
"Who else is coming?" Bell asked.
He felt a soft sensation press and nearly cover the back of his head, and a pair of arms wrap around him, followed by a familiar giggle.
"Arue!" Bell exclaimed.
"Of course captain," the Crimson Demon mage replied, a smile in her words, "what better person to accompany you in testing your magic than your sole mage in the familia."
He couldn't argue that, but that may be because he was flushed like crazy from the sensation he was feeling right now.
Takeru clapped her hands bringing the attention to her, "Well let's be off. I admit to being curious at what magic Bell possesses. We best make haste to the dungeon, earlier the better."
With that said, she went forth along the path. Bell and Arue tailing behind her.
"Wait Arue! You don't have to hold onto me! Gyaa! You're squeezing tighter! Your chest! Your chest!"
It was already starting off to be a pretty active day.
"Firebolt!"
Bell's shout rang through the floor and a blinding bolt of fire shot from his hand. Impacting a dungeon lizard crawling on the wall. It burst to pieces upon impact, leaving only a blackened singed mark where it once was and a small magic stone falling to the ground.
Bell whooped for joy at the sensation. He was using magic, real magic! Just like in the stories he read when he was little. He felt like he could jump for joy and reach the surface with how excited he was.
Takeru and Arue watched him from behind, smiles on their faces. They were glad their captain was happy with his new magic and that he was showing good promise in using it.
Arue was especially pleased with Bell and his new magic for a very good reason. Now that he had magic, maybe it was a good opportunity to teach him what she knows about the spell arts. She knew that he only had the one offense spell, Firebolt, but in her past life as a Crimson Demon mage, she was taught the importance of creativity with magic. Not to mention the most important thing when using magic.
That you look cool doing it!
Arue smiled to herself all the more at the thought. A few lessons with her and Bell could be made into a suitable Crimson Demon. He already had the eyes for it. Granted his were more ruby then crimson but still.
Takeru had more…practical thoughts in regards to Bell's magic. In her eyes, this was a new opportunity to test different combat tactics and attack patterns.
Since agreeing to aid Bell and the others' training, Takeru has devoted herself in doing so. They had a genuine desire to be stronger for themselves and the familia, and Takeru could respect that earnestness.
Briefly she thought back to her old world and former life, recalling those who had similar wishes like Bell did. Not just in getting stronger, but in making their mark on the world.
She recalled a young woman. A little immature at times and had a tendency of biting off more than she could chew on occasion, but was set in her goals and went to great lengths to achieve them. With herself by her side, until someone more suitable came and took the reins.
Takeru smiled at the brief memory before turning her attention to Bell, seeing him cast another blast of magic that took a pair of kobolds by surprise.
'You and her are quite alike,' she thought , 'though I doubt conquest is on your mind, 'hero',' she nearly laughed aloud, remembering something , 'and you have better penmanship than she did.'
After a time had passed, they all arrived at the fourth floor, where they saw a big pack of goblins a distance away from them.
Bell was quick to act and stepped forward with his arm raised.
"Firebolt!" he shouted, launching the burning projectile from his hand at great speed.
Again and again he casted that spell, until there was nothing left of the goblins but ash and soot.
Bell raised his hands in victory, before suddenly falling back and landing on the ground with a loud *thud*.
Arue and Takeru rushed to his side, concern overshadowing any other thoughts they had at that moment.
"Bell!" exclaimed Arue, who knelt by his side looking him over for any sign of injury.
Takeru was beside her a moment later, "Is he alright?" she asked, "he didn't get injured, did he?"
Arue looked over her captain for a moment, before giving a sigh of relief, "No he's not injured," she looked to Takeru, giving her a rye smile, "he's just repeating a mistake he made when I first met him."
Bell was suffering from mind-down, again. Arue surmised he must have been throwing more magic around than he was used to. Which, in hindsight, they should've monitored his spell casting more carefully.
Takeru gave a sigh at Arue's words, "That's a relief," she said, "though honestly, how careless could he be? Casting magic about like that. He should have felt some kind of fatigue prior to this."
Arue shrugged, "You saw how enthusiastic he was. Can't really be surprised that he exhausted himself as such."
Takeru had no reply and could only sigh before looking down at Bell, seeing his tired state and sporting a smile on his face.
Takeru shook her head, her captain was once more showing his reckless side. She'd have to add restraint lessons next time they trained together.
She looked back to Arue, a question her tongue, "So what do we do now?"
Arue sighed and rummaged at her side before pulling a wooden wand out, "I'm afraid we have to wait until the effects wear off," she said, "I didn't bring any mind-potions and unless you have some, we'll have to wait until he recovers naturally."
Takeru didn't have any mind-potions. She'd brought health and stamina, but not mind, supposing that Bell wouldn't honestly be this reckless.
You live and learn.
They were broken out of further discussion by the sound of monsters approaching. Looking down the path to see a pack of goblins making their way towards them with red eyes and glistening fangs.
The two weren't worried in the least, having dispatched rabble like this with relative ease.
But before either of them could act, there was a brief gust of wind, a flash of silver across the goblins' bodies, and the next moment they fell down in pieces.
A figure stood amidst where the goblins once stood. She was famous throughout Orario and Takeru and Arue both had heard of her.
'The Sword Princess', Ais Wallenstein was before them.
"Ais," a voice said from behind the blonde swordswoman, "what on earth made you charge in like that?"
Who emerged from behind her was an elf with emerald green hair with a stern air about her. She glanced ahead of her and saw Takeru and Arue over a still comatosed Bell.
"Oh, greetings," the elf said with a pilot tone, "sorry if we surprised you. We were just on our way back to the surface when this one," she gestured at Ais with her staff, "suddenly sprang into action all of the sudden."
The Sword Princess actually looked sheepish as the elf finished.
Takeru relaxed when hostilities were nowhere to be seen, "It is no problem," she said, "we are glad for the assistance."
The elf looked them over once, taking in their demeanor and form, "you're welcome, but I have a feeling that the help wasn't necessary, was it?"
Her eyes at a glance could already tell that Takeru and Arue were formidable enough to handle a lackluster group of goblins on their own.
Her gaze eventually reached Bell, who still laid flat on the ground unconscious.
She approached, along with Ais, to see who they were hovering over. When they got close, they elf heard Ais take a sharp breath. It was soft, but the elf knew a reaction like that from her was significant.
"Ais?," the elf asked, "Do you recognize this young man?"
She nodded, recognizing his face immediately, "Yes…he was the one I saved Riveria…during the minotaur incident."
Takeru and Arue stared at Ais for a moment before looking at each other. They were told by Hestia about the unfortunate event that transpired for their captain not long ago. How he was unfortunate enough to be in the path of a monster that outclassed him in the extreme.
And how he was saved by the timely intervention of The Sword Princess and obtained the 'Drop of Eros' that very day.
Their captain certainly had an exciting day back then.
"I see," the elf, Riveria, said in understanding, "So he was the one that nearly paid the price for our error," she looked down at Bell again, taking in his condition.
She looked back up at his two familia members, "Mind down?" she asked, "He can use magic?"
Arue saw no reason to lie, especially to an experienced mage who probably knew the effects on sight alone.
"As of today, yes," she replied, "He just received new magic from his last update and was eager to try it out."
Reveria pinched the bridge of her nose softly, "And he went overboard and threw more magic about then he could handle," she had seen this numerous times during her time in the Loki familia. Countless mages eager to practice a new spell. Lucky vanguard fighters with sudden magic at their hands. Most of such people learned the hard way that magic wasn't necessarily a gift, rather an extra condition any adventurer should be cautious when using.
"I take it neither of you have mind-potions?" she received a shake of the head from both women.
"At the very least," Riveria continued, "you both seem capable of guarding him. His condition shouldn't last long in any case," she gestured for herself and Ais to go but was interrupted.
"Reveria," Ais suddenly spoke, looking suddenly nervous, "I want…I want to compensate him somehow."
Arue and Takeru were taken aback by this. Where the hell did this sudden boldness come from and from such a quiet soul at that?
Arue shock was replaced quickly by amusement, realizing the girl probably didn't mean anything close to 'that' but was definitely good teasing material in the future.
She couldn't wait to tell Bell about this.
Reveria gave a sigh at Ais's words, "There are much better ways of saying that," she looked down at Bell again, a thoughtful look on her face.
She had an idea, but first.
"Would you two be okay if Ais watched after your friend for the time being, at least until he regains consciousness and she could apologize properly?" Reveria asked, "It would mean a lot to her."
Takeru and Arue looked at one another. They didn't really feel comfortable with leaving Bell with people they didn't know well. More so in Takeru's case than Arue's, who was cordially familiar with Ais since meeting her at the Amazon shop.
Arue gave Takeru a nod, "I've only met Miss Wallenstein for a short time," she explained, "she doesn't strike me as one who would do anything untoward or malicious."
Takeru was still a bit skeptical and looked at Ais again, who was looking at Bell with concern in her eyes and… nervousness in her feet, judging how she was subtly squirming.
Takeru was willing to let it be for now. She realized that this would be good for both Ais and Bell. Ais would get some closure and comfort in apologizing and Bell would be able to talk to his idol face to face.
All in all a win win for both parties.
Takeru relented and let the Loki familia members proceed with whatever plan they had in mind.
Both Arue and Takeru were surprised what the plan was and as they walked alongside Reveria up to the exit, Arue couldn't help herself and had to ask
"A lap pillow?" she asked curiously, "A lap pillow is the plan for compensation?"
The emerald haired elf gave Arue a sidelong look and explained, "Ais has…little experience with others outside our familia. She seemed determined to meet that boy again, however. Now that she has an opportunity, a little gesture like this could go a long way for her," she gave a small smile, "not to mention. Anyone else would kill to be in that young man's place right now. I can't think of a better way to apologize than that."
Arue and Takeru shared a look, each with their own thoughts on that.
Takeru would say that a simple apology is the best, face to face with no distractions present to get in the way. Old fashioned but effective.
Arue thought that a more appropriate apology would be something out of her more 'steamy' books she had written in her past life, but knew that such a thing would be difficult to say the least for both parties involved.
She wisely chose not to voice these thoughts out loud, less the level six traveling beside them take umbrage with her idea.
"By the way," Reveria started, "you said you've met Ais before?" she asked Arue.
The red eyed mage nodded with a polite smile, "Yes," she said, "it was some time ago but it was at an amazon clothing store we were shopping at. Myself and the rest of our familia just so happened to run into her and her friends that day," she gave a shrug, "though I confess it was a brief meeting and I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't remember me," she looked at Takeru, "or both of us for that matter."
Takeru only nodded her agreement. She had never really introduced herself to the Loki familia that day, choosing to stay at the back of the store and observe how things went.
Reveria only nodded, accepting the answer. It lined up with what the girls told her that day.
Granted there was one other thing.
"So you two wouldn't happen to know who made Tiona dejected and Tione self-conscious all the sudden that day? They told me they met their 'superior' that day and came home rather dejected," Reveria said.
Arue smiled in amusement and explained the event that happened that day in the store. Reveria could only sigh and rub the bridge of her nose at hearing the reactions of her familia members that day.
Arue, Takeru, and Reveria left the dungeon and after some polite words, both went their separate ways.
The two Hestia members turned in the stones they gathered in the dungeon, that Bell provided with his new magic spell, and left the guild hall to head on home.
Once there, they informed Koukin about Bell's absence and assured her of who he was with.
Their vice-captain hummed in thought for a moment before saying, "This is actually a good thing in total. Bell will have a chance to talk to his idol, this 'Ais' will apologize for whatever she felt responsible for, and we gain a better footing with a superior familia. All in all this is actually good news."
Arue and Takeru agreed, as well as the other familia members who were just starting their day.
At first they were all concerned about their captain leaving so early, especially Hestia. Koukin took it upon herself to tell them she saw this coming and already worked out a plan. After explaining it, the rest seemed more mollified, though Hestia still grumbled her displeasure about it. She didn't have long to complain however when she realized she was going to be late for work and ran off to her job.
This was already the start to an unconventional day and hopefully it wouldn't stay that way for long.
Kallen, Ibuki, Elbia, Hana, and Chitoge were getting ready for their trip into the dungeon. Deciding to garner their own gains and experience for the familia. Not to mention Hana and Chitoge both felt like they needed to burn some energy off after their impromptu eating contest yesterday.
Koukin herself had a meeting with an amazon shopkeeper to discuss royalties for utilizing her clothing for a new clothing line. That letter she received from Hermes familia was very detailed in the potential revenue but Koukin was one for direct discussion and negotiation. After which, she herself would head to the dungeon to hone her own skills and gather earnings.
Arue herself was taking it easy after her early trip to the dungeon, along with Takeru. Both hadn't really earned much but it was still a healthy amount to be sure.
Besides, Arue had received a letter as well. Telling her about a potential publication date for a short book she submitted. They were still going through the hoops of publishing but felt confident they could have it printed and published within the month.
Koukin admits to being curious about what story she submitted but Arue told her to look forward to her work, and she quotes, "When the sun shines upon the dark ink where I lay my muse upon, only then will you gaze at the glory of my work."
She let her curiosity die after that theatrical explanation.
Soon enough, just as many were about to leave, a commotion was heard at the door of their familia home.
The door opened and slammed with a start, followed by a deep sigh from a familiar figure.
Everyone turned to see their captain, back against the door and slumped against it. He was breathing deeply, as if he was coming back from a long and tireless run.
"Ah, Bell," began Arue, "glad to see you've made it back alright. I trust your little rest in the dungeon was an enjoyable one?" she finished with a teasing smile.
Her captain, burned red in the face, could hardly form words with his panting breath and flushed demeanor.
Kallen decided to get him some water, while Ibuki went over and tried to calm him down.
"Wow Bell," the ninja said, "Must've been a crazy time in the dungeon, huh?"
The small talk helped and Bell had the focus to nod. Kallen came back with a glass of water and offered it to her captain, who took it gratefully and proceeded to gulp it all in one go. Drawing a worried sound from Kallen.
"Woah woah, Bell," she began, "Be careful. Don't want ya to choke to death when you just got back," she rubbed his back as well, soothing any coughs or hiccups he could potentially get.
Koukin walked up to him, concern on her features like the others but a question on her mind, "Bell," she said, "I trust your surprise meeting in the dungeon went well?"
Bell only looked at her with a confused expression, before remembering his 'meeting' and making him flounder for the right words.
When nothing telling was coming from her captain, Koukin cut to the chase, "Come now, Bell. Arue and Koukin told me of their run-in with the Loki familia and The Sword Princess. Did she apologize like she said? Did you thank her for watching out for you?"
Bell finally calmed down enough and ceased jabbering but now seemed more quiet and embarrassed.
Koukin didn't like that. Bell had a poor poker face and couldn't tell a lie to save his life. Now he seemed to be hiding something.
That wouldn't do. He had the chance to talk with his idol and a formidable member of the Loki familia. Such an opportunity surely wasn't wasted.
Right?
"Bell," Koukin began again, more gently, "Please tell me. How did the talk with Miss Wallenstein go?"
Bell didn't look her in the face and seemed to try to say the right words but failed.
Koukin frowned, "Surely the talk didn't go that poorly? She volunteered to watch over you, so there were no real problems I assume."
Bell, at that, gave her a nod but still wouldn't meet her gaze. Which told her something else happened.
Something that Bell was embarrassed about.
She could understand being sheepish about talking to your idol. She'd been there herself once upon another world. So it shouldn't be a surprise that Bell may have been shy when talking to her, but surely they talked about something?
"Bell. Did you talk to Miss Wallenstein when you woke up?" Koukin asked.
Bell looked at her and gave her a shy smile before replying, "Ummm, not really," he scratched the back of his head. A nervous gesture.
Koukin frowned and arched an elegant eyebrow, "Then what happened when you woke up in her lap?"
Bell blushed at the memory again and seemed to sink into himself at recalling what he did.
"Bell," Koukin said in a measured tone, "what did you do when you woke up?"
Bell froze at Koukin's tone but still gave no answer. Surely Bell didn't do something exceedingly foolish. Koukin knew he was a shy boy and being near his idol may have made him nervous, extremely so, but surely Bell had enough presence of mind not to do something too bad?
Koukin ran that question in her head again and suddenly felt a creep of apprehension enter her.
Again she asked, "Bell, what did you do?"
"…-an." he whispered.
"Hmmm?"
"I…woke up…saw Miss Ais and," he swallowed, "I ran away."
The whole house was quiet at Bell's words. Ibuki and Kallen by his side had wide eyes at what Bell said.
He woke up, saw Ais, and ran away.
Definitely not the best first impression to make on someone, least of all if they're your idol.
Bell was clearly embarrassed, now only realizing how foolish he acted. He also felt a good deal of guilt. Ais willingly stayed behind and watched after him while he recovered from mind-down and was seemingly about to tell him something too. Until Bell's nerves won the day and he ran away from her in a fit of panic and nervousness, not helped by the fact he may have called her 'mom' in his delirious state when he woke up and that just made things worse.
Koukin was rubbing the bridge of her nose in apparent frustration. There goes any future plans with a positive relationship with a top familia. They weren't destroyed or finished by any means, but seriously delayed for now.
She looked at her captain, her leader, her protege of such things. He definitely needed to work on his nervousness and Koukin was tempted to bring a lesson to bear right now.
She gave a sigh, letting the matter go for now. Scolding Bell wouldn't do any good now in any case. He'd clearly been thinking about what he did and how foolish he acted overall. Good, maybe some self reflection would be good for him.
"Well," Koukin sighed, "nothing to do about it now. Just know that I heard from Arue and Takeru that Miss Wallenstein genuinely wanted to talk with you in any case. Most likely to apologize for her actions."
Bell looked down, shame filling his being.
"So you'll just have to wait until the next time you meet and maybe not run away in a nervous panic," Koukin said. Her tone somehow both encouraging and admonishing.
Her talk with Bell done, she and the others again prepared to leave again. Everyone said their goodbyes and wished their day well. Ibuki gave her captain a quick hug and told him that next time will be better, which he appreciated with a small blush. Kallen gave him a rather hard pat on the back with words of encouragement of her own. Hana and Elbia stated they would help Bell when they come back. Which he was thankful for but curious. Chitoge also had some words of comfort as well and a punch in the arm as her action of encouragement.
When they were all gone, it was only Bell, Arue, and Takeru left. Bell just collapsed on the nearest sofa and gave a deep sigh, exhausted with how this day went.
Arue sat nearby, a book in her hands, idly reading. She wasn't going to tease her captain for his behavior, tempting as it was. She knew that there was a time and a place for everything and right now Bell could do without a verbal teasing.
Takeru soon announced she was going to visit a tea house she was interested in and soon departed, but not without extending an offer for them to join.
Bell politely declined, still exhausted from what happened today. Arue likewise declined, content to read at home.
Takeru accepted their refusal with grace and left shortly after.
A moment passed and Bell was still looking down on himself for his actions.
How could he run away like that? After Ais went out of her way to watch over him when he was unconscious! She did that out of the goodness in her heart! And how did he repay her?! By screaming and running away like a crazy person.
Bell sighed loudly and placed his head in his hands, his embarrassment palpable.
Arue had enough of that. Time to cheer him up.
"Captain," she suddenly said, looking up from her book, "could you come over here for a moment?" she patted the spot next to her on the couch, her book placed to the side.
Bell looked at her curiously, but found himself compelled to do so by the kind smile on her face. He didn't really have a reason to refuse, other than his own skittish nature acting up again. Which he decided now was probably best he not let it take over his reasoning again.
Sure enough, Bell moved and sat next to Arue, his expression holding an unanswered question.
Arue saw it and giggled, "Oh don't worry captain," she said, "I only wish to offer you something to help calm you down."
Bell was curious, "Oh?" he asked curiously, "what's that?"
Arue gave another smile, her crimson eye gleaming with mischief. She patted her lap then and gestured to Bell.
"I would like to offer you a lap pillow, my captain," she said with a smile, "in light of recent events, I feel this time, you should be awake to better experience it yourself."
Bell was close to bursting out in embarrassment and red again. Where did this come from? Was this Arue teasing him again?
She must've guessed what he thought and her expression turned a bit more serious, though she kept the smile on her face, "I'm being genuine, captain," she said, "please, let me help you relax and calm down. I promise no mischief or mayhem, no sly jokes or innuendos, and no inappropriate touching," she patted her lap again, "please, you seem well and truly stressed and I would like to help you, however I can."
Bell admits he was touched by Arue's words. She seemed genuinely worried for him and she was right. Bell was stressing himself out more than he really should over what happened today.
Another part of him was curious. He could vaguely recall how Ais's legs felt under his head. He briefly wondered how Arue's would feel.
With little objection, Bell accepted the invitation. Arue simply patted her lap again and gestured. Soon, he laid his head down, slowly, when his head finally made contact, Bell felt the gentle softness relax him, making him close his eyes.
"There," he heard Arue said from above him, "isn't that a lot better?" he could hear the smile in her words.
Bell gave her a hum of affirmation and relaxed further, feeling the warmth of her lap, a comforting sensation.
Soon his thoughts of his blunder today grew smaller and smaller as he relaxed further and further. Eventually he found himself less burdened by embarrassment and fully embraced in a new sensation.
That of sleep.
Arue knew her captain was asleep now and inwardly congratulated herself for her success at relaxing him.
She looked down at her captain taking in his features, now relaxed and serene. She smiled, one moment he was close to dying of embarrassment and shame, the next, he was laying peacefully upon her lap.
"Such a troublesome captain," she whispered to herself. She brought her hand up and softly stroked Bell's hair. This drew the reaction of Bell somehow becoming more at peace in her lap and relaxing further. She smiled further, "but worth the trouble," she kept stroking his head, "if just to see you like this."
Some time passed and Arue found herself drifting off. She didn't know when it happened, just that she was further enjoying Bell in her lap when she felt something poke on her shoulder. This stirred her into awakening and had her meet the flat gaze of her unamused Goddess, Hestia.
She was looking at Arue with a neutral expression, giving nothing away about how she felt about Bell's and hers' current situation.
She merely kept her gaze leveled and focused and Arue could tell what that look was trying to convey.
"What are you two doing?" the look seemed to say.
Arue knew she had to give an answer, her captain was still asleep and content on her lap, so he was unavailable for answering.
She knew she had to give a believable answer, less she face the wrath of the shortstack Goddess of the hearth.
But then again…
"Ah Hestia. I'm glad you came back! We were about to move on to the next phase," she bounced her substantial chest up in emphasis, "of moving from a lap pillow to a chest pillow."
Where was the fun in that?
Bell woke to the sound and struggles of Hestia and Arue pulling at each other's cheeks.
He would have liked to escape the situation developing right in front of him, only there was a slight problem.
'They're both so close…and bouncy!!!' he screamed inside his mind.
Bell was stuck in Arue's soft lap, with her large chest very close to his face along with the sizable chest of his Goddess very close as well. Both made even closer by their current struggling with one another.
Bell was truly trapped in a 'soft prison', and all he could do was watch the show from his laying position.
This was not how he thought the day would go.