"Here's your potato puff, salted and peppered, enjoy!"
"T-thanks, Miss!"
Rinko watched the young boy run back to his parents, snack in hand and blush across his face. She smiled all the more when he looked back at her and hid behind his mother's legs, his parents watching on bemused.
Rinko smiled and returned a wave they gave her as they departed. She looked around the modest stall and smiled all the more at what she saw.
"Here you go, you little rascals! Three potato puffs, with sweet cream and extra red beans!" Hestia said, holding out said snacks to a trio of children.
"Thanks, Lady Hestia!" they said, running off with joy and snack in hand.
Hestia gave a sigh and smiled and watched them go, "Those three come by the stall so often," she said, "I get asked by their parents to say no when they order too much. They've been spoiling their dinner a bit too often."
Rinko gave a giggle at that, "Children will be children," she said, "any kid would prefer a snack over a meal if given the option."
Hestia nodded in agreement, "No argument there," she said, crossing her arms over her generous chest with clear pride, "potato puffs are this city's number one snack. Even before I descended, these snacks were already incredibly popular. Now all the more so since I got a job at this stand," she raised her head, eyes closed in a proud display, "I think I added a little charm to the overall increase in sales. Just goes to show you, 'a Goddess's touch goes a long way'!"
'Not really the right saying,' Rinko thought , 'but close enough, in a way.'
Rinko reminded herself of something and looked back behind her to see the third helper of the stall. Charlotte was having a shockingly good time in the back of the stall, where the food was being prepared. She carefully, but quickly, folded mash potatoes and seasoning into a satisfying shape before putting them in a fry basket above a pot of hot oil. Once the basket was sufficiently filled, she lowered it into the pot, taking care not to get splashed by any hot popping oil and smiling as she watched the next batch be ready to serve.
Charlotte surprised Hestia with how well she could work, given how the girl had said she was a 'princess' and this was her first job, Hestia would have thought the girl would whine and complain about the hardship of an honest job. Instead, Charlotte took to preparing the staple food snack of Orario like a bee to honey. She quickly picked up the technique of molding, shaping, and frying the beloved snack. Enjoying herself with the craft quite well in addition. Smiling with glee as she molded the starchy snack into traditional shapes as well as entertaining ones as well.
Bunny shaped potato puffs were gone as soon as they were up.
Hestia silently lamented the loss of a particular one. With red bean eyes and a whole white coat of sweet cream.
It reminded her of her favored child. Who she always bet tasted goo-
Hestia shook her head abruptly at the straying thought, her cheeks igniting into a furious blush. Where did those thoughts come from?
She renewed her focus back to her job and aiding her children wherever they needed it. It was a very busy day today, busier than Hestia had experienced outside of festivals. She believed she knew why.
Rinko was a motherly character with charisma radiating off her, making her easy to approach and interact with. Charlotte was cute and jovial, never seeming to lose her smile. Her happiness had to be contagious given the amount of smiles the customers had when seeing her. Hestia was proud to think she too was contributing. She was, after all, according to the stall owner, the unofficial second mascot of the stall and there were plenty of people in the city that knew her as the number one part-timer at the stall.
She also admitted that between the three of them, there…proportions also drew in the curious eyes. Especially with the uniform aprons that they wore, which seemed to emphasize their busts despite being modest in appearance.
Disregarding those thoughts, Hestia set about to continue her work. Greeting customers with a smile and handing out delicious snacks, Rinko doing similarly.
The day passed on, the stall potentially seeing record sales this month thanks to the extra beautiful hands.
Though that wasn't to say the day wasn't without its…complications.
"Marry me!"
The loud voice came from someone that 'should' have been a customer. Instead, the man had procured a large bouquet of flowers and presented them to a thoroughly shocked Rinko, who was looking down at the flowers presented to her by this strange, but handsome man.
"Eh?" was the only intelligent response the blue haired woman could make.
"You must marry me!" the strange man insisted, "together we could make a union that would be made in the stars themselves. With your beauty and my handsomeness, we could be the premier power couple of the city. You should feel honored that someone like myself would propose in such a manner. Now come, accept your place at my side and be glad that the lights of my soul have come to shine upon you!"
Rinko stared at the man and Hestia did as well. Charlotte didn't, happily forming new animal potato puffs and being completely oblivious to what was going on at the front of the stall.
Hestia looked closely at the man, recognition dawning in her eyes. She knew what was about to happen next and looked at Rinko, anticipating her response.
"I'm sorry," Rinko said, her voice made awkward by this strange turn of events, "but I'm going to have to refuse."
The rejection seemed to strike the man like a physical blow, taking a few steps back and bumping into an annoyed customer behind him, who promptly shoved him forward back to where he stood, but dropping to his knees this time.
"Why?" the man asked quite pathetically, "Why refuse me?! Don't you see how awesome, amazing, astounding, astonishing, and awe-inspiring I am?" the man snapped his fingers and pointed at himself, "I even said a five 'a' alliteration to prove my point!"
'What point does that prove?' Hestia thought with a sweat drop.
Rinko looked at the man, trying to find the right words to say. She realized quickly that none seemed to have the right weight to them to describe her feelings. So she decided the honest and direct response was probably the best.
"I'm sorry," Rinko began, her gaze looking to the side awkwardly, "It's just that…you're not my type…not at all."
The words struck the man like a physical blow again, making him reele back as if he were struck with a sharp axe. He sputtered and tried to say something but words seemed to fail him.
Tears and his legs however…
With a very undignified wail, the man stood and ran, crying all the way down the street and disturbing a good number of passing civilians and occasional deities.
Rinko watched the weeping retreating figure of the man with stunned eyes, not anticipating 'that' strong of a reaction. It was kinda creepy.
Hestia sighed and patted Rinko on the back, bringing focus on her, "Don't be bothered by that man, especially by his reaction," she said, "this isn't the first time he's done this, not even the twentieth," she paused for a moment, thinking, "I think it's over a hundred at this point. Maybe even a thousand?"
Rinko blinked at the short Goddess and Hestia decided to clarify, "That was a God. One of the more dramatic ones. I'm sure you've heard of him, in a certain way at least."
"Hestia, I am still new to this…city," Rinko began, checking her words, "I do have some knowledge of note but nothing that tells me who that strange person was, or what God he was in this case."
Hestia gave a chuckle. Oh Rinko knew, as did a majority of the world itself, "That strange person is the textbook definition of vanity, the God Narcissus."
Rinko looked at Hestia for a moment before turning her gaze down the street where the weeping God ran down, "You mean, he's the one where the word-"
"'Narcissist' came from?" Hestia interrupted, "Yeah, that's the guy. To make things crazier, he's the one who made that word in the first place and had it trickle down to the mortal realm, literally," Hestia groaned in remembrance of that day, "he said, and I quote, 'If I have to be associated with an insult, I should get to name it.' No one bothered to stop him."
Rinko wanted to laugh but the annoyed expression on Hestia told her that would be a poor action. So she hid it behind a cough instead. Once she was finished she asked, "About what he said and him…running. You said this isn't the first time he's done it and it just might be the thousandth?"
Hestia nodded, "Yeah, not an exaggeration," she said, "Narcissus is a God of vanity, not love or romance. Despite how much he loves himself, getting someone to love him is a different beast entirely. He literally believes everyone should already love him because…well, because he's him! Needless to say, reality likes to remind him of the harsh truth. Again and again and again."
"He didn't try to change his…methods?" Rinko asked. Surely even a God would adapt when something didn't work after so many times.
Hestia shook her head, "To change would require fault and out of all the Gods on earth or in heaven, he would be the absolute last one to ever admit fault," she gave a tired sigh, "don't worry too much about him. He likely ran back to his store to recover."
"He owns a store?" Rinko asked curiously, "What kind?"
Hestia stared at her and Rinko was quick to understand.
"A mirror store?"
"A mirror store," Hestia confirmed.
Deciding that was enough of the conversation, the two returned to their work. Any thoughts about the vain God they had met quickly evaporated.
Charlotte was humming a tune as she stood behind the stall, happily taking orders and giving out precious potato puffs to some customers.
Rinko and Hestia were on break and Charlotte was now the one selling as opposed to making the delectable snacks. Luckily she had already made a surplus of them already and it was thankfully a slow time in terms of sales right now.
Charlotte smiled as she handed a bag of potato puffs to a pair of waiting children, a boy and a girl. The boy was blushing fiercely when looking at Charlotte but the girl kept pinching the boy's side whenever he did, with an obvious pout on her face.
They both ran off with their food in hand, the boy loudly complaining and asking what he did while the girl was just commenting on how stupid he is.
'So cute,' she thought , 'don't play dumb forever young man, a girl can only be patient for so long.'
Her mind suddenly drifted then, to another life, another 'her'.
Charlotte still found it jarring that she was in another world. It was something that would still take some time getting used to. Still, she had to admit, it was a magical experience nonetheless. Just watching the passing crowds of people, she could spot a dwarf, an elf, a pallum, a cat-person, a chienthrope. So many different kinds of people that she only read about in stories or seen in shows or movies.
She sighed wistfully, smiling. It really felt almost too good to be real yet here she was. She would definitely make the most of it.
She was no longer Princess Charlotte Hazelrink. In this world she was just Charlotte Hazelrink, member of Hestia familia, summoned ally of Bell Cranell, and, if the fates permit it, she could be Charlotte the adventurer!
…with effort and practice of course. Despite her wish to also adventure alongside the others, she knew she lacked a lot of fundamentals. Like survival skills, first-aid skills, resource managing skills, magic skills, and of course fighting skills.
She knew she had a lot to learn and regardless of how long it would take, she was determined. This was a chance to be more than she was, more than she was in another life…or the other her's life.
Charlotte felt a small headache after thinking about that concept for too long. She knew what she was, like anyone else summoned. It was something she accepted and in some ways she was thankful for.
She recalled a great portion of her past life. Of her friends, family, her life, and all the craziness that seemed to happen.
She even fell in love and had a happy life with this person. At least…in one life.
She didn't know how but she also possessed some memories of not falling in love and watching as another took her place. From a stubborn best friend, to a classmate, to even a maid.
She didn't know why she had all these memories, she asked a few others if they had anything similar, the only ones that could relate were Koukin and Hakufu, who had their own thoughts about it.
To Koukin, it was simply a side effect of their creation. They were, quite literally, made by a God's hands and there were bound to be some extra additions that came with their existence. Extra memories were just one of them.
Hakufu had a more whimsical answer. She believed these extra memories were a gift and a reminder. To make sure we remember who we are and where we came from and that we lived once, in a way, in another life. Giving a sense of closure in leaving those moments behind in this new world. She added that it was also a way for us to be better as well, telling Charlotte that there were a few memories from her past life, or lives, where she died, multiple times. Needless to say, Hakufu was determined not to fall like some of her other selves.
Charlotte agreed with Hakufu's thoughts, finding them more…digestible. She looked back on those memories without any doubt but fondness instead. She had lived, she was happy for her other self. She was happy for her friends that found happiness themselves in the arms of a person that made her happy as well.
Now, she could find happiness again and already she was. Hestia familia had a warmth to it that was absolutely wonderful. She felt welcomed by the Goddess and by the others. Not to mention, Bell himself.
Charlotte knew a good person when she saw one, those numerous times she unknowingly insulted a thug or two in her past life notwithstanding, and she could already tell that Bell was a good person, maybe even too good of what the others say are true. She didn't have a problem with that though, people like Bell were rare and precious in any world as far as she knew, and she was happy he was the one that summoned her and not some greedy overlord or some roughneck thug or greasy pervert.
Charlotte crossed her arms after handing out another set of potato puffs, the action emphasizing her breasts and making the customer blush, turn, and walk away. She gave no indication of noticing the reaction and simply thought some more.
Bell was a great guy but still, he was perhaps a bit too shy but according to Koukin, he has improved somewhat in that regard. After this amazing minotaur fight he had, Bell was more sure of himself. He became all the more sure after he and Koukin had a night together in each other's arms.
Charlotte's face grew red at the memory of that conversation, the action making the next customer clutch at his heart at seeing such a cute expression. He paid for his food and ran off before the sweet expression overwhelmed him.
Charlotte and everyone summoned knew about the unique skill they all shared. It was easier for some to accept then others but it was accepted in the end nonetheless.
After all, 'a status boost from intimacy', was a powerful ability to possess. Even if it was strange.
When it came to the rules of using the skill, Charlotte was happy to hear it would only be done if the two partners agreed to it…or three in Hana and Elbia's case.
Still…from what Charlotte could gather, it was someone else that approached Bell and asked to do the deed with him. That was okay and all but…
If Charlotte wished to sleep with Bell, she kinda wished he would too and that he would come to her and ask.
Crazy as it sounded, she felt that Bell should show initiative in his desires and in the desires of others. That way, everyone could get what they wanted. She and others would get a powerful boost in their status and Bell gets to have the time of his life with some beautiful women he chooses and everyone gets to have a good time in general.
It didn't even have to be sex. It could just be cuddling. Bell did remind her of a rabbit plushie she had in her old world.
Let it not be said that Charlotte had a 'unique' way of thinking.
Deciding not to dwell on it anymore, Charlotte focused her thoughts into her work. Today she was an honest food stall worker. Tomorrow?
Who knows what she could be!
Hestia hummed as she handed out some of the last potato puffs to go out today. It was getting late in the afternoon and the stall was about to close.
She had sent Rinko and Charlotte home already, thanking them for their help and letting them know she appreciated their help immensely. They in turn thanked her for letting them help out and said if she ever wanted their help, they'd be more than happy to accept.
She was definitely gonna take them up on that, the day went by so much smoother with some extra help but now, she wanted to get home. Get home early enough to see how Koukin's meeting with Miss supporter went and maybe get there before Bell, Ibuki, and Chitoge got back from their date.
Hestia fought back a sigh at that, she'd thought she'd be used to the thought of other girls seeing Bell but there was still a part of her that rebelled about it.
It wasn't as strong as it used to be though. Before, she'd whine, moan, and lament the loss of her pure and innocent Bell. Now though, she was…accepting of things…somewhat.
As she handed out a potato puff bundle to a joyous group of kids, Hestia realized something.
Was she too…sheltering for Bell?
She is a virgin Goddess, one of the three virgin ones. In addition to the Hearth, which was her mainstay, she was one of chastity, something she held with arguably equal fervor.
…but would she really force Bell to be like that if she could?
He was a young man, an adult by the world's standards. He was naturally inclined to be curious about 'those' kinds of things. Hell, he was infatuated with Ais Wallenwhatsit-or-whatever. Were it not for the Drop of Eros, would Hestia have done her damndest to keep her Bell pure and innocent like herself?
Where she would push back against any potential relationship he would have formed.
Except maybe…herself?
She felt ashamed the moment that hypothetical thought crossed her mind. Here she was, thinking of her divine virtue but more than happy to turn it around whenever it came to Bell.
Hestia smiled mirthfully at that, her first child really was something special to get her to think like this. She couldn't remember a time where anyone made her think and feel like this before.
She had a lot more to think about with the others and Eros's gift. Not to mention something far more…personal.
But that can wait, for now it was close to closing and once that was done she was gonna mad dash back home and ask Bell how his date went.
Also ask Koukin how discussions with Miss Supporter went. That was also important.
She heard taps coming from the front of the stall and looked to greet whoever it was, "Welcome dear customer! How can I-"
She stopped when she saw no one at the front of the stall but still heard the tapping. Listening closely, she could hear it was far more sporadic than she initially thought. As she listened, she realized it was coming from the bottom of the stall. Looking over the edge of the counter, unintentionally giving passerbys a deep look at her cleavage, she saw just who the source of the tapping was coming from.
She recognized that hat and feather.
"Hermes?" Hestia asked, noticing the messenger God.
Hermes looked up from where he laid near prone on the ground. Hestia saw the tired expression on the man's face and deep circles under his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Hestia," Hermes said, relieved, "glad I caught you before you closed up. Can I please have some potato puffs with sour cream and extra red beans. It's been a long day and I haven't eaten anything in just as long."
After helping Hermes to his feet and having him lean on the counter for support, Hestia got his food ready. She watched as one of the more troublesome Gods she had known ate his food with clear relief and joy.
He moaned as he bit into a fresh potato puff, the warmth of the snack giving him new life, "It's like manna," he said, borderline reverently, "like so many joys we gave up on coming here. Oh how I missed this taste. You're a blessing Hestia! Truly a blessing to this overworked and underfed God!"
Hestia sighed at Hermes's borderline sermonizing and flipped a small sign at the front of the stand, indicating it was closed now. Hermes would be her last customer, especially since he scared other prospects off by looking like a corpse in front of the stall.
"Happy I could be of some help," Hestia said, undoing the apron she wore and putting things away, "Nearly gave me a fright seeing you like that."
Hermes finished his snack and moved on to his last one, taking his time in eating this one then the others, "Sorry about that," he said, "I finally got a break from my work and I was famished. I do apologize for the unseemly sight," he looked around awkwardly, as if suddenly realizing the show he put on, "it wasn't my intention to come here looking and feeling like a corpse," he shrugged, "but there was little I could do about it."
"Eat at home, perhaps?" Hestia asked, taking a wet rag and cleaning the workstation, "Your familias' pretty big, you shouldn't have a problem getting food for yourself."
Hermes groaned and nibbled at his potato puff, "I would if I could but my children are busy themselves," he gave a circular wave of his hand, as if gesturing to the world, "the ones that can cook are too tired to in any case. Everyone is exhausted in my home," he brought a hand to his head in a dramatic fashion, "especially me, their beloved and respected God! Who has received request after request to investigate one thing or another," he brought his hand down and continued to eat, "I've spent most of today denying most of the requests, given their similarities."
"How are they similar?" Hestia asked, coming around the stall to stand beside the messenger God.
"In that most of the familias in this city want me to find out who the lucky soul was that obtained Eros's gift," answered Hermes, looking up tiredly at the sky above, "it's been nothing but a headache to me."
Hestia felt cold as she registered Hermes's words. Most of the familias were looking for Bell? And they were trying to have Hermes and his children do it?
That…would be a disaster. As much as Hermes could annoy Hestia with his carefree demeanor, there was one thing she could give him credit for. It was that he could find a secret even if it was buried and burned. Despite having a relatively small familia in comparison to others, they had reach, resources, and informants around the city and even outside it. They were the de facto go to in terms of information gathering.
Especially in some cases where they didn't ask questions on what they were looking for. If anyone had a chance of finding out that Bell possessed the gift, it was Hermes familia.
She did her best to seem nonchalant but also tired from her work. Koukin had been teaching her whenever she could on how to hide her emotions. Hestia could say she had a decent poker face by now, providing she didn't get too nervous.
"You haven't taken up the search yourself?" Hestia asked, "I thought for sure you'd be looking for the child that had that pervert's gift."
Hermes finished his snack and patted his stomach with joy on his features. He turned to Hestia, "Believe me, I am interested," he said before shrugging, "but I can't spend the manpower right now. I have too many…things to focus on already. Eros's little surprise will have to wait," he grimaced, recalling something, "for a good while too. I'm gonna be outside of the city soon in any case."
"You're leaving?" Hestia asked, genuinely curious, "Where to?"
Hermes looked at her with a smile before looking up and down the street, making sure there was no one that could overhear them. He leaned down and whispered to Hestia, a smile on his face, "I'm planning to go down into the dungeon."
Hestia blanched and her jaw dropped as her eyes widened. She looked up and down the street, more rapidly than Hermes did before whispering, "Are you crazy?" she hissed, "You know deities aren't allowed in the dungeon!"
"That's why," Hermes replied, the smile only widening, "it's a secret."
Hestia wanted to groan at Hermes's cavalier attitude but knew that would only draw attention to him and herself. She would rather avoid making a scene this early after work so instead she just looked away and began to walk home.
Unfortunately, Hermes wasn't done talking, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything, Hestia," he said, "I know what I'm doing is risky but I can't have anyone know. Least of all the Guild."
"Why would you tell me then?" Hestia asked, frustration in her voice.
"Besides just seeing your reaction? No real reason-Ah! Hestia! Please stop pinching my side! That hurts!"
Hestia withdrew her hand from pinching Hermes, a glower on her face, "It's been a day, Hermes," she said, "if you don't have a good reason for telling me, fine. I'm more than happy to forget this talk."
To his credit, Hermes actually looked like he felt bad for teasing Hestia, "Sorry," he began, "I mean it. It's…been a rough time on my end. Guess I just wanted to laugh a bit is all. Things have been getting serious in this city," he turned his head up and looked to the sky as he walked beside her, his expression pensive, "and I think it's only gonna get more difficult as time passes."
Hestia looked at Hermes, seeing his expression. When she felt no deceit in his demeanor, she lightened her mood and asked, genuinely curious, "Are things really that bad?"
Hermes looked at her and Hestia could see a tiredness that went beyond the physical, "Depends on how you look at it," Hermes replied, "things could be worse, the fact that they aren't is a good sign."
Hestia pondered those words. There was truth there but also something else. Something that Hermes was keeping from her.
Something she and her familia couldn't handle yet.
"That's why you're going down," Hestia said, "to see if you can stop things from getting worse. Or at least find out about them."
Hermes smiled, she guessed correctly, "I won't say anymore," he said, stopping at an intersection of the roads, looking down one of them, "this is where we must part, Hestia. I must be getting home. I have a lot of work to do and little trip to plan for," he gave her a grin, "wish me luck and thanks for the food!"
Hestia smiled in turn and gave a polite bow, "Thanks again for the business, dear customer! Please come by anytime!"
Hermes actually laughed at the little show Hestia did, the action making his smile look more real, "Thank you, Hestia," he said, "enjoy the rest of your day."
"You too, Hermes," replied Hestia, "try not to work too hard…and be careful."
With a nod, the messenger God began to walk down the road. Hestia was about to turn and walk down the one that led back to her home when Hermes' voice called back to her.
"By the way. I'd like to meet Bell one day. I'm curious about the record breaking rookie of your familia."
Hestia wanted to outright refuse him the chance. As well wished as she was about his coming ventures, there were still some things she'd rather he not go near. Bell was definitely one of them. Not solely out of risk of discovery of Eros's gift, but because her time in Heaven taught her that Hermes was definitely a poor influence on Bell.
Still…they did have a decent conversation.
"We'll see," called out Hestia, "maybe when things get a little less crazy."
Hermes laughed and accepted that answer, turning around with a flourish and walking back to his home.
Hestia continued down her own path as well, eager to get home and try out the new bathing room.
It had been a decent day, she'd earned a little reward for herself. One that she would happily have when she got home.
After a long walk, she was back home but now she was running to it with clear worry and disbelief.
'Why was smoke coming out of my house!'