Please read the author's notes. (Examples and explanation of moves and appearance+ Monster Sources)
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pat.treon:/Keanu_Eugene
CHAPTER START---
"For the record, I'm like the 3rd person who should be here..." Yang groans as the carriage moves through the streets of Orario.
Both he and Hephaestus are in full formal attire, for him this is a simple blue suit with a white undershirt while she wears a slim red dress matching her hair.
"You're my strongest member so get over it already," she says with a shrug.
"Should of dragged Tsubaki to this damn thing, I could be in the dungeon training right now."
"Trying to get her away from her forge right now is like trying to bathe a cat, she's all excited about the expedition," Hephaestus says with a sigh.
"Then you should have made it date night with Welf," Yang answers with a shrug, noting the cherry red blush that spread across her face as she avoided his gaze.
"Don't be ridiculous Yang," she chides the young man.
"Dunno, that blush says otherwise, almost matches your outfit..."
"What exactly are you implying?" She says, doing her best, which is currently a terrible job at sounding intimidating.
"Meh, just think you'd look good together," he replies with a casual shrug.
"I-I had to bring you as my only other 1st class adventurer, him being a level 3 would look out of place alright..." she finally relents.
"Makes sense, anyone I should be careful with?"
"Everyone really, all the gods have only stayed away from you because I, somewhat threatened them..." she mutters out the last bit.
"Jeez if you're so protective with me I can't imagine when some smith actually steals your heart, mama Hephaestus is probably actually scary..." he jokes. An even stronger blush takes over her face and spreads all the way to her ears.
"Gods cannot have children with mortals, the bodies we currently use to follow the rules of the lower world are incomplete..." she squeaks out in response.
"That explains why I haven't met any demigods yet, back home most of you guys were hornier than anything else in our myths."
"That part is still true for some gods, but now we don't leave a trail like in your stories," she says with a sigh.
"So you're saying that if I---"
"Don't even finish that sentence..." She says harshly while fixing him her best glare.
"I'm kidding, I'm trying not to leave a trail too remember, leaving and all that after all," he finishes in a smaller voice.
After a few more minutes of comfortable silence, the carriage arrives at the front of a large ballroom Ganesha rented for his party.
As they walk up the stairs with Hephaestus's arm wrapped around his, Yang takes in the sight of all the gods and their children, more accurately their guards in some cases.
Everyone was dressed immaculately, clearly wanting to show off a bit in the presence of other gods, he could see why bringing a level 3 wouldn't cut it as well as bringing him to this event.
"So Ganesha likes to party?"
"Well, he is the god of masses after all, kind of natural for him to like large gatherings," Hephaestus explains as they enter the main room.
Making their way to the bar, Hephaestus gets herself a glass of wine while Yang is happy with some simple apple juice.
"For the record, I can't dance..." he says to his goddess.
"I'm not for wanting to be on the dance floor either, the spotlight isn't exactly where I want to be after all," she says while tapping her eye patch.
"Oh, right. That's kinda a relief for me then, uh that old dude is making a beeline to us..."
Seconds later Goibniu was standing before the duo in a dark green suit.
'Kinda on the nose for an Irish god huh.' Yang thinks as the man politely introduced himself before sparking up a conversation with Hephaestus.
Looking around the room as the gods spoke, Yang spotted nothing of note aside from Ganesha in his elephant mask telling jokes across the room to a group of gods.
Seeing a crowd of gods making a beeline for Hephaestus, Yang leans in to quietly speak to her.
"Do you need me here for all this business stuff?"
"Hmm," taking a moment she sees Demeter as well as few other gods controlling support familias making their way over to her, "I'll be fine, I know talking numbers isn't your thing anyway, don't start any fights..." she says quietly, her warning earned a small chuckle from Yang and Goibniu.
Slipping away from the soon-to-be mosh pit of gods around Hephaestus Yang notices Loki and Ais not far away, with a nod to Ais while Loki wasn't paying attention he rushes out to the balcony. Much quieter and scarcely populated when compared to the ballroom, still close enough to keep an eye on Hephaestus.
Noticing Loki joining in the conversation with Hephaestus, Ais standing by her side with a bored expression. Yang turns around to enjoy the view.
The building Ganesha rented had a massive garden in the backyard just under the balcony he was on. Dimly lit to allow the stars to shine more than the well-lit city of Orario normally allowed.
Taking a sip of his drink he releases a deep sigh, soaking in every moment he could, until heavy footfalls are heard approaching him. As they come to a stop a few feet behind him he can't help but frown.
"I really hope you aren't here to ask me for a dance Ottar," he says while turning around, only to find a woman with Silver hair and eyes, wearing a white gown to be staring right into his eyes.
"So... gonna introduce me to the pretty lady?" Yang asks Ottar, the man was wearing a blue suit with gold embroidery, his hulking 7ft tall figure emanating power even in the formal attire.
"Yang Shen, this is my goddess, Lady Freya," Ottar says, getting right to the point.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Freya, I can't say I've heard much about you..." He says while giving her a small bow, normally he wouldn't care for formalities, but Ottar's god was the exception for obvious reasons.
"All good things I hope, I've been wanting to meet you," She says while eyeing him up and down.
"My eyes are up here goddess," Yang jokes, earning a small chuckle from the goddess.
"Hmm, I'm normally the one saying that," the goddess joins in the fun, the deep deep DEEP cut of her dress reaching below her naval and exposing her ample chest obviously would have the tables turned before most men.
"Yang, I'm calling in the request I made when I saved you from mind down..." Ottar says, abruptly turning and walking away.
"Right, a conversation with his goddess, and judging from how suddenly empty the balcony is we won't be interrupted huh," Yang says while looking around, everyone had suddenly felt the urge to give them some privacy.
"Smart man, now what I'd like to know is what made Ottar take an interest in you..."
"Excuse me, I'm flattered bu---"
"No, not like that Yang, as an adventurer," She corrects him before he embarrasses anyone.
"As an adventurer, sorry but I've got no idea. I don't really care about being 'An Adventurer' or anything like that. All I want is the be the best ME possibly. Dungeon delving and pushing my limits is the path I chose to do that," he explains with a shrug.
"If that's the path, they why Hephaestus, why not Loki or myself?" Freya asks, a smile on her face as she certainly enjoyed his last answer.
"Is this your not-so-subtle attempt at poaching me lady Freya? Can I just call you Freya? Titles and such really aren't my thing..." he asks.
"Freya is fine, and quite bold of you to call me out like that."
"I don't like it when people don't get to the point, simple. I'm a simple guy like that." Yang says with a small smile.
"That's reassuring, I prefer to be the one playing games, but no, I'd steal you away if I could, but Hephaestus has made it clear that she won't budge. Her familia is far too valuable in helping me keep my top spot and you just aren't worth the risk," She says with a smile.
"Thank you?" he asks in an unsure tone.
"Of course I could charm you, but I've been trying since we started talking, and you've been unaffected... something you'd like to tell me?" Freya says while pouting playfully.
"Nothing you don't already know Freya," Yang answers with a sly grin.
"I'm used to men groveling at my feet and eager to serve me, this is, no, this shouldn't be possible from a mortal," Freya says as she takes a step back, taking a much more intimate look at him as she peers at his very soul.
She sees the shattered planet representing his soul, its pieces still scattered about and loosely orbiting the core.
"But, you are special aren't you Mr. Shen."
"Yang."
"Right, you're special Yang," she corrects herself.
"I'm just a kid that wants to be his best self. Maybe I'm just so selfishly focused on me that I can't appreciate someone as beautiful as you?" He leans forward slightly, lowering his head to look into her eyes before backing off.
"Hmm, quite the flirt aren't you," she says with a raised brow.
"Old habits and all that," he shrugs.
"..." Freya is left a bit speechless, her cheeks have the faintest red hue as she tries to process what's happening.
"Freya?" Yang asks with a hint of concern, his eyes flicking over to Ottar, thankfully the man is still standing in the doorway to the ballroom with his back to them; though Yang was sure Ottar knew all of what was going on.
"Sorry, I'm just... I'm not used to... I've grown so accustomed to men simply falling for me that this is strange..." she quietly admits.
"No offense, but it shows, I expected you to be much more...seductive. You're beautiful of course but you've clearly become too reliant on that charm effect than your own..." he leans in a bit closer before whispering, "feminine wiles."
"Uh, that... that may very well be the case, tell me, Yang. When you look at me what do you see?" Freya asks, genuinely curious what someone who can't be charmed sees in her.
"Well, if I may speak without restraint..." he nods toward Ottar.
"Of course," Freya says.
"I see e---"
"FREYA!" Hephaestus's voice calls out as she storms out onto the balcony toward Freya and Yang, neither of which seem that phased by the angry goddess.
"I believe we'll have to pick this up another time, until then..." Freya says while handing him a sheet of tightly wound paper.
Taking it wordlessly he holds it as Hephaestus confronts Freya.
"Freya, care to explain what the hell this is," his goddess was angry, this is the most upset he's ever seen her. Her hair and face almost the same color.
"Calm down Hephaestus before you hurt yourself, no mortal is worth losing our loose alliance, you bring the metal and I bring the soldiers, and we defend mankind that way remember," Freya says with a shrug.
Casting a scrutinizing glance at the pair, Hephaestus glares at Freya before turning to Yang.
"Yeah that's pretty much what she said to me too," he says with a lopsided smile.
"What do you want Freya?" Hephaestus questions, not wasting any time.
"Always so strict Hephaestus, just because I don't plan on stealing him doesn't mean I can't spend time with him right, or are you against that too. After all, it's not like he can be charmed," Freya finishes with a devious smirk.
Studying Hephaestus's features, not a hint of surprise shows in Hephaestus's being.
"Ah, I see, so it's a Falna ability then yes?" Freya asks, earning a single wide eye from Hephaestus.
"What did you say?" She suddenly points her questions at Yang.
"Literally nothing."
"He didn't say anything, you weren't surprised when I said he couldn't be charmed. Without a charm yourself, how else would you know that, you've avoided politics for so long that you can't fool me Hephaestus." Freya says with a small smile.
"Mmm, keep this to yourself, Freya, having one horny goddess after him is enough," Hephaestus glares at Freya.
"That's rather rude, like I said, I'm hoping to spend more time with him in the future Hephaestus, he doesn't have to join my familia for that remember..." Freya says while walking off toward Ottar.
As Freya walks away with Ottar, Hephaestus turns to Yang.
"What the hell is wrong with you, you have an entire party of horny bimbos and you chose the crazy AND powerful one," she all but yells while pounding her fists on his arm.
"First of all, I wasn't planning on putting my dick in any of these people, and secondly, if OTTAR says I'm staying here and talking to his goddess, not much room to argue right," he says with a shrug.
With a deep sigh, Hephaestus settles down a bit.
"How long were you two out here?" Hephaestus asks.
"Uh, dunno, few minutes I guess. As soon as I left you she came out here to talk to me..."
"Yang, that was an hour ago, you've been flirting with her for an hour," she says with an exasperated look.
"Didn't feel like that, damn."
"Ugh, men, so simple. C'mon it's time to get out of here."
"See if you brought Welf none of this would have happened," he takes the chance to tease her.
Sitting in the Carriage once more, Yang takes out the paper Freya gave him and begins to read it.
"What's that?" Hephaestus asks.
"Freya gave me this when you came out, uh, take a look at this 'Quest' she offered me, gotta admit the reward is tempting..." he says while handing her the page.
Taking a moment to read the request, Hephaestus can feel a headache forming.
"Mmmm, Freya wasn't lying earlier. I'd know from dealing with her for so long. She really does just plan to spend time with you. As much as I absolutely HATE to say it, this request is simple as long as you don't insult her. The reward is definitely tempting for you specifically, guess Ottar told her about your goal and she put the pieces together, so what do you think?" Hephaestus asks.
"Hmm, I'll have to plan something pretty good to pull this off, definitely a daunting quest to say the least, you really think we can trust her?" Yang asks, a bit apprehensive.
"Yeah, at least for now, and at the rate you're going you might just outgrow her trump card. I'm willing to bet on you. You should accept the quest," Hephaestus says, giving him her approval.
"Man, good thing I made all that Valis huh, gonna need it..."
QUEST:
The goddess Freya has opened an invitation for you to take her on a date in two days, show up at the top of babel at sunset to accept.
Reward: 12 Udaeus Black Sword Ingots
END CHAPTER---