Tet and Hestia explored Orario together, their new familia members walking happily behind them. Tiona practically bounced with joy as she asked, eyes sparkling, "Say, my Lord and Lady, what kind of familia are we gonna have?"
Tet glanced toward Hestia with a soft smile. "As my girlfriend is the Goddess of Family, I'll defer to her on this subject."
Hestia tapped her chin thoughtfully, considering. "I assume you girls want to continue exploring the Dungeon?"
Tione quickly nodded, standing tall with pride. "Yes, my Lady."
"In that case," Hestia continued with a warm smile, "we will remain an exploration-type familia. But we'll be doing other things as well."
Lefiya tilted her head with curiosity. "Like what?"
"You'll see," Hestia replied playfully. "For now, just enjoy the festival. And if you see any of your friends from the Loki Familia, it's fine to hang out with them. Just make it clear you're with us now."
The three smiled brightly and answered in unison, "Of course, my Lady!"
Tiona pumped a fist into the air, grinning. "Obviously we're sticking with you two! Loki needs to learn a lesson!"
The trio sprinted off into the festival, laughing as they disappeared into the crowd.
Hestia watched them fondly. "They're good girls. We should get some more familia members so they don't have to work too hard."
Tet nodded, eyes glimmering with plans. "I already have some ideas, dear. But for now… look up ahead."
Hestia followed his gaze and gasped softly. Ahead stood a young woman in a white dress, matching gloves and sandals, her long black hair tied into twin-tails with white and blue ribbons. Her blue eyes sparkled like gemstones.
Tet leaned closer with a playful smirk. "Now that I look closer, you two do look alike enough to be mistaken for sisters."
"Yes… seeing her in person, I agree," Hestia murmured, staring at the other woman with wide, astonished eyes.
The other Hestia was currently stacking every food item she could carry into her arms, clearly in food-heaven.
"I just wish she had a bit more restraint," Hestia sighed, cheeks puffing with embarrassment.
Tet chuckled. "Well, no time like the present. Let's go talk to her."
They approached, and Hestia called out politely, "Excuse me."
The other Hestia spun around. When her gaze fell on Hestia, she froze, eyes wide as plates. All the food tumbled out of her arms. She pointed with a trembling finger and yelled, "Why do you look like me?!"
Hestia puffed up her cheeks, stepping closer indignantly. "No, you look like me!"
"Oh hell no!" the other Hestia snapped, stomping once. "You're the copycat!"
The two short goddesses leaned forward, foreheads nearly touching as they growled…
Then, just as suddenly, both burst into giggles.
Hestia wiped a happy tear from the corner of her eye. "I've always wanted to do that. Hello, other me. Nice to meet you!"
The other Hestia grinned brightly. "Likewise, other me!"
-----
Now seated at a small table, the trio enjoyed a pleasant meal together. Delicious festival food filled the plates, and the warm lights above flickered like fireflies.
The Orario Hestia let out a baffled sigh, waving her hands animatedly. "I was told there was another me here, but seeing it is way different than hearing about it. Still, we can't both be called Hestia. That'd get confusing!" Her eyebrows knit together in frustration.
Hestia tapped her fork thoughtfully against her lip. "How about you use our other name… Vesta?" she suggested with a gentle smile.
Orario Hestia's eyes widened. "Why do I have to be Vesta? Shouldn't it be you?" She said leaning forward.
Hestia lifted her chin proudly, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "I'm stronger. And my soon-to-be husband owns this world and several others."
Tet choked mid-sip. "Wait, since when did I say we're getting—" He fell silent immediately when Hestia turned a slow, deadly glare his way, her eyes silently daring him to argue.
"Whatever you say, my love," Tet corrected himself quickly. "I'll begin the preparations immediately."
Hestia leaned in and kissed his cheek sweetly. "Thank you, darling."
Orario Hestia slumped dramatically back into her chair, throwing her hands in the air. "And you're getting married?! I give up. I've lost. I'll be Vesta."
"Oh hush," Hestia said warmly, waving off her dramatics. "It's not too late for you. Now tell me about yourself. How's your familia coming along?"
Vesta's shoulders sagged, and she stared down at her hands. "It isn't… to be honest, Hestia."
Hestia blinked in confusion. "I was under the impression that you had a small familia of your own."
Vesta shook her head sadly. "No… not yet."
Hestia shifted her gaze to Tet, silently asking for an explanation. Tet leaned closer, whispering into her ear, "It's still a few months before Bell Cranel arrives in the city. I wanted to start the takeover before things got crazy."
Hestia nodded slightly, accepting the logic, though she still watched Vesta with concern.
Vesta quickly waved off the tension, forcing a smile. "Enough about me. I want to hear all about how you two ended up together!"
Hestia's grin grew sharp and playful, eyes filled with smug delight. "So, it all started when I met a mischievous young god in the Olympian throne room…"
Tet began slowly rising from his seat, muttering, "I'll just be going—"
But before he could take a single step, both Hestia and Vesta reached out, grabbed him by the arms, and yanked him firmly back into his chair.
Hestia cleared her throat in triumph and continued her story, refusing to let him escape.
-----
Apollo walked around the city with Kunou perched happily on his shoulders, Ramiris fluttering atop his head like a tiny queen, and Milim wrapped around his arm like a clingy dragon child. Kunou had an armful of snacks and wore a decorative festival mask crookedly on her head. Her tail's wagged as she looked around in pure excitement.
Kunou pointed ahead, eyes widening. "Oh, Mr. Apollo! What's that place?" she asked with innocent wonder in her voice.
Apollo followed her finger and his cheerful expression immediately dropped. He looked up and saw the red light district glowing in the night like a warning sign. "That's not somewhere for kids," he said firmly while turning them around. "Let's go the other way."
But before he could take a step, Kunou gasped softly. "Look! There's another fox girl like me over there!" Her excitement dimmed into confusion. "She's so pretty… but why's she in a cage? She looks so sad…"
Apollo froze mid-step, shoulders tensing. He turned back around sharply and saw exactly what Kunou described. His eyes hardened. "Yeah, no," he growled, voice low and dangerous. "That's not happening."
He gently lifted Kunou down from his shoulders and placed her on the ground. With a flick of his hand, he opened a glowing portal. He stepped through for just a moment and returned with Yasaka at his side.
He spoke quickly, urgency burning behind his calm tone. "I'll take the heat with Amy. You spend some time with your daughter… and watch these two for me. I got something to do."
He passed the tiny but indignant Ramiris into Yasaka's arms. Pointing a stern finger at Milim, he said, "Listen to Yasaka… or no fight."
Milim puffed out her cheeks in a pout but nodded. "Okay… fine," she muttered, clearly disappointed.
Yasaka smiled warmly and rested a hand on Kunou's head. "Alright, girls. Let's go have some fun and leave Lord Apollo to his business."
Apollo cracked his neck with a savage grin, stretching like a predator ready to hunt. He confidently stepped into the red light district, fire flickering behind his eyes.
He called out for Artemis, and when she appeared in a flash, she looked around with a raised brow. "Did you really summon me… to a red light district?" she asked, deadpan.
Apollo's voice was sharp and furious. "I'm burning it down."
Artemis blinked once. Her smirk was feral. "Well damn. Lead with that next time. Who's in charge and how many are we killing?"
Apollo crossed his arms, gaze locked forward. "Ishtar. And most of her familia. Some were forced into it, so I'd rather help them if possible."
Artemis nodded thoughtfully. "Got it."
The two siblings walked together, heads high and steps echoing across the cobblestone's, heading straight toward Ishtar's palace.
----
Back with Tet, the god found himself still trapped in the ongoing story of how he and his fiancée got together. Hestia animatedly continued sharing every embarrassing detail, while Vesta leaned forward in excitement, hanging onto every word.
Tet slouched a little, muttering under his breath with a defeated sigh, "How is it that I'm stronger… and she still wears the pants in the relationship…"
His eyes suddenly shifted, expression sharpening. He sensed exactly what Apollo and Artemis were up to. A tired whisper escaped him. "Good grief… they couldn't wait till after the festival? I mean, I planned to do it myself later… but whatever."
With a quick snap of his fingers, the air shimmered. No one in the city would be able to see or hear anything happening in the red light district anymore. Crisis contained. Festival saved. Hopefully.
He turned his full attention back to Hestia right as she proudly announced, "And on our first date we sailed the ocean and robbed pirates!"
Vesta clapped her hands together and giggled happily. "That's so cool!"
Tet's expression fell like a stone. He covered his face with one hand and groaned, "Oh no… she's only halfway through…"
-----
Percy, Annabeth, and Grover wandered through the festival, laughing as they played games, snacked on fried treats, and soaked in the fun atmosphere. Annabeth glanced to the side and suddenly spotted Lefiya with Tione and Tiona. Her eyes lit up and she jogged over excitedly.
"Hey! How are you three?" Annabeth asked with a bright smile.
Lefiya immediately frowned, her ears twitching with irritation. "Oh, I've got a bone to pick with you."
Annabeth froze mid-step, skidding to a halt with a nervous grin. "Uh… what's wrong?"
Lefiya crossed her arms and leaned forward. "What was that weird magic you beat me with?"
Annabeth straightened up proudly. "Oh! That was Solid Script Magic," she explained, holding up her hand. "I write out a word, and whatever I write manifests in reality. I used to have to rely on this fountain pen, but now I can kind of do it with just my hands. It's just… not as easy."
Lefiya's face went bright red as she mumbled, "Okay… but did you have to make me lose in such an embarrassing way?"
Annabeth chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry… I went with efficiency. I guess I wasn't thinking about how it would make you look."
Lefiya stomped her foot lightly, ears drooping. "I'm supposed to be a high-level adventurer, and I lost to a thirteen-year-old. That alone was embarrassing!"
Annabeth perked up quickly. "Well… how about I buy you a drink as an apology?"
Tiona raised her hand with a big grin. "Everything is free today!"
Annabeth blinked, then smacked her forehead lightly. "Oh right. Forgot about that." She perked up again with renewed energy. "Have you guys been to the amusement park yet? We can show you how everything there works!"
Lefiya glanced nervously at the massive contraptions in the distance. "Actually, we've been avoiding that place because we don't know what it is…"
Tione eyed the rides with a little smile. "It does look fun though."
Percy stepped forward with a confident grin. "Come on! Let's go try it out!" He waved them forward encouragingly.
With excitement slowly building among the Tet/Hestia Familia trio, they all headed off together toward the amusement park.
-----
Meanwhile, Tet rode on the Ferris wheel, sandwiched tightly between Hestia and Vesta. Hestia continued telling the story of their relationship, her hands waving as she spoke, while Vesta leaned in with shining eyes, listening with excited curiosity.
The two goddesses pressed against Tet from both sides, their warmth making it nearly impossible for him to focus on anything except the soft pressure trapping him in place. Unlike earlier, his face wasn't red from embarrassment… but from the very obvious and very flustered situation he had found himself in.
Tet sat stiff as a board, trying to look composed, but the crimson flush spreading across his cheeks betrayed him completely as the Ferris wheel slowly climbed higher into the sky.