Chapter 21: Talking With Ryuu
Ryuu didn't go to many places in the past five years. This would be, in fact, one of the first times she moved around the area of the Hearth Manor. She felt something she didn't really know she could. It was a mix of curiosity, longing and expectation.
She had closed herself off from the world after what had happened. She had stopped showing her emotions on the outside. Yet she had been waiting for someone who could melt that wall she had built. Someone who wasn't afraid of tearing down the years upon years of defences she hid in.
And somehow, someone like that had appeared. Someone who could tell how she felt even if she didn't show it. Someone who cried because of her. Someone who, without even knowing her, felt an amount of care for her that couldn't be described.
While thinking those things, She suddenly felt a hint of joy in her cold heart, threatening to melt the ice surrounding it. When she finally gained focus of what was in front of her, she found the Hearth Manor.
A building that, until not long ago, was nothing but an abandoned church. She had heard the rumours of the new Captain of the Hestia Familia. A boy with silver hair and teal eyes that shined brightly. Adalwulf Blågrønn.
*
From inside the Manor, Ad and Hestia, the only two people who remained awake at the current time, heard a knock on the Manor's door. Adalwulf, knowing fully well who it was, went to open and receive the guest.
Adalwulf: Hello...
Ryuu: I came.
Adalwulf: Please come in, I'll prepare some tea.
Ryuu felt surprised when she saw the Goddess sitting there, staring at her. She could feel the smallest amount of hostility coming from her, but she couldn't think of a reason why Hestia would feel like that.
Adalwulf: Make yourself comfortable, please. Hestia, stop doing that. I'll go and prepare some tea.
Yet again, Ryuu was surprised. Not because of Ad's words, but because of how he addressed the Goddess. He hadn't used any honorific in her name. That implied that their relationship was closer than that of child and Goddess.
While Ad prepared the tea, Hestia decided to breake the ice. That way, she could get rid of the worry and annoyance she felt.
Hestia: You are special to Ad-kun, so don't hurt him.
Ryuu: I don't even know...
Hestia: And he doesn't know you either, but I can tell how he feels, and so do you. Don't you?
Ryuu would be lying if she said she couldn't. When she saw the boy, earlier and just now, she could tell how he felt. She somehow... knew. He felt worried, happy, scared, anxious and excited. She could tell which was the reason of all of the negative. Herself.
Adalwulf came back just in time to miss the short exchange. He carried a plate with three cups of tea. He had served a sweet minty tea for Ryuu, something he thought would be refreshing. He gave Hestia a tea that reminded him of linden, something very in tune with her Divinity. He himself drank a tea to calm the nerves. All the concoctions were crafted by the Dian Cecht Familia, given to him on a discounted price.
The one who broke the ice was none other than Ryuu herself. Always looking Ad in the eyes, she spoke.
Ryuu: Did I... hurt you?
Adalwulf: What? No! I'm just... a little anxious.
Ryuu: I can tell...
She seemed reluctant to continue with what she was going to say, but then she remembered what the girls at the Hostess of Fertility had told her. Particularly, Syr. She had been very clear with her.
*Flashback*
Ryuu: I don't know what to do...
Syr: Hm... you might not know him but... are the things you felt real?
Ryuu: I think so, yes.
Syr: Then don't let go of that hand. Don't let go of the hand that you yourself allowed to hold yours.
Ryuu: Thank you, Syr
*End*
Ryuu: Can I... hold your hand again?
She had the smallest hint of a blush right in her cheekbones, but if was more than enough to make the usually cold and stoic Elf look like a shy maiden when looking at her beloved. She even looked worried when she asked, perhaps expecting him to reject her petition.
When she finally felt Ad take her hand in his, she allowed a tiny smile to show on her face. Hestia, seeing how she was being borderline ignored, sighed. She interrupted their moment without any mercy.
Hestia: There are too many women around you, Ad-kun.
Adalwulf: It's not like I am searching for them. I declare myself guilty of openly flirting with many, but I'm no regular at the Ishtar Familia.
Ryuu: How... how many?
Hestia: Well...
What followed was a recount of everything that had happened ever since Ad arrived at Orario and joined the Hestia Familia. Ryuu was now looking at him with a glare akin to that of a wife who caught her husband cheating. Why?
She was told how Ad had teased Syr upon their arrival at the Hostess of Fertility that same night. They spent a long time talking about many things after that.
The questions asked were, mostly, about how Ad grew up and what was his reason to come to Orario. Even Hestia got to know her beloved Ad-kun a lot more thanks to the conversation. She would later thank Ryuu for the opportunity, as she wouldn't have thought of doing so before.
When it was already late, Ad offered Ryuu a room in the Manor to sleep. They still had many empty rooms, after all. Ryuu accepted gladly, so Ad guided her to one of the rooms close to his own.
When the Elf saw Hestia entering his room, she almost wanted to follow, but she still wasn't daring enought to do so. She guessed that the Goddess was that much maturer than her, and it would seem like even he was. Still, she didn't mind waiting. They had a lot of time to get to know each other better.
After all, she had found it. Her fire. Her Dóiteáin.
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I made a Discord server for this FF. I will leave a link in the comments. If you are not going to talk, ask or suggest anything, please don't join. I've had servers were people only entered to play with Mudae.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ice_Wielding_Ronin
Ice_Wielding_Ronin Dóiteáin means Fire in Irish, or so said Google. I hope you liked this chapter, it is a bit more down to earth, I think.
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