The Life of an Argonaut

A couple of words can bear the force of a thousand blows

After his trip to the guild was, for now, complete, Bell made his way to the hostess to reacquire his magic stones, through the bustling markets and for some reason, flinching at the sight of a boar that was being escorted, goddess knows why he would flinch at a boar but that's a problem for another time. He couldn't help but panic, overthink and berate his near slip-up to Eina about his current living conditions, something that the half-elf would surely pull him up for at some point. 'I should have just finished the sentence and then say I popped in to see Syr or some other mildly believable excuse rather than change to a set of words that have almost no similarities. Why, out of all things I could've inherited, did I have to inherit my grandfather's lying ability,' Bell lamented.

Bell, not paying attention due to said beratement, failed to notice the rather small cat person struggling with the box of groceries, and so crashed into her. Naturally, Bell was fine, having about half a foot on her as well as the advantage of his arms being free of a rather large box of groceries that had just been sent crashing down to the floor, Anya... not so much, as shown by the way her head and torso landed in the bin conveniently placed there. "Oh goddess, I'm so sorry! Are you alright!" Bell exclaimed, rushing over to Anya and frantically looking her over... Not in any way lecherous, but rather due to witnessing firsthand what could happen due to a simple fall. Goddess only knows the amount he's seen this situation before, both at the hostess and the town he stayed at with Grandpa, the outcomes were never pretty. After making sure she was alright, stammering a myriad of apologies, and bowing at a perfect 90-degree angle learned from his grandfather (funnily enough, his grandfather was adamant about teaching him proper etiquette despite his perverted ways), Bell rushed to pick up the remaining groceries, carefully putting any spoiled product to the side. He meticulously did so until everything was an exact carbon copy of what Bell imagined it to be when it was first packed by Orario's vendors, only seeing the supplies when they were sprawled out on the floor. The reason he did this so meticulously? Mia would have his head for the wasted products, he didn't need nor want her wrath to increase. Bell shuddered at the thought, he would definitely be doing overtime tonight or running errands. He would have to speak with Mia about the possibility of him being on kitchen duty but chances were his request would be denied. It was far too soon for Bell to realistically ask for anything, having already occupied a space at her inn, all the while being fed and hidden by her. It was more than what many others would have done and potentially more than what she should have done. Thankfully, Lady Loki most likely signed him on a whim and therefore wouldn't be too concerned with his disappearance beyond the minimum expected of her in order to save her and his familia's reputation.

As Bell placed the shopping down, he had an ominous feeling that tonight would go horrendously wrong...

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The hours blended in the dungeon. Bell imagined it was the same for every adventurer, the sensation of hyper-focusing in a battle, the ease in which he lost himself to the monotony of clearing a floor, and moving deeper into the labyrinth. Of course, he was restricted on how far he could actually go down, Eina had only cleared another two levels for him, reluctantly might he add. Still, little was better than none in most cases, including this one. He decided to only go down to level five, as there was no need to push himself past his limits. What reason would there be? It's not as though he had something to prove, or anyone to catch up to... He immediately cast away the image of a beautiful woman with a gaze as sharp as her sword and her hair as beautiful as the sun... That last comparison could use some work but he wasn't as smooth as people thought he was, he was a teenager for Loki's sake, and he was allowed to be awkward. So sue him if his comparisons could be extremely cheesy. Not that it mattered as he felt absolutely nothing regarding his familia. Nothing at all except an intense apathy. Honestly, it was like a void concerning his feelings for them. Nothing at all, especially for certain gold-eyed swordswomen or certain sorcerers of elven descent! Still... he couldn't deny that the strength from the Loki Familia eclipsed his. Even the weakest member would probably defeat him. But still, the fifth level would do for now. Might even be able to help with the strange tightening of his chest whenever he even looked at anything resembling a boar or anything to do with the number five. If he was really lucky, it would help him with this warm feeling he got whenever Ais Wallenstein was mentioned because he surely wasn't in love with her. Admiration, maybe? Bell put these thoughts aside and focused on taking down the war shadow that leaped at him.

Eventually, Bell called time on his dive and began making his way back up to the surface, having no idea what awaited him by the time he made it up to the surface. thankfully, his ascent was a lot smoother than last time, with nobody stopping him with uncomfortable questions about his blood caked appearance. Not that it was his fault. He was adamant that it was not his fault. He'd take the blame for being injured (as that was actually his fault), but being showered in blood was solely Miss Ais' fault. Within minutes he was in the hostess, showering and preparing to change into the uniform handed to him by Mia. He would be helping out tonight, as the Loki familia had booked a significant chunk of the place out in celebration for the excursion that they had just completed down to the 59th floor. Wasn't that shocking, he didn't even know his own familia was away risking their lives in the name of progress. He'd be on dishes duty, as well as errand boy. Surprisingly, Mia Grande was quite empathetic with his story, allowing him to stay out of sight and out of mind. The Loki Familia were booked to come in two hours after nightfall, which meant that until then Bell would be a typical waiter. Seemed manageable, plus he had to repay Mia someway, beyond the monthly rent that half of went into her pocket. The other half either went to the girls, or the Hostess. Maybe both, maybe neither, but Bell wasn't too fussed to find out. Mia's business was her own.

"Bell, we start in ten! Get your ass down here!" Mama Mia called just as Bell was tying his laces to his chocolate-colored loafers. The outfit was form fitting, but so was everyone else's so he had no room to complain. It was comfier than what he thought a uniform would have, or should have been and as he descended the ladder, he mentally prepared himself for what could potentially be a long night. He had heard horror stories about this particular branch of work.
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The night was going well. Beyond a few wandering gazes, both mail and female and were promptly shut down by Mama Mia's ferocious glare (which made him both happy she would care about him enough to shut down any... propositions that may or may not come his way and intrigued, because she never wasted the effort to glare at the girls' plentiful suitors) when he heard the bell (and wasn't that ironic) ring, and a loud, bustling party of adventurers were being led into the establishment by none other than Lady Loki herself. Bell, who was carrying two empty plates away from a boisterous adventurer party, promptly hurried (not scarpered, hurried!) into the kitchen. When Bell made it, he breathed out a sigh of relief before making his way to the towering dishes. Seems like Syr got sidetracked. That or it was just that busy, who knows? While he was confident none of them had seen him (or that they would think to or even care to look for him), he had no desire to look any of them in the eyes. He had no idea what would happen if he looked at Miss Ais or Lady Riveria (who was elven ROYALTY apparently, as he found out from Miss Ryuu). His thoughts were cut off by the sensation of his hands freezing over. Clearly, Syr got sidetracked, why else would she leave water that cold in the sink. As Bell drained and then refilled the sink, and shook off his resultant pins and needles, he couldn't help but sneak a peak at his familia. Despite the harsh words from Bete, there was still a level of fondness for some of them. Ais, of course, had his admiration and his respect. Anyone that strong deserved it. Riveria was the first person to really look out for him since his grandfather died, and he wouldn't forget the way she half-carried him to Twilight manor, all the while ignoring her own troubles and elvin reservations and joking to keep him calm. Finn, who was well renowned for his work ethic, sharp tactical mind and cutting wit, who was cynical but not heartless. The pallum lived up to the legend and more, and always managed to put Bell at ease in the short time he was at Twilight Manor. Loki, who took him in. As strange and mysterious as her reasoning (reasoning that she neglected to tell him) was for doing so. He was about to return back to his dishes when the conversation reached his ears.

And the words that came out of Bete's mouth was cut deeper than what he could ever manage with a blade.
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Bell burst through The Hostess' doors.
Cries were heard behind him. He didn't know who was shouting. They were perhaps numerous people. They didn't matter.
The moon shined down on him and the stars glistened. He barged into someone. He'd need to offer his apologies later. Mia would probably give him hell for cutting his shift. He'd need to pick up some stuff to make up for it.
Bete's words reverberated around in his mind. It was like his shadow, he couldn't escape it. The words got too much. The anger in him burned, he felt motivated to prove him wrong. Soon enough, his feet took him to The Dungeon and without hesitation he made his way.
Floor 1
Floor 2
Floor 3
Floor 4
Cleared without hesitation. The monsters that his fellow familia member claimed would kill him fell.
Shadows erupted from the walls. They were vanquished. More came, more fell. They'd strike him? He'd strike harder. This pattern continued until eventually, he felt a hand on his shoulder.