15. Rooftop Discussions

Freya had an amused expression on her face at the girl's question. "The way I see it, your soul is powerful. Ridiculously so that it rejects even my charm, making you one of the few people I can have a conversation with." Freya still marvelled at the soul of the girl before her, most people's souls had an outline of themselves or was just a floating conglomerate of colours that made up who they were but the dragon before her was different, powerful. "So you just wanted someone to talk to?" Marlet tilted her head in confusion making Freya giggle. "Even gods get lonely little girl, we may hide it better because of our experiences but that doesn't mean we don't have feelings" this conversation was refreshing for the goddess. She didn't wasn't being looked at possessively or with lust, she was being spoken to like any other being. She wanted Marlet to belong to her even more now. "If you want someone to talk to, I can be that person. I may not look it but I'm a great listener" Marlet had a proud smile while looking at the goddess before her. 'Did she just? No, she didn't just ask me to be her friend! What absurdity was this?' These thoughts raced through Freya's mind at high speed. "Did you just offer me friendship?" Even speaking it out loud made her mouth feel weird. "Huh, I guess I did just ask a lonely goddess if she wanted to be my friend" Marlet adopted her trademark Loki smile making Freya laugh lightly.

"I was planning on having you reach deeper for your potential, how many gods could say they helped a dragon grow to its full strength?" Freya found it comedic that the mortal before her wanted to be her friend, she only had a few of those and hadn't relaxed with another person in a long time. Ottar was more of an attendant and the rest of her familia revered her too much to even consider being on the same level as their goddess. Freya motioned for Ottar that she wished to be alone and he obliged without even raising any objection, he had already established that the girl had no ill will towards his goddess and judging by her personality she was more mischievous than malicious. Freya turned back to the mortal next to her and with amusement asked a question that every self-important god or goddess would ask, "and why should we be friends?"

Marlet stayed silent for a good few minutes just looking at Freya, just as the goddess was about to voice her discontent the girl spoke up. "I'll reveal to you 2 of my secrets. This should show that I am sincere with my intentions. But Goddess Freya "Marlet had a smile on her face, "why shouldn't we be friends? I understand that you are a goddess but you yourself said even you get lonely." This reasoning stumped her for a brief moment before she humphed and lifted her chin, "well then let's hear it. What are your secrets that would make me want to be… on friendly terms, with you" Freya still had trouble understanding that someone would just want to be close to her without trying to gain anything from it. Marlet could only smile at the goddess before her acting all haughty, "well Lady Freya, the first secret is that I am an immortal mortal." Freya's head snapped at her so fast Marlet worried about her neck but continued explaining nonetheless "these are Ouranos own words." Marlet had no idea what thoughts were going through the goddess's mind but continued speaking as if she was unbothered that she had just said something that could cause wars both within and out of Orario. "The second thing is that I actually died" now Freya was utterly confused, how can she be dead but still before her. Freya knew the girl wasn't lying because her divinity would have picked it up but that only caused greater confusion within her. "Explain" was all she could say, not a demand or a request just that one single word. "Sorry Lady Freya but only my closest friends know what these secrets mean" hook, line and sinker were the thoughts going through Marlet, she knew Freya couldn't not leave her alone now but would also be a lot more careful with any plans she might have made. With a victorious smirk on her face Marlet stood up and helped the goddess to her feet as well, "you can keep the second fish Lady Freya. Now if you'll excuse me I have another commitment I must attend to" with those parting words Marlet simply fell backwards over the edge of Babel Tower keeping eye contact with Freya as she passed over the edge. 'I've always wanted to do that!' Marlet could only laugh and unfurl her wings and head towards the Manor.

Seeing all her familia waiting for her at the entrance gate and Gareth having a leather harness in his hands Marlet couldn't help but smile. "And where were you?" Riveria was curious as to where the girl had flown to. "Just trying to make some friends", Loki's mischief senses were tingling when Marlet said that but she decided against asking for further information, the girl was allowed a life outside the familia so long as it didn't bring too much trouble. With everyone present the head towards the Hostess of Fertility already prepared to order a lot of food and drink, but also mostly to see Chloe don the harness they had commissioned and be the first person to fly with Marlet. Arriving at the Hostess it was empty besides all the waitresses and Mia who had an excited smile on her face, Syr gave Marlet a strange look but didn't take any actions. Chloe could be seen wearing a pair of pants and a warm jersey, she was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement that Mia had to grab her head with one hand and lift her off the ground so that she could remain in one place.

Standing on the roof with everyone watching Marlet had someone help her fasten the straps to her and allowed the energetic cat girl to strap herself in as well. Marlet wore a thick leather chest piece at Loki's behest as she said that if something like this works, we don't want strange people coming for rides. This made Mia nod her head in approval and all the girls who heard her blush up to their necks at the double meaning. Chloe put on the straps reminiscent of skydiving equipment of Marlet's old word and indicated that she was ready. Wanting to make her first passenger have the best experience Marlet unfurled her wings and looked up, Chloe could be seen hanging like a baby from her chest harness over the edge of the building due to their height difference and also looking up expectantly. Marlet took in a deep breath and bent her legs, the next instant everyone heard her shout out a word in a foreign language and got shot into the air perpendicular to the ground.

Chloe was enjoying the experience immensely and would shout when they picked up speed as though she were on a roller coaster but also enjoy he scenery when Marlet cruised above the clouds or over Orario. Having spent enough time on the air Marlet slowly made her way back towards the Hostess and landed softly on the roof, Chloe with a content smile on her face heaved a small sigh as the adventure had finished. As the cat girl got out of the harness all the other people started crowding around Marlet wanting to go for a ride as well, even Loki wasn't left out of this. And so the night went on, with the waitresses and Loki familia all taking turns going for a small flight. Mia had refused and said it was for the young people's enjoyment, instead organising that finger foods and drinks were constantly provided for the people present. Seeing the satisfied looks of the people who had had their turn Mia could already see the Valis pouring in. She had already decided on a specific meal that would be served after the person finished with their flight, she had discussed with Loki that they would charge 5 000 Valis for an adult and 3 000 Valis for children. This price included a flight around Orario with a meal and a mug of ale or juice for the younger crowd.

As the night finished Marlet was fairly tired and had spoken to Mia about making the flight business a reservation only deal, going no further than 10 people when the service was offered. Mia accepted because although it would slow down the people wanting to do it, as word of mouth spread the waiting list would increase. Save to say that night the Loki familia bought out a lot of alcohol and food in their excitement and Marlet was once again the centre of attention with Loki hanging around her neck with one arm and a bottle of liquor in the other praising her child. Riveria, Aiz and every other woman in the familia was very thankful to Marlet for distracting Loki away from them, Loki had a tendency to get a little handsy when she drank a little too much. The familia parties the night away.

It was the next morning and everyone was either nursing a hangover or preparing to head to the dungeon, within this group was Marlet ready and prepared to head to the dungeon once again. Riveria said she would accompany her again just to be on the safer side and would be joined by Tiona. About to leave for the dungeon Tiona asked if they could fly there as a 'small adventure' making the elf smile and say she would be walking ahead and meeting them at the dungeon entrance in a few minutes. Tiona was visibly very excited and hopping up and down to everyone's amusement.

Tiona and Marlet could be seen standing at the top of her tree and looking over Orario. Tiona was already strapped in and ready to go, only waiting for Marlet to take off.

Feeling her crouch a little and the spreading of her wings Tiona squealed like a little girl but it only last for a second as she heard from behind her a loud "WULD" and suddenly they were in the air gliding above all the houses. Tiona enjoyed this moment the night before a lot, with her and her twin's past this feeling of freedom was in many ways therapeutic to the girl. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wind flowing over her shin and through her hair, spreading her arms as though they were the wings themselves and simply enjoyed the moment.

Marlet seeing that the usually loud and active amazon was unusually quiet decided to fly a little higher and simply let her enjoy the moment. This only lasted for a few moments though as she could see an elf waiting in a clearing before the dungeon looking up at them. That was the deciding factor that had Marlet inform Tiona that they were going to dive and that when they get closer to the ground she'll land as soft and safe as possible. Receiving a nod and thumbs up in return.

Riveria had been waiting for a few minutes for her charge to arrive with the amazoness. Seeing that they were taking a few laps around Orario only made her sigh and shake her head. She knew all too well the feeling of flight with Marlet, she had also experienced it at the Hostess for purely academical reasons but if the chance to go again came up she wouldn't refuse, and so she watched as the girl flew around for a bit but then suddenly dived down towards her. Luckily she had the foresight to clear a area for her so that she could have a safe landing. 'I'll talk to Loki to maybe organise a designated area for her to land near the dungeon entrance' were the thoughts going through her head.

"Ready to dive in the dungeon again! Let's go!" Marlet all but shouted excitedly after Tiona was free from the straps.