Chapter 40 - A Goddess Day Off

"Erebus, something was off about him during his execution.", I stated, "What information do you have on him?"

"Erebus kept to himself most of the time, even when I came to pay Rudra for goods he never once spoke with me.", she admitted.

"Other than the four deities that were with him, were their any other powerful people with him?", I questioned, "It may have been years ago that they met."

Stopping to think for a moment, she reflected on all the transactions she made. Not remembering anyone in particular till right up at the beginning of her dealings with Rudra, she remembered seeing an older man with Erebus. He was a white haired old man who wore very flashy black clothing with gold accents. Giving me a very vague description of the man, he sound like someone I knew from a video game.

"Be honest...did he seem like a kind old man, or like he had a hidden agenda?", I asked.

"How would I know that?", she inquired.

"Don't play with me Ishtar, out of the women in Orario you are one of the best at reading men. You didn't become the boss of the Red Light District by randomly pair men with women. You have a third sense for these things.", I said.

Giving me a playful smile, it seemed like she was actually enjoying this. Thinking about it carefully, she was used to men drooling all over her so maybe she was secretly a masochist under her façade. I was probably the first man to challenge her, and keep my sanity when she tried using her charms.

"Fair enough, he seemed like the type that liked trick people into thinking he was a fool. From what I remember, he made several mistakes in his conversations and built up Erebus' ego when Erebus correct him.", Ishtar replied with a grin.

"Last question...did you see any Dragon or Snake symbols on the man, specifically on his back.", I pressed her.

"Yes, he had a weird looking snake on the back of his shirt.", she remarked.

'Shang Tsung...I knew I remembered that colored flame!', I thought removing my hand from her chin, "Okay, I didn't see you here and you didn't see me."

Agreeing to that, the two of us went our separate ways for the night.

---A Few Days Later---

Casually walking into the open area outside Babel, it was surprising to think that it only took a few days to fix much of the damage from the fighting. Kids were already running around and playing games while the adults were busy setting up shop for the day. Today was the day I would take Freya to the Avatar World, and I was looking forward to seeing how she'd react. Finding her outside sitting by a water fountain, I was surprised she convinced Ottar to let her sit out in the open without him close by. Sure she had several of her people watching her for protection, but it was shocking to think he'd allow it.

"Good Morning.", I said as I approached, "No Ottar today?"

"No, he is actually working with Zald to help train the City Guard and low level Adventurers. After the attack on Babel, it was made clear that we have to strengthen our people in case another enemy shows up. Several Familias are participating in the training today to get battle experience.", Freya told me, "Also...I apologize, but we will have a rather nosey guest with us today."

"Nosey!?", Loki shouted as she stormed over, "It wasn't my fault you let it slip you were going somewhere far away with him today!! Who wouldn't want to go on a little adventure?"

Asking Freya how this happened, she admitted that she let it slip that she was going on a date with me. When Loki heard about it, she apparently flipped out and demanded she be brought along. Since Loki was a close friend, she told her about me and made her swear she'd say nothing to anyone else.

"You managed to slip away too?", I asked.

"Yep, I have people running errands so I could sneak away.", Loki laughed.

"You aren't good at sneaking...", Ais said from behind Loki.

Jumping like a scared cat into my arms, Loki told Ais not to do that anymore. She didn't like pop up scares evidentially, I would use that to my advantage later if she caused me problems.

"How long have you been following me?", Loki questioned, "I told you to go enjoy the Jagamarukun Stand!"

"It's not open yet.", Ais replied.

"Damn it! I forgot!", she groaned, "Sorry Mael, can she come too?"

"I don't see why not, where we are going she will be fine.", I said teleporting us without warning.

---Avatar World---

Landing a few mountains over from the Southern Air Temple, I wanted to show them some of the unique creatures of this world. Setting Loki down as their eyes adjusted to the light, Freya and Loki gasped in shock.

"What are those!?", Loki shouted pointing at the Flying Bison, "I want hug it!!"

Running towards them with open arms, I yelled at her to stop because it wasn't going to end well. Deciding to ignore my warnings, Loki got too close and the parents of the calves weren't too happy about it. Before Ais could go to help her, Loki was sent flying through the air with a swing of their tails. Jumping up into the sky, I caught her before she flew over the cliffside.

"Hot damn!!", she laughed, "What are they?"

"They are called Flying Bison, they are animals of this world that can tap into the natural energies here.", I said, "Let me explain..."

Giving them a background into this worlds history, they listened closely as I went over the finer details. They were especially interested in the techniques that benders used as it was completely foreign to them.

"Anyways I found this herd during one of my many trips to the South Pole. I had them settle here far from the reach of anyone seeking to do them harm.", I stated.

"...can we pet one?", Ais asked.

"Absolutely, however don't follow Loki's example.", I laughed, "They are very protective of their young."

"Now he tells me.", Loki groaned with a smirk.

Having them follow behind me, I had them only come in contact with the adult Bison. The Sky Bison were still unsure of the three women so this was the safest option for now. Once they realized the three only wanted to see the adults, the bison calmed down and became mellow.

"So soft...", Loki sighed with a relief, "This is softer than anything I have laid on..."

"They smell so good too...", Freya added.

Glancing over at Ais, she was already burrowed into the fur on the bison's tail. Seeing a small smile on her face, I was happy she was enjoying herself. Taking them out on a flight with the bison, the women dumbfounded by how breathtaking the scenery was.

"How much for one of these??", Loki asked.

"They won't be for sale anytime soon, all the Bison you see is pretty much all there is at the moment. The Fire Nation slaughtered most of them at the beginning of the war.", I told her, "Once the population has time to rebuild, I can bring you back and see if any of them bond with you. We can discuss things then."

"Hehe, flying around like this everyday would be awesome!!", she laughed.

Seeing a small pack of Flying Lemur glide by, they watched them dance around us for a while before asking where we were headed next. Telling them it would get cold where we were headed, I suggested they bundle up now. Doing as I asked, they watched the mountains give way to the frozen tundra of the South Pole. Flying past Katara's village, I took us out to the slopes where the Otter Penguins lived. Seeing hundreds of them waddling around, they immediately asked to touch down so they could see them.

"These are Otter Penguins, the locals will use them to go sledding down the slopes. All you have to do is bribe them with some fish.", I said handing them a fish each.

"So all you have to do is just show them the fish?", Freya asked waving it around.

"Yes, but be careful some of them can be a bit...", I started to say before one tackled her, "Rowdy."

"Haha.", she laughed as the fur of the animal tickled her face.

Once everyone had one, I showed them how to sled with them. Following me down the slope, Loki and Freya shouted out with excitement as Ais meekly voiced her happiness. Coming to a stop at the bottom Ais flew past us, and crashed into a snow pile. The animals were completely unharmed and just waddled back to their group like nothing happened, as for Ais...she was stuck in the snow.

"Hmm...I give your white panties a five out of ten, they are kind of plain.", Loki commented before trying to pull her out.

Unable to pull her out by herself, I ended up pulling Ais free from the snow pile. Looking at Loki with a conflicted expression, I handed Ais a snowball and suggested she throw it at her. Asking if it was a weapon, I shook my head and said this was another game they played here. Trusting my words, she threw the snowball like it was a baseball. Pegging Loki in the face, she fell over momentarily dazed from the hit.

"What was that for!?", Loki shouted as she dusted the snow off.

"Payback.", Ais said, "Riveria said I could if you misbehaved."

"Did she now!", Loki replied making her own snowball, "Well take this then!!"

Throwing it Freya, that's for ruinin my last relationship!!", Loki laughed.

Returning the favor, Freya pelted her back and said that was for stealing from her liquor cabinet. After a few throws, the two of them ran away from each other and started building a wall of snow and fighting each other with snowballs. Joining in on their fun, we played for several hours in the snow alternating between sledding, making snowmen, making snow angels, and having snowball fights. Since it was now getting close to evening time, I said we should probably head back to Orario. Keeping them away too long would cause an uproar with their Familias.

"Damn...responsibilities suck!", Loki complained.

"How about we take a photo to commemorate the occasion?", I suggested.

"What's a photo?", Freya inquired.

Showing them a camera from Earthland, I took a snapshot of the scenery and showed them the image. Both Goddesses were stunned by how vivid the image was, and immediately wanted to take some photos to remember today by. Taking a few group photos, we headed back to Orario afterwards.

---Orario---

Arriving back at Babel, we found Allen and Finn running around with several members of their Familias. It was obvious they were looking for their Goddesses, and Freya and Loki knew it too.

"Watcha doin!?", Loki shouted, "Aren't ya supposed to be out trainin?"

"Damn you Loki!! Do you know how worried we were!?", Riveria barked, "Both Ais and you just disappeared into thin air, and that's all you have to say."

"We went out to have some fun, what's wrong with that?", Loki laughed, "Mael was there so there wasn't any danger to us."

"Exactly...", Freya said with a slightly irritated look, "Allen...I seem to remember telling you I had plans, did I not?"

"My Lady...it was just...you vanished into thin air in front of my men. I...I thought he might have done something to you.", Allen apologized.

"He offered to take me on a date as thanks for evacuating the children from the orphanage, is there something wrong with that?", she pressed him.

"No...no ma'am...", he stated.

Patting him on the head, Freya thanked him for being worried about her but that he didn't need to worry about her. Saying that I had no reason to harm them, she said he could trust me to keep her safe.

"Mael, thank you for the pleasant adventure today. It's been quite some time since I have left Orario, today made me realize there is still a lot out there to explore.", Freya thanked me.

"Yeah, you should take us to a high end tavern next time!", Loki snickered, "I'd some drink and food from there."

"Next time?", I questioned.

"Uh yeah, you ain't gonna just leave us hangin, are ya?", she inquired, "We are women to after all."

"We can discuss that next time I am free.", I chuckled, "You should also probably tell your Familia next time too. Oh by the way Riveria, Loki took a peek up Ais' skirt earlier today."

Looking at me in shock, Loki couldn't believe I would snitch on her. Asking Ais if this was true, Ais confirmed it immediately.

"Loki-sama...it seems we need to have another lecture...", Riveria said grabbing her by the ear.

"OUCH!! MY EAR, NOT MY EAR!!", Loki screamed as Riveria pulled her away.

Bidding me a farewell, Ais said she hoped we could train together sometime. Saying I would reach out to her, she nodded her head and followed after them. Parting ways with Freya and her Familia as well, I said I had some things to attend to now and that I would see her later.

Once Mael was out of sight, Allen asked her if Mael had done anything to her. Saying he had done nothing inappropriate or harmed her, Freya told him to halt the current observation of him. Having spent the day with him, she was confident he was trustworthy enough to be left alone.

'I will keep the pressure up personally to ensure I stay in his good graces. Today was the most fun I have had in ages...it was nice not to worry about anything and just relax.', Freya thought as Allen escorted her back into Babel.