"I... don't have a Familia. No one has wanted to join me yet."
Kael nodded slowly. He knew this was part of the storyline. But still, seeing her sadness so real...
"Hey, don't look at me with such pity!" Hestia suddenly exclaimed, her cheeks puffing out in annoyance. "I'm perfectly fine! Besides, I'm sure someday someone will want to join my Familia!"
Kael smiled at Hestia's quick change of expression. This tiny goddess was always full of energy, exactly as he remembered.
"I just thought of something," said Kael, noticing how Hestia's blue eyes immediately looked at him full of curiosity.
"How about I join your Familia?"
Hestia's eyes widened perfectly. Her mouth opened, but no words came out for a few moments.
"A-are you... serious?" she finally asked, her voice almost a whisper.
Kael nodded firmly. "I'm serious. I came to Orario looking for a Familia and... I think our meeting wasn't a coincidence."
Hestia still stared at him in disbelief, then with a quick movement she stood up, both hands clenched in front of her chest, her face beaming.
"YEAAAAAAY! Finallyyyy!" she shouted loudly, causing several patrons in the tavern to turn around.
"Finally someone wants to join my Familia!"
She bounced up and down slightly in place, making her black twin-tails sway in all directions. Kael couldn't hold back his laughter seeing her behavior.
"But, but, but," Hestia suddenly stopped and looked at Kael seriously.
"Are you sure? I don't have a magnificent temple or fancy house, you know. Right now I'm just living in an old abandoned church on the edge of town."
"That's not a problem," replied Kael. "I didn't come here for luxury."
"Then, what for?" asked Hestia, sitting back down while tilting her head in such an adorable way.
Kael paused for a moment. He couldn't possibly tell her that he came from another world, or that he knew Hestia from an anime. But he could be honest about one thing.
"I came to find a place where I could be myself," he finally said.
"And I think... your Familia could be that place."
Hestia looked at him for a long time, then a wide smile broke across her face. "In that case, starting today you're officially a member of Hestia Familia! Ah, but we need to perform the blessing ritual first! How about we go to the church now?"
"Now? This late at night?"
"Why not?" Hestia rose with enthusiasm.
"The sooner the better! Come on, come on!"
Without waiting for an answer, Hestia pulled Kael's hand. The touch of her small but warm hand made Kael's heart beat fast.
The goddess whom I could only see on screen before, is now holding my hand.
---
The old church looked dark from the outside. Gray stones cracked here and there, stained glass windows partially broken, and a large wooden door that creaked when opened. But when Hestia lit several candles inside, Kael could see that the place was quite clean and well-maintained.
"Sorry that my home isn't as nice as other gods' temples," said Hestia while leading Kael to the basement.
"This is much better than I imagined," answered Kael honestly, looking around.
There was a simple bed, a small table, and several books neatly arranged in the corner of the room.
"Alright!" Hestia exclaimed cheerfully.
"Time for the blessing ritual! I'll give you Falna! Lie down over there and, um, you need to take off your upper clothing."
Kael felt his face heat up. Although he knew this was part of the ritual, there was still a sense of awkwardness. He removed his cloak and shirt, then lay face down on Hestia's bed.
Being a dwarf, Kael's body had perfect muscles and looked sturdy.
"This might feel a little cold," said Hestia, dropping a drop of her blood onto Kael's back.
A strange sensation spread across his back as Hestia began drawing symbols with her finger. Cold, yet warm. Kael felt something like energy seeping into his body.
"Hmm, this is interesting," mumbled Hestia after a while. "Your abilities are quite unique. It seems you have talent in technical and mechanical fields."
"Really?" Kael wasn't too surprised. In his previous life, he was an engineer.
"Yep! I'm done," said Hestia, patting Kael's back. "You can put your clothes back on."