This ti, Orsted and his companions were undisturbed.
"It's been a while since I went shopping with Brother Orsted like this," Aerith said with a gentle smile, carrying two bags.
"Yes, it's been ages since I walked with Orsted," Tifa added softly from his other side.
They flanked Orsted, one on each side.
Their words held a deeper aning, understood only by themselves and Orsted.
They weren't referring to events in Orario but to their ti in another world before being summoned here.
Both missed the days spent with Orsted in that world.
Orsted's eyes softened at their words.
The mories, or rather experiences, arranged by the system felt utterly real—indistinguishable from truth.
Orsted embraced them as his own. Tifa and Aerith's words stirred those vivid recollections.
"It has been a while," Orsted said with a gentle smile, taking Tifa and Aerith's hands, one in each of his.
"Let's walk together."
Startled by his sudden gesture, Tifa and Aerith soon bead.
"Yes, let's walk together!" they said in unison.
As they strolled, Tifa and Aerith shared small, everyday stories from their lives after parting with Orsted in their original world.
Previously, they'd only summarized major events for Orsted. Now, they recounted charming, mundane details.
Orsted listened attentively, offering comnts and laughing along the way.
Ti passed as the trio shopped for ingredients and chatted.
They returned to Hearth Manor empty-handed.
The reason? They'd bought too many ingredients, so Orsted stored them in the Hestia Ring.
With over twenty Hestia Familia mbers and plans to invite other Familias, they expected at least forty guests.
Just to be safe, Orsted had prepared double the needed ingredients.
Six hands between Orsted, Tifa, and Aerith couldn't possibly carry it all.
Upon arriving at Hearth Manor, before even entering, Orsted saw the courtyard fully set up by Hestia and the others.
Four large charcoal grills and dozens of tables and stools were neatly arranged, laden with tableware and drinks.
Hestia seed to be treating the barbecue like a grand banquet.
But that was fine.
The courtyard also hosted mbers and gods from other Familias.
Lili had worked quickly, inviting and gathering everyone.
Miach, Naaza, Daphne, and Cassandra from the Miach Familia were present.
Remarkably, Daphne and Cassandra had already joined Miach's Familia so swiftly.
Next were Takemikazuchi and Mikoto from the Takemikazuchi Familia.
Orsted wasn't close with Takemikazuchi, having t him only once at the Banquet.
But Hestia and Takemikazuchi were old friends, having worked at the sa stall before Orsted joined.
It was no surprise Lili invited them.
Then ca Hephaestus and Tsubaki.
The Hephaestus Familia was too large to invite entirely, so Lili had only asked Hephaestus and Tsubaki to co.
Hephaestus, dressed like a mature woman, had shed her usual eyepatch.
Her uncovered face radiated confidence and beauty as she chatted and laughed with Miach.
"Hey, Orsted, you're back," Hephaestus called out, ever attentive to Orsted, her everything.
Spotting him at the entrance, she left Miach and Takemikazuchi to approach him.
"Yep, I'm back," Orsted replied with a nod, then glanced curiously elsewhere.
"Lili invited them too?"
He shook his head, amused.
Hestia and Loki were bickering in the courtyard, surrounded by onlookers: Elenoir, Ais, Tione, and Lefiya, all brought by Loki.
"Not exactly," Hephaestus said, a bit embarrassed.
"I ran into Loki on the way. She tagged along uninvited after hearing about Hestia's barbecue feast."
On her way with Tsubaki, Hephaestus had encountered Loki returning to Twilight Manor with Ais and the others.
Learning of the event, Loki shalessly joined.
Hephaestus hadn't objected.
Others might not know, but she understood that despite Hestia and Loki's constant quarrels, they shared a deep bond.
They were bickering friends—if one faced trouble, the other would step in if able.
It was just their unique way of friendship.
"Hey, Orsted, good to see you again," Miach said, approaching with Takemikazuchi, a warm smile on his face.
"Thanks for the invite, Orsted," Takemikazuchi added, scratching the back of his head.
"Miach, Takemikazuchi, welco," Orsted replied with a nod.
The group headed inside.
Orsted retrieved the ingredients from the Hestia Ring, and the barbecue feast began in earnest.
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