Devout And Divine

It was hard not to stare. Lucas knew he wasn't supposed to, it was unbecoming of his role, and made him seem all the more unfitting for his calling. But he had to. Before Lucas, in this majestic palace of marble, stood Hestia. She was a magnificent woman, a phoenix, a shimmering demigoddess that he had devoted his life to.

Reddish orange feathers painted a womanly body, the colorful plumage made her instantly stand out in any setting. A crest of plumage stuck out from her head, a deeper shade of red than the rest of her. Below that, dark, gentle eyes that always carefully looked around. An orange beak practically bloomed out of her face, its coloration making it hard to tell between its structure and her feathers. She was adorned with a royal blue dress that contrasted near perfectly with her bright feathers.

"The festivities seem just as lively this year as the last," Hestia said. She stood near a window, looking out at the city below. "It's truly impressive how they find the energy to keep such a tradition going."

"It's an important time, of course," Lucas said. "The time of a new spring, and with it, new life." He quietly chastised himself. She knew that already. How many lifetimes had she gone through this? Foolish to say such a thing.

A small smile tugged at the edge of Hestia's mouth. She turned more toward him. "Will you be participating in the festivities?"

"My place is at your side, my lady. It would be incredibly improper if I were to simply go out and partake in a festival."

"I suppose it would be. Do you wish you were down there instead of here?"

"No. This is my life's calling, and that I would not trade for anything."

"You make it seem so strenuous."

Lucas straightened his posture a little more. "Not strenuous, merely... Important. To be an acolyte is an important role, especially one by your side so closely."

Hestia seemed to ponder on his words before nodding and retreating from the window. She approached some comfortable seating not far from her. It was a large, cushioned chair fitting for someone of her stature and size. Another chair was coupled with it, and the pair were positioned at a dainty table.

Naturally, Lucas had spent a fair amount of time around Hestia, but her approach reminded him of just how tall she was. Hestia towered over Lucas, at least four heads taller. His eyes only came up to her navel, making any sort of talk a slightly imposing one. Hestia sat down and immediately presented the other seat to Lucas, which he took without question. Even comfortably sitting next to her, Lucas still felt small.

"Then, I am glad you are here by my side." Hestia tilted her head, eyes slightly narrowing as her smile widened. "So closely."

"I am honored to have your gratitude," Lucas replied.

"The enjoyment below is almost infectious, wouldn't you agree? The dazzling attractions and joyous masses. Even now I can hear some of their song and dance."

Lucas tried to listen closely for a moment, but up here in her abode, he couldn't make out a thing. He wasn't sure if Hestia was exaggerating for effect or her status as a magical being provided her with some impressive hearing. All the same, he nodded, not wanting to disappoint her.

"You've been there before, haven't you, Lucas?" she asked.

"Many a time. It's admittedly more exciting as a child, but it has its charms even as an adult." He eased back into the seat, thinking back. "The candied treats, the impressive carousel... Ah, the small sparklers they handed out. I think my favorites were those made of, I believe, metal shavings to make them glow all sorts of different colors. Perhaps just the liveliness of it all is the best part. Knowing everyone is there simply to enjoy themselves."

"You seem awfully nostalgic for that time," Hestia said.

"I suppose it represents a more carefree life, but I set that aside for this."

"Carefree." Hestia leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and letting her impressive dress drape over itself. "Not an aspect of existence I am innately familiar with." She looked more directly at Lucas, gaze meeting his. "You make this festival seem so charming. It certainly is from a distance, in this palace so far away from the enjoyment." Hestia raised a hand and gently motioned toward the window, as if exaggerating the distance.

"You've indulged in it, haven't you? Your role is most important of all to signify the coming of spring, with the lighting of the bonfire."

"Alas, I am not so fortunate as to settle into the pleasures of the festival. The others of our church find it to be a worrisome prospect, out and about, unsupervised. It pains me to see them worry, so I follow their word and move as I am approved."

Lucas pursed his lips for a moment before looking out toward the window.

"Something amiss, Lucas?" she asked.

He snapped back to his goddess. "It just doesn't seem right that you shouldn't be allowed to enjoy yourself. You an important soul, but a soul nonetheless. Even the most important of spirits deserve their relaxation and enjoyment."

"Is that so?" She hummed. "I quite like that idea. Not that the others would share it."

Then, why shouldn't she be able to enjoy the festival? Hestia was crowning jewel of the celebration, she should be able to do whatever she pleased. Though, it would have been somewhat unruly to simply bring a demigoddess into the public and disturb them. The citizens may have adored her, but that didn't mean they wouldn't be in awe of her presence. Hestia was incredibly powerful, she must have been capable of wielding a sort of polymorphic magic. Physical or illusory. He lightly nodded to himself.

"Lucas?"

"I was simply thinking that... if you truly wanted to, I could accompany you to the town below. You could simply don a disguise that would avert attention. A magical illusion of sorts."

Hestia folded her hands together. "You would do that for me? It seems awfully dangerous to your position."

"My devotion is to you, not to them. If you wanted to follow through, I would not hesitate for a moment to follow."

"Are you certain about that? Not to call into question your devotion, rather, I would not want you to lose what you had worked so hard for." Hestia smiled. "There will always be plenty more festivals for me to participate in." She looked at the window again, her smile flattening. "Yet this one seemed so particularly joyous."

"My lady, if you would have me on this trip, I would be more than glad to accompany you. The church be damned." Lucas froze upon saying that, then meekly raised a placating hand. "Um, you understand my meaning. Not quite literally."

Hestia chuckled, instantly warming the human's nerves. "Yes, I understand. You don't mean to blaspheme. I suppose a short trip outside would do the feathers wonders, wouldn't you say? But you are indeed correct about a disguise. What would you recommend?"

The question was so obvious, but the moment Lucas thought about it, it threw him off. It was essentially asking what he sought most in a woman's appearance. He would have to approach it carefully.

"Something with less... vibrant plumage and shorter, I suppose? I imagine you would still want to appear as an avian, since your beak suits you."

A gentle hand came up to Hestia's beak as she felt it. "Yes, it suits me nicely. I find it elegant." Her hands bore soft scales that went a ways up her forearm. Each finger was adorned by a sharp claw, adding some ferocity to her beauty. Her smile returned, perhaps a little too much. "I know precisely how to settle this. Come now, acolyte, there is a special place not many have seen." Hestia stood up and approached a more far off door.

Lucas, not wanting to lag behind, quickly followed. His thoughts were already swelling with pride. What was the room? Some sort of special ritual area? Perhaps something that held great value to Hestia herself. Something fantastical, surely.

The door was just as grand but unassuming as every other one in this palace, but having never seen behind it gave it much allure. Hestia opened the way and stepped inside, beckoning Lucas in. It was narrow and long, retaining a high ceiling, too. Flickering orbs hanging from above lit the way. He was in awe before he realized that the walls were adorned with clothes, and smaller cabinets held shoes. It was a closet. Hestia excitedly jaunted down the path all the same, the tail plumage that adorned her backside bouncing with each step.

It was hard not to smile at the clear excitement that Hestia was taking in this. Lucas had to wonder what a closet was doing here, but he supposed the previous lounging area was a good place to prepare for any official appearances. He was surprised at all the clothing she had accrued. Some quite gaudy for the more over the top celebrations, adorned with gold and other jewels. Hestia's current dress was incredibly tame by comparison, simply showing the contrast of day and night, symbolizing the equinox. Should he have really been in here? It seemed so private.

Hestia turned toward a closet, then stepped inside. Lucas didn't have much choice except to wait outside, occasionally looking around for any other acolytes that might see him. It didn't feel exactly right to be in here. Intimate was the polite word. Perverted was another.

Suddenly, the closet opened again, but it wasn't Hestia stepping out. At least, it didn't look like her. A shorter avian appeared before Lucas, sporting duller feathers and a simple white dress. Rather than a fiery orange, she was more of a light red, giving her an elegant but less decidedly magical look.

"Is this appropriate subtlety?" she asked. Her voice was the same, still commanding some adoration. Though, it was notable that she had put on more jewelry. Now she seemed more like a noble.

"I'm not sure jewelry conveys subtlety, my lady," Lucas replied.

"Oh, but I do so like these." It was strange hearing that voice come from someone so different. "And I've been wanting to show them off for quite some time!"

Lucas eventually nodded. "I suppose you could portray yourself as a grand noble, then. Quite fitting for you."

"Thank you. I suppose I'm ready, then! Let's get going."

"Isn't that a bit premature?"

"Yes, perhaps you're right. I should try some other clothes before entering the festival. If I'm going to be seen, I would like to look my best." She slipped back into the closet.

Lucas opened his mouth again, thinking if he should correct himself. His concern was more telling someone that she was going out to do something. While he would always stay by her side, he didn't exactly want to be seen as a kidnapper. He simply waited patiently for his demigoddess to return, thinking about just how far in that closet extended.

After a few minutes more, Hestia did indeed appear again. This time, she chose something black, really making her feathers pop. Small patterns had been sewn into it, resembling tree branches and flowers. That almost seemed more appropriate for the equinox than the other dress. A blue stone hung from her neck. Lucas found himself staring longer than he wanted to.

"I will take your gaze as agreement that this suits me best," she said.

"Yes," he said instantly. "You look wonderful." Was that the right thing to say?

"Shall we be going, then?"

"Don't you want to leave behind a note or..." That was dumb. "Something to tell the others that you've departed?"

"They won't be bothering me until the climax of it all. That should give plenty of time for us to enjoy ourselves."

That one word was enough to make Lucas pause. "Ourselves." Yes, he supposed he would be spending his time enjoying himself with her. It seemed improper, but it wasn't as though there were some sort of ruling against casual time with Hestia. Not that he would exactly listen to one at this point.

"Only a shame I don't have something to adorn you with," she said. "You must get tired of those clothes eventually, don't you?"

Lucas looked down at his clothes. He wore a very official looking jacket, with buttons running up the side of a flap that extended over his torso. Perhaps it was a bit tight, but he had always liked the look of it. "I think it would provide you some extra protection. Causing a ruckus with an acolyte would hardly be appropriate."

"Still... Perhaps we can buy you something nice at the festival." She smiled and approached him, quickly joining arms with him.

Lucas's heart hammered. Maybe he had to admit his adoration for Hestia wasn't entirely rooted within religious practice. She was an important part of his world, and had displayed so many fantastical feats of magic that kept these lands flourishing. But, maybe some more primal part of him had steered that fascination. Lucas shoved those thoughts aside. She was his leader, and could be nothing less.

"You have my word that I will protect you with every fiber of my being," he said. Mostly for himself.

"And you have my word that I will do the same," Hestia replied. "Come now, no need to be so dour. This is a time of celebration."

Lucas nodded.

The two went about their way, though Lucas felt a pang of worry with every step out of the grand palace. None of the other acolytes paid him or the transformed Hestia any mind. Was it so simple? Nobles certainly spent their time here, paying their exorbitant tithes and enjoying themselves, but it felt too easy to whisk Hestia away. He was likely just overthinking it all, with fear and embarrassment simmering on his thoughts.

It felt like an eternity before the two were outside, in the courtyard that preceded the road to the city. The cool air was a welcome relief on his face, and made some of Hestia's feathers pick up in the breeze. Even without the grandeur of her regular size, she maintained an atmosphere of prominence and elegance.

"The carriage won't be arriving until later, for the official portion of my trip, so I'm afraid we'll have to walk," she said.

"I'm happy to continue like this," he replied.

Hestia slightly tightened her arm around his. "Is that so?"

"I can..." Quickly now, think of something. "Best keep you safe like this, I would imagine. Quickly move and all."

"I do hope you intend to let me breathe at least a little."

"Ah, yes, pardon." Lucas loosened his arm, only for Hestia to tighten it again.

"Metaphorically, my dear follower. I am capable of protecting myself."

"You shouldn't have to bother. That is one of the many duties your followers have to uphold."

"Very well. I'll leave that to you when the time comes."

Hestia tugged Lucas along through the courtyard. It was as pristine as ever, with a stone path carving straight through a manicured lawn and arranged flower beds. A triumphant fountain sat in the middle, the road directing the two of them around it. Lucas occasionally glanced at Hestia. She still seemed enamored with the idea of going out casually, perhaps too much. This might have been a bad idea, but she seemed so happy. A few acolytes were tending to the plantlife, keeping it healthy and verdant. They hardly gave the pair any mind as they walked past.

"It's much nicer to walk freely, without a study of my every move," she said. "The flowers seem to be so much brighter without the shadow of a crowd looming over them."

"The flowers are eager to display. It really seems as though spring will be quite beautiful this year."

"That I will make certain of." Hestia giggled.

The courtyard eventually gave way to a winding brick road that led toward the city. Here, Lucas could hear the distant music echo outward, and the rumbling of an excited crowd. Hestia hurried her step the moment they were on that path.

"That sound is so intoxicating. A siren's call toward overindulgence," Hestia said.

"Is that a bad thing?" Lucas asked.

"Nothing wrong with overindulgence in moderation." She smiled, clearly understanding the paradox. "All of the city folk deserve it, the work they toiled with in the winter will give way to a relaxed spring." Her tone had grown softer. "It's a delight to know they can celebrate even after the chill of the world grasped them so intently."

"You were there, warming them during that time," Lucas replied.

"Sometimes it's hard to grasp what my presence brings. At times it seems so distant."

"That is precisely why the acolytes are here, to remind you of the work that you perform and give back what we can."

"Then consider this trip part of that repayment," she said. "Your debt paid in full."

"That hardly seems like proper recompense for--"

"Your goddess has spoken, dear Lucas, there is nothing more to discuss." She placed a finger to his lips. Hestia's gait slowed. "Isn't that right?"

Lucas nodded.

"Good." Her finger moved away. "I would consider joining the festival recompense in itself, being able to indulge in both the joy and produce of the peoples."

The city drew closer, growing all the louder. Lucas could already see the vestiges where civilization started proper, with a few stands already set out to draw in whatever happy, tired soul was winding down from the core of excitement in the city center.

Already, the pair were drawing eyes. The stony street was populated but not quite busy, with a sparse few people walking to and from the center. The food vendors were more politely hawking their goods.

Lucas hadn't really taken into account that it was slightly odd that an acolyte such as himself would have a woman on his arm. No one would fault him for having a significant other, but moreso that they might think it a bit amusing that he would chase a feathered woman when he was dedicated to one in worship. Best not to think about that.

Cries of candied apples, freshly cooked meats, and whatever produce could be carted out onto the road all came their way. It was just the simple foods for now, those that simply wanted to make a quick coin out of everything.

"I'm not famished just yet, but I will say some of these treats do look appealing," Hestia said. "I hope you brought a great deal of coin with you."

"You haven't?" he asked reflexively.

"And what would such a prominent figure who receives everything she could possibly need be doing with riches in her pocket?" Hestia tittered.

"That makes sense, apologies."

"You needn't apologize. Consider me a regular woman in this moment. You would want to impress me with your well earned money, wouldn't you?" Hestia paused. "You have a sizable amount, I imagine?"

"It became my habit to carry a decent share of it after I started as the errand boy. Leaving the grounds without money would be poor form." Lucas patted his pant pocket.

"Good, I would hate to imagine that your work has left you without a coin to your name."

Before Lucas could reply, a new voice rang out.

"A free sample to all passerby! Meat jellies!"

"It's been quite a time since I had a jelly, Lucas. How about you?" Hestia asked.

"I'm not sure I ever had. They must be truly excited for spring if they're willing to give up fresh meat treats like that."

"And that is the repayment I like best."

Hestia tugged Lucas along to the cart, where an attendant was there setting out the wobbly chunks of food.

"Fresh, fresh as can be," the stallman said, proudly patting the cart's counter. "All wonderful bountiful gifts of our country's hearth, the sun's warmth herself." He was an avian similar to Hestia, just with a shiny, blue plumage to him. His voice was gruff but cheery.

It wasn't the most appetizing meal. A reddish, jiggly thing with some chunks in it.

"And you said it's free?" Lucas asked.

"Come on, now," the attendant said, "not something you say in front of the fine lady! Money is no object with her."

Hestia chuckled.

"Ah, yes, I suppose that would be more appropriate. Two for us, then," Lucas replied.