----- Ben -----

  Rya sat across from me a deep frown etched into her beautiful face. staring back I sigh we have had this conversation so many times already "just say what you want I know where this is going"

  "I know it's not what you want to hear, but please go out with me and my friends tonight. You haven't talked to anyone but your mom and me for literal months" Rya pleads looking at me with begging eye.

  "and I will keep giving you the same answer. I am perfectly fine with my online friends, and I don't have much in common with your girlfriends." I really wish I could get along with her friends but I always felt so weird and out of pce in the past when I went out

  "you know that they wouldn't mind doing something more up your al-"

  "Just stop already! I already said no so please don't change for me" sighing I look away, blinking away the ghost of tears. Just how fucked must I be to not even be able to cry anymore "I'm sorry I know you just want to help, but just listen okay?"

  I barely finished my sentence before she was on me, wrapping her arms around me and pulls me back down on the sofa in what she lovingly calls a "cuddle puddle". As Rya held me I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. One of the many great things about Rya is she knows that she can overwhelm me and actually cares. "so I have a few hours till I have to leav-"

  being interrupted by cpping and... is that sniffling? Rya and me both freeze and look around for the source of the interruption only to find an unknown woman sitting on the chair next the couch. Who now finished cpping pulls out a purple handkerchief from seemingly nowhere to dab at her eyes.

  Darting up Rya shouts "who the fuck are you!? and how did you get in!?"

  "No need to shout, I am sitting what 15 feet from you? as for who I am, I have many names but you may call me Kione or mother" ending with a chuckle

  "what about how you got in here, or why I shouldn't call the cops?"

  "A feisty young one aren't you my dear Rya? as for how I got in here..." she paused as if for dramatic effect "MAGIC!" she shouts accompanied by jazz hands, and I think glitter from who knows where.

  "Magic really? you expect me to believe that? and how in gods name do you know my name" Rya reaches for her phone and opens up the phone app when it vanishes in fsh purple light and glitter.

  "Where the fuck did my phone go!?" looking around panicked until her eyes nds on Kione, who is smirking holding Rya's phone up covering half her face.

  "see magic. now would you be so kind as to hear the offer I have for you two?" Rya not seeing any recourse sits back next to me, and pulls me in even closer next to her as if to protect me. Having her so close sends my heart fluttering, her scent alone sends shivers down my spine. never have I felt like this. I never want this moment to end, but it must as my stupid mouth betrays me

  "So um... what is going on? you haven't said why you are here?"

  "I see that someone is ready to listen that is great. first let me start with proper introduction, my name is Kione and I act as goddess of retionships, fertility, sex, and a few other minor aspects"

  "Really a goddess? what are you here to isekai us or something"

  Kione paused for a moment before replying "I forgot how common that is in your world, but yes that is the pn."

  Kione looks at us as if waiting for a reply but we can only stare back dumbfoundedly. I shake my head as if to clear it. "considering what you did to Rya's phone I actually have reason to believe you, but why? Why us there has to be better candidates? why do it in the first pce? why-" suddenly I was kissing Rya. not a short chaste one either. but a deep passionate one, one with Rya trying to shove her tongue down my throat. when she finally releases me I can only stare, my brain having short circuited slightly.

  "you bring up some good points baby but your catastrophizing" she looks back at me with a gentle smile

  "but... but..." she put a finger to my lips. and gave me a gentle smile but there was more in her eyes, a hunger that made me weak in the knees "now be a good girl and shut up and let the adults talk won't you?" she whispered

  "aha;lkgalkhalkh" ah yes a very reasonable and appropriate response, thank you brain for this eloquent reply

  a cough broke us out of whatever was going on "I mean I would love to watch, but I doubt you would like me too right? and before you ask this is part of my powers. I can't fully turn it off, it amplifies any emotion reted to my aspects. so oopsie. but lets get back on track shall we?"

  I could only stare and look between the two absolutely mortified. looking at Rya it looks like she feels the same so I guess it's time for me to take over for a bit.

  "so um, I do have a few questions?"

  "ah yes you..." she paused as if not knowing what to call me? but she knew Ray's name? no not important right now "ever the curious soul"

  "to answer your questions in order why? because it's fun. there has to be better candidates? maybe, but you two look the most interesting that I know as of now. why do this in the first pce? entertainment. and the question you didn't get to ask because Rya here so rudely interrupted you. what about our family? this one is a little more complicated. you per say won't go, but a copy will. in return you will get my blessingl. If it fits you better think of it as a trade, you give me entertainment, and I'll give you a blessing"

  wow that was a lot of information. how did she know my st question? mind reading? eh not important right now. Rya is. "So um Rya what do you think about this? I think it might be fun?"

  Rya paused and looked at me. "maybe... but I need a bit more info. like what kind of world are we going too?"

  "ah it's a world that is broken into a bunch of floating isnds, filled with magic and mystery. it has a leveling system, and before you ask I will ask you why not? people like to have a visual representation of progress and so do we?"

  after hearing all of this I was sold. I have longed for adventure for so long and just something different. this world I feel trapped nothing brings me joy. even the idea of getting a job feels like hell, the monotony of it alone feels so draining. this feels so much like one of those web novels I would read all the time, I looked to Rya pleading with my eyes.

  Rya looked at Kione "I have one request, if possible could you help Ben with whatever is making him so depressed"

  Kione's face shifted from a pyful smirk to a gentle almost maternal smile, that I could almost feel "Rya, ever the kind soul not wishing for greed or power but to help your partner. Yes I can do that for you knowing what troubles them I can do it, it will take pce over a few years at least in this world for reasons that will become clear. Your wish will be in both worlds and I'll throw in a little something for you Rya" and with that st statement her smirk returned

  "fine I guess we have nothing to lose... so deal Kione, where do we start? and do we get to choose our css or something?"

  smirking she replied "where would be the fun in that my dears. now off we go shall we?"

  looking at each other we nodded, and with that we bathed in a fsh of purple light.