Your search through the books and tomes at your disposal, unfortunately, yields little. A passing mention of Cybele’s name here, a religious practice done in her name there, but nothing that would begin to suggest Cybele had a physical form one could talk to.
Your walk back to the Greedy Cauldron is spent in dejected silence. Your eyes turn to the horizon as the sun starts to set, turning the sky different shades of orange and pink. What a waste of a beautiful day.
The bell overhead jingles, announcing your entry, but you aren’t greeted with Vanessa behind the counter as you expected. Instead, Rune greets you with a wink and leans against the counter like he owns the place. He has a knowing grin on his face, and he toys with the gacha capsule in between his fingers.
Rune
“So then, ready to admit you need my help?”
Seeing his smug smile makes something inside of you snap. You narrow your eyes at him and voice your frustration. If he knew something all along, why didn’t he just tell Vanessa before she stormed out in the first place?!
Rune is genuinely taken aback by the fire in your voice and his expression softens somewhat.
Rune
“Well well, the spitfire is rubbing off on you a little, isn’t she? Who do you think told her the rumor in the first place? I knew she would be excited to meet the goddess, but instead of accepting my help, she decided to do things her own way. I imagine she’s still at the library now, scouring through restricted texts.”
Things slowly begin to click into place for you. Rune isn’t talking as if this is something he’s merely heard about. Is it possible…he’s met the goddess Cybele before? But how?
Rune
“How? Well, let’s just say she and I have a mutual friend. Cybele isn’t the sort of goddess who needs an offering to meet with people. She just tends to be absorbed in her own little world, but I can introduce you.”
The possibility leaves you floored. You have the chance to actually meet a goddess, standing right in front of you in the form of an insufferable moo with a coy smirk on his face. Showing up to a meeting with a goddess with nothing but the clothes on your back feels too presumptuous. You say as much to Rune, and he simply laughs.
Rune
“You sound just like Vanessa, you know. Well if you’re not too proud to heed my words then I can tell you the things Cybele likes. Though, it should be easy to figure things out if you know what she’s the goddess of.”
You ask Rune to tell you anyway and move to lean against the counter in front of him. You look up at him with interest, and he lets out a chuckle.
Rune
“You’re cute. Cybele is the goddess of Spring and the goddess of fertility. She likes things that have been grown, whether by man or by nature. Fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables, even weeds are all things she appreciates. Think that’s enough for you to work with?”
You nod to his question; in fact, you have just the offering in mind. Rune smiles at you and nods.
Rune
“Well then, go and gather up your offering. Tomorrow we’ll go and see the goddess. I’ll see if I can’t convince the spitfire to come along too.”
Vanessa
“You’ll convince who now?”
You aren’t sure quite when Vanessa entered. Do neither of these two know how to open doors properly? Vanessa is glaring at Rune who only smiles in return.
Rune
“I was just telling our friend here about what Cybele, likes. And I was kind enough to extend the invitation to you, if you’ll finally accept it.”
Vanessa looks between the two of you before her gaze settles on you. She softens a little, but compared to how she was looking at Rune, that isn’t saying much.
Vanessa
“So, what do you think about this fop’s plan?”
Rune
“Fop??”
Before the two can start bickering and name-calling again, you answer that you’re willing to go along with his plan. You’re also going to put together a gift for Cybele to make a good first impression. That, at least, appeases Vanessa for now.
Vanessa
“Well, I suppose if it’s good enough for you, I’ll go along with it for now. Maybe I can bring Goddess Cybele some enhanced plants…in fact, I think I have just the potion for the job.”
After making peace between these two moos, you head out for the night. It’s time to get that gift together.