Tohru's headlong dash eventually got him far enough ahead of the minotaur girls pursuing him to finally slow down and catch his breath. Despite his mother's insistence on 'snatching one or more', he most definitely did not like when girls were that aggressive. He knew, more or less, what he wanted out of a romantic relationship, and he was much more of what could be called a 'traditional' mindset. A gentle, quiet girl who would be supportive, take care of him, mind the home and the children... Okay, it was an outdated misogynistic view, but he'd come to terms with that long ago. Besides, he already knew from his work at the shop that he was not cut out to be a 'domestic house husband', and one of the parents had to be the one who stayed home and took care of the home and the kids. He didn't like the idea of hiring some stranger to come into the home and do those things. It went against his grain.
Besides, his mother respected his traditional views as one of the few things that had made her proud of him - for respecting and embracing their culture - before Apple Bloom and the others had turned his life on its head.
As he slowly rose upright once more, he found he'd run much further than the boundaries of the city. The only building in sight was definitely a temple of some sort...though he didn't recognize the design. It most definitely wasn't a design common anywhere in Spain, for one thing. He recognized Grecian columns, and the roof and walls showed Confucian design...but the layout said Shinto shrine. "That is the most unusual temple I have ever seen," Tohru observed idly.
"We're quite proud of it, yes."
Eyes widening, Tohru turned to the source of the voice. Seeing only horn tips in his field of vision, he glanced down to see a minotaur girl somewhat older than 20 - from what he'd seen, minotaurs of either gender ceased showing visible signs of aging at that point until they turned 80 - smiling up at him, a slight blush on her cheeks. She had pale skin, long golden hair that hung straight down her back, and emerald green eyes. Unlike most minotaur females he'd seen, this one did not go topless. Her voluptuous figure was contained - if barely - by a Grecian style long gown, rather closely resembling the outfit worn by a character in one of Jade's new games...Palutena, he believed the name was. "I-I apologize," Tohru offered quickly. "I meant no offense with my words, or by not seeing you." He glanced around nervously. "I've just come from town...and..."
"Yes, other women of my race can be quite uninhibited, can't they?" she offered gently. "I am Sofia, and my sisters and I are the Temple Keepers. Welcome to the Temple of Labyrinthos, grave of the first Minotaur. Please, enter." Turning, she gently, shyly took Tohru's hand to lead him in.
Tohru allowed himself to be led inside. "The first minotaur's...grave?" he asked in surprise.
"That's how we think of it, anyway," Sofia answered. "But my sister Ysabelle is the one you would want to question about that. But pray tell, what is your name?"
Tohru quickly bowed apologetically. "Please forgive my rudeness. I am Tohru."
"A pleasure to meet you," Sofia offered warmly, smiling up at him.
As they moved into the temple, another minotaur girl appeared. She was the exact same height as Sofia, with identical features. Also like Sofia, most of her figure was concealed...though in her case in the red and white robes of a miko. She wore her hair in a single long braid, and was holding a ceremonial staff as she moved through the grounds, but froze as she caught sight of Tohru. Her eyes went wide, and her cheeks bloomed with a bright blush. "...hi..." she squeaked out in a barely audible whisper.
"Lucia, this is Tohru," Sofia spoke up gently. "He is a guest of the Temple."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Tohru offered, bringing his hands together in front of his chest before bowing respectfully. To his surprise, this resulted in Lucia squeaking and diving behind Sofia. "Have I said or done something wrong?"
Sofia shook her head. "My sister is simply quite shy. The three of us live here together, and aside from our roles within the Temple, we share everything. I believe she has merely gotten the wrong idea when I said you were a guest." Lucia buried her face in Sofia's hair to hide her brightening blush.
Tohru found himself blushing as he realized what she was implying, and rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"W-we have a guest?" another voice suddenly spoke up with a slight stammer. Turning, Tohru saw what he assumed was the third sister, Ysabelle. Physically, she was identical to the others, though she wore her hair in long twin pigtails. She was dressed in the red and gold robes of a Confucian monk, and wore large circular glasses that she nervously pushed up the bridge of her nose with one finger. "I'm n-not really ready to receive...c-c-company." A bright blush tinged her cheeks as she managed to say 'company'.
"He isn't that sort of company, Ysabelle," Sofia gentled softly. "However, he is curious about the temple."
"Oh!" Ysabelle's face brightened as she stepped back into what could now plainly be seen as a library. "This Temple is called the Grave of Labyrinthos, the first Minotaur...though it is also known as the Gate of Dai Gui."
"Dai Gui the Demon of Earth?" Tohru asked intently.
Ysabelle nodded sadly. "Yes. You see...Labyrinthos was the first of our race, sired by Poseidon himself. This - and the fact that his loins brought forth a new race - filled him with great pride. When he escaped his labyrinth prison, he sought to lead his descendants in conquest. Poseidon ordered him to recant, that it was not the place of the Minotaurs to rule. While our race accepted this edict, in his pride Labyrinthos denied and defied his father, here on this sacred ground. As punishment, Poseidon stripped him of his divine connection, and twisted his body as Medusa's was...creating the demon Dai Gui. He was banned and denied his rightful place in the afterlife by being cursed with agonizing immortality, and a body that was no longer truly his own."
"...and then the Brotherhood came for him," Tohru murmured.
"Indeed," Ysabelle confirmed. "And then the Immortals War. And Dai Gui's Gate was upon Labyrinthos' grave." Noticing the intense attention Tohru was paying her, Ysabelle flushed, ducking into her robes as she straightened her glasses. "A-anyway, our family's tended the Temple ever since, out of respect for Labyrinthos and to watch for Dai Gui's return, since the spell that banished him could not be made permanent upon the first casting...only the second."
"And thus we tend the Temple," Sofia explained. "Our family's oath binds us here until the portal is sealed a second time, us and our descendants." She sighed sadly. "Until then, we can never go further than into town for groceries...and never see how the world has changed beyond..." Ysabelle and Lucia both looked sadly towards the ground.
Tohru smiled widely. "Then I believe I bring good news!" he spoke up eagerly. "One comes with the Pan Ku box to release Dai Gui...and my family and I come to renew his bindings. Once that has been done, you will be free to see the world!"
All three girls' eyes lit up eagerly at that. "That would be wonderful!" Ysabelle breathed eagerly.
"But it must have changed a great deal," Sofia observed idly. "On our own, we might get lost or overwhelmed..." She looked up shyly at Tohru. "I get the impression you travel a great deal. Perhaps you could be our guide?"
Tohru smiled softly. "It would be an honor," he agreed warmly.
"...company...?" Lucia asked Sofia quietly.
"Not today," Sofia corrected, gently but firmly. She shyly took Tohru's hand. "We have no need to hurry. We have plenty of time."
As the other two sisters moved up against him, Tohru found he was uncertain what to do...but did not fear what would happen.
...except for the teasing from Apple Bloom and the others. That would be overwhelming.
... I feel I should recognize these three. I really do. That said, Tohru seems to have hit the jackpot. Than again, to quote The Eagles: "This could be Heaven, or this could be Hell."
Heh. Nice little fluff piece that's setting up Tohru's future romance. If I'm understanding it correctly, at least. Not only that, but we got some more lore to the story. Always a plus.
So Tohru found three Fluttershys. Oh my goodness.
8310294
Likely both. Heaven with the girls, hell with the teasing from the Crusaders.
8310296
More one Marble, one Twilight, one Toriel.
8310296
8310301
Besides, it wouldn't have to be three Fluttershys, it could be Fluttershy, Coco Pommel, and Marble Pie. (Derpibooru has a tag specifically referring to those three - 'the council of shy ponies'.)
8310301
Hmm...
A harem of Minotaur priestesses. Truly, Tohru is livin' large.
I'm envisioning a minotaur version of Applejack, here.
Sofia, Lucia and Ysabelle. I get the feeling that this is a reference to something. Nice use of lore, though.
8310338
No reference.
I just looked up female Spanish names, and picked three I liked the sound of.
I understand if you want to keep the history of the minotaurs as is for story purposes, but I did some research and apparently, while the minotaur was connected to Poseidon, it wasn't directly descended from him. Greek mythology is weird.
8310360
There are a lot of different versions of the myth. I'll just leave it at that.
So, Tohru X one or two more of these three minotaur sisters? I can ship it.
It'll be interesting to see how the Dai Gui release and sealing plays out with them involved or at least on the sidelines.
Guess Tohru isn't going to have to face a future of Labyrinthine slapstick comedy.
You know what they say Tohru, three's a crowd so four might as well be family.
Welp, we definitely know that Mrs. Tohru is going to be happy about Three More Things.
8310356 Oh.
8310381
Nice. Now it's inevitable.
8310381
HAH!
Poor Tohru. I don't think even Apple Bloom will be able to resist laughing at him when they catch up
She will probably charm all of them in an instant though and get three big sisters. And then make sure she gets three big sisters-in-law
Good chapter but i have to ask wasnt the name of the minotaur in legends Asterius?Not that the name you chose isnt good just curious
8310401
The version of the myth I learned never gave a name.
And a thought just occurred to me. Dai Gui wants a kingdom to rule over. Pamplona, Spain is a city filled with nothing but his descendants, whose residents literally built a temple dedicated to worshiping him. Pretty much all he has to do—once Valmont releases him—is make it through the day and he'll be treated like a god! And so 3 members of the Demon Brotherhood would have their Kingdoms.
Valmont's the real hero of this arc, isn't he.
8310448
Except according to the story at the temple, his entire race chose a different path than his. They betrayed him to a life of peace, where he still wanted conquest. So they wouldn't follow him as a god.
Well this is certainly heating up nicely <3
Greek, Shinto, and Confucian minotaurs? Talk about mixing cultures.
8310356 Because why the heck not, right?
8310376 Yes PLEASE!
8310377 I figure at least one of the girls is corned while a head long charge is going on and Tohru body checks demon. Brutally.
This was adorable! Looking forward on how you work this all out.
I think that by the end even Captain Black is going to find someone.
8310461
they follow the Memory of who he once was.
The original Minotaur was an anthrophage, imprisoned in the Labyrinth. The Greek cities paid a tribute. (Historically accurate, or enemy propaganda? I'd bet there are entire books about it)
Also read (back in the 80s) that many Japanese women preferred American men -less chauvinistic. Maybe the same with Minotaurs and human's?
Wait so Toru just happens to find 3 girls that are he's type like him and don't mind sharing now I'm jealous of him
8310409
Okay, may I make a request please? Tohru should bullfight Dai Gui.
Oh I can picture it now...
"My baby boy, you make your momma proud! Three fine young ladies such as this, so beautiful and sweet! Go, treat them to a nice dinner! The sooner you date, the sooner you marry, and the sooner I have grandchildren! And I want it in that order!"
Damn Tohru
Way to go, Tohru. With any luck, he may have just found his dream girl... in triplicate to boot, as they appear to be triplets. Ganbatte, Tohru-Nii!
Honestly, in this timeline, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Tohru is getting all the girls. Minotaur or otherwise.
Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Three
"Bad Day"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 35
"He's Not My Boyfriend!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 40
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How do you come up with this stuff?!
8308416
*waggles both of his*
Ysabelle a cute. Shy girls with glasses are one of my weaknesses.
8310679 I felt the same way
In another time line:
http://dan232323.deviantart.com/art/Apple-Jackie-Chan-Adventures-693721429
8311013
Now that's cute.
Well it looks like Tohru's going for the harem ending.
8310620
Check out Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli. It's about a siren, of course, rather than the Minotaur, but the subject comes up, and a few other Greek monsters also get discussed. Bonus smartie points: I used the book as the basis for a presentation in a 300-level course on ancient heroes in college, and the author also wrote some of the materials assigned to me in my linguistics classes. Reading the book practically makes you a scholar!
Chapter One Hundred Thirty Three
"Aiyah!"
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Total Count: 46
"One More Thing!"
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Total Count: 80
Love the origins you've given Dai Gui in this story.
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I've not done in-depth research on it, but there certainly used to be a theory knocking around that the historical events that spawned the myth involved vassal states sending their Princes to Minos to get a Cretan education and become loyal to Cretan ideals - in something of the same way that Indian Princes would get an English education in Victorian times...
8310679
I'm afraid to ask how they would respond to a steak dinner XD
8311358
They wouldn't have steak. Probably chicken or pork, but probably not steak, and definitely not fish. Tohru hates fish.
8311388
Oddly people always forget veal...um,lamb...which is big for Greek...
8311273
Yes, that is what I was thinking. + Theory that Plato based Atlantis on ancient Minoan civilization before an earthquake sank it.
8311400
Oh yeah, mutton would be an option...
8310376
That describes pretty much all of Greek Mythology. While modern interpretations tend to cast Hades as some kind of evil jackass, if you look at the core legends he's actually one of the few gods that is NOT a massive duchebag. Hell in the original telling even his marriage to Persephone is perfectly legit. He didn't kidnap her, they eloped. Her mother was just a massive bitch about it.