We're currently following Alyse through the streets of Wellick. It's a vibrant city, with people milling around excitedly, street vendors everywhere, and a similar overall vibe to Avalon. However, there are less multi-story marble buildings around, so it feels less claustrophobic to me.
Honestly, it seems like the kind of place I'd like to bring Ilina for a date. But I doubt I can drag the future Queen to a foreign city and walk around arm-in-arm with her. Just a guess, but that's bound to start rumors. I look over at Nina, who's taking the city in with a huge smile on her face.
I let out a small smile at the sight of her. I feel the urge to grab her hand affectionately, but I'm in character as her servant right now. At times like this, it's easy to make myself doubt whether us publicly acting like lovers would really be problematic. Maybe, so long as their impression of my strength didn't change, common elves wouldn't really care? After all, they are a matriarchal society.
As I'm mulling over the thought, Alyse turns to look at Nina over her shoulder.
"So, Great Dragon, I can certainly make recommendations, but is there anything you're particularly interested in experiencing in Wellick?" (Alyse)
Nina's eyes dart to Alyse excitedly, and she nods. Oh yeah, she's got preferences all right. I can't be certain, but I'd guess…
"Food! And entertainment! All of those that you think are the best and most unique in this city. That's what I want!" (Nina)
I chuckle to myself at her predictable response. Alyse folds her hands behind her head and looks up at the sky thoughtfully for a few moments. As she does, I notice the lean muscle lining her arms. She's not bulky, but she's clearly in ridiculous physical condition. Her body type kind of reminds me of Zara's.
I would be wondering if she's a swordsman, but…she opted to sling a utility belt on over her leather pants and long-sleeve shirt before we left. On it, she has a type of staggered double scabbard that I've never seen before. It houses two short swords on the same hip, and their ends are swaying gently behind her. So, I think the answer to that's obvious now. Although, I don't know why she bothered bringing her weapons.
"Hmm…well there's lots of good food, I think. Some of it's even unique to our family's territory. Food stands or restaurants, sweet or savory, just name it and I'll let you know what's popular. I'm sure that if we throw the Egris name around, specifically Cara's, we can find you a table anywhere. As for entertainment, that's a bit harder. We have a library, a theatre, and my personal favorite, the Ring. That's all I'm familiar with, though." (Alyse)
Nina was probably thinking of games like the ones from my world, but I'm not surprised that the elves don't have stuff like that outside Eden. On the other hand…the Ring? What is that, like a coliseum of sorts? If so, that's surprisingly bloody for the elves.
Alyse did mention sweets, though. Does that mean they have a sugar production method? It's not a guarantee. There are obviously other ways that food can acquire sweetness without adding pure sugar, like if they contain honey. Still, it's a promising lead. If they do have sugar production already, I can get my caramel apple fix.
I hear Nina sigh disappointedly, and she hangs her head with a pouting expression. Apparently, I was correct, and she doesn't share my interest in the Ring.
"The entertainment is disappointing…I was hoping to find something new. Hmm…I guess I'll just pester Mizuki about that when we return to Eden! The food, though, that sounds promising. I want to try savory and sweet things! Mizuki, should we do food stands or restaurants? Or both!?" (Nina)
Alyse glances between Nina and me with a puzzled expression. I guess she's wondering why Nina would pester me about entertainment back in Eden. My first instinct is to tell Nina to avoid spilling the beans about my role in 'designing' those games. But if I'm being honest, there's probably no serious downsides if I end up with the credit at this point.
I turn my attention to Nina and give her an amused smile.
"Well, I'd recommend a fine restaurant for a main course. After that, I bet that we want to browse food stands and maybe devoted bakeries for various sweet things. If you wanted a more specific recommendation, we'd do best to solicit Lady Alyse's advice. Alto, what do you think?" (Mizuki)
Alto nods politely while her eyes keep scanning the area around us. I also notice Alyse giving me a strange look. Err…what's that about? I don't think I said anything weird.
"I think that plan is reasonable, of course. To add further suggestions, you may recall that Miss Ulta mentioned having a restaurant in Wellick, so we could eat there. We could also use the opportunity to inquire about entertainment options from others. Then, pursue those suggestions while our food settles, before browsing sweets later as you mentioned." (Alto)
Oh yeah! Hmm…getting to see Ulta again may be unlikely, and I'm sure she'd be busy working anyway, but I'd like to start fostering a connection with her. I heard that she bought property in Eden after we showed her around, and I assume that means she'll be opening a restaurant there eventually, but it doesn't hurt to start early. I have larger goals I'd like a chef's help with. For one...I'd kill for a pizza party at Eden's rec center.
I turn to Alto with an approving smile.
"As always, I appreciate your advice, Alto. I think that's an excellent suggestion. My Lady, does that sound agreeable to you?" (Mizuki)
Nina is wearing an excited grin already, so I think I know what her answer's going to be.
"Fufufu…yes, yes, Mizuki. Your Lady finds this quite agreeable. Very well, how shall we go about finding this restaurant?" (Nina)
I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at her suggestive emphasis about being my 'lady', and I turn to Alyse.
"Lady Alyse, do you by chance know the location of Miss Ulta's restaurant in question? We're also open to oth-" (Mizuki)
I cut myself off as I realize that Alyse is giving me a more pronounced version of that strange expression from earlier. It's like a mix between confusion and curiosity.
I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Uhm…Lady Alyse…is something the matter? You've been giving me quite the strange look." (Mizuki)
Alyse's eyes widen in surprise, then she gestures apologetically with a small smile.
"Err, no, my apologies. Everything is fine. Ehem…so, about Ulta's restaurant, I do know where it is. Would you like me to take you there now?" (Alyse)
I'll take 'how to be plainly evasive' for three hundred points…she's so clearly sidestepping any explanation. Oh well. I don't see a real benefit to pressing her about it. Although, at times like these I have intrusive thoughts about suddenly sending her a thought-message, like 'I heard what you really thought!' or something. I'm sure her reaction would be priceless. Alas, I have a reputation to uphold.
I sigh internally, then I just give an appreciative nod and smile at Alyse. Her shoulders noticeably relax.
"Splendid! Yes, we would greatly appreciate that. Please lead the way, Lady Alyse." (Mizuki)
Alyse nods.
"Sure, just follow me. Wellick isn't the size of Avalon or anything, but it's still going to take us about half an hour to walk there. Oh, and by the way, you can all just call me Alyse – no need for the 'lady' part. I'm not big on formalities these days, and it seems like you already address Cara personally." (Alyse)
I give her a surprised look.
"Uhm…sure, if that's what you want. Alyse it is. As for the length of the walk…we don't mind." (Mizuki)
Alyse smiles appreciatively, then she gestures for us to follow her and starts leading us down the streets of Wellick. Alto is following a short distance behind her, then Nina and I are at the back of the group. After a few minutes, I see Alyse glance over her shoulder at Alto, then slow her pace so that they're walking next to each other.
A surprised expression overtakes Alto's face, and I see Alyse say something in response while wearing a smile. I can't make out any of their words, though.
[Mizuki? Can we talk?] (Nina)
Surprised by the unexpected interjection, I turn to see Nina's bright green eyes scanning my face expectantly. If she's asking to talk, and using thought speech to do it, I'm guessing it's important. She seems slightly nervous and perhaps a little curious, but I don't sense any fear or anger.
[Well, sure. It seems like we have plenty of time, and Alto and Alyse look preoccupied. What's on your mind, Nina?] (Mizuki)
Nina smiles at me appreciatively, and her nervousness rises slightly.
[Our conversation earlier made me realize that I don't know much about you from before we met. You've told me a lot about your planet and people, but only a little about your life there. What was it like? I know that you did not leave another woman behind, but…what about family? Or other people you care for, like Alto?] (Nina)
Yeah, I don't exactly consider my personal life on Earth to be an exciting enough topic to bring up. More importantly, I'm not sure how relevant it is. My knowledge from Earth has certainly been crucial, but I can't say the same for my personal experiences. Although, I guess Nina would have no way of knowing that. Until recently, she was largely ignorant of human cultural norms, even on this planet.
[I had a mother and father, but I didn't have any siblings or other family worth mentioning. I had friends, but they weren't like Alto. They were more like…hmm, it's difficult to say…maybe like Cara before she started living with us. We were friendly and supportive, I enjoyed their company, and I hope they're doing okay in their lives. But…I don't really miss them, you know? We weren't that close.] (Mizuki)