Click, click, clack.
Click, click, clack.
Click, click, clack.
Alyse repeatedly drums her fingers along the hilt of one of her swords. It's a tick she's developed that shows up whenever she's nervous or vexed about something. Currently, that's him, the young boy behind her…Mizuki. She's leading him, Nedonera, and Alto to a restaurant they were interested in.
The trek through the city to the restaurant will take about thirty minutes, but that's only because she's intentionally taking them on a roundabout path. Truthfully, she just wanted the extra time to gather her thoughts, and to ask them questions along the way.
"It's all…wrong…" (Alyse)
She can't help but mutter her thoughts aloud. Mizuki, or rather Nedonera's party as a whole, has not behaved at all how she expected after first meeting them. Nedonera is in charge of the party, Mizuki is the one she trusts the most to voice her wishes, and Alto and the wolf-kin girl are fond of Mizuki and assist him in his servant duties. That is their official dynamic, by all accounts.
It certainly seems to Alyse that Nedonera is the one whose whims are directing their group's movements. Similarly, it's clear as day that Alto has a soft spot for Mizuki, and that he does most of the talking for the group. So, Alyse's observations have all been consistent with what she's heard. And yet, she can't help but feel like their dynamic is also completely backwards. All the little things just don't make sense.
Even setting aside all of Cara's strange behavior, there were the subtle inconsistencies within the Elder Dragon's party. When Nedonera was considering how to spend their visit, she seemed unnaturally interested in Mizuki's opinion, not Alto's, even though he's never been to the city and has barely inhabited the country. More important is the way she asked the question. It was as though…she wanted to ensure he was also happy with their plans.
Then, there is Alto. When Mizuki asked her opinion, she almost sounded like Vito talking to Cara. She isn't just fond of him…it seems to border on reverence. From everything Alyse has seen, Mizuki by far has the least abilities and life experience, so why are the others so deferential to him?
Perhaps Alyse could entertain the idea that he is just inexplicably beloved by Nina, like her child, and by Alto, like a little brother. That would still be insane, since they're an Elder Dragon, human, and elf, but she could accept it. Unfortunately, that seems inconsistent with Mizuki's own anomalous behavior. It has been bothering her ever since he first spoke.
The way he interacts with Alto and even Nedonera, the way he walks and watches them, the confidence he has in speaking on their behalf…it's not like he's a surrogate child or little brother. It's like he's trying to shepherd them along and make them happy. Like he's the parent of a century old elf and ancient god-like dragon…it's unsettling.
Alyse wants to learn more about their group, and to develop a rapport with them, but now she's unsure how to proceed. At first, Nedonera seemed like the obvious one to chat with. Next, Alto, since she's clearly important to the group and they are both elves. However, everything she's observed since then leads Alyse to believe that Mizuki is actually the group's center – the one that binds them all together. He's probably who Alyse should become friendly with.
Regrettably, she finds the boy somewhat difficult to read. She has no idea what the right way to interact with him is, and Cara seemed especially nervous about her saying the wrong thing to Mizuki. Alyse has never been particularly interested in nor skilled at getting strangers to like her. She prefers a more earnest approach.
Perhaps Alto would be a better first choice for her to talk to, then. After all, Alyse is most accustomed to interacting with elves, and Mizuki went out of his way to ask for Alto's advice earlier. He obviously cares about her opinion.
Alyse glances over her shoulder at Alto, as she leads them through the streets of Wellick. Alto appears to be walking right behind her, slightly separated from Nedonera and Mizuki. This is the perfect opportunity for her to chat with Alto alone.
She shortens her pace and moves to fall in line beside Alto, then gives her a friendly smile.
"Alto, is it? I thought this would be a nice chance to get to know you better, since I haven't really heard you speak much. You're new to Lady Nedonera's party, right?" (Alyse)
Alto's eyes widen in surprise as she meets Alyse's gaze. After a moment, her lips purse slightly as she studies Alyse.
"You're correct on both counts. As you are no doubt aware, I was freed from slavery in the human country by my Lady some time ago, and I joined her party thereafter." (Alto)
"I hope you don't consider the question rude, but…may I ask what compelled you to do that? I understand that you'd be grateful for your freedom, and the opportunity to work so closely with an Elder Dragon is surely enviable, but why would you immediately throw yourself into her service? From what I've heard, you did so after knowing them for only a day." (Alyse)
Alto's eyes narrow slightly, then she looks away thoughtfully for several moments.
"My…you seem quite informed…my situation is just as you say. As for my reasoning, it had less to do with gratitude than admiration – this group, these people, they embody my ideals. I was, and still am, convinced that joining them will let me see a brighter future for everyone than I'd hope to see alone." (Alto)
Alyse is taken aback by the admission. Truthfully, she didn't expect Alto to be such an idealist, claiming some self-sacrificing path for the good of others. Alto's eyes strike her more as those of someone suspicious of the world, who's aware of its harsher truths. In other words, she expected Alto to be a realist. More so, she was hoping that was Alto's nature.
In her experience, those that waxed poetic about ideals were hypocrites. Alyse had the most trust for people who saw the world as she did – an unfair place that runs on selfishness, breeding a desire to condemn or expunge those that don't fit in. It's not that she necessarily denies the existence of altruism, just that she thinks the world and its people at large don't value or reward such sentiments.
She feels that her brother and mother are good examples. Her mother truly loved and accepted her, and yet even with power and influence, her mother suffered intense pressure and backlash for trying to support Alyse's refusal to bed men. Meanwhile, Reynard overflowed with resolve, empathy, and goodwill, and he was immensely skilled with a sword, but the family at large deemed him worthless due to his lack of practical magic.
Frankly, Alyse is troubled by the realization that she may not be able relate to Alto as well as she hoped. Still, that won't be enough for her to abandon developing a rapport between them. At the very least, she can try to learn more about this person that seems so important to the group she's interested in.
Alyse nods politely to Alto.
"I see…I confess some confusion, though. I can't help but notice that you seem more devoted to the boy than your actual Lady. If you joined her party because you want to better the world, would your admiration not be instead directed at the one who wields the most power for change and who guides the party's actions?" (Alyse)
Alto's face first twists in confusion, then her expression settles into one of suspicion. The sudden change in the atmosphere between them isn't lost on Alyse.
"By 'boy', do you mean Mizuki? Despite appearances, thinking of him as a child will be very misleading for you. Respectfully, you should be especially careful to not characterize him that way aloud." (Alto)
Alyse watches as Alto directs a serious gaze towards her, letting the point sink in. She recalls that her sister made a similar warning. Would he really be so offended by her commenting on his age? She didn't get that impression from him.
It's also not lost on her that Alto didn't answer her other question. Was Alto more distracted by the issue of Mizuki's characterization, or simply evading her question? Alyse smiles apologetically towards Alto and nods.
"I understand, I meant no offense. He appeared to be a human teenager, with less than two decades of life experience, so the term only seemed natural to me. However, I appreciate your warning – I'll make sure not to let such a characterization slip around him." (Alyse)
"Mizuki isn't the one you need to avoid such a slip up around, but Lady Nedonera. In fact, the worst thing you could do is make a similar comment to my Lady when Mizuki isn't there. Please avoid that at all costs." (Alto)
Confusion slips onto her face, and she instinctively voices the reason for it.
"I heard she was protective of him, but…what do you mean when he isn't there? Are you implying that his presence is a deterrent to her reacting negatively?" (Alyse)
She finds the implication absurd, but that's what Alto's comment suggested. She eyes Alto curiously, who seems conflicted about how to respond.