As we approach Nina, she takes notice of us, and her face lights up in a smile. Several of the crowd members also turn and give us confused expressions.
"You're back! You missed my domination of these archery competitions. I have lost several people a great deal of money, it seems. Fufufu...but that is what they get for assuming that dragons cannot wield bows!" (Nina)
I raise my eyebrows at Nina...is she really that proud of this? She can literally move the arrows to hit wherever she wants with magic. It's practically cheating. A number of grumbles slip out from the surrounding crowd. I'm guessing those are the poor losers who bet against her. Still, I give a polite smile to Nina in return.
"I am pleased to hear that you have enjoyed your time here, my Lady. Are there any other activities you'd like to participate in before we depart?" (Mizuki)
Nina purses her lips thoughtfully, then shrugs.
"No, I'm satisfied. Oh, but Mizuki, I do wish to prepare a place like this back in Eden. Do you think we can arrange that with Alara? Some of these games were quite fun!" (Nina)
A designated space for archery, huh? Hmm...if Nina has learned what archery challenges are popular here, I think that could be profitable. If Alyse adds in regular, ranked competitions, and maybe a gambling component to that and the rec center, it could be very profitable.
As I'm thinking it over the crowd around Nina starts whispering. I manage to overhear a few of the comments, enough to get the gist.
"Wait, so that's the Mizuki she was talking about?"
"Yeah, I guess so...he's human, huh?"
"Weird, he doesn't look like much, does he?"
So, it looks like Lena is far from the only one that has heard Nina talking about me while I was gone. I direct a polite smile at Nina.
"We might be able to do that, if Lady Alara thinks it could be profitable or otherwise beneficial. I'll set up a meeting with her as soon as possible, my Lady. On to other matters...I can't help but notice that an unexpected number of people here were told about me in my absence. Might I inquire about what was discussed?" (Mizuki)
[You haven't been saying anything problematic about me, have you Nina?] (Mizuki)
Nina's face lights up excitedly, and she claps her hands.
"Yes, please do! Fufufu...I can't wait! Oh, and I just mentioned that you bought me this nice bow in the human country. A lot of them were quite interested in it, since it has enchantments, and they were wondering where I got it." (Nina)
I give Nina a puzzled expression.
"Oh, the enchantments? I'm confused, are bows difficult to enchant?" (Mizuki)
To my surprise, Alyse interjects before Nina or anyone else can. Her voice sounds almost wistful.
"Mizuki, enchanted items are generally scarce in the Elven Kingdom. Enchanting affinities are so rare among elves that there are only two alive who can make enchanted items. One is in the strict employ of the royal family, and the other is still a girl, training to be his replacement. Having any enchanted items is a status symbol, so a bow like Lady Nedonera's with multiple enchantments is practically a national treasure." (Alyse)
There's a round of assent from the crowd at Alyse's explanation. Wow, that's news to me. I turn to look at Alto expectantly, like 'why do you never tell me this shit?'. Alto shrugs.
"I'm sorry, Mizuki, I honestly thought you'd realized that already. After all, how many elven enchanted items have you seen in your time here? Also, why do you think the construction team in Eden was so happy to have Percivil, and kept asking him for every little enchanted item they wanted? It was a rare opportunity for them." (Alto)
Huh...I can only think of the voice amplifying item and the bracelets from the royal announcement. Since that was a high-profile event with royalty, I guess Alto's point makes sense in retrospect. Also, it is weird that there are almost no enchanted light sources here...just regular chandeliers and such. Still, Alto didn't have to imply that I'm an idiot for not realizing as much. I sigh deeply.
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense now that you mention it. Well anyway..." (Mizuki)
I turn to face the crowd with a smile, and many of them stare back in confusion.
"Ehem...thank you all for keeping our Lady company in our absence, and for being so welcoming. We greatly appreciate it." (Mizuki)
I give a light bow towards the crowd to cement my point. It never hurts to try and earn some goodwill here. Sure, I haven't received any hostility in this country lately, thanks to the news of our party and the royal announcement spreading. But, that doesn't mean I'm particularly trusted or liked by the elves either. I'm still a stranger from a historically hostile race, after all.
As I raise my head and look back to the crowd, my behavior is quite obviously not what they expected. I overhear a few informative whispers.
"This is the human that everyone's been so on edge about?"
"Yeah, I don't get what all the fuss was for. The guy seems pretty harmless to me."
"See, the kid's nice. I told you all Queen Elira wouldn't have approved of him otherwise."
I fight the urge to smile in satisfaction. Good...it seems like my behavior is finally having the effect I was hoping for. I'm 'harmless' and 'nice' now, so I guess all this docile, overly accommodating acting hasn't been for nothing. That's...validating.
I'm jarred from my self-satisfaction by a sense of annoyance from Nina. I snap my eyes to her, and I see that she's staring at the crowd with her lips pursed in disapproval as they stare at me. Is she...jealous that their attention is on me? I can't decide if that's so petty as to be concerning, or reassuring since it's indicative of her valuing weaker creatures in some way.
[Nina, is there a problem?] (Mizuki)
Nina turns her gaze back to me with a surprised expression.
[Hmm...I'm just annoyed with the way the elves treat you is all.] (Nina)
That is....not what I expected.
[Uhm...what's wrong with the way they're treating me?] (Mizuki)
They're being pretty nice right now from what I see.
[Look at them, Mizuki. It's like you need to masquerade as some docile pet of mine to be accepted by them. Like their respect is something you need to earn...it's infuriating.] (Nina)
I sense Nina's annoyance transition to anger as her thoughts finish. Where is all this hostility coming from? Is it really so offensive that they don't respect some stranger from the jump? I think that's reasonable...respect is something that's earned, from my experience. I certainly don't hand it out freely, even if I feign it.
[It's okay, Nina, I promise. I'm not offended or anything. Besides, I honestly think it's pretty normal for people to not respect you until you earn it. It's their respect to give, after all.] (Mizuki)
[I'm sorry, Mizuki, but I disagree. If that were true, then why do they treat me with so much respect? Even before I defeated Veyron, when we first arrived in this country, I was shown respect comparable to their own Queen. As far as they knew, I'd never done anything for them. I also look as human as you in this form. We even share these green eyes and different shades of brown hair. So, why do you think I was treated so well?] (Nina)
Hmm...I don't disagree with her observations, just her interpretation. As for her question...I have my own theories about the answer, but those aren't what matter. Truthfully, the reasoning behind Nina's anger is what I want to address. Given that...
[Perhaps it'd be better if you tell me why you think we were treated so differently?] (Mizuki)
[Strength. All other races are like dragons in that regard. They value strength in their own ways. Even the elves would not let Ilina lead them when they thought of her as weak. I think it's obvious that, if they knew of your abilities, they would show you respect. At first only out of fear, perhaps, but they'd eventually treat us the same as time passed without hostility.] (Nina)
[I'm not sure that I agree with that prediction. But even if you're right, you said yourself that they don't know about my abilities, and a dragon wouldn't respect someone they thought was weak. So, since I'm hiding my abilities from them, why are they the ones you're angry with?] (Mizuki)
Nina is silent for several moments, and I sense confusion from her. Eventually, it transitions to disappointment.
[I suppose that I am more upset with the situation. I do enjoy our little schemes with you as my servant, but...I'd also like my mate to be shown respect. It bothers me deeply how the elves and human adventurers have dismissed you, but I'm trying to support your wishes. So, without threatening the elves, there's not much else I can do...it's frustrating.] (Nina)
I see...that's what the issue is. She's watching someone she loves be treated with contempt and disrespect by those she considers inferior. Hell, I'd probably feel the same way watching other Elder Dragons treat her like some elves have treated me. Worse, I've practically tied her hands by making her hide our relationship and my abilities, and asking her to remain polite with the elves.
[I'm sorry, Nina. I hadn't fully appreciated how frustrating this must be for you. Your wishes are important, too, and I want to respect them. So...how about we discuss this more tonight? Just you, me, and Ilina. We'll compromise in a way that we can all live with.] (Mizuki)
I sense a rush of gratitude from Nina.
[I'd...appreciate that, Mizuki.] (Nina)
[Of course. You are my mate, after all, right? For now, let's try and enjoy the rest of the day...it seems like our silence is becoming noticeable.] (Mizuki)
The crowd around us is starting to murmur uncertainly, glancing around. To them, I just appeared to stand there silently after thanking them, and I guess they don't know how to respond. Fortunately, I don't have to step in again.
"Ehem...I'm sure what all of these silent stiffs meant to say is that we're happy to have you all here, right you idiots? The Elder Dragon and her party are welcome here any time!" (Lena)
Lena, the snarky woman from the trio of apologizers earlier, is giving the crowd a pointed expression following her admonishment. There's a murmur of embarrassed agreement from the crowd, and a silence falls over the room for several seconds. However, it's short-lived. Another woman's voice rings out from across the room, commanding everyone's attention.
"Lady Nedonera! Mizuki! Are you at the center of this commotion?"
The crowd begins to part in the direction of The Ring's entrance, until a woman is visible through the crowd – Cara. I guess she finally got away from that meeting with the Prima. As they lay eyes on her, the crowd's whispering intensifies, and several of the men stare at her in a daze. Vito, Cara's faithful guard, is standing behind her, scanning the surroundings diligently.
"Hey, Cara, nice to see you again!" (Mizuki)
Cara glances between me, Alyse, and the crowd nervously. Meanwhile, several members of the crowd begin glancing between Cara and me in bewilderment. They're probably confused by my familiar tone with her.
"Yes, you too. Uhm...I wasn't expecting Alyse to bring you to The Ring. Has everything been...okay?" (Cara)
It's clear from Cara's tone that she's worried if anything upset us, and that she intends to chastise Alyse later for bringing us here. That wouldn't be totally fair to Alyse, though, so I should probably speak up. I give her a reassuring smile.
"Oh yes, everything's been wonderful! In fact, I was just remarking on how hospitable the people of Wellick have been to my Lady and the rest of us. Alyse has also been a very enjoyable guide, so I think she deserves some credit. Us coming here was actually at my insistence. I was curious. " (Mizuki)
Surprise briefly flashes across Cara's face before she turns her gaze to Alyse. Alyse is just staring back at Cara with an expression that's a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"Is that so? Well, Alyse, thank you for seeing to our guests in my absence...it seems I owe you an apology. I worried that you'd dragged them here wanting a sparring match, but you were just being a good host." (Cara)
Uh oh...maybe we should keep her match with Alto our little secret then. I kind of like Alyse, and I don't want her to get in trouble because of something we advocated for.
"Don't worry about it, Cara. Should we get going now?" (Alyse)
Alyse starts to walk forward without waiting for a response, and the crowd moves to give her room, forming an opening to the exit. Cara's face twists in confusion.
"Uhm...sure, Alyse..." (Cara)
Cara quickly replenishes her standard smile, and turns to face the crowd.
"I'm pleased to hear that you were all so hospitable to our guests, and reflected well on the people of Wellick and the Egris house! I appreciate each and every one of you. I have other important matters that I must discuss with Lady Nedonera and her party, so we must sadly depart for now, but please take care!" (Cara)
Cara turns back to face us with a questioning gaze, as the crowd begins to murmur excitedly behind her. Clearly her praise means a lot to them.
"Lady Nedonera, shall we leave and continue with your tour? I have a small boat prepared riverside at the city outskirts. I thought a float down the river, through the city center, might be a nice addition to your visit." (Cara)
A boat ride, huh? That sounds pretty nice, actually. It also gives me another idea for Alara's territory...
"Fufufu...that sounds very entertaining! Mizuki, what do you think?" (Nina)
Nina's wearing a smile, and seems to be in a much better mood versus earlier. That's progress. She looks at me expectantly, waiting for my answer. I smile back and nod.
"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, my Lady." (Mizuki)