I cut my eyes at Cara, but she seems to be pointedly avoiding eye contact, just looking at Alyse.
[Cara, what are you playing at? I know that you know that I'm looking at you right now. Why are you trying to push your own sister onto me?] (Mizuki)
Cara blatantly ignores my thought message...I'm going to remember that. I look towards Alyse, expecting her to be upset. After all, that was practically a 'get the hell out of town' suggestion by her own sister. Truthfully, I don't understand their dynamic. Alyse really doesn't seem like that much of a problem to me.
To my surprise, Alyse is actually staring at Alto thoughtfully. Alto seems as confused as me, but then Alyse turns to me with a curious expression.
"Mizuki, is that something I could ask for? What would that even mean? What do you all actually do?" (Alyse)
Oh god...don't ask me that. It's like someone just walked into my friend group in college, sat down across from me, told me they were interviewing to join us, then asked for a mission statement. What do I even say to that? We're not some company!
"Uhm...well, I guess you can join us. I'm not sure how to answer your question, though. Honestly, it was just Nina and I at first. Her and I happened to learn about a group of elven slaves in a human country, and I rescued them because I wanted to. For some deranged reason, Alto then decided she wanted to join us, and that obviously rubbed off on Zara. So, it's not like we're a business, we're just friends that help each other out." (Mizuki)
Alyse just gives me a blank stare for several moments, the shakes her head.
"Okay, fine, I'll just take that at face value for now. It's obvious why you and Nina are together, but why'd you bring the others on board? Alto, Zara, and former Princess Alara...what did you stand to gain? Why have you stuck around the Elven Kingdom? Why are you building this train for Cara? I just don't understand what my life would be like if I 'join' you, and what you'd expect of me." (Alyse)
I scratch my head thoughtfully, and scrunch my face in frustration. After a moment, I shrug at her.
"I enjoyed their company, and they had clear personal motivations for joining us. I didn't disapprove of those motivations, and it seemed like pursuing them would make them happy, so we took them in. We're building this train because I see no issue with it, and it's what my friends Cara and Alara wanted. I've stuck around the Elven Kingdom because it's peaceful and my friends are here. That's it...I don't think I'm that ambitious." (Mizuki)
"Okay...so...what would I be doing, then? I'm still not seeing that part." (Alyse)
What am I, her career coach? How the hell should I know?
"Obviously that depends on you. You've been fun company, so I don't mind you coming to live and work with us. That is, as long as Alto and Nina don't mind. But, what you do while there is entirely up to you. If you want suggestions, well..." (Mizuki)
Hmm...I guess there are a few things that we'll probably want inner-circle type people involved with.
"...Alara's been looking for a new guard and advisor. I have guild interests in Elmesia that you could be involved with. Zara is now Elder of the wolf-kin tribe, and wants them to develop – she might need help with that. We'll also be visiting the other demi-human tribes soon for...diplomatic talks. Finally, Alara is getting a port city set up on the western coast, and we might want a liaison to establish friendly relations with the demons through there at some point. That's all I can think of, short-term...does any of that interest you?" (Mizuki)
Alyse just stares at me wide-eyed, like I've overloaded her with information. I see Alto smirk at me in the meantime.
"Of course, I object to you calling my decision to join you 'deranged', Mizuki. As for Alyse, I fully support her joining us, if that's what she wants. Nina, what do you think?" (Alto)
Nina makes a dismissive gesture.
"Sure, it doesn't really affect me." (Nina)
Alto rolls her eyes at Nina, then turns back to Alyse with a smile.
"What do you say, Alyse? Want to come join us in Eden?" (Alto)
Alyse glances between Alto, Cara, and me apprehensively, then settles her gaze on me.
"Uhm...I'm not sure. It certainly sounds more interesting than what I've been doing, but...still. Mizuki, if something happened here in Wellick, how long would it take for Cara to get word to me? Then, for me to get back here? My brother sometimes drops by unannounced to visit briefly, you see, and I wouldn't want to miss him..." (Alyse)
Oh...I guess that makes sense. I did get the impression that they were close. Hmm...well communication will be almost instantaneous now thanks to the MMCs. So, it's just a matter of her getting to Wellick. If she's in Eden, the train will probably take 3-4 hours from when she boards it. So, a day's delay at most? If I'm around, or Nina's around to thought message me, then I can also just teleport her back to Wellick.
"Well it would depend on the circumstances. At most, you'd return the day after Cara sent her message. There's a decent chance that you could return the same day, though." (Mizuki)
Alyse's eyes fly open wide.
"That's it!? How!?" (Alyse)
Oh...yeah, we might have some explaining to do. Best not to mention me teleporting at first, though.
"Well, it will only take three or four hours for the train we build to go from Eden to Wellick. So, from the time you get Cara's message, you could take the train that day or the next day. On that note, there's another magic item that we gave to Cara while we were left alone in her office. It allows her to instantly send written messages to our house in Eden, and vice versa as well." (Mizuki)
Alyse just stares at me, with an expression that I could almost swear is...mildly annoyed?
"You're absurd. You know that, don't you? Everything that's come out of your mouths for the past several minutes...just completely ridiculous. An Elder Dragon wife, wolf-kin and elf friends, advanced cities popping up overnight, magic items that transport small villages across the country in a day, or send messages instantly. What's next...telling me you can fly?" (Alyse)
Alyse's voice is thick with sarcasm, but I already see the excitement on Alto's face. Best to get ahead of that addict.
"Fufufu...if we could take you flying, would that make you more interested in joining us?" (Mizuki)
Alyse snorts, then hangs her head in exasperation. After a few moments, she looks back up at me with an exhausted smile.
"No, you lot are already plenty interesting. Maybe too interesting. As for joining you...can I have some time to think it over? How many days will you be in Wellick?" (Alyse)
"Well, we'll actually be leaving around sunset today. We just came here to give Cara the train and other magic item, and to get to know Wellick better. But that's okay, you can take your time thinking it over and decide later. Just send us a message through the magic item we gave Cara. Or, take the train to see us once it's operational." (Mizuki)
Alyse's expression immediately floods with confusion, and she glances at Alto briefly. There she goes again...what is her deal? She was looking at Alto weird when we first met, too.
"Wait, why such the short stay? I was hoping to get to know you all better. Will you not at least stay the night with us before returning to Eden in the morning? I imagine that traveling wild lands after dark is not particularly safe, even for people as strong as you three." (Alyse)
Does...she not know about the nobles' meeting tomorrow? Cara apparently sent a letter back to warn her inner circle, including Alara, about our impending visit and the train. I just assumed that she mentioned the nobles meeting as well. I turn to Cara with an incredulous look, as Alyse watches in confusion. Cara gives me an embarrassed shrug.
"What? I haven't had a chance to tell them! If I put something that important in the letter I sent, there'd be all kinds of questions about why the meeting is happening! I didn't want to deal with those the minute I got home, you know?" (Cara)
I sigh deeply and return my attention to the bewildered Alyse.
"Basically, Alyse, there's another nobles' meeting in Avalon...tomorrow evening. After dark, we're going to build the train between here and Eden. That way, Cara and her escort can use Eden's train network to travel to Avalon in time. We also have...other matters...which require our attention in Eden tonight, and we need to prepare for the meeting as well. So, today is the only time we have to spare in Wellick for now." (Mizuki)
Of course, those 'other matters' are just Nina and I having sex, then me picking up Ilina for her nightly sleepover. That's...not really something Alyse needs to know, though. But that does remind me, I'll be gone several hours tonight while I build the new train system. Also, I need to consult Ilina about how to handle the nobles tomorrow.
I groan internally...am I even going to get any rest tonight? I'm jarred from my self pity by a sudden squeak, and I notice that Alyse is the source of it. I raise my eyebrows at her.
"For now, I'm going to ignore that you casually said you can build one of these trains in one night. Instead...are you telling me there's already another nobles' meeting happening!? I've never heard of them being so close together, so something seriously important must've happened. What was it? Also, why are you invited to attend this meeting!?" (Alyse)
Oh yeah, I guess that would be confusing to her. I glance at Alyse, and she's staring daggers into me expectantly. Alto just seems amused. Meanwhile, miss Cara 'I couldn't be bothered to tell anyone' Egris is just giving me an inexplicably smug expression. I can practically hear her saying, 'see, isn't that reaction a hassle?'.
"Yes, and you're correct. In fact, several important things happened. For one, Eden's rapid economic growth, and the train and other magic items that we provided to Alara. I'm sure Queen Elira is anticipating serious criticism from the other nobles about their territories being excluded. So, as the providers of the magic items, naturally we'd be invited to the meeting where their use is being discussed." (Mizuki)
Alyse's eyes squint and she grabs her chin thoughtfully.
"Tch...yeah that sounds like something they'd get twisted over. By the way, it's obvious that my sister knows the truth about you, and now I'm guessing Alara does, too. But who else? Do any of the other nobles? What about the royal family?" (Alyse)
I nod approvingly.
"If 'the truth' means that I'm at least as strong as Nina, and that I'm the unofficial leader of our group, then several people know. In the Elven Kingdom currently, that'd be you, Cara, Alto, Nina, Zara, Alara, Queen Elira and her guards and maid, King Dargo, and Princess Ilina and her guard Klaus. There are also the other elven women who we rescued from slavery, one of whom is apparently Darak Zardo's daughter. It's possible she's told him about me, but I'm not certain." (Mizuki)
Alyse purses her lips thoughtfully, then sighs in relief.
"Well, that's good. I'd have been concerned about keeping this from the Queen, but I wouldn't trust all the nobles either if I were you. So, what are these other important things that happened?" (Alyse)
I glance at Cara nervously, and she's meeting my gaze with similar apprehension.
I glance at Alto and notice her eyes on me as well. I direct a thought message to both of them.
[Can, or should, I even tell her about the Empire and Belmod? If she's not a participant at the meeting, Elira and the others may not want other elves knowing, right? At least not about our involvement.] (Mizuki)
I'm expecting them to subtly nod to me or something, but Alto catches me by surprise.
"Truthfully, Mizuki, news that important is going to spread throughout the kingdom whether we or the Queen desire it or not. Even our borders don't keep out information like that. That said, it will take some time, and Queen Elira may appreciate the opportunity to control the flow of information." (Alto)
Alyse looks at Alto in surprise, then turns to me questioningly.
"So, there is something else life-changing going on, and it sounds like it's not limited to the Elven Kingdom. I'm guessing you all are at the center of it?" (Alyse)
I nod apologetically.
"Yeah, but that's pretty much all I can say. Alto's right, this isn't like sharing my own personal information. It's possible that your Queen will want to limit the people who know about it to nobles and their escorts at the meeting tomorrow. I'm sorry I can't be more forthcoming, Alyse." (Mizuki)
Alyse nods acceptingly and sighs.
"Based on what Alto said, I guess that's probably not just an excuse to keep secrets, huh?" (Alyse)
I shake my head with a wry smile.
"No, I trust Alto's opinion, and I have no desire to antagonize Queen Elira." (Mizuki)
Alyse finally smiles slightly.
"Alright, I won't press you for answers then. I think I've done enough of that today, after all. So, what now?" (Alyse)
I give Alyse a big smile.
"Well, for now..." (Mizuki)
I look out at the river in front of us. The sun is gleaming off the water's surface, and we're almost in the center of the city now. A large white marble building is beside us, with elves milling in and out of it, and I can see the Egris family home in the distance.
"...let's just enjoy the rest of Wellick." (Mizuki)