Alto, Nina, and I make our way down to Eden's eastern train station and take a seat. Percivil decided to turn back after we finished our discussion, saying he had projects he wanted to work on while he thought over my offer.
I reach out with magic sense to track Cara's progress on the northern train, looking for moving high elf signatures. To my surprise, I detect two of them very close to the northern train station. That can only mean one thing.
"Huh...it looks like Alyse has decided to join Cara this morning. They should be arriving at the northern station right now. They'll probably meet up with us in half an hour or so, assuming they come straight here." (Mizuki)
Alto and Nina crane their necks at me quizzically, then Alto focuses intently for a few moments. Eventually, her eyes widen in surprise.
"It seems you're right. I can sense them, too, so they must be close." (Alto)
"Oh, you can tell it's them? Does this mean you finally got enough control over your magic sense to screen out power levels effectively?" (Mizuki)
Alto makes a pouting expression.
"No...I'm not as good with the technique as you are yet. Absolute power levels and distances are still difficult for me to gauge, so I had to cheat. Recently, I had Prin-...err, Ilina...work with me to tune my magic sense to high elves, just like you taught me." (Alto)
I don't really consider that cheating, Alto, but way to be a try-hard, I guess.
"Oh, nice, that's a useful one to have. Anyway, do you think she's here to accept the offer to join us?" (Mizuki)
"Fufufu...after Mizuki's theatrics yesterday, she probably wanted to attend the nobles' meeting to see what fun schemes will be had!" (Nina)
Not everyone is like you, Nina. I sigh internally. Alto just shrugs.
"It's possible that you're both right, you know?" (Alto)
I guess she makes a fair point. Either way, we'll know soon. That reminds me, though, I should probably tell them where we are, just in case. Plus, I probably won't get a better chance to have a little fun at Alyse's expense. I lock onto both of them through magic sense.
[Hey, Cara! Nina, Alto, and I are at the eastern train station waiting on you. Alyse, I'm glad you decided to join your sister today. I look forward to chatting again!] (Mizuki)
Around half an hour later, I see that characteristic red hair flowing in the wind as Cara and Alyse make their way toward us. To my surprise, the only other person with them is Vito, Cara's loyal guard. I guess they're going with the minimal escort this time. As they near us, we rise to our feet, and I give a friendly wave and smile.
"Cara, Alyse, Vito...it's good to see you all again!" (Mizuki)
Vito smiles and gives a polite nod, and Cara gives me an amused smile.
"You as well, Mizuki. Lady Nedonera, I trust you're ready for today? I'm sure it will be a rather...involved...meeting." (Cara)
"Fufufu...oh, yes...I'm quite excited." (Nina)
Cara makes a nervous expression at that retort, but...fair. Nina saying she's excited for a meeting is a sure sign that said meeting will be a nightmare for anyone sane. I turn my gaze to Alyse, and I see her staring at me, terrified. When we lock eyes, she quickly moves over next to me and whispers quietly.
"Mizuki...can you...read my mind?" (Alyse)
Alyse stares at me, completely serious, and obviously terrified. That's...so much better of a reaction than I was expecting! Oh, god, that's priceless! I do my best to stifle laughter as I respond to her with the most serious expression I can muster. I'm going to test out a theory of mine.
"Don't worry, I'm not upset by what you were thinking about Alto. I didn't tell her either." (Mizuki)
Alyse's face turns beet red, and she looks at me like I was peeping on her in the shower. Yup, I'd say that anecdotally confirms hypothesis number two for her prior behavior around Alto – Alyse has the hots for her. I also thought she might have a kind of warrior-rivalry type obsession, but that shouldn't produce this reaction.
"Mizuki! That's a huge invasion of my privacy! You can't...just....." (Alyse)
Alyse is fumbling over her words, and she's starting to look genuinely distraught. Great, now I feel bad. I quickly make a placating gesture, and whisper back to her frantically.
"Woah, woah, Alyse! No, I'm sorry! I can't actually read your mind, I promise! I was only teasing you, and that comment about Alto was just a guess on my part. I swear! I haven't even voiced that opinion to her. My joke was out of line, and I'm really, really sorry. I let my intrusive thoughts get the best of me there." (Mizuki)
Alyse slowly begins to calm herself, then glares at me menacingly.
"You're a real asshole...you know that?" (Alyse)
I lower my head at bit, hearing that. I think she's earned some atonement from me for that one.
"That's fair...I really am sorry. How about, as an apology, I give you my word to never lie to you in private? I've made your sister the same promise, so she can assure you that I'll keep it. That way, I couldn't trick you like that again even if I wanted to." (Mizuki)
Alyse stares at me suspiciously for several moments, her anger still evident, but it's slowly declining. Eventually, she sighs and nods.
"Yeah, she mentioned it...seems like you take those kinds of promises seriously for some reason. Alright, I accept. Just so you know, though, you're not on my good side yet. That was a seriously messed up thing for you to do, even as a joke." (Alyse)
I grimace at her admonishment.
"Understood..." (Mizuki)
Alyse sighs again.
"Good. Well then, my first question is...can you actually just teleport anywhere in the world instantly? Cara told me about some of your abilities last night, at least the ones she has seen. That one stuck out to me." (Alyse)
I smile and nod.
"That's correct. It's how I left those items on Cara's desk last night, and how I returned home. However, I can only teleport to places that I've been to before. Speaking of the items I dropped off last night, did you enjoy the train ride here? Pretty cool, right?" (Mizuki)
Alyse shakes her head in exasperation.
"Way to jump from one absurd thing to the next. But yes, the 'train' was exhilarating. I've never moved so fast in my entire life. All of these magic items are actually being made by you, right? Not 'your Lady'?" (Alyse)
"That's right, but that's not to be discussed with others. If you don't mind." (Mizuki)
Alyse hold her hands up, as though in surrender.
"Sure, my lips are sealed. That's incredible, though...." (Alyse)
Alyse looks off, distracted.
"Ehem...by the way, Alyse, why are you here? I really am glad to have you, but I can't help but be curious. Are you hoping to join the nobles' meeting? Are you relaying a decision about joining us? Did you just want to try out the train?" (Mizuki)
Alyse suddenly becomes serious, and she nods. I actually asked three questions, so I don't know what that nod is supposed to mean.....but whatever.
"It took some work, but I convinced Cara to bring me to the meeting as one of her escorts. Also, yes...I was very excited to ride the train. As for your other question, I don't know yet. I've been considering it, but I want to wait until this meeting is over before I make a decision. It sounds like what I learn will be pretty relevant." (Alyse)
Really? I'm honestly curious how she did that...Cara doesn't seem like she'd be particularly receptive to that proposal. Also...yeah, Alyse has it pegged. I'd say she's going to learn quite a bit of information about us at the meeting. I nod sympathetically to Alyse.
"Well, it sounds like your day's going to be quite interesting. I look forward to hearing about your decision afterward." (Mizuki)
Alyse's expression becomes apprehensive.
"Why does the word 'interesting' sound so ominous coming from you..." (Alyse)
What? I think that was a totally normal response! As I'm thinking over a witty retort...
"Ehem...Mizuki, it appears the train is arriving." (Alto)
Snapped from my thoughts, I turn to Alto. She's gesturing over her shoulder, and I can see the train pulling into the station. Whelp, I guess it's showtime.
I feel a strange, nervous energy run through my body...I haven't experienced it in quite some time. Though, I suppose I am about to throw my life into serious disarray, aren't I? That will probably go double for Ilina. Moment of truth, as they say.
I take a shaky breath, then turn to Alto and Nina with a smile and talk in my loud, official voice.
"My Lady, Alto, shall we depart with Ladies Cara and Alyse? After all, we don't want to keep everyone waiting for such an important event." (Mizuki)