'He said that she's basically part Nephilim...meaning she won't grow old. She'll still look like that even when I die of old age...'
The imagery that thought conjures causes her to let out a dark chuckle. Never did she imagine that she'd find herself on the opposite side of this dilemma. How many times had she been hesitant to let things get too serious with a lover because of the difference in their lifespans?
However, she can't feel anything but relief at the comparison. She'd rather deal with someone else's hesitancy than experience that sense of loss. Plus, Alto agreed to a picnic date with her – there's no way she's backing out now, when she's finally got solid hope that Alto might lean that way.
Even if it's never anything romantic, she likes Alto. How long has it been since she's been able to get attached to someone without the worry of watching them die? There's her brother, but he's hardly around. As for Cara, their relationship is far from healthy right now. Alto – Mizuki and Nedonera, too – she could see herself forming some lasting relationships with them. Wouldn't some friends like that be nice?
Of course, being okay with new friends won't stop her from taking her shot with Alto...
Still, she's not oblivious to the fact that Alto's situation changes things...just, not for her.
Why would it, when she's never had the option for lovers with the same life expectancy anyway? Romantic relationships between two high elves are almost unheard of, even without considering her sexuality. For one, because high elves tend to be related. And while there are certainly high elves with distant enough heritage to allow romantic relationships, they are always from separate noble houses.
That situation sometimes works out, but the political intricacies of such a marriage make it rare. Unless the noble houses are willing to merge, one of them has to be willing to lose a high elf from their house. That's rarely something the house elders are willing to do. The majority of the times that a high elf has married into a different family have been when one leaves the royal family after their elder sibling ascends to power.
Her thoughts naturally drift to a certain silver-haired high elf, and some very steamy memories of a hot spring encounter force their way into her mind. Not willing to entertain such thoughts further, though, she snorts derisively.
'As if...I don't even want to work with the woman.'
No sooner than she thinks that, though, the words Zara whispered into her ear echo in her mind again.
If I could ask a favor of you...give Alara a chance. I would feel much better if I knew you were the one taking my job here, and I think you'd enjoy it, too. I felt out of my depth many times, but it's also been more fun than I could have imagined. As for your history with her...I don't know everything she's done in the past, but I know that she wants to fix it.
The memory almost makes her roll her eyes.
'She's changed, she's changed, she's changed...that's all I seem to be hearing from everyone around here. They barely know her! And it's not like she's going to be disrespectful to people like Mizuki or his friends.'
As much as she wants to dismiss it as them being naive, though, she can't shake what Mizuki said about not being biased by a long, negative history with Alara. Could that be true? Is she really just assuming the worst about Alara's behavior because of their history?
She thinks back to her encounters with the former princess over the past few days, trying to judge them like Alara was a stranger to her – a daughter of some other noble house. Alara's friendly, inviting demeanor when she and Alto ran into her at the hot springs, the appreciative way Alara talked about a wolf-kin like Zara – Alara was nothing but polite.
'But isn't that just because they're close with Mizuki? As disagreeable as Alara is, she's not an idiot...she wouldn't alienate someone as powerful and influential as him.'
Unfortunately, that excuse rings hollow to her as well. She can clearly remember plenty of times where Alara made venomous digs at her about her 'failures' as a noble daughter during important meetings, violating expected decorum right in front of Queen Elira. Furthermore, Alara's excitement when departing the meeting alone with Zara earlier didn't go unnoticed by her...Alara's relationship with Zara is clearly friendly beyond obligation.
No matter how she looks at it, even considering Mizuki's influence, Alara isn't behaving like she'd expect. The only sign of the old Alara in the past few days was that one comment in the jacuzzi, about pitying the men in her life. However...
Her thoughts drift to that exchange, trying to recall Alara's words, expression, and tone at the time, and to consider them as if they were from someone less...disagreeable. Someone like Alto. She replays the situation in her head – slipping into the jacuzzi nude, while a playfully smirking Alara/Alto studies her with a curious expression and makes that comment about her body.
This time, the memory nearly causes her heart to seize, and a fierce heat runs through her. She can't help but suck in a cold breath at the realization that she is, in fact, the exact opposite of upset by the imagined exchange. Apparently, context is indeed everything...
'Fuck...wanting to strangle Alara, versus hoping that Alto was flirting...I really was reading a lot into that.'
Did she force herself to interpret Alara's comment as incendiary because that's the only way she could have imagined Alara meaning it? If so...
Maybe she's wrong about Alara after all...maybe the princess she knew really is different now. But even so, does she really want to work for Alara? There's still no guarantee that they'd get along, or that she'd enjoy Zara's old job.
Yet, she has to admit that it doesn't sound any worse than any of the other job prospects she has.
Despite that fact, and Mizuki's reassurances that she can change her mind at any time, the thought of accepting Alara's offer is...well outside of her comfort zone.
She lets out a conflicted sigh, agonizing over the decision. Eventually, she can't help but recall why she considered Mizuki's offer in the first place, before she knew about his ability to help her brother. Memories of a mature elven woman with a warm smile and kind voice flash through her mind. Though they bring her feelings of loss and sadness, she can't help but smile wryly as well.
'Meeting new people, taking risks, stepping outside my comfort zone...I suppose that's exactly what you wanted from me, right?'
Shaking herself from her reverie, she lets out a steadying breath. She rises from the bed, a new resolve taking root in her heart.
"Alright, Mom...guess I'm finally going to make good on my promise to you." (Alyse)
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'Perhaps I should give this research a chance...it just sounds so dreadfully boring.'
Then again, isn't she, Nina, rather bored right now...simply waiting on Mizuki to return? She purses her lips in dissatisfaction as she slides deeper into the hot water of the mansion's bath.
'No...that's not quite right. This is most definitely boring, while joining Mizuki and Alto is only possibly boring. Hmm...on the other hand, I don't see the fun in playing around with their magic for hours. Mizuki could teach me new spells, but if that's what I wanted, I'd just have him make me another one of his spell rings. Ah, how unpleasant...maybe I should do neither, then, and just treat myself to a little snack?'
Yes...eating something sweet will most definitely be less boring. Her lips twist into a small, expectant smile.
She promptly lifts herself from the bath and begins making her way towards the mansion's kitchen. She uses her gravity magic to pull the lingering water from her bare body, discarding it back into the bath as she walks away.
As she leaves the bathing room, she briefly recalls Mizuki's numerous pleas that she not walk around the mansion in an 'indecent state'. But, after a moment of contemplation, she shrugs and continues her trek to the kitchen, unbothered.
'That male dwarf, Percivil, won't be back for some time, and Mizuki isn't even around to chastise me. Besides, I was nude all the time in my dragon form...I truly fail to see why he gets so upset. He's rather ecstatic about it when we're alone...'
A few minutes later, she's ruffling through the kitchen pantry for something that suits her fancy. Eventually, she spots a wrapped loaf of sweet bread. It's definitely not her favorite, but it does have sufficient sweetness to curb her craving. She shrugs, grabs the loaf of bread, then walks over and sits herself on top of the kitchen counter.
She indulges in her first bite, relishing the bread's chewy texture and sweet aftertaste, and she sighs contentedly.
'Delicious...'
Noticing how pleased she is, however, she stops mid-chew. Her brow furrows in annoyance.
'Once again, I find myself a slave to this form's impulses...'
She swallows the bread, then stares at the remaining loaf in annoyed silence for several seconds. Reluctantly, she sticks another slice in her mouth and begins to chew.
"Haw dis graws ful..." (Nina)
She sighs internally.
'Maybe I should go visit her...she may have helpful advice. That freak has spent almost half her life in this form, after all.'
She absentmindedly engulfs her third slice.
'It's been many millennia since I saw her, so I suppose it'd be nice to visit. Fufufufu...I bet she'd have a nice laugh about my recent clash with Veyron, too. Maybe I will visit her while Mizuki is away with little Zara.'
She glances down at the loaf of bread thoughtfully, contemplating a fifth slice. Before she can come to a decision, however, she hears the kitchen door open. She looks up with passing curiosity, and locks eyes with...Alyse.
The two stare at one another in silence for several moments, Alyse wearing a stunned expression, and her looking mildly bored. She watches Alyse's eyes slowly drift up and down her body, and notices Alyse's face flushing shortly after.
"Uhm...Lady Nedonera. What are you doing?" (Alyse)
She glances at her loaf of bread pointedly, then gives Alyse a dumbfounded look.
"I am eating this bread...clearly." (Nina)
Alyse blinks.
"Right...but why are you...naked?" (Alyse)
She raises her eyebrows.
"I did not put on clothes after leaving the bath." (Nina)
Alyse continues to stare at her in confusion, and she can clearly sense that Alyse doesn't understand. Sure enough, Alyse doesn't drop the subject.
"Okay...but, aren't you worried about others seeing you...like that?" (Alyse)
Nina gives Alyse an annoyed look.
"No...you're starting to sound like Mizuki. Ah, yes, that reminds me...let's keep this our little secret. I don't want Mizuki chastising me about something so trivial." (Nina)
Alyse opens her mouth, dumbfounded, and quickly closes it without speaking. Nina can clearly sense her conflicted feelings over how to respond.
That's not her problem, though.
She shrugs and returns her attention to the sweet bread in front of her, pursing her lips thoughtfully. After a moment, though, it occurs to her that this elf may actually be useful in overcoming her current predicament. She casts a curious glance at the still stupefied Alyse.
"Alyse..." (Nina)
Alyse jolts from her daze.
"Uhm...yes?" (Alyse)
Nina cocks her head to the side.
"How long has it been since you've had sex?" (Nina)