Aleck found himself caught between embarrassnt at witnessing such a private mont and fascination with how naturally they ignored the attention upon them. The rumored ’dical fairy’ clearly had no issue defying social expectations of her station when it suited her.
’Perhaps tea wouldn’t be so inappropriate after all...’
From his angle, the young man couldn’t see how red the back of Qat’s ears were. Still standing on the dueling field, a honey-soaked voice once again entered the ears of the surrounding cultivators.
"Did you have plans to watch the other matches?"
Aleck startled slightly when he realized she was asking him the question. The Goltbred heiress finally loosened her grip on her spouse. She dropped lightly to her small feet, those mint eyes of hers holding surprising intensity as she studied him.
"I... hadn’t thought that far ahead. I was probably a little conceited hoping I would win."
"Oh, that’s only expected. They say to plan to fail is to fail to plan. Oh, I have an idea! You simply must et our Branch Manager. The Coiled Serpent Guild’s new office in our city has been doing wonderfully under her leadership."
Before he could form a response, Elua had already seized his wrist. Her ’sweet’ enthusiasm brooked no argunt as she practically pulled him along towards the watching crowd. Qat looked at the slightly dumbfounded judges and followed with barely concealed amusent.
’She seems especially eager.’
The person that Elua ’searched’ for stood with several other Guild representatives. Her professional deanor faltered a bit as she caught sight of their approach. Sothing in the small cultivator’s purposeful stride made her want to find an excuse to be elsewhere.
’I didn’t want to be out in the open near her in the first place! I knew suggesting I should co and mingle with them was a trap...’
"Dima! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m sure I don’t have to introduce this gentleman if you were paying any attention. He’s shown such innovative thinking in the tournant. Perhaps you would like to share tea to discuss so ideas tomorrow?"
The surrounding Guild representatives suddenly shifted their stances. Several spirits flickered with ’disappointnt’ at seeing the Goltbred heiress seeming to stake her claim on an unaffiliated semi-finalist so quickly.
Even if she seed ’bright’ and ’innocent’, most of them had been in the business of dealing with subtle manipulations. No matter what sort of ’smile’ they were approached with, they could read behind the facade! ...To an extent.
At least enough to know their carefully prepared recruitnt speeches would go unused. They were unlikely to match whatever offer a determined daughter of the last hero could bring to the table.
One older woman from The Ironclad Order still opened her mouth as if to interject - the lad was clearly a martial focused cultivator! However, she caught sight of the Yecine heir’s imposing figure standing behind the pair. Her jaw clicked shut.
The way those pigeon blues studied the gathering like he was looking for soone to get in his wife’s way... suggested speaking up might not be wise. It both frustrated and impressed her!
’Good. None of them seem like they are going to ask for sothing silly like Talva did.’
...Qat was still hung up on that happening the day before.
Amid this undercurrent, the branch manager’s expression showed a confused wariness. She recognized that particular ’naive’ tone in her employer’s voice. The teor hamr user shifted in more visible discomfort. Aleck was suddenly aware of being specifically introduced to a rather attractive older woman in front of an audience of Guild officials.
"What exactly are-"
"M-my lady, I really don’t think tea is-"
Elua’s ’innocent’ smile didn’t waver as she steamrolled over both their attempts to protest.
"Would it not be wonderful to have fresh perspectives from soone who has remained outside of the usual structure of working for a Guild? He clearly thinks beyond conventional approaches."
Her spirit rippled with ’satisfaction’ at how quickly they both silenced at her continuation. Their shared discomfort would serve her actual goals!
"After all, all sorts of talent should be nurtured. Don’t you agree, Branch Manager?"
Dima recognized the unstressed emphasis on ’agree’ that seed to an decisions had already been made. Still, she couldn’t quite stop herself from asking at least a single question in defiance. Or in hope she was wrong.
"Will you be joining us for this... discussion?"
"Oh, of course! Along with my friends Nohre and Fusand. They are much younger but also have not managed to find employnt in the past for this or that reason. It will be a wonderful chance for everyone to share ideas."
Sothing in how she emphasized ’everyone’ made both Dima and Aleck pause. The forr liaison was relieved that there would be more people to serve as a buffer and the fighter was embarrassed he had jumped to conclusions. The earlier guilt about the chain incident warred with growing hesitation.
’What exactly am I being drawn into? Tea. Conversation. Guilds... No good, I can’t follow it.’
Qat’s spiritual tendrils tightened around her wife’s presence. She recognized this particular brand of scheming - she felt that her El was definitely recruiting, just not for the reason most would assu from this setup. Rather, it was probably every reason they had and more!
Another field caught the brunette’s attention and she turned toward it. Her ’sweet’ smile gained a hidden edge as she watched the conclusion of another match. She loved it when plans snowballed into an avalanche that could sweep many things away.
"Oh my. It seems Talva er Ryleon didn’t advance."
Her ’sad’ voice brought attention to that region’s outco from everyone present.
"Perhaps I might invite another guest. It might make her feel better about moving on from the outco if she enjoyed herself tomorrow. Right, Qatrand?"
The Guild representatives’ spirits churned with fresh interest at this casual ntion of the Continental Army mber. Several gazes darted between the small cultivator and the distant blonde fighter.
"I... have no objection."
’If I did, she’d just tease later.’
The raven-haired swordswoman nodded at the cute girl smirking at her.
"Aleck, you’re welco to join my parents and their guests in the Goltbred viewing area. Just let them know I invited you. I’m sure they’d love to chat as well."
Her ’bright’ tone brooked no argunt. About his attendance tomorrow or the imdiate offer of courtesy. The young man found himself nodding despite his lingering confusion.
’Seriously, what is happening? Is this the usual result of placing well?!’
The small girl turned her face back toward the central dical station.
"I should return to my duties. The third match is still going. Though it’s rather dull, waiting for an accident that I hope won’t happen."
The brunette’s theatrical sigh drew a complicated feeling from Qat. Both of them knew the real work of the day had already been accomplished. Her El seed to be gathering ingredients to practically make a short, chaotic event that was prone to be filled with accidents.
As Elua practically skipped away with her success, Dima also found herself wondering exactly how many pieces were being moved on this particular board. As well as if *she* was a sacrificial token this ti.
The branch manager wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.
User Comments
0 comments from readers