The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 247 - ...The ’Innocent’ Heiress That Came To Play

Chapter 247: Chapter 247 - ...The ’Innocent’ Heiress That Came To Play

"My apologies for the interruption. It seems my wedding gift was excited to meet some of his own kind."

A ripple of laughter passed through the crowd, but the brunette and her husband-wife noted the less than happy looks from several Guild members. Their prize display was meant to be impressive and they couldn’t decide whether an outsider romping in the crowd with the same ’belonging’ was a good or bad thing. The Enclave leader’s gaze lingered on her... suspicion as well as admiration in his eyes.

’She didn’t flinch at its landing. Practice or talent, that is impressive for a young cultivator that has never attended our training.’

"As fortuitous as such a meeting might be, might I have your answer? Would you care to enter our contest, young Goltbred?"

Elua made a show of considering it for the first time, though her mind was already plotting several moves ahead. The value of winning, the value of just taking the time to be present, the expected gains and worst potential loss. The small girl held on to the sides of her ’blue’ dress and curtsied deeply, her companion staying on her shoulder and dipping its head with her motion.

"It would be an honor. Though I fear my animal handling skills may pale in comparison to your esteemed Enclave’s expertise."

The leader nodded, a glint of challenge in his eye despite her voice carrying just the right note of humility. A youngling didn’t need to *intend* to be an offensive whelp for him to need to show them their place!

"We shall see. The full contest details will be announced tomorrow. I look forward to witnessing your... *wedding gift* in action. Our display of the prizes will be ending in a half hour."

As the crowd began to disperse, many lingered to watch the caged Skydancers. The high iridescence of their feathers made their preening even more eye-catching than more common birds. They also somehow managed to look both regal and a bit smug about the attention.

Elua’s companion maintained its perch on her shoulder, occasionally tilting its head to observe its caged cousins with a white eye. It thought they looked a little too proud despite not being direct subjects of its queen. What glory was there to be stuck being watched through a window?

They also didn’t even have a hidden snack compartment. It truly pitied them and their ignorance.

The two disciples exchanged glances, but held their questions as Qatrand gently placed a hand on their master’s back and guided their small group away from the dwindling crowd.

"You knew about this."

It wasn’t quite a question. Pigeon blue eyes studied her wife’s face with fondness and a hint of a wry smile.

"I may have heard whispers and taken a few peeks. My responsibilities at the main pavilion did not extend towards keeping track of every display and its planned occupants."

Elua’s ’innocent’ tone fooled no one. She had looked at every schedule and document that was filed whenever she was bored at night and missing her Qat. The sigilist had also been the one to carve that particular voice amplifier on that particular stage. Her bird ruffled its feathers importantly and chirped.

"And the one who gave you our friend here..."

"Probably didn’t bother coming. However, he has been quite helpful in keeping track of certain plans."

The brunette reached up to stroke her companion’s chest feathers. It leaned into her fingernails, receiving the grace of its sovereign. Truly, he was the most favored of his kind in the sky!

"Though I didn’t expect them to make such a public display of their prized birds. Usually they’re more... discrete about their trading. After all, they are valued to the point that it makes no sense to let most mortals dream."

Nohre couldn’t contain herself any longer. The two were chatting just ahead of them, but they were taking forever to get to the important part!

"Are you really going to compete? What do you think they’ll make you do?"

"Nothing my little friend here can’t do or hasn’t already mastered, I’m sure. Though whether I try to compete seriously or just show up, I have not decided."

Fusand studied the creature thoughtfully. Birds were not quite as compelling to him as crabs, but the thought of training animals did peak his interest. Before he could get lost in the idea of an army of crabs at his command, he cleared his throat.

"The way it moved with your curtsy... you’ve been training together heavily all along, haven’t you?"

Mint eyes narrowed with approval at his observation. While it wasn’t exactly true, as she mostly let the creature live freely until she needed or wanted its assistance, the fact that it did things so effortlessly would certainly seem to anyone like intense effort was done behind the scenes.

’In a manner of speaking, that is still true. A past life of techniques and experience with avians... and an Astralism that makes guidance as close to directly puppeteering as I am willing to consider.’

"Let’s just say we understand each other quite well. Their handlers might find it troublesome to overcome our bond."

Qat felt her wife’s spirit stutter with various emotions. The swordswoman expected that whatever game the Wing & Talon Enclave thought they were playing by inviting the ancient cultivator to join in the festivity... she suspected they had already lost in five ways.

"El. Just promise me one thing?"

"Anything, my fortress."

"Try not to completely destroy their pride."

Laughter rang out, warm like tinkling bell chimes. The Skydancer joined in harmony with her mirth, belting out a quick song.

"Of course not, my love. They might be useful allies someday. I’ll be the very soul of restraint."

Her gaze shifted to her disciples.

"Now then, shall we return to our earlier discussion about shopping adventures? Whatever is so important that you must hide it?"

Both teens suddenly found the ground very interesting.

"Or perhaps we should focus on what sort of performance tricks you’d like to see in this little side-competition?"

Their relieved looks made Qat shake her head, smiling.

’Do they know that she only cares about making them uncomfortable for a moment and not their secret itself?’

Her wife’s mercy was as calculated as any of her schemes.