The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 97 - You Are A Pleasing, Calm Tinkle Amid The Cacophony I Endure

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 - You Are A Pleasing, Calm Tinkle Amid The Cacophony I Endure

Inside the box were a set of four leatherbound journals. Elua truly hoped that it wasn’t meant to reference their knowledge of her recent interest in crafting with that material, because the work was not very impressive! The tanning was average at best and the stitch holes punched through the paper unevenly enough to bug her.

However, something interesting *had* caught her eye earlier when first scanning the items. The front of each had a hard, stone gray looking ’petal’ attached like it was a pretty rock. Now she just wondered if they found the creature scales as interesting and wanted her to see them - or if it was done by people lacking the understanding of their value.

"How thoughtful. I trust my mentor’s exchanges with you have been fruitful for the Alliance?"

The representative’s eyes narrowed. He’d been expecting her to be more circumspect... but at least she wasn’t shouting. The words were also vague enough that no one should know who she was talking about. He could do the same!

"Indeed. Their innovations have been... most useful in our regional efforts."

The Goltbred nodded with her ’sweet’ smile.

"I’m so pleased to hear that. I’ll do my best going forward. Perhaps we could discuss further lucrative collaborations... after the Descent, of course."

The man’s posture stiffened. He wasn’t used to so much cloak and dagger and every sentence she said rode the line of encouraging others listening to ask him or his Guild questions. He had to remember that his leader was somewhat content with that, if it happened eventually.

He didn’t entirely agree, but securing her cooperation had been deemed paramount.

"We would welcome such discussions and thank you for supporting our efforts. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He had been told respecting the Yecine heir was a surefire way to get in the brunette’s graces - and the intimacy he’d seen on display led him to believe it was true. With a final bow her way, and then to her husband, he entered back into the crowd. Qat suddenly placed her hand lightly on top of her wife’s head.

"I know they can’t feel it like I can, but that amount of dark amusement is unflattering, El."

"S-sorry."

"Just don’t do something that they don’t deserve. I trust you do make your plans that way."

The smaller girl started to turn her head aside while radiating ’hesitation’ and ’embarrassment’... when strong fingers gripped it tightly in place.

"If not, then I trust you will start?"

"I- I was just teasing you, okay? When have I ever done something so terrible as to harm others that didn’t have it coming?"

"And when have I ever felt that wasn’t the case?"

Qatrand leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

"Do you think I haven’t noticed that you can push overwrought intent at me? There’s always a tiny layer attached of your mirth at misbehaving which I’ve been feeling ever since you ’infected’ me."

The entire side of her face grew hot, more at the sound and proximity than the content. However, the term she used and the mention of their spirit fragments did make the blush worse. Luckily or unluckily, a throat was cleared that broke them apart.

"Apologies, but I would like to take my turn as it has been a long day. I am here specially representing the Earthen Fellowship. We wanted someone other than your mother to present our gift. It is that box there."

The mortal spoke with a tone used to dealing with cultivators, showing little fear or obsequence. Elua nodded at him as he turned away without waiting for their response.

’How very cavalier! My feelings aside, I’m surprised he doesn’t think anything of that behavior in front of my parents and the Yecine elders. Mortals are so bold in this peaceful time.’

As she spent most of her existence acting in certain ways for certain results, the reincarnator truly admired the idea of giving little care to the way others took your words and actions. The safety of power had been her lure all that time, but there was always someone or something with the potential to make your efforts pointless.

Uncertain of her exact trail of thought, Qat was nonetheless paying attention when the cute girl’s spirit flipped from ’contemplation’ to joy. Listless mint eyes appraised the verdigris covered wind chimes quite seriously before they turned toward the blonde.

"Can we hang this inside our place?"

Her monotone hid the waffling between ’happiness’ and ’yearning’ from outsiders. Pigeon blue stared transfixed for a few seconds before blinking and actually giving the item a look. Seeing what caused the reaction was a tarnished set of large tubes confused the swordswoman, but she found herself nodding without hesitation.

"Of course. Anything you want."

The words practically tumbled out of her mouth before she could fully process that she was saying them. Immediately she realized it had been driven by an instinctive impulse to fulfill her wife’s request. Though wind chimes seemed an odd choice for interior decor, Qatrand couldn’t ignore the intensity of Elua’s spirit at the idea.

In return to her quick reply, both of her larger hands were held with the soft ones of the heiress as her ’gratitude’ cautiously needled into her. The Yecine churned with curiosity - what was it about the item that had stirred such a profound response in her El? The lips of the girl opened again to say two simple words.

"Thank you."

She buried her curiosity and resolved to ask about it in the privacy of their own space. The blonde felt that was where the girl might feel more comfortable sharing the story behind her unexpected attachment. Whatever the reason... she knew it was important to the one she loved - that was enough for her.

"You’re welcome, you mint-eyed siren."

Qat crossed a set of her fingers with hers, holding their palms together between them. Another, much more awkward ’cough’ sounded from not too far away.

"Excuse me, little snake. While this is fascinating to witness, I would love to point out our gift and make way for others to come forward."

"Your box has our Guild’s symbol on it, but sure - interrupting our moment is fine. I probably won’t hold any kind of grudge about it at all~"

The Yecine’s hand covered the eyes of the irritated wife speaking sarcasm so ’sweetly’. More than just that single motif example, the gift itself was a set of literal coiled serpent bookends made from a rare wood. It was exceptionally malleable to those with a Wood Element - judging by its quality the artisan probably had it - and therefore had great value.

’I hope I find someone I like with that Aspect just so I can re-gift it to them for more practical use!’

"We appreciate your generosity. Thank you for attending."

The man bowed lightly to the groom and retreated, thinking that their young prodigy was certainly a... handful. In his wake, the Talcres pair approached the newlyweds. Their present was a tea service set, composed of a special cornflower blue glass that retained heat quite well... with bronze metal accents covered in sigil work meant to insulate further and make the items lukewarm to the outside touch.

"This is an heirloom from... well, it doesn’t matter. I’m happy that it might see use again, Elua. Qatrand. Please take good care of it."

Their earnest happiness as the older couple bowed in unison was marred by their inwardly conflicted feelings. The Goltbred immediately figured out that it was either from Meyran’s first wife - or that it had been used by her and neither of them could bring themselves to touch it because of her death. It, like another item on the table, was also clearly a product of another region or age.

’Finer work than most things I’ve seen here. It’s almost a treasure in these parts even just for that reason.’

"I appreciate the weight of the feelings you are trying to set free... and I promise to start sharing tea with Qat from time to time using this wonderful boon. Thank you again for taking care of my friends today."

While she had her facade up to creep out her colleague before, it broke down in front of these people... making her seem distant despite the intent behind her words to the watchers. Yet, the couple ’resolve’ and ’gratitude’ at being entrusted that thorny part of their past as the teenager curtsied formally.

’I will keep it safe. And if someday their issue works out and they make a child... perhaps return it to them.’

Meyran and Zyris stepped away, both a little dazed by the experience. Elua turned to the blonde watching her... still listless eyes searching her the pigeon blues. The older girl’s expression was gentle and filled with forbearance. It made it even harder to rally her spirit back into ’normal’.

The reincarnator could sense the questions bubbling beneath that tolerance - about the wind chimes, about the tea set, about the myriad of things which had played out over the course of the evening. Yet, her ’fortress’ didn’t voice them. Instead, she simply pulled the cute girl close again, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"It’s been a long day. I’m looking forward to letting you take a break from struggling with that tonight."

The brunette nodded and kept her eyes on the ground between them. Her spirit flooded with an entirely different ’gratitude’... and entirely different emotions that made it hard to regain control. The tips of her ears almost glowed red over how quick to show affection the blonde was becoming.

’Oh, that was such a mistake. I could already barely maintain control of this Physique and now she’s just going to unexpectedly kiss me over and over and-’

"I’d like that..."

The heiress whispered despite her repetitive thoughts... looking forward to her husband-wife leading her away from the crowd of noise to watch the stars alone. After a dozen calming seconds, her mint gaze roved over the mingling guests... the pile of gifts... and the rumble of emotions babbling underneath her spiritual sense.

All the while, a mantra repeated - assuring herself that it was now ’closer to four years than five’.