The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 98 - Ironclad Amber, Whispering Quartz, & Rueful Obsidian

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 - Ironclad Amber, Whispering Quartz, & Rueful Obsidian

The cool, humid mountain air and the scent of the sea filled her lungs as Qatrand stepped forward to greet the waiting Ironclad Order representative. Her silver suit reflected the many small lights on the plateau, a vast contrast to the Yecine’s usual garb when dealing with her seniors. There was also her hair to consider!

Despite so much being different today than ’normal’, the blonde’s posture straightened. The swordswoman radiated out a quiet confidence that hadn’t entirely been there mere months ago. Qat’s low voice carried clearly across all of those gathered.

"On behalf of myself and my wife, I thank the Ironclad Order for their generous gift."

She had brought the small bag with their seal from the table with her and emptied its contents into her palm. Her calloused fingers traced the crystallized amber’s smooth surface. Without all of the cultivation advice from her spouse over the years, she imagined that feeling the dormant physical energy pulsing within would be unfathomable.

"This aid serves as a reminder of the Order’s strength and the values we uphold in the region. We have high hopes for you, Qatrand er Yecine. Your recent progress has not gone unnoticed."

An approving ghost of a smile tugged at the girl’s lips. She inclined her head respectfully before turning to the next guest. As the woman introduced herself, Elua watched the chained exchanges with pride and fascination. Her wife’s growing ease and confidence in social situations was almost euphoric!

’Now that’s interesting.’

The brunette’s eyes narrowed when the tall teenager’s fingers brushed against the item from the Whispering Winds. The metallic triangular frame caught the light and its quartz inlay almost seemed like a blank spot to her spirit - unnaturally so.

The Goltbred recognized the artifact for what it truly was. An Echo Coin... a form of memory storage, far beyond the technological cultivation understanding of this region. The essence carving of the interior sigils was impeccable. The tea set’s sigils were ’impressive’ but this was ’highly out of place’.

’I wonder - where did the Whispering Winds come across this? There is no way they even know what they’ve given us.’

She watched as her husband-wife politely thanked the Guild representative, who by their description clearly viewed the coin as little more than a curiosity. A thrill ran through the reincarnator’s spirit. Such a tool on its own could store vast amounts of information if you knew how they worked.

Which she very much did! The illusory training tool she built for Qat was arguably far inferior, but worked on similar principles. With one in hand, she could potentially leverage her father to study the formation of the quartz...

"El? Are you alright?"

Qat’s voice pulled her from her reverie. Mint eyes blinked owlishly before the girl quickly donned her ’sweet’ smile.

"Of course, darling. Just admiring all our thoughtful gifts."

She was excited to talk about it, but like so many things this evening... it must come in private. Her senses swept over the guests, still cataloging potential threats and allies after the sabotage incident. The coin was handed to her by the swordswoman before she turned back to address whoever was next.

For a moment no one showed themselves, but then Lirades stepped into motion. She approached the table with eyes twinkling... as the spiritualist bride noted the discontent spreading from that side of the family. She cradled an object, wrapped in deep blue silk, out of the pile of gifts in her arms while unfurling the fabric.

"For you, my dears. May it reflect not just your image but the youthful vitality within you."

An obsidian mirror gleamed darkly as it was set back on the table. Qatrand’s fingers touched the ornate gilt frame, a moment of recognition flickering in her eyes.

"This style... it’s similar to the one used during my suit fitting."

Silver-streaked black hair bobbed as she nodded with a smile.

"Indeed. I was happy to allow such a simple thing as moving one of mine. Though perhaps calling it bothering my attendants to get it done is more precise."

"Thank you."

The older woman’s gaze softened with hints of ’regret’ gleaned in her spirit to the mint eyes watching. She’d never spent a lot of time with the groom’s mother before she passed away... and Anper was tangled with that troublesome faction of elders. She’d long gotten complacent and tired of arguing her views to a bunch of men unwilling to internalize what she was saying.

"Challenging our traditions and forging your own kind of path... it gives this old woman hope for our family’s future. I’m happy that your arranged marriage was so clearly desired by the both of you."

"Your support means more than you know, Elder Lirades. Thank you... for always taking so kindly to the partners of our family."

Tendrils of spirit clenched tighter around her bride, intentionally this time. Knowing that, if her El was visiting their estate while she was busy with work, there would be such an ally to turn to made her feel better.

’Though I shouldn’t be worried about this. I should probably be worried about the Yecine side... if they try to make her an enemy.’

"Your wife’s influence has been... invigorating to everyone. To say the least. So keep pushing for what you know is right, both of you. Change is long overdue in this household."

Lirades stepped away and the blonde watched her go... before clearing the determination from her face and turning back to the table. After standing for a bit waiting, the final box on the table remained unclaimed - its giver choosing anonymity like the two involved in the issue earlier. It put her on guard, but she still tried to continue naturally.

"We thank the unnamed benefactor for their generosity."

"I am glad that all of you came to witness our moments. Please, have a pleasant rest of your evening or a safe trip home."

Her small hand was held over top of the box to prevent her beloved from opening it and showing it off like the other items. The illusionist could hardly believe that someone else had done a thing nearly as troublesome as sabotage!

’Negavigor surgical tools. Someone’s either trying to curry extreme favor because of that old nickname or set us up for a spectacular fall.’

She filed the information away as part of the utter deluge of things to talk about with Qat. The implications and potential uses for such a regulated substance would need to be carefully considered. The brunette’s senses searched for any hint of the gift-giver’s identity... but there were just too many people.

"We just have to wait for our well-wishers to vacate the plateau, now."

Sensing her wife’s growing restlessness, the Yecine gently placed her hand over hers on the box. Elua nodded a ’sigh’ revealing the burden of the day’s events. There was a little more to be done than that, but the show of support was energizing. The swordswoman advanced, feeling its effects.

"You’ve been incredible today. No... I meant you’ve shown others a bit of how incredible you are. How are you holding up?"

A thumb started tracing soothing circles on the back of her cute wife’s hand after she spoke. She was almost glad that she was terrible at imagining the future. Experiencing all the details of today fresh, for the first time, felt far more rewarding to her. Qatrand felt some of the intensity of the ancient soul lean further into her spirit as mint eyes drifted half closed.

’Especially seeing that she can be at least a little overwhelmed like this. That I can provide some kind of... comfort and protection.’

"I’m fine. It’s just been an accumulation of more things that I am desperate to talk to you about than I anticipated."

The taller girl nodded in understanding. She did wonder why there wasn’t one of the girl’s usual privacy seeking Element cocoons... but figured there must be a good reason.

"Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. You know that, right? After all, I’m just as stuck to you... as your anchor."

A smile tugged at a pair of lips before a ’giggle’ chimed out into the night air.

"You are never going to stop using that pun, are you? Qat... you’ve been quite the fantastic revelation yourself today."

They stood there staring at each other, risking their readiness as both stood with their own forms of being ’on-guard’. They were one set of the small islands of stillness amid the many bodies making their way down the many stairs. Some would spend their nights at places rented in the town... and a number of Yecine and their servants would be using the facilities at the venue.

"Congratulations, young miss. Can I do anything for you?"

The brunette’s personal servant finally made herself known after fidgeting in wait for a while. She had been waiting for hours to congratulate her charge!

"Yes. You can make sure that no one, not even the Yecine servants, touch any of our things. Rather... seek out my father and tell him that I request a chest with an excellent lock. Then you can stand guard over it tonight. Okay?"

The outer meat of a palm struck the back of her head and she groaned. The woman had held back much less than she expected!

"Just give me the items you are most worried about. I will take them back tonight."

The heiress ’sighed’ audibly at her mother.

"Well, that will help with one item, mom. But this one..."

She opened the box and fished out the certification card tucked discreetly within the side of the case inside. After glancing at it herself to make sure it said what she expected, she flashed it towards Yatrel. Mint eyes squinted at it in the low light, before widening.

"I think I’m in an uncomfortable position of being obligated not to let it out of my sight, within reason. At least as long as whoever approved and brought it here secretly could be watching how I deal with it. Hence, the locked chest I need."

"Go. Find one, please. Ask the venue staff first, they may know where to look."

The Dame Goltbred ordered the woman, who jumped to attention before scurrying to the task. She turned back to her eldest with a complicated expression on her face.

"That is... some gift. We need to find out who approved this and why."

Elua nodded sagely, before turning back to the table. Under the gaze of a number of eyes, she shifted a few things around on the table before bringing the container that the Talcres had brought the tea set in. While handing it towards the duelist, she met her eyes.

"This is important. Please be careful with it."

"Of course I will, dear. Meyran and Zyris would never forgive me if I wasn’t. You be careful, too... and remember, you can rely on your father. He would love to help you out."

Qatrand er Yecine tilted her head as the reddish-blonde haired woman smiled at her with a polite nod before turning around and walking away. She looked back at Yatrel’s daughter and blinked. Her curiosity morphed into confusion.

’Why did she just bring them up? Were they the ones that left that small tree?’