Alyse walks along the streets of Wellick, unconsciously nodding to the rhythmic sounds of her own footsteps. The members of Nedonera's party are following along behind her, discussing some of the baked goods they gathered earlier after leaving the restaurant, but she isn't really listening. Her thoughts are of her discussion with Mizuki earlier.
He's not what she thought he'd be, and she's having a hard time reconciling his behaviors with those of an adolescent boy. She'd expected the discussion with him to help her understand Nedonera's party better, but she just feels more confused than before. That's partly because she got so sidetracked that she didn't get to ask all the questions that she'd intended, but also because Mizuki was just…inconsistent.
By all accounts, he seemed to be giving her straightforward answers. His responses were rational, concise, and detailed, even if he waxed poetic a bit. Meanwhile, his attitude was relaxed, bordering on flippant at times, and he seemed completely unfazed by her teasing. And yet, she's convinced he's hiding something – calculated and secretive by nature. There's also the matter of his role within Nedonera's party.
At first pass, he seemed like a naïve little brother, tagging along with the group. Then, after speaking to Alto, Alyse wondered if he functioned as a kind of social glue – an earnest and highly affable existence that mediated the others' disparate personalities. After speaking with Mizuki himself, though, she's uncertain. She felt inexplicably at ease around him, sure, but his personality isn't bubbly and hyper-agreeable.
In fact, his presence and demeanor are almost…commanding. If she didn't know better, she'd assume that he's in charge of the others. Sure, his comments always indicated that he was following Nedonera's orders or making a plea for her to fulfill his wishes. But when he spoke about the group's plans, like letting her spar with the wolf-kin girl, he exuded a certainty that seemed inappropriate for a mere subordinate.
More telling was that incident with Nedonera and the wine. Of course, she finds it strange how much affection and borderline flirtation his supposed master showed him. But Mizuki's reaction to Nedonera's outburst was equally strange. He wasn't sexually intimidated, and for a split second she could've sworn that he was about to scold Nedonera like a child.
She thought she'd been imagining that last part until Nedonera responded to his 'suggestion' about foregoing more wine. Instead of ignoring him or just calmly stating her will, like one in a position of complete authority, Nedonera had near-frantically decried the idea. In fact, Alyse equated the reaction to that of a child whose parent told them to relinquish a toy they'd been too disruptive while playing with.
It's absurd, but it seemed to her like Mizuki was casually trying to manage an Elder Dragon. She remembers Alto's earlier statement about not calling Mizuki 'boy' or 'kid' around Nedonera if Mizuki wasn't around. She'd thought the implication that Mizuki could control Nedonera's behavior was foolish, but now she's not so sure.
Alyse glances over her shoulder at Mizuki. He's holding up one of the baked goods that they bought earlier, and he appears to be inspecting it intensively. It's a fluffy dough-like food she hadn't seen before, and it tasted unnaturally sweet to her when she sampled it. Not worth the price they paid, in her mind.
For whatever reason, Mizuki was uncharacteristically fixated on the baked good once they found it. He'd spent several minutes interrogating the vendor about how it was made, questioning them about whether 'small white crystals' might have been used as ingredients. After the poor vendor mentioned some rare spice called 'sugar', Mizuki had become quite confused. He's been distracted ever since.
"What an odd person…" (Alyse)
Alyse mutters her thoughts aloud as she returns her attention to navigating the city. She's leading them to The Ring, near the city's center. Nedonera agreed to visit it after she got her baked goods, but she doesn't seem particularly interested. Alto seemed curious, at least, but Mizuki is obviously the interested one. Honestly, Alyse is having a hard time understanding why he wants to see it so badly.
Although, it's not like she minds his request. She likes The Ring, and she hopes that this will give her the chance to spar with Alto while they're there. It's true that she's interested in the wolf-kin girl more, since they're both swordsmen, but she's still intrigued by Mizuki's assertion about Alto's combat strength.
Alyse had the pleasure of fighting an exceptionally skilled mage in Tessa Uril's territory, many centuries ago. He had a magic power level of just over 3, all elemental affinities, and could even cast some powerful spells without an incantation. Furthermore, he had triple the years of experience that she'd guess Alto has. While he wasn't an easy opponent, Alyse still secured a sure victory over him.
In her mind, there's no way that Alto could significantly exceed that mage. If Alto was something as exceptional as the first-ever dual-class elf, or even as rare as a lightning wielder, Alyse would already know about her. So, she's virtually certain that she wouldn't lose to Alto in a serious fight. Still, if Alto is even close to that capable, Alyse is interested in sparring with her.
"So, what did you think?" (Alto)
Alyse looks towards the sudden sound of Alto's voice. She wonders when Alto managed to sneak next to her without her noticing. Alto is watching her with an amused but patient smile. She gives a wry smile of her own in return.
"I think I understand why you behaved the way you did before, when I talked about him like a kid. He makes quite the…unique…impression, but he's far from childish." (Alyse)
"Fufufu...'unique' is certainly an appropriate characterization of Mizuki. No need to be coy, though, I saw you watching him earlier with that pensive expression on your face. What are your unfiltered thoughts about him? I'm curious. " (Alto)
She does her best to not outwardly react. So, Alto was watching her, huh? It'd be awkward to say that she thinks Mizuki acts like he's in charge of the rest of them. But what is she going to say otherwise? It'd be suspicious if she waves off such a direct question from Alto.
"I guess he's...confusing. He acts so relaxed and honest when you're talking to him, but I'm left with the impression that I didn't really get to know him. He makes you feel so at ease when you're in his presence, but in a way that makes my own behavior seem unnatural afterward. In all honesty...it's unsettling. Why do you think I feel that way? (Alyse)
"Hmm...well, that all sounds relatable to me. He probably was relaxed and honest with you, but that doesn't mean you really understand him. Similarly, it is unnatural how easily he makes people feel comfortable around him. So, I guess you feel that way because you're normal?" (Alto)
Alto's tone becomes teasing as she looks up at Alyse with a smirk. Despite herself, Alyse finds the exchange somewhat charming. She feels like Alto might actually be warming up to her; the suspicious atmosphere surrounding their earlier talk has now dissipated. She chuckles at Alto and nods appreciatively, then they walk in comfortable silence for several moments.
Eventually, she wonders if it might be a good time to broach the subject of them sparring at The Ring. She turns to Alto with a smile, and Alto raises her eyebrows expectantly.
"Speaking of my conversation with Mizuki...he mentioned that you're quite formidable in combat. Specifically, he seemed confident that I'd lose to you in a sparring match, and even went so far as to claim that you might be one of the three strongest elves in the world." (Alyse)
Alto looks at her, seeming mildly surprised, then her face transitions to an amused smile.
"Did he now? How typical of him to compliment me when I wasn't around." (Alto)
So, Alto isn't denying it, then?
"Can I take that response to mean that you agree with him?" (Alyse)
Alto purses her lips, remaining silent for several seconds.
"Mmm...perhaps it's more so that I'm not shocked he'd say something that provocative. I won't make any assertion about whether I could defeat you or others I've never faced in combat. However, I am strong...I'm sure that Zara couldn't beat me if I were to face her now." (Alto)
She can't help but be surprised by that information. Alto's really stronger than the wolf-kin girl? From what she's heard about Zara, that would make Alto decidedly more formidable than just about any elven royal guard. An excited smile forces its way onto Alyse's face.
"I hope you won't take offense if I say that I'm surprised. Although, you don't seem like the type for empty boasting. Still, when it comes to combat prowess within your group, Zara is the one I've heard the most about by far." (Alyse)
Alto shrugs nonchalantly.
"That's not surprising, nor am I offended. I consider myself more of a scholar than a warrior, so I don't really engage in public fights. Still..." (Alto)
Alto's eyes turn stormy as they peer off into the distance, then she fixes Alyse with a stare that makes her shiver.
"I take my private combat training very seriously. I have zero intention of being a helpless victim ever again. So, with that goal in mind, I promise to seriously consider your request when we arrive at our destination." (Alto)
Thrown by Alto's sudden intensity, Alyse gives her a puzzled expression.
"Uhm...m-my request?" (Alyse)
Alto nods stoically.
"Yes. Based on your comments, I assume that you were going to ask me to spar with you at this 'Ring' you're taking us to. Perhaps, even just now, you planned to try and broach the subject. I'm telling you that I'll consider agreeing to such a sparring match. I need to see where we'd be fighting, then think it over, but I'm not opposed to the idea. I think it would be good training." (Alto)
So, Alto already knew what she was planning, huh? She guesses that's not so surprising...Alto's clearly intelligent. She could tell that from the start. Still, Alto makes it sound like their match is going to be contingent on something about The Ring.
"Well...err, you're right. I do want to spar with you, so...thanks. Can I ask what it is you need to see at The Ring and to think about before agreeing?" (Alyse)
"If we can get a private area to fight in, without additional spectators, and there are no objections from my Lady or Mizuki, then I'll agree to spar with you. Assuming that happens, I just want to see where we'd be fighting so that I can assess which of my spells are...appropriate." (Alto)
She can't help but be curious, and perhaps a touch suspicious, about why Alto wants privacy for their fight. However, she's not going to complain either if it means they get to spar. She assumes that Alto's talk of acceptable spells is related to formulating a battle strategy in unfamiliar territory.
She smiles widely at Alto and nods fervently.
"It doesn't sound like we'll have any problems whatsoever then! I can get us a private sparring area that's large enough for a ranged combatant like you, and we don't have to let anyone else watch us. Fufufu...I'm all excited now." (Alyse)
Alyse's pace subconsciously quickens, and she begins looking off into the distance – towards the center of the city. Meanwhile, a small smile bubbles to the surface of Alto's expression, as a whisper escapes her lips.
"Yes...me, too..." (Alto)