I should have thought all of this through.

Well, at least much better than I have…

She's right here in front of me. That weird lizard girl.

The one that…

Damn it all.

And I even went so far as to tell her I'd call her on her u-comm, without even thinking about how we'd talk. It's not like she can see me through it or anything, and I know she doesn't know our language.

I sigh and weakly smile at the young woman in front of me as she babbles on in the human tongue before suddenly gasping, looking confused, and then clumsily giving me a greeting.

So I greet her back.

…

Sadie looks at a complete loss now. I can tell from her expression and body language that there's something she wants to say, but she doesn't have the words to express it.

At least she isn't trying to communicate by enunciating individual words in her language again… it was annoying, and I nipped it in the bud long ago.

…Which still leads us right back where we are today. Our 'Journey', as it were.

I glance pleadingly at Karumi, who just grins and shakes her head, signaling back that I'm on my own. Why? I can guess.

She knows. Because of course she does… it's not like I was subtle.

More proof that her daughter has no idea what any of it means.

Any of it.

I sigh again, much more lightly this time. This isn't getting us anywhere.

Sadie's eyes suddenly shoot wide as she visibly has an idea…

And then a notification appears on my u-comm's display.

[Sidra Vossen – Hero of Malevolence has invited you to her party.]

…

…

…Wait.

…

What?

"Hero!?" I blurt.

And she just tilts her head as her mother giggles…

I wish u-comms would translate more than party Statuses and System messages… this is getting us nowhere.

"Um… I speak some eldra," the furry person behind her interjects, but Karumi puts a hand on his shoulder and subtly shakes her head. He shrugs back and gives me an apologetic look.

…

I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but…

This is already a lot more difficult than I'd expected.

The apparent hero in front of me scratches her head for a moment, looking down before suddenly looking back up at me. Then she points at herself emphatically, then at the yurt we're standing near… and then shows one of the few things of the cant that she knows.

「Understand question.」

Her speech is always so blocky, but I'm still not surprised. She barely knows what she's saying.

But, well. I think I get it.

Her house… I think?

And out of nowhere, she pulls a key from her school uniform pocket and points it at the side of the yurt, and an opaque hole in the world appears.

I jump and take a step back, because of course I do! Who wouldn't when they see a transport portal appear from nowhere!?

Sadie frantically motions in a way that's clearly supposed to be comforting, standing between me and the portal until I've had a chance to calm down for a moment.

And then she smiles and gestures for me to follow before walking straight through it without any hesitation.

…

I stand in gawking silence for a moment before the older woman behind me says, "Let's go. It'll be fine."

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

I don't miss the smirk on her face, as though she's hiding something…

Almost as suspicious as a pixie about to play a prank.

***

"GET. UP."

And of course, there's Alice's disdainful sneer again. How was I supposed to know Shaya was going to cower!? I told her it was safe… or I tried to I guess?

…

Talking with her is gonna be a challenge… well, it was before, but um, maybe the stakes are higher now?

And this is probably a different kind of party…

Mom made it clear that I'm not supposed to learn eldra common, at least not through the normal channels. So what the hells am I even supposed to do now?

…

…

Shaya does get up, but it's easy to see that her legs are kind of weak. And I get it, Alice is pretty scary…

Hopefully it's just a matter of time before she joins the wrapped-around-into-resignation club, her empty stare definitely won't be conducive to…

Well. Anything, really.

I can tell that she also doesn't understand the situation, so. Uh.

I guess I'll try something… I know it's not actually the cant, but maybe…

Taking a place between her and Alice to break line of sight, I quickly wave to draw her attention, which only sort of works, but I'll take what I can get. I gesture with two fingers, holding them to the sides of my head to indicate horns, then gesture like I'm giving her something, then point emphatically at myself. And after a moment, she slowly nods. Good. We're getting somewhere.

"Excuse me, Alice, but do you mind?"

"Of course not, young miss," the stheno maid replies. "I am here to fulfill your needs."

She unnecessarily sweeps back her hair from her shoulder with one hand – unnecessary since it's all snakes anyway, snakes that tend to have wandering gazes to begin with and often focus on whatever she's focusing on.

So I take a step closer to her, and wave to Shaya again. Then I gesture toward Alice, gently tug at her uniform and point to the ruffled lace thing on her head. I indicate the demon empress again with two fingers, repeat the giving gesture, and again point to myself.

Shaya looks bewildered, but it's clear Alice understands exactly what I'm trying to say and curtseys elegantly before saying something in what I assume is eldra common considering my friend nods slowly again.

This… is going to take some time. Probably.

"Anyway Alice, this is my friend Shaya. I'd like for her to stay here for a while, however long she wants, since I'd like for her to be a scout for my party. Would you please prepare a room for her?"

"Of course, young miss."

The Alice clone that appears from nowhere makes Shaya yelp, but if that bothered the maid she isn't showing it. Instead, the apparition turns demurely and heads toward the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

…And not even a moment later, her main self says, "The room has been prepared, young miss."

"Huh. That was fast."

"Many hands make light of work," she giggles back.

I see.

Anyway…

"Right this way," I say uselessly to Shaya, who doesn't respond other than a glance.

…

"Alright, let's try this another way."

She flinches as I take her by the hand and start gently pulling her along, leading toward the wing with the private rooms. Alice made it obvious enough which one was intended by leaving the door open… oddly enough, it's one of the ones next to mine, but I'm sure it was just the most convenient.

Either that or Alice recognizes that I'll probably spend a lot of time around her, I am still learning the cant after all. I'd be pretty useless as a party leader if I couldn't even talk to her.

That was thoughtful of her. I should… reward…

How would I even reward her?

(Blood.)

Wait, blood? Why would she want blood?

(Thirst,) Olive replies. (You, same.)

Me? I mean, I'll admit that blood tastes good for some reason, at least now… I just figured that was a gorgon thing.

(Is.)

I see.

…

I'll have to think about it. In the meantime though…

I pull Shaya into the bedroom along with me and gesture toward the desk, and then the bed.

Which makes her blush for some reason.

"This is your room," I say uselessly, as I hopefully-less-uselessly gesture the same as before, indicating her instead of myself… trying to say that I'm giving it to her.

My friend blushes deeper before pointing to herself, and then pointing down…

Is she…

No, she's definitely asking if I'm inviting her here. That has to be it. So I smile and nod, repeating her gestures.

"Me," she says quietly. "Here. Yes?"

"Yes," I reply.

I can't help but smile a little bigger. She only knows a handful of words in common and almost never uses them regardless. I came to accept a long time ago that forest elves just aren't comfortable verbalizing anything more than proper names or when it's absolutely necessary…

Which is fine, I guess. Cultural things. I doubt it's going to change any time soon.

I gesture in a way that I hope conveys that my room is next door, which takes a few tries but I'm pretty sure she understands it. I start to head back to the hallway before I'm interrupted by a tug on my arm.

Yeah, she grabbed my hand again, glancing between me and the door with a fearful expression.

Sighing, I give her hand a squeeze and-

Actually…

Hey Olive, what's the fae word for 'safe'?

My System Assistant repeats a single word that seems to reshape itself as she says it, but I try repeating it in my head a few times, mouthing it and feeling the weirdness on my tongue.

And then I look at Shaya and repeat it.

Her eyes widen, but she nods back right away.

Good.

That's a start.

(Cheater.)

Oh stop, I have no idea how I'd tell her it's safe here.

As she harrumphs and turns her head away, I at least get the satisfaction of knowing my friend should… hopefully, feel a little less terrified here.

…

I'm debating how exactly I can tell her she can bring her things here if she wants to when Alice appears from a nearby shadow.

"If I may ask, young miss…"

"Hm? What is it?"

My maid smiles as she straightens her frilly apron. I somehow have a bad feeling about-

"Regarding the young master's transit to your location, an action that was performed for your personal benefit. I would like to discuss terms of repayment, in accordance with Her Highness' wishes."

-this. A very bad feeling.

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