Trying not to look pissy, I shift my shell back to the elven configuration.

Alcia then asks me a question, "Can Olindir join our game?"

The man himself jolts in surprise. He slowly turns his head from Alcia to me. His eyes start sparkling, pleading. "A game from your world, Lucius? My, that would be quite the adventure. I would be honored to attend such an event." He pitifully blinks at me a few times. "If you would have me, that is." It seems like growing up is optional for beings that live thousands of years, too. Wait. Why am I surprised. I am like the primest of examples...

"Of course. We can recruit another member to the party. Do you have a preference in fighting style?" I ask.

Councilor Olindir starts processing my question, glancing at Alcia for help.

She deliberately avoids eye contact, choosing to issue a request, "You can just warp us back."

I nod. "You'll feel a slight sensation from the process." I warp all three of us back to Alcia and Ulorn's house, appearing in the entrance area.

When we enter the living room, Ulorn and Elisa take notice of our presence and emerge from the kitchen, with Elisa beelining straight for me. My goofy grin freezes when she hugs me. Guess I'll never get used to this feeling... I return the hug and notice that she is looking at Councilor Olindir.

When we separate after a few moments, she asks the councilor, "{Best Approximation: 'Uncle' (Nonfamilial term of respect)} Olindir, you weren't too hard on Lucius, right?"

I try to defend him, "Councilor Olindir and the rest of the council have been nothing but professional toward me." But it seems that was the wrong dialogue option.

Elisa has one of those kind smiles that aren't really kind. Oh no, Alcia is joining her. And Ulorn has just picked up on the mood. It's now three versus one. Sorry, but this wasn't part of the alliance agreement. You're on your own...

Alright, fine. But you owe me. "Who's up for some gaming?" All four elves answer in the positive, immediately forgetting the impending brawl.

Though, as the others go into the kitchen, Elisa hangs back with me. She asks, "You okay?"

"Yes. I am very happy today was a success."

She smiles at me. "Good. I want you to weigh Uncle Olindir's rolls down." Yeah, she's still kinda mad.

"That would be unethical. I will not compromise my integrity."

Elisa clicks her tongue. "Fine. But I'm choosing his character."

I chuckle. "You are the party leader, after all."

***

Olindir is enthralled by the sights in front of him, staring intently at the display, marveling at the characters' movements. "Lucius?" he asks.

"Yes?"

"You should have led with this." ...Y'all are lucky I'm not into world domination.

The cross-cultural exchange, or more aptly—gaming sesh, continues with another addition, explaining the rules and origin of the game, Elisa and Olindir catching up, without the somewhat fabricated hostility, and just talking about whatever.

***

Olindir scratches his chin. "Elisa, why is my class called 'Porter'? Do I only carry our party's supplies?"

"Is that a problem, Uncle?"

Millennia of political acumen has been accumulated exactly for this moment in time. "Of course not. It would be a great privilege to carry our burdens."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Oh boy, Elisa is gonna be so mad at me when she finds out this is the most overpowered class in the game.

***

I am explaining some of the newly unlocked mechanics to Olindir, "The more weight you have, the more your attack power increases. And the type of items you are storing determines the types of buffs you'll get. There are also a number of interesting combinations and interactions, but I'll keep those a surprise."

He nods sagely and says, "How entertaining. Even in a single game, there is so much variety. So much novelty. What an amazing glimpse into the world you have come from. Thank you for allowing me to experience it."

"My pleasure."

I steal a glance at Elisa, expecting a glare. Instead, she is softly smiling at me. She then turns her attention back to the task at hand, her smile growing even bigger.

Huh. I think this is the happiest I've ever been.

***

Alcia laughs triumphantly. "I told you there were three keys, pumpkin."

Elisa replies, "Does it really count if the last one is already in the door?"

We all answer her at the same time, "Yes."

"Whatever," Elisa says. "Turn on three. One. Two. Three."

Ulorn is the first one to react, the scene before him eliciting quite the impression. "'The Fallen Lands'. Now that would be a fun architectural challenge."

***

The lunch, turned late lunch, turned afternoon snack, suffers from much the same as yesterday's dinner—too much longing glances. At least there is space on the table. As I have been supplying the hungry party with a steady influx of snacks, the food is on the lighter side.

The newest addict finally overpowers his cravings. "Lucius, I hope my colleagues have been reasonable with their queries and haven't been bothering you too much."

"Oh. It is no bother. I am more than happy to oblige. There've only been around five hundred questions, anyway." Elisa politely clears her throat. "...Each."

Olindir shakes his head, but there is a slight smile on his lips. "Eagerness in excess, as always." He then fidgets a little with his hands. "Do you think I could get one of those interfaces for myself?" 'Eagerness in excess', huh? I hope the council will be okay in the future.

***

I'd have thought meeting new people and having to interact with them would be a little awkward, and it certainly was at the beginning, but the sharing of entertainment media has turned out to be an effective icebreaker. Having Elisa as my 'in' was probably a great help too. And who can forget getting interrogated, spilling your deepest and darkest feelings. Top ten ways of making friends.

The pleasant meal soon ends, and Olindir prepares to depart. But before that, there is one more matter to settle.

Alcia asks me, "How are we going to handle your involvement with the negotiations?"

"To make taking an unknown individual with you believable, I was thinking a new hire." Both councilors wait for me to elaborate patiently. "Well, realistically, taking a dedicated guard would be somewhat unconventional and might bring some doubt into the purpose of my presence. But having an assistant with you, Alcia, would make a bit more sense."

Olindir interrupts me with a raised hand. "We have not yet settled on Alcia being the one that will attend this meeting. I think I should handle this personally."

I object, "No. With what I have planned, any miniscule deviation from the norm carries huge risks. You going personally would be an enormous deviation."

He frowns at me, but then lowers his gaze, sighing. "You can guarantee Alcia's safety?"

"I have already promised as much to Elisa." He is immediately satisfied with my response. Ulorn looks at his wife with concern, but a gentle look back quells any qualms.

Alcia adds, "I'll be fine. It's not the first time I've done this, remember." Olindir nods at her, motioning for me to continue.

I clarify further, "What better place to learn than at the job, right? A little unorthodox, but that is why Alcia is perfect. Some firsthand experience for a newly minted public servant with a bright future ahead of them. And maybe someone to watch her back." None of the elves look convinced of my plan. Except Elisa, who has already mentally checked out. "I have laid down some groundwork of my own, but I will also need some help from the council. How opposed are you to falsifying government documents?"

Olindir is looking at me like a disappointed teacher, while Alcia is eagerly nodding an affirmative.

I continue, "Anyway, the exact details are outlined in your tablets. I've been setting up an identity that has very few major connections that can be later verified by an interested party, making a potential outside investigation obvious. You will need to... convince some people of some things that have happened to them in the past."

Alcia is smiling happily, firmly in her element.

Olindir is unamused. "Is all of this necessary?"

Alcia and I answer together, "Yes." Jinx.

I finish up, "There is a rough character profile in your tablets, but for a name, I was thinking Ilis. And for my place of origin, you are probably the best judges. Any suggestions?"

Olindir thinks for a moment, then answers, "Dunemist." I nod.

"That's pretty much it. Any questions?" I say.

"What if there is an investigation?" Olindir asks.

"Ignore it. Matter of fact, try not to even actively look for one. The more genuine this appears, the more time we will have after the... next event."

The councilor is not happy about that, but another sigh somewhat pushes his worries back. "What is your plan exactly?" he asks.

Alcia and I answer together again, "Disruption." Double jinx.

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