[Impossible! How could you know this, elf?] (Nina)
Yeah…I'd kind of like an answer to that, too.
"In our surveillance of the minor continent off our western coast, our initial scouts observed fire dragonkin among the camp of the demon soldiers. Our understanding was that the dragonkin on that continent were devoted to Veyron, and so we fear that he has allied himself with the demons. Why the demons wish to invade, and why an Elder Dragon would involve itself, we cannot say." (Ilina)
Nina's emotions have now transitioned to shock and apprehension. So, there might be some validity to Ilina's claims, huh? An Elder Dragon joining a war…that doesn't sound good for the elves.
[Hmm…if what you say is true, that's very troubling indeed. I will consider lending you aid, but I have questions.] (Nina)
She leans a little closer to Ilina as she says this, seeming to glare at her. Ooooh, scary, Nina. Ilina appears terrified but determined.
I'm somewhat surprised by Nina's receptiveness to the aid plea, and I am wondering if she means it. I feel a twinge of sadness at the idea of her going off to the Elven Kingdom, but I did promise to support her decision.
"I will do my best to answer your questions, Great Dragon." (Ilina)
[First, your companions. The large elf is obviously your guardian. What is your relationship with the human accompanying you, though? I was under the impression that elves loathed humans, and yet you seem so familiar with him.] (Nina)
What the hell, Nina!? This is so not part of the script!
I hear Klaus chuckling to my left. Glancing at Ilina, I see that some color has returned to her face, and she is in shock. After a moment, she recovers enough to respond.
"Uh, n-no, Great Dragon. It is true that elves loathe humans, and I'm ashamed to admit that I'm no exception. However, this human, Mizuki, has proven himself trustworthy, so we employed him for our journey to find you. In truth, we met only recently, so any apparent familiarity was just a lapse in decorum on my part. I apologize." (Ilina)
Ilina finishes her apology with something like a curtsy, and she seems to have fully regained her composure. I mean, props to her for handling Nina's weird ass questions with such grace. I make sure to glare at Nina about her outburst, but she pretends not to notice. However, I can sense satisfaction from her through our connection.
[Ah, I see. So then, will this human be accompanying you back to your kingdom or assisting in its defense?] (Nina)
Ilina seems confused by the question. Then, her face becomes thoughtful. However, Klaus answers first.
"Great Dragon, your poor opinion of humans is well known to history. It is also as you say, and the citizens of the Elven Kingdom distrust humans immensely. For both these reasons, we have no intention of bringing…" (Klaus)
Before Klaus can finish speaking, Ilina glares at him and cuts him off with a sharp tone.
"Klaus, silence! I apologize, Great Dragon, my attendant spoke out of turn." (Ilina)
Hearing Ilina's sharp tone and noticing her glare, Klaus casts back a confused expression. Ilina continues, ignoring his confusion.
"In truth, I've decided that, if possible, I want Mizuki to escort me on my travels back to my kingdom and lend me his aid when the time comes. However, I have not discussed this with him yet. If Mizuki were to accept my offer, would you still be willing to lend your aid, Great Dragon?" (Ilina)
Klaus is in a state of complete shock, and he looks like he's desperately fighting the urge to speak out. I sense agitation building from Nina at the words 'escort me on my travels', and then she turns to me after Ilina's question.
[Well then, tell me, Miz…human, will this elf be taking you home with her? The Elven Kingdom is quite the distance from here, and I imagine that your journey together would take months.] (Nina)
Ilina seems a little puzzled by the strange questioning, but I can sense Nina's agitation through our connection and her meaning is clear. It's 'will you be gallivanting off to her homeland with this sexy elf instead of going on adventures with me like you said earlier?'.
Klaus looks bewildered and seems to be in his own existential crisis, but Ilina and Nina are watching me intently, waiting for my response. I groan internally.
Why the hell is this the first time I'm hearing of this request from Ilina!? I glare at her, and she subtly shrugs in response. I have no idea what brought about this sudden change in her thinking, so I decide to be noncommittal. I need time to think things over.
"As Ilina said, Great Dragon, this is the first I'm hearing of this. As such, I cannot respond to an unexpected request of such magnitude…" (Mizuki)
I glare at Ilina again to emphasize my displeasure with being put on the spot. She smiles apologetically, and I continue.
"…at first pass. I will need some time to think it over. Regardless, it doesn't sound like Ilina needs my answer immediately. If the anticipated invasion is almost a year away, I doubt she intends for me to live in the Elven Kingdom until then. Even if it takes two months to travel there, I should still have several months to give you a decision. Correct, Ilina?" (Mizuki)
I turn my gaze to Ilina as I voice the final question. She nods and responds.
"Yes, I'm sorry for springing this on you suddenly, Mizuki. You are correct, arranging for you to live in the
Elven Kingdom for an extended period would not only be far from ideal for you, but it might also be problematic for my people. I have other matters that I'd like to address before returning to my kingdom, so I don't mind if you take some time to think it over." (Ilina)
Ilina turns back towards Nina.
"In that case, having heard Mizuki's thoughts, may we have your answer on the subject, Great Dragon?" (Ilina)
As Ilina asks this, she has a thoughtful expression on her face. She directs a suspicious glance towards me, then focuses back on Nina.
[Hmm…I also share the human's thoughts on the matter. Veyron's involvement is troubling, but all the same, my decision to engage in war should not be made lightly. I will also need time to consider the situation before deciding.] (Nina)
Ilina nods towards Nina, as though agreeing that such a decision is reasonable. Then, I see a wry smile form on her face, and she addresses Nina once more.
"Very well, I appreciate your consideration. May I assume that you and Mizuki will both give me a decision at the same time...since you're working together?" (Ilina)