Alyse leans awkwardly against the wall of the train's railcar, inside the operator's cabin. Her eyes scan Alto's petite figure, admiring how her careless pose – lounged across the backrest of the seat – accentuates her more modest chest and slender legs. She can't help but swallow nervously, appreciating Alto's graceful appeal. Once again, she thanks Mizuki internally for the perfect opportunity to get to know Alto better. Unfortunately...
'She...doesn't even remember that I'm here, does she?'
Ever since the train departed Wellick, Alto hasn't said a word to Alyse, or even so much as mumbled to herself. Instead, she's just been stuck in that eye-catching pose, staring out the window. Every now and again, her expression will become troubled, but that's about all the variety Alyse has gotten.
A couple of times in the past two hours, she even tried starting some smalltalk. A casual comment of 'what a beautiful view' here, or a 'this train is impressive' there. But both times, Alto either seemed entirely oblivious to her words, or merely gave an acknowledging 'mhmm'. The girl hasn't even spared her a glance!
Remembering how embarrassing the experience was, Alyse can't help but make a pouting expression again. Then, she realizes that she's actually pouting over something so trivial, despite the fact that Alto barely knows her, and she groans internally as her teeth clench.
'For gods' sakes, what is wrong with me!? A mere century-old common elf has me sweating like I'm some lovesick virgin...I'm Alyse fucking Egris! I've got charisma that would make most men weep with jealousy. I've probably seduced five women for every year Alto's lived! Even straight women fangirl over me at sword competitions. So, why!? Why do I seem invisible to her, and why am I moping instead of doing something about it?'
Just as Alyse is psyching herself up to go sit next to Alto on the small bench and strike up a conversation, she sees Alto's face light up with a dazzling smile. Then, she barely has time to catch her breath from the sight before an angelic giggle escapes Alto's lips, nearly making her legs buckle in shock.
'Did she just...giggle? I didn't hallucinate that, right?'
Her words spill out before she has a chance to think them through.
"Uhm...is something funny?" (Alyse)
Alto's head snaps towards her, revealing a bewildered expression. Clearly, Alto had practically forgotten that she existed, and the realization makes Alyse flush with embarrassment.
"Oh...hello, Alyse. I'm sorry, have you been standing there long?" (Alto)
Alyse feels a little bit of the light in her eyes die...she literally never sat down.
"Err, no, I just wanted to stretch my legs. Anyway, I, uhm, don't think I've ever heard you laugh before. What happened?" (Alyse)
Alto nods nonchalantly.
"Nothing interesting. I was just reminded of something amusing that Mizuki does." (Alto)
Alyse raises her eyebrows.
'She just sits here and reminisces over memories with the guy?'
"I see. So you two are...close?" (Alyse)
Alyse grimaces at her own response. She knows that Alto and Mizuki are platonic, but talking about a guy she likes, even a friend, isn't exactly her ideal way of getting closer to Alto. However, as though oblivious, Alto just smiles widely at the question.
"Yes...very close." (Alto)
Some of Alyse's earlier gratitude towards Mizuki fades, though she's not conscious of it.
"Huh...and that doesn't cause problems? You know, with his wives?" (Alyse)
Alto finally locks eyes with her again, her expression puzzled.
"No? Why would it?" (Alto)
Alyse stares at her blankly for several seconds, and Alto stares back just as stoically. Then, she feels herself getting flustered as she tries to respond.
"Uhm...well, you know...most wives would be intimidated if their husband is that close with such an attractive woman." (Alyse)
While Alyse tries not to blush over what she views as borderline flirting on her part. Alto just shrugs obliviously, like the comment was a matter of course.
"Ilina and Nina aren't most wives. They're far too beautiful to be intimidated by me. Plus, Nina shares a kind of soul bond with Mizuki and is immune to others' deceptions. That makes her especially confident in their relationship. Besides, we're all too close for such insecurities...we even share the only bath at the mansion." (Alto)
Alyse's eyes nearly bulge out of her head at the thought of all four of them sharing a bath. However, after she calms down, she has to admit that Alto makes a fair point. Though Ilina is far too young for her tastes, she's easily one of the most objectively beautiful women Alyse has ever seen. And Nina's human form practically gushes sex appeal, along with a not-so-vague aura of danger. Still...
"I mean...I can see what you mean, I guess. But doesn't the Princess seem pretty...well, you know...possessive?" (Alyse)
It's not something Alyse would have guessed, based on Ilina's reputation – calm, calculating, and somewhat aloof. Nevertheless, she's dated her fair share of that type before, and she could clearly recognize the fervor in the Princess's eyes and words when she was declaring her relationship with Mizuki at the nobles' meeting. To Alyse, she came off as a woman who very much enjoys hoarding her husband's affection as much as possible, no matter how well she tries to hide it.
Alas, Alto just smirks lightly at the comment.
"Even if that's true, she doesn't behave that way towards me. If there's anyone she's possessive of Mizuki around, then it's your sister." (Alto)
Alyse raises her eyebrows. She wouldn't be surprised if there was some sexual tension between Cara and Mizuki, since that's how most men react to her, but this is the first she's hearing of something substantial within their dynamic.
"Cara? What's the Princess's reason for singling out my sister? She's definitely a unique beauty, but she doesn't spend nearly as much time around Mizuki as some of the other beautiful women in his life." (Alyse)
Alto gives a conciliatory nod.
"True, but their history is also less platonic. Before Cara knew about Ilina's relationship with Mizuki, she made several advances on him. I think that involved inviting him into her bed repeatedly, and even a surprise visit into his bath once. Mizuki turned Cara down, of course, but Ilina was still quite annoyed by her behavior." (Alto)
Alyse chokes on air hearing Alto's matter-of-fact explanation.
'Cara did that!? She normally avoids admirers like the plague! Yet she went to such lengths with Mizuki? What the hell got into her!?'
After several moments of Alyse digesting the news in stunned silence, Alto seems to remember something.
"Oh, Alyse, what have you decided?" (Alto)
Snapped from her inner thoughts, she gives Alto a blank stare.
"What?" (Alyse)
Alto's expression remains unchanged.
"Your decision...about what you want to do with yourself now that you're joining our little group. I believe Mizuki mentioned replacing Zara as Alara's guard, overseeing development of the western port city, establishing diplomatic relations with the demons, and some other options. What have you decided? Nobody has told me." (Alto)
Alyse bites her lip nervously...she actually never made such a specific decision. Truthfully, most of her reasons for wanting to join them in the first place have more to do with the environment and people than a particular job. Eden is full of exactly the kind of excitement and opportunity her mother probably hoped she'd seek out, and she's more than a little intrigued by Alto and the wolf-kin swordsman Zara. Finding out Mizuki is a Nephilim was icing on the cake.
However, if she's being honest, the thing that really sealed the deal for her was the nobles' meeting. More accurately, what she learned there. When she heard that a Nephilim like Mizuki can grant people the ability to use various magic spells without incantations, her heart nearly stopped beating. Of course, Mizuki made it sound like he couldn't do such a thing anymore, but Alyse hasn't ruled out the possibility that was a lie.
No matter how slim the chances, she's obsessed with finally being able to help her brother 'learn' how to use magic like he's always wanted. No matter how long it takes, or what she has to do to earn it, she's completely resolved to make that dream a reality for her brother. Everything else about joining Mizuki's group is secondary to her.
However, she's not foolish enough to say all of this to Alto. So, she just shrugs at Alto's question sheepishly.
"I'm...not sure yet what kind of job I want to do. I figured I'd see what you all need the most help with, and what I'm best suited for, then decide later. I have plenty of money to settle down in Eden in the meantime." (Alyse)
Alto nods her acknowledgement, seeming neither surprised nor disappointed by the answer. At that moment, an interesting idea forms in Alyse's mind, though, and a coy smile finds its way onto her face.
"You know...speaking of Eden, I could really use a hot tour guide since I'm new here. Are you free this afternoon?" (Alyse)
Alto raises her eyebrows, then seems to think something over with a depressing amount of nonchalance. Eventually, she gives a couple of absentminded nods.
"Yes, I think Mizuki expected me to show you around the city." (Alto)
Alyse stares back at Alto vacantly, fighting the urge to pout again.
'Fuck me...is she heartless, or just clueless? What's a girl got to do to get some feedback!?'