I close my eyes and sigh deeply. I guess I should catch Klaus up, since Ilina didn't bother.
"Yes, Klaus, in general you'll find that I haven't been entirely honest about my abilities with you. Ilina can fill you in if it's relevant, so just ask her in the future." (Mizuki)
I turn to Alto to address her separately. She's looking up at me amazement, and her eyes are practically sparkling in anticipation. I can't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Fufufufu…Alto, I'm going to guess that you're very excited to fly?" (Mizuki)
She nods vigorously with a smile on her face.
"Well, that's good, I guess. Nina and I travel that way a lot, so if you're joining our group, it's good that you're not scared of it." (Mizuki)
[Uhm…Mizuki, what do you mean about that elf joining us?] (Nina)
Oh…shit. I totally forgot to tell Nina that last night. Well, that's her fault. I look over at her and she is shooting me a confused expression. Through our connection, I can also sense…just confusion? She's not upset.
"Ah, that's my bad Nina. I got so distracted last night that I forgot to mention it. Alto asked to join us on our adventures from now on. I tried to tell her that she's overestimating my company, but she insisted. I told her she could join us so long as you were fine with it. Is that okay?" (Mizuki)
I see Nina smirk, and I sense…amusement…and smugness!? It started when I mentioned getting distracted. Is this dragon really that proud of what she did?
"Fufufufu…in that case, it's fine. I don't mind, but she'll need her own room. She'll also need clothes and equipment. We can do all that later." (Nina)
Who the hell are you!? I look at her exasperated, and she gives me an inquisitive look in response, like 'what's the issue?'.
[Uhm…you sure, Nina? You're not going to fly off the handle about another woman joining us?] (Mizuki)
I sense confusion from Nina.
[Fufufu…no, why would I? She doesn't seem to be in love with you, and I don't sense any romantic interest from you. If it doesn't reduce our time together, or prevent us from being alone at night, I don't mind.] (Nina)
I'm completely stunned…is this because of last night? Wait…now that I think about it, Nina didn't say anything about Alto clinging on to me for teleportation even before that. She almost killed Ilina over that.
Is it possible she's always been reasonable, and she truly just had an issue with Ilina? Since Ilina admitted that Nina's concerns about her weren't unfounded, I can't even call her paranoid. After our talk last night, she's even being friendly with Ilina now. Crap…
[Nina, I think I owe you an apology. I might have seriously misjudged you because of how you used to act with Ilina. Please let me know if I can do anything to make it up to you. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt in the future.] (Mizuki)
Nina smiles at me warmly, then responds.
[It's okay, I'll have you make it up to me tonight. Also, you don't have to worry about Ilina and me anymore. Her friendship won't be an issue. If you asked nicely, I might even condone…more…between you and her eventually.] (Nina)
I'm sure my shock ripples through our connection with unprecedented intensity. I sense her amusement over my reaction, and she follows up before I can respond.
[I want to be clear about that last part. I said maybe…eventually. I've learned some things that change how I view Ilina. So, with time I might make an exception for her…if that's what you wanted. I'd come first, obviously, and you'd be expected to get my blessing beforehand.] (Nina)
I can't believe the nonsense I'm hearing…what could she have possibly learned that caused such a shift in her outlook? They couldn't have talked for more than five or ten minutes alone. Still…that might complicate things more than it simplifies them.
[Hey, Nina, you didn't tell Ilina about your potential 'exceptions' for her, did you? That might complicate things. I know you're aware of how I feel about her, and I think that you giving your blessing is very generous. However, things with her would never be the same for me as they are with you, and I'm not sure that's fair to her.] (Mizuki)
I sense that something about that reply makes Nina happy. Maybe my hesitation, or that I said my relationship with her is unique.
[Fufufu…yes, I told her about my change of opinion. It was part of a little agreement we made, so you'll just have to be a big boy and communicate with her if the time comes.] (Nina)
I can't believe the emotional violence she's subjecting me to the morning after swiping my V-card. How heartless.
Wait a minute...what about her?