Xian practically rockets off the floor, and out of his lap pillow, slamming his hands on the table and staring intently at my sword. His eyes are wide, his voice thick with shock.
"That's...that's Zang's! The second blade he mentioned! How the fuck do you have that!?" (Xian)
I nod, glad to have my suspicions officially confirmed. Honestly, the fact I didn't assume this sooner is a testament to just how flustered I've been by that damn Note. My first day on Azura, Percivil essentially handed me this katana and told me about an Otherworlder giving it to him around three hundred years ago.
When I saw katanas in the fox-kin city, and heard about their strange cultural revolution three hundred years ago, I should have put two and two together. But instead, I worried myself silly coming up with theories about how such a human could have extended their life like I did, and how they might actually be the Note sender. I didn't start to accept the truth until I heard that their Otherworlder was dead. Hearing Xian talk about Zang's blue eyes, the same ones Percivil mentioned – that confirmed it.
I give Xian a small smile.
"Believe it or not, one of my friends actually met Zang around three hundred years ago. I guess before he settled down with you guys. Zang saved his life, gave him this sword, and my friend has always remained grateful. He actually deduced a long time ago that Zang was probably an Otherworlder. When he saw my eyes, he assumed the same, and he gave me this sword.
"Now, though...I think he'd want me to return it to you. I have some sentimental attachment to it, but nothing compared to you all, I'm sure. I would like to ask a couple favors in return for it, though. Nothing that I think is unreasonable." (Mizuki)
All the typical obnoxiousness disappears from Xian's demeanor. His eyes just linger on the sword for a few seconds, filled with more sadness than I thought him capable of, then his gaze slides to me. He speaks, his voice pointed.
"What do you want?" (Xian)
I nod.
"For one, a replacement katana. Based on what I've seen and heard today, it's not something an outsider can just buy. Only your highest-ranked fox-kin seem to have access to the weapons and armor characteristic of Zang's home world." (Mizuki)
Xian doesn't even hesitate.
"Done. What else?" (Xian)
I smile fondly.
"My friend...he's important to me, and Zang really left an impression on him. I'd like for you to meet with him, let him see Zang's culture for himself and hear about the man's life. He's an almost four hundred years old dwarf, and I know it would bring him a lot of peace to know how things turned out for the man who saved his life." (Mizuki)
To my surprise, Xian freezes, then grins, then laughs.
"Hahahahahahaha! Are you kidding me!? Another living person who actually met Zang!? Bring the fucker here! We can get drunk and talk all week if he wants! Hahahahaha!" (Xian)
I smile appreciatively, nodding. Then, I promptly hand the sword over to Xian, who takes it from me with the care of someone handling his firstborn child. He unsheathes the blade, spending a few seconds silently admiring it with a far away look on his face.
"Mizuki?" (Teyla)
I tear my curious gaze away from Xian, and look at Teyla. She's watching me closely, her crimson eyes full of barely restrained curiosity. I raise my eyebrows.
"Yeah?" (Mizuki)
She gives me a small smile.
"Now that we've patiently and thoroughly answered all your questions about Zang, wouldn't you agree we've earned some answers of our own?" (Teyla)
The corners of my mouth twitch. I can't help but be amused, my voice turning slightly teasing.
"Oh wow...you're being so polite now, Teyla. Real proper lady speech and manners. Where was that earlier?" (Mizuki)
Embarrassment then irritation flicker across her face in quick succession. She straightens her back indignantly, though a slight blush has crept into her cheeks. She locks eyes with me defiantly.
"I didn't know you were a powerful Otherworlder my age then, you ass. But if my professionalism is only going to get me mocked, I'll consider this your consent to act more familiar with you. Really, it's only fair after the way you put your hands all over me. You're lucky I'm not making you take responsibility for that." (Teyla)
Yeah...and you are lucky that Ilina wasn't around for that fiasco, or else you'd be dead and I'd be in deep shit.
I shrug at her.
"I'm not the one who tried to kiss you while I was on some kind of power trip. And I never had an issue with your sharp tongue or petty attitude...carry on with it if you want." (Mizuki)
Teyla's face twists in disbelief, her eyes darkening with outrage. However, Xian interrupts us. He's stored away the sword somewhere while I wasn't looking, and now he's staring at me seriously.
"Hey Mizuki, her flirting aside, she has a point. You haven't told us why you were looking for Zang in the first place, and you've just casually dropped your status as an Otherworlder on us without explanation. Also, you came in here knocking out all my people – not cool, by the way – so I think an explanation is in order." (Xian)
I purse my lips thoughtfully for a moment, while Teyla glares daggers at Xian. I sigh and nod at him.
"Actually, Zara is the one who took out those Daima, not me. It was for good reason, though, which I'm sure Teyla can explain. Also, we weren't looking for Zang when we first came here. It wasn't until we were already here that I was sure there must be an Otherworlder helping the fox-kin.
"Long story short, I thought that Otherworlder might have been someone I'm searching for. Someone I'm very motivated to have a potentially uncivil chat with. But now, I'm sure that Zang, you, and the fox-kin have nothing to do with that situation. So, the only thing left that we're here for is Zara's diplomatic efforts." (Mizuki)
Xian glances at Zara, surprised.
"Really? You did that?" (Xian)
Zara nods.
"I did. In self-defense, after warning them." (Zara)
Xian purses his lips thoughtfully, a gleam of respect in his eyes.
"Huh...nicely done, I guess." (Xian)
Teyla's slightly annoyed voice interrupts.
"What about you?" (Teyla)
I glance at her, seeing that she's talking to me. I raise my eyebrows.
"What about me?" (Mizuki)
She frowns.
"Don't play coy...you're an Otherworlder. Tell us about yourself. You spoke Zang's language...are you from his same world?" (Teyla)
That remark catches Xian's attention, causing him to turn towards me expectantly. I shake my head.
"No...we're different. Suffice it to say I have the ability to speak any language I hear, and that's how I communicated with you. As for any other questions about me, I don't think we're quite close enough for that. However, I do hope I can count on everyone here keeping my identity as an Otherworlder to themselves?" (Mizuki)
I glance around the room expectantly. Xian waves dismissively, like it was a given, and his wives nod obediently. My gaze falls to Teyla, waiting. She frowns, her arms crossing defiantly.
"What's my silence worth to you?" (Teyla)
I blink.
Is she...serious? I mean, I'm not the kind of person to start getting violent or threatening over something like this, but she doesn't know that. Plus, I'm holding some pretty big secrets of theirs, too...she never heard of mutually assured destruction? Honestly, the fucking gall. And yet...
I just can't help but want to know what's going through that head of hers.
I give her a deadpan look.
"What are you asking for?" (Mizuki)
Teyla blinks, surprised by the positive response.
"I'm, uhm...not sure yet. I'll keep it to myself, and we can just say you owe me one." (Teyla)
My lip twitches. What game is she playing if she didn't expect me to humor her?
"I'll consider it. Now then..." (Mizuki)
I glance around at everyone, giving Zara a supportive nod.
"None of this is actually why we came here. Zara?" (Mizuki)
Catching my intention, Zara nods appreciatively. She looks between Teyla and Xian, her voice steady.
"I came here as Elder of the wolf-kin – I'd like to propose an alliance and trade relations between our peoples. I have full authority to negotiate terms." (Zara)
Xian raises his eyebrows.
"The wolf-kin make alliances now? Actually, come to think of it, how the hell did you convince them to follow a little girl's orders in the first place?" (Xian)
I see a rare flicker of irritation on Zara's face.
"The wolf-kin follow strength above all else, foolish though that may be. I trust that answers your question." (Zara)
Xian blinks. Then, he grins wildly, his eyes gleaming with approval as he chuckles.
"Fufufufu...oh yeah, I'm sold. Teyla?" (Xian)
Teyla rolls her eyes at Xian disapprovingly. Nevertheless, she leans over me to look at Zara, her hair brushing past my cheek as her hand rests on my knee for support that seems vaguely unnecessary.
"Ignore Xian...he's not allowed in diplomatic talks anymore. Such things are for the Council. Unfortunately, only three of us live in Central Tail, and the other two are away on important business right now. As Central Tail Head and Mediator of the Council, I can still negotiate terms with you...within reason. But..." (Teyla)
She casts a furtive side glance at me, her crimson eyes flashing behind wayward strands of her raven black hair.
"It's dark now – late. I'm sure these talks will take a while, and you'll need somewhere to rest anyway. We should postpone diplomacy until the morning. Why don't we treat you to dinner now, then host you here for the night?" (Teyla)
Zara nods.
"Very well, we appreciate your hospitality." (Zara)
Zara glances at me.
"Mizuki?" (Zara)
However, I'm already processing the fact that it's night time here – I'm still supposed to go back to the mansion at night and spend time with Ilina. She's also already aware that Nina will be gone for the night on her trip, so we'll have some rare alone time. She'll definitely kill me if I infringe on that. Thankfully, it should be a few hours earlier in the day in the Elven Kingdom right now, so I'm not late, but I'm sure sunset is close there.
I force a smile at Zara and the others, then nod.
"Yeah, sounds great. Uhm...I'm pretty tired though, so would it be alright if you go ahead and show us to our rooms? I think I'll skip dinner and turn in for the night...you three can have fun without me." (Mizuki)
Teyla, who was still propping herself up on my knee, jerks suddenly. I glance at her, finding a pair of crimson eyes staring at me accusingly.
"You're not hungry?" (Teyla)
I smile nervously.
"Ah, no. I had some food from one of those street vendors right before we got here." (Mizuki)
A blatant lie, of course. I see Zara's eyebrows raise slightly, but she says nothing. I'm sure she's smart enough to put together that I want to teleport back to the mansion.
Now that I think about it though...I'm actually not hungry. Like, at all, even though all I've eaten today is some bread this morning.
"Gods, what a miserably boring Otherworlder you are. Fine...Zhu, do you mind?" (Xian)
I'm snapped from my thoughts by Xian's mocking tone. He throws an expectant look at one of his wives, I guess named Zhu, and she nods. She stands, giving me a polite smile.
"Please follow me...I'll show you to your room." (Zhu)
I nod, rising from my spot on the floor. Xian gives me a smirk.
"No funny business with my wife, pretty boy." (Xian)
I raise my eyebrows. Pretty boy? Gods I wish...that would have made my life on Earth so much easier. Still, I nod politely towards him.
"Wouldn't dream of it. And I assume you will keep your paws far away from Zara while I'm gone, unless you want me to turn you into a rug." (Mizuki)
Xian freezes, staring at me in stunned silence. Satisfied, I follow his wife out of the room.