Some time later, in a private dining room in Xian's and Teyla's home...
Xian leans back in his seat, stretching his arms over his head as he yawns dramatically.
"Hoooooaaahhhhh...damn, I slept like a pup last night! Teyla, you look like shit, though. You know, all my wives sleep great after a round with me...worth considering. For your health." (Xian)
I glance at Teyla across the table, expecting her to lash out at him like usual. However, she's just staring at her food, moving it around absentmindedly, lost in thought. She responds, her voice flat.
"Yes, I'm sure they sleep well during the act, too. Pass." (Teyla)
Xian just shrugs, then turns his attention to me.
"So, Mizuki...who'd you fuck last night? You reek of...two women I don't recognize. Glad it's not one my wives – I hate violence on an empty stomach. " (Xian)
The entire table seems to still, frozen in silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Zara looking at me in amusement, while Teyla is staring daggers at me. I blink, slowly looking up towards Xian in disbelief.
Can he seriously tell just from my smell? He's not even that close to me, and I took a bath before teleporting back here, though the lack of quality soap does complicate things. Also, who the hell asks that?
"Uhm...you sure have a lot of confidence in your nose. Pretty bold accusation." (Mizuki)
He smirks, shaking his head before digging into his food. He retorts, mouth full, voice ripe with amusement.
"Sure man. As long as no maids come crying to me, it can stay your business." (Xian)
I open my mouth, wondering briefly if I should refute what sounded vaguely like an assault allegation. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Teyla still staring daggers at me. So...I close my mouth, and turn to Zara instead.
"So, Zara...sleep well? How was dinner?" (Mizuki)
Ever reliable, Zara nods politely, picking up on my desire to change the subject.
"I slept well, thank you. Dinner was delicious, and productive. Teyla and I agreed to a preliminary security pact – coordinating to monitor and defend all of the demi-human lands south of the cat-kin's territory. It is a big step in the right direction." (Zara)
I raise my eyebrows.
"I'll say...so, you done with the negotiations you wanted?" (Mizuki)
Zara becomes hesitant.
"No...I would like to discuss trade. We're okay short-term, but long-term we need stable supplies of ore, more refined and diverse smithing techniques, better basic education, readily accessible specialists in elemental and healing magic, and much more. The fox-kin are well-equipped to assist with most of those, but...the wolf-kin have little to offer in return that the fox-kin can't do for themselves." (Zara)
I immediately understand the reason for Zara's hesitant tone, feeling at least as conflicted about it.
"Ah, of course. Take all the time you'd like – my personal work here is finished, so focus on yours." (Mizuki)
What she's not saying is – I can also facilitate all of those things for her. Almost all of it personally. The few things I can't reasonably do myself, I could throw my weight around in the Elven Kingdom or Elmesia to secure their aid.
However, Zara doesn't want to rely on my charity indefinitely. She'd like to wean her people off it, providing self-sustaining avenues to replace me. Yet, here she is, trying to establish those avenues, and she's finding she can't do it without more charity, either from them or me. I'm sure it's...frustrating.
But, I've already overstepped more than I should have on this trip...a lot, actually. I need to learn not to insist on solving her problems for her. If she asks for my help, that's different, but it needs to be on her own terms. Still...
[Zara, I'm not going to tell you what to do. But just know...you have my support. Also, there's a difference between living off someone's charity, and accepting help on a path to independence.] (Mizuki)
Zara looks at me, her expression both grateful and conflicted.
"I appreciate your consideration, Mizuki." (Zara)
She meets my gaze meaningfully, her words an appropriate response for our spoken conversation, but even more so for our telepathic one.
I nod at her, smiling warmly. I've done what I can for now.
We continue eating breakfast for a while, much of the time passing in silence with Teyla still throwing inexplicably hostile glares at me, or Xian making pointless, inappropriate comments. Eventually, it's time for the trade talks Zara mentioned, and her and Teyla depart to a different room for negotiations. I ask Zara if she wants me present, but she declines.
Xian and I are left in the dining room alone, in awkward silence. After a moment, he looks at me nonchalantly.
"Sooo...guess that leaves us to pass the time together. Are you more of a 'let's spar' kind of guy, or is a threesome more your speed?" (Xian)
I sigh, giving him a dry look.
"Are you just trying to get me to beat your ass? Honestly, it may qualify as a talent of yours." (Mizuki)
Xian waves his hands indignantly.
"Woah, woah, woah...we do not know that you'd beat my ass." (Xian)
I raise my eyebrows. Seriously?
"What do you call me kenneling you like a puppy yesterday?" (Mizuki)
Xian snorts, punching his own palm confidently.
"I was courteous enough to stand still, and you caught me off guard with a weird spell. Wouldn't work twice. Plus, a real man doesn't win with cheap tricks, he lets his fists do the talking. Otherworlder or not, I'd take you in a real fight." (Xian)
I roll my eyes. I honestly can't tell if this guy is all bluster, or he actually sniffs his own farts that hard. I could find out, but it doesn't seem like it gains me anything. Other than humiliating him. But knowing his personality, me bragging or talking shit about it wouldn't faze him.
And that's when I get a marvelous idea. I smirk at Xian.
"If you're so confident, want to make a bet with me? A wager, really." (Mizuki)
Xian's eyebrows raise, then he leans forward on the table curiously.
"What kind of wager?" (Xian)
I hum thoughtfully, like I haven't already decided every step of degrading this guy's self worth.
"Hmm...let's say, a fight between the two of us. No ranged spells of any kind, no weapons, just our bodies. First one to surrender, lose consciousness, or sustain a notable injury, loses. Loser has to do one thing requested by the winner. Let's keep the requests personal – they can't inconvenience those close to us." (Mizuki)
Xian doesn't even hesitate, he flashes his canines at me confidently.
"My Ketsu body against your human ass without weird spells? Hahahahaha...oh, I'm really going to enjoy seeing you squirm over my request. When do you want to do this?" (Xian)
I raise my eyebrows at him, barely suppressing my urge to smirk.
"Right now, if you're ready. Sure you don't want to hear what I'm going to request from you first, though? Don't want you making excuses later." (Mizuki)
He waves dismissively.
"No chance. Zang's third rule of being a real man – always honor your word. Plus, it doesn't matter what the loser wants to request." (Xian)
I chuckle internally. Couldn't agree more.
"Great...lead the way." (Mizuki)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
I blink, genuinely stupefied.
"Seriously, how the hell are you this weak? After all that shit you talked? Honestly, even Zara could have beat you senseless under these conditions." (Mizuki)
I stare at Xian incredulously. He's slumped against the wall of the training room, several meters away. His olive skin is cut and bruised all over, especially his face. He groans weakly, struggling to push himself to his feet.
"Ugghhhh...what the fuck are you going on about, you freak? No way that's true. Zang was a physical enhancer with a power level of four, and even he couldn't reliably best me in a fist fight. Bastard always left me bleeding though..." (Xian)
I freeze, my expression bewildered. There's no way that can be true, though? I didn't even use any spells, not even passive physical enhancement. Just my natural physical abilities. I checked after my Bond with Nina, and my base strength is only on par with Zara's when she's fully buffed.
That's why I can't believe how pitiful this fight was. I framed the bet so that I'd be allowed to use physical enhancement, assuming I'd need it. Yet, while it was far from effortless, I was able to see and respond to his punches and kicks, and straight up tank their momentum. I lost count of the number of times that I just grabbed his fist, flipped him over me, and slammed him into the ground.
Xian finally climbs to his feet and eyes me with a rare seriousness.
"Hey, what kind of monster are you, seriously? If you're human, I'm a house cat." (Xian)
Putting my confusion aside, I just shrug at him.
"Never told you I was human. You all assumed that on your own." (Mizuki)
Xian's eyes go wide.
"Wait, really? What are you?" (Xian)
I purse my lips.
"I'm..." (Mizuki)
Xian's expression turns expectant.
"...the winner. Who you now owe a favor." (Mizuki)
Xian rolls his eyes. Before he can respond, though, the door to the training room slides open. Teyla and Zara walk inside, each wearing interested expressions. Zara glances between Xian and me, but says nothing. Teyla, however, her eyes flicker between us before stalling on Xian's battered form. Her eyes widen, her voice raises, incredulous.
"What are you meatheads doing!?" (Teyla)
Xian and I glance at one another, then back at her. Our voices are casual.
"Killing time." (Mizuki)
"Killing time." (Xian)
She glances between us again, shaking her head in exasperation. Xian looks back at me, his expression curious.
"Whelp...deal's a deal. What do you want?" (Xian)
I grin mischievously.
"I want you to let Teyla make a dog collar for you. Personalized, engraved with anything that she wants it to say. Then, you wear it for a year – visibly – no exceptions." (Mizuki)
Xian's face goes slack, paling.
"You can't be serious man..." (Xian)
I shrug, my grin malicious.
"Karma, bitch." (Mizuki)
Teyla walks over to us, glancing between Xian and me. She clearly heard what we said, and her expression is equal parts disbelieving and...giddy? Sadistically gleeful?
"Xian...is this real?" (Teyla)
Xian gulps. He turns towards her slowly, a nervous smile forced to his face.
"Teyla...you know, I've always appreciated how kind-hearted you are. Honestly, in retrospect, you're far too good for me. I think it's about time I stop harassing you about joining my harem." (Xian)
Teyla's lips slowly twist into a sadistic grin. Then, she giggles...erratically, slow at first, then hysterically.
"He...hehehee...hehe...hehehehehehehe. Ohhhh, Xian. Xian, Xian, Xian. It's far too late for all that now...you're fucked." (Teyla)
Xian's face crashes, his eyes moving to me with a pleading look that says, 'do you know what you've done?'. I don't even bat an eye. Why would I? I had to wear a collar for a whole day when I didn't even deserve it. And based on some calculations I just made up, one human day is like 400 Ketsu days.
Ahh...equality.
Teyla walks over in front of me, snapping me from my thoughts. She gives me a small, forced smile. Her eyes hesitant.
"Thank you...for that." (Teyla)
I shrug nonchalantly.
"Wasn't a favor. I just wanted to teach Xian a little lesson, and figured you'd know how to humiliate him best. Really, I'm using you for free labor." (Mizuki)
Her smile becomes less forced, something softer flickering behind her eyes.
"Right...of course. Should have known." (Teyla)
Our gazes remain fixed on one another for a moment in silence. Then, I casually turn to Zara.
"So, how'd the negotiations go?" (Mizuki)