Present day Eden...
Alyse sits on the couch inside the mansion's family room, staring intently at the paper she's holding, but somehow incapable of truly reading it. After a few seconds, her eyes surreptitiously slide over the edge of it for the hundredth time, landing on the couch across from her, where a silver-haired beauty is lounging gracefully.
Alara holds documents of her own in one hand, reading them intently, and a glass of wine in her other, casually taking sips with a satisfied smile on her face. Alyse can't help but notice the way Alara tucks her legs under her, the soft, silken dress she wears hugging her curves. As Alara takes another sip of wine, oblivious to Alyse's gaze, she absentmindedly licks her lips clean, and Alyse's heart nearly stops.
She abruptly returns her attention to her documents, her face flushing with heat.
'Gods, why the hell did she have to make that comment about her old sexual habits!? I CANNOT be getting worked up over Alara fucking Ophelle...absolutely no way! Am I insane!?'
And yet...
She sneaks another glance at Alara, immediately noticing the cute-...err, the completely unflattering...way that Alara is biting her lip in thought. This time, though, Alara catches her gaze and looks up from her own papers, giving Alyse a friendly smile.
"How's it going?" (Alara)
Alyse blinks nervously, feeling like a vegetarian caught in a steakhouse.
"What?" (Alyse)
Alara nods towards the paper she's holding.
"The list of projects and tasks on my to-do list. Have you decided on one that sounds appealing to you? I could really use the help." (Alara)
Realization dawns on her, and she gives a small, apologetic smile.
"Uhm...not yet, sorry. I will soon, though, I promise." (Alyse)
Alara waves dismissively, taking a sip of her wine.
"It's your first day since you accepted the job, so take your time. What about everything else, though? You've been here a few days now...are you settling in okay?" (Alara)
Alyse raises her eyebrows, considering the question. Her mind mulls over the past few days. Everyone except Alara and the dwarf, Percivil, left after her first day. But even then, the time has managed to feel...eventful.
She gives Alara a wry smile, responding offhandedly.
"Yeah...well enough. I just think some of the...weirdness, will take a while to get used to." (Alyse)
By which she means the pseudo-harem of beautiful women threatening her sanity!
'First Alto, then my naked kitchen confessional with Nedonera, and last but not least, my totally not sexy boss's offhand implication that she's potentially open to sleeping with me!'
Alas, Alara gives her a perplexed look.
"Weirdness? What do you mean?" (Alara)
She freezes, realizing her near slip up, and quickly waves her hands with a nervous smile.
"O-Oh, uhm...I just kind of ran into Nedonera in the kitchen the other day...naked...eating bread and discussing her sex life. Is that kind of behavior normal here or something? Because she honestly acted like I was the weird one for being uncomfortable." (Alyse)
Alara's eyes widen, surprised.
"Oh...well, I guess the shared bath makes us all a little less attached to our modesty? That said, only Nina's as bold as what you're describing, and none of us talk about our sex life. Probably because the only ones getting laid around here are Mizuki, Nina, and partially my sister, and Little Brother is kind of a prude." (Alara)
Alara says the last part about their sex lives almost...bitterly? Alyse just stares at her blankly.
'I have...so many questions.'
"I see..." (Alyse)
Hearing her dubious response, Alara gives her a concerned look.
"Is something particular bothering you? If so, I could talk to Mizuki and the others. I'm sure nobody wants you to be uncomfortable." (Alara)
After thinking briefly, she shakes her head.
"Nah. I appreciate it, though. It was just a little jarring, but I don't need special treatment. Seeing you all in the bath on occasion is fine, and I'll let you know if I change my mind about anything else being a problem." (Alyse)
Alara lets out a relieved sigh.
"Good, good...I'm honestly so glad you agreed to take this job, and I'd really hate for you to quit over something stupid like that." (Alara)
She raises her eyebrows at the shockingly endearing behavior.
'This is going to take some getting used to...'
Shaking off the feeling of wrongness, she forces a playful smile.
"What job is that again? You keep changing the title, and I'm still not sure what your basic expectations of me are. Should I be following you around everywhere, or guarding your door while you sleep?" (Alyse)
Alara smiles sheepishly in response to the teasing.
"Yeah...I'm sorry about that, I just don't know a proper title for what I need. Even with my fighting prowess, and in our peaceful Kingdom where my safety is basically guaranteed, I need a personal guard of sorts. I'm a noble and former Princess, after all, and you know there are certain expectations of procedure and decorum. At the same time, I desperately need someone that I can trust around Mizuki and Nina, and who's knowledgeable enough to help me run Eden.
"I guess, as far as expectations for you...hmm. As a guard, just accompany me to important meetings in your combat gear, for appearances sake. If we're on a trip outside the safety of Eden, you should sleep in my room as a precaution. Otherwise, your job is to help me manage Eden – work semi-independently on a project-by-project basis, and take over as the city's ruler while I'm away. How does that sound?" (Alara)
Nothing about the description is especially surprising, given everything Alara has mentioned about wanting her help with in the past. Well, almost nothing...her ears are still ringing with the words "sleep in my room". Alyse nods and hurriedly picks up the sheet of paper Alara gave her earlier, chuckling nervously.
"Hehehe...err, sounds great! Uhm, in that case, how about I pick out one of the things off this list now, and you can come up with an actual title for me? So I know what to tell people when I'm trying to operate on your behalf." (Alyse)
Alara gives her a pleased grin.
"Deal." (Alara)
She nods, forcing herself to focus on the paper in front of her again...but actually read it this time. Eventually, both women find themselves engrossed in their tasks in silence, until Alyse spots something on Alara's list that piques her interest.
She glances up at Alara, her voice betraying her curiosity.
"Alara, one of these items mentions building something similar to the Ring here in Eden?" (Alyse)
Alara glances up from her own work, momentarily blank-faced, then her lips twist in an amused smile as Alyse's words register.
"Yes. Honestly, I was hoping that project would catch your eye...it's a big part of the reason I was so keen to have you work for me. I'm sure your expertise are invaluable." (Alara)
She raises her eyebrows. Not having something like the Ring here in Eden is honestly one of the city's few downsides for her. But if she can help expedite the emergence of such a facility, perhaps even influence it to her personal tastes...
She leans towards Alara eagerly.
"What parts of the project do you need my help with?" (Alyse)
Alara scratches her cheek at the question.
"Uhm...all of it? The idea is very recent, actually. It started as just a way to satisfy Nina's desire for a combat-focused version of Eden's recreation center. However, I'd also like to start developing my territory's armed forces, to guard cities and enforce laws, and it occurred to me that having a Ring-like facility here in Eden would be a good way to attract, train, and select such people.
"Truthfully, as long as you feel confident that you can design and build a facility that accomplishes those security goals, satisfies Nina, and generates any kind of profit, nothing would make me happier than to hand the whole project off to you. You could design and build it however you see fit." (Alara)
Alyse digs her fingernails into her palms, doing her damnedest not to squeal from excitement prematurely.
"I see, I see...and, uhm, what's the budget for this?" (Alyse)
Alara smiles helplessly.
"To be frank...there isn't really one. Eden is already generating more money than we know what to do with, and Mizuki likes to hand out platinum coins for Eden's development like they're as plentiful as air. As long as the facility you build has net profits every year, you can spend as much as you need on startup costs." (Alara)
Alyse's vision begins to swim, her mind nearly overwhelmed with joyous, greedy thoughts of everything she's ever felt the Ring was lacking. A dopey grin finds its way to her face.
'My gods...dreams really do come true.'
Alas, as she's getting lost in her own sauce, Alara decides to have an epiphany.
"Oh, Alyse! About your title...what do you think of just being Eden's Prima? Honestly, I'm basically already asking you to do the job of one. This way, though, your position and authority in Eden will be much more official." (Alara)
The mention of being Prima is enough to snap Alyse from her daydreaming. She stares at the expectantly smiling Alara with an incredulous expression.
"You want to make me the ruler of your city? I've only lived here three days!" (Alyse)
Alara smiles wryly in response.
"To be fair, that's like...almost ten percent of the city's history? That's more than any other Prima I know." (Alara)
She blinks, dumbfounded by the dismissive joke.
"You're really serious about this?" (Alyse)
Alara raises her eyebrows, shrugging dramatically.
"Why not? Do you have someone better in mind?" (Alara)
Thinking for a moment, she realizes...she doesn't. Alara is the noble of the territory, so she can't be the official Prima. The only other potentially qualified elf she can think of, who isn't already tied to another noble's territory, is...
"What about Alto?" (Alyse)
She doesn't really think Alto is right for the job, she just can't quite put her finger on why. That's why she's curious what Alara will say.
Alara, surprisingly, just chuckles.
"Fufufu...Alto? She'd never have any interest in the job. She prioritizes staying by Mizuki's side, and Mizuki frequently leaves Eden on his whims...something a Prima can't afford to do." (Alara)
Hearing the rationale, she realizes that's very much her own opinion as well...the wrongness that she couldn't articulate. The sudden acknowledgement of Alto's desire to be by Mizuki's side causes a twinge of dissatisfaction in her, but...strangely, not as much as she's felt in the past.
Alara, watching her with a hopeful expression, quickly changes the subject.
"What do you say, though? Will you accept Eden's Prima position? Officially...I'm asking." (Alara)
She purses her lips thoughtfully, considering the question. In principle, Alara's not asking her to do any more work than she already agreed to. Here job would effectively only change in name, and yet...
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of knocking downstairs, seemingly from the mansion's front door. She glances at Alara curiously, who is wearing a similarly surprised expression.
"Expecting anyone?" (Alyse)
Alara shakes her head.
"No...it's strange. Nobody who lives here would knock, and we don't get uninvited guests. Sorry to ask, but...do you mind checking? If it's someone trying to find me, I don't want to accidentally encourage them circumventing proper communication channels by intruding on our estate without notice." (Alara)
She nods amiably, even a little relieved by the interruption.
"Not at all...be right back." (Alyse)
Closing the door to the family room on her way out, to give Alara some privacy, she makes her way downstairs to the mansion's front door. When she opens it, she's surprised to find an unfamiliar middle-aged elven woman, with long, black hair, dressed in a rather high-end maid outfit. Alyse raises her eyebrows at the sight.
"Can I help you?" (Alyse)
The woman bows respectfully.
"Good evening, Miss, and I apologize for the intrusion. Is this the estate of Lady Alara Zuki, formerly known as Princess Alara Ophelle?" (maid)
Alyse's eyes narrow slightly, finding the interaction suspicious, but she responds in an even tone.
"It is her estate, yes, but...she's not available right now. What is your business with Lady Alara?" (Alyse)
The maid smiles politely.
"May I first ask what your relation to Lady Alara is?" (maid)
For a moment, the question makes her falter. After all, she was pondering that very question with Alara just moments ago. But...something about being asked so plainly, in a situation where her authority or standing is seemingly in question, makes the question inexplicably much easier for her to answer.
She responds to the maid, her voice stern.
"I am Alyse Egris, Lady Alara's designated Prima of Eden. I'm also her guard, when the context demands it, and...I'm currently wondering if it might. So, I'll ask again...what is your business with Lady Alara?" (Alyse)
Alyse hasn't been in the public eye recently, but to anyone remotely in the know, her name's still famous. The Sword Goddess, the 'difficult' daughter of the Egris house...she has several monikers. The reputation they all have in common is that she's not someone whose patience you want to test.
So, she's satisfied but unsurprised when she sees the maid pale slightly at her self-introduction. The maid quickly bows, extending an envelope towards her, which she accepts with scrutiny. The maid speaks, her voice overly respectful.
"I beg your pardon for any perceived rudeness, Lady Alyse. I am here on behalf of my employer. They wish to extend an invitation to Lady Alara, to visit them and discuss an enticing business opportunity for Eden. Seeing how I've imposed enough, and delivered their invitation, I will depart at once...take care." (maid)
With another bow that seems to Alyse to be especially hurried, the maid turns and departs from the mansion's stoop without waiting for a response. Letting out a mildly annoyed sigh, Alyse closes the door behind the maid. Then, she glances at the invitation curiously.
She notes the thick, expensive red paper of the envelope, and the large, silvery crest that's tastefully embossed along its front. Her eyes widen in recognition, scrutinizing the crest with newfound interest. She mutters to herself, amused.
"Well, well...I wonder what kind of business opportunity gets you a hand-delivered invitation from the infamous Silver Medallion Trading Company?" (Alyse)