-------------- Flora's POV ------------
Words aren't enough to describe the level of tension and worry we felt while the brat, Wiston, and John made first contact.
[This is my interspecies girlfriend. I am the Furry Rat Kid.]
And of course, none of that matters a shit to this damn brat, who now introduces a girl with fish features and barely dressed, as if introducing a lover to his parents.
[[[[Huh?]]]] ""Griii?""
The first to react are Carla and the other teenagers, who look at Astrad and the fish girl's intertwined hands with obvious hostility.
[Why are you like this…] On the other hand, Yumi rubs her forehead with apparent weariness, but the relief on her face is too evident.
Just like that, I feel stupid again for worrying.
"gip, pit, pit, ptip, tip hi ga tu gi"
Meanwhile, the fish girl panics. Her bluish face quickly changes to a dark violet shade, shaking her head desperately in denial. Her dorsal fins vibrating with nervousness as she tries to pull her hand from Astrad's without success.
[She is shy.]
[[[SHE IS OBVIOUSLY REJECTING YOU!]]]
Damn brat.
.........…
"Gip tr gt pri"
Inside what was once a dock administrative office. Now converted into a kind of improvised tribal hut redecorated with furs, shells, and bones.
"Git di li chia"
An old woman dressed in intricate robes made of nets and black pearls sits in front of us. She recites in a language that sounds like breaking bubbles.
And separated only by a bonfire, we are sitting on the ground with a mix of anticipation and tension.
[What do you think?] I ask Yumi cautiously.
[Well, Astrad says it's okay…]
I was about to reply, when suddenly, the bonfire fire changed to a strange greenish color, capturing everyone's attention.
"fil huan pi tic"
With the mysterious old woman's words, the fire seemed to come alive. Small flames separated from the bonfire, creating strange symbols that floated in the air like fireflies.
[Calm down a bit.] Astrad's voice stopped my hand which was already halfway to my weapon.
When I look at him, his gaze was fixed on the old woman, in his eyes a calculated edge that was simultaneously an opportunity and a warning.
[So hard to deal with…] I murmured finally before focusing back on the scene.
It's true, this is the same brat who practically begged to kill Anibal from the first second he saw him.
If he has anything, it's decent judgment and…
[Kekeke, besides, even if they try something, we are clearly superior, they will only die in vain.]
He is also a wretched bastard who always plays to win.
"gish fil huan pi tic"
The old woman continued chanting in a strange tongue. Slowly the symbols filled the room.
The strange patterns on the floor also began to glow, charging the whole place with a mystical atmosphere, but it didn't feel oppressive or threatening.
It was as if something slowly settled in my body, asking for permission and advancing with cautious affection.
Even so, I didn't dare lower my guard.
Finally, the old woman lowered her hands and the floating symbols slowly faded into the air.
But the patterns on the floor maintained a faint glow.
Then…
[Young humans, can you understand me?] I looked surprised at the old woman who had just spoken and most importantly, whom I had just understood with complete clarity.
[Is this magic?] asked Astrad while the rest of us were still processing what had happened.
[Not exactly… We use something humans call witchcraft.] answered the old woman with a kind smile.
Not that her clarification really means anything to us.
[I see…] said Astrad with a contemplative expression.
[You don't have the slightest idea what she's talking about, do you?]
[Obviously not, stupid. How the hell would I know? Do you think the Rat Kid is some kind of magic geek? Is that what the Rat Kid is to you?]
[You are an…]
Imbecile.
[Hohoho, you are quite an interesting young man.] the old woman commented casually while Carla and Astrad struggled.
I thought it was my imagination before, but it's already evident she looks at Astrad in a special way. Like a grandmother looking at her dear grandson.
[I'm sorry, the Rat Kid has a policy of only sexy women and tasty MILFs, you don't fit into either. You are a little past your expiration date.]
[[[[SHUT UP!]]]] [GYAAAAAAAA]
Even with the mess they suddenly made in her house, the old woman showed no annoyance.
Instead, she simply sipped the tea served by the girl Astrad sexually harassed.
[Please excuse these children, they are still young.] Wiston, who also ignores the commotion, starts talking to the old woman.
[Not at all, it's good to have some entertainment.]
[I understand perfectly, my name is Wiston, a pleasure.]
[I am Kayda, matriarch of the Malkat tribe, this is my granddaughter Na'Risha. The pleasure is ours.]
Is this what they call generational understanding?
[Hey, girl. I know you're in heat, but can you not press your chest too hard against the brat? You're suffocating me. Nya.]
The sudden unknown voice immediately draws our attention.
[WHO IS IN HEAT? …]
Carla complains looking at the cat on her chest, but her voice falters as soon as she understands the situation.
[[[[[WHAAAAAT?]]]]]
The scream of surprise resonates throughout the room.
[Why are you screaming? Nya.]
[Flea-bitten cat, you interrupt the Rat Kid's fun.]
[Damn kid, what do you want me to do? Die? Nya.]
Even amidst our astonishment, Astrad talks to the white cat on Carla's chest as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
But before we could even say anything.
[Boss can understand us?] [Boss can understand us? Boss listens!]
With childish voices, the little goblins throw themselves on Astrad, their eyes shining with expectation.
[[[[[[WHAAAAAAAAT?]]]]]]
Of course, the voices of surprise don't stop.
[The Rat Kid understands you. What do you want?] Just like with the cat, Astrad dismisses the situation as if it were something normal and pats the heads of the excited girls.
[Names.] [We want names.]
They demand immediately. Now that I think about it, we only call them goblin girls.
[Names?] asked Astrad with a raised eyebrow as if he didn't understand.
Seeing his reaction, the girls' spirits plummet.
[[We can't?]] they said with pity as their ears drooped.
[[[…]]]
Seeing them like that, we all look at Astrad with disgust.
[Kug. What? The Rat Kid never said no. Doesn't the Rat Kid have the right to be surprised? Stop looking at me like that, it's not the despair I'm looking for… Names, right? Then, you are Ruby and you Kora. Happy?]
[[[[[DON'T NAME THEM AS IF THEY WERE DOGS!]]]]]
[I DON'T GIVE A FUCK.]
Although the girls fight with Astrad, the little goblins' eyes widen with surprise before blossoming into a joy that only children achieve.
[Ruby!] [Kora!]
They repeated their names over and over again, as if savoring them. Until finally they jumped onto Astrad's chest and buried themselves with joy.
[[[[Ahhh…]]]]
We could only sigh with resignation.
[Grandmother, is he really an alpha?]
[Why do you ask that? Can't you feel it?]
[Yes, but… He doesn't look like what you describe.]
[Hoho, and does that bother you or relieve you?]
[Well…]
While Astrad was putting on his circus, I couldn't help but listen to Na'Risha and Kayda.
[Excuse me if my question is inopportune. What is an alpha? And why do you refer to Astrad as such?]
Although she was focused on Astrad, Yumi is the first to process the keywords and quickly looks at Kayda, with a precise question.
Although her tone is formal, her eyes are no longer smiling.
Sometimes I really don't know if she is a selfless or overprotective mother.
[It is not inopportune at all… But, young lady, from your reaction, I guess there are no alphas in your world?]
When Kayda answered with another question, Yumi's eyes narrowed with annoyance, but before she could speak.
[Gahaha, forgive this girl, she has a bad temper when it comes to her pup, but she is a good girl most of the time.]
Wiston quickly intervenes, while forcing Yumi's head down with a caress that is too strong, as if bothering a house cat.
[Chief…] Yumi tries to complain, but Wiston just keeps ruffling her hair.
[Don't jump to conclusions, if it were something bad do you think they would talk about it in front of us like it's nothing?]
Only when Wiston explains, Yumi calms down.
[Oh, no, I didn't mean… Ouch…] Na'Risha also gets anxious realizing she had caused a problem unintentionally, but is quickly silenced with a light tap on the head with Kayda's staff.
[Child, how many times have I told you not to speak from emotion? You will only get misunderstood more.]
[… Sorry…]
[Ahhh, forgive my granddaughter, it is not normal to interact with other clans, especially in the last decades, so, I didn't have time to train her properly.]
[Ahahaha, you don't have to be so formal, it was my girl who overreacted. Please excuse her.]
I sigh relieved inwardly; the wrinkles of the old are not for nothing.
[It can't be... is it the legendary Political Orangutan?]
As if unsatisfied with not being the center of attention, the damn brat points at Wiston with a look that seems to have seen a legendary animal.
[Hey, that hurts a little, I am a man with quite good speech, right honey… HONEY?]
Wiston seeks support from Carla, but she is just backing away with an incredulous face while covering her mouth. Her eyes say she saw an animal even more legendary than the one Astrad saw.
[So mean…]
Chief… I'm sorry… but I don't think those kids' surprise is entirely unjustified…