The next door they were slated to visit was the one that belonged to the Collection of Unified States. Their banner was simple, a brown flag with a golden scale. Honestly it looked like the merchant guild sign from a game. He shook his head with a smile, guess that was something the books got right.

Behind the desk sat a dwarf, a heavy set one with a greying beard braided elaboratly and decorated with golden clasps. His eyes were dark and heavy and his brows thick and bushy, his smile was jovial however as the dwarf stood up and made his way over. “Do my eyes decieve me or has a young talented craftsman just made his way to my door!”

Lshrkr tilted her head and Aeric noticed her mandibles widen just a bit, “While he is that indeed he’s not here for your poaching Master Bramzur.”

The dwarf looked over at her and grinned, not the least put out. “So you say, so you say.” He leaned over to Aeric and whispered conspiratorially, “Come over to our side, we have better benefits for any talented craftsman. We also have a very good supporting system!”

He could almost feel Lshrkr roll her eyes, even if it wasn’t something she was biologically capable of. He also noticed something that he would call fond exasperation as she looked over at the dwarf. “He works for Aliami, you’re welcome to try and talk to her about a transfer if you wish.”

The dwarf pursed his lips and looked downright pouty. “Did you have to go and tell me that lass? I don’t wanna deal with that lioness, my pockets are always lighter every time I try! She’s a demon of commerce I tell you!”

The dwarf sighed and walked back to his desk before waving them closer energetically and gesturing to the armchairs, he sagged into his chair and looked over at Lshrkr with a smile. “So anything ya need lass? It’s not the day for our sessions and you did bring me an enticing morsel of a craftsman. I’ve got skills for seeing potential and it’s tingling like no tomorrow let me tell you!”

Aeric raised his eyebrow and glanced over at Lshrkr, she sat rimrod straight as usual but caught his glance. “Master Branzur has been teaching me the fine art of trade, our kind has had no real interaction with others so diplomacy is an unestablished discipline. He has taken it upon himself to teach me.”

Branzur looked over at Aeric and smiled, “The lass is quite the talent. Picks up anything I teach her within momemts. A true sponge of knowledge, she’ll become quite the force to be reckoned with at the speed she’s learning.”

Lshrkr bowed her head to the dwarf, “Only because of your excellent teachings Master Branzur.”

The dwarf scoffed but Aeric caught the slight tinge of red that spread to the dwarf’s cheeks. “It’s all you my lass, all you!”

Aeric grinned. The dwarf had something of a proud father demeanor as he talked about Lshrkr. He was surprised that all the diplomats he had met so far were such nice people, although he did understand it made sense politcally he expected them to be more stiff. The only one who had the classic, as he thought of it, diplomat theme going on was the old crow. Unflappable, ever polite. Fjar was somewhat flirty and friendly, Bramzur seemed to be on the jovial side. He shook his head, in the end they were people in and of themselves. He’d have to remember that.

The dwarf was talking animatedly with Lshrkr, asking about her previous lessons and if there was anything else she had learned in the meantime. Even though Aeric was a prized morsel according to the dwarf, it seemed he had been forgotten as the conversation between the pair deepened. Aeric smirked and contented himself with watching. Lshrkr was giving the dwarf something of a report and telling him about her own recent realisations as to the nature of art. The dwarf nodded excitedly at her words and expanded slightly on the topic, telling her of his own experiences and the things that stirred emotion in him.

Hearing a dwarf talk about the emotional baggage that could be tasted in a well made ale was something that he’d probably remember for the rest of his life. It was odd seeing Lshrkr so animate, she was still sitting as rimrod straight as she always did but her arms were moving to accentuate as she talked. Her expressions changed more often, he hadn’t seen her so at ease even at home. The pair talked for a good fifteen minutes or so before they seemed to realise they had another person listening in.

Bramzur coughed and flushed slightly as he looked over at him. “Sorry about that lad, got a bit caught up in the conversation.”

Aeric smiled at the man, a genuine one that stretched from ear to ear. “It’s quite alright, I quite enjoyed just listening and watching to be honest.” He turned to look at Lshrkr, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so animated. You two are pretty close.”

Lshrkr nodded, “Bramzur has been of great aid in our assimilation into civilization, he has made himself available anytime I have questions.”

The dwarf coughed and looked around a bit before tugging at his beard and looking at Aeric. “The lass seemed a bit out of her comfort zone when we first met. I personally take offense to anyone uncomfortable in my presence! It’s my very way of life to have people like me. So much so that it became my job and I built my career on it. Seeing a lass so out of place?” The dwarf shrugged and the clasps on his beard jingled with the motion, “I offered my aid, one thing led to another. She’s honestly a bit like an apprentice now. Even took to calling me Master Bramzur because one of the brats told her it’s tradition.”

Aeric smiled, “I’m always happy to see someone looking out for a friend. No need to feel embarrassed about it master dwarf. In fact I’d say it should be a point of pride, you might even go down in their history books.”

The dwarf blinked at that and furrowed his brows, Lshrkr simply nodded. “He has already been added to the written rendition of our history.”

The dwarf choked and his eyes widened as he looked at the hivian. “I’ve been what now?”

Lshrkr tilted her head and stared at him. “You’ve been added to our written works? We were quite impressed with your generosity, and your lessons on social and merchantile interaction are being spread throughout our Hive. The Queen-mother has been quite impressed with the wisdom you’ve shared with us.”

Bramzur seemed lost for words as he stared at her, “You’ve been sharing my teachings?”

Lshrkr nodded, before she paused and looked at the dwarf. Her body stiffening slightly as her voice turned softer. “Was I not supposed to?”

The older dwarf shook his head, waving away her concern. “No, I suppose it makes sense. Simply teaching things to one person of an entire race makes no sense. It should be spread and should become common knowledge instead. I just hadn’t really thought about it like that, I was just teaching a girl some of the things I knew. That’s what I thought I was doing.”

Aeric smiled at the dwarf, “Instead you were enlightening an entire race on interactions with civilization. Simple kindness and you end up in the history books. It’s quite an inspiring story if you think about it.”

The dwarf flushed and was silent for a moment, the news that he was seen as more important than he had thought himself seemed to have flustered him. He coughed and scratched the back of his neck, “Well I suppose there’s naught to be done about it now. We’ll just be continuing our sessions.” He stated as he turned back to Lshrkr, “I’ll add some lessons on how a race in its whole should act and the consequences actions could have.”

Lshrkr bowed her head slightly, “We thank you for your guidance and appreciate the sharing of your wisdom Master Bramzur.”

The dwarf shook his head, “Think nothing of it, I’ll just tell my leaders I did it for the positive progression of relations between our people.”

Aeric smiled, “Words that are true when it comes down to it.”

Bramzur grinned, “Having the truth sprinkled in is always best for getting results. Even better if it turns out to be a major part of it.” He then stood up and dusted off his shirt, “But I do believe I’ve held up the pair of you for long enough. If you have any questions either of you, feel free to visit. You’d be surprised with how much free time I have.”

Lshrkr smiled, “I will see you again tomorrow Master Bramzur.”

The dwarf smiled and waved her away, “See you then lass.”

Aeric smiled as the pair of them left the room he glanced over at Lshrkr, “He seems like good people.”

Lshrkr nodded, “He is one of the best, we had expected merchants to be more greedy from the rumors and reputation we had gathered. Both Aliami and Bramzur seem to put points against that statement. They have taken care of us, for little reason. Even if both have come up with numerous logical arguments as to why they did such. Those statements have always felt… lacking in depth.”

Aeric grinned, “A lot of people like helping others out, but don’t want others to know it’s just out of the goodness of their hearts for various reasons. Someone like Bramzur also has his reputation and the consequences of his job to think of, framing it as helping foster positive relations with a new race gives him reason aplenty to teach you things. It’ll stop people from leaning over his shoulder and questioning his actions.”

Lshrkr shook her head, “There is still much for us to learn about the deceptions and subtle acts of diplomacy and politics.”

Aeric smiled, “Well I know very little about it myself so I will be of no help, I’m much better off making clothes and just doing crazy stuff. Much more up my alley.” He then looked over at the last door they were set to visit. “So last in the list is the academy right?”

Lshrkr nodded but seemed oddly hesitant, Aeric took in her body language and frowned. “Something wrong with the Academy representative?”

Lshrkr shook her head, “She is an intense individual. She also believes in learning through action rather than reading. She always tests me and my responses so I am mentally preparing myself.”

Aeric blinked and rolled his shoulders, loosening them up and trying to rid of the tension in them. “Alright then, sounds like fun. Haven’t been quizzed in quite a while.”

He stepped forward and opened the door, his eyes immediatly flicked to the woman behind the desk. He almost froze and backed back out when what he had assumed was her hair reared up and stared back at him. Revealing itself to be a various amount of snakes, the womans own skin consisted of various shades of orange and yellow scales. Her eyes were slitted and her bonestructure had that slight serpentine feel to them. To her left seated behind a smaller desk was a golem, holding a pen with surprising deftness despite his rock-like skin. To the right of the medusa sat a young mermaid, her tail curled around the back of her chair and what seemed to be a glaze of fluid surrounding her body. Probably water to keep her moisturised he theorized.

The gorgons’s slitted eyes immediatly honed in on Lshrkr and her smile widened. She leaned forward and her gaze lightened up with interest. “Back for more dear? I do have so much more to teach you.” Her words had a slight hissing to them, she was an objectivly attractive woman. She had an odd bit of a librarian feel to her. Her hair moved of her own accord, her nails were oddly dark and sharper than his own. She was short however, and instead of having a snakelike lowerhalf as he somewhat expected, she had a regular pair of legs.

Her eyes flicked to Aeric and blinked, she sat back and stared at him. Her gaze roving over him before he frowned, “You are oddly well studied for a man your age. You have nearly two decades of being a student behind you, that’s an odd number for one so young. For you strike me not as a noble.”

Lshrkr turned her head slightly to Aeric who shrugged at her in response. “Education is mandatory in my country, anyone above the age of four goes to school untill they reach sixteen at the minimum. For those who want to do more advanced studies add another six to eight years. More if you wanted to broaden what you study.”

The gorgon tilted her head, she pursed her lips and tapped her fingers on her arm as she folded them. “Where would this well educated country be exactly? I’m unfamiliar with any land so well educated other than our own.”

Aeric shrugged, “Different world.”

The gorgon’s eyes widened, the mermaid jerked and stared at him and the golem simply paused and looked up. Lshrkr turned to him and he could almost feel her frown, “She would figure it out soon either way, better to hear it from me.”

He turned towards the gorgon, “I’d appreciate some confidentiality on your part, I’m not looking to move and it would cause undue trouble to those who have taken me in. I need a bit more time to arrange proper care of my own safety. I quite like it here and don’t particularly feel like being abducted.”

The gorgon hummed, the sound more like a musical hiss. The mermaid and golem both turned to look at their teacher. Both presumably being apprenteci of sorts to the gorgon diplomat. The woman shrugged, “Ursmir is upto date of your arrival I assume, seeing as how you work for Aliami.”

Aeric nodded, “Most likely.”

“Then your business is your own, Ursmir is still considered one of our people. Even if he did set out to build a city of his own. He has the Acadamy’s allegiance so it would be ill concieved of us to spread secrets that could harm his interests.” She smiled at him. “Though do take care to not share this secret so easily.”

Aeric shrugged, “Having a dogged professor looking to solve a mystery would have attracted a lot more attention. This was the best course of action I could see in the time I had to think.”

She dipped her head and acknowledged his statement. “You most likely speak true, so tell me walker of worlds. What brings you to my little office?”

He shrugged, “Lshrkr was the one tasked with showing me the embassies, the girls are taking me around different parts of the cities each weekend. Letting me get to know the city, make some connections. Things like that. I’ve been meeting the various diplomats and getting to know some of the history and relations between countries.”

She grinned, showcasing her sharpened teeth. “It is always a worthwhile goal to increase the amount of ones knowledge. Well if you are here to learn take a seat, though I hope you won’t mind entertaining some of my own questions. Rarely does one come across a source of knowledge so untapped.”

Aeric smiled, “I’m always up for a debate or a good conversation.”

A grin answered his own as he took his seat with Lshrkr to his right. “I’ve been hearing about the acadamy a lot, but it’s unclear to me exactly what it is or how big it is. Since people talk about it like it can rival an entire country. Which back home would have been unthinkable.”

The gorgon smiled, “The Academy is more of a catch-all phrase for various schools that have banded together. We teach everything conceivable, from mathematics and geography, to combat lessons in weaponry, to manipulation and even sex.” She smiled as she leaned forward flaunting a little of her cleavage. “We pride ourselves in that nothing is unteachable, although there are some strict moral rules that we adhere to, torture is taught for instance. But the requirments and the tests one must pass before being allowed to follow the lessons are strict and multitudenous.”

Aeric cocked his head, “So to keep up with other countries on a military scale. Either you have very high level professors and/or students. Or the sheer number of them makes up for it.”

The gorgon shook her head, “While we do actually have a good bit of both, our main protection is the fact that we are famously neutral and that we have students from noble or even royal lines from just about every country on the continent. We have nearly a million students, our campus is more of a city than a campus in truth.”

Aeric’s eyes bulged, “How does one even manage such a place?”

The gorgon grinned, “Through proper delegation, each of the subjects has a dedicated master in charge. Each grouping of subjects falls under a single division, all combat studies would fall under General Jaiji for instance. It’s run very similar as to the way most countries are run.”

Aeric nodded, “Sounds like a place to visit at the very least.”

She grinned at him, once more showing of her teeth. “I’d be more than happy to show you around once the time comes. Now.” She settled in her chair and leaned forward, her elbows placed on the desk and her hands stapled together. A pose he realised was rather popular among diplomats. “I do have some questions about your world of birth.”

Aeric shrugged, the girls back at the shop had been surprisingly uncaring about questions about his homeland other than their first initial conversation. “Ask away.”

“You seem remarkably well adapted to our world, levels and skills which tend to shock worldwalkers don’t seem all that unnatural to you. How come?”

Aeric blinked, he scratched the back of his neck. “There is a lot of popularized fiction back home that features skills and levels. There were various games created for entertainment purposes which are widespread through the population and levels have been a large part of these games for a decade or two. Seeing it in real life took some adjusting but the concept itself is not unheard of.”

The gorgon hissed in thought, “Do you think perhaps these ideas came from world walkers of our own that ended up in your world?”

Aeric blinked again, “I’m not sure, my world had only humans so people would have noticed someone of a different race appearing. It would have made global news, then again there are a multitude of fictions involving the various races that I have seen and met in this world. I’d say it’s unlikely but I wasn’t that well connected so who can say for sure.”

She nodded and was quiet for a few seconds, a glance went towards the golem who nodded. “How about the state of magic, how advanced was it?”

Aeric snorted, “There was no magic whatsoever, only technology.”

“We have heard of more worlds such as this, we have as of yet to discover any worldwalkers who originate from the same place. Always different planes, different rules, different ideas. Every time a worldwalker arrives they add something to the way this world works in one way or the other. The most well known being the universal translation, but military formations, weapons, artstyles. It causes quite the diversity.”

Aeric frowned, “Are you postulating that there is perhaps a method to who arrives here, that there is a mind behind it?”

She smiled, “Perhaps, there are various theories behind the appearance of worldwalkers. That the system chooses them and brings them here, that it’s mere luck, a simple fluctuation in the fabric of time and space. An ageless and powerfull mage tinkering with summoning spells, spawn of the void using the disturbance as an entry point to attack our world. The theories are numerous, and few are likely.”

Aeric sighed, “Personally I’m a fan of the coincidence theory, keeps all kinds of issues from being brought down on my shoulders.”

The gorgon laughed, a hissing sound that filled the chamber. “Yes I do suppose as the subject of the event you would prefer non-interference of greater powers.”

Aeric nodded, then stopped and tapped his chin. “Which brings me to my next thought, greater powers. Are gods actual tangible entities here?”

She tilted her head, “In a matter of speaking there are various deities who represent certain aspects. Death, Glory, War, Luck and the like. Then there are cults who worship gods of their own, ones with names. Those are harder to verify since these so called gods only speak or interact with their own worshippers. So whether they are true religions or merely cults as I personally expect is up to debate.”

Aeric smiled, “So no having to worry about a god of colours coming down from the heavens and proclaiming me their chosen one?”

A chuckle answered his remark, “Not in the immediate future no.” The gorgon glanced at something that reminded Aeric of a pocket watch. She sighed. “As much as I am thoroughly enjoying this conversation and wish to continue I do have a prior engagement. I shall have to ask you to leave, although I would very much enjoy a return visit. Or perhaps I shall be the one to visit you hhhmmm?”

Aeric stood up from his chair and bowed to the woman, this would in the end be by far their shortest visit but work was work and they did drop by unnanounced. “Well my apologies for the unscheduled visit. But you are welcome to drop by at the shop at your leisure, I always have time for a stimulating conversation.”

The gorgon chuckled and waved at them demurely, “Tata for now then, I will speak with you in the future.” Her slitted eyes focused on Lshrkr, “Don’t think I forgot about you dear, I will speak with you as well.”

Lshrkr bowed, “It will be my pleasure, see you next time Lady Po’al.”

The pair left the room and headed to the exit of the embassy, both toiling away in their own thoughts.