“The diverse cultures with the Land of Many Beasts provides us with an astonishing amount of anthropological material in how societies develop. For example, the wolfkin of Basti-ram share their conenction with their God of the Hunt, resulting in a heavily martial society. The Maujurrin of Mountain Storm reflect their old Gods desire to craft large monuments; a phenomenon we can stumble upon across the karsts of Kesmourn. Then there are the harpies of World’s Spear Roost, the most insular of peoples and content to simply roam the skies above. ”

- Professor Tarzula Fastclaw, Arterian Academy of Anthropology, “Class Lecture: Diversity of the Land of Many Beasts”

Fear. Anxiety. Regret. Doubt. Worry. Sophie was paralyzed and did all she could to maintain the strained smile upon her face. Aryana felt her emotions and simply squeezed her hand, a gesture Sophie took comfort in. There was something wrong with her being congratulated, even if it was honouring her struggles through song. She knew now what had ailed her so even more than before. Guilt. She was reminded of Riza, of Anna, of Prince Alvin, and all the people she had sacrificed. Worse, she felt guilty for so easily dismissing everything, so easily. I haven’t even gotten a proper chance to decompress anything. Just move on, push forward, keep going.

At least, Elaria’s musical talent and Raylani’s skills were beyond superb, and for that she could allow herself to be appreciative of the fact. She distracted herself by watching her companions instead. Sophia had sensed Sophie’s mood and split her attention between the performance and Sophie. Yana meanwhile, tried not to be impressed but watched and listened with rapt attention to Sophie’s void sister nonetheless. Alodie was perhaps the most impressed one of all, truly embodying the sense of wonder at having experienced something new and impressive.

Sophie could just about distance her thoughts from her mind as she found herself erasing everything to concentrate on the joy around her. Aryana too, appeared to enjoy the music, though the redhead appeared almost as concerned about Sophie’s wellbeing. That alone lifted Sophie’s mood and made her heart pound. I am definitely, very much in love with her. She smiled, more genuinely this time, and snuggled against Ary, the redhead gleefully moving closer in turn.

By the time the song finished, Sophie was a mess internally, but she held it together and persevered. However, judging by the looks of Elaria’s face, her sister had most certainly performed to elicit something out of her. While she itched to ask about what exactly Elaria was searching for, she let the question stew as the civilians within the greenhouse rose up in applause for the duet that was performed. Even the nobleman who had originally questioned about what was happening seemed mildly impressed.

As nobles and aristocrats congratulated the duo, she turned to find Alodie beaming at both her and Ary. Curious, she nudged Ary and the girl followed her gaze, shooting a quizzical look at Alode who gestured for the two of them. Practically bouncing up and down, the girl pulled them into a huddle.

“By the stars! I didn’t think your sibling and friend were this talented!” Alode whispered.

“Heh, it’s a surprise to us too.” Ary chuckled nervously, her eyes constantly darting back to Sophie. She’s so caring. Guess I should focus more on her instead.

"Some of the people, whew, and I mean really. I recognise a few of the faces from whenever mama and papa would have meetings with them at home. Patricians and merchants with heavy pockets, real power types too.” Alodie released an excited jumble of words.

“Oh? Does this make her special then?” Sophie interjected.

“Yes.” Alodie nodded enthusiastically, “So many in Ostia would fight just for a chance to be able to meet them, let alone impress them.”

The trio turned their attention to the other two, Elaria offering her most polite smile towards the aristocrats that had wandered over. Raylani opted to just bob her head in agreement with whatever her mistress was saying. Whilst the nobles fawned over their newest performative darlings, Sophie’s attention drifted towards her counterpart, the slightly grimer version of herself casually leaning against a corner of the greenhouse. Upon meeting her gaze, Sophia tilted her head and smirked.

Nothing escapes you, does it? Sophia asked.

I try to keep track of where everyone is. Sophie responded.

So we don’t lose everyone again? Sophia teased.

Yes. Sophie growled.

Don’t be such a spoilsport, I know you were wondering about how the others are doing. Sophia snickered mentally, after all, ‘dear sister’s’ music resonated with me as it surely does with you.

Perhaps, but that’s not your responsibility, is it? What happened falls upon my shoulders for failing. Sophie grunted, trying her best to hide her shifting mood from those around her.

Ahh but that’s where you’re wrong. Because up until the deep, our memories are as one. So unfortunately for me, I feel the guilt as keenly as you do.

Sorry. Sophie apologised and Sophia only responded with a subtle tsk.

It’s not about sorries. It’s just that I’ve done some thinking and reckon that we should scrooge up some newspapers, might have news about Gratia, no?

Sophie shot her counterpart a begrudging expression of approval. It was such a simple step yet one she herself had overlooked. Mila did mention they were in Gratia.

Exactly, Sophia smirked, people in Arteria might not care as much. But here? They’re practically on the Gratian doorstep. There’ll surely be some news about the war at least.

Huh, fair enough. Sophie agreed.

She gave her counterpart a curt nod before turning towards Ary and Alodie, finding the girls already distracted and focusing on another of the plants within the greenhouse. Heh, how adorable. She sighed, emptying her mind and staring down at a flowerpot in which a rose resided. I wonder how everyone else is doing?

When the last of the chattering ingrates had finally silenced themselves and dispersed, the party quickly fled to partake in luncheon. After a far too long meal in which both her mistress’s siblings and her mistress continued to regale tales of their adventure to the wide eyed girl. They finally moved forward to do something when the sun had already mostly set, only the tiniest vestige of light remaining on the far off horizon.

Raylani yawned, tired from a day of interacting with others, but according to the girl Alodie, they were only getting started. It preyed on one of the few concepts that she still did not understand about surfacers. For the darker it got, the more people there were out and about on the streets. Back in the twilight abyss where the main settlements were, the moment things grew dark enough that natural light might not be enough anymore, was the exact moment all dark elves learned to stay indoors. Life here is still so peculiar.

One entity that thrived with the onset of shadows however, was the twin elf Sophia. Unlike the more absent but loving care of Sophie, her mistress’s sister. Sophia seemed to now wander with a distant glee that separated her slightly from the group. It was perhaps the most noticeably bizarre aspect of the three siblings, though Raylani suspected that part of the fault might lie with the ‘master’ her mistress constantly spoke of. With how alien and powerful Elaria is, to think that there might be something she considers a proper master, an alien entity beyond comprehension… Raylani shuddered. At least with Sophia, she walks apart as many do within the twilight, yet she remains with us, as many did as well. That is, perhaps, enough.

Raylani did also find herself partially mesmerised by the strange atmosphere. Unlike the twilight abyss or even the Imperial provinces that she had travelled through. There was such unrestrained joy on display, no looming threat, war, or other such calamity that might dampen the people’s spirits. Especially if what Sophie had spoken about her tales of adventure were true, then there was no doubt some sinister powers were at play, ready to threaten the peace of the realm. And yet she believes no one will believe her, what a bizarre thought. At least warn the people. But then again… to think she personally met and spoke to the mother of darkness herself… I can scarcely fathom that.

She emptied herself of all thoughts and turned back to her primary task; to protect and please her mistress. The very same one who was currently beckoning her over to a food stall. Raylani obediently obeyed and traipsed over, her appearance causing quite a stir amongst those that noticed her. Though she was thankful at least, that the few words she caught mostly conflated her with wearing a bizarre but very nice costume for ‘Saints Day’, getting a few unwarranted compliments to boot. Putting on her best polite smile, she brushed past the humans and arrived by her mistress’s side, receiving a very common question that she had already anticipated.

“I’m here to try some of the food. Anything you want to get?” Elaria asked, showing a gentle side of her that Raylani greatly enjoyed.

“Whatever you want, I’ll get, mistress.” Raylani replied without missing a beat.

Elaria lightly bopped her on the head as she usually did when these situations occurred and placed an order for two grilled chicken skewers. Raylani nodded approvingly and Elaria just rolled her eyes.

“We’re here to explore a bit. Try new things. You should eat new things too.” Elaria tsked.

Raylani cocked her head sideways quizzically, “But everything we try is pretty new to me. I suppose, if you're nitpicking, then these chicken skewers are things we’ve had before. So in this case it would not count, mistress.”

“Damned if I do, damned if I don't.” Elaria sighed before giving Raylani a firm pat on the back, “But I guess this is alright too.”

Pleased that her mistress seemed pleased, Raylani smiled warmly. Her nose wrinkled slightly as the smell of food teased her senses. Life up here seemed to be in equal parts more dull, yet also more exciting than life in the twilight abyss. Down there, she could always feel her blood pumping, her muscles raring to beat her opponent down within the arena. The adrenaline as it coursed through her and the adoring gazes of the guests that her former mistress often brought over.

On the flip side, though she had gotten into her fair share of scrapes with Elaria. There was little need to truly risk their lives, especially once she had ascertained her current mistress’s powers. A monster of a being, and that’s putting it mildly. Wielding powers Raylani hadn’t seen before, her mistress could shatter spells with but a wave, collapsing intricate arcane magic effortlessly. Unfortunately, that also meant true exhilarating threats were few and far between. Raylani felt irritation at her sword arm’s lack of use, even if she did find dancing in accompaniment with her mistress’s music a relatively fulfilling task.

“Something on your mind?” Sophia’s voice crept up on her, the elf slipping through the crowd to end up beside her.

Raylani arched an eyebrow in mock confusion before sighing with a degree of irritation, “I suspect you already have something to say even if I say no.”

Sophia sheepishly smiled and held up her hands in surrender, “Caught out, first try.”

Raylani snorted but gestured for Sophia to continue.

“You’re also feeling it, aren’t you?” Sophia dropped to a whisper.

“What do you mean?”

“Look around you, everyone is so carefree and happy. But you, you and I, we feel it, don’t we? That there’s something just beyond the horizon, something…”

“Foul?” Raylani suggested.

“Yes.” Sophia nodded smugly, “Something foul lingers just beyond these lands. That’s why you look so moody, isn’t it? You also itch to fight it.”

Raylani frowned and snickered a little. But she shook her head, if only slightly.

“What? I got something wrong?” Sophia asked, her brows furrowed.

“You’re only partially right, actually. I do miss the arena fights, if only to feel something greater. The threat on the horizon, whatever it is, I’ll handle it as my mistress decides.”

“Tch. Lame.”

“Who’s lame?” Elaria quipped.

Her unexpected arrival made both Sophia and Raylani jump. Raylani nearly made a noise but kept her mouth shut, determined to remain more composed than the half elf who let out a tiny squeak. Elaria was the most satisfied of the three, a grin of superiority and amusement barely creasing the edge of cheek. With relative ease, she thrust a chicken skewer to both of them before happily munching on her own skewer. Before Raylani or Sophia could raise the question, Elaria simply chuckled before giving Raylani a pinch to the cheek.

“Saw you two brooding, figured I’d give you time. Took you long enough though. Even got a chicken for you.” She nodded at Sophia.

“Thanks.” The girl hastily bowed.

At this Elaria snorted, and Raylani turned a quizzical eye at her mistress, who only smiled in return.

“Hah. She’s very much like Sophie. They both tend to bow a lot.”

Hearing this, Sophia visibly stiffened and Raylani almost smirked at her discomfort.

“I suppose that’s what happens when I’m a clone. Can’t scratch out all the similarities.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say you’re a full clone, considering the… divine touches on Sophie’s perfect form. But close enough.”

Sophia scowled threateningly at Elaria and Raylani braced herself, her posture readying for a fight. Only for her mistress to raise a hand out to stop her. Mistress?

“Perfection or not, I suspect you aren’t here just to make small talk.” Sophia stated.

“Not entirely, I am here for a little bit of both. But if you insist, then I’ll speak my mind.”

“Go ahead.” Sophia narrowed her eyes.

“Were you, perchance, calling my dear little Raylani lame?” Elaria cooed unconvincingly.

Both Raylani and Sophia choked on their reactions and for the briefest moment, the two shared a moment of camaraderie. Dear little Raylani does not sound right.

“Err… maybe?”

"And why, might you be doing that?” Elaria raised an eyebrow.

“We were talking about my desire for arena combat, mistress.” Raylani joined in, her help earning her a look of peeved appreciation from the increasingly worried half elf.

“Ohh?”

"Yes, mistress. Sophia was speaking about a perceived threat on the horizon. We were merely discussing my… disinterest in pushing against such a threat…without… further reason.” Rayalni considered her words carefully.

"You feel it too, don’t you?” Sophia asked Elaria.

Elaria’s eyes perked up slightly but made no move to respond, simply waiting for the other two to continue. Raylani was bemused by the whole situation, though more enchanted by how irked Sophia seemed in the face of Elaria. A warrior baffled by such trivialities.

“Mmm. Maybe, maybe not. But if Sophie isn’t inclined to worry about it, it really isn’t my problem.” Elaria stroked her chin.

“Tch, the both of you.” Sophia sighed, “But I suppose I understand. She’s here to relax.”

“And she could use it. How could I possibly let my darling little sister work harder than she needs too?”

The two of them shared a small snicker and Raylani felt a pang of jealousy. She grit her teeth and ignored it, taking a bite from her skewer. Her mind wandered as the other two tried to ease the tension some more by talking about Sophie. Her thoughts began shifting towards the girl in question. Though the half elf was identical to Sophia. Raylani could see that the mere mention of her alone brought something of a nostalgic shine to her mistress’s eyes, a sight that she had seen precious little of in the time they’ve spent together.

A part of her understood the likely feelings. For beings as powerful as her mistress and admittedly rather mortal looking sibling, family was perhaps the only thing they’d be able to seek comfort in. For she herself could barely remember her own parents, not even names or words that she’d shared with them. Sold off and shipped into House Nelass since then. Hah, I wonder if any of us servants even have any knowledge of our kin. Perhaps Aur, since he was brought in later. She let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world suddenly on her shoulders. I wonder how long I was there for? Years? Decades? Centuries? Her eyes danced across her companions and the vibrant city around her. We only knew when to kill, to eat, to sleep, and when to work. Who knows how long we were in that cycle for? Maybe only the great mistress of shadows would know.

A soft grin crept up on her face as she watched Sophia and her mistress debate the merits of Sophie’s fighting style. Still, I suppose there is a liberating feeling to having so much more to do. But… her grin grew wider, while I don’t envy the people of having to make every choice for themselves. I suppose I do like being here.