The guide looked at us with a ruffled expression. "You see, everyone's countries have at least one large battle that future generations have to handle in some way. It's solidified in the form of holidays or simply in repeated messages that're quickly engraved into people's heads and ideologies." His glances over to bis audience became increasingly sparse. "It just so happens that mine is concurrent."
"You see, it all started when the two races started sparking disputes within one another. Arbitrary problems were blown out of proportion all over minute differences between us." Slith stared at us for a second or two, breathing to prepare for the next lines he would deliver. "On our way here, you've passed by numerous beings that were of both races. Now, tell me. What's the main difference between us?"
Startled by the sudden question, we all stood partly with fear. Nobody wanted to answer since one wrong move could potentially bring our reputation down significantly.
"Really? Nobody wants to say anything. Sounds fair." Slith leaned up against a random shelf that happened to contain a few cans of what looked like food with labels written in a complex language. "Well, it's our ear shape. Did anyone notice how the Liilae have pointed ears and the Stasins much more rounded ones?" As he said this, our guide revealed his own, which classified him as the former race. "And we fought over that! just that small difference can spark fights on the streets."
A pause ensued and close to a minute passed before Slith spoke yet again. "I think we should wrap up here. It's almost dinner." Instead of dismissing us right then, our guide kept talking. "Your teacher told me to talk about all this eventually, but I didn't exactly know in what setting to give all the exposition in."
He pushed away from the shelf, stretching on the opposite wall. "I'll elaborate more tomorrow. I just thought that I would acknowledge that almost all of us aren't happy. This civil war is continuing to rage on the other side of the city, and we can't stop it."
With that, he signalled another pause to silently reflect and he began to dismiss us, leading us back through the route we had just explored, with shortcuts getting us to the hotel swiftly. Slith nodded to the guard at the front doors and we were led in.
Our guide proceeded to nonverbally greet each staff member as he lured us past the elevators and into a larger area that had been set up with an assortment of utensils and cups, napkins included as well.
Still somewhat shaken up by the day's events, I took a seat next to five more creatures that I only vaguely thought were familiar. I sighed, relieved that my legs would not be walking much longer until I woke up the next day.
"Welcome, welcome!" A female greeted from the stage that I had stared at a few times. I set down my oddly-shaped fork and started to look at the source of the voice I had heard. "Students of... Midnight Academy, was it? It's nice to see you all! I hope you have positive thoughts about the city, and I sincerely believe that you will enjoy learning about our rich history over the course of this week."