"Yeah, you are right, it really is. That's why I left it all to be free," Naya expressed, a sense of liberation in her voice.
"Well, we really wandered off too far. I forgot to listen to the thing you were actually worried about," Rie pointed out.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot that too," Naya admitted, realizing they had spent hours on unrelated topics.
"So, that's how it goes," she continued, finally delving into the actual concerns she wanted to discuss.
"You're such a dumbfuck! Why are you even stressing over something like that? Seriously, you've been idiot since birth!" Rie teased, bursting into laughter.
Naya, feeling embarrassed, playfully pinched Rie's cheek as they both shared a hearty laugh.
"Consider the other person's feelings when you speak! Good thing I'm your friend," Rie said, pulling Naya's cheeks, eliciting a slight yelp.
"O-okay, I'll stop. Never tease me again," Naya apologized, rubbing her cheek.
"See? Well deserved," Naya chuckled.
"Don't worry about things like that; it's normal, you know. And about that boy's demeanor, his soul doesn't resonate with itself. Should we talk to godmother about it?" Rie suggested.
"No way! Not that woman. I don't want her doing who knows what to that poor boy just to confirm my baseless suspicions. Besides, he's Alaya's soul," Naya explained, dismissing the idea.
"And those changes in the boy started when I visited. I first noticed it when I saw Alaya," Naya continued.
"Do you want my help keeping an eye on him?" Rie offered.
"Nah, I can handle it on my own. Besides, there's no concrete evidence to support my claims. I don't want to burden you with something uncertain, especially considering your workload," Naya said, understanding Rie's responsibilities.
"Don't worry about it. I can manage. Just call on me if you ever need help, as always," Rie reassured.
"It's fine. Focus on your work. We can catch up whenever you have time," Naya said.
"If you ever need me, just call, and I'll be there," Rie promised.
"I know. Don't worry about it," Naya said, appreciating her friend's support.
"Well, don't worry about things like that. It's normal, you know. Don't think you are useless," Rie comforted.
"And about that face, the soul of that boy isn't resonating with himself. Do you want to talk to godmother about that?" she suggested.
"No! Never! Not that woman. I don't know what she would do to that poor boy just to confirm my baseless suspicion. Also, the boy is Alaya's soul," Naya firmly objected, putting an end to that terrible idea.
"And, the boy was not like that before; these changes only happened when I was here to visit this place and when I got to see Alaya. That's when I first noticed that," Naya explained.
"So do you want my help to keep an eye on him?" Rie offered.
"Nope, not really. I can manage that on my own, and also there's not really evidence to support my claims. So I shouldn't really bother since you must be pretty busy yourself," Naya said.
She acknowledged Rie's position and the heavy workload she had to bear on her shoulders. Putting a responsibility like this on her, which didn't even have solid proof backing it, would be a waste of time and unnecessary burden.
"Aaa, don't worry about that; I can manage it. Just if you need my help, I will be there as I always have," Rie reassured her.
"Nah, it's fine; don't worry. I can handle that myself. Just focus on your work and come to meet me sometimes; that would be great actually," Naya said.
"If that's what you think, if you need me, then just call upon me, and I shall be beside you," Rie said.
"I know, and don't worry about that," Naya said, reassuring her.
As they continued their chatter, another fairy appeared – a male wearing knight armor.
"Godmother has been asking for your presence, Elder Sabrina," he said, bowing down with his hand on his chest.
"Just about the time," Rie sighed.
"Well, you gotta perform your duty or that cranky old hag will scream at the top of her lungs," Naya said, cracking up.
Despite Naya's exaggerated description, the Godmother wasn't really like that. However, she did get assertive when someone slacked off from work, occasionally showering them with lengthy, strongly worded scolding.
"Well, do you really not want to visit your hometown? It's been quite a while," Rie asked, getting up from the and flying toward the guard as she looked back at Naya.
"Well, I suggest you should; that crazy woman might be missing you. She doesn't show emotions doesn't mean she has none," Rie said, giving her a hint.
"I know, I have spent a quarter of my life working in the council, and I know well what kind of being she is," Naya said.
"Well, I can't force it looks like your choice reigns supreme after all, but visit once; everyone would like to meet you," she said.
After Naya left her position as an elder, she never really visited Misty Fae, not even once. It was not because she hated this place, but because she was busy looking over Alaya again.
"Well, I will visit you guys again, but I got work back at home, so I gotta go since that kid needs me," Naya said.
"Okay, but I gotta go or that crazy hag will eat me raw, and I swear I have been slacking a lot these days, so I am literally looking in the eyes of death and standing proudly in front of it," Rie said, waving her hands and leaving the place with her guard.
Naya waved back at her, smiling as she left. She felt happy talking to her old friend in years. They had shared a lot of things with each other. They were happy to be in each other's company, even though it was for a short while.
"Well, I gotta go home; Alaya must be waiting for me," she said, as she opened up a small teleportation portal in front of her.
"Let's go," she said, stepping a foot into the portal, and instantly, she was inside Alaya's room.
Upon her return, the change in temperature and environment indicated she had come back from the Misty Fae. It was now a barren snow wasteland with a negative temperature and no sign of biodiversity. As she arrived, it was already midnight, and the mansion was quiet and still, blanketed in snowfall. Alaya was already asleep, and there was no activity within the mansion.
-----
"Elder, who was the lady?" The guard asked, hesitantly with a suppressed tone.
Rie looked at him, one brow arched in disbelief that he didn't know about the former and one of the strongest elders of the Misty Fae.
"You seriously don't know?" Rie asked, confirming her disbelief.
"No, mam," the guard lowered his neck.
"Well, she is Naya," Rie told him.
"Naya! The former elder. One of the Greats?" The guard exclaimed, his voice cracking in disbelief.
It wasn't her status that made everyone exclaim, but it was her presence. Her mere presence would make any fairy bow, as she was a legendary figure among them because of her deeds and not because of her status.
"Couldn't believe your eyes, right? That's obvious, but you can think about it later. Let me get back to Godmother quickly or she will chew me alive," Rie said, increasing her speed.
*****
Status: Unedited
Fuck yeah! 7 ch/week