Realizing I could now regain my original form, I was ecstatic. However, I held off on shapeshifting right away due to the situation. Of the soldiers that were still standing most turned to me to gauge my intent while the rest went to help their comrades that had fallen or died of which it seemed most had simply dropped from mana exhaustion.
"Ho there, slime. Identify yourself!", I'm guessing the knight commander shouted to me. They didn't lower their vigilance, which I applauded because while I had helped there was no guarantee I was an ally. "I'm Auror Maitre good sir. I was recently summoned to this world and Solara Moonstream was present at the time of it." I respond respectfully. I also couldn't quite make out the specifics of the sound of the voice so played it respectful and used sir.
"I am actually able to take on a humanoid appearance now, would it be alright by you if I do so to make it easier to communicate in a way that is familiar to us both?" I asked right after. The knights look at each other then turned towards their commander, I'm sticking with this due to how their armor is a bit nicer looking and more protective seeming. They have a helmet on still, but I can feel the scrutinizing gaze being directed my way. After a moment or two they remove their helmet. Or actually she removes her helmet. Auburn hair that goes to her shoulders and piercing blue eyes. I feel like she's not fully human but am refraining from appraisal due to feeling it might be rude. That happened to be the one thing that wasn't shared as part of what is respectful to do or not.
She nods to me and says, "If that is more comfortable feel free, though at the first sign of danger I will kill you." I do a bob in understanding then move back a bit further, so I seem less likely to attack. Then shapeshift back to my original form. Except I'm now both taller and slightly more toned than I was when I was summoned. I also realize my hair is long enough to reach slightly past my shoulders and grab some to see if its color has changed. Nope, but I realize I can do so and decide to leave my hair color Auburn for now.
I then bow respectfully to the knight commander. "Once again, I am Auror Maitre. It is a pleasure to meet you." There is some shock in the Knight Commanders eyes, otherwise there's no other indication of strong emotion. Then, there's a [ker-chak] coming from the carriage in the middle of the three. Slowly stepping out is a maid, I'd almost mistake her for a butler but definitely not, first that I can infer is likely a bodyguard as well due to how she is carrying herself. After she nods towards whomever is in the carriage, a young woman comes out. Pale skin, white hair, and red eyes paired with a beautiful countenance in royal garb that makes me think of an extremely fancy business suit. I almost meet her eyes due to my upbringing on Earth, then shift my eyes to her feet. The suit is made very well and I'm unable to tell much about her figure but due to my status as the summoned being I don't have to kneel.
Using my magic sense skill, I can see that the young royal is staring at me very intently. I feel that somewhat uncomfortable feeling I've felt a few times before. So, I assume that I've been appraised again. "Lift your head sir, I wish to see your visage in full." I hear her voice, it's odd. Like a whisper on a windless night, but still sounds like it's right next to my ear. This startles me a bit, but I recover first before I raise my head and meet her gaze. There's respect in my gaze, as I realize she's hardly a flower even though she seems to be one. I held her gaze for what feels like a while but was only a few seconds. "I see you are capable of meeting my eyes and not falling into ruin. This is interesting to me." She speaks again in that strange way. There must have been something in my gaze that said I was confused. "You haven't appraised us here?" She asks.
"I have not. For that was left out of what is considered correct or rude when Solara shared that knowledge." I reply. There's a look of understanding in her eyes followed by, "I give you permission and you shall know that in our world, unless there's a sign by any gate before entering a town saying otherwise, it is allowed and almost expected." She says in explanation. I nod to her and then appraise each person there. Each of the knights is around my current level by one or two aside from the Knight Commander whose name is Amber Selva, a Half-Dragonkin with predominantly human features aside from her slit iris. She's 7 levels above me right now. The princess's maid, Syra, was Level 16 and at Mid-Step Rank as far as beings are concerned. The princess herself was level 10, a Half-Vampire and her name was Ruby Starfire.
The royal family's last name is Starfire and according to legend they've been able to wield flames as hot as a stars. Which star isn't known but it's an amazingly hot one capable of rendering stone and metal to a liquid state in seconds. I don't see any of the abilities for the Maid, or Knight Commander, and just one ability of the princess which is True Vision. It allows her to see the true form of all things without needing to appraise a person.
I look a little shocked at that and she chuckles. "I see you know I can see your true form, correct?" She says. I nod in reply and go, "Well I'm actually also in the middle of completing some quests so need to return to the capital." Her response is, "Then please ride with us I still need to talk with you." Seeing slight shock on both the maid's and Knight Commander's face I see this isn't a normal occurrence. "I accept, then Princess." I say respectfully, while bowing slightly. She just chuckles at my actions and words.
After she and Syra entered the carriage, I entered as well. Granted that was after a stern warning look from Amber, who I made a motion of acknowledgement to as well as a placating gesture. She seemed pleased with the acknowledgement but not really with the placating gesture. Once inside the carriage I sat on the seat across from Ruby and Syra after closing the door. I had realized that there were no horses pulling it when I had a chance to pay attention after waiting for Knight Commander Amber to finish the last creature.
"What would you like for saving my life Auror?" Ruby suddenly asked after a slightly drawn-out silence, during which I was receiving a sort of glare from Syra. I look at Ruby at that question, a huff from Syra draws my gaze to her as a result. Not that it seemed to improve her mood. "I'm honestly not sure," I reply, when I return my gaze to Ruby. I finish with, "I'm honestly just glad I could help, though why those creatures decided to attack this carriage group is a mystery." A glint of something flashes across her and Syra's eyes.
"Well, seeing as you helped us in a time of need even if it might not have been terribly needed, I need to reward you with something." Ruby continues, "Is there nothing I can interest you in?" I watch her curiously, trying to understand if she's aiming for something in particular. Those eyes of Her's haven't left mine the entire time and while it isn't uncomfortable it is a bit unsettling. Almost like she's not sure herself why she's so focused on me.
"I'm okay with just recognition, though if it is possible, I would appreciate being tutored or trained somewhat in magic, its uses and various types." I finally decided. This is mostly because I felt it would be rude to say there was nothing I wanted. After hearing my reply, she smiled, it makes me think of the moon peeking out of the clouds due to how small it is and how it barely shows her teeth. I notice her eye teeth are just a bit more pronounced than a humans tend to be in that brief sight, just before she covers her mouth.
"Why cover such a beautiful smile?" I ask with a bit of innocence coloring my voice and curiosity being the main part. I see a startled reaction from Syra, I have to admit having eyes again is great though I'm also really enjoying the magic sense cause I can see things like that fully. Ruby's eyes widen ever so slightly in surprise. I mentally slapped myself, because I just unintentionally flirted with the princess, yet nothing showed on my face except curiosity.
There's a pregnant pause in the conversation here. I avoid saying anything more, like sorry or lying cause that'll go over very poorly. She seems to be unsure of what to say, while Syra is openly gawking at my apparent audacity. Summoned being or not I guess very few try to flirt with a princess of the world they've been summoned to on the first day.
Then a light laugh escapes Rubys' lips and she removes her hands. There passes a predatory glint in her eyes that I notice and am unperturbed by before it disappears, and I see her smile fully. Which seems to be quite shocking to Syra, who seems to be making mental notes about the whole thing. I see her teeth in full, and with her visage of pale skin, white hair, and red eyes I'm very taken by her. I of coursed noticed those pronounced teeth but am more fascinated than anything else. Then we arrive at the gate, and the moment ends.
"I suppose I must let you off here, Solara is sure to be wanting to spend time with you for the rest of the day. Also, congratulations on your successful questing. I look forward to hearing and seeing more of you." Ruby states with a grin. I nod and reply, "Thank you for the ride. I'm looking forward to what the future holds in store." Before I open the carriage, door and exit it, though I notice the faintest glimmer of a white thread before it vanishes. 'I guess I've started something but there's no guarantee of fruition.' I think to myself.
Once I've fully exited the carriage and have bid goodbye to all in the entourage. I turn towards the gate and see Solara looking at me with a bemused expression. Though the guards are trying to figure out who I am. To let them know I do a quick shapeshift to my slime form then back to my old human form. One guard actually almost faints but his friend taps his helmet, causing a dull ring. I also pulled out my Guild Card so they can verify it's me. Then after getting back inside walking beside Solara, who decided to wrap herself a bit around my arm.
'I met some shadow-like creatures on the way back and they were attacking the princess and her entourage. Any idea what they are?' I communicate telepathically to Solara. She freezes slightly at the mention of that and says, 'They're back, the creatures of the deep dark. Simply put they're demons, though at the same time not. Best way to put it is they are invaders of worlds and come from a void of some sort. We aren't really sure on the specifics though.'