Everything seemed to be going okay, nothing seemed to be out of place, and everyone else was relaxed. However, Elmo couldn't help but feel that something was going to go wrong. That's how it always worked.
As Murphy's Law described: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Elmo didn't really believe in jinxes and things like that, but he didn't want to say anything because he wasn't sure if the others in his group would take kindly to it. No matter how well justified he felt it was.
When they went to where Lord Guy's family had their residence in the city, it didn't take long for them to be ushered in. All they had to do was mention that Lady Elin had been invited and they were brought to what Elmo could only call a waiting area. Not that there were provided any refreshments, but he wasn't worried about that. He was merely taking note of anything that came to his mind.
They didn't have to wait long before Lord Guy showed up. He seemed ecstatic that Elin had taken up him on his offer, though Elmo suspected that he didn't have much else to offer and threw his offer out to just have an offer out there.
They were quickly then ushered to different locations where they were fitted for whatever outfit they'd be wearing for the party. Kim was allowed to stay with Elin, which Elmo really wasn't surprised about.
The process didn't feel like it took very long, but when they were done Elmo was shocked to see that it had taken at least four hours. However, the results were surprising for Elmo. He was provided a black and grey outfit that fit him better than anything else he'd ever owned. Not only that, but he was far more comfortable with it than he would have expected.
Jonas was provided with a simple light green tunic and a darker green leggings. Elmo couldn't be sure, but Jonas didn't seem to have a problem with it, although, Elmo suspected that they could have offered him a set of rags and he'd have been willing to try to pull it off.
While they'd been dealing with getting a clothing change, Elmo hadn't spared a single thought to Elin. Even though he didn't expect her to run into any real trouble, he felt chagrined to not have wondered how she was faring. Especially since he knew she'd often gotten in over her head when it came to practically anything she hadn't experience with.
Yet, when they came out from where they had been changing, they found Elin and Kim enjoying a small lunch while talking with Elin's new friend. Whether or not she'd chosen a dress, she wasn't wearing it at the moment. She and Kim were wearing what they'd come in. Although, Kim's armor had been polished so it really shone, and it was clear she had a black outfit on under it, not that much of it could be seen.
"…why we can't be found to have been arrested again," Guy was saying.
"Then why do you and your friends still do that?" Elin asked, sounding like a different person from what Elmo had experienced with Elin.
Not only were her words precise, her tone itself also had a cultured feel that he hadn't expected to hear from Elin. At all.
"It's hard to explain," Guy answered. "Maybe its just that there's really nothing for us to do. Anything we could possibly try we've been forbidden from doing it for one reason or another." Guy suddenly started changing his voice, clearly trying to imitate something or someone. "'It's too dangerous.' 'You're above that.' 'That's not for someone of your station to engage in.' 'Are you trying to ruin our name?'"
Elin nodded. "What have you and your friends tried?" Elin asked.
"You shouldn't concern yourself with such matters, Lady Elin," Guy replied. "It's not something for a lady's ears."
Kim chuckled and Elin scowled at Kim. "Kim!" she hissed. "Not now!"
"What? Is something wrong?" Guy asked, looking confused.
Elin waved her hand as if to dispel the topic. "Nothing important," Elin said. "It's just that we've had to encounter battle since I've been travelling with my friends here since I cam to this world."
Guy sighed. "Well, if you must know then, we tried being a force to try and clean up the streets, from those who would harm others, but we were told that's not something someone of our station should be doing," Guy said, his explanation catching Elmo off guard. Last he had thought, Guy wasn't going to say anything about what he and his friends were doing, so this abrupt change was confusing to Elmo.
"Next we tried starting an adventuring party. We were told that it was too dangerous and we should be thinking more of what would help our families out most. Not that they gave any suggestions about how to do that," Guy said. "After that, we tried to do some charity work, but we were stopped by being told we were above needing to offer our services like that."
"Why would that be seen as a bad thing?" Elin asked, her concern striking Elmo like a bolt of lightning as it sounded like she was far more emotionally invested than he was sure she could be.
The more he heard, the more he was pretty sure this was her public face as part of the nobility of the country she came from. Which made him feel like there had been a gulf between them that he hadn't ever been aware of before until now.
"We're not sure either. Our parents had often drilled into us while we were children about how we needed to care for those less fortunate than us, but when we tried doing something that would help, we get told that it wasn't something we should be doing."
"So, what was it that got you and your friends arrested in the first place?" Elin asked. "None of that could have been something that would get you arrested, could it?"
Guy sighed. "It wasn't. When we ran out of ideas, we then started drinking," Guy answered, looking out of the window. "Then we kept drinking, and drinking."
"Uh… is drinking a lot illegal here?" Elin hesitated, and Elmo felt like he might have been missing something as well.
Guy gave a short laugh. "Oh, no. That wasn't what got us arrested. Though, to be honest, I really don't remember myself. I, uh… I kinda don't remember anything after we drank so much."
"Have you and your friends tried joining the military academy?" Elin asked.
Guy chuckled. "It's like you have the same mindset we do," Guy said. "When we approached our parents about it, we were told that our families were well off enough that we didn't need to have a presence in the military. Though, at least in my case, I got the feeling that they were more concerned about me not doing well than anything else."
"What if you spoke to the king about maybe forming a police force that would be more interested in assassins, traitors, and people in this country selling weapons to enemies of your country?" Elin asked, clearly getting excited herself about this idea. "If you have the king's backing, then your parents might not be able to stop you and your friends."
"Maybe," Guy said, looking rather startled at the suggestion. "Uh, but wouldn't the city watch take care of things like that?"
"The city watch has to take care of whichever city they're in. Most assassins, for example, don't get hired in the same city as their target. So, if the city watch of this city gets word that someone was hired to kill you, they wouldn't be able to act on it as easily as if they could just go where they believe the one who was hired to kill you," Elin answered, looking like she was getting more and more excited by the moment.
"Uh, Elin?" Elmo interjected, startling Elin and Gy, but mostly Elin. "I think they probably already have something to deal with that. I cant say for sure, but I'm sure they have some policy or rule or something that would allow them to deal with scenarios like that."
Guy nodded. "It's true. I appreciate the suggestion, but I'm sure we'll be able to get something eventually," he said gently.
Elin sighed, looking rather dejected that her idea was shot down so easily. Yet, it was clear she wasn't one to stay down as her expression rebounded almost a full minute after, her eyes showing she had another idea.
"What about a dueling club or fighting club?" she asked.
"What's that?" Guy asked, looking a little confused.
"Like Fight Club?" Jonas joked.
"What's 'fight club?'" Guy asked.
"First rule of fight club is you don't talk about fight club," Kim quipped.
"You've seen it, huh?" Jonas asked cheerfully.
"Never mind," Kim said, looking more annoyed than anything else.
"I don't know what 'fight club' is, but what I mean is you and your friends train with your weapons. Naturally, you'll have rules set up so you reduce the chances of killing each other as much as possible," Elin explained. "You'll also have rules about how someone can join, as well as when training can be done."
Guy looked like he was deep in thought for a few minutes after Elin finished talking. "You know, that might actually be a good suggestion," he said, nodding.
"I'm glad I could help," Elin replied, smiling.
"You know, it might be a good idea to start getting ready for the party," Guy said, glancing outside the window. "Your dress should have gotten the needed alterations finished. Though, if my family wants you to pay for the clothing, here's some money to help with it. If it isn't enough, let me know at the party and I'll do what I can to get more, but they should let you go if you promise to pay the rest in that case." Guy handed Elin a bag that looked like it had a good amount of coins inside.
"Thank you," Elin said, taking the bag from Guy. "We're grateful for what you've been willing to do for us,"
Guy smiled back and bowed his head slightly. "It's been my pleasure. For someone as beautiful as you, I'd be more than happy to do it again if needed."