Alyse walks swiftly along the street, gripping the hilt of one of her swords so tight that her knuckles are white.
'Oh my gods, that was mortifying!'
She can't believe that she was about to walk into a duel and forgot that she'd entrusted her swords to Alto along with a number of her belongings from Wellick!
Her lips twist into a frown.
'And what was that shit about Alto never going on a date with anyone!? Except Mizuki, apparently! What the hell does she mean their relationship is platonic!?'
The more she remembers Alto's incredibly confusing comments, the more annoyed she gets. After what she's seen since meeting them, she thinks there's no way that Alto's feelings for Mizuki are strictly those of a friend.
Her expression turns bitter.
'It's not like I care...they're allowed to have feelings for one another. It's just...what the hell, you know!? Don't lie about it to me!'
She can imagine a scenario where Alto truly believes that she doesn't have romantic feelings for Mizuki. She's been around Alto long enough to realize that she is kind of...odd, when it comes to interpersonal dynamics. But what about Mizuki himself? At the very least, he seems much more attuned to the thoughts and emotions of the people around him – she thinks there's no way he's clueless about Alto's feelings.
Alyse scowls.
'So...what? He clearly encouraged me to pursue her, because...why? Is he just a sadistic asshole?'
If Mizuki were around to hear her thoughts, he'd be blushing guiltily. Not because he thinks Alto has romantic feelings for him, of course, but because he didn't expect anything to come of it when he encouraged Alyse to pursue Alto. He thinks Alyse isn't made of enough paper and leather binding to interest Alto. He only did it because he thought it'd be amusing, and he saw no harm in aiding Alyse in what she clearly wanted.
Nevertheless, Alyse is ignorant to all of this, and it's hard to say how she'd react if she knew.
As she walks along, fuming more and more, she suddenly stops and glances around.
'Oh...'
She actually doesn't remember where the Park is, she just started walking in the direction that Zara had started walking.
Remembering the others, she turns around, searching for them. To her dismay, Zara and Alara are already out of sight. However, she sees Alto walking towards her leisurely some distance away, the crowd parting around her respectfully as some of them cast starstruck glances. Seeing Alto again, a fresh wave of heat makes its way to Alyse's cheeks.
She waits awkwardly for Alto to catch up to her position, then she immediately steers the conversation away from anything she'll be mortified by.
"Where are Alara and Zara?" (Alyse)
Alto gives a small smile, and rubs her bottom lip thoughtfully as if she's considering how to respond. The sight causes a cold sweat to form on Alyse's neck as her eyes struggle to not follow the trace of Alto's finger on her lips.
"They are...having an important conversation, I suspect. Let's continue to the Park – I'm sure they'll meet us there soon." (Alto)
Without waiting for a response, Alto walks past her, presumably heading towards the Park. After a moment of stunned silence, she follows and falls into step beside Alto. Eventually...
She can't help herself.
"So, uhm...Alto, what you said about Mizuki...your feelings for him being platonic. Are you...sure, about that?" (Alyse)
Alto, seemingly shaken from deep thought, turns towards Alyse with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" (Alto)
Alyse purses her lips.
"Well, you did say you'd agree to a romantically inclined date with him if he asked. How can both of those things be true?" (Alyse)
Alto's expression becomes puzzled.
"I fail to see the conflict in reasoning. I am perfectly content in my relationship with Mizuki...I have no desire to further our physical intimacy. But my feelings on such matters are only neutral, and I cherish our bond. So, if he felt differently, I trust him enough to explore how I'd feel about such an alteration to our dynamic." (Alto)
Alyse blinks repeatedly.
'I...can't decide if that's sweet, shockingly naive, concerning, or some mix of those.'
She tries to keep the skepticism out of her voice.
"I...see. And if you found that it was a change that you didn't like...what then?" (Alyse)
Alto shrugs nonchalantly.
"Then I tell him so, and our friendship becomes platonic again." (Alto)
Alyse stares at Alto in stunned silence, waiting for any indication that she's joking. However, no such sign comes, and Alyse can only smile wryly.
'Naive it is then...'
She sighs internally.
She sometimes forgets that Alto is only a fiftieth of her age. Now that Alyse thinks about it, how many romances has Alto even had? She's fairly young, even for a regular elf, and she doesn't exactly seem interested in dating anyone.
Alyse gives Alto a curious look.
"Not that it's any of my business, but...how much romantic experience do you have? Because my own tells me that what you're describing isn't likely to happen. Crossing that line with someone, even if you were friends before...it has a way of changing things irrevocably. I don't think you can go back to the way things were afterwards, and more often than not, it's the end of the friendship if a romantic transition fails." (Alyse)
She can't avoid a bit of bitterness slipping into her voice towards the end. She's had her fair share of such situations - female friends who, for whatever reason, decide that they may also enjoy the company of another woman, only to change their mind later. She's lost several women from her social circle that way...
A small, knowing smirk finds its way onto Alto's face, and her voice is full of clarity as she responds.
"My parents arranged for several young men to court me when I was younger, and I've been on more dates than I can count. Alas, they were all insufferable...I can't truly claim to have any romantic experience. However, I'm not naive, as you seem to think. In the hypothetical we've discussed about Mizuki, I'd expect our relationship to be altered permanently after a romantic venture. Change is the nature of growing one's relationships, platonic or otherwise.
"That said...I don't think change would necessarily be bad. Perhaps your experience tells you otherwise, but Mizuki is different. He'd never resent me for changing my mind or being honest with him about what I want, nor would he make such a romantic advance without considering the potential consequences. I know him...I trust him...and in such a situation, I'm certain that he'd remain my closest friend, and I wouldn't personally regret having tried it." (Alto)
Alyse's eyes widen in shock, both at the bold refutation and at the confidence dripping from Alto's voice. Nevertheless, she's far from convinced.
'She's placing an awful lot of confidence in Mizuki's maturity level, even if he is an ageless Nephilim. I wouldn't have that much confidence in any man I know taking such a rejection in stride...not even my brother. Even I've never been so accommodating following the kind of rejection she's describing.'
Her lips twist into a bitter smile, subconsciously envying how much of Alto's trust Mizuki seems to have. However, Alto's voice soon interrupts her thoughts.
"You've been asking quite a lot of questions about my romantic interest in Mizuki lately..." (Alto)
Alyse feels her heart skip a beat, and she turns her head slowly to find that Alto is studying her curiously. She tries to suppress any nervousness in her voice.
"Oh...have I? Sorry, uhm...I hadn't noticed..." (Alyse)
Alto continues to study her thoughtfully for a few moments, then a light smirk comes to her face.
"It's fine...I understand why." (Alto)
Alyse breaks out in a cold sweat, and she squeaks out a nervous laugh.
"Hahaha...oh...yeah?" (Alyse)
Alto nods.
"Yes...there was no need for you to be so subtle about your interest." (Alto)
Alyse feels like a bolt of lightning has just run through her, and she halts mid-step.
'Fuck...FUCK! Oh gods, I was wrong, I was so wrong. She's not clueless at all!'
She stares at Alto's calm, pleasant smile, fighting the urge to fidget with her hands for several moments. Then, something dawns on her, and she feels a wave of indignation.
'What the hell am I acting like a caught thief for!? I didn't do anything wrong! This is good news! I thought my chances were screwed after her comments earlier. But she knows I was feeling things out, and she's not reacting poorly...I'm golden here!'
A smile slowly spreads across Alyse's face, and some of her natural confidence finds its way back. She lets a hint of flirtation infiltrate her voice as she studies Alto.
"Well, you caught me...I had no idea that you'd be open to it, though. We don't know each other that well, after all." (Alyse)
Alto nods reassuringly.
"I am...I don't see any problem with it in principle. Though, I'll want to talk with you more first, before I commit to anything. And your success will depend on your own efforts – I can't make any promises." (Alto)
Alyse feels a rush of giddiness at the apparent challenge.
'Fufufu...my efforts are excellent...'
She looks out at the city around her thoughtfully, mulling over how best to proceed. It's at this time that she notices they've arrived back at the Park, and she sees Eden's massive lake. An idea occurs to her...
Her smile becomes even cockier as she looks back at Alto.
"I'm up for the challenge. Since I live here now, tell me the next time you're not too busy – I'll prepare some food for a picnic by that lake, just the two of us. We can talk more then...get to know each other better." (Alyse)
Alto raises her eyebrows, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Very well. You should know, though, that I can't be bribed with food. You'd have better luck with Nina using that approach." (Alto)
Alyse feels briefly confused.
'Nina? When have I shown any interest in Nina? Ah...who cares...'
Alyse quickly decides that it's not worth worrying about, and raises her hands innocently, enjoying the unexpectedly playful turn in their conversation.
"I wouldn't dream of it...I'll win you over with my conversation skills." (Alyse)
Alto nods approvingly. Before she can say more, though, they're interrupted by a calm, commanding voice.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting...I had something important to discuss with Alara. Are you still interested in a friendly spar?" (Zara)
She and Alto turn in surprise towards the voice, spotting Zara and Alara behind them. Both appear to be in better spirits than before, especially Alara. Alyse quickly remembers why she's near the Park in the first place.
'Oh, everything's turning up my way today. A date with Alto, some information about Mizuki's power to grant magical abilities, and now a sword fight with a wolf-kin!'
Her grin grows more fiendish, and she nods eagerly at Zara.
"I'm very interested..." (Alyse)
Zara cocks her head to the side, a slightly crazed smile finding its way onto her face.
"I hoped so...follow me." (Zara)
Zara promptly hands her pack to a surprised Alara, then walks towards the Park without another word. After a moment, Alyse takes off after her, gripping her swords excitedly at the thought of finally having another worthwhile fight...it's been entirely too long, in her opinion.
Thus, her thoughts move on from her recent, surprising conversation with Alto, completely unaware of the colossal misunderstanding that's just occurred.