Princess of the Forest
Laranoa: Hey, Elisanne—can you tell me what a "prime minister" is? It came up in that history book you let me borrow. Is it like a chief?
Elisanne: Of sorts. A prime minister aids a ruler in government affairs.
Laranoa: Gotcha... Thanks! And sorry I keep having to ask you about this stuff.
Elisanne: Not at all; you have already made great strides in your studies, and I am happy to be of help.
Laranoa: It's funny; I've never been one for hittin' the books, but I can't get enough of 'em now! Human stuff is just so fascinating. Like that romance novel you gave me— I haven't finished it yet, but I am HOOKED. Will they? WON'T THEY?!
Elisanne: Ha ha, yes, that one is a favorite of mine. Let's have a long discussion when you have seen their tale through.
Cleo: Thank you for helping with the groceries, Laranoa.
Laranoa: Of course! Thanks for bringin' me along. Shopping's a big part of human culture, after all. Oh! What's that shop selling? I've never seen anything like it.
Cleo: It seems a uniquely human tool. Shall we take a closer look?
Laranoa: O-oh, it's okay, I know you have things to do...
Cleo: My schedule can cope with some slight delays, especially if they are in service to your studies.
Laranoa: Awww, thanks Auntie Cleo!
Cleo: P-pardon?!
Laranoa: The food here is UH-MAZING! I see why you recommended it.
Ranzal: The grub's tasty all right—but it's the gossip that keeps me comin' back. Mercs love this place.
Mercenary 1: Word is the empire's planning to put up a new checkpoint on the southern highway.
Mercenary 2: I know of at least one noble up north who won't take too kindly to that... Things could get dicey.
Ranzal: See what I mean? Keep yer ears open round here, and the good stuff practically falls into 'em. Bwa ha ha! I know a few folks in particular who make it their business to know everyone else's—want me to introduce ya?
Laranoa: Heck yeah! I gotta see what kinda lowlifes you hang out with on your own time.
Ranzal: Hey now, we're just a few pals what trade stories now'n then, yeah? Nothin' shady about it!
Laranoa: Nya ha ha, whatever you say!
Euden: Haaaah!
Luca: Try some of this—hyah!
Laranoa: Dang, that was one heckuva combo! But you can't beat our teamwork that easily—Rolf!
Rolf: Woof!
Luca: Wha—when'd he get behind me?! Aaah!
Euden: Luca! Are you all right?
Laranoa: One Luca down, one Euden to go!
Euden: Aaah! All right, we yield!
Laranoa: Nya ha ha, nice try boys! Now let's go again.
Luca: AGAIN?! That's ten already! It's time for a break.
Laranoa: I don't have time for breaks! Everyone here has such unique fighting styles, and I wanna be able to share them with the people back home. Besides, aren't you the one who said you'd help however you can? So less bellyaching, and more arrow nocking! Let's—*RUMBLE GRUMBLE* ...Heh heh. Looks like I'M the one with the bellyache. What do you say we break for some food?
Luca: Now you're talkin'.
Laranoa: Ohmigosh, how is everything Cleo makes so GOOD? This sandwich is like a smile on bread. Hey, you wanna trade one'a your egg sandwiches for a veggie one?
Luca: Pfft, right, as if.
Laranoa: Hmph. Luca's the worst, isn't he Rolf?
Rolf: Woof!
Euden: So how are the rest of your studies going, Laranoa? You've definitely taken quickly to our combat techniques.
Laranoa: Really really well, actually. Everyone's been super great about helping me, and it feels like every day is full of new discoveries. So I'm gonna keep learning and learning, and when I'm done my village is gonna be TOTALLY souped up!
Rolf: Woof woof!
Euden: Ha ha, I think we all share Rolf's excitement.
Laranoa: Yeah... It's gonna be pretty great.
Luca: Go on, we're listening.
Laranoa: Heh. Well, I realized recently what I like about this place so much. There are all sorts of people here, but they all manage to coexist—happily, even. So, one day, I want my village to have a castle like this too.
Luca: Hold up—you're not gonna go razin' the forest, are you?!
Laranoa: Don't be stupid, Luca—how're we supposed to be a forest village with no forest?! No—I wanna build a tree castle! I'll build it on the mother tree—the huge sucker that towers next to our village. It'll be a place where anyone and everyone can live and be happy, together.
Luca: Wow, that's a jumbo dream! You plannin' on bein' the princess of that castle, then?
Laranoa: Hmm... Now that you mention it... Nya ha ha!
Luca: Princess Laranoa... Ha ha ha! Man, I can't picture that AT ALL.
Laranoa: You still hungry Rolf? Take a few bites of Luca.
Rolf: WOOF!
Luca: I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Euden: A castle like that is a wonderful idea—but it won't be easy.
Laranoa: Yeah. I'm not sure how everyone back home would feel about it; most of 'em have never even met a human, let alone shared a village with one. But I still wanna make it happen. So I've got a favor to ask, Luca. Will you come and work with me? You may be a goofball, but you really care about the future of sylvan society. I could really use your energy, and your heart. What do you say?
Luca: Look, Laranoa... I want to help you. Really, I do. But I gotta stick with Euden. That said...
Laranoa: Huh...?
Luca: If you're ever in a pinch, just call me up and I'll be there in a flash! I may not be able to commit to helping you full-time, but I still wanna pitch in where I can.
Laranoa: I appreciate that, Luca. But I still need SOME talented lackey by my side... Oh! What if I convince Euden instead? Does that mean you come included, Luca?
Euden: Sorry Laranoa, but I've got my own castle to run.
Luca: Even if he didn't, the dude's a PRINCE!
Laranoa: Hmmm, I guess it WOULD be kinda rude to make a prince a lackey. Unless... Nya ha ha!
Luca: Oh jeez, what sorta scheme are you hatchin' now?
Laranoa: I just thought of the perfect solution— get Euden to marry me!
Euden: Excuse me?
Laranoa: The prince of the Halidom and the princess of the forest—we could make the whole WORLD happy!
Luca: Do you even know what you're saying?!
Euden: I... Well... Um...
Laranoa: Nya ha ha! You two are hilarious! I'm only joking, ya dopes! ...For now, anyway. Heh heh! All right, break time's over. Back to the grind, boys! I'm counting on you two!
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