Alice frowned and nudged Burc, who was resting in a pouch on her waist. The two were inside of a building, but outside of it, there was a group of n ard with muskets blocking the entrance. None of them were pointing their weapons at her, but it was still an intimidating sight for a normal person. Too bad for them, Alice was far from normal, though shed disagree if soone told her that. Burc, what are they saying?
Burc listened for a bit before nodding. One of them just asked if you were a witch, and another one said you must be because only witches can talk to cats.
Im not a witch, Alice said and placed her hands on her hips. She glared at the n. Im a guardian.
Burc blinked twice as the leader of the n said sothing. He asked if you were a lost child.
Child? Im a full-grown woman! I might not have grown much, but Im all done with that!
Why are you telling that to ? Burc asked. You should really figure out a way to talk with them.
Soone placed their hand on Alices shoulder from behind. It was the owner of the restaurant, which Alice discovered was also an inn of sorts. The man pulled Alice back and stood in front of her. He gestured at the guards and spoke in an animated voice, gesturing towards Alices head multiple tis. Alice furrowed her brow as the n with muskets looked at her with sympathetic expressions. Whats he saying?
He said youre his distant relative from a foreign land. He also said youre developntally challenged, and thats why youre talking to .
Two of the n in the back pointed at Alice, and the gestures from the man got more heated. Burc blinked and looked up, studying Alices face. They said you used so dark magic to enlarge an object, and then you robbed one of them after hitting the over the head.
Alices face flushed pink. The man tripped and fell; I didnt hit him.
And his money?
Alice coughed. dical fees. I gave him first aid. She couldnt bring herself to look Burc in the eyes when she said that. She added in a small voice, Because he tripped and fell and injured his head.
Burc stared at Alice so more. After listening to the foreign words, he said, They want to take you to the Padishah. The Padishah is wise and doesnt persecute witches like other places do. Hes more interested in working together with you to learn how to do what you do.
Padishah?
You dont know the Padishah? The sultan?
Alice raised an eyebrow. The sultan?
Yes, the sultan. You dont know what a sultan is? How about monarch? Ruler of the empire? Leader?
Oh, so its a title, Alice said and nodded. Got it.
Burc tilted his head. His ears swiveled right and left before he yawned. They took your nod just now as a sign of agreent, he said. The owner of the restaurant stepped aside, and the musket-wielding n peered at Alice with stiff smiles on their faces. Hes saying he wont hurt you. If you behave, hell even give you a piece of candy.
Alices expression darkened. Did these n really think she was a child? She was just a little short for her age! She was also short compared to people of almost all ages, but she was still an adult! As for whether or not shed go with them, it wouldnt be a bad idea. Tafel told her to cause a ruckus. If the Padishah treated her like a child, then shed cause such a huge ruckus that Tafel would hear about it the very sa night. Alice snorted and took out a pouch. How much did the al cost, Burc?
Burcs claws poked around the pouch of coins that Alice had opened in front of him. Three of these is enough.
Alice took out three coins and handed them to the owner. After all, it wouldnt be right if she didnt pay for her al.
One of the n just said, Hey, thats my money!
Alice ignored Burc and tucked the pouch away into her belt. She walked out the door and faced the group of n. She adjusted her glasses by pushing them up with one finger before placing her hands on her hips. Alright, take to your Padishah.
They want you to demonstrate your magic, Burc said after listening. Im curious about it too.
Alice grabbed the shield off of her wrist strap and enlarged it to a buckler. The group of n gasped and took steps back while the owner cleared his throat and mumbled sothing. Luckily, Burc had good hearing. He said youre not actually his relative, and he doesnt know you. His ears swiveled towards the group of n. And they want to know if you can do anything else.
Um, not really? Alice raised an eyebrow. I guess I can swing this really hard. Oh, I was imprinted too, but I dont really want to show that off. For so reason, whenever she used her imprint, she beca more irritable and easily provoked. When she ntioned that side effect to Tafel, Tafel had responded with, Eh? Isnt that how you normally are? Just thinking about it made Alice angry, so she expanded her shield and swung it down at the ground to vent a little. There was a miniature explosion as the ground shattered and coughed up bits of gravel and dust. A few n in the front lost their balance and fell backwards, landing on their butts.
Burc let out a yowl. That was so loud! Warn the next ti you do sothing like that!
Huh? Alice looked down. Even if I warn you, what will you do? Ive never seen a cat cover their ears before.
I can muffle the sound if Im ready! Burc snorted and smacked Alices stomach, but she didnt even feel it. If you do that again, Im not translating for you anymore!
Alright, Im sorry, okay?
Burc harrumphed and looked away. His ears perked up again when the frightened n spoke. They want you to put your weapon away. And if you do, theyll give you a piece of candy.
Im not a child who can be bribed with candy!
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