Chapter 196: A Mysterious Meeting


    [Soleil POV]


    Once me and Velvet were out of the mansion, we started walking around the city.


    If Impletely honest, this is the most beautiful city Ive been to yet. (Soleil)


    Ill agree to that. (Velvet)


    We looked up at the trees around us and the buildings on the branches.


    I wonder how they built these, and I dont mean with magic. There has to be something more to it. (Soleil)


    I cant really answer that, but since well most likely be here for a while, we can find out. And knowing Luna, shell probably want to go and check out Odin Academy at some point, so we could probably tag along with her then. (Velvet)


    True. But enough about stuff we can do with big sis. Lets focus on ourselves for today. (Soleil)


    Hehe. Alright then. (Velvet)


    We continued down the road we were on before finding arge gathering in front of arge fountain. We decided to get closer and we started to hear some music. It sounded like it came from some sort of flute different from the one big sis yed. There were also some sort of string instrument being yed as well. The two of us joined the crowd just as whatever was being yed. The next song that was yed had a yful tune. The flute and string paired well and as the song progressed, I felt an urge to get closer to Velvet. I let go of her hand and grabbed her arm. I then leaned my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes. A little time passed with the two of us like that and then the song ended. I moved my head from Velvets shoulder and looked at her in the corner of my eye. She had a rxed, happy smile on her face.


    Shall we move on now? We have a lot to explore after all. (Soleil)


    Hehe. Alright, but lets trade ces after a bit, ok. (Velvet)


    Fine by me. (Soleil)


    The ce we walked to was a lively little ce full of stalls on both sides of the road. The people were calling out to others to get there attention and it was quite noisy. I was about to mess with my sound dampeners when Velvet did it for me.


    Thanks. (Soleil)


    Mm. (Velvet)


    We took a look at some stalls as we went.


    Hmmm. (Soleil)


    Whats up, Soleil? (Velvet)


    Well, dont some of the people here seem a bit young to be doing something like this? And the things they are selling seem, if Impletely honest, a bit cheap? (Soleil)


    Velvet looked around for a second.


    Now that you point it out, youre right. Hmmm. Oh, maybe this has something to do with the Academy? I mean it is close to here and we were told it taught basically anything. (Velvet)


    Huh, maybe youre right. (Soleil)


    We came to the end of the road so we turned a corner and came out to arger road. I then smelled something and turned to look in its direction.


    Smell something? (Velvet)


    Yeah, it smells like tea? (Soleil)


    Want to go check it out? (Velvet)


    Yeah. (Soleil)


    We followed my nose and found a shop hidden behind several others, making it a bit inconspicuous. It had several bundles of leaves hanging from strings and some steaming cups on a table. Behind the table sat an old looking elf woman.


    Oh, some faces Ive never seen before. Wee to my humble little shop, is there anything I can help you with?


    Yes actually, I smelled something from here a little ways away and was wondering what it was. When we followed the smell, it led us here. I would like to know what kind of tea leaves made such a fragrant smell. (Soleil)


    Kukuku. A beastkins nose is hardly ever wrong. Please sit and Ill show you what I have.


    The two of us sat and the old woman began her exnation.


    What you were smelling was a tea made from some leaves only found in this country. They make a tea that calms nerves and heals headaches.


    She pushed a cup forward and put some leaves next to it.


    Now, this right here is a tea that helps people fall asleep.


    She did the same thing with a second cup.


    I nodded my head at her exnation. She then put forward a few more cups and leaves as she exined each one. When she was finished, I looked at her a little strangely.


    These are all quite nice, but you still havent showed everything. (Soleil)


    Kukuku. An astute one. I do have one more, but its a bit special. Its a rare tea that raises a random stat. The thing is, the leaves for this tea are only avable every 200 years.


    The old woman moved the cups and leaves aside and ced a few small leaves on the table. They were a slight goldish color.


    May I ask how much for everything youve showed us? (Soleil)


    Oh? For my normal wares, Ill sell it for the market price, but for the special leaves, Ill ask something more.


    We both narrowed our eyes.


    Kukuku. Dont get all suspicious young ones. I wont ask for much, just some more of your time. You see, Im an old woman. One of the oldest elves even. One of my favorite things is hearing the stories of young people such as yourselves. In particr, I like hearing stories of romance. Tell me your story and Ill give you these special tea leaves.


    Velvet and I rxed when we heard the old elfs words. We nced at each other then Velvet spoke up.


    Where would you like us to start? (Velvet)


    Kukuku. The beginning of course. How did the two of you meet?


    For the next few hours, Velvet and I told the old woman our story. Once we made it the present moment, the old woman smiled.


    Ah, youth, such a time of excitement and adventure. Thank you for telling me your story. As promised, you can have the tea leaves.


    We thanked the old woman and I handed over the money for the other leaves as well. We stood up and were about to leave when the old woman called out to us.


    Kukuku. Enjoy this wonderful city, young ones. If you want a fun ce to walk and enjoy thepany of each other, go west for a bit and youll run into a small park. There, go north and find two trees that look like a gateway, walk through that and youll be surprised at what you find.


    Thank you. (Soleil)


    The old woman waved and we started on our way again. As we turned the corner, the smell of that shoppletely vanished. I looked back and the whole alleyway was gone.


    Velvet, where did the alleyway go? (Soleil)


    Velvet looked back as well and was just as confused as I was.


    No idea. (Velvet)


    We stood there looking at where we came from for a second before shrugging our shoulders and making our way to the ce the mysterious old elf told us to go. When we reached the park, we looked around for the ce we were told about. After a little bit of searching, we found the ce and walked between the tree gate. We walked down a corridor of branches, leaves, and vines. Once we exited the corridor, we found ourselves in a beautiful garden. Flowers and other nice smelling nts were everywhere. A small brook flowed through the middle and around a small ce in the center. Also in the center was a silver colored tree.


    Oh, a Lunar Sakura tree. (Velvet)


    Its a bit small. (Soleil)


    True, but its still beautiful. (Velvet)


    Want to sit under it for a while? (Soleil)


    Sounds good to me. (Velvet)


    We walked over and sat under the tree. We leaned back and closed our eyes as a gentle breeze blew through the garden. The sounds of the brook and birds and swaying leaves created a calm atmosphere. I opened my eyes and looked over to Velvet. I smiled and moved closer to her. Once I was close enough for my shoulders to touch hers, she opened her eyes and looked at me. We looked into each others eyes in silence for a short time before we brought our lips together. When we broke apart after a few minutes, we both smiled and Velvet spoke.


    Soleil.


    Velvet.


    I leaned my head on Velvets shoulder and then she leaned her head on mine. We descended into a long,fortable silence.


    I wonder if this is how big sis felt all the times when she and Goddess Tamamo were together during the full moon?


    A warmth filled my heart as I sat next to Velvet. It made me feelplete in a different way than when I was with everyone else. We sat beneath the tree for several hours before the sky started to change colors.


    Soleil, I think we should start heading back. (Velvet)


    Mm. (Soleil)


    We stood up and Velvet wrapped her arms around one of mine. I smiled and we exited the garden.


    Chaos Realm:


    Amtos: Payto, I''m bored. I want to talk to Tamamo.


    Well, I can''t do anything about that.


    Atmos: I know. Anyway, I have stuff to do, so I''m off. You know where to find me if something interesting happens.


    *Atmos goes into her istion room.*


    Oh, Order, I got an answer to your question.


    Order: How?


    Some minor memory reading.


    Order: Oh. Anyway, what is the answer?


    It was as I thought, she has more fun not suppressing or redirecting her kitsune nature.


    Order: I see.


    *Order then moves closer*


    ???


    Order: I just want to be close to you.


    Alright.