I caught up with Alita at the bottom of the stairs. She was grinning at me, leaning against the sidewall. I blinked, momentarily surprised by the sight. Since I expected to have to chase her down, alas, it turned out she fully intended to wait for me, opposed to her previous words.

  “You sure took your time, elfy.” ─ She said while offering me a smile. ─ “I didn’t have the heart to leave you in the end, but now that you are here, we should move along.” ─ She told me while waving towards her side, and I decided to follow along, seeing how she already started moving.

  As we walked the corridors, the sounds of our feet mixed with the occasional conversations leaking through the walls. There was a constant noise, which I was starting to associate with the place. Perhaps it was only a side effect of my elven hearing, or the sharp contrast between the Dimhollows estate and the Smith’s.

  When we eventually reached a more secluded part, I decided to breach the silence. Certain, uncomfortable thoughts lingered in my mind; I needed to get to the end of them.

  Still, I struggled to give shape to those thoughts; I didn’t know where to begin. I was out of practice regarding such conversations.

  “S-so… what was that for?” ─ Alita seemed to expect my question, as she offered me a sidelong smile. Did she witness my struggle just now?

  “What was what?” ─ She asked back. I could feel in her tone that she was purposefully messing with me.

  I bristled, a spark of frustration jerking through my body, as I stomped on the ground, practically hissing at the grinning woman. ─ “You know exactly what I am talking about, don’t play the fool with me!”

  Alita gave me a long look, and I immediately straightened myself and did my best to rein in my emotions. What was I doing? I didn’t want to say it like that, fuck! I cursed internally.

  “Ah, so it isn’t funny anymore when it is not you who is acting stupid.” ─ She stated, some disappointment and a lot of annoyance coloring her voice.

  I paled slightly, feeling a bit of a stung there. I was, of course, not such a fool as not to realize what she was talking about, alas… What else could I do in this cursed situation?

  Seeing how she hit the nail on the head, my first reaction was to deny it immediately, but Alita's stern glare stopped me before my mouth could form those words. My shoulders, along with my ears, drooped, being caught in the act.

  Alita snorted lightly, growing witness to my antics, which wasn’t helping with my sense of embarrassment. These damn elven ears were a lot more expressive than I previously thought.

  Seeing my disheartened expression, Alita chuckled warmly, her hand finding my own in a comforting gesture.

  “Stop acting ignorant, that is all I ask, well… for now.” ─ Her softly spoken words hung in the air, as she began to lead me this time by my hand. I noted silently how she conveniently forgot to let my hand go in the process.

  I gulped.

  The following silence was heavier than the previous one, and likely only lasted a handful of seconds before I once again broke it.

  “Did you mean it? That kiss… or was that another tease of yours?” ─ I asked suddenly, unable to contain my curiosity.

  Alita snorted, hearing my question, and turned to me fully this time, stopping our walk once again.

  “Did it feel like a tease to you?” ─ She asked, her voice surprisingly firm compared to her previous sarcastic tones.

  I held her look, her brown eyes mirroring the warmly glinting candle lights in the corridor. I decided to be forthcoming, seeing how she, too, has dropped the act.

  “I don’t know.” ─ I spoke honestly. ─ “I don’t know what to think or feel about it.” ─ I admitted with a shake of my head.

  Alita closely watched my expression. ─ “Then, you didn’t pay enough attention.” ─ With that said, she turned around and continued her march. This time, she wasn’t pulling me along. I couldn’t ignore the fresh layer of frustration showing through her body language. I could have said that in a better way... but still, what did she expect getting drunk, than acting out like that!

  “It’s not that.” ─ I spoke after her, skipping up to her side as she marched through the halls. ─ “You were drunk! How could I take you seriously like that? Doing that so suddenly and in front of everyone!”

  She turned to me and shouted. ─ “I wasn’t that drunk!” ─ I stopped, surprised by her outburst, also noting the subtle blush appearing on Alita’s cheeks. ─ “Dwarves don’t get drunk so easily!” ─ She declared. I stared at her, narrowing my eyes to make it clear I wasn’t going to buy her bullshit. She must have realized it, as she attempted to misdirect the topic. Quite successfully, if I might add.

  “Damn it, are all elves this thick-headed? Yes, Selora, I kissed you, and you liked it. Don’t even try to deny that. I can’t really make it more obvious than that…” ─ She narrowed her gaze right back at me. ─ “I hope you are not suggesting that I do that to every other person.” ─ She growled, a silent threat hanging in the air to which I quickly shook my head. The action seemed to placate her somewhat.

  “So, what else is there to talk about? You like it or not, it is that simple.” ─ She continued. Before seemingly coming to a realization. ─ “Is it because we are both girls? That’s why you are so uncomfortable with the idea?” ─ She asked, becoming more and more uncertain with every word.

  I froze mid-step, my brain working in overdrive to give an acceptable answer that wasn’t something I would regret later. I thought about it. It was not a simple question. Especially not in my current predicament.

  In the end, I said. ─ “I don’t mind you being a girl.” ─ My issue was me being one, but that part went unsaid, for obvious reasons. Not even grazing the stark difference in age.

  I decided to point out that issue as well. ─ “Alita… It’s not right… Don’t you realize that I am several times older than you? I… I am a hundred years old, while you are… like thirty.”

  Alita gently punched my shoulder as she corrected me, an annoyed expression plastered over her face. ─ “I am twenty-eight, you scoundrel! Don’t you even know that? Ignorant elf!”

  I sensed her intention to distract me again without giving a proper answer and decided not to let her get away with it. I took a stance here. ─ “Don’t dodge the question, and it’s basically the same anyway.”

  She snorted. ─ “No, it’s definitely not the same, but fine! Since I seem to have to spell it out, you are attractive. I don’t care about your age, either. It won’t matter for long anyway. I will get old and you will not, so the scale will flip in my favor in a hundred years at most.”

  My mouth opened to protest, only to find myself stupefied by her reasoning.

  “That’s… I don’t know what to say.” ─ I admitted.

  I... is that... I gulped, my throat feeling dry all of a sudden. I was a woman now, but not so long ago I was a man, and even further before that I was a young man once. While my body was different, and that meant a lot more than some would think, I couldn't deny the fact that I found Alita attractive. She was a lively, confident woman who was accustomed to this world. She liked me, she knew the age difference, and she didn't care...

  My body was already hot, and I was attracted to this woman who seemed to reciprocate my feelings even more. I couldn't deny myself. I was already on the brink. Perhaps, I should just give in and let the flow take me where it wills. I was fighting against Alita's and my new body's... no, my own desires. I was a new person in this life. It was a new life. Perhaps it was time to treat it like that. I should stop thinking about myself as an old man at death's door.

  Even if it sounded wrong and selfish, who else wouldn't take the chance of a second life? A life that could easily come to a premature end, seeing how the world was shaping up around us.

  Perhaps what I truly needed was to let go of my old preconceptions and accept my new beginning.

  Seeing how Alita was visibly relieved by my lack of further arguments. I swallowed back a sigh. ─ “That’s… good than!” ─ Alita finished and was about to turn around and start walking again, but I stopped her.

  “But… why? Why do you like me, besides my looks that is?” ─ I asked, feeling extremely stupid all of a sudden, as her round eyes turned to me again.

  I was surprised by her baffled expression. It was rare to see such wonder on Alita’s face, especially showcased so openly. She was a noble, and she could control her expressions quite well. Not that I couldn’t do it if I wanted to, but these damn ears were an entirely different matter. Sometimes, they seemed to have a life of their own.

  “Are you serious?” ─ Disbelief was written all over her face. ─ “Well… y-you kind of saved my life… and stuff…” ─ She added eventually, clearly struggling to admit it. I could see her face getting redder by the second.

  It was my turn to stare at her. ─ “And stuff…” ─ I repeated slowly, then I stifled a snort and added.

  “You also saved my life, so we are equals on that front.” ─ I started and was cut off by the irritated lass. ─ “What does that have to do with anything? You wanted a reason. I gave you one.” ─ She scolded me.

  “It was just a casual observation.” ─ I shook my head, amused. ─ “I guess I kind of understand it now.” ─ I turned forward and started to walk along the corridor, leaving the fuming dwarf behind me.

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  She called after me on short notice. ─ “So, what? Are we good?” ─ Taking the inspiration from a certain someone, I looked over my shoulder and spoke in a teasing fashion. ─ “Well, I don’t know… but if you want to figure it out… You will have to work for it.”

  I caught sight of her shocked expression just before I turned right at the next corner.

  My victory didn’t last long, as Alita's words called after me in a few seconds. ─ “Where are you going? The garden is in this direction.” ─ I stiffened and, with a downcast look, retraced my steps and once again started to follow Alita’s lead. I could hear her chuckling, and I was certain my ears were blazing by the time we reached the garden.

  When we finally stepped out of the mansion and into the garden, Alita slipped close to my side and whispered confidently into my left ear. ─ “If that is your final answer, elfy, then don’t mind if I do. I will earn your attention. Let me warn you first, though, you better not play me with this, or I am going to twist those long ears of yours, until you scream.”

  I glanced sideways at the brunette and said in a judgmental voice. ─ “Pervert.” ─ Sweet Gods, I always wanted to say it at least once, and not being the one to be told off like that.

  She froze for a second, staring at my face as if she was seeing me for the first time. Sadly, instead of getting embarrassed, she gave me a satisfied look. ─ “I didn’t mean it like that.” ─ She began, then continued. ─ “But, since you brought it up, I can’t quite disappoint you, can I?” ─ She stepped closer, staring into my eyes as she stated. ─ “You are starting to come out of your shell, are you? Well, keep at it, girl, because I like what I see.”

  As the moment stretched for several seconds, I became aware of some chuckling coming from the direction of the yard. My ears twitched, then both of us turned towards the sound of incoming steps.

  “Look at that, the air is practically vibrating between you two. Why don’t you get a room already?” ─ Sounded the teasing voice of another dwarven woman whose form was escorted by one more, somewhat younger dwarven lass. She seemed to be similarly excited by the sight of us, or perhaps the situation we were presenting.

  The girl clapped her hands and practically cheered in an overexcited voice. ─ “Damn you, Alita! You didn’t mention getting so familiar with your mysterious guest.” ─ She gave me a scrutinizing look from head to toe. ─ “Well, not that I can blame you, she is gorgeous in that dress. I prefer men, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give it a try.” ─ She winked at me, with a meaningful smile. It was making me nervous. Is this going to be the running theme for the rest of my life?

  I gawked at the two of them, unsure how to react.

  Both women were wearing something very similar to adventuring gear, their postures were screaming from noble etiquette, but their tongue was cut up not less than your average sailors, based on what I have seen so far.

  I took in their look. Besides the armor, which they seemed to be quite comfortable with, I could also spot some dirt on their clothes. Now that I gave a closer look, each woman was quite sweaty already. They must have been training, and likely with each other.

  The first one was half a head taller, and she had long black hair similar to my own, her's was tied in a single long braid falling behind her back. It reached down to her hip. She had dark green eyes and a lean, feminine figure. Which wasn’t exactly common among dwarves, was she even a dwarf, I wondered? She was a bit taller than I, which didn’t say much since I was humiliatingly short, but it was still uncommon.

  The other girl was of more natural dwarven proportions. She had light brown hair put into a simple ponytail that reached the middle of her back, coupled with a pair of large brown eyes and some freckles over her cheek that gave her a mischievous character.

  I took in their posturing and quickly reevaluated my idea of coming here today. This was definitely not going to be a tea party in any sense of the word.

  Alita chuckled seeing her friends, and spoke up in a warm, comfortable voice. ─ “Now-now, back off, girls, I found this one first.”

  I glared at Alita, who seemed to enjoy the situation way more than she should.

  The other, shorter brunette caught my glare and snorted. ─ “Oh, I see now what you meant. This one is intense! Rare for an elf-maid, if not entirely unheard of.”

  Alita smiled. ─ “Well, she definitely won't start singing for the shrooms if that’s what you are worried about.” ─ That said, all three of them started laughing, leaving me confused.

  After the laughter died down, Alita stepped beside me, put her arm around my back, and started to lead me closer to the other two. ─ “Enough of that for now, let me introduce you to the friend I kept mentioning over the weeks.”

  The black-haired dwarf snorted at that, correcting Alita teasingly. ─ “Your girlfriend, you meant? She is cute.”

  I looked between the two, but before I could say something, Alita continued her previously started sentence with a forced cough. ─ “This is my new friend, Selora Dimhollow, a powerful mage, an elf, and she is indeed cute for the record.”

  I frowned a bit hearing her introduction. This was starting to get a bit out of hand.

  I shook her arm off and stepped away, giving all three of them a stare. ─ “Alright, cut it already, who says I am her girlfriend!”

  To my astonishment, all three of them raised their arms. I huffed at the annoying sight and stated. ─ “It was a rhetorical question.”

  It seemed to earn a series of laughs.

  The shorter girl with the light brown hair stepped closer, presenting her hand in a friendly gesture. ─ “Alright-alright, we will stop it, you are a funny one though, I like you already! I think we are going to get by just fine!” ─ I shook her hand; she had a firm grip as all dwarves did. She smiled at me, then continued. ─ “My name is Hilde Hammerguard, and the tall and rude one over there is called Elin Longbraid. We are happy to welcome you to our circle.”

  “Hey, you were twice as rude as I, yet you dare to call me the rude one. Shameless!” ─ The other girl cut in, then presented herself similarly, giving me a firm handshake.

  “I am happy to get to know you all.” ─ I said, trying to project some confidence into my voice. Even if I was anything but confident, being surrounded by these women who seemed to speak their minds without restraint.

  Alita found my hesitation entertaining as she took over the lead in the conversation and started to walk towards a nearby training ground, which I hadn’t even noticed until she pointed it out. Several weapons and shields were lying about, and also some training dummies. I noted a set of chairs and a round metal table not far from the training ground. To my surprise, there was indeed a set of teacups placed on the table.

  I was already suspecting that this was not going to be a normal tea party, but somehow it already exceeded my expectations.

  I didn’t miss the fact that I was the only one who wasn’t wearing some sort of light armor, or, in the case of Alita, leather clothes and pants.

  I seriously needed to get some pants and do it soon. It was starting to make me self-conscious about it; being in the company of three women, and being the only one wearing a skirt, even if I was now a woman too, made me feel utterly ridiculous.

  As I started to walk after Alita, both of the freshly introduced girls appeared on my sides, effectively capturing me in a pincer attack. They even grabbed onto my arms, as if they feared I was going to run away.

  The brunette who was called Hilde, Hilde Hammerguard, currently pressing into my left side, asked in an innocent voice. ─ “So are you really a white elf as everybody seems to say? I can’t see anything obvious besides your height that would disprove you being just another high elf. It’s a bit hard to believe, I mean.”

  The other woman who was presently pressing into my right side spoke over my head. ─ “Perhaps that’s just it, she is short, shorter than me, and I am half-human. White elves might have been more similar to us than other elves, which would explain why those elves left them to die off.” ─ She gave me a look, before adding. ─ “Well, perhaps not all of them.”

  “You might be right, the brunette chirped. So, what is it? Can you prove that you are a white elf, Selora?” ─ She asked curiously.

  I tried to shake their hands off, only to fail spectacularly. The embarrassing situation pushed some extra blood into my face as I tried to cover it with a frown. ─ “I don’t have to prove anything to you. I don’t care if you believe me or not.”

  The taller, half human-half dwarven girl chuckled at that. ─ “As I said, Hilde, she is a feisty one.” ─ She stroked my head mockingly. ─ “Don’t worry, even if you would turn out to be a wood elf, we wouldn’t abandon you now. Alita likes you. We will accommodate you as well, but since you made us wait for several weeks, if not months, for this introduction, we are going to have our fill of gossip, you see. No running away until then.” ─ She smirked, seeing my paling features. ─ “Oh, and next time when you promise to appear at our little gatherings weekly, you better commit to doing it, otherwise we might just have to do this little dance again.”

  Hilde chuckled from my left as we neared the table, adding victoriously. ─ “Isn’t that just the right idea, my dear Elin? I think she would love that too.”

  I was only starting to realize what sort of trouble I had gotten myself into, and it made me feel quite worried. ─ “Uh-hu… w-what if I said that I am sorry, and apologized for my tardiness?” ─ Both girls exchanged a look, then broke out laughing.

  “We are afraid that you have gone too far for that, sweety.” ─ Elin said in a soothing voice.

  “But don’t worry.” ─ Hilde spoke up. ─ “We are going to be gentle. After all, we wouldn’t want to anger our dearest host.” ─ The brunette chuckled excitedly.

  “Right you are.” ─ Elin continued. ─ “She seems especially sensitive about her favorite elf-maid.”

  I looked towards Alita, who indeed seemed quite annoyed by the way her friends were practically interrogating me.

  This is going to be a long afternoon, I realized dreadfully while being urged to take my seat between the two women. I clutched my staff in my hands and between my knees as I took my place around the table. The women were at least sensible enough not to try to take away my staff, because that would have been a step too far, even for me, stuck in this strange situation.

  Elin offered me a hot cup of tea soon after I was seated, then Hilde leaned in from the side and asked with a starry look in her eyes. ─ “So, do you like Alita too?”

  I almost dropped my cup, but managed to recover thanks to my elven reflexes. My ears were already hot, but the unexpectedly shameless question made them even worse, and then, to my absolute mortification, my ears made a violent twitch.

  Both women froze, staring at the sight, seemingly mesmerized. ─ “Than both of them cooed like idiots, hiding their faces in their palms.”

  When I looked at Alita at the other end of the table, her expression wasn’t much better. Her face was red as an apple, and she was staring daggers into the two women, something neither of them seemed to realize just yet.

  Elin was the first to get herself under control, and her first sentence was. ─ “I never realized that elven ears could do that. How charming!”

  “Neither did I!” ─ Hilde joined in. ─ “They must have tried to hide it!”

  It was then that Alita seemed to have enough of the nonsense and cut in. ─ “That’s enough for now, girls. You are going to scare her away if you continue with the nonsense.” ─ Alita’s voice was not unkind, but firm in her decision. ─ “Let the girl be.”

  Both women huffed in annoyance, but pulled themselves away from me, giving me back my personal space. ─ “Fine!” ─ They said almost simultaneously.

  There was a moment of silence, then all three of them said in unison. ─ “Congratulations.”

  I blinked, once again feeling confused. Looking from one girl to the other, until my gaze stayed on Alita’s form.

  She shook her head, clearly amused by the outcome. ─ “It’s a bit of a ritual, you see. As you have likely realized by now, we are not your average noble ladies even in dwarven society.” ─ She waved towards the surroundings, and I once again took in the training ground and the weapons leaned against the nearby giant mushrooms or simply left on the ground, momentarily forgotten, dropped amongst the ever-silent practice dummies.

  Alita continued with a polite smile, explaining the situation. ─ “Well, the idea is to throw the worst of us at anybody who wishes to join our circle, and if they stayed, they would handle the rest with ease, and if they don’t, we didn’t waste too much energy on them anyway.”

  Her words paused for a second as she searched my gaze. ─ “Ah, and the trial only started after we entered the garden; what we spoke about before that was not part of it.”

  I nodded slowly, understanding her meaning.

  Only to find both of the other women openly theorizing what we must have spoken about before.

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the two of them.