"What in the unknown is this?"
"I have never heard that expression before, Aerith. And I believe this is some sort of ball."
'
"I'm not dressed for an event like—What are you wearing!?"
And with Aerith's loud voice traveling throughout the entire dome, all the people that were just casually chatting and seemingly enjoying each other's company all turned their heads toward the entrance.
Aerith was not able to focus on their stares, however, as she was busy looking at Riley. He was just previously wrapped in a white coat, which he wears during his classes, and underneath it was his leather-spandex full black suit. But now, he was wearing a long coat and tie, with the back of his long white hair cleanly tied.
As for her, she was just wearing a white buttoned shirt, and white pants—like some sort of mental institute patient.
"You look fine, Aerith. It shows how badly you are treated by your fellow themarians."
"...Thanks? You—" And before Aerith could finish her words, Riley once again stretched out his hand and offered his arm, "I already rejected you once, women don't like clingy men."
"I thought you wanted me to stick close to you so I won't cause trouble, Aerith?"
"That…I also don't want to be seen too close to a notorious outlaw," Aerith sighed as she was starting to think whether or not holding Riley's arm would be for the better or for the worse. But after a few milliseconds of thinking about it, she sighed and shook her head,
"Just stay close to me."
There was no stopping Riley if he wanted to make trouble—if there is one thing that Riley's opponents never truly understand about his telekinetic abilities, it would be its range. Forget about Riley's hundred other abilities, his telekinesis alone threatens everyone here… and everyone that was not here.
In fact, during his stint as Darkday, he could have just stayed home—and he would still have killed the same amount of people on the other side of the planet. It was only his childlike tendency to want to have fun that exposed him to the world, without that… Megawoman would have been fighting an invisible entity that was drinking milk in the most inconspicuous place.
The humans would have been wiped out without having a single clue as to what caused their extinction. That was the very reason his biological mother, Alice Lane, was being watched by the government almost her entire life, even in prison, until she joined the Hope Guild.
"...On second thought."
And before Riley could drop his hand, Aerith quickly wrapped her arms around her arm, "Don't misunderstand, you're like a prisoner."
"I have always been your prisoner, Aerith."
"Can you shut—"
"Princess Aerith of Theran."
And out of nowhere, Aerith's frowning face instantly turned into a smile as she heard a voice approaching them. And finally, she noticed almost everyone in the ball looking at them; their faces were curious, shocked, and excited all at the same time.
She then turned to look at the person that approached her, only to see a black-skinned humanoid; the sides of his face and his bare torso, covered in thick red fur. The top of his head, covered in some sort of thick long red quills that very well looked like his hair.
There was also his long tail that poked at the back of his white baggy pants, seemingly excited judging by the way it wagged.
"I feel like I have seen that man in an anime before."
"Shh, quiet. That's a Sajan," Aerith quickly elbowed Riley to shut him up, "I just don't know why he's approaching us."
"..." The Sajan quickly noticed Aerith and Riley whispering to each other, but did not really mind it as he just placed his hands behind his back to show respect to Aerith; his toned and defined chest, almost doubling in size as he did so,
"I am S'adar, Your Highness."
"S'adar… one of the Elders?"
"Yes," S'adar let out a small chuckle as he scratched his chin, "I'm the new guy in the group."
"Forgive me for not recognizing you, Elder S'adar," Aerith tried to bow, but S'adar gestured to her to stop before she could lower her head.
"Stop it, Your Highness. You have lived tens of my lifetime," S'adar once again let out a small chuckle; his voice, as loud as it could be, "I do have a question, though. That's the reason I wanted to greet you first."
"...What is it?"
"Do you have any plans in joining the Tournament?" S'adar squinted his small and overly round eyes.
"...I'm a themarian, Elder S'adar," Aerith smiled and shook her head, "It wouldn't be fair."
"Oh, I think you'll find it fairly fair," S'adar also smiled, "I also join the Tournaments from time to time, and there are people there that are really strong. You'll find it fun."
"Oh, I am a pacifist, Elder S'adar. Most themarians my age and those that are younger tend to just dabble in the arts and academics."
"..." And as soon as Riley heard Aerith's words, he very slowly turned his head toward her. Riley had noticed it before when they were on Earth… but Aerith really likes lying when it comes to her race—a trait of one that is ashamed of one's heritage.
"I see," S'adar nodded, "Is that why you have a violent Outlaw, ranked as the 12th most wanted in the Known Universe, in your arms?"
"This—"
"I am his prisoner, Elder S'adar," Riley did not let Aerith speak as he bowed his head, "She is one of the only 3 reasons why all of you are still alive."
"...Riley Ross," S'adar turned to look at Riley; the smile on his face growing wider, "We finally meet face to face."
"Hm."
"Well…" S'adar stepped closer to Riley, causing Aerith to subtly and slightly move between them, "...You don't need to worry. Everyone is equal in the Ahor Zai—any crimes you have committed outside, any glory you have, is not honored here. Think of this as… another dimension where everything is wiped clean."
"Okay," Riley shrugged, "Is Tedi going to be here?"
"...Elder Tedi?" S'adar raised his thick eyebrows, "Are you acquainted with her?"
"We've met in person. She told me she's going to be here to discuss something."
"Well, I haven't heard of that," S'adar quickly fixed his quills as soon as he heard Riley's words, "Enjoy the party for now, Riley, Princess Aerith."
"Wait. What about the meeting?"
"Meeting? Oh!" S'adar chuckled as he started walking away, stretching his arms to the side, "This is it."
"...What?" Aerith blinked a couple of times as she looked at the other people looking at her, "But this is a party, Elder S'adar."
"It is also a meeting."
"I am supposed to address only you and the other Elders," Aerith's eyebrows furrowed.
"A lot of people are curious about you and the themarians, Princess Aerith. Whatever your cause is, it would be good to convince the other races as well, no?" S'adar shrugged, "So, go...
...Meet."
"This…"
"You have a big problem, Aerith," Riley said,
"You have the social skills of an awkward adult that just passed her even more awkward teenage years."
