Seeing the hologram appear out of thin air, a soft gasp escapes Tegan's lips, his eyes filled with awe as he studies the purple snake. After a moment, he shakes himself from the stupor and looks at me, eyes twinkling curiously.
"What's with the symbol? I've never seen anything like it. Is it important?" (Tegan)
I tilt my head thoughtfully, studying the floating symbol myself.
On Earth, it's the symbol of Ouroboros – often associated with concepts like infinity, renewal, or the inescapably cyclic nature of things. As for why I chose it...it fits my intent for the coin, in retrospect, but not uniquely so. I'm not completely sure why I settled on it, specifically, I just...it felt right, like it epitomized something dear to me that I can't quite articulate.
Even looking at it now brings me a strange sense of...satisfaction. Familiarity, even. And something more inexplicable...resolve? Clarity? A sense of...self? As I said, I don't quite understand why, but the thought of creating anything symbolically associated with me without it felt...wrong.
Still, I'm not about to tell him that. It sounds ridiculous.
I smile wryly.
"On my world, it's associated with something unending or inevitable. Since I am essentially immortal, and I intend for that coin to serve as a kind of currency for people whom I owe a significant debt – an ironclad promise to fulfill a wish – the symbol seems fitting. So, this will be my way of repaying you.
"If you ever have a wish that you want fulfilled one day, bring me the coin and I'll grant it in exchange. Or, pass it down to your great grandchild and let them have their wish granted. At the very least, even if you never want to take me up on the offer and exchange it, you'll have something of value from me.
"I only ask that you consider the weight of the promise behind it before giving it to someone else. If I'm being honest with you, keeping my word is one of my only rules in life...perhaps unreasonably so. If you, or someone else, gives me that coin one day and asks for anything, I'll do it. A mountain of platinum coins, a recreational flight through the air, safe passage somewhere far away...an enemy eliminated...I'll only decline if it's beyond my abilities, harms someone I personally cherish, or conflicts with a prior promise I've made. Everything else is fair game." (Mizuki)
Hearing my explanation, the smile disappears from his face, and his complexion pales considerably. He responds in a nervous tone.
"Just to clarify...when you say anything...what if someone asked you to kill the royal family?" (Tegan)
I raise my eyebrows at him.
"Then I'd ask them which one. My in-laws are obviously off-limits, but I'm not especially attached to the other nations on Azura." (Mizuki)
Tegan stiffens, fear flickering in his eyes. I wave dismissively.
"You can relax...I don't make open-ended promises – or give coins – to just anybody. In fact, you're the only person on this planet I've made such an extreme promise to. Also, the coin's not quite as dangerous or general as you think. For one, every coin has a unique password to claim its wish, so you don't have to worry about unapproved use. Second, other coins won't be as...generous, as yours. The coins have different levels to the wishes they can grant." (Mizuki)
As I explain the caveats, I glance at the eyes of the holographic snake, still floating in the air. One eye replaced with a Greek letter – the password – and another replaced with an Arabic numeral – the wish tier. Tegan's coin is tier-3, the highest. I'm thinking Tier-1 will be a 'one-off wishes that don't harm anyone' scenario, while tier-2 will fall somewhere between, operating at my personal discretion for any gratuitous wishes. Tier-0 would be no wish value at all; something that could be a collectable or status-symbol version of the coin.
Naturally, even to people I feel indebted to, tier-1 will probably be the limit, and most coins will be tier-0. As for why I'm bothering with the whole coin system in the first place, obviously it wasn't just to repay my debt to Tegan. He's just the inspiration...I have other plans. Plans that, after today's fiasco, may prove necessary.
Meanwhile, Tegan's demeanor has relaxed significantly after hearing my explanation about the coin, though he still seems flustered. He stares at me, confusion clear in his tone.
"Why didn't you give me a lower level coin, then?" (Tegan)
I glance at Alto, who's watching the exchange with a mix of surprise, curiosity, and something...appreciative. I return my gaze to Tegan.
"Because that's just how important Alto is to me, and she says you saved her life." (Mizuki)
I reply without ceremony, my tone flat and matter-of-fact. Nothing but my honest thoughts, conveyed plainly. Yet, the response causes Tegan to still, the remaining wariness in his eyes replaced with surprise, then...something else. After a moment, he gives me a small smile. He finally pockets the coin, lowering his head respectfully.
"In that case, I'll accept...thank you. In return, I hope you'll at least let me host you two back at the Stone mansion one day? My wife is a remarkable cook, and I'm sure she'd love to meet you..." (Tegan)
He glances at Alto meaningfully, a playful smile on his face.
"Both of you." (Tegan)
I'm puzzled by the strange emphasis in his statement, but Alto's eyes widen in realization.
"Afterwards, your father...the girl I heard about...?" (Alto)
Tegan grins wryly, rubbing his neck.
"Yeah, he gave his blessing. We got married just a couple years after you left...been the happiest eight decades of my life since." (Tegan)
Alto's expression melts into a soft smile, her eyes unnaturally warm. She responds, her voice soft and rife with genuine goodwill.
"I am happy for you two..." (Alto)
He chuckles sheepishly, then glances between the two of us.
"Fufufu...thanks, that means a lot. So, can I expect you guys to come visit, then?" (Tegan)
I glance at Alto, eyebrows raised. She looks at me for a moment, thoughtful, then turns to Tegan with a small smile.
"We'd be happy to. Mizuki will be in Urilia with the Princess soon for the train building. You two can plan something then." (Alto)
He nods approvingly. Then, as if recalling something, turns to me with a puzzled expression.
"Oh yeah, uhm...can I ask you something?" (Tegan)
I raise my eyebrows.
"Sure?" (Mizuki)
He nods, continuing hesitantly.
"There's...a rumor spreading from one of the earlier ballroom groups. They're saying...you're engaged to Princess Ilina? That true?" (Tegan)
I smile wryly. As expected, gossip travels at the speed of light.
"Afraid so." (Mizuki)
He nods, sighing.
"Yeah, that makes sense, I thought is sounded-...WAIT WHAT!? YOU SAID YES!?!!" (Tegan)
His voice rises several octaves, staring at me incredulously. I just give him a helpless shrug and nod. His jaw slackens at the response, then he stares off with a vacant expression, falling silent.
Seeing an opportunity, I interject in a calm voice.
"So, on the subject, can I ask you a question?" (Mizuki)
He blinks, glancing back to me with a puzzled expression. He nods.
I tilt my head, studying him.
"Tell me honestly...what kind of reception should I be expecting from the elves, after today?" (Mizuki)
His eyes widen in surprise at the question, but he doesn't respond immediately. He looks away for several moments, expression thoughtful. Eventually, he looks at me and shrugs sheepishly.
"Honestly...in the ways that matter, it's hard to say. If you've got the Queen's support, and all the nobles', then the to-do wealthy elves will follow suit to fit in. The wealthy elves that are less...social, but still influential, like my father, will take a wait and see approach. Judge you on what they see you do, and try to keep their distance until then. As for the rest of the elves, the common people...
"The kids may make new games about Nephilim, and talk about your cool magic. The young women may swoon over the handsome, foreign prince. The young men may envy you or idolize you. The old timers may shake their heads and talk about how much the Kingdom is changing. But...it won't matter to them like putting food on the table, or making sure their kids have an education and warm clothes. Unless you do something that touches them in their daily lives, you'll just be a distant idea they talk about when they want a story – tavern gossip to liven their days or nights.
"Right now, though, regardless of which elves we're talking about, I think we're all just...in shock. You're a very sudden, very significant change to our reality, and we're slow to adjust. So, I don't know...maybe the reception to expect is one of polite avoidance, for now. If we all get used to seeing you around, and life goes on without issue, friendliness will probably follow." (Tegan)
Even though his response isn't especially positive or committal, and it's just one man's opinion, I find it...reassuring. Honest, in a way that puts me at ease. Plus, if he's right, I'd say my odds are pretty good. If all I have to do is protect them and keep showing a friendly face for a while, that'd be blissfully straightforward.
I bow my head slightly, smiling at him appreciatively.
"I appreciate the insight." (Mizuki)
He shakes his head dismissively, a wry grin on his face.
"Not sure it's worth much, but happy to help." (Tegan)
After that, we all fall into a comfortable silence, each of us seemingly lost in our own thoughts. Suddenly, Tegan's eyes widen with some kind of realization, and he looks at me. His tone turns slightly embarrassed.
"Wait...what's the password for my coin?" (Tegan)