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“From the way you’re speaking, it sounds like you’re a phoenix yourself,” Lindyss said to the reddish-pink-haired elf sitting across from her.
“That’s right,” Malvie said and nodded her head as she puffed out her chest. “My name is Malvina, Queen of the Forest. I originally came to this tower because I was alerted of a brash phoenix who didn’t bother hiding her powers, but I bumped into you. Are you aware of the dangers the dragons of this tower pose to you?”
Lindyss raised an eyebrow. “Truthfully, it hasn’t been long since I’ve entered the tower. Can you tell me more about these dangers?”
“Absolutely, of course,” Malvie said and nodded. “Within a few towers, this one included, dragons and phoenixes are waging a war. This tower is dragon-dominated, meaning they defeated the main force of phoenixes stationed here long ago. You were simply unlucky enough to be brought into this particular tower, but I can bring you with me back to a phoenix-dominated one.”
“Interesting,” Lindyss said. “Do you know why the dragons and phoenixes are waging a war?”
Malvie nodded. “It’s an old story,” she said. “A tower opened a rift to a region, pulling in a dragon and four phoenixes who were fighting to the death. The fight broke out of control as other dragons and phoenixes, who came to observe the commotion, were hurt and decided to jump into the fight themselves.”
Lindyss raised an eyebrow. “And that little scuffle started a war?”
Malvie shrugged. “Tensions were already high between dragons and phoenixes, and all that was needed to start a war was a little”— She snapped her fingers, and a tiny puff of flames winked in and out of existence—”spark. Seven phoenixes and three dragons died that day, and that was enough to trigger a war. By joining the towers, you’ve been embroiled in this conflict.”
Lindyss took a sip from her glass. “I see,” she said and leaned back in her seat. “So, if the dragons discover I’m a phoenix, they’ll treat me as an antagonist.”
“Exactly,” Malvie said and nodded. She leaned forward. “Did any other phoenixes accompany you into the tower? Perhaps one disguised themselves as a woman with horns, or a red-headed woman with black armor?”
Lindyss shook her head. “I didn’t enter with any phoenixes,” she said. “Other than my fairy friend, I’m alone.”
Off to the side, Erin blinked and tilted her head as she hugged her glass of alcoholic liquid.
“Is that so?” Malvie asked, a disappointed expression appearing on her face. Her eyes brightened up a moment later. “Well, regardless, I’ve just started my search, and I’ve already found you. If you help me, I’m sure we’ll find who I’m looking for in no time; then, all three of us can return to Great Canopy together.”
“Sorry, I’ll have to reject your offer,” Lindyss said and shook her head. “I’m a bit of a hermit, you see. The less interactions I have with phoenixes, dragons—anything that can kill me, really—the better. Thank you for letting me know about the potential dangers.”
Malvie blinked twice. “You … rejected me?” she asked, her head slowly tilting to the side. She widened her eyes at Lindyss like an owl. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
“You’re acting like a crazy person now,” Lindyss said with a frown. “If you want to fight, say it. If not, I’ve heard you through, and I’d like to take my leave.”
Malvie blinked, her eyes returning to a normal size. “I understand,” the disguised elf said and nodded her head. “You’ve made your choice, but if you ever change your mind, the phoenixes of Great Canopy will welcome you with open hearts and wings.” Her eyes narrowed. “Now, let’s move on to our next topic of discussion.”
“There’s another one?” Lindyss asked, doing nothing to hide the exasperation in her voice.
“It’ll be quick,” Malvie said as her gaze scanned Lindyss from head down. “I just wanted to know where you purchased that dress. It looks quite valuable, and it’s truly a stunning piece of art that’d complement someone like myself perfectly.”
“I found it,” Lindyss said.
“Found it?” Malvie asked and furrowed her brow. “Where?”
“In a dragon’s hoard,” Lindyss said before shrugging. “As for who manufactured it, I can’t tell you because I don’t know the details.”
“Doesn’t that mean you stole it?” Erin asked. “If a dragon put it away for safekeeping, and you found the dress in the dragon’s safekeeping spot….”
“Shut up,” Lindyss said, glancing at the fairy queen, whose face was bright red. “You’re drunk.”
Erin blinked hard and furrowed her brow. She turned her head towards Malvie and squinted at the elf’s pointy ears. Lindyss had said something about a skunk, right…? Erin’s eyes lit up, and she pointed a finger at the disguised phoenix. “Polymorph!”
Malvie let out a squawk—despite her disguise as an elf—as her body shrank, black and white fur sprouting from her skin. A bushy tail grew from her rump as her arms turned into legs, her face elongating as a tiny snout protruded out. Chattering sounds rang out as Malvie fell down and stumbled over herself as she tried to move.
Lindyss turned her head towards Erin. “You’re actually drunk?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Erin stared at Lindyss. The fairy queen hiccoughed before looking at the glass of reddish liquid she was hugging. Then, she looked back at Lindyss. “You actually ordered wine for breakfast?”
Lindyss raised her glass and took a sip. “It does taste like grape juice, doesn’t it?” she asked. Her eyes shifted towards the tabletop where Malvie had managed to jump on. The skunk chittered as it stumbled its way to the fairy queen. A faint smile appeared on Lindyss’ lips. “Watch out. She’s looking to maul you.”
“Then what are you doing?” Erin asked and flew away from her glass, wobbling in the air. “Stop her!”
“I’d rather not handle a skunk,” Lindyss said, scooting her seat over to avoid the underside of Malvie’s tail.
Erin glanced at the skunk chasing after her before flying ahead even faster than before. “Then you shouldn’t have asked me to turn her into one!”