Chapter 535 - Flames of Destruction (VI) (2/2)
Lira had trouble finding another normal human on the ship; most scoffed at her approach, some even tried to kill her, and the best she'd gotten was a cold shoulder and a shrug. Frustration began to seep in as she ransacked about the massive meeting room, looking for a kindred spirit. In the midst of hundreds of different races she expected to be welcomed with open arms, yet if any arms welcomed her, it was those armed with daggers and swords.
At the end of her wits, she spotted a figure leaning against a metallic pillar toward the corner of the hall, isolated and lonesome, arms crossed against his chest. He had a relatively handsome appearance, was on a tall, leaner side, and wore ordinary shirt and trousers rather than whatever flamboyant nonsense others wore. Spark in her eyes lit up like the brimming candle as she sped over, inspecting him closer. Hmm, handsome indeed… though, from her experience, people this handsome usually had at the very least four wives, so she quickly put out the hopes in her heart.
”Oi!” she called out aggressively as she approached, causing Alan to flinch; glancing sideways he was surprised by the newcomer who suddenly called out to him. She was, at best, one-fifty centimeters tall, reaching just above his abdomen, sporting hair like a hedgehog – spear-like tips protruded from her skull upward, each dyed in a different color, making her seem more akin to a creature than a human. ”Ye' got wee bit time fo' a chat?”
”…” Alan frowned, gazing into the honest, black eyes of the woman who approached him. She was entirely unfamiliar, though that didn't really say much; humans, or at the very least humanoid races were the most numerous throughout the cosmos, meaning it's possible to run into them at any time and anywhere. ”What do you want?” he asked in a slightly hostile tone.
”Oi, oi, relax! I ain't a swindle, ye' know?” the woman frowned back, gesturing with her arms violently as she spoke. ”I'as just wonderin' if ye'd like to partner up, or form a squad, ye know? Power in numbers, 'n all.”
”… I'm good, thanks.”
”Ho ho, don't be so quick 'bout rejectin' me; I'm quite strong, ye know? I pull me weight!”
”I'm sure you do,” Alan said, sighing inwardly. ”I just don't like partnering up.”
”What's yer name?”
”As I said—”
”Fine, fine, you won't partner up, 'tis fine! I'm asking yer' name, not yer' hand in marriage, woman!”
”…” Alan, for a moment, contemplated just walking away, but managed to reign in his basic instincts, instead taking a deep breath to calm himself down. ”It's Alan.”
”Alan? What a nifty name! 'tis Lira! Me name, I mean!”
”… it's nice to meet you, Lira.”
”Likewise, likewise,” she said, stroking her chin in an attempt to seem contemplative. ”So, Alan, let's partner up!”
”Oi! As I said—”
”Ye, ye, yer a prick, me get it! But, the battle will be dangerous! I've foreseen it!”
”....”
”Ah, don't stare at me like 'tis lady's a madman! A'right, a'right, I may've'not foreseen it,” despite his attempts to walk away, Lira stuck to him as she strutted rapidly by his side. ”But, I feel it! Ye know? When ye feel it in yer bones? Like when that face showed up, remember? Boi, I felt chills! Tho they tell us he's the only strong, do ye really believe it? Me don't. I knowst, ah, no, I imagine,” she quickly corrected herself as Alan glared at her. ”He has plenty strong under him. Wouldn't we be sheep bashin' into a steel frame of a barn if we headed in willy-nilly?! Ah, we'd die right there! Boom! Bam! We dead! Who will bury us, huh? Can you even bury someone without a wholesome bodi? 'tis this why I want to partner up! Hah! Got each other's backs! We're invincible! Hah! Bury that, eh? We'll fight—”
”Alright, alright, fine!” Alan relented, exclaiming loudly. ”I'll partner up with you, fine? Just… just… shut up…”
”Ha ha ha, great, great! Let's go then!” Lira exclaimed, her lips curling up into a wide, innocent smile.
”… go where?” Alan asked ambiguously.
”To recruit others, of course! What else?!” ...…I should have f.u.c.kin' stayed home…