Arisugawa and Piyo were shown Elana’s magic.
When Piyo and I returned from the magic explanation, everyone was already gathered. Then, the Queen arrived. Before I could thank her, she spoke.
“So these are your companions, huh? Wow, that’s amazing. What does it feel like to fly?”
First, she approached Piyo.
“Umm, it feels kinda… floaty? Or maybe more like… *whoosh*?”
Piyo answered with a troubled expression.
“Hmm, oh, you’re a Naga, right? What’s it like not having legs? Where do you have children? From your tail, or your human part?”
Nina also wore the same troubled expression, unsure how to answer.
“That’s right, Centaurs, do you nurse the foal from the horse part, or the human part? Are all of you really this well-endowed?”
The questions wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t even remember what she’d asked first.
“Arachne, right? You? Where does your silk come from? Your mouth?”
Lauren frowned and remained silent. Philiana took a deep breath and began to answer calmly.
“Well, I’m not married yet, so I wouldn’t know. But I have seen acquaintances nurse from the human part. As for my chest size, it’s genetic. My mother and grandmother were the same.”
The Queen pondered for a moment, then let out a thoughtful hum.
“Is that so? And Harpies, do you hatch from eggs?”
As the questions started again, a voice from behind stopped her. A large, lion-like man with white fur, a Sphinx, slowly approached us.
“My wife apologizes. Thank you for helping my companions this time. I am grateful, traveler.”
His wife, so he must be the King.
“Hey, listen! Humans really don’t have tails, do they? Their butts are so soft and squishy!”
He sighed, putting a paw to his face at his wife’s antics.
“Ah, really, that’s rude. Stop it.”
“Why not? I’m bored.”
Leaving the chatty Queen behind, the Sphinx King asked about our objectives. When I explained our reason for coming to this forest, he ordered Elana to guide us.
“She truly was rude. Let her guide you out of the forest. I believe the Elves will understand once they see your forms.”
We thanked the Sphinxes for accepting us outsiders and set out from the village, with Elana now as a new companion. The Queen whispered something to Elana as we left, but we decided not to mind it.
