☀️ Arselia and Akonia

Garrett shook his head. Ayko spoke very reasonably and convincingly, like an adult, but this contradicted what he saw with his own eyes.
— I'm not talking about that... You are certainly wise beyond your years and do an excellent job, but... for a little girl to lead a combat squad? Is this some kind of joke? And if you really are a leader, then... how? Do you have any supernatural abilities? I told you about myself, but what can you do besides recruiting?

— Garrett, you're an experienced warrior, you should know: she's not human. Nor am I, for that matter. Gifted children are interesting, but Ayko gained her skills through experience, — Kelian dra appears very suddenly from the adjacent corridor. — Our leader is a worthy person, managing to solve all issues and, I believe, she is no worse in battle. Everything around exists thanks to her enthusiasm and the support of the princess.

Kelian dra smirked. Did Garrett mistake Ayko for a child? Seriously?

As soon as they left the room and started a more informal conversation, Kelian dra joined them...
The Worm Queen listened to Garrett's question and the Lunarian's answer in complete silence and with dignity, only slightly rubbing her nose at the very beginning.

— Mr. Garrett... — Ayko said finally, a little tiredly. — Yes, I see that you really aren't from around here, not from Welfern for sure. And there's a good chance you're not even from this planet, — she allowed herself a light joke, although she was sure that Garrett was not a native. — But it's okay, I'm not angry, I understand that you just haven't heard. Don't be offended that I'm going to enlighten you just a little: I belong to the glorious tribe of dwarves, — she propped up her chin and batted her eyelashes. — A small magical people who live underground, mine gemstones, enchant things, and are physically no worse than humans, although not better. From my point of view, we don't look much like human children, but still, if you have doubts due to unfamiliarity, our most obvious distinguishing feature is here, — she pushed her hair to the side and showed her elongated ear, although not as long as the Lunarians'.

— And you know, there are so few of us that you are actually not the first to mistake me, not only in my life, but even in the past week. What I find more puzzling is: how, being sure that this is some kind of misunderstanding or joke, did you still sign a contract for my hiring without a shadow of a doubt? Did Her Highness set such strict conditions for you that you didn't even think to investigate everything and think twice before agreeing to such a delicate matter? — Ayko smiled. — But I hope that now we have clarified everything. In the future, try not to hesitate so much...