Machinist of Mana Chapter 125 Unlikely Friends

I followed through with what I'd learned and set up a slew of meetings. The first of which was with my younger half-sibling. Okay, set up was a bit of an excess, more like showed up at our grandparents house unannounced, and I was quite glad I did.

“You know I'd heard of this, but I didn't quite believe it,” I said as I looked at the two girls sitting and sipping tea, one pale, the other green.

“There's no need to sound accusatory,” my sister said, keeping her face straight. I was happy that she was no longer referring to me as lord Percival, but it seemed she was putting on a show for her friend.

“Surprised, that either of you are doing this.” With my words I looked towards the other member of this tea party.

“One of the local men, Ignus, believed it best we try to meet a few people. If you have an issue with us meeting you might take it up with him.”

“I'll certainly do that, but why her?” I asked Sasha.

“I'm right here you know.”

Sasha gave a calming smile to Kaylee before continuing.

“Because she was the only person who looked nearly as out of sort as me. Believe it or not I don't know a lot of humans, other than you, and you're not exactly friendly.”

“A fair point.”

“But Kaylee looked so out of place that it resonated with me, I understood it. Since I was in the palace, and wanted to meet someone anyway to build bridges we talked.”

“This is a massive headache. We need to get Kaylee into a few introductory parties soon, and I know people will ask about you when they meet her. If I know others do too.”

“That's not a problem.”

“It is, because they'll want you to come, basically as a form of entertainment, like something in a zoo they can look at. That will let you meet more people, but not in a good way.”

“Do you think I didn't understand that already? I do, and even if they don't respect me at the beginning they still need to see that not all of us are like the ones who destroyed so many people's homes.”

She had a fair point there. Perhaps I was being overly protective of Kaylee, and a bit condescending to Sasha, but it still rankled.

“I'm sitting right here too, you can't just cut me out of this,” Kaylee interjected, looking none too pleased. “I'm not just someone to tell what to do and ignore.”

That stung.

“You're right Kaylee, but please listen. Things are going to be hard already, you're already almost a scandal on your own. Adding Sasha to the mix will only cause rumors to fly like never before.”

“Do you think I don't know that? Perhaps I'm not a mechanical genius l- Percival, but I'm not a fool.” I heard her stumble there, and sighed.

“I know you're not, but this isn't a world you know yet. Do you think I can do anything immediately? No, I can't, I have to ease my way into it. Kaylee, I won't be here for much longer and I worry for you.”

“Others do too brother.”

“At the least try talking to Rowenna a bit, she's about your age and has a good grip on things. She'll be able to help you more than I will in all likelihood, so long as you don't irritate her.”

“She did send me a letter the other day...”

“And you responded promptly right?”

“Um...”

I frowned, and looked for a paper to roll up and smack her on the head with, sadly there were none at this particular tea party, so I had to make do with clear exasperation.

“You need to do so immediately, and apologize in it. It's considered proper form to answer as soon as is possible, which you should know. I'd ask grandmother to look over it before you send it too. Kaylee you have few resources that you can bring to bear just now, and you really need to use them as well as you can.”

Of course I'd be going to see her too, and apologize myself. Really Kaylee needed friends near her age and in her new social group, and there were few candidates I'd like to see better than my girlfriend. Having them at odds would cause me no end of trouble, and honestly I didn't think my sister had meant to offend.

Tired of arguing I flopped down, absolutely lacking the style I normally tried to put forth. Fooling Kaylee seemed stupid, and I very much doubted the goblin girl who'd lived in the sewers her whole life cared a lick. This was one of the few times that I could actually just relax and do anything.

“My mother is... I'm worried about her, and while I know you probably have no desire to see her, or her you I'd appreciate it if you kept in contact with someone she might, someone who can keep an eye on her,” I said as I filled myself a cup of tea.

“Is there anything we can do?” asked Kaylee.

“Probably not, but I'd like you to keep an ear to the ground regardless.” Taking a deep drink of the scalding leaf water I continued. “Grandpa is too of course, but he's not a woman, and sees things from a very different perspective.”

“I seriously doubt that will change things that much,” Sasha said.

“It does, not because of some innate thing, but because of social ones. People respond differently, act differently, and are shown different sides. You should learn that if you ever want to integrate yourself into human society.” Looking at my cup I made a face. “This badly needs sugar.”

“Do you have anything else you'd like to say, perhaps something to suggest other than just critiquing my tea?”

“No, but I might have an idea. Something to get you out in the world and make a big enough splash that it won't be too obvious.” It had hit me as I was looking into the cup, a plan, if I could get everyone on board at least.