Machinist of Mana Chapter 91 Aunties' Party

Rowenna's aunt lived on the outer part of the more expensive districts of the city. Perhaps the man she'd married wasn't a titled noble, or he was lower on the totem pole than most I'd dealt with, or maybe she just liked it there. The area was closer to shopping and the roads leading out, so if she preferred to spend her time away from Exion rather than in it this would be a pretty good spot.

Her house also didn't disappoint, not as grand as some of the mansions I'd seen, but really quite nice. The layout was similar to our own home, large interior, with clearly delineated space for guests and the owning family. I could even guess where the back passages were, confirmed by the sound of scurrying staff moving about as they tried to do their jobs with minimal interruption to the event itself.

“I'm so very glad you came,” our host said with a smile.

“Well, it's been a bit since last I got out, and Rowenna suggested this might be a good place to work my way back into society properly after all the unpleasantness Lady Emily,” I said in response, giving credit where it was due and making sure she knew exactly why I'd come.

“Oh she is such a dear isn't she? How are you doing though, after everything that happened?” It was funny, how she seemed so sympathetic, yet at the same time so very hungry for details.

“Not too badly Lady Emily, I've seen these beasts before of course.”

“Please do tell, if it's not too much...”

“Of course, after all, people should know what's going on shouldn't they?”

I spent the next several hours dictating some, but certainly not all, of my adventures and attacks against the goblins. The audience was rapt for it too, with old men cheering as if fights were a jolly sport and ladies gasping at all the right moments. Of course Rowenna's aunt spent the whole time at the center of it all, pushing for details and bits.

“And what's that I heard about you saving some children from a monstrous bird?” one of the women finally asked, seemingly curious that I'd not brought that up.

“Oh that? Didn't have anything to do with the goblins so far as I know. I was just enjoying a day in the park when a man pointed it out. We never did find him though, had he not said something the poor little ones might well have died. Shame that I never got a chance to thank him. Odd fellow too.”

“Odd how?” Emily asked, leaning in.

“Well, his clothes for one, he was wearing some kind of robe. More than that his hair was pale white. Talked about how his daughter hated him getting out and about, so I think he may have been sickly or something.”

“You know I've volunteered in some of the hospitals about here, if you could give a good description perhaps I might find him?” one of Rowenna's other relatives offered after people hummed and hawed sufficiently.

“How about I draw the fellow? I'm no expert artist, but I can sketch a bit,” I offered.

Paper and a charcoal pencil soon made their way into my hands. It was true too that I wasn't a master artist, nor was I particularly skilled at drawing faces, but I'd drawn enough diagrams over the years and made enough art that I could get something basic out.

“No, don't know him,” the woman who'd spurred the idea said with a shrug.

That was that then, and I left the drawing sitting there. We'd had dinner, and after a brief time mingling together it was time for the sexes to split for evening activities.

“Ah my boy, thank you for entertaining my wife so. You've no idea how much she's enjoyed this. Been digging into everything she can about that horrid incident,” Rowenna's uncle said to me after we'd left them to go to the smoking room.

“No need sir, but please do keep her from digging too deeply, those monsters are no thing to poke at. They've already killed and I'd like to see that they don't harm anyone else.”

“Haha, I'll make sure to increase the wards on the house then, can't hurt and they're a bit dated as it is. Wouldn't worry too much though, she's not going to go poking around any sewers, just interrogating the men who do,” he assured.

“Are they truly that dangerous?” one of the others asked.

“They've got magic, at least the ones I've seen do. Would you underestimate any mage?”

“No, surely not,” the man said solemnly.

“Luckily it doesn't look like they've got enchanted items though, so there's that.”

They smoked, or at least many of them did, though I abstained, never liked that habit, the smell was too much for me. I did partake in a bit of brandy though, just a little, the flavors danced, enhanced perhaps by my stronger senses or just really good. These men were wealthier than I'd been on Earth of course, so most of the food that we had was top quality.

Parties didn't go on forever though, and soon enough the time came for us all to bid goodnight. Rowenna joined me in the main room once more, looking pleased enough that I doubted she hadn't gotten something out of all this.

As we were leaving she stopped, looking down at the picture I drew.

“Do you know him?” I asked, watching her furrow her brow a bit.

“I don't think so, but he's horribly familiar,” she said, sounding a tad bothered. “Would you mind if I took this?” she asked her aunt.

“No dear, so long as you tell me should you find him,” her aunt said with a hint of mischief in her voice.

“Very well,” she said, folding the paper and putting it in her bag.

“So familiar?” I asked as we settled into the carriage that would take both of us to our homes, hers first of course.

“Yes, but I can't place him, it's quite vexing.” She gave a little pout.

“Ah, well if you do I'd like to thank him too,” I said with a shrug.

“Hmm, yes.”