=== Alfred & Ivy === --- C --- [Ivy] ... [Alfred] Whatcha doing up so late, Princess Ivy? [Ivy] Prince Alfred! [Ivy] I suppose it must seem rather suspicious for an Elusian to be roaming alone after dark. [Ivy] I assure you I have no plans to murder anyone or to set anything on fire. [Ivy] Of course, such assurances must mean little coming from me. [Alfred] Nah, you don't seem so bad. I'm leaning toward trusting you by now. [Ivy] Oh? I am surprised to learn that the crown prince of Firene is so naive. [Alfred] If that's what I get for trusting people, then naive is my middle name. [Ivy] Hm. So did you need something from me? [Ivy] If you were not here to doubt my motives, I would expect you to have left by now. [Alfred] Nah. I wouldn't leave you alone. [Ivy] And why is that? [Alfred] Well, it's pretty plain to see that you're lost. [Ivy] You think so? [Alfred] The Somniel's a big place. Lots of twists and turns. It's easy to get confused. [Ivy] Ugh... [Ivy] I do confess I am somewhat lost. [Alfred] If you're going where I think you're going, I know the way. Let me help you. [Ivy] Uh... [Ivy] Thank you. --- B --- [Ivy] ... [Alfred] Princess Ivy, we've got to stop meeting at this hour. [Ivy] Prince Alfred. Is it not past your bedtime? [Alfred] Oh, I'm not up late. I just got up early this morning. [Ivy] I am not sure this hour is sufficiently late to qualify as early. [Alfred] So what are you still doing up, anyway? [Ivy] I...couldn't sleep. [Alfred] I'd think it would be even harder to sleep out here, with it being so bright and all. [Ivy] No, I...prefer it here, actually. [Alfred] Hmm. [Alfred] Strong wind tonight, isn't it? [Alfred] Sounds like a howling ghost, the way it blows through the trees. [Ivy] What are you suggesting? [Alfred] You can be straight with me, Princess Ivy. You were scared to be alone in your room, huh? [Ivy] How dare you! [Alfred] Hey, there's no shame in it. [Alfred] The wind scared me, too, when I was a kid. I'd crawl under the sheets and stay there all night. [Ivy] I am no child! [Alfred] When you get creeped out, think of something fun instead. You'll be asleep before you know it! [Alfred] That's what my mother told me. After that, I slept like a log every single night. [Ivy] Ugh... [Ivy] I will return to bed. Sleep is restorative to one's health, as they say. [Alfred] Nighty night! Don't let the strong wind fright! [Ivy] Thank you. --- A --- [Ivy] Prince Alfred, do you understand the implications of what has occurred between us? [Alfred] Princess Ivy? Can't say that I do. [Ivy] That first night, you helped me find the way when I was lost. [Ivy] The second time, you gave me advice on how to find peaceful sleep. [Ivy] Much as I am loath to admit it, I am deeply in your debt. [Alfred] Haha, and that's bad somehow? [Ivy] Of course it's bad. [Ivy] I am the crown princess of Elusia. I cannot show such weakness, especially to a rival nation. [Ivy] Therefore...you must tell me how I can be of assistance to you. [Alfred] Oh, so you think it should be your turn to help me now, huh? [Ivy] I need to clear this obligation. That's all. [Alfred] Well, I hate to say it, but I'm not in any kind of a jam right now. [Ivy] So you won't let me help you? [Ivy] This is unacceptable. I demand that you be troubled immediately! [Alfred] Haha, the only thing that's giving me trouble is this demand of yours. [Alfred] Look, I don't think of this as a "pay me back someday" situation. [Alfred] This is just what allies do! [Ivy] Ugh. [Alfred] When I see you're in a spot, I help out. You don't owe me for that. None of my friends do. [Ivy] ... [Ivy] You just...trust people? [Ivy] You really are naive. [Alfred] Guilty as charged. But there's a lot of upsides to being naive. [Ivy] ... [Ivy] I suppose...I can find inspiration in that. [Ivy] Very well. I will trust you. [Alfred] Aww, Princess Ivy. That's great! [Ivy] To be candid, I am glad to have more people I can trust now. [Ivy] When I become queen, it will be a relief to know that at least one of my peers is trustworthy. [Ivy] Thank you, Prince Alfred. --- S ---