Chapter 15: Chapter Thirteen: Questioned and Answered

I got arms and legs again?

I almost shouted out of both shock and excitement, catching myself at the last second, covering my mouth with my hands.

‘Wait, calm down. I’m in front of suspicious people. It wouldn’t be a good idea to give a reaction for free, even a facial expression.”

Following that train of thought, I attempted to school my facial expression physically, seeing as my face was pretty numb. I rubbed my fingers across my face, only to realize I wasn’t making an expression at all?

‘That’s odd. Maybe it’s like how I couldn’t freak out before? Now I can’t express

At the same time as I hypothesized, I took the opportunity to quickly get a feel for my facial features. A small button nose, soft cheeks, plump lips. 

‘Well, that eliminates the possibility of me being a reverse Naga or lamia. I assumed that wasn’t the case, seeing as how many times this Mayari girl called me cute, but you never know. I need to find a mirror ASAP.’

Breaking away from my stupor, I looked at the two women staring at me with eyes full of what seemed to be adoration. 

I ignored their gazes, swinging my legs towards the edge of the bed. From there I pushed off, expecting my feet to be only a few inches from the floor.

There was a bit more of a drop than I was expecting, but I landed gracefully. I got a quick glance at my feet, which looked much smaller than I remember before they were quickly engulfed in the oversized robes I was wearing.

Glancing back up, I found myself baffled by the height of the two women. I was aware that they were taller than earth’s average from the jump. Initially, I assumed that Mayari was around 5’10, while I thought Kna’Ve would be around 6’2 or so. I was pretty confident in my guestimation measuring, and I used the chair and door as frames of reference respectively.

I found myself doubting my ability, as the two completely towered over me. Which wouldn’t make sense, unless they were much taller than I thought…or I was short.

‘Ugh. That’s an unpleasant thought. It’s got to be option one, right?’

Of course, my hopes and dreams were swiftly crushed.

“Aw, you’re so tiny! I love it!” exclaimed the redhead.

“Aren’t y’all just giants?” I asked in response. 

“Hmm? Well, yes and no. We are taller than the average person, but not to the degree of giants,” Kna’Ve explained. “Rather, you’re quite a bit shorter than most people.”

‘*Critical Strike*’

Suddenly, the world lost its color, and my hearing went out.

“Kna’Ve, I think you broke her, she’s just sitting here unresponsive and mumbling. Her eyes look dead,” Mayari said, poking my cheek.

“It’s fine, it's fine. But we’ve wasted enough time as is. I really need to bring her for questioning and a couple of tests.”  the two-headed woman replied, taking the hand of the brain dead me and leading me out the room, the redhead following behind. 

She pulled me down a few corridors, making turns at seemingly random

After what felt like a long time, we arrived in front of a fancy-looking door.

“Alright!” Kna’Ve said, clapping her hands.

The sound shook me from my trance. 

Quickly getting my bearing, I felt a possible bad notion coming from behind the door.

‘Should I try to escape? No. There’s no way I can get away from that dragon lady. Scratch that, these two are probably almost as strong as her. There’s no way out.’

“Now little one, you will be questioned by the people behind this door,” she continued, finger aimed towards the door. “My advice is to be as truthful as you possibly can. I have to go run some checks before we can run those ‘tests’, so I’ll be leaving you in Mayari’s care. Good luck.”

She spun around, walked down the hallway, and disappeared as she turned onto another one.

“Well, no point in wasting any more time, huh?” Mayari smiled, taking a step forward and lightly knocking on the door.

“Come in,” a muffled voice replied. 

The redhead proceeded to open the door and walked in confidently.

I quickly follow behind her, using my new height to my advantage and using her as a cover.  

“Greetings, Lady Amare and Lady Dashuri,” she said while performing a curtsy. 

‘Oh, so she has a serious side too?’

“I have brought,” she pauses, grabbing me and moving me to the front. “...the one you requested.”

Now in front, I take a look at the two ladies. 

As expected, the golden dragon lady is here. 

As for the other one, it’s odd. She reminded me of the dragon lady quite a bit. They had a similar build and height, as well as their presence. Although this lady seemed a bit more refined and mature. She had grayish purple hair coupled with sandy-colored eyes. As per usual in a fantasy world, she was really beautiful.

“Thank you, Mayari.” the purple-haired lady said and then glanced at me. “Please have a seat and enjoy some tea.”

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I was then ushered over to a sofa, one facing the one those two were seated on. Mayari sat right next to me. 

‘She’s staying? Is this questioning not important or is she important enough to know?’

As I thought of the possibility of Mayari being a VIP, I was again reminded of my shortness when my feet dangled off the couch. 

“Hi there. I hope we didn’t make you too uncomfortable. I am the Head Guildmaster, Uni Dashuri.” stated the purple-haired lady with a slight wave and smile. “Sitting next to me is Archduchess Murua Amare.”

“May I ask what your name is, little one?” she asked.

“Ad-. Actually Mrs.Dashuri, I don’t actually have a name.” I answered. 

‘Ms. Kn’Ave told me to be as truthful as possible. The truth is I always loathed that name, the only thing that sperm donor ever gave to me. It never really felt like my name.’

Uni turned to Murua, exchanging a glance.

“Oh my, how interesting. Well then, can you tell m- “

“Can I give you a name?” Murua, who had been silently staring me down, suddenly interjected. 

“Eh?” I accidentally let out, surprised.

Her eyes widened, as she realized what she had just said.

“W-well, you don’t need to feel inclined to accept it. It’s completely fine if you don't.” the otherwise intimidating dragon lady stammered.

Hear her out. 

‘Well, if the Cute-Ex Machina says so I guess it’s worth a shot.’

“...Alright.” I hesitantly replied. 

“Maua. I think Maua is the perfect name for you.” she proclaimed.

“M a u a.” I parroted, letting the word sit in my mouth.

‘For some reason, it really resonates with me.’

“I really like it. I thank you for this gift, Lady Amare.” I said, bowing my head.

“Think nothing of it. It was simply a strange urge that I acted upon.” Murua dismissed. “My apologies for the interjection, Lady Dashuri. Please proceed.”

“Okay then. Maua, can you tell us where you live?” Uni questioned.

“Of course, Mrs. Dashuri. I’m not sure if there’s a name for it, but the lower levels of the place that we were picked up by Lady Amare are all I have ever known.” I replied, finally picking up the teacup. 

‘Again, not really a lie. Hell is the only place that I, Maua, know about.’

Exchanging another look with the dragonoid sitting next to her, the purple-haired lady speaks up again.

“This is kind of off topic, but I am interested. Why are you referring to me as Mrs. Dashuri instead of Lady? And don't worry, I don’t particularly mind. Just wondering."

Not realizing what I had been doing, I almost choked on the tea.

“My apologies, Lady Dashuri. I had noticed that you and Lady Amare seemed quite similar, with you almost appearing as a more mature version of her. My brain subconsciously made the assumption that someone as stunning and refined as yourself would most certainly be married.”

‘ I hope that marriage is a thing and is similar to that of Earth or I just outed myself completely.’

“Ohoho, you’re quite the smooth talker aren’t you?” She chuckled.

‘Phew. I thought I was a goner.’

 “Moving on. Other than the four you arrived with, have you seen anyone else at home recently?”

“Yes. I saw three others not too long ago.” I replied.

“Would, you happen to know the whereabouts of those people?” Uni prodded. 

“No, ma’am. I try not to make a habit out of knowing about scum.”

“...I see. Well, that’s all the questions I have for you right now.” She paused. “Lady Amare, do you have anything you’d like to say?”

The dragonoid shook her head.

“In that case, Mayari, please escort Maua to the testing area.”

‘Eh? That’s it?’