Chapter 4.3: Illya’s Scavenger Team

Illya looked over at Shirou, watching as the three students (all currently male; Illya had heard of gender-changing mysteries, but that Eevee used them naturally. How?) attentively meditated before the watchful gaze of the Lucario emissary. She frowned slightly; apparently, using magic tended to interfere with developing Aura; with similar trade offs regarding psionics or elemental channeling. Which made some sense, since all of those sources relied on spiritual energy of sorts, but…

“A little disappointing.” She muttered.

Beside her, Matilda butted her calf, rubbing her head against her thigh. “Vee.” Illya’s pout turned into a smile as her partner reassured her.

“Thanks Matilda.” The snow-haired girl whispered. “Shirou, I’m heading out!”

Shirou nodded without opening his eyes. “Going shopping? Doing research?”

“Heading into the highlands. Still need more resources.” She sniffed. “I have decided I dislike feeling poor, much less being poor.”

Lucario shot her a look. “At least you seek to add to your funds with your own effort. Many would take what they saw as their due.”

“I’m not that spoiled,” Illya grumbled, a pout briefly flickering into existence on her face before she forcibly suppressed it. “Besides, Grandpa basically never let me leave the castle, so it’s nice being able to actually get stuff I want and act like a normal kid.”

“I think normal children lack your advantages… and yet, you also take more risks. Stay safe, child. And check in frequently, please.” He turned a dour look on his students. “These three might run after you to the rescue. Then I would have to chase them down for discipline.”

“I will. Don’t train too hard, Shirou, Ritsuka, Yagi.” Illya waved, Matilda chirping a good bye to her currently male sibling with a wave of one of her feelers.

Illya’s walk took her through the traditional quarter of town, her gaze looking over the old shrines and the various small stalls and markets littering the way towards the Temple of the Three Gods. She shot a look at the tall structure before putting her back to it, heading through the old gats which once marked the edge of Celestic Town, then passing through several more small communities, her steps picking up as she triggered one of her first mysteries.

“Agility.” She murmured, her steps quickening once, twice, then a fourth time, doubling her walking speed each time. Now moving at a respectable blur, she headed off the beaten path and into the highlands at a brisk pace.

“It’s strange, Matilda.” The young tween said softly, the Pokeball in her hand shaking slightly in acknowledgement of her words. “My upbringing says that gods are real, but… I don’t think I’ve ever respected them.” Pausing, the snow-haired girl sighed as she continued speeding up the mountain, noting the hints of snow that were already building on Coronet. “But the creation trio and Arceus… I think I actually like them; they’re largely described as benevolent, and when they do interfere, it’s generally for the good of the world rather than their own amusement.” She paused. “Except when they go mad, and even then… they can and do call on us to bring them back.”

Illya shook her head as she crested a ridge, her sped-up feet bearing her over a small group of Teddiursa foraging in the bushes. “Well, we’re outside civilization now. Come on out.” Illya tapped the Pokeball, letting Matilda materialize beside her. Crouching down, she scratched her partner behind the ear. “The legends of Mystery Gifts say you were created by one of the gods. Do you remember any of that?”

“Vee~”

“I wish… Oh, I’m stupid.” Illya grumbled, warming up her circuits, “Well, Matilda, I think I know exactly how I’m going to talk to you now.” She focused, feeling that odd magic which had seeped into her mind since her arrival; the one which let her hear, speak, read, and write in these foreign lands. With an application of will, she widened its power, before looking down again, magic shining behind her eyes.

She fell to the ground moments later, utterly spent and her circuits burning to the point of agony.

“Ow,” she stated softly, too tired to even muster the energy to scream.

“... My Queen, perhaps do not expend the entirety of your circuit’s capacity at once?” A melodious voice spoke up in concern. Matilda moved over, tendrils carefully helping Illya sit up and setting her back into a sitting position. “Your Majesty should experiment in controlled conditions. Such hypocrisy, considering your commentary to the young lord…”

“Shirou infected me with his stupidity.” Illya grumbled, not even bothering to try and resist, flopping back to the floor moments later petulantly. “My everything hurts and my body is on fire.”

“If the young lord is sharing himself with you, what have you shared with him, I wonder? Reciprocity is key to such relationships, I believe.” Matilda sighed. “Did you at least succeed, my Queen?”

“Yes, I think I did.” The former Einzbern stated in satisfaction, delight dancing across her tired eyes. “Nice to meet you properly, Matilda.”

The Sylveon’s eyes narrowed. “Just because you could not hear me, does not mean we did not know each other,” she sniffed, before relaxing into a smile. “It is good to be clearly understood, though.”

“Fair,” Illya giggled, slowly pulling herself to her feet. “It’s nice, having another person to have a conversation with.” With a final pause, the snow-haired girl started walking. “Let’s do what we came to do now, yes?”

“Sure. Hold up, hog crossing.”

Illya stopped as a pack of Swinub, escorted by a few Piloswine, rolled across the field in front of her, happily snuffing and rooting as they trundled forward. She cocked her head as she watched them pass. “...have you thought about who’d you want as a partner? We can’t catch anyone yet, but we might start looking into options.”

“They would need to meet my standards and yours. Beyond that, I have no objections.”

“And what are your standards?”

“A capacity for violence and elegance, loyalty, and a tolerance for both underhanded acts, strangeness, and heroism. Considering ourselves and our family, all of those will be necessary.” She paused, then let a wide smile cross her face. “Also, it’s best if they are a tad quirky in some regard, or else they won’t fit in our court.”

“Fair enough, I suppose” Illya mused, smiling. “I don’t think I want to pick, honestly. I know that if I try to focus on what I want I’ll never find the family that I actually want, so I think I’ll just take things day by day.”

“Well said, your majesty.”

As the drift of Swinub passed their location, Illya nodded, then paused. “Why do you call me your queen, anyway? We are partners, aren’t we?”

“A young lady who lived in a castle, who was born to one of their heirs and a knight-assassin in their service.” Matilda’s tail flicked. “What else should I call you?”

“Technically, my family stole that castle.” Illya stated flatly. “We’re also the descendants of the maids, not the noble families.”

“Still a castle, still raised as a young lady. Also, most kings steal their castles from the ones who came before anyway. You will do the same when we return.” Matilda’s smile was bright as they trekked into the rarely-traveled ridgelines. “Or just level the place and start over; your choice!”

“We’ll have to level the place; grandfather is the castle.”

“...you’ll have to explain that one to me.” Matilda admitted.

“I just know that he is the castle. Which means I just have to properly burn it all to ash.” Illya shrugged, “I only know that because I heard mama whining about it once.”

“Is he like a Palossand, then? We’ll need a dark type or two, in that case.” Matilda looked around. “This seems like a good area to start.”

Illya paused, then looked at the untouched trees and the dozens of massive stone outcroppings surrounding their stopping place. Unlike more common collecting zones, this one had no trails and no markers; which meant finding places where the world generated resources or old veins of actual metals would be more difficult. On the other hand, anything they could find would be a lot richer as a result.

Illya swung her pack to hang at her side, reaching into it and triggering the function to swap to the toolbag. “Space compression backpacks… you know, Magi in my world would kill to study these, right up until they found out that they were mundane technology. Then they’d dismiss it as beneath them. Grandfather would probably be furious.”

“Based on what you’ve been telling me on the mechanics of mystery, my lady, it’s more likely they’d shit themselves in fear,” Matilda snickered, fae glee evident on her face. “Given that mystery declines as science advances…”

“Doesn’t seem to be the case here, though.” Illya muttered as she withdrew the carved ivory pendant from her bag. Holding it up, she muttered the trigger, watching in satisfaction as her mystic code began to point towards a nearby boulder. “I wonder why?”

Matilda waved her feelers in a vague equivalent of a shrug. “I’d imagine that different universes or dimensions operate on different principles. Other than that, who knows?”

“...I wonder if the differences in Gods have anything to do with it?” Following the pull of her pendant’s seek function, Illya rounded the boulder to find a glistening vein of reddish stone, shimmering slightly in the noon light. “Hmm, this is a big one. I wonder what it contains?” She reached into her pack again, pulling out a pickaxe. “Thank goodness for reinforcement…”

Matilda eyed the rock face. “I could probably blast it…”

“And if there was an elemental stone or gem, blow it all up. I’ve got a chisel and hammer if you want to help.”

Matilda accepted the chisel, and drove it into the bottom of the seam. The two girls worked in tandem, peeling away the hardened energy and allowing the materials which had crystalized within to spill out. Illya grinned as she scooped up her prizes. “Iron chunks, tumblestones… oh, stardust! Good finds!”

“Nothing too exciting, but that stardust is valuable.” Matilda chirped. “Next vein?”

“Sure…” Illya’s voice trailed off as a hungry-looking boulder rolled around the corner. “After we deal with this one, at least.”

“Human! Drop the minerals, and I won’t hurt you!” The Graveler rumbled, rolling to his feet. “Pink thing, tell your human to drop the shinies and run!”

“Is he serious right now?” Matilda asked her queen, irritation flickering across her face, “There are plenty of other minerals around here, Graveler.”

“Easy food is better, and I smell red sand!” The rock type rumbled. “...hmm. Not scared? I’ll fight you for them!”

Illya clicked her tongue. “Well, sure, I guess. Matilda, magical leaf.”

“As you command.” The Sylveon preened, grass-type energy coalescing around her into glowing, multicolored leaves that began bombarding the Rock-Ground Type, “Eat rainbow colored leaves, fiend!”

“Pink thing has grass attacks? Not fair!” Graveller yelled as he was bombarded. “Take this!” The boulder rushed into a clumsy, barrelling tackle, which whiffed right by Matilda as she stepped to the left. Illya raised one eyebrow as the Graveller face planted in the ground.

“Well, this was no challenge at all. Good night, knave.” Matilda deadpanned as she swung herself in a circle, a quick iron tail sending him spinning into unconsciousness. “Idiot.”

“Good work, Matilda.” Illya murmured, petting her partner before moving back to the rocks, “I think, this time, I’ll work on mining while you keep watch. Just in case another rockhead comes at us.”

“Next vein, then!” Matilda chirped, dropping her equipment back into the backpack.

Four veins later, and Illya was pleased at their fortune thus far - up until now, at least. The first two veins had contained the normal crafting ingredients expected from their searching, only in greater quantities and quality than her expeditions closer to town; without her space-warping pack and its weight mitigation, she wouldn’t be able to tote the number of stones and ore chunks she’d found.

The third vein had held a rather nice find; a Sun Stone, which she’d excitedly wrapped up and pocketed in glee. The fourth vein, on the other hand, had only contained trace resources, but had also prompted her frustration, as the Pokemon resting behind the vein hadn’t taken her hammering in stride.

Illya yelped as the Parasect which had been resting in the lee of the outcropping sent another Acid blast at Matilda. Immediately, the fox-cat responded with a quintet of glowing flames; sending the Mushroom Bug reeling as two connected.

Ignoring her trainer’s plight - she had far too many things to worry about with the Parasect trying to remove both of them - Matilda sent an avalanche of stars hurling towards the aforementioned insect. Grimacing at the irate chittering of the bug as they peppered the far stronger Pokemon, she leaped in front of a glob of acid heading towards her trainer, a translucent shield repelling the deadly poison.

“My lady, move.” Matilda squealed as she deflected a second glob with a feeler coated in steel-type energy. “I cannot focus on protecting you and removing the threat!”

Illya nodded, dodging backwards into the thicker shrubbery as she yanked one hair from her scalp. Once she was at a safe distance, she tossed it into the air, transforming it into a flying knife and sending it to thunk into the Parasect’s back. As it spun, she yelled out. “Matilda, Mystical Fire!”

“On it.” The fae fox growled, voice wavering as the quintet of flames flickered into existence once more, orbiting her as she methodically launched them towards the Parasect, a dark look of satisfaction taking hold of her muzzle as they connected. The parasite bug screamed, before lunging forward, claws crossing while they shone with a pale green energy. Matilda screeched as the hit landed, before responding with a Psyshock, sending the insect screaming towards the treeline. Evidently, it had not expected the pair to fight back so hard.

Illya was about to make chase before Matilda wavered, collapsing on her belly in quiet pain. Illya squeaked, running over to her partner. “Matilda, are you okay? Let me get out some potions, hold on–”

“Just… Give me a few minutes.” Her partner panted, grimacing, “That bug did not like us. I think it was trying to kill me and or you, to be quite honest.”

“I thought Pokemon weren’t supposed to do that anymore…” Illya growled.

“In human areas, certainly. In the wilds, well, don’t humans disobey the gods all the time? The Paras line and a lot of bug types are really bad at that anyway, since they evolved during the old times where Pokemon ate each other frequently.” Matilda reminded her. “There’s a reason humans leave a lot of the world to Pokemon, even though most interactions are peaceful.” The foxcat paused, “Also, if you’re buying the tripe that some people love to quote; don’t. Pokemon have just as much capacity to be evil as humans, and that Parasect responded far more violently than acceptable for disturbing his rest simply because he could get away with it.”

“Right…” Illya muttered, pulling out a lemonade. “Here, drink this.”

“Oh, certainly, milady.” Before she put her mouth on the straw, she sniffed. “Hang on, Illya. Go check that place where the Parasect was napping. I smell something… nice.”

Illya nodded after confirming her partner would be okay, then stood up and ducked into the small lee, finding a bright red patch of mushrooms of large size. “Edible shrooms… large and small. Shirou would like these, and I could sell some… but that scent…” Illya carefully pushed aside some of the leaf litter, eyes widening as she revealed a bright yellow fungus with a round cap. “...oh, that smells good…” she murmured, pulling several plastic containers from her bag and tugging on a pair of gloves. “Let’s see…”

By the time Illya finished her harvesting, Matilda was back on her feet and seemed to be in good health. Emerging from the small cave, Illya tucked the last parcel of shrooms away. “Do you think you’re good enough to keep going?”

“So long as we do not disturb any other Pokemon, likely. If you’d like to edge on the side of caution, I’d recommend returning home, however,” Matilda replied after a few moment’s pause, shrugging in a now familiar gesture. “Up to you, milady.”

Illya looked up, then peered into the forest. “Let’s go and hit a few more spots before we turn around. These mushrooms should sell pretty well, but that’s only if Shirou doesn’t snag them for his cooking. We haven’t found enough valuables to make today worth it.”

“I see. Let’s head out, then.”

The two youngsters crossed several ridges without finding another set of veins, before they stumbled on a small scree with a half-broken deposit, a tumble of stones and ores scattered across the ground, along with a single, four-pointed red object. Illya knelt, examining the Star Piece. “Someone broke this vien open… and then didn’t take the prize. Why would they do that?”

“It was likely a Pokemon, my Queen.” Matilda stated after a pause, “After all, some of these outcrops have been known to contain evolution stones.”

“Oh, that makes sense…” Illya muttered, tucking away the star piece and the other treasures. “I wonder what they’re looking for?” She paused, then stopped as her eyes began to sparkle. “Ooh, what if it’s a Growlithe? Looking for a fire stone?” She clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Eee, we could meet a wild fluffy!”

“... My queen, no.”

“All my yes!” Illya squealed. She then paused. “Or… it could be something else… Aren’t there some cold-weather Vulpix which live in Sinnoh? Or a wild Eevee, rare as they are.” She looked down at the ground, frowning as she noted the lack of tracks. “One way or another, following them would let us get our hands on some more treasure without having to waste time or energy. Can you get their scent?”

“Yes. Follow me then, milady.” Matilda sighed, “If we encounter trouble, be aware that we are running.”

“That’s fair.” Illya agreed. “What do they smell like, anyway?”

“I’m… uncertain. The scent is quite faint.” She responded, loping off along the trail, Illya trotting along behind. “Not anything with a strong odor, so not a furred or slimy creature. Not a ghost, and probably not a fighting-type… they don’t have a strong enough scent of sweat for that.”

“So that leaves… rock types? Bugs? Reptiles, I guess…”

“Could be a psychic type, though I can’t think of any of those who evolve with stones.” Matilda replied as they wove through a scree of pointed stones. “Though there’s an odd… bite to it. Like… preservation.” He ears perked up. “Wait, did you hear that?”

The two rounded one last corner, even as Illya voiced her conclusion. “Ice.”

Before them, positioned square in front of a glimmering seam in the rock face, a lone Snorunt carefully aimed upward. With a hiss, a precisely aimed ice spike jammed into the rock face, cracking off another shard of the red-purple material of the mineral vein. As the lump of material turned into a small tumblestone, the Srorunt sighed before forming another spike in front of its face. Deciding to observe the likely female Snorunt before she committed to interacting with it, Illya watched as the little ice-type continued to aim and fire spikes into the wall. After three more spikes, the pokemon huffed quietly, sitting down as she sucked in clean air, obviously tired from her efforts.

“You’re looking for a dawn stone, aren’t you?” Illya asked as she came into the open, approaching carefully in a non-threatening manner. The Snorunt started as she approached, whirling on stubby legs and backing up a step, before abruptly stepping forward.

“Back off, human. Please, find another fount to draw from. This one has been claimed.” She whispered, trying to gather frost in her breath, only for the attempt to sputter out. “...please.”

“I don’t have any interest in stealing from you.” Illya said gently, halting her approach, “... I know what it’s like, somewhat, searching for something.”

“Then…”

“Would you like some help?” Illya said, blinking as the words passed from her lips. After so long hunting for ‘family’, she’d gotten it almost by accident, and now she was floundering. This little one… she didn’t know why the little ice-type wanted to evolve, but to drive her like this… well, Illya knew she would have wanted help. “I mean, I think it would be easier for me to crack open the vein for you.”

The Snorunt shuddered, before looking over at Matilda, who sat with her tail wagging. “...only if you put her away.” At Matilda’s start, she shook her head. “I will watch your back, but I don’t want her interfering.”

“... Ah, you speak of my species’ supposed ability with Aura. If you desire, I will watch from afar, then, Snorunt.” Pausing, the Sylveon shot the other Pokemon a dark look, “Should you harm her, you will die painfully.”

“More like I just don’t want you attacking me if we find a stone.” Snorunt shook. “Hum–” she suddenly stopped shaking, then shot Illya a look. “Wait, you understand me?”

“She does, yes. Her brother understands us even better, though that is because he cheats.” Matilda snickered, her fae amusement clear to any who could hear. “Go, my queen. I shall watch.”

Illya pulled out her pick as Matilda loped off to a safe distance. “Okay, I’ll cut open the rest of the vein. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Illya nodded, and began to swing. The weakened vein cracked, crunched, then shattered under her last swing, a small shower of precious treasures scattering over the ground… including one evolution stone, which hit the ground and bounced to land at the Snorunt’s feet.

A dark purple, almost black stone.

Snorunt fell to her rear with a dispirited thump, small tears of liquid forming on her cheeks and freezing to drop to the ground. “Articuno dammit, why…”

“... You’ll get what you need eventually.” Illya said after a moment, sighing. “Especially considering the deities of this world seem to actually care.”

“...but I’ll get too strong for it to matter.” She replied dully. “I’m getting closer every day… Soon there’ll be no choice.”

“Such is false, Snowrunt.” Matilda interjected from afar, “Or did your parents never teach you how to release the excess energy of evolution?”

“They did. But if you’re in battle when it comes…” Snorunt shivered. “It’s tricky.”

“... Yes, I could understand why you would be concerned, and rightly so.” Matilda admitted, sighing, “Illya, make the offer. I know you are going to.”

“Yeah.” Illya crouched, putting herself on the level with the small Pokemon. “You know, you might be able to cover a lot more ground with a partner or two. And, if we sold or traded this Dusk Stone, we could probably get a Dawn Stone in trade, if we worked together.”

Snorunt paused. “...I… this is not something I’d ever considered. It doesn’t come up much, this far from the trails.” She tilted her head. “Sylveon. I ask thee once, thrice, and three times; can I trust an oath made to this human?”

Matilda stiffened, “... In this case, yes.” She paused, then suddenly let her face morph into a massive grin. “However, there is an easy way to secure said oaths without issue.”

Illya stiffened as Snorunt asked. “And?”

“If you tell her brother of her oaths, he will hold her to them, so long as you do not turn on my Queen.” At Illya’s scowl, Matilda gave a churring laugh. “You know it’s true.”

“At least you didn’t suggest a geas.” Illya grumbled, smiling to let her starter know that she wasn’t actually upset, “You still didn’t need to tell her that I value Shirou that much.”

“...I suppose that’s the best I’ll get. One condition.” As the two turned back to her, she hissed. “I’ve heard of an ‘everstone’. Not something I’ve found. Get me one; if I’m going to be fighting for you, I want insurance.”

“Who said anything about fighting.” Illya grinned, snickering at the Snowrunt’s baffled expression. “I’m not even leaving for my journey for at least a couple more weeks anyway, and being a faller means I have a lot to learn, and I don’t really need another Pokemon besides Matilda yet.” Pausing, Illya considered something, “No offense.”

“Wrong. My Queen, we cannot turn down another fighter.” Matilda scolded. “Earlier today, we really could have used backup, for example.”

“... Right.” Illya sighed, her face falling, “I have an Everstone back home that I haven’t managed to sell yet. It’s yours until we can complete the trade for a Dawn Stone. Those things are honestly pretty cheap regardless since only two species use them in Sinnoh.”

“Thank you.” Snorunt murmured. “So, is this the part where you pull out a Pokeball, or something? I do not know how this works.”

“I don’t have any of those. Not on me.” Illya admitted. “I suppose we’ll have the walk home to talk, then.”

“...that would be nice.”

As the small group began to trot back the way Illya had come, Matilda frowned. “I recall that there are always other ways to evolve without the use of the Stones; places of power or life experiences. Could you not seek one of those out?”

“Unless you know of a recently murdered woman left to die in a snowdrift, or can expose me to enough raw despair that is only broken by the first rays of dawn’s light… no.” Snorunt’s reply was freeze-dry. “I doubt it.”

“... Aren’t there other methods to find the specific evolution energy you need? Literal places of power? Fixed ones?”

“Not for Dawn Stones. The process to create a Froslass requires revelations, not a mere expression of energy. Elemental properties, ethereal darkness? Sure. But to create a Froslass, or by extension, a Gallade, requires something… more. At the right time, and the right place.”

Illya nodded. “I guess you really want to be a Froslass, then, if you did so much research about it. They are powerful, I guess.”

“Yes. But I really just don’t want to lose my hands.”

“Ah, potential body dysphoria.” Matilda winced. “Yes, I can see why that would be a problem.” At Illya’s confused look, Matilda grinned sheepishly. “Sylveon are considered a patron-slash-mascot of transgender individuals by the humans; both of our colorings align exactly with two of their flags, and male Eevee are more common in human society than female ones. I; like Snorunt, did research on each evolution I had access to before I chose.”

“Really? Is that why you were so determined to master Baby-doll Eyes?” Illya asked. “Were you supporting Ritsuka, or…”

“Ritsuka is just bullshit, and I’m half convinced Arceus specifically blessed my sister-yet-brother with that ability specifically to fuck with me.” Matilda growled, eyes flashing in mild annoyance, “That or they’re some gender changing mage’s reincarnation.”

“...so, you chose to be a Sylveon, for another reason.” Illya ventured. “I suppose I never thought to ask why.”

“In part my own desires, in part because Sylveon are widely acknowledged to be the so called ‘best’ of the Eevee evolutionary web.”

“I thought that was… well. The internet claims every evolution except Flareon is the best. And even they have some proponents.” She pursed her lips.

“That discussion can wait till later, or even better forever. I am content and happy with my choice, my Queen. And being a fairy suits me, regardless.”

“I can tell that.” Illya smiled, before turning back to her new partner. “So, as you can see, my relation to Matilda is one part master-servant, one part partnership, and one part family. Besides evolving, what do you want out of this?”

“Once I evolve, getting stronger would be nice…” Snorunt tilted her head. “Also, food. And a wider movepool, if at all possible. There’s a lot of Pokemon out there that resist ice, but that’s basically all I have.”

“I can work with those conditions. Welcome to the team, Snorunt.” Illya hummed. “Speaking of which, names.”

“Ah, the rumored humorous nickname. Though I am uncertain what Matilda is meant to reference.”

“It means Battle-ready, actually.” The Sylveon fluffed her tail. “As I am and always shall be.”

“I actually named her with a human name in mind, and that was only because I found out that unless your name is Ritsuka, Pokemon names often fail to translate properly to human speech since they’re concepts.” Illya shot back dryly, “And I won’t give you one unless you want one. I’m happy to work with Snorunt if I must.”

“... Right, Ritsuka… Why does that Eevee exist specifically confuse me again?” Matilda muttered darkly, “I swear, if I didn’t love them…”

“Erm…”

“They’re my nestmate. It’s my contractual obligation as their sister to shit on them constantly.”

“Right, I didn’t want to have the incest talk today…” Illya groaned. “Ugh, why did Grandfather have to have that talk with me?” She shook her head. “Right, the Spanish Hapsburgs.”

“Ew! No! Gross!” Matilda spat, “My Queen, never imply that again!”

Snorunt chuckled as they continued to bicker. “Well, at least this won’t be boring.”