So she's my age, even better—no nero! Keep your head straight. Still marriage, huh? I guess that's what they do, I don't have a lot to say about that, to be honest. It doesn't cross my mind at all, but all I know is you don't need marriage to get busy in bed.
"Okay, but making such advances without any proper intention of courting me is wrong; you people should know better."
"What's this 'you people' thing you keep mentioning?"
She began to chuckle a bit under her breath, "You commoners, of course. Always doing whatever you want without a care in the world, living your life loud and proud. You, people, would go do the deed in the open streets if you could."
"Pfftt," I stopped myself from laughing outright. I know I could if given the chance, a bit too revealing, but that's what makes it better. It should, right?
"Nooo, but it's true, I have seen it. The people are so shameless with it, it gets on my nerves," she hissed, then continued, "Every night I escaped the house to go for a night stroll or run, I'd hear some people going at it in the bushes or behind someone's house or on the streets."
At this point, I couldn't contain myself and burst out laughing. She grew up in Buwtl, no wonder that place is known for its nightlife. I should have stayed longer.
"Why didn't you join them?" I asked.
Maya left her mouth gaping as she side-eyed me, "I will never join you people, ever. Every time I see they're doing stuff like that, I always stay far away," her eyebrows knitted together as she stuck out her tongue, "bleuugh."
"Oh really," I said as I laughed.
She smiled, "yeahh! You people are so shameless, jeez. You only saw me there that time because I needed to hurry home, yeah. That's all everyone wants; no one wants romance or to court."
"Maybe they don't want to court you," I said, placing my hand under my chin.
Again, she opened her mouth and side-eyed me, but then she broke into a laugh, "Yeah, right, have you seen my face? I'm gorgeous, you know."
I rolled my eyes at her words.
"Yeah, you fell for it too," she pointed at me with a wide grin.
She has me there; I can't resist. But I shouldn't count, I am an easy man…boy.
Maya went on and on ranting about the lack of romance, which really annoyed her. She said she would've stabbed me, but she knew I could kill her, so she didn't bother. At some point, she stopped making sense and just started complaining about everyone.
Our food came halfway through her rant. It was meat like I'd never seen prepared before. I need to ask what this is later. It could only be for nobles, which does make sense. The meal looks above my means.
She started speaking about other races, too; one of the few things she disliked about this place was its diversity. This place had people from all over the world, and they all seemed to piss her off one way or the other.
From the elves acting high and mighty. To the dwarfs getting in your way without you seeing them. To the demi-humans, just being unpredictable. And then she mentioned the assholes of the Western continent, too.
Everyone annoyed her.
"I'm not racist…i'm just saying," she said as she ate her last piece of meat. "I don't discriminate. I believe in equality."
"Exactly what a racist would say." I just learnt what racism meant today because of this conversation, good for me. But, am I racist? I feel like that's an important question to ask myself.
sadly I have no answer.
"No i mean it, I love everyone. Even though your people are particularly vexing, although you're the one I have to judge on that."
"Commoners?"
"No," she said, looking me in the eye.
"Your people aren't human after all."
"Huh," I froze. Without knowing it, I froze. What does she mean by i'm not human? A misunderstanding, maybe, I can't even remember my past, but all of a sudden, I'm not who I think I am.
my people aren't human…
"Explain"
"Whoa, relax. Hahaha," she smiled, eying me. Almost judging my reaction.
I stared at her, no response until she continued. "I read a lot of books; some tell stories of the world and how it came to be. That's how I knew your pet dragon…was an elder because she matched the descriptions."
She began stroking her hair as she continued, "and I received lots of education about these things, so yeah. But I read a book about the people who had evoked the world's wrath. They had black hair and black eyes, and their eyes turned blood red when they battled.
I don't remember what they were called; it's been a very long time since I read it. But seeing you again for the second time reminded me of it."
Seeing me quiet and waiting for her must have made her feel a type of way. Her smile left, and she began playing with her fork, avoiding eye contact.
"The book preached; they're not human."
She read a book about people who looked like me…that's a bit, hmm. I don't know what to say, I need time to absorb it, but is my look really only specific to those people? And how does that make us not human? That's If it's even true, might be a fairytale.
We evoked the world's wrath…interesting. I will make a note to look for a book like that.
"Is my appearance that different from others?"
"I don't think so. Everyone is different, but that's how the book described those people."
"I see…" Who and what am I?
"Nero, I want to go somewhere else. We are done eating." Maya declared sharply.
"Yeah..let's go," I couldn't care less right now about where we go. But just then, Maya held my hand and pulled me out of my seat. She held me firm and nudged me towards her.
"Don't let it get to you. Come, let's go."