Chapter Text
“Where are you taking me?” Uzi asked, riding upon N’s back as he flew.
“A small marketplace.” He replied, starting to descend.
“Why are we going to a marketplace?! If anyone sees you, they’ll hunt you down!” Uzi exclaimed, looking down to her Worker Suitor.
“That’s why I’m not going in.” N told her with a short glance.
Before Uzi could reply, they were on the ground. The village was still a little ways away, just a short walk on a nearby path. Uzi turned to the Wyvern Drone she’s been living with for a little while now, hands on her hips and a furrow to her brows.
“You better start explaining literally all of this!” She demanded. “If anyone sees who I am, they’ll take me to some guillotine for sure!”
“That’s why you’re wearing a hood.” N argued, pulling said hood up for her. “As long as you don’t show your face to anyone, you’ll be fine. Besides, I think the townsfolk are more worried about their trades and… Whatever else.” He added as his tail waved.
Uzi growled and glared up at him, fixing her cloak.
“I still don’t have money to buy anything with.” She pointed out.
“That’s why I had you bring some of my treasure in that basket.” N responded, lowering his head to meet hers more equally. “You Worker Drones trade ‘money’ for items, right?” He cocked his head.
“Well, yes, but-” Uzi tried to say.
“Then sell those items. They’re old and not that important to me anyway.” The Safi’jiiva Drone waved dismissively.
Uzi only stared up at him, unsure as to what to make of this.
“What are you doing this for?” Uzi asked quietly, her optics turning to the grass. “You don’t go so near to worker settlements, and you have no reason to. Why bring me all the way out here, think so much of this through, let me out of your sight-!” She began to ramble.
“Because I don’t want my Bride cooped up in a ravine all day.” N replied before Uzi got too far. “It gets boring living in a dusty cave all day, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t you like to see what’s around?” Again, N cocked his head.
“...” Uzi stared silently back at him, still not quite believing this good-natured gesture. “Is there something you wanted?” She asked as she turned her optics away again.
The Safi’jiiva Drone sighed, his layered chest plates rumbling.
“No.” He told her. “Get whatever you want. It’s your treat, after all.” He said as he plopped down on his haunches.
Uzi once again turned to stare up at him, but this time with surprise. As soon as she felt the blush lines fading onto her visor, she averted them again.
“Thanks…” She muttered.
“Of course.” N nodded. “You should probably get going now, before someone sees us.” He pointed out.
“Uh-! Right!” Uzi nodded, startled from her bashfulness.
“Don’t stay there too long. At least, not until the moon is coming out.” Her Worker Suitor added.
“I won’t, don’t worry.” Uzi sighed fondly.
With that, she turned and trotted her way towards the beaten path, hopping onto it and beginning her short trek towards the market town. N watched her, up until the trees and foliage obscured her figure too much to be seen.
The Safi’jiiva Drone started to walk himself, following his Wyvern Bride in case. N would only go as far as the treeline that was still some distance away from the town, but at least he’d be closer if anything were to happen.
Settling down and loafing, N stared at the marketplace as the sun’s rays bathed over his metal and scales through the thicket of the tree leaves. It was quite relaxing, almost putting N to sleep.
Uzi took her first step into a worker settlement for the first time in what felt like ages. She could feel her core pound out pulsations in her chest, her plating threaten to rattle, and her knee joints feeling weaker than usual.
Even with a whole new look in terms of clothes, as well as a cloak to keep her face covered, Uzi still worried someone may recognize her. It kept her on her toe joints, kept her anxious and wary. If her hood was even slightly out of place, her hands flew to fix it.
Looking around, the place was busy today. No doubt from the weather, Uzi told herself. Either way, she had to make sure she stayed low and didn’t get herself caught.
‘I should head to a jewelry store first. Maybe an antique store.’ The purple-haired Worker Drone thought.
With another quick glance around, Uzi found the former first. She quickly shuffled her way through the crowds and inside the small shop, greeting the owner. Uzi nearly tripped up with acting so formal, swiftly giving him a simple hello.
“What can I do for you today?” The aging drone asked.
“I-I’d like to sell some gemstones.” Uzi replied, her fingers fidgeting with her basket handle.
“May I see what you’ve got?” The owner questioned with a smile.
Uzi dug around in her basket, pulling out her failed attempts at jewelry. The store owner stared curiously down at the strung-together jewels for a long moment.
“I see you were trying to make a few bracelets.” The owner commented.
“Y-Yeah…” Uzi nodded as a sweat drop blinked onto her visor. “Do the gems still hold value?” She asked.
“Well sure!” The owner said. “Perhaps not if they were untouched, but I’ll still take ‘em!” He chuckled.
“Ah, thank you!” Uzi sighed in relief.
She… Didn’t get as much as she thought she would…
Uzi stared at her one gold piece and three silver coins. She thought that a few Wyvern Gems like those would sell for far higher.
‘Maybe they were too damaged to be that valuable.’ Uzi thought to herself as she pocketed the coins. ‘I guess I should head to a merchant's shop next.’ She figured, looking around.
Following the bustling crowd, she searched around for a suitable shop. There were many that held various items and traded tons more. Trying to find one that would give her some coin for the small items N gave her would be difficult.
“I suppose I just have to see who’s willing to buy.” Uzi muttered to herself.
Wading through the crowd and to the other side, Uzi stumbled over to a random merchant’s shop. Their greeting was quick, and Uzi only managed to sell one item. And only for a few copper coins.
Another shop was similar, giving her silver this time. There was a repeat at another stall. And one more repeat. And one last time, which rewarded her with a gold coin! Just one, though…
“Hopefully I can buy something with all this…” Uzi mumbled to herself as she pocketed the one hold piece. “Maybe I should get a proper piece of jewelry.” She muttered again as she looked around.
There were seldom any accessory stores. Back in her old kingdom, there was a jewelry and clothing shop every other store. Yet there wasn’t much in this town.
And when the ex-princess finally did find something, it was all the way at the edge of town. Not to mention looking rather run-down and dusty. But there was a drone woman sitting inside, seemingly waiting for a customer.
The little bell above jingled as Uzi entered the shop. The woman turned, seemingly not expecting someone to enter. She stood from her stool in the back, walking up to the old counter.
“What can I do for you today?” She asked.
“I wanted to see your jewelry.” Uzi smiled back politely, needing to stop herself from curtsying.
“Well, take a look around! I’ve got plenty to sell!” The other woman chuckled.
“Uhm, d-do you have anything that’s on the cheaper side…? I don’t have much on me at the moment…” Uzi’s smile turned nervous as her hands fidgeted with her empty basket.
“Everything here is on the cheaper end.” The woman said. “I’m sure you’ll find quite a few pieces that fit your budget.” She smiled warmly at her again.
“Thank you.” Uzi nodded.
She turned to browse the various accessories. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, anklets, brooches, even decorated ribbons, scarves, and hats. Despite what the store owner said, Uzi still thinks she wouldn’t have enough for much of her wares.
‘I might be able to get a bracelet.’ Uzi thought to herself, sliding her hand under a silver one with orange gemstones.
“Many of these actually use Wyvern Gems.” The lady commented, catching Uzi’s attention. “Of course, most don’t believe me when I say that, but it’s true!” She laughed.
Uzi blinked, curious over her words.
“What kind of wyverns got you these gems?” She questioned, staring at the jewelry again.
“Many!” The owner replied. “It’s not like I have some Wyvern Drone farm, though I do have connections to a few hunters!” She added.
“I see…” Uzi responded absentmindedly.
She spent another few minutes gazing at the jewelry. There were so many pieces filling the store, looking to be untouched either from an occasional dusting. Uzi wonders how many customers this woman actually gets…
“Do you have anything made from Elder Dragons?” Uzi asked, trying on a ring.
“Elder Dragons, huh?” The woman mimed. “I… Have tried.” She replied.
“Can’t say I was ever good at it, however. Those gems are tricky to make into jewels.” She added, finishing up a new brooch. “Why do you ask?” The woman went on as she turned to a stand.
“Just-... Wondering.” Uzi told her.
She then picked up a hair clasp, the outside base was made of dark gold. There was red metal helping to make up a dragon’s head. The eyes were made of diamonds, the black horns made of onyx.
‘It reminds me of N…’ Uzi thought, staring at it as though she were in a trance.
“You like that one?” The woman asked.
“Uh- Yeah. It reminds me of someone.” Uzi nodded, admittedly a little startled.
“A husband, perhaps?” The woman laughed.
“S-Something like that, though not quite…” Uzi laughed nervously, blush lines blinking onto her visor.
“Well, why don’t you buy it? My wares aren’t all that expensive.” The owner said.
“How much is it?” Uzi asked back.
“Only two gold pieces. That one took a while to make. Mostly the horns.” The owner said.
‘It’s a lot cheaper than I thought.’ Uzi thought with surprise.
“I… Don’t see why not.” She then smiled at the older lady.
N was just about to doze off when he heard the crunching of grass approaching him. He snapped awake, standing up and preparing to flare his wings. Thankfully, it was just Uzi finally returning.
You got awfully close to your curfew.” N commented as his Bride came up to him.
“Relax!” Uzi rolled her optics. “It’s not like you can’t easily find me, although you’d probably get hunters on your tail.” She said as she lightly smacked his arm.
“...” N didn’t reply, simply stared at her.
“Something the matter?” Uzi asked with a cock of her head.
N moved it back, even had her face the other way. He leaned in close, staring at the Worker Drone’s hair.
“Is this new?” He asked, staring at the hair clip.
“It is indeed!” Uzi smiled proudly. “And I got it for relatively cheap, too!” She added.
“I see.” N nodded, letting her cheeks go. “We should head home then-”
“I got something for you, too!” Uzi exclaimed, interrupting him.
N turned back around, a brow quirked down in confusion. Uzi pulled something else out of her basket, standing right in front of her Worker Suitor.
“Here. I figured you might like something nice.” His Wyvern Bride spoke, putting something around his neck.
N tried to stare down at it, but couldn’t. Uzi giggled at his struggle, turning his head this way and that. She took off the necklace to show him.
“Here. Maybe I should’ve let you get a good look at it first.” She said. “This is a choker. I thought it’d look nice on you.” Uzi said again.
N sniffed the accessory, smelling the hands of another Worker Drone on it.
“I thought I told you I didn’t want anything.” The Safi’jiiva Drone spoke.
“Well, I thought I’d be nice for once.” Uzi countered. “But, do you like it?” She questioned.
N stared at the ‘choker’ again. The leather strap was colored dark purple, the spikes being made of opals. Between the opals were studs, looking to be made from Silver Rathalos scales.
“It is… Shiny.” N commented in reply.
“Really? That’s what you think of it?” Uzi asked with a quirked brow, not too appreciative of that answer.
“I… I’m not very knowledgeable on, uh… These things.” The Safi’jiiva Drone said, still staring at the necklace.
Uzi sighed, her shoulders sagging. N felt kinda bad now. Perhaps he should’ve just said it was pretty-
“Would you still be willing to wear it?” His Wyvern Bride asked, smiling at him for some reason.
“I would.” N nodded.
“Then that’s all I need.” Uzi said, leaning forward again.
She put the choker back on him. N thought the constraint around his throat felt odd, but didn’t try and scratch at it. Uzi gazed at him for a few moments, taking in the sight of her Worker Suitor.
“You look a lot more handsome wearing that.” She whispered.
N opened his mouth to reply, but hesitated.
“And you look very pretty with that, uh… Hair… Gem…” N replied.
“It’s called a ‘hair clip’!” Uzi laughed. “But I’m glad you think so.” She then blushed, turning her optics away.
A few minutes of silence went by, neither drone speaking or looking at each other. N glanced to the horizon, seeing the sun just beginning to set.
“We should go home now.” He said, standing up again.
“Uh-! R-Right!” Uzi nodded, forgetting about that.
N crouched down and let Uzi hop onto his back. Once she had a good grasp on him, he flared his wings and flapped them. Taking off after a few strong beats, N soared in the opposite way from the town.
“Did you have fun while you were there?” N asked over the winds.
“Yeah!” Uzi replied with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind going back sometime, even!” She added.
“I’ll keep that in mind then.” N replied.
He beat his wings harder, speeding up their travel. He’s glad his Wyvern Bride had fun, and found something she enjoyed. And… Even N liked what she had bought for him. Even if he didn’t understand why ‘jewelry’ existed or was such a big deal.
‘It’s… Nice to wear this, though.’ N thought to himself.
He didn’t try to stop the smile from spreading on his face plates at the thought.
The rest of the journey home was peaceful and even fun, with Uzi enjoying flying through the air one more time.