"It's an honour to meet all of you," he says, and oh he's burning with curiosity to know what their deal is. Why the butterfly wings, are they fairies? He thought fairies were myths, or at the very least had left Midgard centuries ago. And the Amatsu person is just as intriguing, he has no idea what kind of magic allows them to talk like that and he really really wants to know.

Powerful adventurers are an entirely different species.

Perhaps sensing Vallynn's curiosity, Taharqi says, "The three of them aren't associated with any guilds. Pek and Taph are from Umbala and the closest reference to regular adventurers would be a cross between sages and priests, Megumi is from Amatsu and their schtick is similar to a rogue's."

"I find that comparison reductive and unenlightening," sniffs Pek. "We are enchanters, stranger, but we do not organise in the rigidly hierarchical ways you do." His accent is peculiar, a clipped prosody with hard 'r's and short vowels.

"I hope it is not disrespectful to say that I would be fascinated to hear more about it."

"Fascinated," he says with ill-concealed contempt. "Would you say the arts of the rogue are fascinating? The archer? The gunslinger?"

"...yes?"

"He is that kind of nerd."

"...hm. Then perhaps it is not disrespectful after all."

"We are used to being seen as exotic attractions," explains Taph. "Because of our attire and our magic and some places even our skin colour."

"...that sounds singularly unpleasant, I'm so sorry."

She waves a dismissive hand. "Eden is a good place. Other powerful adventurers do not judge what is different."

"Does Eden not have much of a presence in Umbala?" Wherever that is.

"It does not."

...something tells him that he should definitely not ask anything more about that. He nods and then doesn't really know what to say next.

Taharqi to the rescue!

"I think Vallynn wanted to talk to me about something, though, so if you will excuse us."

Taharqi is pretty great. He'll follow.

There isn't really anywhere with any privacy here (except around Luke, who continues to have a wide bubble around him that no one dares approach) but they can project a little bit of "don't talk to me" with body language and that should be good enough. So Taharqi leans against a wall and raises an eyebrow.

Sigh. "Sorry for snapping at you."

Shrug. "It was nothing. I can deal with slight misdirected anger."

"It was very definitely not misdirected."

He lifts his eyebrow further.

"You're trying to get on my nerves again, aren't you."

"Yeah."

"Why."

"Because it's fun."