Larrikan holds his tongue after the Professor gets the translation spell working. Some sentiments are best when not shared too widely. He contents himself with letting Sakura lean against him.
Not all the students are so careful. Annifred tells the big cat he smells nice, and asks if he is mated. Cougars can apparently blush.
The professor takes charge of the conversation, and suggests the visitors get a key ingredient for translators, and tells them what this might be. It turns out to be a fairly little, straightforward quest for one of the rarer ingredients for a translator.
Larrikan listens, and thinks the quest is clear. Not only will it prevent any truly unpleasant people from getting help, not that Sakura or any of her friends aren’t nice. It also makes the spell easier, as the quest will charge the questers and give the magic a boost. Larrikan thinks that is quite cagey of the professor.
The armadillo says – via the crystal – “That seems agreeable, sir. I don’t foresee any problems.” This from the one still recovering from a run in with redcaps.
Sakura’s comment of, “I’d be more than happy to, Honored Professor.” is more what Larrikan expected, and the Professor clearly approves.
The professor clarifies some small points the travelers ask, and tells the students they can’t help. This results in a few more comments which aren’t strictly needed. Larrikan decides the moment is right to add his own, saying, “We’ll miss you.” but no one listening is confused; he’ll miss Sakura. She blushes at this. Annifred’s suggestion, “Come back quick, ja?” isn’t too bad until she adds, “We’ll talk more than, ja, strong-pretty-feets.” This both embarrasses the cougar and convinces the Professor to continue.
The Professor uses the opportunity to lecture the new people about general safety. The talk goes fine until the bat offers rides in their technological flying machine.
Larrikan shudders and politely declines, saying, “I shall not, unless an emergency demands my injury so.” The other locals seem to agree.
The bat explains that their home has only tech, that magic is regarded as only a folk tale. Larrikan is about to suggest that this is a bit hard to believe when Sakura confirms it. Larrikan looks aghast, then quietly strokes Sakura’s ears, and tells her, “Welcome home, then.”
Sakura smiles, “Thank you, Larrikan-friend.” He smiles sweetly at her, and nuzzles her gently.
The bat asks if the lake has a name. When it is called “Swan Lake” the foreign crew recalls a ballet – music and dance – and a tale of magic with a similar name.
Larrikan grins cheerfully, “Oh, music and dancing is inspiring and magical, yes!” Sakura tries very hard not to blush. This gets Larrikan to give a mischievous grin and rubs her ears gently with his free hand.
Around this point, the professor decides the conversation has drifted, and ends it. The students pack up to go, Larrikan with them.
On the way back to the University, the Professor asks Larrikan, “If they survive, can I count on you to help with the spells?”