After returning home, Tina immediately bombarded the princess with questions like, 'Does your glare silence the masses?', 'How massive is her wardrobe?' and 'How much power do you have?'. She responded animatedly to each question. Jake interrupted his sister to ask about their mom, Keiko, and he learned she was working on a personal project in the bedroom. After sneaking downstairs and ringing the doorbell, they managed to fabricate the lie of another visitor arriving at the house, an idea the princess found amusing. The princess asked whether the warrior would tell Keiko about being a Radiant at some point. Jake replied, 'In a few years.' The princess did not delve further. When Keiko met Rikari-mi, disguised with shorter ears, Jake introduced her as Kari, a friend of a friend's cousin from out of town. A lie that she surprisingly fell for. After spending five minutes in the house, he realized they needed to do something, so he invited her to the community center.
Upon their arrival, the princess looked around the interior of the building, "This is a recreational facility?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She giggled. "You don't have to be too formal with me."
"Sorry, Kari. It takes time to get used to you. No offense. Your status is higher than mine, and... well... kind of makes me nervous."
"Relax, youngling." she smiled. "We are not in the castle or on Galvania. I won't reprimand you for thinking I am your superior. Today, I am a guest in your world."
"Youngling." Jake raised a brow. "How old are you?"
"Older than you, younger than Lady Selen-ja."
"What?"
"Remember, my lifespan is longer than yours by a century," she smirked. "But if you are curious, I am past eighteen, if you must know. Maybe I am around your mother's age."
"Maybe you say," he muttered. "Seems like Reinstar has gotten to you."
"Or have I gotten to her?" she giggled. "Being a royal is filled with rules on how to act. I can't act coy with most people. Half of Guardian truly knows me, and that's because I tried to be a member."
"Tried?"
"Father would not let me," she sighed. But enough of that. What are we doing?"
Jake wanted to know more, but she seemed intent on getting to know him. She is an interesting person. "There's a soccer game scheduled for today." He smiled. "It's the only thing I thought of. Either that or basketball."
"They are competitive games?"
"Yes, did you compete in any back home, or you weren't allowed."
"Allowed?" She seemed taken offense to it. "Jake, I believe that a noble has to remain in peak physical condition." She crossed her arms. "Look at my body. This is not someone who sat around and ate deserts all day like some fool."
"Look at your body?" Jake turned away, appearing embarrassed."
The princess sighed. "Look at me. Let me rephrase: I train not to rely too much on my guards. So yes, I participated in competitive games as part of training."
"Oh." He chuckled. "Sorry."
"Now, where are we going to watch soccer or basketball?"
Jake led her to a soccer game, where she watched them compete from the bleachers. She kept her eyes on the game as she asked questions, which Jake answered fervently. The princess noted his intense focus on the game. A smile crept across his face as a player skillfully maneuvered past an opponent before passing the ball to a teammate, and his eyes brightened when the ball reached the net.
"I think I understand the rules and how to play." She spoke. "You said it was originally from another country."
"Yep."
"Like my world, people let competitive games... sports control their life."
"Yep."
"Are you a huge fan of soccer?"
"Yep."
"Did you play before?"
"Yep."
"... Is this a waste of time when you should be studying?"
"Yep."
"You aren't listening to me, are you?"
"Yep."
She pinched Jake, making him jump in shock and pain. He looked around and saw a few people staring at him in confusion before resuming their watch of the game. He sighed and sat down. "Sorry."
"No need. You are too focused." The princess smiled. "When something interests you, do you stay on it until you see the objective through?"
"Yes."
"Does it reward you?"
"When I accomplish the goal, it feels like I accomplished something... when I don't, either I learn from it or just get frustrated." He sighed. "The frustration ends up with me feeling humiliated."
"Hmmm." She hummed. "Does the humiliation make you want to try again?"
"That depends on whether or not I really want it or if other people are doing it."
"Being a Radiant. Do you feel it rewards you?"
"I feel it gives me a different outlook." He rubbed the back of his head. "It opened a new door, and everything I knew changed. I became a Radiant to protect my family and friends and to see your world."
"Ah, a would-be adventurer." She nodded. "Understood, you aim to seek riches through adventuring my world?"
"No."
"No?"
He chuckled. "Seeing your world fulfilled my belief that there is more to life than what I am used to. Seeing new heights, seeing new things, finding out that the world I know is bigger is exciting and terrifying." He looked at her. "That's one of the reasons why I like sports, mostly soccer because it feels like I am going on an adventure. Selfish, I get it."
"Perhaps, but I understand your motivation for becoming the Fire Radiant. The crystal selected you with purpose. You want to safeguard those dear to you and fulfill a personal quench for thrills."
"Thrills." He grimaced. "When you put it that way, it makes me sound like a prick."
"No, your profile and my conversations with you are the opposite of that. Everybody has a heart for adventure; a spark is needed to set them on the path. Your love for your family is one aspect the crystal might have sought you, along with other qualities."
"Even if I was just one out of the millions?"
"Of course." She turned to the game. "The spark was set for the love of soccer." She smirked. "Which developed your leadership."
"Yeah," He said softly. "You know I'm the leader because everyone decided that, right?"
"Regardless of how you became the captain, you must understand that others are willing to follow you. It's not always about being capable of leading; it can be about an air about the individual. How you view yourself can be different from how others see you."
The fire warrior nodded, understanding her point of view. "You're right. It's just... well. It's more about how everything will play out once I visit Galvania. How will I handle situations there?"
"Guardian will be your stalwart support, as will I. Do you see growth from the battles with the three aggressors?"
"Maybe?"
She giggled. "Guardian does not see maybe; they know you are growing, even if it's a little."
"Yeah." He nodded.
She gazed at the game. "Hmmm, show me the basketball game. I want to see which one intrigues me."
"It should be across the hall, let's go."
-Next Day-
The princess requested to tag along with Christina. Intrigued, the water warrior took her downtown to the Natural History Museum, which the princess found interesting.
"When you asked me to come to the museum with you," Rikari-mi looked around at the artifacts as they entered. "I admit I was surprised. After Jake took me to watch a sports game at the Community Center and showed me what rugby is, I thought you would do the same."
Christina frowned. "Oh, we don't have to be here; I can take you to a different place."
"No, we can visit." She smiled. "I misplaced my first impression of you and maybe the rest of the group. Again, I want to follow you all and see what kind of people you are."
"I like that. You would rather speak to us than rely on our profiles."
The princess nodded. "I feel people are more interesting once they are seen in person. Documents are fine, but having tea with a stranger is better."
"Same." Christina rubbed her chin and gazed around. "That's why I brought you here. Some of us might show you areas of entertainment. I wanted to show a place that reflects our world. On Galvania, do you have museums or places that hold history?"
"Yes." She looked around. "History helps us learn from the past to protect the future." Her eyes twinkled. "How much are we going to learn? The greatest warriors, vile villains, discoveries, and inventions that changed the world?"
The Radiant giggled. "Come on, let's start at this exhibit."
Two hours passed as they toured the museum. Rikari-mi analyzed each display, absorbing information and asking questions. The Radiant had to gently steer the princess away from one staff member after she was a few inches into their comfort zone. Upon coming across the dinosaur exhibit, the princess pondered if the dinosaurs were born from chaos, prompting Christina to want to dispute it, but then wondered if the beasts that ruled ages ago were once chaotic beats. She dismissed the thought, informing her it was impossible to know. The royal dropped the idea, and they moved on to another exhibit. The royal scoffed at the idea of bringing your possessions to the afterlife, stating it was not needed and that any deity would present something more magnificent than what was in the physical realm. They proceeded to the environmental exhibit, an area that brought a twinkle to the human girl's eyes, which the princess noticed. After spending time, the girls sat at the cafe inside the establishment.
The princess sipped her drink. "The smoothies here taste just as good as the ones back home."
"Really?" Christina raised her brow. "I would have thought you would have better-quality smoothies."
"I do. However, twice a month, I ask one of my staff for food from outside the palace. I do that to ensure my people eat well and to try new dishes."
"Really?" Christina leaned forward. "Don't you have a department for that?"
"Yes, but I need to know. My father needs to know if the civilians are eating well. The food has to provide essential nutrients to keep people fed and sustain their mana. Proper food sustains mana; remember that."
"Right, that makes a little sense. At least you care to make sure people are not starving." Christina hummed.
"Other than that, I appreciate you bringing me here to learn more about your world," Rikari-mi gazed forward. "Is it history that interests you?"
"History helps us avoid repeating mistakes. It gives us a glimpse into past cultures, their customs, activities, and the equipment they used. It also shows us a place where nature appeared to be undisturbed most of the time. Now it appears that the environment is changing."
"I noticed you appeared jubilant at the nature exhibit."
"You noticed that?" Christina smiled sadly. "I won't ramble about why. You might know."
"Are you willing to speak about what it means to you as a Radiant?"
Christina's eyes lowered. She briefly gazed outside and then down to her smoothie. "Learning about the Radiant, Galvania, and everything else opened my eyes to the truth that life is more complicated."
"How so?"
"Learning about another world, mana, being chosen, fighting dangerous people, and being exposed to a remnant of a monster has made me more alert. Firstly, I don't know much about Galvania's environment, but everyone's callousness has plagued ours. I love Earth, and it pisses me off that people treat it like their personal playground and not think it won't matter to them except for their offspring. I tried fighting through school debates and forums." She sighed heavily. "Now, I have to protect both planets from evil forces. I feel like everything I tried before pales compared to my new role." She stared intently at the princess. "At first, I was angry at Jake's reasoning for joining, then I wanted answers because of my new duty. The world has changed; sometimes, it feels completely foreign. I became the Water Radiant to gain more insight."
"How is your understanding now?"
"That if I let evil continue, it will ruin everything. I have seen the remnants of rage left from a fight with the Mistress two centuries ago. Something like that affected the environment. Masked Piper and the Count helped me understand that I need to stop people like them who want to ruin both worlds." She sighed heavily. "I also figured if I could learn more from the people of Galvania I could incorporate ideas here on Earth. If I do that, I may help keep Earth sustained for a little longer."
"I think I understand your sentiments," the princess gazed intently. "However, you will have opposition the more you continue to try to preserve Earth. Your dream will come with challenges. People will openly oppose you. That much I can tell from what Guardian has informed me."
"I know," She sighed. "I might be in over my head if my ideas and experiences are incorporated, but at least I want to try."
The princess leaned back. "I admire your resolve."
"I will fight the forces of chaos to keep Earth and Galvanaia from falling. I will protect my family and friends. I will try to ensure each person on both worlds has a place to walk every day."
She giggled. "Splendid, I understand. Your heart is in the right place, Christina Zeal. I think I know what you can practice on."
"Practice on what?"
"Skills that might benefit you in Galvania and hopefully in your pursuit to preserve Earth's environment. Trying to convince people takes skill and courage, in my opinion." A bright smile developed on the royal's face. "You have the will, but you are still growing."
Christina blinked and nodded, feeling like a weight had been lifted. "Thank you."
"Now, where to next?" Rikari-mi leaned forward. "We can discuss more later after I fully assess you all."
"Assess us"
"As I said, you might need to acquire a skill, but that will come later. Now show me more."
Christina led the girl to another exhibit. What did she mean by learning a skill? Was that the reason the princess wanted to meet them, to help them improve? Christina wanted to delve further but figured the girl would bypass the topic. For now, she will wait and continue touring the museum.
