Chapter 160: Diplomatic Master Stelle
Just then, a quiet figure approached from a short distance away. It was Ti Ning.
She looked at the three of them gathered together and spoke softly, "Tribbie has been waiting for you for a long time. When you didn't show up at the agreed-upon spot, she grew a little worried and asked us to come find you."
"Ah! Sorry, sorry! We got caught up chatting!" March 7th quickly apologized, shooting Stelle a meaningful look. Stelle nodded in understanding.
[Honkai: Star Rail | Stelle: @Everyone Ti Ning just came to get us! She says Aglaea is waiting. We're heading over now to finalize the details about getting you all over here to help! Wait for our good news!]
A flurry of replies expressing understanding and support filled the chat, each member eagerly awaiting the results of their negotiations.
Ti Ning gave a quiet nod, saying nothing more. She simply made a "please" gesture and began to lead the way.
Soon, they found Tribbie waiting near the grand bathhouse.
Seeing them approach, Tribbie let out a visible sigh of relief, though her tone held a hint of gentle reproach. "Stelle! Where did you run off to?" A friendly smile, however, quickly erased any trace of admonishment.
Stelle explained with a grin, "Sorry, Tribbie. We were just taking care of something."
"It's fine, it's fine. Now that I've found you, I'll take you to Aglaea," Tribbie said, naturally taking over as their guide. Ti Ning, her task complete, quietly slipped away.
On the way to meet Aglaea, Dan Heng caught the eyes of Stelle and March 7th. With a subtle, almost imperceptible gesture, he angled his chin toward Tribbie, who was walking ahead of them. The meaning was clear: sound her out first. Gauge the general attitude of the Golden Descendants towards the idea of more outsiders.
Stelle saw Dan Heng's look, blinked, and processed it with the full force of her unique intellect. She completely missed the deeper meaning, her mind instead jumping to other conclusions. 'Is he having an eye twitch?'she wondered.'Or maybe he's just practicing his dramatic, brooding hero expressions.' She dismissed it as unimportant.
Thankfully, March 7th was on the same wavelength as Dan Heng. She keenly caught his intention and gave Stelle a gentle nudge with her elbow. "Stelle," she whispered, "let's ask Tribbie about our friends coming over first. You know, just to see her reaction."
Only then did it click for Stelle that Dan Heng had wanted them to do some preliminary scouting.
She shot a vigorous nod back at Dan Heng, then flashed March 7th an "OK" gesture, her face radiating a confident, "leave it to me" expression.
'Of course,'she thought with a surge of self-importance.'A delicate diplomatic matter like this is best handled by a charismatic and friendly master of social connections like me!'
She had no idea that Dan Heng had delegated the task to them precisely because their straightforward, direct personalities meant any verbal blunders or presumptuous requests would be more easily forgiven by the pure-hearted Tribbie.
Clearing her throat, Stelle took two quick steps forward, leaned in close to Tribbie, and pitched her voice into a saccharine, syrupy coo. "Umm~ my dearest, most adorable Teacher Tribbie~ could I possibly ask you a teensy-weensy little question?"
The effect was instantaneous and horrifying. March 7th visibly cringed, a full-body shudder running through her. Behind them, Dan Heng's stoic expression faltered, his brow furrowing in what could only be described as secondhand embarrassment. Even Tribbie herself flinched, stopping in her tracks. She turned, her small face a canvas of confusion and faint distaste.
"Stelle... are you alright? You can just say what you need to say. There's no need for that strange tone."
Seeing her diplomatic overture crash and burn, Stelle immediately reverted to her usual carefree self. She chuckled and cut straight to the chase.
"Alright, alright. Look, Tribbie, I was just thinking that Amphoreus is huge, and it would take forever for just the three of us to explore it all."
"So, I want to call in some of our companions to help! Don't worry, they're all upright, brave, and helpful people, just like me! And every single one of them is an expert at saving worlds! So, what do you think? Can they come? Can they? Can they?"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Tribbie with unabashed anticipation, like a child begging for candy.
After listening, Tribbie's delicate eyebrows furrowed, her expression growing even more confused.
She tilted her head, seemingly struggling to process the request. "More... companions? From outside the sky?"
She was genuinely puzzled. Amphoreus had almost never encountered outsiders from beyond the sky. The arrival of Stelle and her friends was already a miracle of exceedingly rare proportions. How could there possibly be more?
What's more, the sheer certainty in Stelle's expectant gaze, as if their companions' arrival was a foregone conclusion, only deepened her confusion.
A disturbing thought surfaced. 'Could something be wrong with the Sky Titan, Aigle? Why else would it continuously allow outsiders to enter...'
However, though Tribbie was simple, she understood the gravity of the situation. "We don't mind having more helpers, and I'm sure Stelle's friends are just as reliable and interesting as you are! But..."
Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "We don't have the authority to decide something like this. Whether or not your companions can enter is a question for Aglaea; it's only right that she makes the final decision. When you see her, just ask her directly."
It wasn't the resounding "yes" they had hoped for, but it wasn't a rejection either.
Listening from the side, Dan Heng let out a quiet sigh of relief. Judging from Tribbie's attitude, at least, the Golden Descendants weren't inherently hostile towards outsiders. In fact, they seemed to harbor a degree of curiosity and goodwill.
It was a good start. He could only hope the upcoming negotiation with Aglaea would go just as smoothly.
Soon, the group followed Tribbie and found Aglaea. The current leader of Okhema still maintained her dignified and composed demeanor.
"Aglaea, we're here," Tribbie announced.
Aglaea turned, offering Stelle and her companions a gentle smile. "You've been kept waiting."
Then she looked to Tribbie, a hint of concern in her voice. "Thank you for your hard work, Tribbie. Is there any news from Ti An's side?"
Tribbie shook her head, a touch of seriousness settling on her small face. "Not yet. Those deserters are extremely wary. They seem to have sensed they're being tracked and have been running in circles."
"But Ti An is being very careful. If we keep at it, we'll eventually find the exact location of Suspended Blade City by following them!"
"Suspended Blade City?" The familiar name immediately caught Stelle's attention. She jumped into the conversation. "Is that the same Suspended Blade City that Mydei mentioned? The stronghold of the Mad King Nicadori? You have to call us when you go! Fighting just one of his clones wasn't nearly satisfying enough!"
Aglaea looked at Stelle with some surprise, then nodded. "It is indeed the same place. I didn't expect Mydei to be so candid with you."
She turned her attention back to Tribbie and admonished gently, "Tribbie, please remember to remind Ti An that her personal safety is the absolute priority. If she encounters any danger she cannot handle, she is to return to Okhema immediately. She is not to take any unnecessary risks."
"Yes! We know, Aglaea," Tribbie replied with a serious nod.
Next, Aglaea's gaze returned to Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng, her tone becoming both formal and warm.
"Now then, allow me to introduce to our distinguished guests a small gift Okhema has prepared to thank you for your very useful assistance."
Tribbie understood that this was her cue to leave. "Well then, Aglaea, Stelle, I'll get back to my duties," she said obediently. With a final nod, she quietly exited the room.
Only Aglaea and the Astral Express crew remained. The real negotiation—and the key request concerning more outsiders—was about to begin.
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