A Few Minutes From The Gypsy Caravan

As they walked the last part of the way to the caravan, Gaga fell silent, contemplating the conversation they'd had back on the ledge. It's true that I have many years of experience, but all of that was in serving Hell's royal family. And while that experience is useful during for understanding the protocol in negotiations and politics, it's probably useless in any other case. If I were to stay with Onua-san, all of my years of experience would be worthless. But…I'm stuck as a human anyway. Whether I'm with Onua-san or not, that experience will make no difference, I'll still have to learn how to be human. Perhaps that means that if I want to be with Onua-san, it's alright?

But…I'm a demon! Even if I'm in a human body, my essence is demonic in nature. Can a human-demon romance even work? Are children even possible? Does it even matter? Onua-san said she didn't care that I'm a demon, and I don't have a problem with her being human, but if we can't have children, I'm not sure it would be a viable relationship …and Niko would lose his only chance at grandchildren. But if children are possible, then there's no reason that a demon-human romance couldn't work…

That was two arguments against it down. He'd have to ask Niko about the children though. There still remained the matter of social status however. No matter what, I'm serving class, and she's not. Though, in most places it would seem that gypsies are considered even below the serving class. Common gypsies anyway. Would that put Onua, as gypsy nobility, on the same level as me, a higher-level servant? If we are on about the same social level, then even if we're technically in separate classes, it won't matter. It would be like a grocer marrying a farmer, different classes, but still the same standing.

Onua was right, there really wasn't all that much holding them back. There were a few conditional terms, and the approval of their authority figures, and that was it. Approval. How can I possibly get Princess Grenda's approval for this? Technically Onua-san is right, she has no power over my personal life, but if she were angry enough, she could fire me! I don't think she would do that, she's really a very kind girl at heart, but still, dare I take that chance? I've already established that I have no practical skills in the human world, I haven't learned a trade. If Princess Grenda fires me, I won't have a way to provide for Onua-san. Gaga didn't notice that he'd slipped into thinking that he needed to provide for her, even though he hadn't consciously decided whether he was going to pursue the relationship or not. Or perhaps Fate had already decided that he would.

Onua-san seems to think that Niko would approve; and Niobe-san as well. If Onua-san believes this, then I have no reason to think otherwise. That means that the only two obstacles in the way are Princess Grenda, and the possibility of children. Or rather, the possibility of their impossibility. He smiled. If it wasn't so serious, that would be funny.

"Gaga-san."

"Hmm?"

"We're here."

"What?" He looked up, startled. They had indeed arrived at the caravan.

"Let's go, Gaga-san! I want to see my parents!" Onua grabbed his hand and began running, pulling him along behind her. In almost no time at all they had reached the center of the caravan, where Niobe stood, just starting the dinner preparations. When she saw them she dropped what she held and turned towards them, arms open. Onua threw herself into her mother's arms, burying her face in her shoulder. After a warm hug, she released her and stood back, saying, "Mother, it's good to be back!"

"What, didn't Gaga-san keep you company?" Niobe winked at him, and he grinned, glad to be back as well.

"Of course he did! But I missed you anyway! You are my mother after all."

"True, she is. But didn't you miss me as well?" said a voice behind them, which Gaga recognized instantly.

"Niko! It's only been two days, but it seems like an eternity since we left. How fares the caravan?" asked Gaga.

"Wonderfully! We're actually ready well ahead of schedule. But enough about that, sit, and tell me all about your adventures in Luna Mountain with my daughter."

Gaga sat obediently, and as Niobe went back to her cooking, the rest of the gypsies and the five girls who were part-timing it there sat as well, eager to hear the story. Gaga began speaking, and to his own surprise, found the tale flowing out of him with surprising ease, and an even more surprising lack of embarrassment. He felt that he could tell everything without fear of reprisal, and he did so.

When he had finished, ending with their climb down the side of Luna Mountain, Niobe had finished cooking and was passing around bowls of hearty stew and small loaves of bread. Gaga took one gratefully and began to eat ravenously, as Niko mulled over their story.

"That's a very interesting story. Makes me almost wish I'd gone with you."

"It would have been helpful, and it would have spared us some embarrassing situations." Gaga pointed out.

"Hmm. True, that wouldn't have worked quite so well then."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you probably wouldn't have realized your feeling for Onua if I'd been there."

"Speaking of which, Niko…" Gaga took a deep breath, "I'd like to ask for your permission to court Onua-san."

"Granted."

Gaga was startled. "Just like that?"

"Of course! I've been waiting to hear those words for a long time now; ever since we met again nearly a month ago."

"It's about time you got up the gumption to ask him." said Grenda, who was sitting across from them.

"Princess?" Gaga was confused. "I don't understand, how did you know I was going to ask? How did you know about Onua-san and me?"

"It was kind of obvious." she stated bluntly.

"Gaga, I don't need the Sight to see how perfectly suited for each other you are." added Niko. "And I'd have to be blind, deaf, and paraplegic not to know the very depths of your love for my daughter. That's why I sent you with her. I knew I could trust you with her safety and virtue."

Gaga was uncomfortable with freely talking about Onua's virtue, but something else Niko had said caught his attention. "Sent me? As I recall, you were opposed to the idea."

"If I'd asked you right out, you'd have been far too nervous. And it wouldn't have been right for me to ask you to do something I wasn't willing to do myself."

"You…set us up? You set us up! That callous act was just that, an act! Niko!"

Niko winced at the look on Gaga's face. "Please don't be angry with me, I didn't know what else to do."