Currency conundrum

In her room, a red-eyed Muki vaped as she stared blankly at the ceiling, recalling a conversation she had with Yamane. 

...

"Another fight with mother, Muki?" Yamane asked as she noticed Muki strolling towards the fridge.

"The bag's behind the times. Just cuz I quit school doesn't mean I lost all my intelligence. You know how many billionaire inventors quit school and found success? I'm just joining the trend. I've got inventions in the works, an ad revenue stream thanks to streaming, all that old bag needs to do is shut up and keep the city in order until I can take it over."

"You want to be mayor one day? Mother would be pleased to hear it."

"Never in a million years. She'd think I'm corrupted and sell the farm to stop me."

Yamane sighed, but smiled and ceased discussion of the topic. "It's good that you're staring to get out more. Do you think you'd ever take up dancing again?"

Muki frowned as she grabbed her energy drink and closed the fridge. "With my pursuit of order and stability... I've forgotten how to dance. The only training I do... is for mocap."

"'Mocap'?"

"Motion capture... like for piloting a mech, you know, so the mech mimics your move?"

Yamane could sense Muki was hiding some things, but respected her privacy. "Just know that I'll be here to support you, and will never hurt you, so feel free to talk to me any time."

"Look who's talking like the older sister... You've always been perfect, yet I've never felt jealous once. Yamane, thanks. It feels good to have someone I can trust without having to control them," Muki smiled.

...

"Yamane... Will you trust me now? I opened fire on you, could've killed you if you didn't have freak reflexes. I've spat on your morals, laid my thoughts bare that I suspect you might not truly be you anymore. Everyone has a breaking point... Even if I apologized, would you really forgive me for shattering your heart like that? Would you think I'm insincere?" Muki thought as her phone rang. 

Noticing it was Jenna on the line, she begrudgingly answered. 

"We've returned to Ohana. Is everything fine with you?" Jenna asked. 

Muki paused, the image of Yamane tearfully smiling still fresh in her mind. "No, I just took a fucking nap. I'll meet up with you soon," she snarled as she furiously chucked her vape pen in the trash. 

...

"This thing. It's got things inside and looks like it takes coins, but mine are too big," a dwarf frowned as he stood before a vending machine in the airport.

"Ah, that's got food, uh, hold on, which item do you want?" Rosa nervously asked as she pulled out her wallet.

"The dragon can! It looks like booze and I'm thirsty!"

The others meanwhile were coalescing around the exchange counter where the on-duty attendant and Nagako were squaring off.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but we can't exchange these for yen," the attendant nervously stated as she stared at the dwarven coins before her.

"I think it's easy. DaVinci, care to explain the values to her?" Nagako smiled as she slammed her hand down on the counter.

DaVinci waddled over and spread out the three different coins. "This small bronze one is a pituna. It's the lowest currency we have and is equivalent to that bronze coin of yours. Then there's the dol, the most common variety about the same value as that 100 coin you've got. Finally, the goldalion would be about the same as the gold coin you have here. Nice and simple, yes?"

The attendant nervously shook her head. "I'm sorry, but we can't accept-"

"Don't and your fired," Nagako snarled.

"Ma'am, I beg your pardon, but-"

"I'm with the city council and on important diplomatic duty. You mess this up for us, you'll be executed gruesomely."

The attendant let out a shriek and slammed down the emergency call button for security.

"My apologies, just wait over there for a second while I sort this out," Nagako smiled.

The dwarves all cleared the way and watched as security guards strolled up to the counter.

"That human there really is stupid. Same color coins, same value," Borferd grumbled.

"Why do we even need to exchange anyway?" another dwarf asked.

"It's the same with the elves and humans of old; different currencies for different societies," Durell grumbled.

A few minutes later, the guards dispersed and Nagako invited everyone back to the exchange counter.

"M- My apologies. I failed to adhere to the will of the city and acted on my own foolish will," the attendant sobbed as she held her head down and trembled.

"Now that everything's sorted out, do your job and convert the coins," Nagako angrily smiled.

Once the currency situation was sorted out, Nagako led everyone outside to a group of buses. "No need to worry about paying here, just for today, the bus ride is free."

"Humans charge for transport?" Borferd grumbled.

"We normally charge an entrance fee at the gate, but we waived it for the diplomats. This is the same custom," Durell growled as he smacked Borferd on the head.

...

At city hall, Muki blinked as she sat in the back seat of her car, watching as the dwarves disembarked from the buses and followed Nagako around in an orderly line. "It really is like a school field trip. I'm still antsy about them, but hearing they hate the elves does ease me somewhat. I just hope they'd be able to handle those two elves that ransacked the southern shopping district," she thought as she began to get out. 

Machiko and Ikebukuro then stepped out and approached Nagako and Durell. 

"A hairless elf? You really did tame one then," Durell scoffed. 

"You're the dwarven leader, Durell, yes? I'm Machiko, the mayor of this town," Machiko bowed. 

"Certainly got the bald head for it."

"Oh my, were all the human mayors like me bald?" 

"Tons of em. Also had scrapes they passed off as mustaches. Your garments are also far less puffy then theirs were." 

"A reflection of the times," Machiko smiled as she shook hands with Durell. 

"She really has tamed an elf. Shouldn't be surprised given all that's here," Boreferd whistled as he watched Durell and Machiko exchange greetings.

"On behalf of our town of Ohana, I welcome you, Durell, along with your entire delegation. There is much to show and talk about, so without further ado, let's head out."