"Couldn't we have waited for the ssssun to have risssen more?" Rostre complains, not for the first time, as the group from the Guild Tower approaches. The Naga is laden with supplies, but hardly enough to slow her down.
"I need time to prepare the testing soils," Summer claims, the doe looking fresh, despite having been up most of the night with the sole resident Chaos Mage to help with her preparations.
Ahead of them walks Gloria, the Eeee sticking to the roads and ground for the journey, both out of deference to her companions and because she isn't certain of all the rules about flying near the mountains. "That must be the tower," she points out, sounding relieved. She isn't used to walking so far. Like Summer, she's dressed in civilian clothing, while Rostre wears a plain brown poncho.
True, it's the tower spoken of in all its gloom, decay, and shadows. Quiet too once they reach it. Also, the shadow closest to Summer and Gloria suddenly sprouts two eyes and an upside-down sort of grin from someone within it. "Helloooooooo," it whispers. "Are you here to trade for de kyootcumbers? Verra spicy. Clean you out going in and den comin' back out."
Gloria actually squeaks. It's probably an indication of her nerves that she was surprised so easily. "Are they freeeesh?" is Summer's response.
"Who wan fresh? De older, de hotter," the upside down person in the shadow continues. "Woo woo woo."
"Fresh of course!" Summer declares as she finds a nice flat spot, then starts to strip off her clothes. "Over here Rostre," she says to the Naga.
"Is there seriously a kyootcumber merchant hanging out in an abandoned tower?" Gloria asks in confusion.
"Naked! Someone hide de innocent eyes!" declares the shadow. The eyes and mouth reorient until it's right side up and the shadows reach out to grab Gloria and wrap around her. "No," Alpstraum whispers in her left ear as he holds her, "Just us monsters." That ends with a lick. In the ear.
Gloria makes a sharp keening sound that rapidly rises in volume until she has to stop to take a breath! "Ow," Summer complains. "That's the Barsunalptraum," the doe points out. "There aren't monster produce suppliers in abandoned buildings," she points out to Gloria. "Not this far out from the city."
Alptraum lets go and rubs his own ears. "You are too used to me," he complains at Summer. "Maybe I should be actually scary once in a while to break that."
Rostre begins unloading things from the big woven basket she had strapped to her shoulders. There are a lot of cloth bundles, and one glass jar of.. dirt.. and a small box.
"If you were scary, then I would be more reticent about being naked around you," Summer counters, and kneels down to open the small box. It's full of polished stones.
"Why ARE you naked?" Gloria asks, and starts to struggle to try and get out of the shadow wrapping.
"Have you ever considered that might be a good thing?" Alptraum asks Summer, and lets Gloria go. "And just remember, if you join the Yodh, you will be naked all the time," he hisses in her ear as he moves away.
"To show respect to the Yodhzakaro," Summer claims. Rostre removes her poncho, which could double as a picnic blanket if needed.
"Who said anything about joining them?" Gloria frets. "And the Barsunala isn't a Yodhzakaro! Right? I'm not clear on all of the lore here in Babel.."
"I'm just here to make sure everyone behaves themselves and we don't have a fight break out. Or an orgy," Alptraum says, shrugs.
"Not to ogle nude women?" Gloria asks, just in case.
"I am very ogleable," Rostre claims, while Summer makes a circle on the ground with the stones from the box.
"Nah, I'm just here to oggle you," Alptraum claims instead.
"And squeeze me apparently," Gloria says. "If I had a lamp, would it weaken this shadow-stuff at all?" she asks.
"Nope," Alptraum says as he moves away and towards Summer instead. "Mostly, I'm here to make an appearance as Ashe has not met me yet and does need to know that yes, I really am involved in this," he says.
Rostre stretches herself out and rolls onto her back to soak up the morning sunlight. After getting her stones in place, Summer opens the jar of dirt and pours it into the center of the ring before smoothing it out a bit, with a rise in the center. It's charged with magic, Alptraum can tell, and some of it is Chaos Magic, which makes his nose itch.
"Shouldn't you two strip down before the Yodh arrive?" Summer asks as she works.
"No one wants to see me naked," Alptraum claims.
"We've already seen you naked," Summer claims.
"If I have to do it.. everyone has to do it," Gloria argues. "But you go first."
"Yes, and I'm sure it horrified you," Alptraum comments. He goes about undressing anyway.
Gloria stares at Alptraum the whole time. And says, "That isn't what I was expecting.." once he finishes.
"What were you expecting?" Alptraum has to ask. "I'm a typical guy."
"I thought you'd be white down there," Gloria claims. "Or.. have tentacles or something weird." She's still staring though, as if.. well, as if she's never seen a naked male Eeee before.
"I have various piercings, does that count?" Alptraum asks, and shows a few of them.
"Oh! Thank you for saying that, because I wasn't sure what those were and didn't know how to ask," Gloria admits, her ears blushing.
Summer is sitting cross-legged and has added pieces of different kinds of wood to the pile of dirt and begun to chant with her eyes closed.
"There's a place in the city if you want your own," Alptraum offers. "You should get some."
"Earrings you mean?" Gloria asks. "I don't think there are any regulations about that.."
"Well, rings in places other than your ears," Alptraum says and shrugs some.
"Nobody would ever see them though," Gloria points out, still fully clothed. A high-pitched squeak can be heard from further up the mountain, so the Yodhzakaro may be on their way.
"You're still clothed," Alptraum points out and gestures to Gloria.
"Nnnn," Gloria hums between clenched teeth. "Can you please turn around so I can undress?" she asks Alptraum.
"I'm going to see you naked after anyway," Alptraum points out. He shrugs, though and does turn around.
"That's different than undressing in front of someone!" Gloria claims as she undresses in haste, then adds her clothes to the pile. "There," she says, wrapping her wings around herself like a backless dress.
"I doubt you can do much wing-wrapped," Alptraum points out after he turns around.
"My hands are free!" Gloria notes and waves them around. "And I don't use them to freeze things with.."
"I've seen plenty of women, you know. Or maybe you're really a boy," Alptraum muses, "Which is why you're not wanting to join the Yodh."
Soon the Yodhzakaro are upon them! Ashe has brought an unfamiliar woman with her, though probably one of the youngest in the Temple. She has dark fur with a brown collar, and white tattoos. The others to come with them are Barzakaro Tabyr and Kush. Tabyr looks his usual sour self, and Kush looks friendly to balance him. "This is Yodhzakaro Caelu," Ashe introduces, and gives Gloria an odd look, having arrived just after Alptraum's remark and caught Gloria's shocked expression.
Since Summer is still deep in her ritual, Rostre rises up and says, "Greetingsss. I am Mage Rosstre of Sspirit, and thiss iss Mage Ssummer Foresst of Earth. You sshould already know Gloria and the Barssunala."
Alptraum bows. "Though I probably do not need to introduce myself, I'm the Barsunala," Alptraum says, "Or Alptraum Reisender. Or Nightmare." He rises, mangled hand to his own chest, and an amused grin stretched across his face.
Ashe looks to Alptraum. "I see your agent mimics your disfigurement," Ashe says. "These are two of our Yodhzakaro."
"I have brought food," Rostre says, gesturing to the sacks. "Dried and pickled fruit, presserved meat and bread. Went with immediate nutrition for thisss load."
"She taps my gifts, so it is to be expected," Alptraum says. "I'm just here to observe, and to prove that yes, I was involved in this meeting." He looks specifically at Tabyr and adds, "And not the Yodhinala."
"I'll start carrying it back if you want Tabyr to stay and guard," Kush says to Ashe.
Tabyr grunts to Alptraum, and eyes Rostre, figuring she also doubles as security.
"Pleased to meet you," Caelu says, and bows from the hips. "I've never met anyone else from the Sisterhood," she tells Alptraum - since the Barsunala is technically part of the Yodh, just in a not-quite Sister or Brother position.
"And a pleasure to meet you. Though I must warn I am ... an outlier compared to anyone else you might meet," Alptraum admits in reply.
"You belong to every Sister, do you not?" Caelu asks. While being 'young' for a Yodhzakaro, she's still probably close to Alptraum's age.
"That's generally the gist of it, yes," Alptraum agrees. "Or at least I have alliances and understandings with all, and will help all."
"And hopefully with us now as well," Ashe says, and nods to Kush who goes to inspect Rostre's sacks. And the supplies as well.
Summer finally finishes, and notices the new arrivals. She gets to feet and bows. "Hello! I'm the Barsunala's personal Earth Mage," she claims. "Which of you is here to be tested?"
"Personal earth mage?" Alptraum has to ask Summer. "And yes, with you as well," Alptraum says to Ashe, "I do understand you are the .. leader, of sorts."
"I'm to be tested," Caelu answers Summer, and steps towards her.
"At the moment, I'm the consensus leader," Ashe says. "It isn't exactly a sought after position."
"I've heard good things about you," Alptraum claims, "And could see you as much more."
"I am Alptraum's Ssspiritual Advissor!" Rostre claims, not wanting to be outdone by Summer, as the doe leads Caelu to sit across from her with the prepared ring between them.
"Do you mean as your wife?" Ashe asks. "As is customary according to your Lore. But I'm not officially the High Priestess. I will not take such a station until the Yodhzakaro have been restored to at least some of their former status."
Alptraum waves his hand. "Such is not required. I am more concerned about the state of the Yodhzakaro as a whole and wish to ensure survival. They need someone to be their leader, and you've done well from what I've heard."
Kush finishes his inspection of the rations, and ties some of the sacks together for easier carrying. "I'll be back for the rest," he says, and then heads back up the mountain.
"Too old for you?" Ashe asks, one eyebrow raised.
"Hardly. You don't seem the type interested in such things," Alptraum says. "And I try to not force anything."
Summer instructs Caelu on what to focus on, and some other instruction while she places a seed atop the mound of prepared soil and pushes it down inside.
"I've been a bit preoccupied to think about such things," Ashe confirms, and then looks at Gloria. "Wielders of power should not be shy," she tells her, and so the girl folds her wings onto her back, looking chastened.
"Funny, she listened to you, but not me," Alptraum remarks. He arches his eyebrow and looks at Gloria.
"She's my teacher," is Gloria's excuse. She certainly doesn't have a Babelite build, nor a Nordikan one.
Ashe beckons Gloria to come closer, but the girl looks suspicious of Tabyr as she edges over.
"You're safe. You're under my protection," Alptraum tells Gloria and gestures for her to go over.
Ashe takes Gloria's head in her hands and inspects her. "Show me your teeth," she says. So a confused Gloria opens her mouth.
Alptraum moves a bit closer to Gloria and Ashe to watch this examination. He's not seen a Yodhzakaro test before; not like this anyway.
"You have good teeth," Ashe concludes. "Now, how many times in a row can you produce ice?"
"In a row? It depends on how much ice is made," Gloria explains. "Or if there is other stuff mixed in with the water, like.. broth."
"You can freeze broth?" Ashe asks.
"Well, no, I can freeze the water part but then there's everything else left over," Gloria says. "I was able to make an ice cup though once. The mold broke though."
"If she didn't have good teeth she could join the Yodhgorphat," Alptraum jokes, grins.
"I want you to close your eyes and imagine something for me," Ashe instructs. "A simple sphere. Hollow, not solid," the Yodhzakaro continues, and holds onto Gloria's hands. "Like a soap bubble. Have you got it in your mind?"
"I think so," Gloria replies.
"No, be certain," Ashe corrects. "I'm sure you've seen bubbles before. You only need one. The way it distorts the view of things behind it, and how the light reflects from the curve. The way it wobbles in the air."
Alptraum's attention shifts and he looks over to Caelu and summer now to see how they're doing.
Caelu is sitting very still and staring at the mound of dirt.. which Summer is also staring at. It's hard to tell if anything is happening though. Magic seems to involve a lot of waiting.
So, back to watching Ashe and Gloria Alptraum goes, to see if anything is happening.
Gloria has a look of intense concentration.. and for just a moment a bubble appears in the air between her and Ashe, but immediately evaporates. Gloria lets out a held breath. "Good," Ashe proclaims. "You can be guided. Affinities need to be exercised and built up, like flexing a muscle."
"Impressive," Alptraum admits. His own magic ... is so different and odd given its origins he doesn't have nearly as much association, outside of the training to be a Yodhgorphat.
Gloria looks like she's flown from one end of the city to the other. She's actually sweating. "So.. I can improve?" she asks.
"With focus training and exercises, yes," Ashe claims. "I think you may be able to create shapes."
This causes Gloria to smile widely. "So Mage Cyprian was right!" she declares.
"And a balance between forcing it, and letting it decide how it flows," Alptraum says, "At least in my experience. Pushing too hard and things tend to fail. It's a balancing act. But again, that's my experience. It may be quite different for you."
"This exercise was deliberately hard," Ashe notes. "She was using the moisture in the air to create something fragile. With a source of water it would have been easier, but the point here was to get her to focus."
Alptraum nods. "Having a source always helps. Also, a bit of warning, if you push it too far and exhaust yourself, bad things can happen," he adds.
"What sort of bad things?" Gloria asks.
"Backlash, generally. In my case, it can adversely affect my entire self," Alptraum says.
"You mean I might freeze myself?" Gloria asks in alarm.
"Frostbite, not freeze," Alptraum suggests.
"I've burnt myself," Ashe says.
"Probably not severely," Alptraum offers. "But it will hurt."
At the magic circle, Summer waves Rostre over to look at something.
"I need to be extra careful then," Gloria says.
Ashe shakes her head. "No, you need to always be pushing your limits," she counters.
Alptraum spots the waving out of the corner of his eye. So, he goes to see what is going on there.
"Within reason," Alptraum calls back as he steps away. "Don't end up like me."
Rostre and Summer are bent over the patch of dirt, wood and stones as divining tea leaves, while Caelu looks a bit dizzy. The doe occasionally points to one of the bits of wood, and asks Rostre, "This seems the most reactive, doesn't it?" The Naga's tongue flicks in and out, nearly brushing the splinter of wood. "Of the lot of them, yess."
Alptraum tries to focus on seeing the aura of the pile to see if he can make anything of it.
The different bits of wood each have a slightly different color, but it's subtle. The dirt itself has a much stronger aura, as well as the stones, both of them very similar.
"The dirt looks the most interesting to me," Alptraum admits. "At least the most noticeable."
"Maybe we can borrow Twee's thaumometer," Summer says, then blinks at Alptraum. "Well, this was a test mostly for talent in Earth Magic, so the soil and stones were charged up to make it easier for Caelu to have an effect. But just in case, we had other elements prepared to see if they reacted as well."
"I don't think the seed responded at all," Caelu says, a bit sadly.
"Surprised I can see it?" Alptraum asks Summer. He also pats, then rubs Caelu's shoulder. "First real attempts often fizzle. Don't let that dissuade you," he says.
"Well.. no, you don't seem to have any leanings towards Earth Magic," Summer tells her. "But you did show a Chaos reaction, which is still pretty valuable. Chaos is special."
"How is chaos special?" Ashe asks.
"Well... these test materials where prepared with the aid of Chaos Magic to make them more likely to succeed," Summer says.
"Chaosss makesss favorable outcomesss more likely, or unfavorable oness lesss likely," Rostre adds.
"It manipulates the odds," Alptraum simplifies.
"It.. tips the balance a bit, yes," Summer says. "So a Chaos Mage working with a mage of any Sphere increases the effectiveness of that mage."
"There are many of these Chaos Mages?" Ashe asks next.
"Yes and no," Summer explains. "There are not many that work in the field. But here on the surface, they can make a big difference in whether a complex ritual goes smoothly."
"They are mossst often employed by other magess," Rostre offers.
"So, they're like a mage's bra," Alptraum offers.
"So.. if I can do this Chaos stuff, I could work with both mages and Yodh?" Caelu asks.
"I don't know if it would work with Yodh magic, since.. it's different," Summer says, and looks at Alptraum. "Yodh magic is like witchcraft isn't it? Mostly spiritual but with effects that would normally blend several different Spheres."
"Yodhzakaro rituals are not like those of the other Yodh," Ashe says.
"I suspect it would work, given its nature of helping stabilize effects less than direct integration," Alptraum says after some thought. "And regardless, it's worth testing it."
"Yes, I would like to see Caelu pursue this further," Ashe says. "It is not like an affinity as we understand them, and might have been overlooked as a result."
"We could test if it affects my magic, which as you know is super odd compared to most others," Alptraum suggests as well.
"I know there are simple exercises she can do until we can arrange a proper test," Summer says. She then tells Caelu, "Mostly rolling dice, recording the results, and trying to influence them slightly. Like encouraging more odd numbers than even ones."
"How would I try that?" Caelu asks, looking from Summer to Alptraum.
"Heh, like practicing scales on music instruments. It seems dull, but helps hone instinct and memory," Alptraum comments. "As for me, hm. Well, you could probably try to influence something simple, like me altering the color of a bit of fur or hair. See if it can randomize from a base, maybe."
"Can you create just a potential to change something's color?" Summer asks, and starts pulling out the bits of wood and the seed, before rearranging things a bit.. mainly by piling up the dirt into a higher mound.
"Probably. I could put something in a more liquid state, and with any sort of outside influence, it could lean in some direction," Alptraum says, "But perhaps that's better to try after she has some practice."
"We could try a coin flip," Gloria suggests.
"Well, I think they're already planning something," Alptraum says as he gestures to the being built-up mound.
"Oh, this is just to see if she can draw on the chaos enchantment that was put on the soil," Summer explains. "We still need something to actually influence."
"I have a shekel, but I'm terrible at flipping and catching one," Gloria says.
"Well, I don't have any coins on me," Alptraum admits, "No clothes. So ... her shekel is probably the best option. And shouldn't she flip it?"
"No, she doesn't have to do it herself," Summer says. "Someone that can do it reliably is needed, because it has to be repeated and if it gets dropped it won't work."
"I've never held a coin," Caelu notes.
"She has to hold the dirt!" Summer claims.
Alptraum holds out his right hand. "Gimme," he says. "I'm good at all sorts of finger-work."
Gloria fishes the ceramic coin from where her pants lie, and hands it to Alptraum. "I'll need it back afterwards," she tells him.
Summer has Caelu scoop up the dirt and cup it in both hands. "Now watch the coin and focus on either heads or tails, but don't change your mind, and don't tell us." To Alptraum she says, "I'll record the results, but we can't say them out loud to Caelu until afterwards."
Alptraum arches his brow. "You thought I would keep it?" he asks of her as he takes it. With all too fluid and disturbing movements, he rolls the coin from finger to finger, then up and down each digit, and balances it right on the tip of his index claw. He flicks it upward, then goes about just bouncing it up and down off the back of his hand. Specifically, the orb.
"Which side is which?" Caelu asks.
"Head sides usually have some sort of face on it, or a head," Alptraum says.
"But in this case, star is heads, anchor is tails," Alptraum suggests. "Just tell me when you've decided."
"Star or anchor," Caelu repeats, and takes some deep breaths. Then she nods and says, "Ready." Summer has pulled out a slate and some chalk from her supplies.
Alptraum bounces the coin up higher and lets it spin in the air a bit before he catches it in his left hand and then opens it to reveal which side is up on his palm.
Summer makes a tic on her slate. "We should get at least two dozen flips," she tells Alptraum.
Alptraum nods. So up the coin goes again and he bounces it a few times off his right hand before sending it up and catching it in his left hand. Again goes the palm reveal, and once it's recorded, he repeats the movement. Same number of bounces, same rough hight of toss, and same way to catch. Over and over for at least a couple dozen times.
"That should do," Summer says. "Which were you focusing on, Caelu?"
"Anchor, since that seemed the more exotic symbol," the Yodhzakaro replies.
The deer grins. "There were slightly more anchor flips than star flips. Enough that it could have been from the focusing," she reports.
"You'd want an even bigger sampling to be sure, but at least that seems promising," Alptraum says. He bounces the coin up again and swipes it from the air with his left hand. His right then brushes right over Gloria's nose tip ... and somehow the coin is now balanced right on her nose. But ... he caught it with his left hand...? Showoff.
"Ahh!" Gloria yelps and hurries to grab the coin before it falls off.
"Mage Twee will need to come up with a proper test, if we can get him," Summer says.
"Do I need to scare him into helping?" Alptraum asks.
"He's already a bit high-strung," Summer says. "Chaos Mages can be a bit.. odd," she admits.
"You're high strung," Alptraum points out.
"I'm very mellow and easy going," Summer counters. "And perky."
"I think thosse contradict," Rostre observes.
"They do," Alptraum agrees. "Well, is that all for today? Is anything more needed or required or shall we each return and plan for the next meeting? Is there anything they can do to practice, such as you suggested that Yodhzakaro Cealu do dice rolling exercises?"
"Gloria should continue visualization exercises," Ashe says. "Without trying to manifest anything. Just get used to focusing on simple shapes."
"Are you sure you don't want to visit one of the body parlors in the city?" Alptraum teases Gloria. "You have the body for it. Could get something to indicate your new endeavors."
"What?" Gloria squeaks. "What do you mean by that?" she asks, hugging her wings around herself at the claim that she has the body for it.
"You look good," Alptraum comments, and rolls his eyes.
Summer begins to pack up her own supplies, but has an ear turns back towards Alptraum.
"But.. what did you mean about indicate my new endeavors?" the confused girl asks.
"Your new pursuit of magic, hybrid efforts between the Yodh and the mages. Such as a unified glyph composed of the Mage's Guild and Zakaro's symbol," Alptraum explains.
"The Guild glyph is pretty complicated," Gloria notes. "I.. don't know what Zakaro's symbol is though," she admits.
"I do," Alptraum says, "But it's not important, or required. Just trying to get you to relax a little."
Ashe points to the symbol in the center of her chest, the magic circle.
"I don't remember you teasing me this much," Summer tells Alptraum.
"You weren't as jumpy as she is," Alptraum points out. "And you already refused my offers to go to such places."
"I just don't think I can get any prettier than I already am," Summer claims.
"Is this some sort of rite of passage then?" Gloria asks.
"I just enjoy pushing people's limits," Alptraum says and shrugs.
"But not too far, right?" Gloria asks. The barzakaro are picking up the rest of the supply sacks now. Ashe tells Alptraum, "Thank for you arranging this, Barsunala."
Alptraum pats Ashe's shoulder. "Just the start of many. I do hope this helps. And thank you for trusting my agent that joined you. She is trustworthy, even if your guard thinks otherwise," he says.
"Tabyr is broken," Ashe claims. "By his own doing. He resents me as well, I think, for saving him."
"If he ever becomes an actual threat, I will have to deal with him," Alptraum says, quiet, but firm. "And I can break him far worse than he is now."
"He is no threat," Ashe assures. "He will glower, because it is all he can do."
Tabyr glowers at Ashe when he overhears that.
Alptraum walks over to Tabyr and looks him right in the eyes. "Have something to say?" he asks, directly.
The man can only grumble, since trying to actually speak is a painful affair for him. So he rubs his throat and then averts his eyes.
"I could fix your throat," Alptraum says, "Among other things. If you prove worthy of it at least; I know of your crimes. On the flip side, I could make things far, far, worse. Bear in mind I have taken down Royal Mages and the General's old Airship when a mage tried to take it over. If you betray or harm them, or anyone else under my protection, there is no place you can possibly hide from me. But, depending on your actions I will consider to you praying to me that you want more." He smiles.
Tabyr doesn't respond, but retrieves the sack of supplies and silently heads back up the mountain.
"Living is the punishment we placed on him," Ashe says after the man is far enough away. "There's no reason to fix him."
Alptraum rubs his forehead. "I understand the anger and the wish to rage," he comments to Ashe. "I've been there. Sometimes this can be tamed through effort and friends, and finding new reasons to live. If he changed, I would want to give him a chance at a new life. A real one. But if he decides to just continue to be a monster, too, well ... I would introduce him to what a real monster is. It's his choice now."
"We will put him down if he strays," Ashe assures. "He needs regular maintenance to avoid a painful death."
"There are fates worse than death I can provide," Alptraum notes, then shrugs. He looks to Gloria and Summer now, saying, "And I'm sorry; I've tried to keep you from the more unpleasant aspects of my existence. It's probably wise you avoid me."
"You still owe me a visit to my favorite tree," Summer counters. The mages are done packing up, and beginning to put their clothes back on.
"All trees are your favorite," Alptraum counters. He goes and gathers his own clothing and dresses as well. As he does, he does discover that in his chest fluff are hiding two rather female-sized nipples instead of the more expected smaller male ones. Worse, if the fur is pushed away, the blue-pattered areola that Mrodecai did is also, well, present. At least there's no actual chest swelling starting, though. So, not too obvious yet. He leaves it instead of trying to revert it right now as that might draw actual attention to it. So, on his shirt goes instead.
Summer and Rostre both give Alptraum a kiss on the cheek, making Gloria's eyes go wide with surprise.
Alptraum looks at Gloria. "What? They're friends," he tells her.
"Is that case with all of the mages?" Gloria asks.
"Only the best ones," Summer claims.
"I try to not be a monster around most people," Alptraum promises.
"That's good to hear," Gloria says. "Because I wasn't aware there was monster stuff as an option."
"Some people like monsters," Alptraum points out. "Though you seem afraid of me as a non-monster already."
"You're a guy I've only met once before I had to be naked in front of you," Gloria points out. "It's the situation itself more than you that scared me."
"You were naked in front of two Yodh, their guards, and two other mages, too," Alptraum points out. "No one was oogling you."
"You need to be more confident," Ashe tells Gloria. "Try to be naked in front of others more often," she advises, before she and Caelu begin their own return to the temple, although they're allowed to fly at least.
Alptraum starts to call out, then waves to the departing Yodh. "Well, I suppose I should get going too," he admits.
"You can get naked for Mage Twee, Gloria," Summer suggests. "It will help him focus."
"We ssshould all do that at the sssame time," Rostre adds. "It will be more chaotic."
"Well, that's between all of you! In the Tower," Alptraum says. To Gloria he says, "I am sorry for making you uncomfortable."
Pointedly ignoring the two mages, Gloria holds her hand out to Alptraum. "It wasn't your fault.. except when you were teasing me. It's still nice to meet you and see you naked."
Alptraum shakes it. "I still think you need body decoration. If for nothing else, it's fun. And I'm sorry you had to see me naked, I know it's disappointing."
"One shock at a time, and I have to watch my money for a bit longer," Gloria says, and then goes to join the other two for the walk back, waving to Alptraum as they vanish around the side of the tower.
"You two need to behave," Alptraum mutters to his chest; he can feel his shirt ... rubbing. "I promise I won't force you back right now, just ... no leaking or further swelling." He shakes his head a bit, then goes into the air himself so he can return to the hidden nest at Mt. Inala.