Book 1 - Chapter 3: A Curious Kinetic
Despite how tired she was the evening before, Lucine was the first to awaken just as dawn was starting to part the clouds and surface above the quiet city of Brascus. Today was the day she'd finally get to leave this sleepy city and move on to see the world, even if it might just be a day trip to a neighbouring Duchy. She wouldn't miss this moment for anything.
Hastily undressing, believing that everyone else would still be asleep now, Lucine placed her shed clothes into the wash basket and headed, completely naked, into the Bathroom to take her morning bath. As she soaked in the warm waters, her mind began to wander and picture what fun things she may find and do in Argenta. What was the city like? Were all the houses made from stone? Did they have the strange things she'd seen in Elthin's house? Were there more of these confusing Magic-fuelled contraptions that not even Elthin knew about? So many questions...
Elthin was the first to wake up or so he thought. Not knowing Lucine was already up as he sat up in his mind. Slowly letting his eyes adjust to the morning light. Before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. To take care of his own needs. Having his own bathroom in his room helped matters.
After finishing up with a shower. He got dressed for the day. Then headed for the kitchen to make some beakfest.
While Lucine would have loved to stay and think about all the things she might do, she decided that she'd spent enough time soaking, as the heat of the water was starting to cool off. Washing herself down to finish off, Lucine then got out of the bath, dried herself down as much as she could, and then headed back into her room in slightly more clothing than she had when she left.
Lucine, once she'd dried off enough, got dressed and waited in her room to be called down for breakfast, when everybody else was awake enough for such a thing.
Busying himself with making breakfast alone was a simple task. Though he could wait for Lucine and the others to get up. Deciding to see if they were he headed first for Lucine's room. Arriving there he knocked upon her door.
"Lucine are you awake if so want to come down for breakfast?"
It didn't take too long before Lucine was hounded to come down and socialise. Answering to confirm that she got the message, Lucine decided to spend a little more time ensuring her appearance was as good as it could get before heading down a little while later. The other lazy children shuffled down soon after Lucine did.
Leaving Lucine alone Elthin went to go check on the others. To see if they were awake yet. They were coming to and he let them go themselves ready. As he went back down to make breakfast for the many mouths to feed.
Elthin went to inform the other family member, and the guests, about their wake-up meal before heading downstairs to finish the preparation.
When Lucine finally came down, her outfit stuck out the most. Unlike her usual 'throw whatever's clean on' dressing regime, she'd actually put a fair amount of effort into her appearance this day. Her usual wild hair was neatened up noticeably. It had been combed through thoroughly and held in place by a barrette, with her fringe being delicately combed across her forehead into a side sweep, which was maintained by a silver hairclip fashioned in the shape of a small desert sparrow in flight. Her chosen dress that day was a charming sandy yellow sleeveless knee-length dress, The waist of the dress was kept close fitting by a small burnished leather belt, bringing the drop of the dress up a small amount so it was a little above the knees. The outfit was completed by a complimentary pair of white mini-heeled sandals. Seeing her dressed in such a feminine way was definitely out of place, but strangely suited to her.
"I-I didn't dress like this for you, you know?" Lucine informed Elthin in her usual way, blushing a little at her current situation. If she just kept her mouth shut, she could easily pass as a nobleman's daughter, though it was highly hopeful that the vocal Lucine could be quiet for more than a few minutes at a time. "I just didn't want to look like a hick from a backwater city!"
The others came down and also noticed a change in Lucine's usual appearance, save for Coral, who was just as oblivious as she normally is.
"I wouldn't want you to have done that anyway." Elthin told Lucine. He already knew why she had dressed up he himself would dress up as well a little later. The others came down later to eat they noticed Lucine's appearance. "Just a reminder I want everyone on their best behaviour today?"
Elthin's complete lack of tact with the female gender shone through once more. His comment had sparked a rather angry glare from Lucine. Girls always play hard to get, so of course she'd pretend that he didn't factor at all into her choice of attire. She could've easily just dressed up as a boy and passed on the whole 'delicate bloom' appeal, but femininity won out in the end, and now there was an exceptionally feminine Lucine going to be accompanying Elthin on their Argentian Diplomacy visit.
Once everyone was gathered in the dining room, Elthin reminded the youths that they had to be on their best behaviour while acting as Brascus Emissaries to Argenta. A mixture of not so enthusiastic responses (and one REALLY enthusiastic one from Coral) showed that they got the message. And so, without further delay, the day began properly and time flew as Lucine went about her daily lessons with a little more zeal than she normally displayed. At around half past eleven that day, lessons were concluded as the group did their final preparations for their day trip to Argenta.
Ignoring the glare he got from his adopted daughter. Elthin and the others at their morning meal with the trio of children responding. To his reply of behaving good once the meal was finished. The rest of the morning flew by Elthin even noticed Lucine appeared to be more happier during her lessons. Most likely how she was excited to be visiting another place.
Soon the time came to get ready for the final perperations for the trip. Elthin decided now was the best time to contact Duke Trent letting him know they were on their way.
Walking over to the phone he powered up the device. Waiting for it to contact their friends.
After the breeze of a morning they had, Elthin completed the final preparation steps to reign in the much awaited day trip. Booting up the Communication Device, Elthin entered the code to connect to Duke Trent's Device and, eventually, got through to the Duke himself. They greeted one another before getting down to business.
"Everything's all set up here. I've also got an escort arranged for you when you arrive.. Well, more like she kinda talked me into letting her do it. Hope she doesn't cause you too much hassle. Looking forward to seeing you in person again so we can discuss your means of helping out. How good are you at teaching, by the way? Have you taught in the Brascus Guild before, or in any Guild?"
Everything had been taken care of. And as Elthin waited for the device to connect him to the Duke. He waited in silence and moments later. Was connected and both parties greeted each other.
Elthin was soon spoke to.
"Thank you for the escort I look forward to meeting with you as well. I have some experience in teaching I thought in my Guild back at home. And a little here at Brascus, who will I be teaching?"
Elthin explained that he had some teaching experience.
"You might have experience in teaching Magic, but how about regular schooling, like reading, writing, mathematics and Science? Oh, you'll probably call Science 'Alchemy', or something. You're teaching Lucine a little of that stuff, right, so you probably have some understanding of the curriculum? I'm thinking of having you act as a temporary teacher at the City's school while you stay, kind of like a guest tutor to give the students some lessons about stuff which regular Cityfolk don't normally learn." Duke Trent explained.
Elthin learned that he would be teaching. The basic stuff that was learned outside of teaching magic.
"I have a little understanding. Of all that stuff though Sicence might fall under Freya's experience. I can just ask her for a touch on the flight over." Elthin told him.
He thought over something at the moment.
"How goes work on your project?"
Elthin believed that Argentian Science was, effectively, Alchemy.
"It's not quite the Alchemy you're familiar with, and Freya's just as clueless about it as all Animalia are. This 'Science' is rather complicated to explain. Think of it like the ways of putting together an Airship, or creating one of the Magical Appliances you use every day, like your cleaning machines and cookers. This 'Science' is the creation of machines, and the ideology behind applying the elements to create the technological wonders of modern renditions of Archeotech creations." Duke Trent attempted to explain. "It truly is a marvellous thing to learn about and study. Just think of all the things we could make if we perfected it to the level of the Archeotech things unearthed from ruins! Nothing will be out of our grasp. We could revolutionise the world to the glory of the Old Days before the Great War."
It was clear that Duke Trent could talk about Science to no end if given the time, however, time was something neither person wanted to spend over a Communication Device when they were meeting in person a little later.
Elthin asked about the Project Duke Trent was working on.
"Give us a few more days, maybe just under a week, and it'll be ready to reveal. We're getting the last bits down right now. Remember, not a word of this to anyone else when you come here. This is a top secret project, after all."
Elthin was in the wrong in regards to Science.
"Then I must say I'm not very familiar in that sort of area. While I do understand what you are trying to explain to me it is sadly one of the things I don't really know much about." Elthin explained. He wasn't really good in the whole Science department." However when Duke Trent mentioned the name 'Ruins' Elthin got a sort of sadness in his eye from one who had not been out taken up his favorite past time in quite a long while. "That reminds me of something I need to do once more."
The Duke then told how the project was coming along.
"Don't worry I haven't told anyone but I would like to be there to witness the unveiling of it?" Elthin asked.
While Duke Trent had been kind enough to offer Elthin and friends a chance to visit. His land Elthin thought about returning the favor he might have asked Duke Trent in the past. About it but couldn't remember if he had or not.
"I am not sure if I had asked you this or not before but how would you like. To visit my homeland of Artaria I'm sure you would find it rather enjoyable. Especially Ezodora, Klokirq Forest and the ruins of Felh Anore. Where it was that I found my sword and the creation behind the blade itself which some said was created by an 'ice phoenix'.
Now it was Elthin's turn as he could go on talking about his homeland all day. But seeing as how they were both pressed for time had to cut things short.
"I would like to talk to you about this in more detail later if that is okay?"
Elthin admitted his lack of expertise in Argentian Science, and, through body language, expressed his want to take up Ruin Exploring once more.
"It's not a problem. Not a lot of people outside of the Mainland or Argenta are able to fully comprehend the marvels of modern technological advancement. We've been with Magic for so long that it's kind of replaced the more archaic forms of development." Duke Trent answered. "Apparently, according to some documents recovered from an Old Temple, people before the time of the Great War saw magic as a form of divine miracle gifted to individuals from the Prime Gods. It's amazing how one time's Miracles can become another time's everyday life! It seems like the whole World has been flipped on its head, as Magic is now Commonplace, and Old Technology is near unheard of."
Elthin wanted to be at the unveiling of the Grand Project.
"I wouldn't want to start it without you, or your current family, anyway. I'll make sure to drop you a line when we've got a guaranteed date for completion. You could even stay around for the after party if you've got time. It's going to be one of the biggest events Argenta has seen in years!"
Elthin then proposed an offer of Duke Trent visiting his home country.
"I'd love to come along, but things are a little hectic here at the moment, what with the project and all that. Plus, I've yet to put together a group of trusted delegates I could leave Argenta's upkeep to while I went on this little Diplomatic Excursion. I say Diplomacy, but your talk of ruins has got me interested in a little more than PR'ing Argenta." Duke Trent replied. Elthin then pointed out that this probably wasn't the best means of interaction to go through long discussion with. "Sure thing! When you get here, I've got a lot of things to go through with you as well. They're not all business related, of course and, perhaps, if your little ones behave themselves well enough when their over here, I may be able to provide a means of you getting your exploring on with ruins once more, though you'd have to share some of the knowledge findings with me as well if we go through with it."
"Well everyone in history their own thoughts as where they believed magic. Came from some can say it was from the Prime Gods or even that the Fey or Elfs had a role in it." Elthin pointed out, As he listened to the rest of what Duke Trent had to say.
The Duke mentioned about his project.
"I will make sure to keep a line open for you when the time comes. Get things all ready, I would also need to see if I've got time as well so, let's leave that open about the party for right now.
Duke Trent thought about his offer.
"I totally understand that it often takes time to set up. Things that can be handled with care as you'd need to find trust worthy people who can run things while you're away." The Duke did seem interested in wanting to see the ruins that Elthin had spoken of. "Then I look forward to talking with you again and I do hope that the little ones will indeed be behaving themselves. As I wouldn't want to cause any problems while we are there." Elthin said.
While he could go on talking for a while longer he wished not to. As both parties were sure to have things they still needed to do.
"I hate to cut this short but I now need to get everything ready and book us passage, I look forward to seeing you again and discussing future indevers." Elthin said before he bid farewell to Duke Trent.
Elthin listed alternative historical explanations for the origins of Magic and what may have led to its sudden surge in presence at the expense of the decline of technology.
"That's the problem with History. We've only got our Ancestor's hearsay to go off of as we weren't there." Duke Trent agreed. "Elves are a new one for me. All I've seen on them is that they're an incredibly secluded race which rarely interacts with others. We don't even know if they're still around now or not, considering they tend to keep as far away from Humanity as they can."
Home visit and project discussions were drawn to a close by both sides, leaving the overarching influencing factor being availability to attend such events. Elthin also expressed his desire for the younger visitors being on their best behaviour. Eventually, the communication had to be cut to a close due to preparations being of top importance.
"Yeah, I'll see you in a few. Safe passage!" Duke Trent bid goodbye to Elthin before the communication was terminated.
"Well in one of my travels I discovered that a race of Snow Elves. Were able to use magic and were master craftsman." Elthin pointed out. "There is a settlement a days travel from my hometown though its ruins now."
Everything was coming to a close. And Elthin then bid Duke Trent farewell. Before leaving and powering down the communications device. He next left to go see the others to see if they were all done getting ready.
Elthin finished his conversation with Duke Trent and then went to check on the others to see if they were ready to begin departure. Lucine had been ready since that morning, and Coral was nearing full completion, considering she only like one set of clothes. Syl and Willow didn't have much else to change in to, so they borrowed some of Lucine's smaller dresses. Freya was comfortable in her panther-skin wraps, so she opted out of dressing up.
"Should we go pee before we set off?" Coral brazenly asked Elthin, completely throwing aside all delicacy expected from girls in that regard.
Everyone appeared ready to go when Elthin arrived to check up on them. Which was a few minutes later as he dressed him in a set of causal clothes for this outing. Coral soon asked if they should all go pee before they left. This took Elthin a little by surprise as he wasn't expecting something like that to be said.
"Yes, all of you little ones should go take care of that."
As expected, not all of the present youths shared the courage of Coral. Syl was even blushing a deep red when Elthin confirmed that they should, indeed, take care of that kind of thing before any trip.
"'Kay! Coral will go first!" Coral confirmed in her usual chirpy way before heading off towards the toilet, with Lucine quickly hurrying on behind to make sure that Coral had been properly trained in the ways of human toilet etiquette. Soon enough, from Lucine's startled statements, Coral had not quite fully grasped the concept.
"You're meant to shut the door before you pull your panties down!" Lucine's muffled, yet still coherent, lecture sounded from the direction of the toilet.
"But why?" Coral questioned innocently.
"Haven't you heard of privacy?!"
"What's 'Privacy'? Is it tasty?"
Coral was a quick learner, but she still had leaps and bounds to go before she was on par with the other girls.
Coral appeared to need a lot more help in the terms of learning proper manners. When going to the restroom after leaving the door open. "You should always make sure to close the door when doing that sort of thing Coral." Elthin pointed out.
He waited for the others.
Intruding on Coral's privacy with a untoward comment garnered stares from the remaining younger girls. Maybe it would've been more socially acceptable to Syl and Willow if Elthin waited for Coral to finish before commenting on her toilet mannerisms.
Coral quickly finished up and was sure to go through the rest of the process without direction. It seemed only the 'privacy' part escaped her at the moment.
"All done, Papa!" Coral informed Elthin. "And was Big Sis right, or was she just picking on Coral again?"
The rest of the girls went through their private times and, soon enough, the whole group was ready to set off for Argenta.
"Big Sis is right she wasn't picking on you."
He saw the stares from Syl and Willow but said nothing. When they were taking care of their needs. Elthin went and took his sword from where he kept it. Wishing to bring it along to show Duke Trent later. Soon it was time to leave for Argenta and with their stuff gathered. Elthin's little harem group headed off towards the Brascus Guild where the portal for magical travel was kept.
"Hmmmm, Coral will have to think on that one." Coral answered, dismissing the apparent need for privacy. Perhaps, in their natural habitat, Dragons didn't really care much who saw them doing the deeds, considering they were creatures at their core, despite how intellectual and powerful they were.
Elthin gathered his sword and took his little Harem off towards the Brascus Guild, where the Portal Stone for transit was kept. Elthin's knowledge of Magical Artifacts deduced to him that a Portal stone was a large Runed circular Gateway with a crystal-sized opening at the top of it where the powering Keystone resided. Every Magical City in the world had a different Rune representing it to allow for quick portal keying. All the Portal Master had to do was recite the schematic gestures to call upon the latent magics in the Guild to power the portal.
Arriving at the Brascus Guild, Elthin remembered that he had to check in with the Reception desk to be allowed into the Portal Room.
Arriving at the Brascus Guild, Elthin was reminded that he first needed to. Check in with the Reception desk to be allowed access to the Portal Room. He was also reminded that every Magical City held a different Rune. Allowing for quick travel between vast distances as the group arrived at the Reception Desk. Elthin was the one to speak to the person on duty there at the time.
"I'm Elthin Veldhar and my family and I would like access to the Portal Room please. For we have booked passage to Argenta."
When Elthin explained his request to the receptionist, they checked the records on their desk. After a few moments, they deemed everything to be in order and escorted Elthin and his group over to the Portal Room. Upon arriving at their destination, the receptionist split off from the group and deactivated the wards around the Portal Room's door before unlocking it.
From Elthin's knowledge, all Portal Rooms have protective wards on the outside of them to prevent any unwanted forced entry. Only the Portal Master of the Guild can bypass these wards, as they were the one who set them up. However, coming from inside of the Portal Room to the outside, there was no need for protective wards, as the person passing through must have been cleared before using the room making the need for interior wards redundant and a waste of resources.
Once the door was de-warded and unlocked, the receptionist allowed Elthin's group in and then locked the door behind them and reactivated the exterior wards. The door could be opened from the inside without a key, as the lock was an interior one which reset upon exiting the room.
Each portal room spread throughout the World looked very similar to its counterparts, as they were all said to have been made shortly after the Great War, when Magic was at its pinnacle in strength. Portal rooms were circular dome-shaped spaces with numerous runestones dotted into the make-up of the walls at specific points to allow the maximum flow of Ley energy to be uninhibited, as Portals take a great deal of Magic to open, and to route said Leylines towards the large Keystone in the middle of the archway. The Portal Arch itself rested on a raised three-tier platform inscribed with runes, at the very pinnacle of the platform. This Portal Arch was made from Sandstone, which was inscribed with the rune for Brascus at even intervals across the arch leading up to the Keystone. At the moment, the Portal Arch was dormant and unpowered.
Lucine and Coral were amazed at the scale of the room and looked more eager to explore it rather than take a portal.
Elthin and company after getting everything taken care of with the receptionist. Were allowed access to the Portal Room but first it needed to be de-wared for them to be allowed to enter which was done shortly after. The group soon entered into the vast room once inside Elthin could feel the dormant power coming from within the room. He looked around the room and could see that Lucine and Coral were eager to explore the rest of the room.
"Stay close and don't go wandering off." Elthin told the two.
He looked over at the Portal Arch which was dormant at the time.
"Maybe in the near future I should visit home again." Elthin said to himself he was feeling a little homesick.
Elthin requested for the inquisitive pair to stay close and not wander off. Though they seemed unwilling to do so, they still begrudgingly obliged, as they didn't want to jeopardise their day out in any way. Elthin and his group approached the Portal Arch and the Portal Master began to prepare the somatic segment of the portal opening incantation.
After all the preparations were complete, the Portal Master activated the last Portal Rune near the Keystone and the portal thrummed to life, revealing another, very similar portal room, but with a very different Rune arrangement resting around the Arch. It looked like they were looking at a rippling reflection through water of their current location had it not been for the subtle differences. Nevertheless, the Portal Gateway was open, and Argenta was merely five feet away from them.
Lucine and Coral, without even being given the go ahead by Elthin, were the first to dash through the portal. The Portal's surface flexed slightly and rippled some more, further solidifying its resemblance to a body of water. While Lucine and Coral's actions were rather brash and deserving of a stern talking to about the dangers of rushing through Portals too quickly, Elthin remembered that portal transit could be very disorienting for first timers. They bought it upon themselves, and that would likely be punishment enough. However, he silently hoped that, whatever happened, it didn't mess up their nice dresses, or anything else, for that matter.
Shortly after the boisterous pair, Elthin and the others carefully stepped through the Portal and entered the Leylines linking Argenta and Brascus together. Freya and her children seemed used to portal travel and didn't seem too effected by the sudden change of standing on solid ground to flying through a psychedelic tunnel of prismatic Ley Energy. Within moments, Elthin and his current companions arrived in Argenta's Portal Room, where Coral and Lucine were splayed out on the floor looking quite ill.
"So...dizzy..." Lucine groaned as she curled up into a ball. "Feel like...gonna hurl..."
"Paaapaaaaa..." Coral weakly whined. "Coral feels woozy..."
Freya just shook her head and sighed.
"That's what you get for rushing through portals. This is your own fault." Freya lectured the pair. "It'll wear off soon enough, though I wouldn't recommend eating anything for the next few hours unless you want to be cleaning it off the floor. Also, don't make any sudden movements or you'll end up face-first on the ground again."
"Such children." Syl commented with an approving nod..
The Portal Master went about is work in powering up the Portal. Soon enough it was all taken care of and the Portal was activated. Leaving Elthin and his group looking into what appeared to be another room much like the one they were in. But this one must be Agrenta's room but it had a different Rune layout inside of it. Elthin was just about to say that they should all go together when Lucine and Coral took off.
They dashed through the Portal which Elthin and the others followed. Shortly after them taking a more slower time. He knew what traveling through the portals did to first timers and didn't want this to lead to a mess. But it was their own faults for running ahead after having stepped out he appeared to be like Freya and the children looking like his normal self. As he had taken portal travel many times in the past.
"It's your own faults for running ahead" Elthin told them.
Seeing as how they were laid out on the floor. "I agree with Freya no eating until you're both feeling better. As I don't want a mess on my hands not right now."
Elthin was in agreement with Freya that it was the boisterous pair's fault that they are now hugging the floor feeling like they'd just survived a whirlpool Nonetheless, the metal flooring in the Argentian Portal chamber wasn't the most comfortable bed to lie on to overcome travel sickness.
Freya, used to dealing with overzealous children, gently hoisted Coral up into a piggy back with the help of Syl and Willow. Taking the cue, Elthin reluctantly followed suite with Lucine, ensuring that he didn't touch anywhere on her in which she could bite back with a retort, even though she was likely far too unwell at present to express her usual wit.
Once everyone was gathered together again, in one way or another, Elthin led the group out of the Portal room, through the Guild (asking a Guild Member for directions to the entrance) and out into the streets of Argenta. Now, all that was left was finding their apparent guide.
"To protect the peace of the Citizens." A sudden, young sounding girl's voice echoed through the square outside of the guild. "To allow our fair city to prosper."
"It's her!" Willow gleefully squeaked out upon hearing the unidentified voice.
"To ensure that no harm comes to our livelihoods, we make a stand! We are the hidden cog in the machine. The vital bolt in the frame. The ticking timepiece keeping Argenta moving. We are COG!"
A sudden burst of wind blasted outwards around ten feet away from Elthin and his group, ruffling the clothing of all those present, causing Syl to blush and yelp as her skirt flew up, revealing a cute pair of rabbit print panties. Willow just giggled in delight at the display. Seconds later, the wind coalesced back to its origin point, disappearing as a young looking girl stood in front of them. She was holding a strange metal device in her right hand. Its shape looked similar to that of a crossbow, but it was much more sleek and refined. It didn't have a shaft for the arrows, or a string to pull back. Instead it had a small 9mm hole at the tip of the tilted 'L' shaped body. She had no visible ammunition on her, but her weapon was pointed towards Elthin and his group.
"We have arrived!" The girl finished.
"IT'S NARU!" Willow practically screamed in excitement.
So this was the famed 'Naru' that Willow idolised, and Zena begrudgingly accepted friendship with.
Naru wasn't that tall of a girl, maybe just a head taller than Lucine. She had a nice thin, but evidently athletic, figure. Her auburn hair was tied in a set of twintails on either side of her head, and her amber eyes glowed with determination. She was dressed in an outfit somewhat similar to Coral's regular clothes. However, Naru's uniform was a navy blue with a red bow and accents, rather than Coral's brightly coloured one. Unsurprisingly, Naru had a navy blue skirt on, rather than the swimsuit Coral was given. On her right thigh, just barely visible under the hem of her skirt, she had a black holster, more than likely used to sheath the weapon currently in her hand. On her feet she had a set of navy blue ankle socks and navy blue plimsolls.
Despite her small size, she seemed quite the imposing figure, but that may just be because of her ability to appear seemingly out of nowhere in an instant, followed by the fact she was brandishing a weapon never seen before by people outside of Argenta.
"So, you're the creep after my Zee-zee?" Naru firmly questioned Elthin. "You've also said you'd want to see her naked, too, didn't you?!"
There's only one way this line of questioning could lead to...
"Let's make this very clear..." Naru began in her usual tone, before suddenly shouting out her next statement. "AIN'T NOBODY GONNA SEE ZEE-ZEE NAKED BUT ME!"
...but that likely wasn't the expected outcome. What a strange girl...
Elthin was the one to pick up Lucine and give her a piggy back ride as they. Left the guild he was glad that she didn't throw up on him or anything as they stepped outside. Arriving on the streets of Agrenta Elthin's first move was to look around at everything around him taking in all the sights and sounds. For several moments while next having to find some sort of guild he didn't know the way to Duke Trent's palace. Right as he was about to go in search of one he heard a voice call out. Followed by Willow saying 'It's her' who ever that could be.
Suddenly a young girl appeared out in the open causing a gust of wind. To blow that made Syl yelp and blush Elthin's took in the girl by sight and quickly saw the weapon she carried. In her hand it appeared to be some sort of crossbow but there didn't. Appear to be any sort of arrows that Elthin could see. His hand reached for the hilt of his own sword. Not really knowing what this girl wanted. But Willow still seemed excited and said that this was Naru.
"So, this is the girl I was told about?" Elthin thought to himself.
Naru next seemed to turn her attention upon him and start to accuse. Him of wanting to see Zena naked.
"Just my luck another person who appears to have a problem with me." Elthin sighed. He set Lucine down for a moment and walked over to Naru he walked around her. Then back to where he had been standing.
"Go right ahead see her naked for all I care take pictures as well so that, you can hang them on your wall." Elthin said. As Naru was most likely about to make a reply back to him on what he had just said he interupted her. "I'm not here for any further games, if possible can you please lead us to Duke Trent?"
Upon leaving the Guild where the Portal Room was, Elthin decided to take in the sights of the city.
Argenta looked extremely different in comparison to Brascus. While Brascus had mostly stoneworked buildings, with only a few brick built ones in the Nobles district, Argentian buildings were all Brick built, with not a single stoneworked one in sight. Unlike Brascus buildings, which only really had thatched/wooden roofs, Argentian buildings were tiled by slates of stone and other heavy duty buildings materials. It was like stepping into a whole new world full of expensive buildings.
This area of the City looked to mostly be a business or commercial area, as it was filled with buildings with little signs hanging outside advertising what produce they were selling, and a few market stalls peddling basic items, like fruit and vegetables. Even the citizens of Argenta were incredibly different from the ones in Brascus. In Brascus, class distinction was pretty much a social norm but here, in Argenta, there was no clear distinction between workers, the affluent or the less influential. Citizens seemed to go about their normal days without interfering with others, or throwing judgemental remarks. Peace reigned in this city,, it seemed, and everyone went about their lives without causing problems for others.
Argentian architecture looked more like the kind of things Elthin had read about the Mainland. It utilised the abundant amount of Stone and other hard-wearing materials excavated from the numerous mines and caverns littering the outskirts of the city to create wondrous decorations, like the working fountain in the middle of the Square.
Elthin wanted to take in more of the city, but his little sightseeing was disrupted by an overzealous COG Operative, who, like so many others, accused Elthin of illicit relationships with minors. Even if his earlier statement was intended as a joke, word is sure to travel around girls, so there was bound to be some kickback.
Elthin, being cautious of the fact an unidentified weapon was being aimed at his group, reached for the hilt of his sword and then headed on over to appraise this latest arrivals. Considering the fact Elthin had not removed his hand from the readied position, it was unsurprising that Naru would take the approach as an act of aggression. She didn't appear to listen to Elthin's statement in regards to her earlier outburst as her attention was on the fact that this little encounter may escalate to dangerous levels.
Taking Elthin as a hostile target, Naru disappeared in a blast of wind, which blew past Elthin at gale levels, before materialising next to Lucine, with her weapon in one hand, still trailed on Elthin, and Lucine in her other arm.
"Drop your weapon." Naru instructed Elthin in a commanding tone. "If you don't, I'll arrest you under suspicion of intentional terrorism, and your little friend here will be coming with me to COG HQ."
"Typical Men." Freya sighed. "Always quick to draw their swords at women."
Having made one fatal error with Naru which had been keeping his hand. Upon the hilt of his sword and having no removed it yet. Elthin covered his face as Naru swept past at gale force level appearing next to Lucine and taking her by the arm. Yet her weapon was still pointed right at him. He heard Freya's comment but didn't say anything to her about it he removed his hand from the hilt of his sword then set it on the ground.
"Lower your weapon or you yourself shall be arrested and taken. To COG HQ for threating to do harm to Prince Veldhar first crown prince of the kingdom of Glacialis!" Elthin warned Naru he didn't want to cause further trouble here in Argenta but things were getting out of hand thanks to Naru's own faults and weapon pointing.
"Again I ask can we please be taken to see the Duke and just forget about this?"
Elthin attempted to defuse the situation by throwing Naru's threat back at her, and also brandishing his heritage as a makeshift weapon.
"Who from what now?" Naru questioned, oblivious to the lineage Elthin had just reeled off to her. "A-anyway, you can't take a COG operative to COG HQ! We're in charge of the place! It'll be like arresting City Watch inside City Watch Barracks!"
While Naru argued with Elthin, her weapon fell to her side, but still remained in her hand.
"I don't care if you're the Lead Director of the 'Magical Makki Show', if you threaten the peace of Argenta, then I'll have to take you in under my authority as a COG operative." Naru continued.
"Um...you're kinda disturbing the peace." Syl pointed out, her face still a little flushed from her earlier panty flash.. "You're picking a fight with a tourist party from Brascus in the middle of Commercial Square."
"Not to mention preventing two Portal-Sick girls from getting the rest they need." Freya interjected. "Anyway, I take it you're our guide to visiting Duke Trent? He did mention we'd be getting a rather strange girl as a guide, and you definitely fit that description."
"B-but, he said he wanted to see my darling Zee-zee naked, and, as her betrothed, I can't allow anyone to sully her purity like that!" Naru attempted to justify her actions.
"That's self-proclaimed betrothed." Willow countered. "Anyway, you can knock some sense into him when we get to Zena's house. Until then, you'll have to put up with this tactless rich-guy, like we have."
Elthin's request finally got through to Naru. She holstered her weapon and let go of Lucine.
"I guess I've gotta put up with you for a while longer." Naru complained, heaving a heavy sigh. "Just know this, if you try any funny business while I'm on duty, you're getting a one-way ticket to a crash course in Argentian behaviour, Naru style!"
"...Coral knows that smell..." Coral weakly stated absently. "...two...nice scents..."
"I wasn't threating the peace at it as this whole mess was your fault. If you had not pointed your weapon at me this would never have happened." Elthin pointed out.
Syl and Freya then both spoke up which seemed to calm Naru down some. But when she mentioned about seeing Zena naked again. Elthin got angry "I don't want to see her naked I just want her to stop being a jerk to me all the time." Elthin sighed.
The request finally got through.
"And I you, so don't go being a pain in the ass any longer or. Trying to get on my nerves anymore if you do I'll just have to tell the Duke and he can be the one to disaplain you,"
Elthin threatened his guide once more.
"Maybe I should just ditch you down a side street if that's how you want to be." Naru countered.
"I think you're being a bit too hard on the poor girl." Freya informed Elthin. "She's just concerned about the wellbeing of her friend. Plus, she's always been short tempered."
"Papa, don't be mean." Coral interjected quietly.
Whatever tensions remained between the pair, it was evident they were going to get nowhere just standing around arguing, so Naru reluctantly led the way to Duke Trent's residence. It was a bit of a walk from Commercial Square, but at least the sights were nice. Coral seemed to look up a little when the group passed by a Brother and Sister duo heading towards one of the large buildings on the edge of the Commercial District. However, the Younger Sister of the duo definitely stood out from the crowd with her bright green hair and pale green eyes.
Fashion was strange in Argenta, but nobody else seemed to have such elaborate tastes to match this girl's. Even her brother shared no vibrant traits and, instead, had simple light brown hair and deep hazel eyes. The girl's hair was either dyed, or was some kind of strange genetic throwback. It also looked to have an odd feathery texture to it, but that could just be the lighting. Nonetheless, the girl was evidently getting on her brother's nerves with her fidgeting and complaining, yet countering her complaints by insisting that the 'pre-order bonus' was more important than anything else, whatever that was. It'll take some getting used to to understand Argenta.
Arriving at a rather standard looking building in the Residential District, Naru stopped and turned to face the group.
"We're here." She explained.
"Being too hard on her look at the way she is treating me." Elthin countered.
He was fed up with Naru but gave in when Coral told him not to be mean, So as Naru then led the way Elthin took in the wonders of the town as they passed by buildings and other marvels and wonders as they passed a Brother and Sister duo Elthin could see. Coral look at them and the girl appeared to stand out with bright green hair and pale green eyes. He watched the pair for a while and as he watched the girl fidgeting and complaining for some odd reason. He pictured one of the younger girls like that, Not really knowing why he just brushed the thought aside.
They soon arrived at a rather standard looking building in the Residential District. Naru announced that they were here. Walking over he towards the door he looked for any sort of device he could use to announce that they were there.
"Will you lead us inside?" Elthin asked.
During the walk to their destination, Elthin had some questionable images filtering through his mind as he looked upon the young Green Haired girl, imagining Syl, Willow, or even Coral going through the self-inflicted plight this girl was subjecting herself to. Thankfully, no one in Argenta (so far) possessed the ability to send, receive or intercept cognitive musings, otherwise Naru may just have to go through with her earlier threat, as Argenta surely had restrictions against the exploitation of minors, even if certain other Cities may not.
Upon arrival at Duke Trent's residence, Elthin looked for some device to announce his presence by the door,, and asked if Naru would go in with them.
"I have business with Zee-zee, anyway, so that's why I agreed to this." Naru answered.
Naru caught on to Elthin's lack of understanding for Argentian technology and decided to take matters into her own hands once more. Naru pushed a small button on the door frame and a faint ringing could be heard on the other end of the door.
"You just push a tiny button, it's not Advanced Aviation." Naru sighed. "Seriously, how backwater is Brascus?"
There was a small delay between the ringing stopping and the door opening.
"Really, Naru? You always call at the worst- BWAH!" Zena complained as she opened the door only to find, not just Naru there, but Elthin and his group as well. She wasn't exactly dressed for entertaining guests, considering she had nothing more than a pink towel wrapped around her otherwise naked body. She'd likely just come out of the bath, and wasn't expecting Elthin to be this early, maybe. Her face turned a deep crimson as she screamed and tried to cover herself up as much as possible.
"ZEE-ZEE!" Naru gleefully shouted as she pounced onto the prone girl. "Did you pretty yourself up just for me? You're adorable enough without going the extra mile!"
Having a raging Yuri-loving girl on top of her provided Zena with a little more cover, but she was still far from comfortable.
"You're so careless answering the door in nothing but a towel. What if I wasn't there to protect you from this pervy-perv? You really need to take better care of keeping your purity safe for when we tie the knot." Naru continued as she attempted to wrestle herself underneath the towel wrapped around Zena. Zena's superhuman strength was the only think keeping her nakedness from being shown to the world as a result of Naru's assault.
"Well, there goes my quiet afternoon." Duke Trent joked as he arrived in the hall. "Sorry for the noise, and for the little tussle happening in the doorway. Just step over the two. Naru will tire out soon enough, unless Zena culls her passion."
"I am not from Brascus" Elthin replied.
Naru appeared to hit a small device on the side to get the attention of those inside. As he walked for someone to answer the door. His thoughts seemed to travel back to earlier he didn't know why he had those very thoughts. He always told himself that he wasn't into that sort of thing that all these kids were far too young for him. But it seemed like all the time ever since he met Lucine lewd acts were happening all the time or at least here and there.
"I'm almost starting to enjoy it" Elthin thought.
The door soon opened and Elthin and company were greeted by Zena who appeared. In nothing but a towel seeing her blush then scream caused Elthin to laugh. But also another slight feeling came but he pushed that feeling away or tried to hide it the best her could.
"Thank you for the gift." Elthin told Zena.
Naru and Zena seemed to have a small wrestling match as Naru tried to get under Zena's towel. Here and there he saw flashes of skin. Which caused that odd feeling to grow but it was soon stopped when Duke Trent appeared.
"That'd be for the best." Elthin walked inside past Zena and Naru. Allowing the others to enter as well.
"So, what shall we be doing first do you want to discuss our business alone in private. Or would you like me to start the teaching job?"
Getting partially enticed by the near-naked girl and her overenthusiastic companion, Elthin was just about able to be drawn back to the less perverted events by a timely appearance of the host of this house visit. With his mind almost always on work, Elthin asked about the business discussions and what order they shall be completed in.
"First things first, I think we should put your kids down for a nap." Duke Trent suggested. "I don't think you're carrying them because they're just feeling a little lazy. I take it they dashed through the portal before readying themselves for the transit?"
"Just like the children they are." Syl agreed once more. "They didn't even give us a chance to say anything before running to their own detra...detru..."
"Detriment." Freya finished.
"Yeah! That." Syl concluded.
"Kind of like your first time travelling here, huh?" Duke Trent commented, much to the disapproval of Syl.
Freya set Coral down in a chair in the kitchen. The Dragonling just lay her head on the table and groaned quietly.
"Still got some of the ingredients left over from before?" Freya asked Duke Trent.
"They should be in the medicine cabinet. I don't have a full alchemy lab, but I think a stove and sinks are enough, right?" Duke Trent replied.
"They'll be enough, though getting these two to drink the medicine will likely be the hardest part."
Freya set about gathering all the stuff she needed to create a quick fix to the girls' travel sickness. The ingredients looked somewhat like the sorts of plants she had back in her Brascus Clinic, perfectly maintained to allow for multiple uses from the same germination pot. It seemed like Freya had a fair amount of trade with Argenta in the ways of herb maintenance and cultivation, as well as their uses in remedies.
It was suggested that they put the young ones to sleep for a nap. Elthin set Lucine down in a chair next to Coral in the kitchen, As Freya went about making something for the girl's to drink Elthin stood off to the side and watched quietly for a while.
"Freya here is trying to make you both feel better so, drink whatever she makes." Elthin told both girls he then looked to see if Zena and Naru were around. Both looking to Syl and Willow "I'm sure both of you girls would like to catch up with your friends if its, Okay with the Duke and Freya you can go see them?"
Elthin asked the two healthy girls if they wanted to go catch up with the loving couple, who'd now taken their little playtime upstairs, with Naru chasing Zena.
"I think we'd best wait until they've sorted out their little quarrel." Syl suggested. "I'll see if I can find something to make the remedy a little less bitter."
Syl went about searching the kitchen for some sweet addition to the remedy which wouldn't reduce its potency or change its effects. Willow ensured that home safety was taken into consideration by closing the front door.
The girls would visit their friends when things had calmed down some. Not knowing what else he could do as everyone appeared to be doing things Elthin just watched, "What can I do to help?" Elthin finally asked.
Elthin was at a loss for what to do.
"Zena was meant to go and get the rooms all set up with bedrolls and stuff, but she got a little too hygiene-conscious when she heard you were coming, so it hasn't been finished yet." Duke Trent explained. "I hate asking guests to prepare their own rooms, but, as she's currently having a little bonding session with Naru, there's not many other options. Just stay out of Zena's room until she's got herself sorted, or, maybe, you could go and startle some modesty into her by going in anyway. Either way, the little ones will be bedding down with her this evening, so her room needs setting up as well. You're okay with sharing a room with Freya, right?"
Elthin wondered if the reason why Zena had done what she did. Had something to do with him at all but he pushed the thought aside.
"I wouldn't even know where her room is, and I have no problem with sharing a room with Freya." Elthin says.
While the little ones were still busy going about making sure the others. Were going to be okay for later Elthin finally asked where Zena's room was.
"Can you point me in the direction of where I need to go in order to find her room?"
Elthin thought against invading Zena's privacy and infiltrating her most sacred of places. However, devious thoughts soon began to overtake his mind and make him second guess his original decision.
"It's the only door upstairs with a name plaque hanging on it. You can't miss it." Duke Trent answered. "Her room's also opposite the bathroom, so you can scout out that as well."
Was Elthin really planning on scouting out the bathroom. To find Zena or Naru not really as that would lead to trouble. "I will just try her room." Elthin then left the kitchen and followed along until. He found the stairs going up.
Climbing the stairs he took a moment to look around at the wonders of Duke Trents home before. He reached the top and started searching for Zenas room. He found it soon enough and was about to knock on the door. But instead listened first to see if anyone was inside.
Elthin decided to not test things too much and invade the bathroom in hopes of finding two girl going at it like rabbits.
"I meant in in more of the context of getting a lay of the house." Duke Trent corrected Elthin. "Just don't do anything too untoward. I'm fine with you teasing here, though."
Elthin headed up the stairs, scouting out Duke Trent's abode as he did so. The house itself looked very much like a standard Middle-class wood and stone home from Brascus, and nothing like where one would expect a Duke to live, of all things. It was just big enough to fit a family of five, six at a push, and had pretty much next to no fanciful decorations, save for a few trinkets no doubt unearthed from Ruin Exploration. There was some attempt at prettying up the place with a small vase of flowers, but that was likely due to Zena's insistence.
Going up the stairs, Elthin noticed that there were decorative weapons and various tools placed up as display objects, bolted to the walls to prevent them from being removed. Some of the swords on display looked very much like the Ritual Swords which Adepts and above used to carry before the Archmage's ruling. The gems coinciding to the Six Base elements of life from ancient scriptures were embedded into the swords, with no more than three out of the six being in them at one time. The Obsidian Gem however, which represented the Prime God of Death, was nowhere to be seen in any of the Ritual Swords. That stood as little surprise, as any follower of Ancient Scriptures would know that displaying an Obsidian on a weapon, whether decorative or not, was an act of severe Heresy throughout most of the world. Even today, Obsidian gems are rarely used in jewellery or item creation and people still tend to avoid using Obsidian in Weapons or tools.
It seemed like Duke Trent was as much of a weapon buff as Elthin was.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Elthin found Zena's room with no difficulty. However, it wasn't just down to the name plaque, but rather more down to the amount of noise that was coming from that room. Being curious, Elthin decided to listen in on the events going on behind Zena's closed door...
"Come on, Zee-zee, it's just a little peek."
"How many times do I have to tell you? NO MEANS NO! I will not let you undress me!"
"But I, as your lawfully betrothed, have to make sure you're keeping your body pure for when we completing the Bedding Ceremony after we get married. I'm gonna take your first time whether you like it or not!"
Various crashes, thuds and shouting were soon heard behind the door.
"You're so perverted! Do you have anything in your brain except pervy thoughts about me?! You're no better than that weirdo with the big lizard!"
"So, that despicable deviant is corrupting my darling Zee-zee with his perverted mind?! How dare he think the thoughts that only I should be thinking!"
"HEY! No! Don't pull on that part of the towel! You'll- IIIIIIIIYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"OH. MY. GOD! I saw Zee-zee's special place!"
There was frantic sounds of a struggle reverberating through the upper floor, which was soon accompanied by frantic sprinting towards Zena's bedroom door. If Elthin didn't move fast enough, he'll likely have a completely naked Zena using him as a crash target.
As Elthin had traveled up the stairs and looked around the Duke's home. He was surprised to see that it looked mainly like the ones back in Brascus, He had thought the Duke might have lived in something bigger and grander but he was wrong. One thing Elthin did take notice of was the various items that looked to have been picked up through Ruin Exploration.
He saw different sets of tools and weapons that were set up on display. Various types of Ritual Swords lined the walls and Elthin stopped to get a closer look at some of them. At one point he tried to take on down to get a better look at it. But found it was bolted to the wall, Elthin didn't know that the Duke was as much a weapon buff as he was. Deciding that he'd speak with the Duke later about these things. He went to Zena's room where he heard a great deal of noise.
It seemed like they were still going at it.
As he listened more his thoughts traveled to where he found himself. In Naru's shoes being the one who was doing that sort of thing to Zena. Small lewd thoughts found their way into his mind of seeing Zena naked, seeing her underwear, wetting herself etc. Shaking his head to rid himself of those thoughts. He started for the knock and was about to give a knock upon it.
"Hey it's m..."
Elthin lost himself in the questionable thoughts he'd been having since the trip to Argenta upon hearing Zena and Naru's little 'Bonding Time', if it could even be called that. However, he caught himself once more and attempted to remove the lewd thoughts regarding minors from his mind.
Now, with some semblance of self-control left, Elthin was about to knock on Zena's door when it was swung open at incredible speeds. All Elthin saw was a blur of peach in the shape of a humanoid before he felt a hefty impact on his front, causing him to lose balance and come crashing down to the floor as the peach coloured blur landed on top of him.
When the craziness had ended, Elthin felt a considerable weight across his body, even more so around his abdomen and lower regions. He also felt that he couldn't sit up, no matter how hard he tried.
"So it was you?!" Elthin heard Naru's angry statement. "First, you listen in on our private girl-to-girl talk, and now, you're openly trying to violate my darling Zee-zee! You're coming with me to COG HQ unless you come up with a very valid excuse for your perverted transgressions!"
Oh dear...
Elthin looked at the weight on his front to see a stark naked Zena sprawled out across him, with her 'special place' directly over his tent-pole, and pushing down slightly against it. Well, better start coming up with a very believable excuse or face the Argentian Justice System...
Just as Elthin was about to knock on the door it swung. Open at incredible speeds all he saw was a blurry human shape before it slammed into him. Causing him to lose balance and crash to the floor with something falling atop of him. As his vision started to clear up he tried to stand up but for an odd reason couldn't he tried again and again, But no matter what he wasn't able to sit up at all,
Looking down he saw that Zena lay across him stark naked. He could feel her 'special place' pushing down against his own 'happy place.' However it wasn't long before he heard the human bitch that was Naru bitching at him once again.
"I was only coming upstairs to talk to Zena about getting the rooms ready for her friends." Elthin countered. As he looked her in the eye "well you're not going to just stand there like an idiot hurry up and get her off me!"
Elthin bit back against Naru's threats and explained his case. Naru was about to give her usual kind of answers when Elthin posed the option of helping to get the completely naked ZenaI off of him, which would likely require her to get all hands on to move her.
"I can really touch Zee-zee's soft body?!" Naru gleefully answered at the prospect of touching up her best friend. "Where should I start first?!"
Before Zena could counter Elthin's blatant sacrificing of her to the sex-crazed beast that is Naru, the horny homo hastily grabbed at Zena, starting with one hand over the poor girl's small exposed breasts, and her other down where Elthin's groin was, likely exploring the cavernous depths of Zena's Nirvana. There was some minor brushing of Naru's hand against Elthin's crotch, but most of her effort was on infiltrating Fort-Zena.
"Everything okay up there?" Duke Trent called up the stairs.
"Yes! Of course everything's fine!" Naru quickly cut in before any other response could be given. "Zee-zee's just being a klutz again."
"Oh, okay. Don't break anything." Duke Trent answered.
"We won't!"
Naru managed to easily lift Zena off Elthin as the young girl struggled to break out of the groping.
"I'll overlook it this time as I got to touch Zee-zee all over, but don't let me catch you again!" Naru informed Elthin.
"Stop touching me the-kyaaaa!" Zena tried to scold Naru, but the other girl's hands were too good at their work.
While Elthin had enjoyed Zena's soft small body against her own especially, Down there where is own 'mini me' was he knew if she had stayed on him for longer. Naru would just find new ways whine and bitch. Naru even touched his groin which brushed her hand against it. Elthin slapped it away an got to his feet.
"Don't touch me" Elthin says.
As Naru started to molest Zena before his eyes. The Duke called up to them seeing if everything was fine.
"It's fine."
Deciding to do something nice for a change Elthin spoke up.
"Can't you see she doesn't like that why not leave her alone?" Elthin asked. Yet Naru still kept going about her ways until Elthin reached out with a hand and pulled Zena away. It took a little effprt on his part and once Zena was freed. He leaned down and whispered into her ear "you owe me." then moving away.
"Zena you should go get dressed the girl's need their rooms made up for tonight."
Elthin protested to Naru's accidental brushing of her hand against his groin.
"Ew! Why the hell would I want to touch your groin?!" Naru countered. "You were in the way of mine and Zee-zee's private time! You could've had the decency to move your dirty boy-parts out of the way!"
Elthin tried to defend Zena's chastity and save her from the unlawful molestation from Naru.
"You stay out of this!" Naru shot back. "What happens between myself and my future wife is none of your business!"
Eventually, Elthin pulled Zena from the clutches of the sex offender that is Naru. He didn't neglect to remind Zena that he owed her one.
"I-it's not like I asked for you help!" Zena whispered back. Despite her harsh tone, it seemed like she was really grateful. Soon enough, the 'Dere' side of this mostly 'Tsun' Tsundere came out. "B-but thanks for that." From that admittance of her gratitude, Zena's face blushed a deep crimson.
"I'll get you for that, you fiend!" Naru informed Elthin, evidently aggravated from her stolen 'wife'. "Nothing comes between me and my Zee-zee! You hear me? NOTHING!"
In a fit of anger, Naru dashed off down the stairs and slammed the front door behind her. Now that they were alone together, Elthin reminded Zena of her duties.
"I-I know that." Zena replied. "But...could you...y'know...not stare so much at me?"
"Your private time was nothing more then a molestation fest. I an surprised Zena here doesn't report you to the Duke,
Naru whined about Elthin interuppting their private time.
"Not when someone is attacking someone who doesn't like it." Elthin countered.
Zena appeared to be thankful for Elthin helping her out. He took notice of her blushing crimson he took notice of this and then watched as Naru after whining again ran off down the hall. Then out the front door to the home.
"I don't know how you put up with her?" Elthin asked.
Zena knew she had to get changed and for him not to stare so much.
"Can't help it you're rather cute after all when you're not trying to bite my head off." Elthin took another moment to look at Zena's naked body then motioned for her to head to her room.
"If you want I can stand guard outside the door in case she comes back?"
Elthin was at a loss for how Zena tolerated the future offender that is Naru. He then admitted that Zena was quite cute when she wasn't being a Sadist. This, of course, triggered her Tsun side once more, but with a little bit extra Dere in than normal.
"I only bite your head off when you keep suggesting that I do childish things, like wetting the bed. W-Which I totally don't do, of course. Really!" Zena countered, the blush not leaving her face, even as she tried to cover herself up once more with the discarded towel. "I-I don't need no watcher. She's gone off for the day, and Big Bro would know if she came back."
Upon her evident dismissal of the offer for a 'Guard', Zena shut herself in her room to get changed.
The blush was still on her face as she tried to cover herself up with the towel. "I guess I'll have to take your word for it or I could always check to see it that is really true?" Elthin teased. He wasn't trying to be mean to Zena this time around, She then said she didn't need a watcher and hurried back to her room to get changed.
"See you later and thanks for not chewing my head off." Elthin turned away and headed back downstairs.
Elthin just couldn't leave Zena without teasing her one last time for now. Of course, Zena reacted very much like she normally does, blushing as deep a crimson as her face can go and then shouting off back at him.
"Don't even think about doing that! If you come into my room while we're sleeping, then I'll personally hand you in to COG myself!" Zena countered. "You don't wanna know what Naru and the others would do to someone who peeks on kids sleeping for their own personal pleasure!"
Elthin then left Zena to her own devices and headed back downstairs, to be greeted by Coral and Lucine coughing and spluttering after drinking the remedy to soothe their ailments. Syl had tried to sweeten it up as much as she could, but there's only so much she could put into it before the foul medicine wouldn't work as intended.
"You certainly know how to push a girl's buttons." Duke Trent joked to Elthin. "I've gotta say, you must've done something very particular to have a girl like Naru storm out of the house in a fit of rage. That's commendable in its own right."
"All I did was stop her fun time which she didn't like." Elthin replied.
He looked over to the two girls who were coughing and spluttering, "Zena should be finished shortly, in the meantime what else can I do?" Elthin asked he wanted some alone time to speak with Duke Trent about the various weapons he saw on the walls.
"She shouldn't have been playing around in the first place. She's still on duty until Four O'clock, as far as I'm aware." Duke Trent answered. "Good of you to stop her slacking on the job."
Elthin glanced at the coughing couple at the table before wondering just what he could do next.
"Now that Zena's up and working again, you could take a look around the city until dinner, or we could always take you to your place of work and give you a rundown of what'll be expected of you there." Duke Trent suggested. "Either way, you're free to roam around and do as you please until you head back to Brascus tomorrow evening."
Elthin was glad he didn't have to explain just. What Naru had really been doing. The Duke then mentioned on what Elthin could do in the meantime.
"I will roam around the city for a while before. Coming back here for the other business. I was told there are some ruins around here?"
Elthin offered alternatives for ways to open the sealed door to the uncovered ruins.
"You're the Magician, you do what you think will work." Duke Trent shrugged. "If you find any loot, be sure to bring it back for Appraisal. Of course, you'll get a cut of it for finding the stuff in the first place, though any Ritual Swords or weapons I'll get first pickings on."
"Go check the door out yourself and see if you find any means of opening it. Try whatever plan comes to your head, just don't bring down the Mine with the door, as we still need the ore and Obsidian from it."
Duke Trent told him he was free to do whatever he thought would work. Then if her found any loot bring it back for Appraisal. Followed by any Ritual Swords of weapons he got first pick on.
"Oh, that reminds me I haven't shown this to you yet." Elthin replied.
He left the room for a few moments and went to his belongings. And took his sword once he returned he handed it over to Duke Trent to have a look at. "Here have a look at this, and if I find anything I'll bring what's back,"
"Do, you have any sort of map of the city I can barrow to use to find my way to the Mine?" he asked,
A sudden idea came to Elthin's mind as he remembered the collection of Swords Duke Trent had on display. The thought of showing something took the interest of Syl, who was gently rubbing Coral's back in an attempt at soothing the effects of Portal Transit. When he returned with a sheathed sword, Syl could only comment and sigh
"Oh, great. You've done it now."
Like the weapon maniac that he was, it didn't take Duke Trent long to unsheath the sword and look at every fine detail of it from various angles.
"Some really good craftsmanship here." Duke Trent commented, sounding a little too enthused by the prospect of weaponry. "Good weight to it, nice decoration, great balance across the blade and some very remarkable Masterworking!"
Duke Trent examined everything he could about the blade, even going as far as doing some test swings, much to the dismay of Syl, who was a little too close to the swinging area.
"However, a little to light for my liking. Nothing like a Warmaul or a Flail. Where'd you get it from? It looks too well made for modern crafting practices, but it also doesn't look like it's that old. Could it be...a relic?!"
Elthin asked about a map of the city, but Duke Trent was still far too captivated by the weapon, so it was left to Syl to provide that answer.
"You've set him off on another Sword-freak moment." Syl informed Elthin. "The only city maps here are used for Troop Placement in the Barracks and COG Headquarters. However, I'm sure Willow knows the mine he's talking about."
"I think it's off past the Commercial District, isn't it?" Willow questioned. "That's what Naru told me, anyway, back when it was first discovered."
Duke Trent examined Elthin's blade for all that it was worth. He looked to be an expert on this sort of thing.
"I picked it up in the ruins of Felh Anore a ciity belonging to the Snow Elves. I believe it is a relic but it might be something more to it then that. When I was researching about the blade I learned it had been made from some of the feathers from the Ice Phoenix known as Frostheart',' Elthin told him.
When asked about for a map to the Mine, Duke Trent didn't answer but Syl did, This was because the Duke was far too interested in Elthin's sword.
"If I were to leave here which way would I go to get to the Commerical District?"
Elthin explained a little about the blade he'd handed to be appraised. Upon the mention of an Ice Phoenix, Duke Trent weet off even more on a weapon maniac tangent.
"So it's made with Cryophoenix feathers?!" Duke Trent questioned, sounding even more interested in the blade than he was before. "Perhaps it was a blade belonging to an Elven Spellsword of legend?! I thought all things linking to the combination of Magic and weaponry was taken under the protection of the Archmage. You could have an Elven Spell-focus here which greatly improves a Magician's potency to levels near unheard of!"
"And on with the military jargon." Syl sighed in exasperation.
Elthin asked about directions to the commercial district. It didn't take long for Willow to volunteer herself to be a guide, just to get away from the Duke's weapon obsession.
"I can take you to an alleyway leading straight to the Commercial District. When you leave the alleyway, you'll soon see the warning signs of excavation underway. Just follow them and you'll reach the mine in no time. Though, 'Magical Makki' LE merchandise is currently going through its pre-order bonus dispensing right now, so you may have to navigate through a few fans to get to the mine." Willow explained to Elthin.
"Yes," Elthin responed to the first part of Duke Trent's question. "The sword belonged to the Snow Prince" Elthin said to the second part thinking on what he heard the Duke say. While he wanted to talk more about this with the Duke he had another thing on his mind, "We, can talk about this all later when I get back perhaps over a drink?" Elthin asked.
He then took his sword back from the Duke.
Willow offered to be his guide to the Commercial District.
"That will work, and who or what is 'Magical Makki'?"
Elthin further piqued Duke Trent's interest in the Blade by saying that it belonged to the Snow Prince. However, he soon retracted the bait by saying they'd discuss it later.
"I guess you're right." Duke Trent answered, sounding a little dejected by the sudden bailing of the conversation. "We need to get your little ones bedded down to rest and recuperate, after all."
"At last, some peace." Syl commented quietly under her breath. She really sounded like she hated these tangents into crazy conversations.
Elthin reclaimed his sword and then asked just what this 'Magical Makki' was. Willow appeared all for answering in a similar style to Duke Trent's weapon enthusiasm, but Syl quickly cut her off.
"It's basically a picture book aimed at older children to teens which is way more flashy images than words, and only has small speech bubbles for actual conversation in it. It's mostly packed full of tons of violence all done in 'the name of justice', or whatever those people fight for. In short, it's a picture book filled with violence which has sparked quite the fan following, enough even to prompt a live action play adapting the first three volumes of the series." Syl explained.
"Stole my thunder there, you little..." Willow grumbled, clearly upset that she couldn't geek out over something. "Anyway, let's get you to the Commercial District before it really starts filling up."
It was agreed upon that they would discuss things later. Then Syl spoke something under her breath and spoke about what 'Magical Makki' was.
"Sounds like a rather weird book if you ask me." Elthin said. He just didn't really understand it all that well.
"Okay, let's go." He motioned for Willow to lead the way.
Before any more fanatical conversations could be sparked into life, Elthin hurriedly requested for Willow to begin leading him towards the Alleyway he needed to follow to reach the Commercial district. Most of the journey was backtracking the route the group had taken to arrive at Duke Trent's residence. The pair passed through the residential district until they reached the place in which Elthin remembered seeing the Green Haired Girl and her suspected Brother.
Nestled between two rather large multi-storey Residential Buildings was a small alleyway which curved off to the left near the end of the visible part of it. It had a few metal cylinders with lids on down it, likely what Willow referred to as Rubbish Bins, and a box-like 'Recycling' container attached to the wall of the alleyway. There was also a few grates in the floor, which Elthin recognised as a drainage system, dotted about at even intervals in small dips in the concrete, shaped in such a way that rainwater would slide down into the Drain with little to no obstruction.
"Just take the left at the end, and follow along on your first right turning at the three-way and you'll find yourself in the main Commercial thoroughfare. The huge lights on the buildings will be a dead giveaway that you're heading to the right place." Willow informed Elthin. "Anyway, I'd better be heading back to help Syl and Freya with dinner. If you get lost anywhere, just look for people wearing Cog-shaped badges, like what Naru had on. They're COG agents who'll be able to direct you the rest of the way."
With her parting explanation, Willow headed off back towards Duke Trent's house, leaving Elthin at the entrance to the Alleyway.
Trusting in Willow's directions, Elthin did just as he was told and began to follow the alleyway down towards the Commercial District. It curved a few times after the first one, but, eventually, Elthin came across the right turning in the three-way intersection that Willow had told him about. Sure enough, he could see some lights reflecting off the windows and Rubbish bins. With a final left turning, the Commerical district was in sight! As well as some movement which Elthin vaguely managed to notice. It wasn't uncommon for others to be using alleyways as shortcuts, so there wasn't really much need to be concerned. So, without further delay, Elthin went down the last stretch into the Commercial District's brightly lit embrace.
However, as Elthin moved up the alleyway, the movements he'd noticed earlier were a little more easier to make out, but still kind of difficult to fully discern due to the vibrant backlighting. He thought he could see a small humanoid-like shape nervously flitting around a little ways in from the exit to the District. It stopped sometimes to bend over slightly, with barely noticeable tightly crossed legs, and both hands more towards their front than their sides. They continued on in, and so did Elthin.
When Elthin was a little over a few meters away from the antsy alleyway adventurer, the figure stopped at a drain and squatted down over it. It was at this point that Elthin was able to fully make out this figure and what they were doing. Due to what was going on, Elthin was gratefully relieved that he was alone and there were no COG patrols in the alleyway at present.
What Elthin saw was the young Green Haired girl from before openly peeing into the drain, with her eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face. From the force of her stream, she was likely at bursting point and was seconds away from it soaking her panties. Elthin had an unimpeded view of her hairless tiny treasure, sleek with spilt streams of surging secretions. Well, two visions of a girl's special place in less than an hour. Elthin was either blessed by the Gods of Ero, or cursed by the Gods of Justice. Whatever the case, Elthin didn't really have much time to ponder his luck as the girl's pale green eyes opened and were staring straight at Elthin.
When the haze of blissful relief faded, the girl's smile turned into a gasp of shock and her eyes went wide with surprise. Her small body began to tremble as her rivers gradually reduced themselves to droplets. Judging by the shortness of her relief, she likely had a very small bladder to be bursting with that little contents in it. The girl tried to say something, but all that came out of her rapidly reddening face were stammers. Within seconds, she'd bolted up from her squat and was fleeing full pelt back in the direction she came from, which was the route Elthin was taking to the Commercial District. She stumbled slightly a few feet away from her peeing spot and something fell from her legs as she did so. It wasn't liquid, by any means, but something very cloth-looking and a bright shade of pink and white. Despite that, the girl didn't stop her running.
Elthin was now, once more, alone in the alleyway. Just his luck...
Willow led the way which was mostly back tracking the way he and the others. Had come when going to the Duke's home. They soon reached the area where Elthin remembered seeing the green-haired girl and her brother. Between two of the buildings was a small alleyway that had been mentioned before Elthin looked at it as Willow spoke up about what to do next. 'Will do just that I don't want to get lost." Willow then headed back home leaving Elthin alone in the alleyway. Wishing that if he did get lost he wouldn't run into Naru.
Elthin moved forward following the directions in which he was told to go. As he moved along he caught sight or he thought he did of a small humanoid shape moving about. As he went further in that direction he soon came upon the Green-haired girl once more. She seemed to be squatting near the drain as he moved closer he could see that she was peeing into it. Getting a perfect view of her hairless treasure and the stream coming out from between her legs. As he watched her go about her business he found a strong awakening in his own special place.
The girl soon opened her eyes and stared right at him. Her smile turned to one of shock as she blushed bright red. This caused Elthin to do the same she then got up and ran away back the way he was going towards leaving something white and pink on the ground. She just kept running until she was out of sight.
Elthin stood there alone for a short time. His own needs had awoken again in the span of just several seconds. "Just my luck." Elthin sighed he walked forward until he spotted what lay on the ground. Looking down at it for a moment he studied it with his eyes. A thought of picking it up closed her mind but knowing his luck a COG member would show up in the next few seconds. And he would get into major trouble instead he just went on his way. Hoping to see the girl again and this time not having something bad happen.
Once the drain dribbler had dashed off, Elthin took a few moments to process the situation he'd just witnessed, and to tame the trouser snake that had reared its head. Once he'd come to terms with what he just saw, he went to check out what the girl had left behind.
It didn't take a genius to determine that the girl, in all her haste, had dashed off completely commando. The object she'd dropped were, in fact, her panties. They weren't anything too remarkable for any normal person. They were just a plain pair of children's pink panties with white polka dots, sized for children around the ages of 8-10 years. Just the kind that normally came in cheap multi-packs usually purchased by money conscious parents. Not the best money can buy, but they're durable, comfortable and definitely serve their purpose, providing they're being worn and not haphazardly discarded on the floor like these were.
One thing did stand out, though. At just the right angle, when the lights of the Commercial District were unimpeded, Elthin could vaguely make out a darkening of the fabric near where the girl's flower would carefully be nestled. It was just a small coin-sized patch, but it undoubtedly stood testament to the fact that the girl perhaps hadn't quite managed to keep her tides at bay completely. They would still be wearable, mind, but with a slight wet patch which could easily be ignored.
Realising that staring at a pair of children's panties, discarded in a dimly lit alleyway which a young blushing girl had just bolted out of, would likely make him a prime suspect of a serious offence should a COG operative patrol by, Elthin pushed aside his interest in the discarded delicates and headed on down the Alleyway to his goal. However, leaving said panties in an alleyway, while the young girl in question was likely milling around the city completely naked under her skirt, wasn't exactly the most charitable thing to do. It could even spark such a controversy that there might even be investigations against all who'd been near and around that place at this particular time. Perhaps it'd be a better idea to dispose of the evidence, or, even better, return them to their rightful owner? Sure enough, it'd look sketchy, but if he could play it well enough...who knows?
Elthin was only several feet away from having walked by the panties. Laying on the ground when he stopped and turned around and walked back towards the discarded pair. Reaching down he picked them up and placed them into his pocket. "Just my luck, I'm sure to get into trouble for this some how" Elthin said to himself. He didn't want to think about what would of happened if he had just left the pair there where he had found it.
Sure enough some COG agent would find the underwear. And it would all come back to bite him in the ass. As he started walking again a rather strange thought flashed across his mind. What was it with all these lewd things happening around him, seeing girl's peeing, having a naked girl fall atop of him, and various others. It just felt odd but part of him liked those times. As odd as it was he couldn't help but feel aroused at those thoughts and sights.
"Is wetting one self really that bad?"
That question he didn't know the answer to as he'd never have that sort of thing happen. To himself at all shaking his head he kept on walking wanting to hit the Mine, But first he'd make a slight detour maybe search for the green haired 'd give his search fifteen minutes and not a minute more.
Elthin's greater judgement got the better of him as he decided to collect up the discarded children's panties and take them back to their rightful owner. Whether out of sincerity or questionable curiosity, that was the course of action he decided to take. Picking them up off the ground, Elthin could faintly feel the slight dampness around the middle of the underwear.
With panties in pocket, Elthin went off to search for the owner of them to remove the incriminating evidence and prevent suspicion from being cast onto him. A fairly easy venture as all Elthin had to do was follow the crowds of people to one of the biggest stores in the Commercial District. It was a multi-story building the size of a Magician's Guild with an extremely long line outside of it. Due to the girl's unnatural hair colour, he spotted her within seconds. She appeared very close to the entrance to the building, but had a handful more patrons to go before her.
Now, how should he approach this?
Elthin was able to find the girl within seconds as she appeared to be near. The enterance to a building the size of the Magician's Guild. Mostly likely the reason for the large crowd was because everyone was wanting to buy the new book that Elthin had been told about earlier. But the main problem was how was he going to return this girl's underwear to her with out drawing any unwanted attention let alone having her run off again on him. Maybe getting to speak with her alone would work for the best that way he wouldn't have to deal with the large crowds.
Elthin walked over to the line and took his place. He'd wait for a chance to speak with the girl.
Instead of brazenly going up to his target and handing over the goods, Elthin decided to do the civilised thing and attempt to wait in line. However, from the looks of the line, he'd be waiting there until after sundown at this rate and only then just about get inside. How could a children's picture book be so popular?
After around five minutes of waiting, the line moved slowly forward and Elthin's goal was the next in line to enter the store. It was either do or do not, there was no middle ground. Elthin could walk up there, hand the panties over and then be gone, or he could choose to wait outside for when the girl inevitably left the store with her purchase and pre-order bonus.
Seeing as how waiting in line was going to be a bad idea. With the amount of people here it would surely be past sundown when he got inside Elthin didn't want to be waiting that long and seeing as how the girl was next. He had the choice of going up there now to return her item or wait until she left the store with her purchase.
Getting out of line Elthin decided to wait for the girl. Hoping that she wouldn't take too long to get what she came for.
Elthin decided that waiting outside for the girl was more time saving than waiting in line. So, Elthin left the line and moved over to the side a little, staying as close to the store as he could and keeping the entrance in his view. The girl disappeared inside the store with the sound of a shop bell ringing to indicate a customer's entrance. He waited around for near enough five minutes with no signs of the girl in sight. He was about to give up when he felt something very lightly collide with his back. An unusual feeling clouded his mind for a split second, akin to that of having more than his usual five main senses working, however, it faded as quickly as it came. Elthin turned to see just what had touched his back to find...
"Sor- BWAH!" The offender of the light touching began, before looking up and seeing Elthin. Despite how near undetectable it felt to Elthin, it seemed to work like a regular collision to the one who did it. The person who'd bashed into Elthin was...
A young girl, dressed in a casual short sleeved blouse with an orange decorative neckerchief underneath the collar, tied off with a cute looking ladybird shaped brooch. Her head just barely touched Elthin's waist in height, and she appeared to be around 8-10 years of age. Held around her waist by a small red leather belt was a charcoal coloured pleated skirt, which had a clasp catch on the left hand side from the girl's perspective, and a small zipper to also keep it from coming undone. She had cute black dolly shoes on her feet, with pink socks with white polka dots on underneath them. Finally, perhaps the most noticeable features, were her bright green hair and pale green eyes.
Elthin had been looking for this girl, but it turned out she found him instead. Who would've though there'd be a separate rear exit on a building as large and busy as this?
More out of realisation of the fact that he'd just witnessed her most embarrassing and vulnerable moment, the girl quickly darted back towards the exit of the shop, just as her older brother was leaving it.
"What did I tell you about walking with your eyes closed?" The girl's older brother sighed as she retreated behind him. He then turned to Elthin. "Sorry about that. She's been a little hyper over this comic book she likes reading, so she wasn't exactly paying attention to where she was walking."
The girl quietly began to mention something to her Brother, but Elthin was easily able to pick up what she was saying, as she wasn't exactly whispering it.
"Remember that complication I mentioned earlier?" The girl informed her Brother, blushing a deep crimson as she did so. "Well, he's the complication..."
The girl's older brother shook his head and countered back to his sister.
"Didn't I tell you it was a bad idea?"
The girl's brother took on a more professional behaviour now as he turned back to Elthin.
"I sincerely apologise on behalf of my baby sister for the violation of Public Morals she committed. I'm aware of three possible counts of violations she did: Indecent exposure, public urination and evasion of justice." The Girl's Brother started to explain, causing her to blush even more and completely cover herself up behind his back while whimpering in shame. "From my knowledge of the current options to pay off such offences, how much will the fine be? Let it be know that this'll be coming out of her snack and hobby allowance." His final statement was more directed at his sister than Elthin.
"Hey! That's so not fair!" The Young Girl whined and pouted.
"Well, it's your own fault for drinking so much when I told you we'd be away from home for a few hours." The Girl's Brother retaliated. "Let this be a lesson to you to know when to not overindulge."
It would seem there may have been some mixed messages going between this duo and Elthin's reason for approaching them.
Elthin waited around for the girl to exit the was getting bored with waiting around and five minutes passed he was just about to leave when he felt. Something bump into his back turning around to see what it was it turned out to be the green haired girl from before. As he looked at the girl before him she looked far cuter up close then she did from far away. Trying to not let such bd thoughts enter his mind he was about to speak up.
When the girl went back towards the store only for her brother to come was a slight talk between the pair with the girl blushing for a time.
"I think this was just a misunderstanding." Elthin said.
He was about to say why he was here when her brother started speaking.
"Wait, wait I'm not here to collect any sort of fine. I am only here to return something to your sister that she dropped." Elthin tried to explain it was now. His turn to blush as he wasn't sure how this would work.
"I believe she dropped these, and here you go I'm returning this back because it would cause quite the mess if COQ found them." Elthin reached into his pocket and took out the girl's panties handing them over.
"This is the only reason why I am here this whole thing was just a bad accident."
After the explanation of rules and regulations which may or may not have been violated by the young girl, Elthin decided it was time to get the truth out now rather than let this evolve into a full on legal bartering. The explanation of the girl 'dropping' something caught her attention as well as that of her Brother's.
As soon as the panties were bought out, Elthin felt something like a gust of wind just blast against his body as the panties disappeared from his grasp. There was yet another moment of extrasensory feeling, this time with a slight colour tinge to the edges of his vision, which happened so fast it might just have been the neon lights surrounding the area reflecting into his field of view. All he saw next was the girl's brother looking a little confused, and the girl herself, with her back to Elthin, pulling something up her legs with such speed that there was barely any movement from her skirt, even as her hands went underneath to place her panties back where they belonged. She was certainly a rather speedy girl, even more so than anyone Elthin had ever met before. That was a little odd, to say the least...
"Okay...guess that solves that problem." The girl's brother commented, sounding a little perplexed. "Anyway, not a word of what she did to anyone. It stays between us three only, got it? In exchange, I won't tell anyone that a full grown man just casually picked up a pair of children's underwear off the floor in a secluded alleyway and placed them in his pocket. If anyone else heard of it, we could all be in serious trouble, so I find that a fair deal."
"Was it...cute?" The girl asked as she turned to face Elthin, a shy blush gently turning her face a light shade of pink. She couldn't meet Elthin's gaze. "My...secret place?"
How forward of her!
"Do you want to get him arrested?!" The girl's Brother exclaimed, shocked by her sudden lewd request. He then turned back to Elthin. "Please don't feel obligated to answer that question."
This girl definitely reminded Elthin of someone else, strange behaviour and unnatural powers included. She couldn't be...
Elthin felt a gust of wind touch his body as his vision once more. Had a slight color tinge to it once again then it was all over as the girl quickly pulled up her panties. While her brother spoke to him once again.
"No one will know of what happened just make sure she doesn't do something like this again." Elthin told him. This was already turning into a big deal anyway next the girl asked Elthin a very odd yet lewd question one he never thought would be asked. Apart of him would have gladly have said yes but with her brother around that wouldn't be the right thing to say,
Yet the blush on his cheeks told the true answer that it indeed was cute. The girl also reminded Elthin of someone else but he couldn't think of who at the moment. "If you will excuse me." Elthin turned and hurried away from the girl and her brother. Things would have turned worse quickly if he remained there any longer.
Heading back in the direction of where he was told to go Elthin soon arrived at the Mine after hurrying along trying to make up for lost time.
Tactically retreating from a jail sentence, Elthin excused himself from the unusual duo and hurried on towards the Mine. Thankfully, neither of them saw it important to chase him, yet the girl did kind of catch on to Elthin's more subtle hints that he did, indeed, enjoy the view wholeheartedly.
Next thing he knew, he felt the wind pick up slightly around him. It wasn't at a level which was abnormal, normally, as it was just a light increase in the breeze, but the area it was sectioned on was him and him alone. Nothing around him moved in this strange breeze, but he was certain he felt it on him, and a presence somewhere in it as well. It wasn't malicious at all, but rather felt very comforting and, surprisingly, upbeat as well. Almost like the wind was echoing a cheerful emotion.
Pushing aside random bouts of magical wind, Elthin soon arrived at the mine. Just as Willow had informed him, it was incredibly easy to find as he just followed the warning signs. The mine itself was very unremarkable in appearance. It was little more than an opening in the mountainside with a few lights and warning signs outside of it. In addition, there was a more recent sign indicating the appearance of an 'Unknown entrance of Magical Origin', which was likely referring to the Door Duke Trent was talking about. There was no real prevention against seeing it, the sign was more like an informant of an attraction rather than one of forbiddence. However, just out of caution, Elthin sent a little more power into the shield he normally has around him, just in case debris became dislodged while he was exploring.
Heading on into the mine, using both magic and natural means of light, Elthin began following the shaft deep into the mountainside. As soon as he entered the shaft, he instantly felt the undeniable tingle of strong magical energy filling the place. As expected, it was more attuned to the powers of Fire rather than any other magic. Using the knowledge he had about Magical Energy signature, Elthin deduced that this was a Amplification Field attuned to Fire. This, naturally, meant that all Magicians blessed by the Flames of Rebirth (namely Fire Magicians or those born under the Sign of the Fire Prime God) would feel energised and empowered by this Field. However, like all opposing Elements, those blessed by the Winds of Purity (namely, Wind Magicians and those born under the Sign of the Wind Prime God) would feel weakened and lose some of their Magic Strength. It was an age old tactic to keep opposing Elements from coming into contact with one another. As Elthin was blessed by the Waters of Virtue, as he's a Water Magician, this Amplification Field neither positively or Negatively effected him.
Elthin continued on into the Shaft until he reached a fork in the road, where the shaft split into two separate directions. The corridor on the right looked recently mined, likely a replacement for the one ending in the Door, so Elthin took the left hand path, following the increasingly potent Amplification Field's origin. He was likely getting close now, as the strength of the Field attested to that.
Eventually, after about two more minutes of following the linear shaft, Elthin reached a clearing. At the far end of the clearing stood the very thing he was looking for! It was just how Duke Trent had described it, a large stone door, with no indication of a handle, engraved with the sigil of the Prime God of Fire! Despite the thrill of finding the entrance to unexplored Ruins, Elthin also felt another Magical Presence in the same clearing. Locating its source, Elthin found that it came from a rather tattered looking leather-bound book resting on the floor near one of the sconces. The book didn't look like anything from the modern era, considering how archaic its design was. It was a miracle that no one else had found it. Something about it just drew his attention, and he felt like it was more than it appeared to be...
As Elthin had moved away from the pair he once again felt the wind. Touch his skin he felt it was a cheerful yet upbeat emotion to it. Maybe the girl from before had caused it she did remind Elthin of how Coral acted a little bit but why would this young girl be interested in him. It had to surely be more then just him having seen her special place after all.
Soon enough Elthin reached the Mine and traveled inside. Forming a barrier around himself he looked around and moved slowly doing his best to keep an eye out. For anything that might either be a trap or just a random item that could have been used as a spoon. As he moved deeper into the mountain side he felt the strong magical energy filling the place. There seemed to be some sort of Amplification Field in place which was under the Fire style of magic, Still moving on and passing a fork in the road Elthin soon reached the door.
As he looked upon the large door seeing the sigil of the Fire God upon it. He thought that it might of been better to have brought Lucine along. If the door could only be opened by fire magic she might have been able to open it as Elthin was out of luck there. Still looking at the door he walked closer using his eyes to look across it's surface searching for any sort of writing on it maybe one had to solve a riddle to open the door.
In his search he also found another magical aura this belonging to a rather old book. Walking over to it he reached down and picked it up. Opening the book he flipped through a few pages to see what was inside.
Once Elthin reached the clearing, he first searched the door for any signs of how it might open, or any hints in the ancient script etched onto the frame of the door. Like before, the door had absolutely no indication that there was any keyhole, button press or any other form of regular means of opening such an invention. It was almost as if the door itself was nothing more than part of the mountainside which just happened to have some kind of Religious motifs on. He couldn't read any of the text etched into the frame as it was written in such an ancient language, using a style of writing which just didn't make sense to any regular person. Perhaps there was a means of getting the etchings to make sense?
Momentarily giving up on the immovable door, Elthin headed over to the Book he'd spotted earlier. When Elthin touched it, he could immediately sense that it was no ordinary object of literature. The object itself seemed to carry a style of magic which nobody in the present Magical Circles could even begin to recreate. It somewhat felt like the sort of power used by the Old Argentian Duchy to bind human souls to objects, but this one felt more like a willing bind rather than a forced one, like the person in question had chosen that particular object to be their vessel.
Elthin went to open the book, his curiosity piqued by the unusual item, but found that it was a locked book. Judging by the lock on the front, and the kind of feel the book had, this was likely a diary of some sort from ages past. Elthin began to examine the diary even closer, his hands deftly moving across the tome, unconsciously entering the grooves and folds of the pages visible at the base of the book. When one of his fingers brushed across the location where the spine of the diary met the base, he was certain he heard something akin to a rather girly moan come from somewhere in the clearing. It didn't sound like one of sorrow or the kind expected from invisible entities, but rather one like a surprised murmur of pleasure from skillful touching. Elthin tried to recreate the same action he did before, and now the sound was a little more pronounced. It came from just short of five feet away from him.
"H-hey! W-watch where you're touching!" A girl's voice came from the same place he heard the moan from. "Do you always do that to every girl you meet?!"
The entity had yet to show itself, but now Elthin had a location as to where it might be.
Elthin was unable to read the writing on the door as it was in some form. Of ancient writing that he didn't understand so, he turned his attention away. From the door for right now and instead to the book he had picked up. He felt the book carried an old style of magic almost like the book was binding someone or something too it. As he tried to open the book he found that he couldn't from the lock on the front.
As he examined it more closely he fingers brushed along the spine of the book. Suddenly he heard some sort of moan come from somewhere. Looking around he didn't see anyone else with him so he used his finger to touch the spine, again and again, The moan sounded like one of pleasure from his skilled touch and appeared to come from five feet away from him.
"No, but it's not every day I hear a moan coming from a book." looking towards the door he was sure whoever was speaking to him was behind the door, "Who are you and can you show yourself to me?"
Elthin, perplexed by the ethereal entity that had reacted to him touching the book, asked it to show itself.
"I'm right in front of you, genius!" The voice answered, sounding a little annoyed by Elthin's lack of delicacy. "Look a little harder rather than touching me."
Elthin couldn't quite understand what was happening, but still decided to focus on the one space the voice originated from, sensing the presence by following its life signature rather than using vision. A rather blurry looking humanoid shaped figure in white began to materialise into view. Elthin focused harder, using the outline he'd managed to pull into view to shape the figure in the material plane. A few moments of careful concentration later, and the owner of the mysterious voice was visible.
Unsurprisingly, it was a young girl who looked around fourteen years of age. She was a little under five feet tall and was attractively slender, with small curves of budding womanhood in just the right places. She had a rather unusual pale platinum hair colour and storm grey eyes. Her accent from before, and visuals from now, looked very out of place amongst the usual denizens of Argenta. She clearly did not come from this area. Her skin was a gentle shade of peach, with a slight pale brown tint to it from what one would believe to be a tan, likely recently gained, from travelling around Argenta. In contrast to her tan, she had a pale white dress on which reached down to just above the middle of her thighs, and a set of white sandals unlike the kind sold in the current market. The dress was further punctuated from her skin by small tanlines between the clothing and her body. She was, undoubtedly, quite attractive for one so young.
The young girl's lips were curved in a pout and her face was a slight shade of pink from blushing.
"Quit staring so much. You're creeping me out." The girl instructed Elthin.
The voice spoke to Elthin once more. So, following its advice he focused on one spot where the voice was coming from; A blurry humanoid shape began to form before him until that of a young girl now stood before him.
It was a cute looking girl on Elthin's part with platinum hair and storm grey eyes. She didn't look like someone from Argenta at all, His eyes lingered on the girl for a while taking in all the shapes and sizes she was rather cute for her age. Elthin thought of how a girl like her was in a place like this.
"It's not everyday that someone appears out of thin air before me let alone from a book no less." Elthin said.
He looked down at the book again then back at her.
"Who, are you anyway I'm Elthin."
Elthin hungrily eyed up the girl that appeared from seemingly nowhere, his gaze as piercing as a Crocodile leering at its dinner. This, in turn, fully justified the girl's request for him to stop staring like a creeper. Elthin attempted to rationalise his actions by stating that it was an unusual occurrence, which is what caused him to stare.
"Well, you've obviously never travelled, then." The girl countered as she turned away from him and faced the door, a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone from Elthin's stating of the obvious.
Elthin then introduced himself and asked the girl to do the same.
"First you feel me up, and then you ask my name?" The girl questioned, acting all hurt and insulted. "Times truly have changed if that's the norm now. Anyway, I don't really remember my name."
The girl wandered a little closer towards the door.
"I've taken to calling myself Tonerrith. But, considering your attention seems kind of short as you spent most of your introduction staring at my chest and hips, you can call me Tone(*)." Tone continued. " 'Tonerrith' means 'Little Book' in what you'd likely call the Old Tongue."
Tone began to examine the door Elthin was looking at earlier, her head gently following the flowing script around the frame of the door, apparently comprehending the language that covered the surface. She only stopped when a near imperceptible shiver coursed over her body. Elthin only noticed it as he was intently staring at the curves on her.
"So, what brings you here? You don't look much like a miner." Tone asked Elthin, turning slightly to face him. "Plus, you don't really feel like a follower of Ignesis. Did you come here to play with lil' ol' me?" She playfully added on to the end of her strange question.
Then, it suddenly struck Elthin just what Tone had said. From studying translated ancient scriptures, Elthin recognised the name that she had said. Ignesis was the name the Old Races gave to the Prime God of Fire! However, no one has ever uttered the true names of the Prime Gods since before the Great War. Could Elthin just have stumbled on a relic beyond imagining in the form of a strikingly beautiful young maiden?!
"I travel a lot." Elthin replied.
The girl didn't seem to remember her name even acting insulted with what he had tried to do. "Is that how it is are you going to blame me too for how you fell into this mess?" Elthin countered.
The girl moved towards the door she began to examine the door and told him a name he could call her. He sighed as he saw her shiver "I'm here, because I'd like to get through this door. To see what's on the other side." Elthin stated. He looked at the door and away from Tone 'I've already got enough fans in my life wanting my attention." not wanting to fall for her trap.
As he moved closer to the door the scriptures were indeed of Ignesis. He wasn't sure on what he might of found. But a young girl like Tone was sure to cause no end of questions and problems for him.
Elthin, once more, stated the obvious with his answer to why he'd come to such a place.
"Well, open it then." Tone casually countered. "That is, unless..."
Tone then turned to Elthin as a smug smile crossed her face.
"You don't know how to open something so simple as a door." Tone finished with a slight chuckle. "Here I was thinking you were a Magician of high calibre."
Tone paced across the clearing towards a small natural fountain in one of the mine walls. She took a moment to brush her hair into place using her reflection as guidance.
"It's so simple even a child has done it before." Tone continued. "Did you even pay attention in the Dominant and Submissive elements explanations?"
Tone returned to the centre of the clearing and looked back at the door, adjusting her standing position to one with slightly crossed, yet still relaxed, legs.
"The Door is to a Shrine of Ignesis, which is obviously the Prime God of Fire. Out of the three remaining sanctioned Elements, which Element bests fire? All you need to do is create a focused blast of that Element and send it crashing into the door. You'd likely trigger whatever safety Wards were put into place on the door to prevent forced access but, after the centuries it has been since the Wards were last refreshed, the effect of it would likely be so minor it's comical."
She turned back to Elthin and gave a rather snide remark.
"Did I dumb that down enough for you, or do I have to break out the picture books?"
"Why, should I do it when you can do it for me I think someone as high and mighty as you could open it in a second?" Elthin said back. Tone seemed to know he couldn't open the door at all. As she moved towards a small fountain. Elthin with the book still in his hand rose it again looking at it. Turning it over he gave it a smack on the back where her butt would be or so he hoped.
"No wonder you've never had a boy friend who could ever stand someone like you."
Tone explained what Elthin needed to do to enter the door. It seemed that Water bests fire and that was needed to open the door. Just form a focused blast and sent it crashing into the door. "What are these Wards?" Elthin asked. He looked at the door waiting to see what she would say on that getting no answer. Elthin summoned forth a blast of pure water sending it flying at the door. The water did indeed strike the door. And whatever Wards on the door were indeed activated. The blast of water shot back at Elthin. Instead of knowing him to the ground the water did something else to him.
Elthin slowly began to shrink in size and his appearance. Began to change as well to that of a much younger looking person. Crying out the water glowed a cold blue color filled the room with a blinding white light. Seconds seemed to pass and the light and water around Elthin vanished in his place a strange sight was seen.
Where Elthin stood wasn't Elthin infact it was a rather young female of about 11 years of age. She had long silver hair and crystal blue eyes. Her skin was as white as snow the girl was flat chested like any other girl her age. A small patch of silver hair could be seen just around crotch level. The girl was the perfect image of pure beauty but why was she standing in the middle of the room naked and where was Elthin?
Elthin retorted back against Tone's snide comment and decided to use the magical link between Tone's body and the Book in his hands to exact his revenge. He turned the book over and slapped it hard near the bottom of the back cover of the book, close to where the rear end would be in anatomy. The link carried on through and Tone suddenly jerked upwards from her self maintenance, let out a small yelp of pain and shock, and clutched at her rear. Knowing exactly who could've done that, Tone glared back at Elthin, still covering her buttocks, and retaliated against his interpretation of Tone's relationship status.
"Coming from a total Virgin like you, that's quite hypocritical." Tone countered tersely. "It's not like you could ever get bedded with a woman based on how you're acting. Jealous, much? I'm clearly way out of your league. You're just sour that I wouldn't even consider you as a partner."
Elthin turned the conversation back to the wards on the door. Because she was still rather angry with Elthin, Tone gave a roundabout answer in relation to the wards.
"Why don't you blast it and find out? Any decent Magician worth their title could shield against the Wards if they knew what was coming." Tone replied, waiting until Elthin readied a blast before giving a further answer. "They'll likely be Bale-"
Too late, Elthin had already shot at the door. The Wards triggered and blasted back a counter-spell at the assault, which struck Elthin clear in the chest. The door creaked open, but then the room was filled with a blinding white light, just as Tone fired off another degrading remark.
"Wow, what an idiot. If you become a blobfish, at least your body would match your intelligence."
When the light faded, Elthin was replaced by a naked little girl, which caused no end of amusement for Tone.
"Awww, how cute. A wittle girl got lost in the mines." Tone chided the minor that now stood in Elthin's place, using a sarcastic condescending voice to do so. "Go run along home, now. This is no place for the vertically challenged."
The room suddenly looked a lot bigger then Elthin had remembered it. And it also felt offerly cold all of a sudden looking down at himself. He found that he wasn't a he any longer but in fact a she and naked to out a scream she fell to the floor in shock looking down at her arms and legs they all appeared feminie looking.
"W-what happened to me?" Elthin asked.
Instead of his usual voice a small female voice spoke in it's place. Seeing that Tone appeared to have known he was now a girl Elthin not really knowing what else to do. And feeling angry at both her and himself for getting into this message. Looked at the book on the ground he smacked her on the bottom once more. Then looked around for his clothes not being able to find them anywhere and only finding an old white cloak Elthin grabbed it and wrapped it around his body.
The cloak was fairly short only reaching to mid-thigh. She hurried out of the Mine on her short legs wanting to return to Duke Trent's and also taking the book with her.
Elthin, lost and confused from the sudden gender reversal, asked the age-old confusion question.
"You blasted a Warded door and got blasted back." Tone stated matter of factly. "If you had let me explain, you would have known that it was a Baleful Polymorph Ward placed on the door. You should count yourself lucky that it only turned you into your mental age rather than a blobfish. Baleful Polymorphs are spells which are reserved for the people you really hate and want to screw over. Understand what I'm saying, Effina?"
Elthin (now dubbed Effina by Tone) slapped the back of the book once more in anger, which resulted in the same kind of response for the being bound to the Book.
"Just because you're a girl now, that doesn't mean you can get away with Sexual harassment, you deviant!" Tone shot back angrily as Effina rushed out of the mine, using an old soot rag as clothing.
She attempted to sprint all the way back to Duke Trent's place, but her new form made that quite difficult. Not to mention how Tone always managed to appear near the Book, regardless of what Effina tried to do.
"You know, you can make clothing out of your Magic." Tone informed Effina. "Anything's better than a dirty old soot rag."
Effina stopped in her tracks as she was rushing out of the mine.
Tone began to explain what happened to her. "But why am I a girl then wouldn't those Words have done something else instead of this?" Effina asked.
Effina walked back towards the mine door knowing she was forgetting to do. The one thing she set out to do was find out what was behind the door. She arrived back in the empty chamber and heard Tone mention she could create clothes out of magic. While Effina knew this herself she wasn't sure on what sort of clothes to make for herself. Thinking that Tone was right and actual clothes were better then a dirty old rag. Effina used her magic to form a set of clothes to wear for herself.
A small snow white vest formed to cover up her flat chest along with a pair of small snow white panties. Were used to cover up her crotch area they had small ties on the sides which could. Easily be used by someone to untie them if they so wished. Normally a girl wouldn't wear something like that. But Elthin's lewd thoughts for the younger class most have formed those on herself.
Next a short sleeved blue silk blouse to match the color of her eyes. A short white pleated skirt formed around her waist and reached to about mid-thigh, A black belt was used to keep her skirt in place covering her feet with a pair of black trainers with small white socks,
Effina asked about the background of Baleful Polymorph Wards. However, rather than give a straight answer, Tone just acted off of what Effina had insinuated earlier.
"Why ask me when you, yourself, said that no one could stand being around me?" Tone questioned. "Just figure it out yourself, if you're smart enough to. After all, you don't want to be around someone as insufferable as me, do you?"
Tone headed on over to the Natural fountain and took a seat on the floor next to it.
"Put the book down and go on inside if you think you're 'amazing' enough to survive in there by yourself in the form of a little girl." Tone suggested to Effina. "If you're not out in a few hours, well...guess you just couldn't cut it."
Tone didn't give her the answer that she wanted instead acted. On how Effina had insinuated earlier as she sat down near the fountain.
"I have no choice but to ask you seeing as no one else is around." Effina countered she had now reached the door seeing how it was open. "Lose the attitude problem and perhaps I might want to be around you."
Tone the said that the book should be sent down and for Effina to venture inside the room alone. "You're coming with me, into those ruins and that's final.' Effina ran her fingers over the surface of the book ever so lightly until the reached the area between her legs which was the bottom of the book. "I never knew touching a book could be so much fun,"
She headed through the door.
"The only problem I have at the moment is a bigoted midget 'Magician' who can't even tell when a door is Warded or not." Tone retaliated. "I think the perfect cure for that problem is a little thing called 'Natural Selection'. Guess I'll have to wait it out until Evolution comes knocking on your head and finally gifts you with Common Sense."
Effina, partially blaming Tone for her current predicament, forced the Book-Bound entity to comply through some gentle 'nudges' in the right places. Tone's body locked up as Effina's fingers went about the work, the enslaved girl gently moaning and gasping as Effina's fingers touched the sensitive parts of her. The girl herself, despite how her body was enjoying it, despised Effina for her abusive, sex-driven, forceful commands, and made that known by a glare to surpass both Lucine and Naru's combined glares. It was probably not a good idea to test the limits with Tone, as Effina still had no idea what the girl was, or even what she was capable of.
"Keep that up and you might lose your fingers. Books bite." Tone cautioned Effina, evidently not joking around.
Forced into servitude as Effina still held on to the Book, Tone followed the small, yet largely annoying, girl into the darkened corridor behind the door...
From as soon as Effina entered, she could feel the magnitude of Fire Amplification in this place. This was on a level above that felt anywhere else in the Mines. She could feel her powers being weakened slightly, even though Water was the Dominant Element over Fire. Any water based thing she creates in the place is sure to fade very quickly.
The corridor the two found themselves in was completely pitch black, save for a pulsating red light at the other end of the corridor. Looking over at the source, another Sigil of Ignesis was etched into a large set of double doors. They were likely in the entrance hall to a much larger complex at this moment in time.
"Stay sharp. You don't know what kind of defences the previous occupants may have left in place." Tone warned Effina.
For a few moments Effina wished she could cast fire magic as she'd burn the book. To a crisp to finally silence the annoying voice of Tone and end her whining. Then gave her a glare after the lewd touching had ended. "If you were perhaps nicer to me and not always trying to get in the last word known of this would be happening to you." Effina countered.
As soon as she passed through the door she could feel the Fire Amplification. Her current powers felt like a shadow of their former power. They found themselves in a pitch black corridor that had a glowing red light at the other end. Walking forward she kept her eyes and ears alert for anything that might be a trap.
"Who built this place and what did they use it for?"
"If you were perhaps less of a perverted person, I wouldn't have to waste my breath telling you this." Tone retorted.
The pair entered the hallway behind the door and Effina took the lead towards the only other exit they could see, remaining vigilante for any traps or hostile entities.
"If you were listening earlier, you would know." Tone sighed in exasperation at Effina's pointless question. "This place is a Shrine to the Prime God of Fire, Ignesis. Logically, that would mean that it was built by followers of Ignesis, wouldn't it?
"Shrines to Deities are commonly built as a place for followers to worship the Deity in, while also providing protection and sanctuary to any travellers seeking refuge. They could also be used to house powerful relics of that particular Prime God, though those things would be guarded tighter than even the Mainland is. In short, simple terms, they are buildings of religious significance which may also serve as places of protection for people and Sacred Relics alike."
Effina reached the door on the other end of the hall without incident. Like the door before, this one also had no indication of a place which could be used as a handle or device to open the door.
"Just a word of warning, it's not wise to blast things aimlessly with your Water Magic in a place like this. It may be counted as a Desecration of the Shrine, which could draw you some rather unwanted attention. However, you should know that without me even telling you." Tone cautioned Effina.
Before the change and all the small children running around in her life. Effina had not really been that perverted of a person. But over time and all the lewd situations she had been finding herself in lately had awakened a side of her that she had never known before. Maybe Effina really was a pervert.
"Sorry, for going off on you like that I guess I really am a pervert." Effina said.
"I know that seeing the symbols of Ignesis here and there, Surely those who built it wanted it more to be then a place of worship?" Effina asked and hearing what Tone said also added answers to what she had just asked so her question had already been answered for her, "Do, you know if this place houses any Sacred Relics?"
They reached another door which was much like the one they had passed through before. However as Effina looked at the door and Tone cautioned her on what not to do. Effina felt something strange going on inside of her something that she normally was used to as a man. But now being a female she wasn't sure on how to handle it. What Effina was needing to do was to go to the bathroom.
'If it takes water to open this door I could try touching it with a water fist. But with all this heat I might not get the chance."
For some strange reason, Effina apologised and admitted to being a pervert. Tone wasn't really sure how to take such an open acceptance of her chastising.
"Maybe you are. Just try not to do it too much." Tone simply answered, completely unsure of just what to do.
Effina then asked if this Ruin could have been more than just a place of worship. However, Tone already partially answered that earlier. Following on from that, Effina questioned if this Ruin in particular housed a relic of importance.
"Couldn't be too sure, to be honest. Although, I'm certain you'll still turn the place upside down just to see if there is one." Tone replied. "If there is, it'd be in the most guarded area of the Shrine, or a place which has a direct link to the Deity of the Shrine, like and Altar, Sacred Statue, Blessed Pool or embodiment of the Element."
Upon reaching the door, Effina felt a growing need in her lower regions. One which she was knowledgeable about back when she was still in her natural form, but, alas, hadn't the slightest inkling as to what needs to be done in her current form. Trying to take her mind off her need, Effina suggested a means of opening the door which now stood in their way.
"Do modern Magicians always think Magic is the answer to everything?" Tone queried, sounding a little disapproving of the idea that Magic is a commodity to be used regardless of the situation. "Just try opening it normally first. Use a simple touch or push, like you would any normal door. And, I think you mean the Amplification Field is sapping your power, not the heat. It's relatively mild in here, in my opinion."
"Do, you know how big or how many rooms are located within this shrine?" Effina asked.
Following Tone's advice she gave the door a simple push to see if it would open. Then stepped out of the way just in case any sort of magical backlash would happen. Sure she had not cast anything on the door yet but Effina wasn't going to be taking chances with it again.
As they waited on the door the growing need in her lower regions. Once more showed itself this time again by sending signals. She still needed to go and go fairly soon Effina was in trouble with still not knowing how a female normally handles this type of thing. She could do what the green-haired girl did but no Effina was already in enough trouble with Tone as it was. She wasn't about to add anything more to the list.
So she just shifted her feet a little and tried to think of something else.
"How long have you been guarding these ruins for?"
Effina asked how big the ruins were.
"Beats me. I haven't the slightest clue." Tone simply shrugged. "Whatever made you think I'd know?"
Tone's question was answered through Effina's next question. But first, Effina had to act upon the growing need in her bladder and ended up dancing on the spot a little as the doors remained motionless. Effina's push probably wasn't strong enough to open them. Tone pushed on the emblem in the middle of the door, which caused the entire barrier to surge with red light as the doors began to open, revealing a large chamber which neither girl could fully comprehend what was in it due to how dark it was.
"Gotta push the symbol, not the door itself. Did you really think your tiny arms could push open two huge stone doors, which likely weigh tonnes?" Tone informed Effina, noticing her movements. "Are you seriously that excited to go exploring these dusty ruins that you can't stand still. What a child..."
Thinking a little more on it, Tone came to a different conclusion and a devious grin began to form on her face.
"I think I know why you're so antsy~." Tone commented, a sing-song tone in her voice. "Little girl needs the potty, am I right? Is all this water making you need to tinkle, little girl?"
Jokes about bodily needs aside, Tone answered Effina's next question, which came just as the doors fully opened.
"Do I look like a Guardian to you?" Tone questioned. "Wow, some Ruins Raider you are if you don't even know what a Guardian looks like. Even the Magi-tech guys at Argenta know what a Guardian looks like, and even remodelled one of their Sentinels after them. I'll have you know I'm an Elemental Spirit, not a Guardian."
"Seeing as how you must have been here for sometime right?"
Tone was the one to open the doors as Effina wasn't strong enough to do so. She was also able pick up on what Effina needed to take care of. Just hearing the mention of water caused Effina to dance around on the spot again. She blushed in shame but said nothing back as she couldn't think of a counter attack.
"You seriously need to stop acting all high and mighty." Effina said. Finally regaining some control over herself she entered into the large room making her way along the right side feeling along the wall with her hand.
"How old do you think I am?!" Tone questioned Effina after her assumption at her age. "I've only been in Argenta for a little over a week. I'm just way more learned on the ways these 'Ruins' are set up compared to you, who's acting just like a small child going on a make-believe adventure into the unknown."
Despite Effina's lack of vocalisation of her needs, Tone still picked up on the truth of the matter from how Effina had blushed at the remark. Effina stayed silent for a moment before finally countering the comment.
"And you seriously need to act a little more mature. If you did, I wouldn't have to take on that role. You should've gone before you came out." Tone retaliated. "Now, your best hope is that we find whatever they used as a toilet in these ruins before you end up mixing conflicting elements and calling on the wrath of Ignesis."
Like normal, when the doors opened enough to fit through, Effina leaped before she looked and began to feel her way around the darkened room, oblivious of whatever dangers may lurk in the shadows.
"Illuminate!" Tone called out from her position still in the hallway. At the completion of her command, the sconces on the walls and pillars flared into life, bathing the once darkened room in glorious light. Just in time, as the next step Effina would've taken would have been into a broken bit of flooring, which was nothing more than a large hole leading down into some kind of storage space beneath the main hall. The fall wouldn't have been fatal, but it sure would have hurt a great deal.
From what Effina could make out looking at the flooring, the space was filled with red and white marble tiles on the flooring. A proper look round should be at the top of her priorities once Tone rejoined her moments later.
"Always try lighting up a place before stepping into the darkness. Otherwise, I may have to be peeling you off of the floor." Tone reminded Effina. "Really, what would you do without me here?"
"You say you've only been here for a week and yet here you are trapped in a book." Effina sighed.
Tone spoke more about the one thing that Effina needed to take care of.
"Look who's talking miss trapped in a book!" Effina countered. With the way that Tone was she began to think of the perfect way to get back at her if things. Were going to get worse between the two Effina would just go to the bathroom on the book. Sure she didn't want to ruin it as doing so would totally screw things up but seeing the look on the girl's face would be priceless.
The room she had entered lite up to reveal a large hole in the ground. That she would have nearly fallen into if it weren't for Tone's quick thinking.
Again Effina ignored her.
Effina apparently couldn't grasp the concept of Elemental Spirits and their vessels.
"Did you flunk Magician School so badly that you don't even understand what Vessels are?" Tone countered. "If you paid attention at Magician School then you'd know that Elemental Spirits choose their Vessels. They aren't trapped in them at all. The Book acts as my body when my old Physical Shell is no longer serviceable, so, technically speaking, saying I'm trapped in the Book is like saying Humans are trapped in their bodies. I chose the Book for reasons I can't remember, but I know that I chose it for some really important reason. Granted, I can't be too far away from the Book, but, if it leaves a certain range, I automatically appear near it, as you saw."
"Anyway," Tone continued. "I can see five exits to this room, but three of them are blocked by either rubble or poor construction stability. The only two usable exits are one near the right hand side of the Main Altar, just down this stretch of room, and one on the left hand side of the room in the middle of the wall, directly to our left. Which one should we take, oh experienced Archaeologist?"
Effina didn't even reply back to anything that Tone had said.
She looked around the room finding five exits seeing that three of them were blocked. Leaving only two of which to choose a route to go by. Effina kneeled on the ground deciding to try a simple trick that might let her guess which way was the right way. Creating a small stream of water on the ground and knowing she didn't have. Much time until it burned out due to the heat she sent the stream of water to the left and right along side the floor.
Making sure to watch each direction carefully in case any sort of traps might activate.
Yet again, Effina ignored the words of caution coming from Tone and attempted to do the biggest, most dangerous thing she could do, which was mixing conflicting Elements in the Sanctuary to a Prime God. The effect kicked off, giving little indication of Traps in the vicinity as it evaporated before even moving more than a few centimetres from Effina's hand.
"What are you thinking, you idiot?!" Tone exclaimed as she dived towards Effina, taking the small girl in her arms as she tumbled way from the place they were in.
No sooner than Tone pulled Effina away did a huge plume of Flame Spears blast out of the floor where Effina once stood. Judging by the number, and the blazing heat of them, Effina would've been little more than charred kebabs if she remained where she was. The volley of shaped superheated flame magic subsided after around fifty spears had blasted the square the Water Magic touched.
"You're such an idiot! Didn't you listen to a word I said?!" Tone continued, sounding just as concerned as she did angry. "NEVER mix conflicting Elements in Temples to the Prime Gods! It's counted as a personal attack against the Deity themselves!"
From Tone's actions, it was highly likely that she cared for Effina enough to help prevent anything bad from happening to her, but didn't do much in the way of showing her concern aside from snide remarks and frequent warnings.
"Items designed for holding water, like jugs, cups and other vessels for transporting liquids, will not trigger the Consecration Magic when filled, but, if water magic touches anywhere else in this place, you've seen first hand what happens." Tone explained as she got up off the floor. "Have I made myself clear, or do I need to bash it into your head that mixing water and fire in this place is severe desecration to the Shrine itself?"
Effina had finally had enough of Tone after picking herself up off the ground.
"Just shut up!" Effina snapped.
It was her fault for what had just happened but with Tone's rude remarks and always belittling her; She couldn't take anymore of it at all.
"I'm tired of all your damn crap, you might indeed be helpful with your knowledge of this place, But all you've done is belittle me with every chance you've got. That's all you seem good for is looking down on everyone around you so I'm done with you." Effina still kept the book on her person knowing Duke Trent would want to see it.
But from now on she would no longer say or even look at Tone. That last thing she did was create a jug out of magic and went poured some water into it using her own magic. She went to the right side looking around carefully and testing her footing on the floor. Spotting a small pebble near her she picked it up and rolled it along the floor in front of her with a small toss.
Effina demanded to be left alone by Tone, who was more than happy to comply after answering with her own choice words.
"That's because you're so much of a fucking idiot who thinks you know everything! Time and again I've tried to drill into your shit for brains things to help you stay alive, but all you've done is fucking ignored every damn word I've said! I'm through with wasting my breath on an inbred fuckwit like you!" Tone shot back, actually sounding angry this time. "Let's see how far the 'Genius' explorer can get in this place by her little lonesome. I'm done with this shit!"
Tone jetted off back within the book and everything fell silent once more. Probably not the best way to go about things.
Effina was now all alone in the Ruins, with a silent and seething angry Elemental Spirit residing in the book she has held on to. Tone likely wasn't coming out again unless Effina really worked on her begging and pleading skills. However, the Spirit was no doubt watching every action Effina made and judging them.
Still hooked on the idea that they'd be traps in this place, Effina slowly made her way along the right hand side of the room, using a pebble as a trigger for any motion sensitive traps. However, it wasn't heavy enough to trigger any pressure sensitive traps, if there were any.
Thankfully, Effina made it to the front of the Entrance hall with no incident, though she did have to quickly right her footing as part of the floor gave way as she was walking along. So far so good. She was now in front of one of the two usable exits to the room. Will she take it?
The creation of the jug wasn't able to happen like Effina had wanted it to. She was also happy to finally have some peace and quiet with Tone going back into her book. She had made her way across the room righting her footing as part of the floor gave way. Looking around she noticed one of the two exits in the room. Taking a moment she looked around the room slowly looking for anything out of place.
Second she looked to see if the room ahead was dark and if there were any torches. Along the walls that could be taken down. And used as a light for when going deeper into the ruins. Effina then took the exit to the room.
When she reached the north-eastern exit, Effina looked around to see if she could spot anything out of place. However, it turned out that she didn't have the slightest idea what out of place would be for ruins like this. Everything looked 'Ruin-Like', and that was all she knew. Aside from the deterioration with age, the ruin still looked relatively Shrine-esque.
Giving up on her flawed Archaeological understanding, Effina went to check out the room the exit she was in front of led to, however, it was also blocked by an average, if slightly derelict, wooden door. The door could still be opened as it had no lock on it, but it did stop a casual glance to see what was through it, as doors should.
Opening the door, Effina was met with another slightly shorter hallway leading to a slightly more sturdy door. The only light illuminating the hallway was the dim torchlight from the entrance hall she was currently in. From the flickering faltering light, Effina could make out that there was a rather large break in the hallway where the floor had given way. There was still a stone support beam visible beneath the shattered tiles which could possibly be walked across, if one was careful. She could take this route, if she so wished. From the corner of her eye, Effina spotted an old torch on the floor just inside of the hallway. It was burnt down considerably, but it could still be relit again to offer around an hour or so of light before burning down to nothingness.
Stretching up to dangerous levels for a girl so short and struggling with a pressing need in her bladder, Effina just about manage to relight the torch she found. It sparked to life with a warming amber glow, painting a picture of shadows and dancing lights on the surrounding walls. With illumination finally in her grasp, Effina headed down the hallway towards the door on the other end.
The stretching to reach up to grasp the torch had been a bad idea. As it pressed her need in her bladder a lot more Effina struggled for a few moments trying to hold in all that she had drank wasn't a wise idea to have any sort of accident here in the ruins as she'd be cooked alive by the flames if something like that happened. After relighting the torch and spotting a large stone support beam which she could walk across.
But Effina didn't trust it let alone her own feet walking on it, With her pressing need to go to the bathroom she might of slipped and fallen into the hole. Turning around she walked back towards the door on the other end.
Not trusting her current unsteady state, Effina thought against crossing the singular beam between her current place and the door at the other end of the hallway she was in. The drop wasn't enough to kill or severely wound anyone who fell, but it would certainly still be quite the painful experience and may end up in a puddle on the floor from the impact.
Placing faith in the other route she'd seen, Effina retraced her steps back to the main Entrance Hall and towards the other exit, making sure to keep an eye on the flooring to prevent another near-miss with footing. It was much easier now with a torch close by, but the flames of the portable lighbringer would eventually gutter out in time. With no difficulties, Effina reached the other exit to the main hall and found it overlooked a much larger corridor which could faintly be seen ending in a T-Junction. There were no indications of broken flooring down this hall, so it should be safe to walk.
Doing a quick cursory scan of what she could see, Effina found that there were multiple doors down this corridor going off from both the left and right hand side walls. There were around 3 doors on the left, spaced evenly down the corridor up to the intersection, and two on the right, one at either end of this stretch of corridor. Straining her ears, Effina could very faintly hear what sounded like running water coming from the second door on the left. Remembering what little she listened to of Tone's lectures, Effina understood that, as long as Magical Water is placed into a Non-magical carrier first, it can safely be poured out of the carrier without triggering the consecration effect, as it would not have a magical origin point then. This may come in handy should push come to leak with her current predicament.
Reaching the other end which ended at a T-Junction she looked around to see 3 doors. Spaced evenly down the hallway in front of her. Hearing the sound of running water faintly coming from the second door down. Caused Effina to pause for a bit she pressed a hand into her crotch. It helped stop her need for a moment but not very much. Remembering Tone's lectures about Non-magical carriers and Magical Water. She knew if placed inside one then poured out it wouldn't trigger any of the traps.
Looking around for any sort of item that could be used as a carrier. Effina tried to think of something else to take her mind off her growing need. She drew a blank at first and it wasn't until after a while she began to think about Zena.
Effina, trying to take her attention off of her nagging bladder, looked around the current area to see if she could find any receptacle for carrying water so she could make a deposit to it. Unsurprisingly, there was absolutely no kind of object meant for carrying water left just lying around in this place. Effina would likely have to get exploring to find something like that.
When her previous attempt bore no fruit, Effina began to think about other people and her thoughts landed on the slightly weird little girl that Duke Trent called his Bodyguard and little sister. Zena would no doubt find Effina's current form very strange and may even act a lot differently around a girl her age who wasn't the raging hormone driven Naru. Zena may even open up a little more to Effina, if they got close enough. Still, Zena would have to get over her little problem with sleeping first...
After loitering around for a while thinking about others, Effina finally realised that just standing there wasn't going to get her anywhere at all, and would likely end in a puddle on the floor and a rather scorched Effina. Perhaps she should start exploring the rooms down this hallway first? Running water may indicate just where Effina wishes to be...
Effina hurried down the hallway towards the room with the running water. She turned to the door and pushed against it wanting to get inside. To have a look around both in finding anything that could be used as a carrier along with what was inside the room. She put more strength against the door hoping it would open soon. It was at that moment that she felt the very first leak. Slip into her underwear forming a tiny damp spot on the material.
"Blast it all to hell."
Praying for her salvation to be behind the door with the sound of water, Effina rushed on over to the door and began to try and push it open. The door, being old, was extremely stiff and hard to move. Effina placed all her strength behind her pushing, momentarily ignoring the growing pressure in her bladder, to force the door open. With a loud thunk, the door flew open as Effina fell through, landing face first on the cold stone floor. The shock from the fall startled her bladder, forcing out a spurt which formed a damp spot on the material of her underwear.
Picking herself up from off the floor, coughing a little from the disturbed dust, Effina looked around the room she was in.
From the large open wooden-tiled area with a strange concourse of stone troughs around the outskirts of the room, Effina judged this place to be something along the lines of an old communal washing area, likely used to purify oneself before praying to the Gods. The sound of running water evidently came from the troughs in the room, which had medium sized wooden hand-basins discarded onto the solid parts of the walls to the troughs. Some of the basins were rotted and broken beyond usefulness due to age, but a small few of them had weathered the test of time.
There was also a large multi-storey shelving area close to the door, which Effina had nearly faceplanted in to. On these shelves were old glass bottles caked in layer upon layer of dust. From the looks of the medicinal quality to these bottles, they likely housed aromatic oils and other archaic cleaning tinctures which predated the modern bar of soap.
Effina could only see part of the room from where she knelt, but a full exploration accompanied by the sound of running water may further aggravate her need. She could attempt to use the few remaining complete basins to alleviate her need, but perhaps a more suitable method was in one of the neighbouring rooms?
Strangely, Effina felt Tone's book become slightly warmer and begin to radiate a faint glow. Still unsure of what it might mean, Effina could either question the entity residing in the book, or ignore the strange occurrence and put it down to a trick of the light.
Even more unsettling than a glowing book, Effina felt a strange caress of wind come from behind her. She'd been in this place a while, and she had yet to feel anything like a wind, and the torch, which was remarkably still intact, did not react to any form of air stimulation, even though the ethereal wind would've brushed past it as well. To make matters worse, the unusual wind carried a foreboding feeling that, perhaps, Effina was no longer alone in these uncharted halls...
Effina looked around the room she had just entered. Seeing that it was some sort of washing area used before purifing ones self before a god. Walking into the room slowly she saw several basins that were both rotted and still in working order. She nearly walked into the large storey shelving area that was near the door. Looking at what was on it seeing the old glass bottles Effina looked for a bottle that might be empty.
She was about to hurry and use one of the basins to take care of her need. When she felt Tone's book grow warmer. Looking at this she wasn't sure what it meant "you glow now?" she asked the old dirty book.
Next what was odd she felt the caress of wind come from behind her. Looking at the torch it had not been moved at all. Making her way back outside the room she looked around and listened the any sounds other then the running water.
Effina decided to not try her luck with the basins and instead went to look on the shelves for an empty bottle. However, Effina forget that, due to the dim light and the layers of grime on the bottles, she'd have to look inside each one properly to see if they were empty or not, or spend ages trying to clean them down enough to see.
While debating on which receptacle she should use as a makeshift toilet, Effina noticed Tone's Book glowing and growing faintly warmer. Putting aside her earlier anger, Effina asked the Spirit what was going on.
"Be a little more quiet. We're not alone here anymore." Tone answered from the book. "I'm trying to see if they're ally or enemy. They just entered the ruins moments ago, so they're likely going to try and trace your steps to find you."
Perhaps the wind Effina felt earlier was also signalling this potential intruder. Whatever the case, Effina decided to check the neighbouring rooms for any more signs of places she could go to take care of personal needs. Using the small amount of knowledge she had on ancient architecture, Effina believed that the runoff water from the bathing area would likely go to a place where it could drain away properly to be cleansed and then filtered back to the reservoir which restarted the cycle. Judging by the direction the water was flowing, Effina concluded that the door closest to the entrance hall would likely house the drainage system, as the water ran from the room further down the hall.
Effina went one door down, closer to the main hall than the intersection, and tried the door there. It moved slightly but then stopped, likely stiff from disuse. She could try and force the door open again, being a little more careful this time, or ignore it entirely. However, all the doors in this place would likely be similar in stubbornness.
Instead of ignoring her Tone actually spoke for a change. Telling her that someone had entered the ruins moments ago. Trying to trace the way that Effina had come. Not knowing if it was friend or foe went to check the other rooms for more places to take care of her personal needs. Moving slowly so that she wouldn't make any sort of sounds.
"How far are they from me?" Effina whispered.
As she tried one of the doors closet to the main hall intersection. It moved slightly but then stopped she was given the chance to push harder on the door. But that would surely make noise which was something she didn't want to do. But with her growing need down below she gave in and pushed against the door as hard as she could.
Effina decided to accept the knowledge of Tone for once and questioned just how far away this mysterious intruder was.
"I thought you didn't want my help." Tone countered, still sounding upset and angry at Effina from what happened earlier. However, Tone decided to relent for now. "I only sensed another Entity when they entered the effects of the Sanctification placed on these ruins. Strangely, I can't sense any Magical Signature coming from anyone or anything but us and the ruins. It could be that they're just someone who got lost and wandered in here or..."
The next thing Tone had to say further added to the sense of foreboding.
"They could be a Revenant, an exceptionally powerful Magician who can hide their Signature, or, maybe...just a normal person after all." Tone concluded. "Either way, stay alert and try to keep yourself hidden until we know their motives. I can't pinpoint their location exactly, but they're not close. At least not for now."
Still fixated on her need for relief, Effina threw caution aside and forced open the door she tried earlier. This time, expecting a sudden movement of a dislodged door, Effina was prepared for when it opened and managed to keep her footing. However, the door did utter a rather loud thump as it was moved from its seized position. Thankfully, it likely wasn't loud enough to be heard from anywhere in the ruins except the nearby hallway.
Taking one look in the opened room, Effina had finally found the place she wished to be! Sitting at the far back of the closet-like room was a singular old-fashioned toilet! Granted, it was nothing like the porcelain ones that frequented the more modern facilities. It was as much of a relic as the building itself, being nothing more than several planks of wood spread across a well shaped mass of stone on a raised platform. A very ancient looking toilet, but still a toilet no less. Examining it more closely, Effina determined that the run-off water from the bathing area next door flowed underneath the toilet to carry the waste away to be purified.
She found a toilet at last, but...
Effina ignored the first part of what Tone said. She wasn't about to say she was sorry to her not after the way she had been treated by the book. She thought over the rest of what Tone had just said to her the only people who knew she was here was Duke Trent and maybe the others. "Could it be the green-haired girl?" Effina asked herself not knowing that answer. She didn't want to face someone who could not be read. Not in her current state of being a girl.
Once the door was open Effina closed it behind her not wanting. Whoever was following her to know what room she had entered. After looking around the room she saw as the far back of the room. Was an old-fashioned toilet. Knowing she didn't have much time left she dashed forward towards the throne. Leaking not once but twice more in her hasty movement. Arriving at last she reached under her skirt and pulled off her panties. Sitting on the bowl she let loose the stream into the old toilet.
It would have been better to study it first.
Effina pondered over who may have invaded the ruins while she released a powerful tinkling stream into the ancient commode. The only other people who Effina knew who'd be aware of her current location were the ones back at Duke Trent's residence, and maybe even the Green Haired girl who seemed to have some control over the Wind. Surely, if they knew Effina was here, they'd make their presence known that they were looking for her.
"I thought you would've tried to go while standing, but it seems you know enough about the female anatomy to realise that takes skill when you don't have a penis." Tone cut in. "I'd rather not know how you got that knowledge."
After a short while, Effina finished up without incident. Obviously, a toilet, no matter how old it is, is a place where water of some form goes, so of course it would not trigger the Sanctification. Strangely enough, it felt like this entire room was free from the Sanctification's effects, much like the Bathing Area next door. The Ancient owners of this place must have taken into account that water may end up on the floor in places like these.
Feeling more refreshed and less tense, Effina headed towards the door of the toilet just as a strange dread swept over her. Something wasn't right...
Effina sighed in relif as the stream flowed into the commode. She thought over who could be following her again. Trying to figure out if anyone else knew about the ruins themselves or why someone would be looking for her. Tone then spoke up again to her this time about something she'd rather not talk about.
"Why are you even asking me this in the first place?"
Finishing up with her current need Effina felt more refreshed. As she headed towards the door she felt a strange dread fall over her. Looking around she felt that something really didn't feel quite right.
Effina asked Tone why she was so interested in what knowledge a Male-turned-Female had about the opposite gender's anatomy.
"Just curious, that's all." Tone dismissed the question with an indirect answer.
When Effina was done, she made to head towards the door, but stopped suddenly as a horrible feeling washed over her. She looked around in the toilet she was in, but found little of interest, except the fact that Tone had now left the book and was pulling her underwear down to use the toilet as well. Yellow stripes were a little strange for someone like her, but something about their connotations just fit.
"Forget something? Sorry, but this seat is taken and I'd like it if you left me some privacy." Tone questioned Effina as she followed in the previous girl's footsteps.
So, Elemental Spirits have needs too, it seems.
Effina was still near the door to the room when she had looked around to see. Tone now having left the book and was pulling down her underwear. Appearing to need to take care of the same thing she had needed to do just a moment ago.
"I'm not going out there with whoever it is who's trying to find me. Just hurry and take care 'it' and I'll wait by the door." Effina said blushing a bit.
She turned her back to Tone to give her privacy.
Effina refused to leave the toilet, worried that whomever had entered the ruins was out there and waiting for them.
"Guess that's the best I can get." Tone sighed. "It's partially your own fault for leaving footprints behind in the dust if they've tracked you."
From the soft tinkling sound that came from Tone's location, it seemed she didn't suffer from a shy bladder. However, it was nothing in comparison to the rather loud gushing that came from Effina moments before. After about a quarter of a minute, Tone's tinkling came to an end.
"All done." Tone informed Effina as she returned into the Book. "We can't just stand around here all day or we'll become a part of these ruins ourselves, and I don't really fancy that."
Hearing Tone's tinkle Effina was reminded of the green-haired girl. And the members of her little band who also went through this sort of thing. She blushed at those thoughts and shook her head to rid herself of them.
"Don't start!" Effina warned.
Knowing the Tone was right Effina opened the door a crack and peeked outside. To see if the person or thing was outthere.
Effina lost herself in a moment of lewd perversion as she listened to Tone going about her pee. Her thoughts drifted back to the Green Haired girl and the other young girls whom were a part of her unofficial Harem. Eventually, Effina managed to cut those thoughts out of her mind for now.
Once Tone had finished, Effina cautiously opened the door and peered out to see if anybody was waiting to pounce. From what little view she got, Effina spotted nobody of interest outside of the room from her current perspective. However...
"They won't hide on the angle the door opens at, as that'll be stupid." Tone interjected. "Unless they were complete amateurs at their craft. I doubt they're greenhorns at tracking, despite how little you did to make their job harder."
Effina didn't see anyone outside of the room from the way the door was angled. "Why, not just announce to them that we are hear with your damned chatting." Effina countered. She fully opened the door and stepped outside. Looking around to fully see if anyone was there for several moments before moving back into the room.
She had nearly forgetton the one thing she still needed a device to hold the water. Which would come in handy in case whom was tracking her got close.
Effina was under the impression that Tone could be heard and seen by everyone. However, the Spirit soon corrected this misunderstanding.
"Actually, they'll only hear how much noise you're making." Tone corrected Effina. "Only the one who's holding my Vessel can see and hear me. Anybody else would just see you talking to thin air, which I'm sure they won't think anything of."
Effina decided to brave the world outside of the toilet once more, looking around as much as she could to see whomever might have been tracking them. Try as she might, Effina could find no trace of any movement except her own. Like Tone had stated, if they were attempting to tail someone, they wouldn't make it obvious. Once she was convinced she'd searched as much as she could, Effina headed back into the toilet to look for some kind of container to carry water. Unsurprisingly, the toilet had nothing fitting to this description other than the toilet itself, and, even then, that was little more than a hole over a piping system. She'd probably have better luck searching the bathing area next door for something like that.
Effina found nothing of use which could be used. To hold any sort of water. While Tone spoke up about various stuff again. "Then they are lucky." That being that they wouldn't have to put up with her voice. Effina went into the hall once more and tried the bathing area.
Effina shot back another sharp remark at Tone, who countered with her usual attitude.
"If you're so annoyed at me, then just give me my Book back and I'll leave you alone. That way, you won't be able to see or hear me." Tone suggested. "Best for both of us, then. I wouldn't have to put up with your complete lack of common sense, and you wouldn't have to put up with my education."
Ignoring her companion's insight, Effina headed back into the bathing area to find some form of container for water. It didn't take her much time to find a relatively sturdy washbasin and then she went to pick it up. Just as she reached over to the basin, she felt a small pinprick-like sensation in the back of her left thigh. Claiming her basin, Effina used a free hand to check whatever it was that had pricked her. She placed her forefinger over the area the feeling came from and drew it back with a small bead of blood on it. Something must've stung her, or maybe. Thinking little of it, Effina went to head back to the hallway when she felt that her left leg was feeling rather heavy and refusing to move. Her leg soon buckled and she landed on her left knee, using her right leg to hold her whole body up from collapsing under the sudden loss of movement from her other leg.
"Such a cute little girl. I was rather reluctant to ruining your pretty legs." A child-like female voice came from behind her. "You should cover yourself up more, otherwise you'll get stung again."
Effina tried to turn to the source of the voice, but suddenly her whole lower body felt as numb as her left leg did. Was it paralysing poison?! She fell to the floor on her front, the washbasin which was in her hands loudly clattering along the floor into the hallway. The numbness spread across her body at an alarming rate, completely paralysing all but her head from moving.
"Although, saying that, you were covered up nice until you broke the Seal on the entrance." The childish voice continued with a giggle. "I suppose I should thank you for taking that ward for me."
"Hey! Get up! Fight it!" Tone commanded Effina, sounding incredibly concerned.
Effina felt something trying to lift her body up, but due to the paralysis, it was too much of a deadweight for Tone to lift. Effina then saw the folds of a black cloak move into the front of her view. Beneath the small opening between the cloak and the flooring, Effina spotted a pair of black children's dress shoes. The cloak clad figure turned to face Effina, but she couldn't command her body to look up to see her attacker's face.
"Don't worry. It's not deadly." The figure reassured Effina. "However, I did concoct it to stun an adult for fifteen minutes. I wasn't expecting you to shrink so much. I'm estimating you'll be down for around half an hour. That gives me more than enough time to find it."
The figure then knelt down in front of Effina and extended a small tan coloured hand towards her face. Each fingernail on the hand was painted a different colour. The forefinger was striped black and yellow, the middle finger was a teal colour, the ring finger was a forest green, the little finger was a deep orange and the thumb was a striking red. From what little she could see, the attacker had placed their middle fingernail on Effina's cheek and started to apply pressure to it.
"I hate to see something so adorable suffer, so I'll give you a nice pleasant rest while you can't move. Think of it as my parting gift for being such a good sport and leaving my path wide open. I call this one my Euphoric Tranquilliser. It'll put you to sleep and give you the enjoyment your heart desires with those you have feelings for." The child explained. Effina then felt a sharp stinging pain at the place where the child had placed her fingernail. The pain was followed by a small trickle of blood down her cheek and an irresistible sleepiness overcoming her. "Pleasant dreams, my sweet Prince."
With her consciousness slipping into sleep, Effina faintly saw her attacker leaving the bathing area and heading down the hallway towards the intersection. Tone continued her attempts at moving and waking Effina but all was for nought as Effina began to fall into a deep, lust filled sleep...
"You'd like that wouldn't you to sit around here collecting dust once more. But that isn't happening while you are annoying it's nice to talk to someone." Effina told her.
She soon found a washbasin and as she went to pick it up something. Touched her thigh as she checked what it was she could see blood on her finger. Something had stung her wanting to know what it was she headed back into the hall but her. Left leg soon felt heavy and collasped trying to use her right leg the same thing happened again until she fell full onto the ground.
The washbasin bouncing from her hands. A small child-like voice spoke up from behind her and Tone did as well Effina tried to speak and fight back. But her whole body felt like deadweight as something was keeping her from moving. From where she lay Effina saw black dress shoes and someone in a black cloak.
Her attacker then touched her cheek and Effina began to fall asleep before. She did from what she heard this person seemed to know who she was. There was only a small handful of people who knew who Effina truly was. Tone tried to move and wake her up but sleep overtook Effina and she passed out.
As Effina began to dream her mind began to fill with the faint images of those around her. However two people stood out among those she knew. First was Zena who Effina found to be rather nice when she wasn't fighting with her and the second, Was the green-haired girl who had still been on her horny mind here and there. Effina began to dream about Zena being in a lewd situation where she felt attracted to Effina and wished for her to touch her like Naru had done. While the green-haired needed to pee once again and was to allow her to watch again.
Through the effects of the poison that her assailant had used, Effina dreamt about lustfully watching and engaging in questionable acts with both Zena and the unusual Green Haired Girl who she saw publicly urinate into a drain. Despite the harrowing encounter which bought about this delusional dream, it was actually quite a nice present from a potential enemy. Like the attacker herself had said, she could've left Effina to suffer with the paralysis, but was merciful and allowed her a tasty tidbit of tantalising theatre. Maybe paralysing Effina was 'just business' for the Girl?
Sadly, Effina was pulled from her lewd leering and back into the cold reality of herself lying on the dusty hard floor of an ancient ruin with her body feeling as stiff as a board, but movable, and a slight dampness between her legs from something which was definitely not pee. Thankfully, she was in a 'Safe Zone' so the Sanctification hadn't kicked off. Groggily pushing herself up slightly, Effina felt like she'd had a long night of hitting the bottle too hard and was experiencing a 'hangover' like effect without the nausea. She could faintly feel another person by her side, and turned to see something she was not expecting to see. Tone had stayed by her side all through the poison's effects, and even cleaned up a little after Effina's lewd leaking of love juices. However, the spirit now looked to be asleep herself, keeping one hand on Effina's back to ensure that the girl was safe.
Perhaps Tone could be nice as well?
The that Effina had was suprisingly a great one. She dreamt of various lewd and questionable acts with both Zena and the green-haired girl. But the main question was just who was this potential enemy. Were they really an enemy or just some random stranger. They could have done a lot more harm to Effina than just the paralysis they could have killed her.
30 minutes passed and Effina was pulled from her dream. As she found herself lying on the cold floor. Her body felt offerly stiff and there was a slight dampness between her legs. Pushing herself up a little her head felt like crap. Looking over she saw someone by her side it turned out to be Tone she felt the spirit's hand on her back and appeared to be sleeping. Why would Tone be doing this in the first place Effina thought she didn't like her.
While Effina puzzled over why the previously antagonistic Spirit was actually being nice for one, she managed to get herself up into a sitting position, but couldn't really manage much more at the moment due to the aftereffects of the Paralysis. However, it was clearing quite quickly, so she'd probably be able to move again very soon, but possibly not as fast as she used to for a little while. The poison had passed through her system incredibly quickly, but some parts of it still lingered.
Effina's movements had roused Tone from her slumber. The Spirit's eyes gently fluttered open as she looked upon the now moving girl. For the briefest of moments, a mixture of relief and happiness passed over the Spirit's usually stoic expressions, however, this was quickly masked by a slight blush as she disappeared back into the confines of her Vessel.
"So, you've finally stopped sleeping around." Tone commented, attempting to mask the gleeful tone to her voice. "I got bored waiting, you pervert. You must've had quite the perverted dream to get as wet as you did."
Effina felt that she was able to move a little more now. But still couldn't really manage to get to her feet just yet. She was able to get into a sitting position as she sat there Tone began to show signs of waking up. Her eyes opened and Effina could see a mixture of relief and happiness and what looked like a slight blush. Before she vanished back into the book once again.
"I'm sure you've had your fair share of dreams that have done the same thing." Effina countered. There wasn't any anger in her tone. "Thanks for keeping an eye on me." Effina said. She looked around the ruins for a tiny bit from where she sat. "Any idea of where our cloaked friend has gone?"
Effina decided to play along with Tone's comments this time instead of kicking off about them.
"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. I'm not going to tell you." Tone retaliated, neither confirming or denying Effina's suspicions. Effina's next show of appreciation triggered Tone's 'Tsun' side once more. "W-well, i-it's not like I could've done anything other than that. You still had my Vessel, and I couldn't just leave you alone." Tone quickly answered, her voice going a little quieter at the end of her statement. Although Effina couldn't see Tone at present, she had a feeling that the blush on the Spirit's face would have likely deepened three more shades of pink.
Effina could just about stand up now and move around some more. Her body still felt a little stiff and tender in places, but it didn't hamper her ability to walk around any more.
"I think she went down the corridor to the intersection, but I'm not sure where she went from there." Tone explained. "I don't think you should go after her just yet. She might do something more dangerous if she caught on to you tailing her."
Tone told Effina where their little friend had gone and for once she agreed. With the Spirit she got back to her feet and started to head back out of the ruins. "I'd rather just forget today happened and rest," Effina said she walked thinking about. How she was going to explain what had happened to herself to make her a girl. "I've got a lot of explaining to do to the others" Effina sighed,
"Would you by chance happen to know what 'it' is? I heard our friend mention. That before I passed out?"
Effina decided she'd done enough Ruins Raiding for one day and began to head back to the entrance of the ruins. She knew she had a whole lot of explaining to do, and puzzled over just how she was going to convince the others that the little girl in front of them was, in fact, the tall gentleman who'd left to do a spot of exploring. Maybe Coral could scent out her 'Papa', if she had that sort of natural talent?
On the way back to the entrance, Effina asked just what their rival may have been hunting for.
"No idea. Lots of donations and offerings to the Prime Gods are held inside a Shrine's vault." Tone explained. "Worst case scenario, the previous Head of the Shrine may have confiscated a defective Guardian and our cloaked companion may have found a way to awaken and repair it. Anyway, there are no salvageable Guardians left from my knowledge, so perhaps they were just after ancient scriptures, or something. However, the kid with the ruler of this City is very much like a Guardian, but also very different..."
Effina reached the entrance to the shrine and continued on out of the mineshafts into the evening glow of Argenta. It was actually pretty late now, perhaps around 6-7 in the evening. It was likely time to head home anyway, so Effina began to retrace her steps back to the Commercial District.
"Well, what ever is is that was located inside the valut must be something of value. For them to take and not wishing for me to lay my hands on. Maybe the Duke might know what it might be I don't know."
It was pretty late in the evening now and Effina retraced her steps. Back into the Commercial District following the same path she had taken as a male. "I should warn you that there is another female who finds cute girls attractive beware." Effina told Tone. She finally arrived back at Duke Trent's home and stood before the door for a moment then finally rang the bell.
"I doubt anyone around here will know what's in that vault. The Shrine had been sealed for centuries until you blasted it open." Tone answered. "She could've just been a treasure hunter wishing to make a name for herself and take whatever loot you would've gotten. It's a rough world out there, outside of your ivory towers, you pampered Noble. You don't have to worry about money, but not everyone is as lucky."
Effina managed to find her way back to Duke Trent's residence and offered a warning to Tone about Naru's behaviour.
"I guess I should be careful then." Tone replied. "You should be fine, though. She won't go after you, I'm sure of it."
Planning her excuse in her mind before diving in, Effina finally pressed the doorbell, and the usual commotion was faintly heard on the other end. Naru must've come back to claim Zena, if the raised female voices were anything to go by. Eventually, the one to open the door was Syl, as Zena and Naru were going at one another again. Of course, Syl didn't recognise Effina as anyone she knew.
"Um...are you, perhaps, lost?" Syl asked Effina. "I don't think the owners of this house were expecting any other guests. Should I get a COG Official to take you home?"
"Being doted on by a child." Tone quietly snickered. "Well, 'Little Lost Girl'?"
"Someone has to know what was in the vault?" Effina questioned. But wasn't sure if anyone around the city would currently know what was located inside. The only person who would know would be the one who knocked her out. "No one can really touch you from what I can tell. As I haven't tried touching you when out of the book. Just don't let Naru see you she is already giving poor Zena trouble."
After she had pressed the doorbell, she heard the sound of commotion on the other end. It appeared that Naru might have come back as they were going at it again. The door opened and there appeared Syl who didn't recognise Effina.
"I'm not lost, Syl I'm where I am needed, and I don't need a COG Official either. This is going to be hard to explain but it's me Elthin. Perhaps you can go get Duke Trent or Coral as there is things needed to be discussed."
"Yup, the one who put you to sleep and made you get all horny." Tone agreed dismissively with Effina's stating of the obvious.
When Syl opened the door and asked Effina if she was lost, Effina dived straight in without giving any kind of background, which startled Syl, as Effina openly stated her name and then claimed to be someone who's twice her size and the opposite gender. Syl's little cat ears and tail poked out due to her loss of concentration and sudden shock.
"Awwww, the wittle kitty needs petting." Tone giggled to herself.
"U-u-um...I-I'll go get someone else." Syl quickly answered as she hastily closed the door before retreating further into the house, perhaps in search of an adult.
"Very smooth. As smooth as a gravel road." Tone continued her running commentary. "Just charge on in there with the 'I know your name, kid'. Ever heard of stranger danger?"
There was some commotion on the other end, mixing in with the noise of Naru's behaviour before the raunchy clamour stopped after Syl raised her voice to get Naru's attention. Quiet discussion must have gone on next as there was silence as far as Effina could hear. Finally, after a few tense minutes of waiting, Naru's ero-loving behaviour resumed, but her target wasn't Zena this time, as Zena was holding her back.
"I must do my duty as a COG Official!" Naru exclaimed, her voice muffled by the closed door. "A cute little lost girl needs to find her way back home! I'll take her in until HQ Opens tomorrow."
"No you won't!" Zena countered. "You just want to strip her, like you did that other girl."
"It doesn't really take three of us to open a door, kids." Duke Trent explained to someone who had probably come to the door with him.
"Syl said Coral should come along." Coral complained. "Coral knows Papa by Papa's smell."
Well, that's two of the three found out. Like before, the front door was opened to reveal Duke Trent there, but it was clear that there were two small people hiding behind him. Upon seeing Effina, Duke Trent returned to his usual jovial behaviour.
"Might as well open up my home as a playhouse with all the little ones coming here." Duke Trent sighed with a smile. He turned to look behind his right side before saying. "Time to put that nose of yours to use."
From behind Duke Trent's right side peeked Coral, who proceeded to stare at Effina quite intensely. Strangely enough, another little girl peered from behind his left side, just a little bit behind where Coral stood. Pale green eyes also stared at Effina intensely.
Syl was quite surprised by the reveal and while it would have. Been better to tell her some background she thought it'd be better to explain things to everyone all at once. Syl left to go get another person leaving Tone and Effina alone. "I could have let you explain it all." Effina said before Naru and Zena arrived. But Naru was acting like her usual self lusting now after Effina. While Zena held her back away.
"I don't need any help there, but I know someone who might need that help." Effina stated. She thought of seeing how Naru would handle Tone. There was no way she'd let Naru touch the book or anything of the sort.
Coral and Duke Trent arrived moments later.
"This is all going to be rather hard to explain." Effina told them. Before looking to Duke Trent for a couple of moments. Coral then peeked out from the right side while another girl peeked from the left side. She had green eyes and Effina was reminded of the green-haired girl from before.
"How did you come to be here?"
Effina countered Tone's usual heckling.
"That would've just made things much worse. I mean, you would have had to hand her my Vessel and then she'd suddenly see someone randomly appear from nowhere." Tone answered. "You're really terrible at explaining things."
To quell the mounting confusion, Duke Trent opened the door, and Coral, along with the Green Haired Girl from earlier, stared at Effina.
"You know, you're a crime waiting to happen." Tone interjected upon seeing two young girls, one who no doubt called Effina's male counterpart 'Papa', and other who looked just as young as the first. "Do you pick up kids on the street with promises of sweets, or something?"
Effina tried to explain that it would be really hard to properly vocalise this entire random mess of trouble.
"So, pick up on anything, or do you like staring at people?" Duke Trent asked Coral, who proceeded to slowly move towards Effina and nestle her face against Effina's chest, while the Green Haired Girl watched on. A few moments later, Coral suddenly hugged Effina.
"Papa, why're you a girl now?!" Coral questioned in confusion. "And you're the same size as Coral now. Why'd you shrink?!"
A dragon's nose does not lie. Coral knew just who Effina was, but Duke Trent was still extremely confused by it all.
"So, you're telling me this half-pint on my doorstep is the ruins maniac who set off earlier today?" Duke Trent attempted to clarify.
"Coral knows it's Papa." Coral countered, pouting. "Coral's not gonna mistake Papa's scent!"
"Maybe but it'd be funny to see how she'd react."
Tone once more spoke up about the other two girls.
"No I don't the one who calls be 'Papa' was born from an egg and is a dragon. The other one I don't know I don't even know why she's here we only met a short while ago." Effina stated.
Coral came over then hugged her a little later asking questions.
"The way into the ruins was booby trapped and when I forced my way inside with magic. I was changed into a girl for some weird reason." she told Coral. Then looked over at the Duke who was still confused by it all. "That'd be me, and I believe you should find this interesting I found this book outside the ruins. There's a surprise inside of it just wait a few seconds"
Effina handed over Tone's vessel to Duke Trent.
Effina tried to justify why two children were somehow connected to a single man.
"Yup, a likely story. I may as well say that I'm a reincarnated aspect of a Prime God." Tone answered, unconvinced that beings as ancient as Dragons were walking the earth once more.
Next, when Coral recognised Effina's scent, Effina explained how she ended up turning from a male into a female.
"So, you're a girl now forever?" Coral questioned. "Papa will always be Papa, no matter whether you're a boy or a girl."
"I still find this very hard to believe, but I won't doubt a Dragon's Scenting." Duke Trent interjected.
Effina went to hand over Tone's Vessel to Duke Trent in an attempt at showing him the strange being.
"I don't think that will-" Tone began before her voice was cut off when Effina handed the book over.
"Hmmm, this looks like a rather old book." Duke Trent commented as he examined the book. "Adamantine lock, warhide bindings, papyrus vellum. These aren't materials normally found around here. I can't remember where the last vein of Adamantine was found, but I know it must have been at least a few centuries ago. As for the bindings, the method for curing the hide from the ancient War Turtles is only know to very few people."
It seems Tone had chosen quite the rare vessel. If what Duke Trent thought the book was made from was true, then it could easily net an insanely large sum of money if sold to the right person.
"I can't see any way to get past the lock, as nothing can cut through Adamantine apart from Alchemically Refined Diamonds. Even the Magicians in the Mainland wouldn't be able to blast it open unless they had the weapon which caused the Gott Crater." Duke Trent continued. "So, how'd you know there's a surprise inside?"
After looking over the book once more, Duke Trent handed it back to Effina. Tone's voice returned into Effina's head.
"How rude to just pass me around like a common curio." Tone complained. "He couldn't have heard me even if I'd forced my way into his head. Only people with a deep connection to the elements can perceive Elemental Beings, and these 'Kinetics' are as far from Elementally Attuned as you can get."
Once Effina got the book back Tone was able to speak to her again.
"They are walking the earth you just don't seem to believe it but you will given time."
Coral next spoke up.
"I don't really know I hope it will wear off soon." Effina told Coral. She patted the girl on the head with a hand.
Duke Trent had examined the book a short time ago before asking. How Effina knew about the surprise within the book.
"Because a young girl appeared out of the book and speaks to me at times. This all started when I found the book outside the ruins. Her time is Tone and she's a rather odd but nice girl at times."
Tone spoke on how others couldn't see her unless they had connections to the elements.
"So, how am I suppose to get others to see you?"
There was still more to be discussed.
"May I come in, there's something that happened within the ruins I need to tell you about. It appears someone was shadowing me and had followed me inside." she looked over at the other girl. 'How did you end up here?" she asked.
Effina was insistent that Dragons walked the Earth once more, and that Tone would soon believe given time. Shortly after the book was handed to Duke Trent, Effina tried to convince both herself and Coral that her transformation would likely wear off soon.
Once more, Effina forgot that claiming she heard voices in her head when she held an inconspicuous item would likely make her sound like she needed to seek professional mental help.
"Um...right...?" Duke Trent answered, looking even more confused and a little concerned from Effina's mental wellbeing. "Are you sure that it might not just be a side effect of the thing which blasted you into a little girl?"
When the book was handed back to Elthin, Tone had a few choice words as well.
"Yup, just make it sound like you belong in a sanatorium. I'm sure you'll get where you want to be eventually with the help of some kind specialists and a very large needle." Tone informed Effina in a mock comforting tone. "If you were still in your original form, then you'd likely be told you've had a few too many pot pipes and alcohol."
Effina wanted to know how she'd get others to perceive Tone.
"You'll need to do some very specific, if a little dangerous things. I wouldn't advise it." Tone replied. "You'll have to hold your breath, close your eyes, plug your ears and then hold hands with the person you want to perceive me. Even then, it's not guaranteed to work."
Effina deiced that she'd spent enough time standing outside and requested to be let in.
"Ah, sure." Duke Trent confirmed as he stepped out of the doorway back into the house. "Though, I'm not really sure you'll be safe around, you know, when you look like that. She's already nabbed up the girl you keep staring at, and tried to have her way with her."
The Green haired girl was trying to hide behind Duke Trent, but Effina managed to notice her. When Effina asked her a question, the first thing out of the girl with a startled 'eep!'.
"I-I...u-um...I..." The Green Haired Girl stammered out, not really managing to turn what she wanted to say into intelligible words. Looking a little closer at, her, the Girl's clothes had changed to one of Zena's outfits. Perhaps she...
"She's just stopping by while her clothes are cleaned." Duke Trent spoke on the girl's behalf. "Her brother had to run a few more errands in town. He'll pick her up a little later."
"That's not what happened at all, it's just hard to explain." Effina sighed.
Tone spoke up again.
"Only if they could use the needle on you first I wonder what the specialists would do to you?" Effina countered.
Duke Trent stepped aside and Effina walked inside. He soon mentioned how Naru had her way with the young girl next to her and might have her way with Effina. This didn't sit well with Effina at all she didn't like how Naru was causing problems with others. 'I have my ways of handling her, she's just a very big handful I already had to pull her off Zena hours ago."
The green-haired girl tried to speak but couldn't and the duke explained how things went.
"Okay, then."
Effina continued to insinuate that every taunt Tone said could be used against her.
"Yeah, not going to happen." Tone countered. "Invisible to all but the holder of my vessel, remember? And I doubt they'd have any connection to the Elements, so no luck there."
Duke Trent cautioned Effina on Naru's behaviour, but Effina was confident that she'd be able to handle herself well enough.
"But you were much bigger then, and were likely stronger than you are now." Duke Trent continued. "She may look like a strong breeze could blow her over, but don't let that fool you."
"How rude, judging a girl by something so personal." Tone commented. "Also, he has no tact when it comes to delicate issues. Typical machine nut."
Effina entered Duke Trent's house and, soon enough, Zena's hold on the raging beast that was Naru faltered, allowing the cute-crazed girl to barge out into the hallway and go straight for Effina.
"Two cute little things in one day? Nothing could get better!" Naru exclaimed as she dived on Effina and gave her a tight hug. "Although, something at the very back of my mind makes me feel really angry when I see you for some reason. Oh well, it's probably nothing~."
"Wow, a raging homo." Tone interjected with a smirk. "You may lose your virginity yet, if only as a little girl."
"I know perhaps two people who might be able to see you." Effina told her. Thinking about both Lucine and Carol. Thinking about Lucine Effina went on to ask how she was doing, "How's Lucine doing is she up and about?"
Duke Trent spoke about Naru.
"True, but I have my ways of handling her." Effina cautioned the duke.
Tone spoke up and then Naru came into view and dived onto Effina giving her a tight hug, "Get off me who said you could touch me?" Effina tried to get out of Naru's hug. Naru spoke of something that Effina knew quite well she'd use that to her advantage and get a good laugh out of it. When she changed back into a male hopefully.
Effina suggested the idea that perhaps two others could interact with Tone as she did.
"Meh, whatever." Tone answered, sounding disinterested in the chance of communicating with anyone else.
Effina then remembered, once more, someone she keeps forgetting when other cute girls are around.
"She's doing a bit better now." Duke Trent replied. "She's still rather angry about being force-fed the medicine though. Zena had to hold her down while Syl sprayed it down her throat through a syringe."
"That stuff was horrible!" Coral cut in. "It tasted bad, smelled bad and was all thick and gooey!"
As expected, Effina was pounced on by Naru the moment she stepped through the door. Effina attempted to remove the offending girl, but found that she wasn't exactly strong enough to do so in this form. Naru was surprisingly heavy for someone her small size. The extra weight definitely didn't come from her bust or her rear. In fact, the additional weight was almost metallic in nature, like Naru had on a load of metal implements for meting out justice and capturing the cute hidden somewhere on her person.
Effina tried to play hard to get, but it was just enticing Naru more.
"I'm just checking to see if you're okay. Girls like you shouldn't be walking around all alone so late in the day." Naru countered, sounding more like she was holding down Zena then some man-turned-girl. "Oh my, you're so dusty! Just where were you playing?"
A questionable glint appeared in Naru's eyes as she hungrily gazed down upon the captured girl in her arms.
"We'll have to get you cleaned up right away! We can't keep you all dusty, it'll ruin your delicate skin!" Naru continued as her hands shot down to the bottom of Effina's top. Naru had now straddled Effina on the floor and was holding her down by gently sitting on top of her instead of using her arms. "We'll take a shower together, all three of us~! You, me and that little green cutie by the door."
"Where's she right now?" Effina asked.
Tone appeared not to be interested in meeting anyone else. So she took a moment to speak to her on that once more. "It must get boring after a while only having one person to chat with?" Coral then spoke up and Effina decided to try the book out with Coral at a later time she was a dragon after her. Surely her link to the element of water would surely help out here.
"I'm going to test that theory again later." Effina told Tone.
"I can take care of myself" Effina spoke up. She once again tried to fight Naru off of her. But was must weaker there appeared to be extra weight on Naru somewhere. Which made it much harder for Effina to get away. Naru next asked about where she was to get so dusty and Effina didn't answer. As Naru's hands shot down to the bottom of Effina's top. She knew what was coming next and didn't like it. She fought harder now to get herself free as her thoughts drifted to Zena. Thinking this was what she normally went through and must hate it.
"I can bathe myself, and get off me!" Effina yelled at Naru.
She had nothing against the thought of showering with the green cutie. But she didn't want to be around Naru. "Help, help someone get this girl off me please?" Effina cried.
Effina wanted to know where Lucine was.
"I think she's upstairs." Duke Trent answered, a little unsure of the location of one of the many little people in his home. "She's likely in Zena's room unpacking and getting changed out of her dress clothes."
Effina wanted to know if it was boring for Tone to only chat to one person.
"Animals can see and hear me, as they've got a good link to the natural elements of the world. Although, talking to animals doesn't really do much for conversation." Tone explained. Effina then suggested that she had an idea as to how to get Tone another conversation partner. "Do what you will. Just don't ruin my Vessel."
Effina finally realised that her small body was no match for a trained Community Officer like Naru. Effina had no idea what kind of training regime COG Recruits went through to ensure they were suitable for the position, but it certainly must've required them to be physically fit. Naru's ability at detaining criminals seems quite on point, if this is the kind of thing she does.
"Now, let's get all those dusty clothes off and clean you down~ " Naru informed Effina while attempting to swiftly remove the smaller girl's top. She got it around half-removed when Zena cut in with a rather strange announcement.
"Hey, I'm not wearing any panties." Zena called over to Naru, who's attention was soon turned from Effina to the sudden information that someone was going commando. In the blink of an eye, Naru had disappeared off of Effina and was now positioned just underneath Zena, looking up the other girl's skirt.
"Don't say things like that even if it isn't true!" Naru scolded Zena. "You don't know what lecherous fiend may be listening."
Effina learned where Lucine was currently and was given the okay by Tone. To do what she could to see if that would work out with Coral. While she was on the floor at Naru's mercy the girl had tried to take off her top. Effina fought back even harder then before trying to use two hands to grab hold of Naru's skin and pinch the hell out of her.
Zena then cut in and saved Effina from embarressment. As she was able to now get up and dusted herself off. She looked over at Zena "thank you." before she went over to the green girl. "Did she do anything bad to you?" Effina whispered to her. Then looked back to Naru, 'I didn't like what you did to me how can you do these things?" Effina spoke to her.
Just as Effina was about to accept being undressed by a sex-crazed fiend, Zena cut in and saved the small girl from nudity without consent. Shortly after Naru had teleported over to Zena and said her piece, Zena had plans of her own.
"I know a certain lecherous fiend that'd be listening for it from the other end of town." Zena countered as she knelt down next to Naru and gently pinched a pressure point between her shoulder and neck, which resulted in knocking Naru out for now. Effina thanked Zena for her clutch save. "Sorry you had to put up with that. She gets a little crazy around small girls."
Effina then asked the green haired girl if she fell victim to the lust of Naru. Like she did before, the Green Haired girl hid behind Duke Trent and gave a quiet, stammered answer.
"U-um...sh-she nearly got my blouse off, b-but Zena saved me." The Green Haired girl answered, avoiding eye contact with Effina. She seemed very quiet and demure when she wasn't around her big brother. "Then Zena took the shower with me..."
"If the pervy Magician was here, he'd likely wanna do something similar." Zena commented, completely oblivious of the fact that the aforementioned 'pervy magician' was just across the hallway from her.
Effina knew just who Zena was talking about as it was her male half. Deciding to dig a little deeper into what Zena thought of Elthin Effina asked a question. "Do you really dislike this 'fiend' that much he can't be that bad can he?" Effina asked. She watched as Zena knocked out Naru paying close attention to where Zena had pressed.
"Not, something like really liked that's for sure does she do this to you a lot?"
Effina turned to the Green haired girl who again hid behind Duke Trent. "It's nice that Zena helped you out I'll try to help you too."
That reminded Effina that she needed to get cleaned up. "Is there a place where I can get cleaned up, and barrow a change or clothes too?"
As Effina looked at Zena she wondered if there was someway she could shower with her.
Effina made a quick mental note of the spot Zena used to shut-down the sex fiend that is Naru. Effina then tried to defend her male self.
"You've clearly never met him." Zena countered. "He's a pervy pervert who pervs on little girls and taunts them about their weaknesses." However, Zena's tsun side couldn't keep up the whole charade. "But, I guess he can be nice sometimes. B-but that's really rare!"
Effina offered to help out the Green Haired girl.
"That's nice of you. Thanks." The girl quietly replied.
Effina then remembered that she was, indeed, covered in dust and still slightly clammy from her love juices down below, so she asked if she could clean up and change.
"The shower should be free upstairs at the moment, but Lucine and Coral still need to clean up before dinner as well." Duke Trent informed Effina.
"I'll clean up with Papa!" Coral excitedly declared as she jumped on Effina once more. "And I'll get Big Sis to join us!"
"Papa?" Zena whispered to herself, confused at the statement from the Dragon. She did propose a solution for the lack of clean clothes. "I guess you're a similar size to me, so I've got a few outfits you could borrow for tonight."
Zena spoke on how she felt about Effina's male half.
"He can't be all that mad I'm sure he would have to have a nice side." Effina spoke. Then went on to ask Zena another question. "You don't happen to like him by chance do you?"
The green-haired girl then replied on how she thought it was nice for what. Effina agreed to do for her so it would take time to do.
Duke Trent spoke on where the shower was and that Lucine and Coral still. Needed to clean up before dinner.
"I'm okay with taking care of myself." Effina said.
Zena seemed to say something to herself which Effina didn't catch. "Thank you they can be picked out while I clean myself up." Effina started to head up the stairs.
Effina decided to tease Zena by asking if she had feelings for Effina's true self. The blush which overtook Zena's face gave away half of the story.
"NO!" Zena quickly blurted out. "W-well, I don't like like him, b-but I don't hate him either! I...I...tolerate him! Yeah, I tolerate him!"
Effina declined Coral's offer for a threesome shower. However, the little dragon had other thoughts in mind.
"You're cleaning up with us, and that's final!" Coral pouted. She'd definitely inherited Freya's commanding side. "You've been away from Big Sis and Coral all day, so we're keeping you with us now!"
At the insistence of her Dragon-Child, Effina had little say in the matter, as Coral would likely kick up and throw a tantrum if Effina still said no. Somehow, it felt like a Dragon's tantrum would not a good guest make, so it would be better to suck up the defiance and go along with Coral's wishes.
From the look on Zena's face Effina learn that Zena did in fact. Like her male half or at least part of her did "from the look on your face I would think differently." Coral next said that it was final that Effina should join her and Lucine for a triple time shower.
She wanted to say no, but there was little she could say in the matter. As Coral would liking throw a tantrum which would only lead to more problems. "Okay, Okay I'll do it" Effina sighed it felt offerly weird to be taking a shower with girls as a girl. Before leaving Zena behind for now Effina turned back to her.
"Can we talk again later?"
Effina decided that it would be best to comply with Coral's wishes, or fear a Dragon-sized temper tantrum.
"Good, 'cause Coral would've been mad had you still said no." Coral retorted. "Let's go get Big Sis."
While being pulled upstairs by a boisterous Dragonling, Effina requested to speak to Zena again later.
"Oh, um, okay, I guess." Zena answered, not sure why a stranger would barge into their house and then request to talk later. No doubt Effina would have to reveal her true identity later, but...
Once Coral had dragged Effina upstairs, they headed straight for Zena's room, which happened to be next door to the toilet, for potentially obvious reasons. The bathroom, however, was just across the hall from it and closer to the stairs. Without so much as a knock, Coral pushed the bedroom door open, revealing Lucine in just her underwear looking at various dresses spread over a sleeping bag on the floor. The sudden opening of the door caused Lucine to yelp in surprise, cover her chest and lower regions with her hands and turn away slightly for more cover. It was clear from the redness on her face that she was a mixture of embarrassed and angry.
"Knock first!" Lucine ordered Coral, who just ignored the request.
"Dukey said we should clean up before dinner, so get those off." Coral countered, as if it was just a standard manner of behaviour.
Eventually, Lucine noticed the dragged along Effina and didn't quite understand why another youth was wandering around Duke Trent's house.
"Why've we gotta do it together?!" Lucine retaliated. "Can't you even bathe by yourself? And why are you dragging along a total stranger?!"
"Papa's not a stranger!" Coral shot back. "Papa's just a little different now."
Of course, Lucine didn't buy the whole 'Effina is actually Elthin' story.
"You don't plan on taking showers with me when I'm back to normal do you?" Effina asked. It'd be a little weird to be doing something like that and would bring up a lot of questions. Zena then had agreed to speak to her later and they were off only to enter into Zena's room moments later where Lucine was.
Upon entering they both saw Lucine in her underwear who was looking over dresses. Only to yelp in surprise when she turned to see who it was. Lucine appeared both embarrassed and angry, this gave Effina a chance to take a moment to look Lucine over. Before watching what went on between the two of them next.
"That's a rather long story which can all be explained later." Effina stated.
Effina asked if Coral had any intentions of still cleaning up with her when she's back to normal. Of course, the innocent Dragon knew no better.
"Mama lets me clean up with her, so what makes Papa any different?" Coral returned the question before jumping to a ludicrous conclusion. "Doesn't Papa like Coral any more?"
Coral seemed rather upset at the idea that she couldn't bathe with Effina back when she's her 'Papa'.
Obviously, at the first chance she got, Effina ogled the near-nude Lucine, taking in every inch of her still developing body. It was surprising just how nice a figure she had for a slum girl, and nearly no imperfections as well! She must've been very well looked after back when she lived in the Slums. The only blemish at the moment on her enticing tan coloured skin was the healing scar from her wound back when Effina first met her. If Effina dressed her up really nicely, ensured that she kept her mouth shut out in public, and taught her basic Noble etiquette, Lucine could very easily pass as an exotic Nobleman's daughter. However, Effina's perv session was short lived, as Lucine quickly grabbed one of the dresses on the Sleeping bag and held it up in front of her, blocking all wandering eyes from seeing the treasures that lay underneath that thin piece of material.
"Whatever, let's just get it over with if you're so fixed on us bathing together." Lucine relented, knowing it was pointless trying to argue with Coral. "You go on ahead, I'll finish up in here."
Lucine was a little concerned as to why Coral called the strange girl that was with her 'Papa', but blocked out all troublesome thoughts and put it down to the younger girl's lack of basic knowledge.
"Papa still likes Coral" Effina told the dragon while trying to think of a way. To explain the reasoning why it'd be odd for a male to be bathing with a small female. "This can be talked about later with Mama." Effina would need help here.
Effina took the time to study Lucine's figure more closely. Before she grabbed a dress which then blocked off all view of her treasures. Coral and Effina went on ahead to the bathroom leaving Lucine behind for now.
Effina, needing the support of an adult to explain such a tender topic, decided to discuss why it would be odd for her male counterpart to bathe with a young girl. This abated the curious child's curiosity for now at least.
Upon her encounter with Lucine, Coral and Effina headed off to the bathroom ahead of Lucine to prepare the shower for when she joined. Unsurprisingly, Coral had already stripped off her clothes and left them on the floor outside of Zena's room before Effina even closed the door. Effina was now seeing the young body of the Dragon in all its nude glory once more, which didn't seem that odd considering how often she'd seen it before. However, it was still rather enticing to look at. Such potential remained, yet it was unlikely Coral would develop bigger assets than her 'Mother', but still, smaller could be better.
Effina and Coral arrived in the bathroom and Coral dived straight in the shower without a second thought. The water wasn't even on yet, but that didn't stop the Young Dragon.
"Hey, hurry up, Papa! Coral's waiting!" Coral instructed Effina.
On the way Coral stripped out of her clothes outside Zena's room. Letting Effina look upon the dragon's naked glory. She looked at it for a moment and arrived at the bathroom. Where Coral dived into the shower before asking Effina to hurry up.
"Hold, on, hold on." Effina told her.
Effina had a bit of a hard time taking off her clothes. As she had never done this sort of thing before but in time was able to get them off. Before she joined Coral in the shower she turned on the water making sure it was nice and warm.
Unaffected by Coral's nudity, Effina followed the energetic girl into the bathroom and began to undress herself, in a little more privacy. It took Effina a short while to get her clothes off, considering she was not used to wearing girl's clothes normally. However, she seemed to forget that her clothes were created out of her magic, so she could have just dismissed them for an easier time. Nonetheless, she was eventually undressed and ready to begin cleaning herself down.
Effina turned the water onto a nice warm setting before getting into the shower with her 'daughter'. As expected, being a dragon of Water, Coral thoroughly enjoyed standing underneath the shower head, giggling gleefully as the water washed over her small body in rivulets, cascading down her front and sliding through the folds of her skin and lower regions. In the stream of water, Effina noticed that Coral's horns and wings were completely visible, yet still partially translucent. It was expected before, but seeing the horns and wings once more alerted Effina that they were not designed to take to the air, but rather act more like fins to aid in water propulsion and movement. A flap of her strange looking wings could likely net her extreme acceleration in water. However, another thing stood out that Effina had not seen before on the young Dragon, but would make sense being on her. Coral actually had a small tail as well which looked partially like a Dragon's tail mixed with a Mermaid's tail. It was made from the same coral-like material of her wings and horns. Her tail was still incredibly small and thin, more like a young guppy's tail rather than a powerful Sea Serpent's. It looked kind of cute.
Shortly after Effina got into the Shower with Coral and 'assessed' her companion, Lucine came into the bathroom after a small knock. Unsurprisingly, she was also naked, but had the decency to wrap a towel around herself before making the journey from Zena's room to the bathroom.
Effina had climbed into the shower with Coral and 'assessed' her companion. By giving her a look over this time she looked closely at them. Seeing as how both the wings and horns were visible but partially translucent the wings more looked like fins. Which would aid Coral in moving through the water at an easier pace. Even her tail looked more like a mermaids one with a mix of dragon mixed into it.
Turning her eyes away it was now time to start washing herself down. Effina wasn't really sure on where to begin as she'd never bathed as a girl before. Looking back at Coral Effina had an idea that might please the young dragon. "Would you like to wash Papa's back?" Effina asked. Before hearing a knock and seeing Lucine arrive in the room.
Unsure of how a female cleaned themselves down, Effina defaulted to requesting the aid of Coral to help with some parts. Like expected, Coral didn't need asking twice before she dived onto Effina and used her own body as a washcloth. With her arms wrapped around Effina's small budding breasts, Coral rubbed herself up and down across Effina's back. Effina could feel the small bumps of the young Dragon's nipples as their bodies connected, creating a rather sensual feel of intimacy and, strangely, eroticism. The dollop of creamy coloured, vanilla scented shower gel that Coral had squirted between their bodies only added to the forbidden sensation.
To add to the awkwardness, Lucine then came into the bathroom and saw the scene unfolding in front of her. Coral, a really young dragon, covered in sticky, creamy coloured viscous fluid, rubbing her chest against the back of the one she called 'Papa' earlier, with her arms hugging tightly against the other girl's chest. It was akin to a weird fetish based brothel's 'Sessions'. She needed to be there to break up this act of exploiting minors for a disguised older man's personal pleasure. Both angry and incredibly embarrassed, Lucine dropped her towel cover after shutting the door to the bathroom, revealing the tender lips of her lower area and growing breasts to the girls in the shower. She didn't care about Coral, as that girl has no sense of decency at all, but what worried her was the fact she kept calling this stranger 'Papa'. However, she couldn't let this poor show continue
Lucine stormed over to the two, detached Coral from the back of Effina, and then grabbed one of the washcloths on the side of the shower to properly clean Effina's back.
"This is how you clean other people. You do not rub yourself against them!" Lucine instructed Coral, who was pouting from being split from Effina.
Coral jumped at the chance to wash her 'Papa's' back and did. What she thought was best by using her own body as a washcloth. As Coral rubbed herself across her back Effina could feel the small bumps from Coral's breasts. A sense of intimacy passed between the two of them as the feelings from the dream earlier returned between her legs. However the time was cut short as Lucine arrived in the shower and pulled Coral off of Effina.
The way Lucine was washing Effina while the right away gave Effina an idea to try out. "Coral shall we give our friend here a wash of her own?" Effina asked. She moved behind Lucine and poured some soap on her hands and body then. Went through the motion of what Coral did to her on Lucine.
Likely a little annoyed at being separated from her pleasure time with Coral, Effina decided to support the young Dragon's method of cleaning over the correct way of doing it, and chose Lucine to be the target. Out for her own form of revenge, Coral complied with the instruction and slathered her front in shower gel once more to rub herself against Lucine's front, as Effina had taken the back. Lucine was sandwiched between Effina and Coral, which didn't sit well with her at all.
Having nowhere to move, Lucine was at the mercy of the body cleaning by the two other girls, although, she wasn't silent about it. Eventually, she knew that it was pointless to try and fight her way through this, so she relented to the cleaning. Covered in a foamy white substance, Lucine tried to get under the shower head enough to wash off the questionable looking soap and managed to wash off the most of it, however, what came next just made her wish she'd waited a little longer...
They had their fun with washing Lucine together and soon Effina stopped. Letting Lucine move back under the shower head to wash of the soap that covered her body. During this time Effina picked up the washcloth Lucine had used before and started to wash Coral's own back. Taking her time to be gentle with how she washed the dragon.
Deciding that Lucine had had enough punishment, Effina eased up on her forced body washing and went for the more traditional way of cleaning another down. Coral, on the other hand, really enjoyed the skin to skin contact she was having with Lucine, and did not stop her rubbing. She was so caught up in her enjoyment that she didn't notice when a faint yellow stream trickled out from underneath her to run down Lucine's right leg, which Coral had wrapped her own legs around. The small dragon was letting her own shower run without even the faintest idea she was doing it until Lucine pointed it out in a rather shocked, and mildly disgusted way.
"HEY! Get off, you're peeing all over me!" Lucine exclaimed as she tried to move the peeing dragon off her. Coral, at first, fought back against the removal, until she finally realised just what she was doing. It turns out Coral's bladder control isn't that great when running water is involved.
"B-but...Coral didn't...Coral didn't..." Coral tried to say as her eyes misted up with tears.
The small girl began whimpering as she attempted to get her answer out again, but small tears began to fall down her cheeks still as her bladder finally finished emptying itself onto the floor of the shower cubicle to be pulled down the drain.
Realising that she had upset Coral, Lucine showed her experience with dealing with younger children once more. She held Coral in a tight hug, pulling their bodies as close together as safely possible and began to stroke the girl's hair to calm her down.
"It's okay, it's okay. We're getting cleaned up, anyway, so..." Lucine informed Coral, trying to act as motherly as possible. "I was just a little, you know, shocked and all that. So...um...accidents happen and..."
While Effina had stopped with the punishment Coral kept it up cleaning Lucine the way. She enjoyed being so caught up in the moment. Coral didn't notice the yellow stream pouring down Lucine's right leg until Lucine yelled out what was happening. Effina stepped back and looked over to see what was happening. Coral's eyes misted up with tears and she was about to come to Coral's aide.
When Lucine wrapped her up in a tight hug and started to try and calm Coral down. "Accidents do happen from time to time." Effina said gently she reached over and patted the young dragon upon the head.
At first sound of the fact Coral was wetting herself all over Lucine, Effina decided she could not miss this moment and transfixed herself on the scene for the minute it lasted. She'd also faintly caught the onset of the incident from the corner of her eye.
First, it was near unnoticeable. As Coral was gently and innocently humping Lucine's leg as she washed her body with her own, the accident started with a few spurts and droplets. With each movement up, another spurt left the tender vulva of the oblivious girl to snake down Lucine's leg with the downpour from the shower. Each movement down led to a slight trail of pale yellow liquid against Coral's perch.
Up spurt down trickle up spurt down leak...
Up...
psssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh~
On the third movement up, Coral's last line of defence gave way as the coloured waters burst forth from her urethra through the lips of her labia to splatter against Lucine's leg and merge with the shower water, dyeing the once clear liquid with its yellow hue. What was once a pleasantly warm trickle, which blended in with the shower water, had now become a much warmer river of flowing urine. Perhaps the rise in temperature, or the much more forceful rain on her skin, gave away that Coral had provided a golden shower along with the more cleaner one?
Whatever it was, it was rather obsolete now that Lucine knew about it, and Coral had noticed herself. However, unlike normal, Coral had not taken this in stride with her usual optimism. Instead, she was rather upset with her complete loss of control and lack of notice for her own body's actions. So upset, in fact, that both Lucine and Effina had to try and calm the crying dragon down.
After some much needed hugs and headpats, Coral had stopped crying, but was still evidently ashamed with her actions, and for doing it on her 'Big Sister' as well. The whole 'accidents happen' didn't work much on Coral, as she had no concept of such things outside of less humiliating accidents.
How should they approach this topic?...
While Coral was able to calm down a little having now stopped crying. She was still ashamed with what had happened which left the question. 'How to deal with this' as the normal option didn't seem to be helping much. Effina didn't know how to handle a situation like this as it was the first time she'd seen Coral to this. Plus with the fact that being female didn't really help matter either as she'd like to act on her 'Papa' duties but with Lucine around that'd cause a whole mess of new problems.
"Um..." Effina finally said.
She was still trying to think of something to say.
Unsure of how to deal with children's toileting problems, Effina kept quiet on the whole matter and deferred to Lucine, who likely had a great deal more experience in the matter from her upbringing, regardless of how fewer years she had in comparison to Effina's actual age. Effina also didn't want to act too fatherly otherwise she'll blow her cover and likely meet the fiery wrath of Lucine.
Lucine puzzled over options while stroking Coral's head. Eventually, she pulled herself away from Coral, placed her hands on both of the young girl's shoulders and looked Coral directly in the eye. Strangely, Lucine's face was turning a pale shade of pink as she looked into Coral's eyes...
Suddenly, Lucine leaned forwards and kissed Coral on her left cheek, hugging the girl she as did so. Coral was, of course, slightly bemused by the seemingly random action. However...
"Big Sis...are you...?" Coral questioned before Lucine simply nodded, her face turning a deeper shade of pink.
"It's okay to pee in the shower." Lucine confirmed. "Just don't pee in the bath, as bathwater stays. Shower water, on the other hand, gets washed away. Also, don't pee on other people. I know you probably got a little too overexcited and didn't realise you were doing it."
Empathy through action, it seemed, was Lucine's way. Curious as to whether the conversation held credibility, Effina decided to shoot a quick glance down towards Lucine's treasure. Sure enough, a pale yellow stream of her own was splattering down onto the cubicle's floor to be sucked into the drain with the runoff water. Lucine's bladder release lasted for just over a quarter of a minute, but it was enough to cheer up Coral.
"So, Big Sis isn't mad at Coral? Coral didn't do anything wrong?" Coral asked Lucine.
"No, I'm not mad at you. I couldn't be mad at you. You're still learning the ways of this world, so it's okay if you mess up and don't understand things." Lucine confirmed.
While Lucine handled things with Coral for the moment Effina. Washed the remainder of her body down with soap and water. While Lucine appeared to have a small accident in the shower as well this had cheered Coral up some. "Your Big Sis is right." Effina said. Now having started to wash her hair which. Was a handful as she had never had this much hair to wash before.
Once Coral was back to her regular self, the girls cleaned themselves down and finished up in the shower. Coral's bladder emptied once more near the end of the shower, but she'd managed to notice it this time and positioned herself over the drain so it washed away instantly. This wasn't normal for Coral, that's for sure. Perhaps there was more to learn about Dragons which Effina hadn't come across before?
When they'd finished, they dried themselves down and headed back to Zena's room. Lucine had to hold Coral's towel in place around her, otherwise the young Dragon would've likely removed it the first moment she got. Back in Zena's room, Lucine and Coral got dressed into comfortable clothes and began to head downstairs for the evening meal.
Once the whole episode in the shower was finished and they had all. Dried off they headed back to Zena's room where Lucine and Coral had dressed into comfortable clothes. Effina looked around for a set that had been laid out for her. Finding something she put the clothes on and went with the others downstairs for the meal of the evening,
The trio, once they'd finished dressing after their shower, headed downstairs for the evening meal. The Green Haired girl was nowhere to be seen, so she was likely picked up by her Big Brother as the girls were taking their shower. The usual meal for two was quickly replaced by a meal for eight due to all the others present. It had a good variation of all the food groups to make a healthy balanced meal and was seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices.
One everyone was seated, the buffet of food began to be picked from by all the diners around the large table. Lucine obviously sat as far away from Zena as she could, and the feeling was mutual for the other party as well. Coral slotted herself in between Freya and Effina, leaving Syl, Willow and Lucine to fill a table end.
Effina took an empty beside Coral and whoever sat on her right side. Once everyone was seated they began to take what they wanted from what was on the table. Effina helped herself to a little of this and that. While making sure Coral had a good amount as well. She then took a moment to think about how to handle herself during dinner.
Effina believed she'd have to engage in fine dining, and began to think about how to carry herself during the meal. However, the actual act itself wasn't exactly what someone would expect from the ruler of a Nation. Of course, basic table manners were present, but it was more of a relaxed family meal than an uptight regal dinner.
Much like the house he lived in, Duke Trent was no different from the regular citizens of Argenta. There were no 'fine dining' cutlery usage. Spoons were spoons and forks were forks, they weren't split based on what stage of the meal the people were at. All of that worrying for nothing. As expected Coral blended right in with 'normalcy' and acted like a child her age would.
Effina helped herself to some of this and that. As the various foods were past around the table for everyone to try. While Effina ate her meal she went on to ask Tone a question. "Just curious is all but you wouldn't be hungry would you?" Effina asked. She didn't know if Tone could eat or not being a spirit and all.
During the course of the meal, Effina remembered that there was another, less corporeal, guest in the house. When this realisation dawned on her, she asked if said guest wanted food.
"Oh, so now you remember that I'm here after so freely stuffing your face?" Tone remarked in her usual way. "I don't need to eat to live, unlike you, but I still like taking part in the act of doing so."
Even with that knowledge, it wouldn't exactly be easy to allow an invisible entity to begin picking food up without causing an incredible commotion. In addition, saving food might not be an easy task either.
Effina was left with the task of either letting Tone take some food. Or trying to save some for later which didn't look to be an easy task.
"Would you rather I just left you in Zena's room alone?" Effina countered.
She went back to eating her food.
Effina threatened Tone with solitude.
"I don't mind being alone, but I'd rather not go intruding into people's private spaces without their permission. I'm not you, after all." Tone countered. "Although, if you're that desperate to get rid of me, I could go into her room and then raid her underwear drawers, and blame the whole thing on you. It won't be hard to get some incriminating evidence to put you in the hotseat."
The rest of the meal went by uneventfully, with Tone snatching up some of Effina's food when the others weren't looking.
"You'd like that wouldn't you to see me getting into trouble?" Effina asked. She took notice of how some of her food was disappearing at random. The rest of the meal went by like normal and everyone began to clear things up. Effina helped out with the cleaning and once it was all done went over to Duke Trent.
"Is it okay that we talk in private?"
"It would be a break from the monotony of watching you trying to be a girl and failing miserably. You should be thankful that they're so oblivious, otherwise your little facade would have been broken ages ago. I'd like to see how you look barbecued." Tone answered.
Once the meal was finished, everyone helped clean up and got the whole task done in just under half an hour. When everything was packed away and the guests started filing off to spend their evenings, Effina requested a private conversation with Duke Trent.
"I guess so, but I don't think business deals will go smoothly when you look like one of Zena's classmates." Duke Trent answered. "That is, believing that you are, indeed, who you claim to be. This whole thing seems really confusing to me, still."
"I'm sure you'd do just as bad if you were trying to be a boy!" Effina countered.
Once the meal was finished she helped clean up. Before requesting to speak with Duke Trent who still was confused about the whole matter. Of Elthin being a girl as he still didn't know to believe her or not.
"For starters I can tell you that before I left to visit the ruins. I showed you my sword and told you a little bit about it's history we even had a nice little chat about it." Effina said trying to help Duke Trent believe who she said she was.
"You're right. I'm far too cute, dainty and delicate to pass as the semi-evolved ape called a 'Male'." Tone retaliated, a mocking hint evident in her choice of words.
Effina decided to ignore trying to bait Tone any further, as she seemed to have a comeback for anything Effina could throw at her. Instead, she turned her full efforts towards trying to convince Duke Trent that she wasn't just some random schoolchild playing pretend as a Lord. Her explanation and reasoning, however, weren't exactly too convincing.
"Anyone could've gotten that kind of vague information" Duke Trent answered. "You really need to work on trying to validate things. However, from my knowledge on Dragonkind, despite how limited it may be, Coral wouldn't have been that comfortable with you if you weren't someone she deemed to be her brood."
Coral's clingy behaviour saved a good deal of hassle, it seemed. Even though the identity problem may have been cleared up, there was still Effina's physical appearance which posed some problem...
"Why, don't you ask me something only I would know and no one else would know?" Coral had saved some of Effina's problems but there was still. Her appearance which did cause a lot of problems and really needed to get used to just being around. She followed along after the Duke until they were alone in a private room.
Effina suggested something which would've worked, had Duke Trent known Elthin for more than just the few days they had.
"I can't really say I know you well enough to be able to do that." Duke Trent admitted. "Anyway, I'm going to trust in Coral's intuition and believe you're the real deal."
Effina, still in her schoolchild appearance, began to follow Duke Trent to one of the converted rooms of the house. Judging by the size of it, and the appearance, the room was likely used for storage of archaic cleaning materials, like washboards, clothes horses, washbasins and clothes presses, which were often used decades ago before Magitech was released to the world. However, this room had been refitted to serve as a makeshift office and document storage room. The actual office room of this house had likely been turned into a workshop or a drafting room for inventions.
Effina had to hop up a little to properly sit on the high chairs opposite the table, but she managed to get on one. Although, her feet didn't quite touch the floor when she was seated. Duke Trent occupied the slightly more fancy looking single chair on the other side of the table, and had his back to the bookshelves of documents.
"So, ah...whatever I had planned for you to do tomorrow will likely have to wait a little. I can't exactly have someone who looks like a student teaching the class about Magic." Duke Trent began. "Not to mention how crazy Naru would get if the girl she tried to strip was suddenly teaching her class."
Effina sat in one of the large chairs after having to hop up onto it. She took the time to look around the room slowly. "She, already tried to strip me down which was something I hated." Effina said. That memory was still fresh in her mind "I can only agree with you on that everyone would be expecting someone older not someone so young as myself."
Effina leaned back in the chair "How many people other than yourself knew about the location of the ruins?" Effina asked. She thought back to the brief glimpse of the person she had seen in the ruins before passing out.
Effina agreed about the harrowing memory of nearly being sexually assaulted, despite how she commonly thinks about doing that kind of thing to the young girls she's around. She also had a feeling that looking like a child would not help her in a teaching role.
"Although, it's not unheard of to have youthful looking people actually being way older than they are. Take the Animalia, for example. They all look rather young for their age, but they're physically way older than we are most of the time." Duke Trent continued. "I'm sure you've also heard of the continent of Eternum? The Women there never seem to age past a certain point, no matter how old they get. That's probably where they got their nickname from, 'The Eternal Children'."
Effina asked if anybody else had any knowledge besides Duke Trent, the Miners and Effina herself, on the location of the entrance to the ruins.
"Aside from the Miners who found it, I'd say nobody else even knows it's there. As soon as the entrance was found, people were forbidden from going anywhere near it for their own safety." Duke Trent confirmed. "However, I can't promise that some thrill seekers may have ignored the Safety Precautions and gone hunting anyway, though I doubt they would've found anything more than the sealed door."
"I've only heard bits and pieces about it, but I know many people wish to visit there." Effina said. There was a time and place in the past where she had wished to visit there. Just the chance of being able to set foot there let alone see what sort of ruins were there. Was something she just couldn't wait to try.
Duke Trent spoke of who knew about the Ruins.
"Well, who ever else knew about it was shadowing me, they waiting until. I got past the door and followed behind me inside. I believe they were after something located deeper inside the ruins. Whatever that is I don't know."
Effina explained that someone had tailed her into the ruins for some reason.
"That is somewhat of a problem." Duke Trent agreed. "They were likely waiting with intent to gain entrance, but were unsure of how to. So, they possibly waited for someone foolhardy enough to try and get in to open the entrance and allow them in with no cost. I take it the Sealed Door is behind your current...appearance?"
"Yes the sealed door is behind my current appearance." Effina said. "To make matters worse they also appeared to know quite a bit about me I only. Know a few people who would know the full truth about who I am."
Effina confirmed that her current appearance was due to the effects of the Sealed Door. She also explained that the person who was tailing her seemed to know about her.
"That doesn't quite add up when you think about it." Duke Trent commented. "Can you explain what they seemed to know about you? I mean, unless you were a target for some kind of Assassins Guild, then, unless you've been screaming your personal information around town, nobody will know about you."
"The only thing I can say they knew about me was that I was a prince. That's not something I go around telling everyone only a few people know that truth." Effina told him.
She tried to think of anything else she could tell Duke Trent about her mysterious attacker. "The person was wearing black children's dress shoes and appeared to have different colored fingers nails on their hand. For example one was striped black and yellow and another was teal."
Effina explained that her attacker apparently knew that she was a Prince, even though, as Tone had said before, that could've just been a chat-up line. It turned out Duke Trent thought the very same thing.
"Are you certain that they weren't just trying to flirt with you?" Duke Trent suggested. "They may have thought that, despite your...appearance, you were the perfect 'Prince' for them. Some people have strange tastes, take Naru for example."
"At least someone in this room has brains aside from me." Tone interjected.
Effina followed on to explain about her attacker's method of operation.
"Unless they were a very small adult, we can safely assume that you were stalked by a child." Duke Trent summarised.
"A full grown man, done in by a little child." Tone taunted.
"As for the different coloured nails, they either had an unusual fixation on nail polish, or they used a special kind of polish formulated similar to that of poison." Duke Trent continued. "It's not strange for Assassin's Guilds to employ people with easily concealed weaponry to bypass law enforcement in populated areas."
Putting all the information together, Duke Trent came to a conclusion.
"From what you've said so far: You were followed by a child into the ruins. This child had painted their nails in different colours, which may be used as a form of poison or toxin. You couldn't get much information about them aside from their nails and the fact they were in Children's shoes.
"We don't really have a lot to go on, and we can't exactly search every child in the city without causing a whole mountain of trouble. In addition, we don't know where they are now, or even if they are still in the city."
"Why, would they want to flirt with a girl like me?" Effina asked. Clearly confused she understood what Duke Trent was saying but the thought of a girl hitting on her. If the strange attack was female filled Effina with an odd feeling.
"Oh, be quiet." Effina told Tone.
Duke Trent spoke more on what likely the attack had done and Tone spoke again.
"Well, they did reward me with something I'd rather not talk about." she blushed at those lewd thoughts. "Perhaps they might show up again at some point, but as you pointed out who's to stay if they are still here."
"Perhaps because they knew you weren't a girl to begin with?" Duke Trent suggested. "If they did follow you to the entrance of the ruins, then they'd know you were a man before the door did its thing."
"Do you even listen to yourself, let alone other people?" Tone chided. "You said so yourself that they followed you into the ruins! They'd know you're a pretty boy and not a little girl."
Effina's admittance of being rewarded for some reason attracted interest.
"Wait, am I missing something here?" Duke Trent questioned, confused by the sudden information. "You were rewarded? For what?"
"More then likely you are right about that." Effina sighed. It hurt more when Tone had to speak up about it.
"I don't need to reminding me about that."
Duke Trent wanted to know what she meant.
"Yes, I was rewarded for opening the door which saved them sometime. Don't ask me what the reward was as I rather not talk about it."
Effina knew she'd dropped herself in it when she mentioned the 'Reward' she was given for her services. However, she was incredibly cagey about the type of reward she received. Yet, of course, Tone had a rough idea as she saw the aftereffects of said reward.
"I don't think an Assassin would reward with anything but a swift and painless death." Duke Trent mused. "So, that rules out the Assassin theory. The more we think about this, the less we actually know..."
"If I could just talk to him..." Tone grumbled quietly. "I'd tell him that perverted reward you got which made you soak the floor."
"I know it sounds rather weird when you think about it. Why would an Assassin reward someone when they normally would just kill them?" Effina asked. Tone wished she could speak to him abot telling him just what the reward Effina had gotten was.
"You're not telling him anything!" Effina warned Tone.
Effina also didn't know why an Assassin would reward someone rather than kill them.
"Perhaps they still have some use for you?" Duke Trent suggested.
It did sound like Effina was needed, until...
"They might need a Lemming for the other Ruins." Duke Trent, and surprisingly Tone, simultaneously concluded.
"It's not everyday you find someone foolhardy enough to forcibly blast open sealed doors for ancient ruins." Duke Trent continued. "It would make sense for them to not want to risk it themselves and leave it to another poor, unfortunate person to take the brunt of it."
"If they do I have no idea of what it could be."Effina said with a shrug.
Duke Trent then added onto something.
"What other ruins?" Effina asked, As she listened to what was being said. "I don't really plan on going around blasting open anymore doors. I don't want something else to happen to me like I turn into slug or something."
Effina wanted to know about the other Ruins Duke Trent mentioned.
"The ones in the Desert, for starters." Duke Trent replied. "And another sealed door in the back of one of our Factories. However, I don't think anyone would be blasting open a door that strong. The thing's made from Adamantine Alloy, nothing can break that stuff. The only method of opening it we can find is a strange device on the side of the door which accepts something small, thin and metallic, like what we call Key Cards."
"Oh, so it's a Restricted Access Door?" Tone commented. "As expected from Factories. Must be either an old Weapons Factory, or something much more Top Secret. We should find a way in. There might be something really good in there. Go on, ask to see this Factory door! Do it now!"
Duke Trent mentioned more about the ruins and another sealed door. "I don't know when I'll even be visiting those ones though I should take someone else along if I do go to those." At the mention of the sealed door Tone spoke up about wanting to see the door.
"Now, why do you suddenly want to go inside, the place might have something inside. Or are you only doing this for another reason?" Effina asked.
Effina decided to follow Tone's advice for not at least.
"Would it be possible if I could see this door?"
Effina remained tentative about visiting the other Ruins, which was very much unlike her usual self.
"Was one bad encounter enough to break your treasure hunter's spirit?" Duke Trent questioned. "You were all for visiting Ruins earlier. Why the sudden reluctance?"
Effina was a little annoyed towards Tone's sudden burning desire to see this Sealed Adamantine Door in the factory.
"Well, of course, Captain Obvious!" Tone sarcastically countered. "They wouldn't put so many security measures on an empty room, now, would they? A near unbreakable door locked with a Key Card practically screams something of high value is inside. If we can get in there, we might find something really, really great."
Eventually, Effina gave in to Tone's demands and requested to be shown to this sealed door.
"It's getting kind of late, are you sure you can't wait until tomorrow morning to see it?" Duke Trent asked.
"Am just trying to be cautious that's all." Effina said. She was a little bit afraid of having something similar or worse happening to her again. As this was the first time something like this had happened to her.
Tone replied once more.
"Wouldn't know until I saw the door." Effina told the overbearing book. "Maybe something of value is inside that locked room like a weapon or your real body who knows."
The door was asked about.
"I can wait until tomorrow,"
"Caution and adventure don't really go together, though." Duke Trent answered. "If we were cautious, we'd never discover anything new, as we would be too reluctant to go to uncharted territory."
Effina suggested that a Weapon or Tone's real body could be lock away behind the sealed factory door.
"As if my body would be behind there." Tone shot back. "In case you were unaware, I'm not from around here, so my body wouldn't be here. A weapon is likely what it is."
Effina wished to rest for the evening before checking out this other door.
"Humans and their weaknesses..." Tone complained quietly.
"Okay, that's settled then. Did you have any other things you wanted to ask about, or can we call this meeting to a close?" Duke Trent asked.
"Maybe I'm just a little nervous." Effina admited.
Tone shot back some remarks.
"Whatever weapon it is I bet that small child will show up again."
Tone then complained again, and Effina smacked the book for a moment. Which was in her pocket not liking Tone's attitude. "Stop complaining or you won't ever see the door!."
Duke Trent wanted to know it that was all for now.
"I believe that's all for now, I want to see how the little ones are doing."
Effina suggested she was nervous, and that's why she was unwilling to explore anymore at the moment.
"You'll get over it when you get your actual body back." Duke Trent answered.
Effina took Tone's first complaint as being legit and believed that her assailant will likely turn up again.
"Just don't get too excited. I doubt she'll hit you with that Euphoric whatever she used before." Tone countered.
Effina had enough of Tone's complaining when she claimed humans were weak, so Effina slapped the book...somewhere.
"OW! You pervert! You just molested my chest!" Tone retaliated.
Thankfully, Effina was keeping Duke Trent talking so he didn't notice that she had slapped an ancient relic like it was a carpet for dusting.
"Freya's likely getting ready to put them to bed." Duke Trent suggested as he got up from the table and headed towards the door. "We should probably stick to our original sleeping plans for you, in case you...turn back to normal in the middle of a room full of girls. I'm not sure Zena or your feisty one will take that well."
"I'd just like to get it back soon." Effina stated.
Tone spoke about their little friend from before.
"If only I knew where that stuff came from it'd be great to use on someone I know."
The thought of using that Euphonric on Naru brought a smile to her face.
Tone then complained about where Effina had slapped her but Effina ignored it,
"I had wanted to speak with Zena before bed, oh well it can wait until tomorrow." Effina said. She followed Duke Trent to the door and then out it letting him lead the way to Effina's own room.
Effina expressed an interest in the Euphoric Tranquilliser that the potential Assassin used on her.
"Oh, sure, why not just ask them for the recipe next time you see them. I'm sure they'll be more than welcome to give you it." Tone answered with extreme sarcasm. "Get real, dick for brains. Think with your head, not your cock."
Once the meeting was concluded, Effina and Duke Trent left the meeting room and headed upstairs to join the others.
"It won't be lights out for her yet, so, if you're quick with changing, you may get to speak with her a little before she goes to bed." Duke Trent explained as they headed up the stairs. "Freya's taken the room next to Zena's, just in front of the stairs. The others, including your two, will be sharing Zena's room."
The way Tone had responded back to Effina struck a nerve she didn't say anything at first. She followed Duke Trent upstairs. "Where is my room?" Effina asked thinking it over about speaking with Zena this would be her only chance to ask the sort of questions she wanted to ask her. "I'll change very quick and see if I can speak with her."
After Duke Trent had shown Effina to her room and they parted. Effina took out Tone's book and placed it upon the bed. She rose her fist into the nearly and felt like driving it down into the book as hard as she could. But something stopped her from doing just that, and instead she finally replied back.
"One more word like that out of you and I won't be held accounted for what happens to this book."
Once Effina headed off to change in her assigned room, she acted upon the jab that Tone made against her.
"I wouldn't advise you do anything to the book." Tone countered, actually taking on her semi-physical form and sitting on the bed next to her Vessel. "If you paid attention in your Magic Lessons, you'd know that Vessels carry Wards far beyond a simple Baleful Polymorph spell. Strike it with malice, and it will strike you back...ten times as hard."
Effina now remembered that all Vessels were Warded far beyond even advanced Magician levels. All of them had several contingencies and reaction glyphs and marks etched into the spells which bound the Spirit to the Vessel. Hitting one will not be a pleasant experience, for the one doing it or for those in the nearby vicinity.
"Also, hitting my physical form, if you can call it that, will just end up with you falling straight through me. I can control my form's mass and solidity without even a thought."
Effina lowered her fist back to her side as Tone spoke back to her.
"To you enjoy acting the way you do around others?" Effina asked. Seeing as how Tone was now sitting on her bed in a limited fashion. She sighed and went about getting changed into her pajamas which had been set aside for her. Once that was done she looked at Tone's vessel.
"I don't know if I was blessed or cursed with finding you. Maybe one day we will look back on this stuff and laugh our asses off."
Effina then took the book and placed it amongst her stuff. Not wanting someone to come into the room and take the book by mistake. She left the room and heading towards Zena's where she knocked on the door.
Effina decided to keep her anger in check and not lash out at the potentially dangerous book. Instead, she asked if the one bound to the book enjoyed acting as she did.
"It bring me mild entertainment." Tone brushed the question aside. "It gets boring being bound to an object with no one to chastise."
Effina then changed out of her current clothes and put her sleepwear on. She then pondered on whether it was a boon or a detriment to find Tone's Vessel.
"I keep telling you that you can just leave me aside and sever the connection. That way, I'll be free from you and you wouldn't have to put up with me." Tone explained. "You're just fixed on that fact that my Vessel happens to be an object from the Old World."
Effina left Tone after hiding her Vessel and headed over to speak to Zena. Knocking on the door was met with no response until the girl in question opened it. It took her a moment to recognise who the 'stranger' at her door was.
"Oh, you're still here?" Zena questioned, unsure of why Effina was still in the house. "Um..who are you, again?"
"PAPA!" Coral burst past Zena and dived on Effina, hugging her closely. "Will you be sleeping with us?"
Zena opened the door and question who Effina was again. As Coral ran past her and dived onto Effina giving her a hug.
"I'm Effina".
She patted Coral on the head for a couple of moments. "No, I was given my own room for the night." Effina told Coral. She looked back over at Zena and asked a question to her. "I just came by to ask if you still wished to talk?"
Effina introduced herself again and Zena just gave a slight nod, still looking a little lost about it all. Effina then explained to the hyperactive Dragonling that they won't be sharing a room.
"Why not?" Coral questioned, sounding like a child who'd just been denied something they wanted.
Finally, given a free moment to explain why she was there, Effina asked if Zena was still up for a chat.
"It'll be a little cramped with everyone in there, but I guess we could talk some before bed." Zena replied. "Come in and find a place to sit."
Coral wanted to know why Effina wouldn't share a room. She leaned closer to the young dragonling and whispered to her. "It'd cause a lot of problems if I just happened to change back to the real me. While sharing a room with everyone,"
Effina soon entered into Zena's room and decided to look around to see what was inside. As she tried to find an empty spot to sit.
Effina whispered to Coral why it wouldn't be wise for them to share a room.
"What's so bad about that?" Coral asked, unconvinced that Effina was using valid reasoning.
Effina was allowed in the sacred space of a girl's room and began to do the first thing any healthy male who managed to infiltrate such a Nirvana would do, that being look around as much as possible and soak in all the details they could for 'reference' material.
Zena's room was, in short, the epitome of a Girl's room. It was full of bright pinks, white and golds, with stuffed toys on shelves and some by the side of her pillow. Her room was kept neat and tidy, which was a great boon due to how many people she was having to accommodate for this evening. Her wardrobe had all her clothes neatly hung up inside of it and there wasn't a single piece of clothing on the floor.
Lucine, Syl and Willow were currently sitting on cushions on the floor around a glass bottle in the middle of the circle of five cushions, two of which were empty at present.
"Just slot yourself in between whoever you can." Zena informed Effina. "Although, with how attached that girl is to you, I think you should sit next to her, just to keep her happy."
If Zena meant Coral as 'that girl', then Effina could place herself to Coral's right, which would put her next to Lucine, or Coral's left to be next to Syl.
Coral didn't understand why it wasn't wise to share a room together.
"I don't want to cause I huge mess of things, if I return to being a male in this room. Zena and the other's will beat me up and never forgive me." Effina whispered.
After entering into the room she gave it a look around. And saw that the others were busy sitting on cushions with a glass bottle in the middle. Effina wasn't sure what the bottle was for and then took a seat beside Coral and next to Lucine.
"What are you guys up to?"
Effina tried again to explain that sleeping in a room full of girls would end in bloodshed. And not the girls' blood.
"Oh...okay..." Coral replied.
Effina then slotted herself between Coral and Lucine, who had to budge up a little to make room for one more in the circle. Curious as to what the strange seating arrangement around a bottle was for, Effina asked what the group was up to before the disruption.
"Playing 'Spin the Bottle'." Lucine explained. "Anyway, I take it you're staying the night, then?"
Lucine explained the game they were all playing. Effina had heard of the game but had never actually played it.
"Yes, how does one play this game?" Effina asked.
While sitting next to Coral she gave her a pat on the head.
Effina asked the others how to play 'Spin the Bottle'. At first, she was met with a mixture of shocked and confused gazes from everyone except Coral.
"How can you not know how to play 'Spin the Bottle?!" Zena questioned, breaking the stunned silence. "Just what do you normally do with friends?"
"Maybe she doesn't have any friends?" Syl quietly suggested, a hint of empathy in her voice.
Perhaps not the best way to blend in with pre-teen girls... Nonetheless, Coral was there to explain where the others couldn't.
"We take it in turns to spin the bottle and whomever the top of the bottle points to has to answer a question asked to them." Coral began. "The spinner of the bottle asks if the one the bottle pointed to wants to answer a truth about themselves, or take something called a 'Dare'."
One explanation later and everyone was ready to play once more. It was decided that, as she was a new entrant to the game, Effina should spin the bottle this time.
Everyone was shocked and confused by what Effina had said all expect Coral. "I've never had the chance before, I mainly spend most of my time alone, I've led a sheltered life." Effina told everyone.
Coral went on to explain how the game was played. It was simple enough to understand and do, but she couldn't help wonder on how this was going to play out for her. She would either have to make things up or reveal small bits and pieces of her past in half truths.
Effina gave the bottle a spin and it landed on Syl.
"Truth or dare?"
Effina explained that she'd led a sheltered life and didn't have any chance to play games. The silence filled the room again, more out of sympathy than shock.
Thankfully, everyone was willing to allow Effina to join in with their game and gave her the first spin of the new six-person game group. Effina's spin resulted on the bottle landing on Syl.
"Truth, I guess." Syl answered.
The room was silent when she had told everyone about having lived a sheltered life. After which once she spun the bottle it had landed on Syl. Who picked 'truth' this gave her a chance to learn a little more about the small girl. As she thought over what to ask she looked around the room at everyone.
This was mainly just to see what the other girl's were wearing. She then finally came up with a question for Syl to answer.
"What's your favorite color?"
During the sympathy silence, Effina finally realised that she was a Male in a room full of Girls that 'he' often thought about. If this wasn't a free ticket to check out girls in their natural habitat with all their usual defences down, then, when 'Effina' becomes Elthin once more, it would likely be a revoking of his Man Card.
Wanting to cherish this opportunity while she still could, Effina checked out each girl's chosen sleep attire. One. At. A. Time.
Effina's glance first fell on the girl that had been at the forefront of her mind for a while. Zena had chosen for a cute, but casual, t-shirt and shorts combo for her sleepwear. Her t-shirt was a pastel pink with a 'Magical Makki' design on the front. Much like Syl had explained it earlier, Magical Makki was a typical pre-teen girl's magical girl show, and the design confirmed that. Effina had seen this design before on the bag that the Green Haired girl from earlier had on her once she left the store. This was a Limited Edition front cover for a book volume! Zena must've been a fan to have this. Zena's shorts were also the same pastel pink as her top, and had Magical Makki's staff design down each side of the legs. Looking a little closer...wasn't Zena's shorts a little baggy? Most girls don't wear baggy sleep shorts, unless they were tomboys. However, looking at Zena's room, she was far from being a tomboy.
Effina's next victim was the quiet Syl. Syl had bought along of her silky nightdresses. It had cute frilled accents around each armhole in a deep grey. The base colour of her nightdress was, much like her hair, silver. The front of her dress had small black buttons in the shape of flowers down the upper half of her dress. The bottom hem of her dress ended in the same frills as were on her armholes. If she positioned herself just right...Effina might be able to...however, Syl would have to change her sitting position as well. But, considering only girls were present, the usually reserved Syl may just lose her usual caution...
Effina's undressing gaze fell on Willow, whom was right next to Syl. Akin to her usual boisterous demeanour, Willow had gone for a short sleeved t-shirt and a pair of three-quarter length trousers. They had no special designs on them, likely more for utility than vanity, and were a plain forest green. The only girlish thing about them were the hems at the base of the sleeves, trousers and shirt. The hems had small heart-shaped cutouts on them. Not exactly feminine like the previous two, but undoubtedly not boyish either. Somewhere in the middle, just like Willow herself.
Effina wasn't too shocked when she saw Coral's outfit, which was nothing more than a baggy t-shirt, likely borrowed from Duke Trent, and a spare set of baggy black sleep shorts from Zena's other sleep set. The t-shirt was a plain white, function over form once more, but was obviously more like a dress on Coral than a shirt. When she bent forward, like she often did when playing and talking to people, nothing under the shirt was hidden. Whoever was looking at her could see her completely bare chest without anything covering it at all. Effina was shocked that she didn't notice such a thing before, when Coral first pounced on her at the door. Coral's shorts, as well, hid nothing if someone was looking down the legs of them, considering Coral was a little smaller than Zena.
Finally, Effina left the (potential?) best until last. The final girl on the perv list was none other than Lucine. Like the front she put on, Lucine's sleepwear was as 'mature' as she wanted to be seen to be. She never wore something like this back at home when Elthin was around, but being in a room full of girls, with no Elthin in sight, she'd gone for a provocative red lacy baby-doll, as fiery as her hair in colour. Aside from the lacy frills along the straps, across her breast and at the base, the baby-doll was evidently translucent, showing her tanned skin in all its steamy glory with a slight red lace over it. Even her underwear, a matching lacy red pair of panties with a black bow on the front, could easily be seen through her top. Unless Elthin wanted to be sent to COG HQ with a permanent 'registered offender' stamp put on him, it was probably best to not walk in on Lucine when she was at a girl's sleepover. Slum girls sure do mature fast, scarily so.
With all these images saved to her memory bank for later 'viewing', Effina continued the game they were playing. After spinning the bottle and having it land on Syl, Effina asked what the girl's favourite colour was.
"Um, I don't really have a favourite colour." Syl admitted. "However, if I had to choose one, I'd say Silver. But, that's more of a shade than a colour."
Syl then spun the bottle to have it land on...
Coral!
"Dare!" Coral perked up without a second thought, leaning towards the bottle, showing all girls in front of her a full view of her bare chest. Effina, on the other hand, being behind Coral, could see up the young girl's shorts to discover that...
...Coral was going commando! Well, no surprise there. It was like hard enough to just get the clothes on her, let alone any underwear.
"I dare you to kiss one of the people here. On the cheek!" Syl dared Coral. Quite a bold dare for a normally quiet girl. Of course, Coral went straight to Effina and planted a kiss on her right cheek, followed by a small lick of affection.
"Boring!" Coral complained back to Syl once the dare was over. "I want something more fun next time!"
It was then Coral's turn to spin the bottle to have it land on...
Effina!
"Truth or Dare!" Coral commanded with childish enthusiasm.
Everyone one of the girl's appeared to be dressed quite differently. Yet when she looked upon Lucine she was the wore the most outlandish choice of sleepwear amongst all the girls. Effina didn't let her gaze settle on Lucine for long, But she did like what she was wearing and made mental notes for later viewing,
As the game went on Syl said she liked the color silver before. The bottle was spun again landing on Coral who picked Dare. Who leaned forward this gave Effina the view of up Coral's shorts seeing her going commando. Wasn't something that Effina found exciting he'd seen his daughter naked before and having weird thoughts or staring at Coral like any male would was wrong.
Coral was asked to kiss someone in the room she choose Effina and kissed her. Followed by a lick of affection. The bottle was then spun agai and it landed on Effina.
"Dare'.
Due to seeing it so much, and having it be her own 'daughter'. Effina managed to retain her lust when looking up the baggy legs of Coral's shorts to see the bare treasure that lay beneath. She'd been desensitised to it from all the previous experiences she'd had seeing something like that. It was...unusual for her.
Effina requested a Dare when the bottle landed on her.
"Coral dares you to..." Coral started as a smile began to creep across her face. "...sit on Big Sis's lap for the rest of the game!"
"Don't I get a say in this?!" Lucine protested. "She's nearly as big as me!"
"Rules are rules, and Coral knows the rules." Coral countered, pouting at the retort.
Coral's dare for Effina was to sit upon Lucine's lap. For the remainder of the game Effina got up and moved over to Lucine.
"Rules are rules." Effina said.
She then went to sit down on the girl's lap. Feeling Lucine's bare skin it felt soft and smooth however Effina wiggled around a little to girl a good seat.
Next she went to spin the bottle and watched as it spun around and landed upon Zena.
"Truth or dare?"
Accepting the fate of a cushion, Lucine couldn't deny the rules of the game otherwise she'd just look like a sore loser. Effina moved over to sit on Lucine's lap, feeling the softness of her body against her own. The scent of the shower gel that she'd used to wash up with still remained on her.
"You're heavier than you look, you know that?" Lucine complained.
From her new perch, Effina spun the bottle and it landed on Zena, who bravely declared:
"Truth."
Once Zena's Truth was given, she spun the bottle to have it land on...
Syl! Again.
"Truth." Syl decided.
"Do you have a crush on anyone?" Zena questioned with a smile. Typical girly question.
"No, can't say I do." Syl simply answered, unaffected by the question.
The next spin landed on...
Effina or...Lucine?
"I'll do it this time, you can go on the next one." Lucine informed Effina. "Dare." She confidently declared to Syl.
"I dare you to...hug Effina while she's on your lap!" Syl ordered Lucine.
"What is this? Some kind of courting game for us two?"
Giving in to the game rules, Lucine placed her arms around Effina's waist to hug her. This made Coral smile a bit, probably because she was thinking that 'Papa' and 'Big Sis' were finally getting along...somewhat.
The next victim was...
Coral!
"Dare!" Coral excitedly requested.
"I dare you to...use Zena's lap as a pillow!" Lucine commanded, causing Coral to pout and huff once more.
"Boring!"
Without a second thought, Coral squeezed in between Syl and Zena to place her head on Zena's lap.
"Oh...soft." Coral commented. "Both legs and girl parts."
Zena evidently blushed at the carefree Dragon's assessment and nearly forced Coral to spin the bottle again to draw the attention away from her.
Coral's spin landed on...
Effina...or Lucine?
"Your turn." Lucine told Effina. "I did the last one."
"Oh, stop complaining or I'll ask Coral to rub up against you again." countered Effina.
Thinking over a question for Zena to answer Effina decided to go with one. That she wished to know the real truth of and this was her only chance to ask this sort of question. "What do you truly think about the person known as Elthin?" Effina asked.
When it was Lucine's turn she had picked dare and was asked by Syl. To hug Effina who did just that this made Effina move a little back on Lucine's lap moving her rear. To just about on stop of Lucine's own crotch area.
Coral was upset with her own dare being boring and spun the bottle. It landed on Effina and it was her turn once more.
"Dare."
Once her dare was given she spun the bottle and it landed on Coral again.
Effina retaliated to the insult-complaint that Lucine had used against her.
"You're only saying that because you want to see it again." Lucine retorted.
The next bottle spin ended in a 'Truth' from Zena. Effina, already having a question in mind, wasted no time getting it out there, much to the shock of Zena.
"That's a rather direct question!" Zena responded, blushing a deep pink. "Pass! Pass!"
Avoiding the question, Zena enacted the 'Pass' rule, which was used whenever someone didn't want to do a Dare or answer a Truth. By 'passing' they're opening themselves up for a Punishment decided by the one who asked the question. As would be expected from a friendly game played by Children, the Punishment couldn't be anything too harsh or too lewd, but aside from those there were no limits.
More rounds were had and Lucine ended up having to hug Effina, who took this opportunity to shuffle across Lucine's lap to sit just above her crotch. Two spins later and Coral's spin landed on Effina again, who requested a Dare.
"Coral dares you to..." Coral started, cooking up another evil plan. "Show everyone your panties!"
"Just what is with this girl?!" Zena questioned, shocked at such bold Dares.
After the dare was concluded, Effina's spin landed on Coral.
"Dare!" Coral declared again. "And make it a good Dare!"
Coral's next spin landed on...
...Willow!
Willow requested a Truth, and Coral decided to ask...
"Do you 'like' like Papa?" Coral asked Willow.
"Guess I like him as a friend. But I don't know him well enough for anything else." Willow simply explained.
Willow's spin landed on Syl, who requested a Dare. Willow's dare to Syl was more of a fetch request for more drinks. It may have been a rather unconventional dare, but Syl didn't mind it in the slightest and briefly left to bring up a few bottles of Fizzy Drinks, a pitcher of water and enough cups for everyone.
Syl's spin landed on...
Effina!
The accuracy of the decision was determined when Lucine had moved to go and fill up a glass with some Cola, leaving only Effina were Lucine was.
"I was just curious to know that's all." Effina replied.
She saw the way Zena was blushing and thought there might be more to it. As Zena passed on answering the question which now gave Effina the chance to punish. Her so Effina went with a rather simple punishment. "For the remainder of the game you're not allowed to where your shorts."
When Coral, came up with a dare for Effina she couldn't help but wonder. Just what was up with all these bold dares she kept requesting. Going through with the dare Effina got up and pulled down her shorts to show everyone her panties. Which just happened to be the color of pure white snow, she showed them off for a few moments. Then pulled up her shorts and sat back down on Lucine's lap as it was her turn to dare Coral.
"I dare you to rub up against Zena like you did in the shower eariler."
The game went on a little more and Willow took a truth and Syl a dare. Drinks were brought in for everyone and the bottle landed on Effina again.
"Truth."
Not quite understanding the boundaries between 'Innocent' and 'Lewd', Effina's punishment to Zena for backing out of the Truth question was for her to remove her shorts for the rest of the game.
"NO WAY!" Zena adamantly declined. "That's just wrong on lots of levels! I know we're all girls here, but going shortsless is just wrong."
"Come to think of it, Coral did call her 'Papa' when she came in..." Syl mused to herself. "Could she really be..."
Suspicions were now fully on Effina as all girls, except Coral, looked upon her with accusatory glares.
"If 'she' is that dirty, perverted old guy, then we'll just burn 'her' to a crisp." Lucine suggested with fiery rage in her eyes.
"Is COG HQ still open now? Shouldn't we call them in to deal with this?" Syl questioned.
"COG's always available to be called, even if their building is closed." Willow confirmed. "What's the punishment for this again? Is it a hefty fine and a restraining order?"
"A fine, a restraining order and 3 months behind bars for a warning." Zena clarified. "Though, without any proof, we can't get anything done."
The situation was momentarily defused due to the lack of proof, however, they were all very alert now for even the slightest inclination that Effina was not truly 'Effina'. It would likely be best to not arouse suspicion any more than it has been.
Unsurprisingly, Zena did not remove her shorts, making the punishment null and void. Perhaps such an obvious display of perversion was not a good way to get things done?
The game continued and Effina's Dare to Coral was to rub herself against Zena. Of course, another questionable Dare shortly after the whole 'perverted spy' debacle wasn't well received, yet Coral still went ahead with it anyway. However, she merely just hugged Zena's arm and rubbed her chest up and down against it, as that's all that was allowed by Zena.
From the result of Syl's spin, Effina requested a Truth.
"Why are you so dirty minded?" Syl questioned, still fixed on the perverted dares. "Do you...'feel' things for girls?"
Zena went crazy at what Effina had requested. Who when looking at Lucine who was basically sitting in her underwear kind of. Effina didn't really understand the differance unless Zena wore nothing under her shorts. Everyone then began to believe that Effina was indeed Elthin. Who remained silent and said nothing to make them believe.
Syl next spun the bottle and gave Effina a truth.
"How, can you say I'm dirty minded when I was only, trying to give Coral here a 'dare' that wasn't boring. I do 'feel' things for girl's a little bit if I've crossed the line somewhere I'm sorry."
Effina then spun the bottle and it landed on Lucine.
Effina tried to defend herself when it came to the truth asked of her by Syl. Although, it was pretty obvious where the line between 'fun' and 'perverted' was, and Effina's punishment crossed that line somewhat. Suspicions were still present, but the game resumed.
"Truth." Lucine requested.
Once that was given, Lucine spun the bottle to have it land on Coral. Like normal, Coral requested a Dare. Players were once again moved around as Lucine's dare to Coral was to lie across both Syl and Willow's laps.
Spins continued, and drinks were consumed, until Willow's spin landed on Effina.
"What do you think of Coral here?" Effina asked.
Wanting to know the full truth as to what Lucine's true feelings would be. The game went on with Coral requesting a dare. Then having to lie across both Willow and Syl's laps. When the bottle landed on Effina again she went with a Dare.
After her dare had been given she spun the bottle and it landed on Zena.
For Lucine's truth, Effina wanted to know what she thought about Coral.
"She's needy, obnoxious, annoying and far too hyper." Lucine answered. This, of course, made Coral quite mad. "However, that's just what little sisters are." Lucine concluded. "So, she's just like any normal little sister. Someone who's really annoying, but, because of that, someone who needs looking after by their Big Sister."
The further explanation calmed Coral down a little, but she still looked a little angry at the bluntness of Lucine's statement.
The turns went round and Willow was requested a Dare by Effina, who decided to Dare Effina to go with a 'Truth' the next time the bottle landed on her. How cunning. She'd definitely inherited Freya's cunning nature.
Effina then spun it and the bottle landed on Zena, who also requested a Dare, despite all that had previously happened.
A few more rounds went by and then it came close to the girls' bedtime. The bottle landed on Effina once more, this time spun by Syl. Zena informed the group that, after Syl's Truth or Dare to Effina, Effina's spin will be the last one as they had to go to bed after that.
Willow's dare for Effina was to pick 'Truth' the next time the bottle was spun, An landed on her again later in the game. When Effina's spin of the bottle landed on Zena she picked Dare of all things and Effina told her to hug Lucine.
The game went on a little while longer and it was getting close to bedtime. With the last round of the game played Effina picked 'Truth' when the bottle landed on her.
For her Dare to Zena, Effina realised where the boundary between 'lewd' and 'fun' was and gave Zena the simple dare of hugging Lucine. There was no backlash from this one, it seemed, as Zena complied without complaint and gave Lucine a quick hug.
For the final round of the game, Effina went with Willow's dare and requested a 'Truth'. Syl went with another probing question.
"Although we've never seen you before just a few hours ago, you seem to know every one of us. Are you related to anyone present here?" Syl asked Effina.
Syl's idea of 'Truth' questions seemed to be an intense grilling session for the unfortunate victim, instead of a simple 'get to know them better' moment.
Syl's idea of 'Truth' was trying to see if Effina was related to anyone here. She seemed to be trying to probe another question her way which would link her to Elthin. "Yes I'm related to someone present here." Effina told Syl. She was trying to think up something along the lines as a half truth she could answer later with.
Effina could say she was related to Tone or at worst Elthin himself. Those two answers were sure to draw more questions.
Effina gave a vague answer to Syl's equally as vague question. The rules of the game only allowed a single question to be asked and, as the game had now concluded, Effina had managed to get through it without much incident. Now, all she needed to do was clear out of the bedroom before Coral held her down and kept her there.
"Well, time to stop now." Zena announced as she picked up the bottle they were spinning and placed it on one of the shelves in her room. "Anyone who needs to go toilet should go now so we don't disturb anyone later. There's one just across from this room, and another one downstairs."
Now that the game was over it was time to go to bed. Effina had been feeling the need to use the bathroom and once Zena announced what was to be done. Getting up off the floor she made to exit the room getting to the bathroom ahead of having Coral want her to stay. As she past Zena she said one last thing to her.
"You shouldn't let Naru do those things to you anyone." Effina then left the room and headed to the bathroom. Where she went about her business and soon finished up before heading. To her own room to go to bed.
Effina wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible, but Coral was ready and much closer to the door than she was. Instead of leaving alone, Effina ended up having Coral with her as Syl, accompanied by Willow, went to use the toilet across from Zena's room. She wasn't going to shake Coral now, but the least she could do was accompany her to the toilet downstairs. On her way out, Effina decided to intrude in on Zena's life a little.
"It's none of your concern." Zena countered, politely but firmly.
From that, Effina and Coral headed down the dark staircase towards the toilet in the downstairs hallway. Coral hugged onto Effina's arm the entire way, and had to be removed before Effina could go to the toilet in peace. Coral didn't seem to like being left alone in the dark hallway, with little more than the light leaking out of the bottom of the toilet door breaching that space. There was another, much fainter light, coming from somewhere within the dining room, but it was impossible to discern where it originated from without exploring the room.
All the time Effina was in the toilet, she could tell that Coral was right on the other side of the door, not moving away from the safety of the dim light. Once she had finished, Effina wanted to head straight up the stairs to her assigned room for the night, but Coral wouldn't let her. Effina had to wait outside the toilet, much like Coral had done, while her companion went about her business. Thankfully, Coral didn't take too long and the pair headed up the stairs once more, in the same fashion they had descended.
Depositing Coral off at Zena's room, Effina noticed that both Zena and Lucine were the last to use the toilet before bed. Free from her clingy follower, Effina went back to her bedroom.
Effina wasn't able to go to the restroom allow as Coral. Followed her the whole way hugging onto her arm it would appear that Coral didn't like the dark or just didn't want to be away from her 'papa'. After taking care of her own business Effina waited around for Coral to take care of hers. They both headed upstairs in the same fashion as going down. Dropping off Coral back at Zena's room Effina went back to her own room.
Where once inside she climbed into bed, she had left her door unlocked. Perhaps Coral would try to sneak inside while Effina was asleep so she could sleep with her 'papa'.
When Effina returned to her room, she left the door ajar slightly so, if she wanted to, Coral could sneak in later. Despite how she was adamant before to not allow anyone but Freya to be in the same room as her in case the effect wore off, Effina had just disregarded all that she said before by leaving the door open slightly. Oh well, if it's just Coral who would likely stop by, then it shouldn't be too much trouble, should it?
But as Effina thought about it perhaps leaving the door open. Was a bigger mistake and would cause nothing but major trouble. As if the effect did wear off while she was asleep what if one of the other girl's entered the room. An saw Elithin sleeping with Coral that would get him arrested in a heart beat. So, getting up again Effina went over to the door and closed and locked it then clawed into bed to get some sleep.
Thinking back on just how free with calling in law enforcement the girls were, Effina didn't want to risk having to explain to COG why a twenty-something year old man was sleeping with an eight to ten year old little girl, who was completed naked under what little clothes she was wearing, if she happened to change back overnight. Not wanting to spend a night behind bars (or worse), Effina shut the bedroom door, but didn't lock it as Freya was still not in the bedroom yet. A closed door would likely be enough to dissuade Coral from sneaking in.
Around midnight, Effina was slightly roused from her slumber by Freya coming into the room. Of course, being part hunting cat, it wasn't Freya's movements which roused Effina, but the sound of the door opening and closing. It wasn't enough to fully wake Effina up, but it did draw her attention to something niggling at the back of her mind.
She could sense Coral's unrest, and likely Freya could as well.
Effina remembered that Dragons imprint themselves onto their parents, and can become very distressed if they are away from them for a long while. Effina could even roughly sense Coral's whereabouts, even through two closed doors and several walls. Judging by her position, and that of the sleeping bags in Zena's room, Coral had left her own bag and was snuggled against Lucine in her sleeping bag. She was evidently somewhat scared, but it seemed Lucine's presence had calmed down the previous anxiousness and distress that Coral was feeling. Maybe it was down to Effina's half-asleep state that she could sense this now? Lack of movement in the body can open up the mind to things that it couldn't feel before. At least, that's what Magic Texts explained.
Aside from Coral's plight, Effina could feel something else. She knew this feeling from when Coral allowed her to see those floating orbs of condensed Wrath. Effina could sense a rather large one just above Zena's bed, probably from the girl herself. Zena was likely completely unaware of this bubbling ball of malice, as it didn't feel like a recent creation. It felt older. Old enough to be from when Zena was still 'Human'... strange...
Unconsciously focusing on the Wrath Orb over Zena, Effina drifted off back to sleep, only to find herself, not in her own mind, but that of another's.
Effina was awake and standing around a schoolhouse in a mountainous, but inhabitable, area. She was not in control of her own actions, it seemed, as the situation she was witnessing was going its way without any input from Effina. All she saw at the moment were images, even though people were apparently speaking and going about their days. Effina turned to her right to see a young girl with her and apparently speaking to her as well. The girl was quite cute, by Effina's standards, and looked to be around the age of Lucine, give or take a year or two. She was dressed in regular children's clothes of middle class families. The girl reached out a hand towards Effina, and whomever she was now took the offered hand and headed towards the centre of the area she was in.
From the look of the surroundings, Effina was still in Argenta, considering the amount of mountains and rock faces around her. The housing style, though more rustic, was still done in the Argentian Architect's way. In the distance, Effina could see the Desert which housed Brascus. She must have been close to the border to be able to see it that clearly. The girl took Effina towards the fountain in the centre of the village area she was in and turned to face her once more. Behind the girl, Effina could see a merchant's wagon near the fountain. It looked to be full of..something large. The robed figure near it unsettled Effina, despite how they looked to be just another merchant peddling their wares.
Wait...
No...
Something is off...
Something is clearly amiss...
This can't be...
"So, what shall we play today, Zena?" The girl asked 'Effina', as sound suddenly flooded into her world.
Why this?
Why here?
Why now?
MOVE!
"Death to all Heretics!" The robed merchant suddenly shouted as 'Effina's' ears were filled with a deafening explosion and her world was plunged to red.
Searing pain.
Scorching heat.
Crushing fear.
Everything's burning.
Effina found herself now staring at the burning village centre as screams of horror and cries of anguish filled the village.
"You shall pay for your crimes against life!"
"Burn in the fires of the Hell you bought upon yourselves!"
"Cleaning flames, cauterising the wounds you foul people inflicted!"
The band of merchants now revealed themselves to be Magicians garbed in the most vibrant of reds, mimicking the backdrop of the town they had purged.
"Someone...help..." Zena's voice filled Effina's mind as the vessel she was inhabiting tried to stand, only to fall back to the floor in agony.
Effina's vessel, none other than the girl she was teasing earlier, looked to the source of the pain she had felt. Her left leg was heavily burned, covered in blood and had some wood from the merchant's wagon lodged within her calf. The girl that was with Zena was nowhere to be seen, all the remained of where she was was a large pool of blood. She'd likely taken the full impact of the blast, obliterating her in an instant. Such a horrible way to go, albeit instant and likely painless.
The clamour of the destroyed village continued around her as Zena began to drag herself away from the eye of the storm and back towards the outskirts of the village. Effina could tell that Zena was likely trying to make her way back home, despite the pain she was in, clinging to the dim hope that her family may have been spared from the carnage.
"Burn!"
"Die, monsters!"
"Purged by flame! Cleansed from this world!"
"No survivors!"
Zena had managed to move herself back towards the schoolhouse, yet not even that was saved from the destruction. A solitary Magician raised their hand towards the schoolhouse and a plume of flame burst forth, incinerating the very foundations of the building and causing the brickwork to implode on itself. Many screams of absolute terror resounded over the sounds of all out war, reminding Effina that there may still have been innocents inside that building, unaware of their imminent demise.
Death by flame.
None shall survive.
Crushed by the earth.
Murdered without mercy.
The Magician then left the area and headed towards the outskirts of the Village. The very place Zena was heading to.
Likely fuelled by adrenaline, Zena managed to finally push herself into a standing position and began to hastily hobble off after the Magician. A part of her knew that she'd likely not make it, but she at least wanted to die in the familiar place of her home rather than get charred to ash in the streets. Zena pushed herself onwards, Effina experiencing the pain, fear and other emotions her vessel was feeling. Eventually, she arrived in a less burned area of the Village and headed straight towards one house, the least damage one on the block. The street was empty, cleaned of all life, leaving Zena the sole person there.
From the gates leading further into the mountains, a squad of heavily armed people emerged, arriving in a large armoured vehicle that screeched to a halt, parking side-on to the street. The new arrivals all sprinted off into the city, opening fire with both Kinetic Magic and Weaponry onto the assailant Magicians. They had a surprise strike to begin with, clearing out a handful of the attackers, yet when the Magicians realised they were not the only armed people present, the attention was suddenly turned onto the new arrivals.
Amidst the battle, Zena had just about reached the door to her house but could move no more. She collapsed down on the floor, not quite reaching the door, and could not will herself to move further. All she could do was look at the smoke filled sky, which was raining hot ash down onto the once clear streets. She felt herself slipping away, losing consciousness due to the pain, exhaustion and, ultimately, bleeding out, but she willed herself to remain awake. She was home, but she didn't know what became of her parents. Her family.
Why did this have to happen?
Why did they attack this village?
What had they ever done to deserve this?
So much blood.
So much pain.
So much fear.
So cold...
So very cold...
Darkness slipping in...
A muffled explosion.
A spear flying through the air.
An agonising pain...
So much blood...
Can't move...
A sharpened fence post impaling my body...
I...don't...want...to...die...
