"We are cold-blooded." Linada spoke as Alvis went through a pile of what looked a bit like junk to Linada. "If we're going into a cold area, we will need something to help us regulate heat. We have inner cooling systems, but not heating systems."
"I see, I wonder if I brought any body heaters to help with that…" He continued to look through the pile of junk. "How heavy are you all?"
"Anywhere between five hundred to seven hundred kilograms, on average." Linada looked at the others. "Vanea and I are on the lower end of the scale, while Egil is a bit heavier."
"I see." He hummed and pulled some heavy-duty boots out. "These should work, and the lack of heels should hopefully mean you won't sink right into the snow."
"Is that so?" She held out a hand for one and he handed it to her, allowing her to look it over. "These should be comfortable enough, though I'm not sure about falling through this snow…"
"It should be fine, don't worry." Alvis chuckled. "I wouldn't offer it if I didn't think it would be useful."
"If you say so, I suppose I'll do my best to trust you." Though Vanea's reaction to him was still tickling at the back of her mind. That wasn't something she could just brush off easily, as much as she would like.
"That's all I ask." He chuckled and looked to Vanea and Egil. "Well then, are the boots fine by you, as well?"
"Ah!" Vanea nodded, a bit startled. "Yes."
Egil shrugged. "I see no problem with them, if you truly believe they will work."
"Good. I also happened to find some heaters we can place within some cold-resistant clothing." He spoke and Linada was shocked he'd come with so many things prepared. It was as if he knew they were coming, as crazy as that would sound.
"How prepared you are." She said instead, giving him a smile. "I suppose we should get ready to head into this cold terrain, then?"
"Let me lead you to the entrance, first. It will be better to change close by, so you don't overheat before we even get there." He gestured for them to follow and began walking.
The Machina all shared a look and, without much of a choice, followed after. This Homs was strange, strange in a way different from every Bionis life they had known in the past. Of course, time had passed, so maybe it was natural they had changed, but…
As they walked, they couldn't help but feel there was something else to it.
Egil pulled off his hat with a grumble, he never did like letting his head be seen like this. There was something nice about hiding away under all the armor… And now he was standing here, letting Linada and Alvis see hair when it was usually a mystery to anyone but family if he was hiding any.
But here it was, up in a nice bun that anyone in the area could see. It was almost worse when he had to start stripping his actual armor. Now he felt nakedand vulnerable. The worst combination of feelings, if you asked him.
"Say, Vanea." He tried to push that out of his head and ignore the eyes he could feel on his back. "You seemed quite uncomfortable with that Alvis, is there a reason for that?"
Vanea paused, her hat held awkwardly over her head. "Oh that? Something about him just… didn't sit right with me. It's nothing you need to worry about, brother."
"If he didn't sit right with you, I'm more inclined to worry." Egil frowned at her, crossing his arms (not that it looked very intimidating when he was standing there in his underwear). "You're an excellent judge of character, if he feels off to you, something may be off."
"I don't think so, I'm just… paranoid at the moment." She put her hand against Lady Meyneth's soul piece. "With what happened, everyone we meet is sure to put me on edge."
"You mean…" He put his hand over hers and sighed. "Do you believe he has something to do with Lady Meyneth, then? Even though he is life born of Zanza?"
"No, that is not it, it's just…" She shook her head. "Every man could be the man I heard, telling me to save you. At least, that is what my paranoia tells me."
"Vanea." He frowned. "If you feel like that, we should-"
"You two seem quite busy chatting." Linada walked over, her own clothes in her hands. "I'm not sure I can even start getting ready, I may overheat before you two even have pants on."
"Ah, sorry Linada." Vanea seemed quick to turn from Egil. An excuse to drop the conversation, he supposed… "Egil, how about you go change near Alvis? So we don't get caught up in our conversation again."
"Vanea, you…" Egil groaned. "You're so sneaky!"
Linada chuckled, giving Egil a push on the shoulder. "Go on, now. Get changed, we still have plenty to do."
Egil grumbled, but made his way towards Alvis. He wasn't that much of a fan of this Homs, and now Vanea was making him go stand next to him because she didn't want to answer his questions. Oh, the woes of siblings...
"One moment." Alvis basically climbed up his back and released his hair from its bun. "There, your ears would get cold without any covering, and your hair can do that."
Egil sighed, pulling on the top Alvis had found for him. "I would rather you not touch my hair without permission."
"Apologies, I just doubted you would listen if I suggested it." Alvis chuckled, pulling gloves into place. It was his only real change to his outfit and Egil was really wondering how resistant to cold Homs were.
He looked away, buttoning the jacket. "Is that so? You seem to assume a lot about Machina."
"It's not that." Alvis went quiet for a moment and Egil thought the conversation was over… but then he spoke again. "I just think about mortals often, how they think. The reason they're alive."
"Why we're alive…" He paused, closing his eyes. "You like philosophy, do you, Alvis?"
"I suppose I do." Alvis moved in front of him, buttoning his coat with a hum. "Why? Do you have thoughts to share?"
Arglas would often ask Egil philosophical questions, when they were together in the past. He would always let it spiral into long talks about things Egil never did fully understand. But it was always fun, hearing Arglas talk and seeing him smile…
"I have no clue if there was a reason we were born into this world, but…" His voice cracked. "If there is a reason, I want to find it. For the sake of those who will come after me."
"I see." Alvis smiled at him. "How interesting, Egil. That wasn't what I would have expected from you."
He frowned at him. "And what would you have expected?"
"Oh, I just assumed you wouldn't want to talk with me about philosophy." He shrugged. "The way you reacted made me assume you save it for that special someone."
"Nothing of the sort." He pulled away, finishing dressing himself instead of allowing Alvis to continue buttoning his jacket. "Do not assume such things about me when you're acting as a guide!"
"Of course, my apologies." He sounded amused, but Egil refused to look at him and see how that translated to his expression. "Shall we get going, then?"
"That would be for the best, yes."
