The rest of the journey down Valak Mountain was not of much note. Egil really didn't pick up on much about it, in fact. The only thing to really get his attention was when they stepped off the mountain and were immediately hit with a wave of heat.
"Oh, none of you look so good." Alvis tapped his chin. "Let me see if I can find a Nopon merchant with clothing better suited for the environment."
Egil watched him walk over to some… egg-like thing, but it was hard to focus. He felt his systems heating up past the point his internal cooling systems could handle, and it seemed Vanea and Linada were in the same boat.
Without a second thought, Egil began unbuttoning his jacket, wanting to get as naked as possible so he didn't die. Not a great way to walk around, he knew, but anything was better than dying. It seemed the others had the same idea, stripping down to their underwear as well.
"You think he would have thought of the heat before leading us out here." Egil dropped his pants and sighed. "Was he trying to kill us?"
"Perhaps it just slipped his mind…" Linada shrugged, groaning. "It's still so hot…"
"I need to put up my hair, I think." Vanea held it up with a groan. "My shoulders feel so warm, it doesn't feel right."
Egil had to say he had the same feeling. He didn't like his hair on his back, he was so used to having it up and out of the way… It had helped keep him warm on Valak, but now? Now the discomfort was setting in.
"Ah, I see you all were quick to avoid overheating." Alvis smiled at them as he came back with arms full of armour. "Perhaps this Makna styled armor will do you better."
"Did you forget Machina are easily susceptible to extreme weather?" Egil made a face as Alvis handed him some of the armour. "Or did you just find this funny."
"Don't worry, I saw the future and knew you would be fine. I just thought it would be more enjoyable to watch you all bounce around some first."
"You little…!" Egil took a swipe with his hand, but all that earned him was being plopped on the ground while Alvis put his hair up in some strange hair piece. "I could have done that myself."
"I know, but it's more fun this way." Alvis hummed, moving to kneel in front of him. "You can put my hair up, if you'd like."
Egil decided to take the chance as Alvis handed him a hair tie. He tugged a bit too hard as he went to work and, soon enough, Alvis's hair was up in a ridiculously tight ponytail (though some strands still found a way to escape, somehow).
"Thank you." And he wasn't even phased, somehow. "We should finish changing into the proper armour, though, walking around as we are would be sure to draw some eyes."
"Yes, you're right." Egil stood and started getting dressed, now ignoring the Homs as Alvis stripped and changed into his own gear.
It was an interesting design, not something Egil would have picked, but it was breathable and kept him cool and that was about all he could ask for. Better than walking around in nothing more than a thong, at the very least.
He looked around and it seemed the other three were similarly dressed now. They sure were an interesting looking group right now, the only real thing binding them together was the strange ways they'd tied their hair up, but it worked. He supposed the less he had in common with how Alvis looked, the better.
Vanea adjusted her top with a frown. "This is a bit uncomfortable, maybe it would simply be easier to remove my breasts."
"I agree. The tops are quite strange." Linada nodded.
"Ah, so Machina can remove their breasts, then?" Alvis placed a hand on his chin. "How interesting."
"Oh, yes, we can." Vanea reached into her shirt and pulled them off, looking at Egil. "And we can also…"
"Vanea…" He sighed, allowing her access to his chest.
"Share parts, should we be siblings." She nodded before placing them on Egil for just a moment, before returning them to their origin spot on her own chest. "I do have to say I prefer having them on, even if the top is a bit odd, though…"
"Then keep them on." Egil pinched her cheek. "You're already as stiff as a board, don't make a choice that'll put you even more on edge."
"Oh?" Linada laughed a bit, hand over her mouth. "I feel I could say the same to you."
"Linada-"
"So this is how the gentle Machina interact with each other." Alvis hummed, a smile on his face. "How interesting. It should be fun to see how you all get along with the Nopon."
"Nopon?" Vanea frowned. "Is that what you call those small egg-people?"
"Indeed." Alvis nodded. "I will lead you to their village, where you can access Eryth Sea. The High Entia are the most likely to give you trouble, so I plan to explain your presence to them before you leave on your journey…" He looked at Egil, his eyes sharp. "Though knowing your exact goals could be helpful."
"I am… not sure." He put a hand to his chest. "Lady Meyneth wishes to speak to someone, I think."
"Then perhaps the High Entia can help you figure out who that someone is." Alvis paused, smiling. "If you would like my help, that is."
"You're dragging us around as is, so I suppose we'll accept the help for now." Egil sent him a glare. "So long as you prove to be trustworthy."
"Don't you worry." He placed a finger to his lips. "You'll find me to be incredibly loyal."
Walking around Makna Forest was proving to be difficult, as far as Vanea was concerned. So many roots to get caught on, so many places that felt a bit hotter than the rest, and so many paths that led nowhere.
But Alvis led them on, humming happily. He was so comfortable here, and Vanea really didn't like it. He moved as if he'd been living here, not just visiting…
Ugh, her paranoia was making her sound like Egil. She needed to stop-
"Ouch…" She paused at the sound of a voice. "Riki really in trouble this time."
"Wait!" She held up a hand. "I hear someone, this way."
And off she went, the rest of the group following her. They found a clearing and one of the egg-people (a Nopon, right?) was laying there. One of his wings seemed hurt and he laid there, trying to move it.
"Oh dear." Linada made her way to him, gently taking the wing in her hand. "This seems to be quite broken."
"Is there anything you can do for him?" Egil walked up, frown on his face. "I doubt he can move with the pain that must be causing."
"I sadly don't know enough about Nopon anatomy to ensure I could heal it correctly." Linada looked at Alvis. "We're going to their village, correct? Should we take him with us?"
"Of course." He nodded as Egil moved to take the Nopon in his arms.
"Riki is fine…!" The Nopon spoke up, letting out a whimper as he tried to move his wing. "Riki is this year's heropon so he just need to walk it off…"
"Heropon? Riki?" Vanea furrowed her brow. "What do those mean?"
"I cannot be sure about heropon, but I assume Riki is his name." Alvis looked at Egil. "Keep a good grip on him, he may try to slip away and get himself more hurt before we get there."
"Of course, I'm good at babysitting." Egil spoke and Vanea couldn't help but giggle. "What's that for?"
"I doubt Alvis would believe you, brother, even if you are the number one babysitter for most Machina." She smiled at him and looked at Alvis. "You should see him with children, it's like he's an entirely other man."
"Is that so?" Alvis put his hand to his chin. "Do you have any videos, this sounds fascinating."
"I think I might." Linada spoke up, also amused as could be. "Let me see-"
"That's enough!" Egil spoke up, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "This Nopon is delirious, mumbling about some Oka and littlepons, whatever those are. We need to get him treatment quickly."
"Of course, of course." Alvis chuckled and turned. "Well, then. Follow me, we're getting closer to Frontier Village."
