Academy for Rejected Souls (Multiverse, OC)

[folclor]

The Forest


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


His words seemed sincere, as did the worry that creased his brow.  Why'nn took his hand.  "Then I accept you as my older brother."  A slight smile colored her expression and she nodded to him.  "Do I need to know of any other new relations?"  She liked him quite a lot but the idea of being immediately close with others had her nervous.  "I would... like to spar with you regularly if you would allow it.  I know you often stand to the side with the second year melee weapons course."

 

[Grim Wraithe Stjerna]

 The Forest


@folclor


The otter smiled and nodded, trying to let the context of that brief exchange sink into the background. "Well der's me brudder Valian, me mate Violet an now ye." The otter shrugged and kept smiling motioning to the school, he needed to change, clean, eat and see what damage had been done to his gear. "Aye! I'd allow it. Me clan needs ta take care o'our own." His arm draped over her shoulders as they started towards the school. 

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@folclor


After being dazed for a few minutes James slowly blinked his eyes, his awareness returning.  It only took him about 10 seconds to figure out what had happened.  He grit his teeth in frustration.


"Dammit!  Ugh..."


James focused and looked Imalia in the eye.  Rather than just fall into a blind rage, he used his anger to fuel his Will.


"I can do better, I know it.  I want to try again."

 

[folclor]

The Forest


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


Why'nn let him lead her toward the school.  She really wanted a shower now, and to speak to Father.  "Why did you take my bag?"  She was honestly curious.  Why would he need it?  It had things important to her, of course, but what could it have that he wanted?  The girl would've put her hands in her pockets but found those had been torn during the battle.  She pouted.  "I hope I can get new clothes..."


My Chambers


@TommyGun15


Imalia shook her head.  "James, you've taken a lot of mental damage."  The enchantress stood and went to her apprentice's side, placing her hand upon his shoulder.  "I will not do it again."  She frowned.  "If I do this you have a very high chance of losing yourself completely."  Her grip became a bit firm.  "Do you want me to have to rebuild you from the ground up?"

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@folclor


James sighed and rested his head on the table, looking absolutely miserable.  He looked at Imalia, not really angry, but not happy either.  He understood that she cared about him, and was telling him no because he might hurt himself.  But that didn't mean he had to like it.


"I'm sorry Mistress...  I just can't help but feel like a failure.  I lost the tournament, I failed the training, at this rate I'll probably louse up the mission too...  I probably wasn't supposed to talk about that but...  You probably alreeady know about it."

 

[folclor]

My Chambers


@TommyGun15


Imalia smiled down at him and began rubbing his back.  "It's okay.  Today wasn't a failure day.  The tourney lost to the headmistress's impatience and you didn't fail the training.  You can't fail training.  This wasn't a test.  You can learn a lot from today, a lot more than you would've if you'd performed perfectly."  She sighed.  "And if you want to know the truth, students usually only last a few seconds with that last technique.  You lasted several minutes.  You're not weak, nor are you a failure.  You're not going to fail at your task in Riva, either.  Trust me.  If nothing else, I'm aware of your talents and how well you can work.  Remember: you were the first to render someone unconscious.  I bet you would've gotten her out if you'd managed to slice her head off.  I can only assume she was able to turn it into a non-lethal blow because of Delrick's training."

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@folclor


James sighed, still disappointed with himself, but feeling a bit better.  He sat up and smiled at Imalia, giving her a hug.


"Thank you Mistress.  I'm sorry I've been so moody about this."


Then James pulled away and sat back down, a few new questions buzzing in his head.


"So I've got to ask, and I'm well aware that you can't really show any of this to me firsthand at the moment, but what other strategies do you normally use when you're "brainwashing" someone.  I figure the best way to learn to defend against it would be to learn the theory of it."

 

[Grim Wraithe Stjerna]

 The Forest


@folclor


The otter smiled and chuckled. "I always scavenge t'ings from de bat'lefeil'." Grim patted her on the shoulder lightly. "And yer bag 'ad somet'ings I coulda used to me advantage. Like improvised explosives an 'ealing droughts." He squeezed her shoulder lightly as they entered the school. "Aye, we bot' could use a bat', an new t'reads." Chuckling as he looked over his torn, burnt and ruined clothes. Seeing her pout he smiled at her. "Talk to Sensei, 'e'd be able ta get ye new ones."

 

[folclor]

My Chambers


@TommyGun15


Imalia sighed.  "Brainwashing and indoctrination go hand in hand."  She moved over and sat back down across from him.  "Because I'm able to use spells to clear the minds of my victims, I don't have to resort to the typical strategy.  You see, both of these things take a long time, even magically.  It's meant to change the way you think and perceive from your natural inclination to the preference of the person in control.  It tears at your natural state of being in order to create something new."  Well, not all of that was completely true, but it was the closest she would try to get today.


Entry Hall


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


"You did not eat any of the meat, correct?" Why'nn asked warily.  She needed to get rid of it or hand it over to Sieghart.  He'd be able to do something useful with it... even if that 'something useful' was making estus soup or feeding to undead who ate flesh normally.  Still, she took her bag back and decided she'd rifle through it once she'd had a shower.

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@folclor

James nodded as he thought about what Imalia was saying.


"It sounds fairly insidious... although I can see how it would be useful in the right situation.  Sometimes people insist on making poor decisions no matter how hard you try to get them to stop.  In a case like that, or something similar, I could see how it might be acceptable to brainwash them..."


James raised an eyebrow at Imalia.


"I take it you speak from experience regarding this subject?  I take it that brainwashing one of the things the headmistress asks you to do to some of the less cooperative apprentices?"

 

[Mad Prince of Sanity]

Shard


Nishira's Office, doorway


@folclor


Three solid, almost door-shattering knocks rang out on Nishira's office door and Shard stood there, as patiently as he could. Cane set before him and shaking slightly in his unsteady grasp as he all but spasm-ed from head to toe. Small sparks of raw magic arcing off of the Shard as he gazed down before his feet, the brim of his hat concealing his eyes and most of his face as he murmured quietly "My Keeper, do try and see past your own prejudices' for this." Shard panted a bit, a sheen of sweat covering his forehead before he grunted and waved his cane. Summoning a multitude of portals the size of hoola-hoops up and down the hallway, before sighing and twitching one of his arms spasmodically.

 

[folclor]

My Chambers


@TommyGun15


Imalia frowned deeply and leaned forward, keeping her gaze locked on his.  "No.  That is not acceptable.  It is never acceptable to brainwash someone.  I need for you to understand that completely and clearly: Brainwashing is never acceptable.  Have I done it?  Yes.  Initially I wasn't as grounded as I am now.  I've done quite a lot I am not proud of in the service of the headmistress.  Yes, I've brainwashed students.  It isn't limited to uncooperative apprentices or students.  She wants complete control over you and every other one of her servants.  The binding only does so much.  She hasn't brainwashed me or Delrick or many of the other teachers because we came to her of our own accord, knowing what we were getting into, pledging our loyalty before the binding ever took place.  She wants to strip you of everything you were and build you up in her own image."

 

[TommyGun15]

4th Floor Hallway


@folclor


Nishira would find Geralt in the 4th floor hallway, waiting for her to arrive so he could get this binding over with.  When he saw her walking down the hall, he fell into step next to her.


"Let's just get this over with.  I'll be putting the boy through the Trial of Grasses for his devotion.  Do you know what that is, or do you wish for me to tell you?"



My Chambers


@TommyGun15

James looked a bit ashamed as Imalia admonished him about brainwashing.


"So... I should just do what Nishira wants, and she hopefully won't brainwash me?  Just...  I think that's what she brought Scarlet here to do, because Scarlet's been trying to brainwash Why'nn and me, okay mostly Why'nn, all day.  I think she might be concerned that you'd refuse to brainwash me."

 

[Pinkalyn]

Location: Unidentified Laboratory


Character: Tetsuko


With: Frank Estello

A mad giggling fills the room as a brightly colored girl stirs to life, but Frank seems not to mind terribly. When it finally dies down, he takes a cursory glance over her bare form, making sure there are no cracks or flaws in the healing process before giving an approving nod. "How are you feeling, Tetsuko?"


"Ah-" she gasps softly, then inhales deeply, closing her eyes. After a slow, calming breath out, she smiles wide. Her tongue reaches her lips and she gives a predatory growl, "I- I wanted to taste him so badly. Doctor. Why did I save him? Why- did I hold back? Not in the fight, no.. he beat me, he really truly destroyed my body and it felt... only like I've felt once before.. hehe.. hahahahaha!" she breaks out into hysterical laughter again, her body convulsing on the table. "I want... I want to taste him, but not his flesh... I don't want to consume his body, I want his strength.. his will, his soul! He didn't stop, didn't stop, didn't stop and it felt so good! What is he? A demon? An angel? Is he my god from on high? Yes, yes, Senpai, I told you. I did. I want the strongest. Is- is he..." she pauses now, trying to find the right word in her memories to categorize what she was feeling, when Frank's hand meets her shoulder and shakes her from a deep search into her own mind.


"I believe this is a good sign. When you were fighting him, I saw something in you that I didn't see in your previous fights. What did this boy do for you that would cause you to apologize for doing the thing that you desire to do most? Why would you not kill someone when given the chance? By learning the answers to these questions, we might both find answers to other questions, to mysteries locked inside of you. We might find out who you are, who you were, who you will be." Frank offers a gentle, knowing smile now, but Tetsuko is holding back a giggle.


"Ahn- I want to see him! Senpai, I know who he is! He is Master!" she nods excitedly, wriggling in place, "He is Master, my wielder, and he will lead me to kill her, won't he Senpai?" she slows her wiggle and looks up hopefully, but Frank doesn't have a certain answer for her. Even he looks uncertain briefly.


"Well, if you're going to go out meeting anyone, you'll need to get dressed. We can't have you wandering school like this. Just... if he declines, you aren't allowed to eat him. Or any of the other students, of course. Not without my express permission."


Tetsuko seems to get the idea, because as she looks down at herself, her skin begins to bubble and shift. Soft, pink skin gives way to colorful fabric, and after a few moments she's clad in a tight outfit of leather-like material. It's enough to fashionably cover her body in strategically placed straps, but as Frank would be able to attest, it literally wasn't hiding much. There wasn't much to hide. With that covered, Frank undid the bindings that kept Tetsuko from rolling off the table previously, allowing her to stand freely. "Senpai, do you know where he is? I need to see him as soon as possible!"


Frank slowly shook his head. With his star pupil under the weather, he had been tirelessly focusing all of his attention on her recovery, and while it did much for her, it had caused him to lose track of several important matters. He didn't even know how far along the tournament had come since Nishira had taken back over watching it. It was a worrisome thought, to know that there would be a gap in his surveillance, a lapse in his judgement, and perhaps even a harsh word from his Mistress. He imagined she might forgive him, given the urgency of the situation, but to endanger the school for a single student was still very unusual behavior for the man. "Until we find him, perhaps it would be best to stay with me. Since he defeated you, he is likely still in the tournament, if it is ongoing. If he is, then we are better off meeting with Nishira first. I think she would like to speak with you. Would you like that, to speak to the Mistress of your Senpai?"


Tetsuko's eyes light up as she processes what that would mean, "That means... Senpai's mistress.. is Tetsuko's Mistress!? Tetsuko has found a Master and Mistress in one day! Oh, I can't wait to play, I can't wait! May I-" Tetsuko is interrupted by the edge of a sharp card edge brushed to her cheek, held firmly by the Doctor.


"No. You may not, in any way shape or form, consume any part of Nishira unless she commands such from you. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" it's unlike when he warns her not to eat students. While he cares deeply for each one, they are nothing when compared to his devotion to Nishira. Tetsuko just smiles and nods innocently, like she's not being actively threatened.



And so they leave the laboratory, in search of the rest of the group.

 

[Grim Wraithe Stjerna]

Entry Hall


@folclor


The otter shook his head quickly. "Nae. I didnae get a chance ta use anyt'ing in dere." He did debate hiding the left over healing potions, but eventually handed over her remaining potions. "Ye may wanna 'ide dees fer a rainy day." He said with a wink and a nod. Grim looked down the hall towards his room, wanting nothing more then to get clean and sleep. A brief thought of finding Valian and Violet popped into his head, but he'd at least get clean first. 

 

[folclor]

Third Floor


@TommyGun15 @Mad Prince of Sanity


Nishira sighed and shook her head.  "No, Geralt.  I have his devotion planned.  Whether or not you have him do something afterward is not my concern.  My concern is binding you and getting this on the road.  This day has been a waste of time."


As the two neared the stairs to her office, she noticed Shard standing at the top, looking quite nervous.  The portals surrounding him were frustrating to look at so she simply glared at them.  "Shard, what are you doing here?"  The headmistress made her way past him and opened the door.  "Very well, both of you come inside.  Shard, I do not want you to spend too much of my time as I have quite a few bindings to get through."


My Chambers


Imalia shook her head.  "You're part of her plan, James.  She likely is going to try and brainwash you.  Even under the pain of the binding I will not participate in that.  I purposely did not teach Scarlet the techniques that make brainwashing and indoctrination work so well.  She only has hypnosis, which you can resist."


Entry Hall


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


Why'nn nodded.  "Thank you.  Perhaps we part now.  I must clean myself and report to F-... Sensei for a discussion on how to better my technique.  I shall speak to you later."  Quickly, she bowed to him and took off toward the stairs.  Of course, her room was connected to Father's now.  She wouldn't return to the dorms.

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@TommyGun15


James nodded, remembering his misadventures with Scarlet earlier today.


"And I can attest that she isn't very skilled in the art of hypnosis either.  She likes to lord over people and brag about how she will control them, without even waiting for them to go under.  I have seen her hypnosis techniques twice a;ready, and she has mistakenly allowed me to view the inside of her mind.  I believe her largest weaknesses are her reliance on props, and her temper."


Slowly, James wasn't talking to Imalia so much as he was talking to himself, musing on how to best Scarlet


 From what I've seen, she is unable to hypnotize someone without the use of a prop.  In addition to this she's lost her temper on multiple occasions, especially when things are not going according to her plans.  If when she next tried to hypnotize me I were to use my Will to destroy her props, that could make her angry enough to manipulate..."


4th Floor Hallway


@folclor @Mad Prince of Sanity


Geralt raised an eyebrow upon seeing Shard.


"Another new instructor I take it?  Well, Nishira does go through teachers very quickly.  It's why I've avoided binding as long as possible."


Geralt then stepped past Shard and into Nishira's office.

 

[Grim Wraithe Stjerna]

Entry Hall


@folclor


The otter smiled at Why'nn and watched her bow and take off up the stairs. He shrugged and moved to his dorm. Once inside he stripped of the ruined clothes and tossed them in the corner after checking their pockets. The weapon belt he laid out on the bed and quickly disassembled the pistols. Nodding very surprised that they hadn't taken more significant damage from the liquid metal. He quickly cleaned and oiled the pistols and reassembled his primary ranged weapons. "Tis far betteh den a Longbow."  It was then he went to shower. 


My Chambers


No one then Why'nn


Delrick was sitting in the window box seat contemplating the events of the tourney and the tactics, or lack there of, used by each student at each part of the tournament. His cup of coffee resting in his hands, he was unconcerned with unexpected beings entering without permission. If they tried they would meet an explosive end, with the exception of Nishira (but he couldn't keep her, nor would be try) and his apprentice. 


He was expecting the later to arrive some point soon, to discuss her techniques and ways to improve. 

 

[folclor]

My Chambers


@TommyGun15


"Don't underestimate her.  She may seem like an easy target, but she's much more likely to be hiding something.  Bravado can hide insecurities or actual tactics."  Imalia was beginning to see that her apprentice was a bit more arrogant than she initially believed.  That was something she'd work on with him.


Entry Hall, then Father's Chambers, then My Room, then Father's Chambers


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


Why'nn quickly entered her father's chambers, closing the  door behind her.  "Excuse me, Father, I must clean myself."  She bowed and hurried into her own room.  Once there, she stripped off her ruined clothing, set her bag gently on the bed, and went to shower.  While she wanted to be efficient, it took a full twenty minutes to wash the dirt and blood out of her hair ('This is why I should shave it all off...') and off her body before she could even begin her regular routine.  Another ten minutes later, she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her form.  The gash from that strange boy was still across her upper back, but there wasn't much she could do about it and it barely hurt at this point.  After all, it had already stopped bleeding and it wasn't too deep to begin with.  Though she put on underwear, she had no more clothes to change into.  So, clothed only in underwear and a towel, she walked out into her father's chambers.


"Father... my last set of clothes got destroyed in the battle.  How do I go about getting another?"  She tried to frown but, once again, it ended up being a pout.  It was also likely that she wouldn't care if her towel fell.  modesty had never been too big of a concern for Why'nn around him.

 

[TommyGun15]

Mistress's Chambers


@TommyGun15


James sighed as Imalia pointed out the rather large flaw in his plan.


"Yeah...  I suppose I'm probably underestimating her.  Now that you mention it, the peek I took inside her mind let me see that she was really desperate to please Nishira.  But...  I can't just let her brainwash me for her sake.  I'm sorry, but I have a bit more self-respect than that."

 

[Mad Prince of Sanity]

Nishira's dwelling


@folclor @TommyGun15  then  @Lunaria Silver


Shard only twitched in response to Nishra questioning his presence, before allowing the two to bypass him without looking up. So lost in thought was he that a full ten seconds passed before he even moved, not even evidence of his breathe passing being discernible. Once the two were inside and speaking once more, Shard stepped inside and closed the door behind them. His attention flitting briefly to Geralt, and the Nishira, before he made his way to the nearest seat and slowly lowered himself into it. Not saying a word for a moment, and allowing their conversation to play out as it may, before he gently cleared his throat and nodded to Geralt "First... White Wolf... you have my congratulations on slaying the Chaos beast. You may not remember me... us... them... but it is good to see you haven't lost your touch." Shard inclined his head slightly before turning his gaze to Nishira "More importantly, dear Keeper, I wish to speak to you in private once your schedule becomes... clearer. Time is.... not MUCH of a factor, but the sooner the better." Shard then stood again, slowly, before walking back to the door, opening it, and pausing. Tilting his head a bit to glance back at Nishira as he weakly gripped the brim of his hat, his usual jovial demeanor during this entire exchange utterly absent "Simply call on me when such a time arises, you remember the card yes?" Shard goes silent, his eyes closing for a moment before he opens them once more "Also, you look...... rather lovely today."

Shard then exited the room, no fanfare, no exuberant explosion or teleportation. Only the simple tap, tap, tap of his cane along the floor as he walked down the hallway. After he left the floor he sent a simple, mesage to Ivela in the form of opening a portal in her hat which would be deposited atop her head. A little slip of paper that would read "Ivela, please meet me in the woods outside the Academy. - Shard"

 

[Pinkalyn]

Location: Hallways


Character: Frank Estello


With: Tetsuko @Mad Prince of Sanity @folclor @TommyGun15

Frank was now on a mission, with Tetsuko in tow. He kept an eye on her, and a metaphorically short leash, to make sure she didn't cause any more trouble than she needed to as they proceeded through the hallways of the academy. The trip from his lab to Nishira's office was a long one when he chose not to take portals, but maintaining such a form of travel was taxing and he intended to be in top condition when he met with her now. 'This will be the first proper introduction between the Mistress and my new proteg- prototype...' he thought to himself, glancing back at the girl. There was definitely something sentient to her, but to think of her as anything less than a destructive beast would be folly in her current state. He hoped that Nishira might be able to help with that. And he just couldn't help but be curious how the binding would work on something like her. A lovely scientific endeavour, and a chance to see Nishira at work.


Still lost in reverie, he passed Shard briefly, offering a soft nod of the head, too focused to recall the trouble caused last they met. Even if he could, in his mind Shard had more than made up for it. He remained professional, but somewhere the thought that Shard was a good person sparked a small smile, even when he did not consciously consider it. And then, finally, he was at the door. He knew that Nishira would know of his arrival, so he did not knock, instead urging Tetsuko to remain still and quiet.

 

[Lunaria Silver]

Subspace Ivela's Room


Nobody and then @Mad Prince of Sanity


Ivela was, once again, meditating. She was attempting to figure out how to strengthen her mana. She didn't really understand the concept of Mana, but she assumed that it could be improved by meditating. It couldn't be that different from Nen, after all. But, Nen was literally a person's life-force so their strength of spirit had a lot to do with the strength of their Nen. Mana was different.


Ivela just figured she would give it a shot. It was easier to focus when she was meditating, anyway. After a little while of doing that, Ivela grew frustrated. She opened her eyes with a huff and stood up.


'Why can't I get this? It's so annoying when things don't come easily to me.' She frowned as she began pacing around the room, trying to figure out what the problem was. She grabbed the rim of her hat, adjusting it slightly. As she was doing so, a note dropped down from her hat. 


She snatched the piece of paper out of the air before it could hit the ground and read it.


Ivela decided not to think too much about it, and grabbed her violin case. At this point it only had sentimental value to her, as she had already revealed that she could use Nen without playing it. That and it made it much easier to calm her blood lust when it got out of control.


So, leaving the homework books and no longer using Zetsu, as she always did while meditating, she exited the room, appearing in front of Shard. She, as always, stumbled a bit. She really needed to get used to this.


He looked a bit...morose. "This isn't exactly the woods. What did you need me for?" She asked, falling into step next to him. Jimmy floated behind her, as he seemed to have followed her out the door.


Hallway


Nobody at the moment


Lillith frowned as she stopped singing. She was bored now. There had to be something she could do that would bring her suitable entertainment. Somehow she felt like the Headmistress would be angry if she went around destroying the school...ah! The headmistress!


She could prove to be entertaining. So, Lillith began paying attention to her surroundings, listening for the one voice that she was looking for. Most times she tuned out all of the chatter that went on around her. Having heightened hearing could be a bit a annoying.


After listening and smelling her surrounding for a few moments, she picked up the scent of the headmistress' perfume. It mixed with a smell similar to a long dead human, but Lillith had smelled worse things. She seemed to be having trouble hearing the headmistress though.


So Lillith began to make her way up the stairs to the fourth floor.

 

[Grim Wraithe Stjerna]

 My Chambers


@folclor


Delrick bowed inclined his head towards Why'nn as she passed through to her own room. Only mildly concerned with the state she was in, having watched the fight. 


In the time Why'nn was cleansing herself, the monk finished his cup of coffee and moved to the kitchen to refresh it. He was leaning against the counter waiting for his apprentice to be ready when she stepped out wearing a towel. 


Delrick smiled and shook his head at her attempted frown. "First off apprentice, in most polite societies walking around in nothing but a loose towel it's not considered appropriate." He was not bothered by anyone's naked form. It was just a body, nothing special or taboo, but he knew from past experiences others might be uncomfortable with it. "Second, your room will meet your needs on a basic level. Clothes, mended or repaired and cleaned. For example." His hand generally motioned towards her room.   "If you check your closet I'm sure a set of your specialized uniforms are already there."

 

[folclor]

My Chambers


@TommyGun15


Imalia nodded.  "No, I don't want you to be brainwashed and I will do everything in my power to help keep that from happening.  At the same time, if I refuse and Scarlet is unable, the headmistress may take things into her own hands.  While I haven't seen her technique in many years, I'm going to assume she hasn't dulled much."  The enchantress took a deep breath.  "I suppose the next thing we need to talk about is how you can improve your performance."


My Office, then the Ritual Room


Nishira watched Shard leave, only mildly concerned with his lack of antics.  While she felt presences outside her office door, she merely glared before leading Geralt into the ritual room.  The binding was more involved for a teacher than a student.  The bloodletting was more immense and the use of a ceremonial dagger served as the midway point for the soul before its will was bound to the headmistress's.  At the end of the ceremony, Geralt would feel the connection to the lich.


She smiled down at him.  "Rip your stomach open.  Bare your entrails."


Father's Chambers, then My Room, then Father's Chambers


@Grim Wraithe Stjerna


"I see..."  Why'nn looked down at her appearance.  "Then I shall return in a moment."  She wheeled and returned to her room, letting the towel fall to the floor as she opened her closet and found a uniform.  Quickly, she dressed and returned, now fully clothed, to her father's chambers.


"Why is it not appropriate?  Is there something wrong with it?  Do people really care that much about what a person is wearing?"  The girl was uncertain.  Why would it matter?  Everyone had a body, so why was it not appropriate to enter barely clothed?  The pout remained upon her face as she pondered.  But now that she thought about it, both Connor and James had an interesting reaction when she wasn't wearing much.  She hadn't been stunned or entranced by their naked forms, but they seemed to be distracted by hers.