Active Freshen Up [The See of Chearon - Tea Party]

[Irihi]

Freshen Up [The See of Chearon]
About the RP
Location: A Bathhouse Near the Border of the Fae See
Expected Duration: One IC Day, less than an IRL month.
Posting Rate: At least once a week. There will not be a formal posting order, but try to give other writers time and space to respond.
RP Goals: Return Corporal Iona Glimmerleaf and Private Irihi Spokelse to life.

Ailinor Lóte Bathhouse


The bathhouse stands in the deep and heavily-wooded depths of a steep-walled canyon. The winding footpath to Ailinor Lóte is fraught with dangers both mundane and magical. Fairy lights try to lead seekers of the healing waters astray into the dark and trackless wood. Cobblestones turn unexpectedly underfoot, threatening missteps that will send adventurers into the roaring rapids of the river that has carved out the canyon over the ages.

Fantastic cataracts cascade from the walls of the canyon near the magical waters of the hot spring. The combined steamy and cold waterfall mists wend between the trees, sometimes thick enough to obscure even a hand held before your face.

The fog closes in around visitors even as the narrow pathway broadens into a fieldstone-paved causeway. Two stone statues stand sentinel on either side, looming over visitors to the bathhouse.

Past these huge guardians is the spa, itself. Sparkling outdoor pools surround the mossy stone structure. Smoke and steam waft from a half-dozen chimneys and open windows glow with inviting warm light.

Ailinor Lóte welcomes worthy bathers with sparkling waters that can be suffused with healing magics, potions, and poultices as needed or desired. There are public baths, private baths, hot baths, cold baths, and even--deep in the grotto into which the structure seamlessly melds--a still, steaming pool rumored to resurrect the departed.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

“[This bathhouse better be really, really, really, really, really good.]” Almeida stated, having carried Irihi's remains around in a makeshift corpse-backpack. Seriously, traversing a path winding down some heavily wooded depths of a steep-walled canyon whilst trying not to misstep and break her mechanical legs? Having to ignore going after the funny lights all the time? And all that whilst carrying a somewhat stinky elf corpse? Life was rough. Yet a promise was a promise. “[I wonder if the Fairy will like it as well.]” She'd say to Yuna, who'd presumably brought along Glimmerleaf.

As they entered the fog she'd wave her hand in front of her. “[I don't like this much water in the air, instead of in baths.]” She'd state, wishing she could've just wave it away. Alas, she could not. She'd stop (or presumably be stopped) in front of two stone guardians. “{Hello? Anyone there? We're here for the resurrection bath!}” She'd call out.

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa
​

Interactions: Irihi Elvario

Languages: "[Terran]" "%Analog%"

Yunaesa, having come with Almeida, was definitely helping by carrying Glimmerleaf.

"[Yeah I hope so! It would suck to have carried both of them all the way here to not be able to get a resurrection bath!]"

"[Zjorn said it's okay though we'll find another one if we have too! Long as we do it before ten days are up cause otherwise I heard it'd be A LOT harder to get them revived, and Zjorn and me dunno if there are even any bathhouses that do resurrections at that high of a level anywhere!]"

Yunaesa would have done her best to transverse the terrain and stay close to Almeida.

"[Not to mention they didn't exactly make it easy to get too.]"

"[I mean those lights look totally friendly, but you're not supposed to follow them. Guess they're mean lights if they're trying to lead us off the path!]"


"[She better like it! If she doesn't Zjorn isn't gonna be too happy about it, he's been trying hard too! So has Valerius!]"

When they arrived at the fog Yunaesa nodded, "[Humidity like this is pretty yucky, hopefully it'll be nicer in the water.]"


When they got the stone guards Yunaesa would switch to analog and make paced tactile sounding clicking sounds, it sounded like they were her mechanical parts generating them somewhere rather than her having to manually do it with her mouth which meant she much appreciated whoever created her's decision to do that feature.

She'd give a wave after saying the following:

"%Hello! We're here and it was tough to get here! We have some people who could really use a bath right about now! Some service would be great!%"

 

[Irihi]

Stone Golems
With a grinding noise, the two statues moved to block the entrant’s path. Given the enchanted nature of the forest and the difficulty in reaching the bathhouse, it would likely come as no surprise that the stone guardians were not simply decorative.

The stone golem on the right spoke in sylvan, while the one on the left popped and cracked in understandable--but granite-accented analogue.

Though the languages were different, message was the same.

{%
"I stand unyielding, made of earth,
I hold the past, the ancient worth.
You seek these waters, pure and clear,
But first, our riddle, you must hear:

I have no legs, yet I can move,
I cannot speak, but I can prove.
I grow and shrink without a sound,
And though I'm silent, life I've found.

What am I, that will not last,
Yet can heal and free the past?"
%}​

While the golem speaking Sylvan stood impassively waiting for an answer, the one speaking analogue seemed quite pleased with itself; its surface rippling with tiny earthquakes of pleasure, creating little cascades of marble and granite dust.

It is, after all, quite difficult to craft a rhyme in analogue, and thusly the golem was inordinately proud of itself for the lyric it had made.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

“[At this point, I'm not even sure if we'd find another ressurection options within ten days, with how long getting here took already, so it's really gotta be this one.]” She'd nod, a tad concerned, but also optimistic. As for the lights, that was a valid point. “[Exactly! The light in the bathhouse in Widersia was a lot more fun, as that one tried to just explain stuff instead of trying to lead us astray!]”

As for gratitude, that was a real deal of concern. “[Indeed, she's had four people trying to drag her all the way here, so it'd be bad if she won't like it!]” Almeida had to agree with Yuna on that one. “[Exactly, bathwater is better than airwater.]”

Upon one of the statues starting a riddle, she was confused.“%We're not here for riddles, we're here for the resurrection baths.%” She'd try to correct it. Perhaps it understood them better in analog?

She then turned to Yuna. “%Do you like riddles? I don't. Too many options. So many things move without legs. Like... time, water, snakes, wind, planets... Also, prove bloody what? Also, life's always too bloody vague in riddles. Like... I don't know. Could be a wave? Waves aren't all that silent though, I guess... Ugh.%” She grumbled, annoyed. She was here for bathing, not riddling. That's when she got a brilliant idea.

“%Hey, Yuna, want to just spam some options with me? It didn't say we got a limited amount of tries, so lets just shout whatever comes to mind at it, until we get it right.%” She'd smirk at the statue, then faced it and started rapid-firing options at a speed that only the analog pattern speech could accomplish. “%Moon. Sun. Ocean. Wave. Water. River. Time. Dark. Light. Sunshine. Planet. Age. Life. Living. Wind. Current. Oxygen. Air. Dawn. Morning. Sunset. Tides. Plants. Grass. Bathwater. Temperature. Heat. Cold. Gravity. Humanity. Faefolk. Beasts. Bondage. Constructs. Statues. Yourself. Myself. The future. The past. The present. Music. Song. Movement. Speech. Breath. Thinking. Thought. Philosophy. Blood vessels. Soil. Mountains. Rocks. Hills. Volcanos. Hammers.%”

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa

​

Languages: "[Terran], "%Analog%"

Interactions: Elvario Irihi

Yunaesa looked a bit more concerned herself at hearing Almeida mention that factoid. "[Well if this one doesn't work out then we have to at least try! Maybe there's another one not so far away from this one.]"

She said, not terribly convinced herself this was likely but at the same time giving up wasn't something Yunaesa or Zjorn were made to do.

"[The lil light thing at the bathouse in WIdersia was pretty fun! It sounded like it was having a bit of a uh..what's the word..extra.extradental..extramental...extrarenal...existential! That's the word Existential, a Existential crisis, and I'm not really sure why to be honest! It didn't seem like it's existence was that difficult, getting to greet guests and tell them about the bathhouse, I hope whoever made it is able to adjust it so it's happier in the future.]"

"[Haha Bathwater is better than airwater!]" Yunaesa repeated cheerily, after nodding when Almeida had agreed with her on the topic of gratitude.

"%Yeah we'd really like to get to the bath! We've traveled really far, and would like to keep the word games minimal if we can help it!%"


"%I don't like them very much when they're getting in the way of us reviving our friends! Maybe if we were doing it with Decimus and he'd give us a prize after or something it'd be more fun, but this kinda stinks to be honest.%" She'd reply back to Almeida.

"%I think Zjorn might like them better than me to be honest.%"

When Almeida had her idea and she shared it, a grin came to Yunaesa's face.

"%Okay!%"

She'd turn to the statues and start clicking away again in analog:

"% Memory, Emotion, Dream, Mirage, Shadow, Echo, Idea, Hope, Fire, Frost, Tear, Whisper, Wish, Doubt, Mist, Secret, Glimpse, Imprint, Scent, Lust, Regret, Moment, Sorrow, Memory, Puff, Aura, Flash, Twinge, Linger, Haze, Blush, Glint, Shiver, Twitch, Vibration, Impression, Flicker, Trace, Reflection, Hitch, Dread, Wisp, Gasp, Pale, Glimmer, Dew, Specter, Twilight, Crack, Sizzle! %"


"% And Zjorn says!: Photograph, Gaze, Tear, Flick, Faint, Crinkle, Pulse, Glare, Shift, Chime, Ripple, Vapour, Tremor, Rays, Twist, Echo, Fume, Glide, Whiff, Flame, Stir!%"

Yunaesa was really hoping that one of these words would be the answer given how many they were trying, or if not that the stone guys would just let them through already.

 

[Irihi]

Stone Golems
The golems now both seemed delighted to be engaged, even if it was with a cascade of answers. While the right answer might have been in there somewhere, their rhyme for denying entry was a lot more fun, so they picked out one of the wrong answers the pair of constructs were rocking, and rolled with it..

{%"Your answer’s wrong, the path is closed,
The waters now remain enclosed.
The stone you seek, it does not yield,
And so the healing will not be revealed.
Turn back now, the bath’s denied,
Until the truth you’ve verified."%}

Clíodhna

A cloud of mist that was more than it seemed swirled before the visitors, wafting between Yunaesa, Almeida, and the golems. The mist resolved itself into the figure of a transparent spectral woman. She regarded the constructs and their burdens with a wavering gaze. It would be difficult to tell--due to her ephemeral presence--but she seemed to wear a somewhat displeased expression.

The woman of mist then turned to scowl cloudily at the two stone golems. The banshee spoke in Sylvan with a voice that echoed, like water dripping from stalactites in some deep and forgotten abyss. {“Gravok! Brammoth! Are you bothering the guests with your nonsense rhymes again?”} If a mist can look annoyed, this one did, waving evanescent arms, shooing the statues back into place.

{“For the umpteenth time; First: you are the doorbell, not the gatekeepers! Second: rhyming is less important than making logical sense, and, Finally: the answer to every riddle cannot be “rock.”}

With the doorstones properly chastised, the banshee turned toward Almeida, Yunaesa, and their burdens. {“Greetings, travelers, I am Clíodhna, and this is my bathhouse; welcome to Ailinor Lóte,”} she said. {“Please accept my apologies for our overzealous door creatures. How may I be of service? Are all here to take advantage of our baths?”} She guessed, since there wasn’t much else, unless you liked doing the monomaniacal rock riddle with Rocky and Stoner over and over again.

Once she had an affirmative answer, Clíodhna would usher the two constructs toward the bathhouse, stopping before the door.

“{Due to the ~~terms of our land-use agreement~~ kindness of our benefactors, our baths are free donation-based to all who survive the journey.}” She said, waving a misty hand at a donation box with a rather hefty “suggested contribution” written in all the myriad languages of the world.

“{Before you bathe, I would ask you to observe the rules of Ailinor Lóte. We do not allow weapons in the baths, but I can offer a steam cleaning for mundane and sentient equipment, as well as a dry sauna if that is something that appeals to you or your devices,}” she suggested, eyeing Valerius and Zjorn. “{For the health and safety of all guests, please wash yourself before entering any still water baths. No clothing or fabrics are allowed in the waters,}” the banshee sighed as she covered a few more obvious behavioral rules.

“{If you find yourself transformed into any creature with fur or feathers, such as a unicorn or harpy, you may remain in the bath, but please inform the staff when you are done, so that we may drain and refresh the pool.}” She offered a less-than-reassuring misty smile. “{Like the regenerative powers granted by our waters, most unexpected transformations diminish over time, and resolve themselves within a few weeks or years--almost always within the lifetime of the bather’s original form.}” She reassured them, rather un-reassuringly.

Clíodhna pulled a face. Maybe? It was hard to tell. “{I see you have brought departed friends, victims, or possibly a snack?}” she pointed to the shrouds covering the small sad corpses of Glim and Irihi. “{If it is the former, you’ll want the Veil of Echos--the pool in the WAY far back. If it’s the latter, please keep in mind that outside food is not permitted within Ailinor Lóte.}” the banshee warned. She did not address the middle option that Almeida and Yunaesa might be dragging around the corpses of their victims for some bizarre reason.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

“[Oh, right, it did seem to glitch out for a bit, didn't it? I hope it doesn't get extraterrestrial again!]” She'd reply to Yuna, on the topic of the previous flying light.

“%What?!? That's no fair, Valerius didn't even have his turn yet!%” She protested against the constructs.

That's when the mist woman showed up. “{Hey! I guessed that, I guessed Rock!}” She first protested. Then she'd translate for Yuna. “[It seems the mist woman called these two out on their cheating as Rock was the correct answer and I guessed that one.]”

“{Nice to meet you Clíodhna!}” “[She's called... ehm... Let's translate it to just Cleo!]” She didn't want to risk breaking her tongue on that one. “{I'm Almeida, this is Valerius, she's Yunaesa and that's Zjorn!}” She'd introduce everyone back in turn.

“{Yep, we're here for the resurrection baths! I promised the Elf we'd go to a bathhouse together, but she died, so now we've got to resurrect her in one to be able to keep our promise.}” She'd nod after stating that flawless logic. “[She says she's sorry for the constructs stopping us and asks if we want to take advantage of the baths. I told her we want to resurrect our friends!]”

She looked at the donation box. “[She's asking for donations now.]” Almeida would comply, throwing in a few coins and some loose bolts and screws.

“{That's alright, the four of us don't carry any weapons~}” She'd reply when they were told not to bring weapons. The next bit caught her by surprise. “[Oh wow, Yuna, they've got a special cleaning thing for Valerius and Zjorn! Valerius is eager to try it out!]” She'd turn back to the mist woman. “{Valerius seems eager to try it!}”

She tilted her heads. “{I'm assuming we've gotta wash the stinky dead Elf first as well, right?}” She'd ask, just to double check. It'd be rude to do so if it wasn't needed. She turned to Yuna. “[We gotta wash up first, I think we gotta wash Glim and Irihi as well first. Also, we can't bring fabrics or clothing, though all of that sounds pretty normal.]”

The next bit was exciting. “{Wow, the baths can transform us?}” She'd turn to Yuna. “[Yuna! These baths can totally turn us into unicorns or harpies! That's wild! Apparently you can stay like that for weeks or even years!]” Ah, wait. “{Ah, I don't think my creator would like that. He already made me to be perfect. If I changed, he'd probably no longer think I am. Can I opt out of transforming?}” She'd ask, just to be safe. “[Yuna, did your creator try to make you perfect as well? That'd make transforming not all that nice.]”

“{What? No. Ew....}” She looked at Yuna. “[She's weird. She thought we'd eat Glim and Irihi.]” She shook her head. “{I wanted to bring bug meat to snack on, but they told me it'd spoil, so we didn't bring any snacks.}”

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa
​

Languages: "[Terran], "%Analog%"

Interactions: Irihi Elvario

Yunaesa giggled at hearing Almeida say it was extraterrestrial.

When it came to the guards denying them entry, Yunaesa pouted. "%Yeah! What's the big idea, you aren't even gonna tell us which answer you didn't accept? And Valerius should get a turn too!%"

The Fae language that the banshee spoke really didn't mean much of anything to Yunaesa, but she did give a wave to her and a smile, hoping that whoever this was going to help them out.

"[Oh the correct answer was rock? I wonder why they felt the need to cheat, that's not very nice particularly when it takes so much effort to get up here.]"

"[Thank goodness it sounds like someone around here is gonna help us out then! Cleo might just help us get our friends saved yet!]" Yunaesa replied cheerily to Almeida upon hearing her name.

"[Tell her I said it's okay because she helped but she should really consider getting guardians that at least don't cheat if they're gonna ask riddles!]"


"[Donations are worth it if it'll save our friends lives!]" Yunaesa cheerily also threw some loose coin and loose parts into the donation container. Unfortunately Yunaesa wasn't really wealthy enough yet to probably give the recommended , that military pay still wasn't kicking in quite yet.


Yuna grinned at hearing Almeida mention the special cleaning available. "[You can tell her Zjorn is excited to try it!]"

"[Yeah that sounds pretty normal to me!]" She agreed with a nod at the no bathing in clothing bit, and gotcha, I'll help wash Glim up then if you wanna handle Irihi.]"

Her eyes lit up at hearing about the possibility of transformation. "[That sounds kind of cool but at the same time weeks or years sounds like it'd be way too long.]"

"[I don't think the Widersian military would necessarily want a unicorn in it's ranks, a Harpie might be okay but..yeah I don't really think my creator would want me to be messed with either! Shortly after I gained consciousness for the first time that I remember He said I'm supposed to go off and prove how I'm the ultimate life to the world, so yeah, if you could tell her I'd rather not transform that'd be great. cause I don't think he'd think so or be happy either.]"

"[What? That is strange! I hope she doesn't think they'd make suitable food herself..]"

"[I wonder if we coulda treated some of the bug meat like Jerky if it'd have been workable..but then again, a bit of a time crunch, probably would have taken too long.]"

At that point Yunaesa was ready to do the next necessary steps to progress and get their friends rezed.

 

[Irihi]

Clíodhna
The banshee looked nonplussed at the lack of coin and the plethora of loose screws the two constructs had to spare. {“Sure. Just don’t get in the water--or get out if you notice you’re starting to get pruney, feathery, or furry.”} She replied to Almeida’s request not to turn into something else. {“The transformations are random, but they aren’t usually instantaneous.”} She shrugged. {“Usually.”} she repeated.

If Clíodhna made anything of Almeida referring to the “four of them” she didn’t show it. She did, however, first guide the visitors to the dry sauna--a stone hutch added on to the side of the main bathhouse. Inside, besides a fiery brazier--cleverly vented so that the room was hot but not smokey--there were racks suitable for weapons as well as benches for humanoids. Apparently guests were free to go around armed and prepared to chop the guts out of each other, so long as they did not do so anywhere their blood and gore might seep into the baths.

Clíodhna would not let the bathers proceed any further with Zjorn or Valerius, though she did promise to have both weapons cleaned, as mentioned.

The Veil of Echos
There were not very many bathers, and even fewer walls and privacy. Apparently separating the sexes was not something with which banshees--or at least Clíodhna--concerned herself. Up front, in the building proper, there were smaller baths in semi-walled-off rooms. However, this simply seemed to mean that you got to be cozier with whomever happened to wander in. There were rusty hinges in open doorways and the remains of some wooden walls--long since rotted away in the humid environment. Perhaps walls and doors had meant something to Clíodhna, when she’d been alive. Now that she was much more insubstantial, it seemed the proprietress had adopted the more ectoplasmic sensibilities of her present state--and expected her patrons to follow suit.

Back from the built-up baths, the natural grotto reached back into dimmer and dimmer depths. The first large pools were built up with bricks, but the further back the group walked, the more au-natural the scenery became.

{“You are welcome to utilize any of our baths, though you might want to stay out of that one.”} Clíodhna warned as they passed a rainbow-hued pool that bubbled slightly. Should they peer into it, they might note a pile of mostly-dissolved bones at the bottom, fizzing slightly in the incredibly caustic waters. {“Spirits, and soon-to-be-spirits only.”} She said. {“The pools back here are heated by volcanism. They’re mostly stable.”} She elucidated. {“If you notice a sudden increase in bubbles, temperature, or the amount of flesh sloughing off your bones, it’s probably a good idea to exit the bath.”}

At last they reached a part of the cavern where the ceiling was solid and the walls were lit only by faintly glowing minerals and lichens. Before them was a deep still pool that lay at the edge of a black abyss. Beyond it, the floor of the cavern fell away into absolute darkness. The pool itself was walled off from the precipice by a thin dam of calcium deposits, over which a sheath of water trickled into the chasm. {“Don’t sit on that side.”} Clíodhna suggested. She pointed to a shower of water falling from a set of fissures in the ceiling. {“Wash.”} There were also wooden buckets and brushes set next to a larger cascade pouring from a crack in the cave wall. { “Resurrect. …maybe.” } Where Clíodhna had wafted right along the edge of the acid bath, here she kept a healthy deathly distance from the pool of the Veil of Echos. She spread her hands. {“Enjoy. Any questions?” }

Irihi Spokelse

​

It would not be clear just when it had happened--perhaps hours or, even days, ago--but Irihi’s battered corpse was no more. If her shroud were unwrapped, all that would be found within would be a small pile of gray ash surrounding a gemstone. The gem was marred by a deep crack that scattered the light of a faintly-pulsating violet glow within.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

She'd nod to Yuna. “[Yep, it seems we're at the right place and time to get this done and sorted!]” This was looking pretty good so far. “{Yuna said it's okay, because you helped, but that you should get guardians that don't cheat if they're gonna ask riddles.}”

“[I'm pretty sure you could do some cool aerial scouting if you were a harpy, but I don't think it'd be worth it long-term.]” Almeida sure had a busy time translating, as even more was said. “[She's saying that we gotta get out of the water the moment we start changing if we don't want to transform too much.]” She figured she'd keep it at that, as the last bits were a tad too ominous.

“[Yeah, we might need to try make bug jerky another time, when we don't need to hurry towards resurrection bathhouses.]” She looked at the Banshee again, curious about what Yuna had suggested.

She'd put Valerius in his own designated bathing area. “[Have fun with Zjorn, buddy! Make sure you tell us all about how much you like it later!]” She'd say her goodbyes to the trusty hammer. “{Do you normally eat dead people in the baths?}” She'd ask the misty woman.

“{I think your walls might be past their expiration date.}” She'd note, upon spotting said rotting walls. “{And by the way, where do we leave our clothing?}” There didn't seem to be any changing or locker rooms or the likes.

She'd translate again for Yuna. “[We can't go into the colourful bath as it's spirits and soon-to-be-spirits only and if a bath suddenly gets more and more hot, we gotta get out.]” She'd repeat. “{Sounds fair.}” She'd reply to Cleo.

“[Don't sit on that side.... Wash... This might resurrect them.]” She translate the last bits. Almeida was about to say she had no questions, but the weight in her backpack had gotten lighter. “[Ah... Yuna, I think Irihi just vanished!]” She called out in a bit of panic, opening the backpack to just see some ashes and a gemstone. “[Really... I carry you all the bloody way here and you just ash up on me?]” She asked, a tad frustrated.

She'd look at the banshee. “{Does the bath also resurrect ash and gems?}” If not, they'd have made it all the way here only to fail at the last leg of the journey, for no particular reason at all. That'd be highly frustrating.

 

[Irihi]

Clíodhna
{“Yes, yes, you mentioned that.”} The banshee assumed her chastisement of the doorrocks had been sufficient. She thought about asking if Almeida had ever tried to change the ingrained habits of a stone golem before, but then decided she had already argued with her quota of hard-headed beings for today.

{“I don’t eat.”} The spirit answered. {“I ask that guests refrain from eating in the baths as well.”}

{“I have no idea; maybe? This pool makes me uncomfortable.”} Clíodhna admitted, showing a little bit of residual humanity for a spook. {“I won’t stop you if you want to chuck around and find out--I mean chuck it in and see what happens.”}

The spectral woman pointed to a flat-topped rock that looked like it would make a convenient bench, when asked where the bathers should keep their clothing. { “There? On the floor? Anywhere but in the pools, please.”}

Clíodhna did not offer any response beyond a blank stare from her already-blank face, to observations about lack of walls, privacy, or towels. As a spirit, she’d long since left such mortal concerns behind, and such thoughts did not really cross her mind. It seemed that bathers were supposed to air-dry (or just be wet)--unless they were transmogrified into fish or spirits. The lack of conveniences for creatures of flesh--instead of ectoplasm--might explain the dearth of bathers.

{ “If there’s nothing further, I’ll leave you to it.” } The banshee said, her voice growing fainter as her shimmery outline began to disappear.

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa
​

Mentions: Irihi Elvario

Languages: "%Analog%" "["Terran]"

"[Awesome!]" Yunaesa exclaimed cheerily enough when Almeida confirmed to her in Terran that they were in the right place after all, it would have been really bad if they came all the way there and then it turned out there was no resurrection, at that point they'd need something short of a miracle if it was after the 10 day period.

She'd nod at what Almeida said, "[Yeah It'd be cool to be able to fly, and being a harpy might let you do that! But I think there might be a way to fly and scout without turning into one that would be possible with the form my creator decided I should have without changing his design so much!]""


"[Okay, I guess this won't be a long leisurely bath then! But that's alright too, we can experience it and hopefully get everyone resurrected quickly then.]"

"[Sweet, look forward to trying it with ya then to see if we can't make some really yummy the next time we get our hands on some bug meat!]"

"[Yeah you have fun too Zjorn! I think they will Zjorn really likes hanging out with Valerius!]" She'd do the same for Zjorn.

"[Really? Those rules sound kind of funny! Guess this really isn't a normal bath then huh? Water getting hotter suddenly, and only spirits and soon to be spirits bathing area? Might have to write a book on baths with how different and interesting they can be!]"



"[Oh no! I didn't know that could happen to Irihi!]" Yuna exclaimed equally alarmed. "[Well it should still work if those are the remains of her body! We can try putting them in.]"

"[I think I should get going with Corporal Iona Glimmerleaf before she turns into ash and stone too!]" She'd take the body of Glimmerleaf and try to go through the process Almeida described to her with the whole wash before bathing thing and needing to strip the body before trying to revive, Yuna figured that she should probably hurry up with the first part at least.

 

[Irihi]

Corporal Iona Glimmerleaf
​

Equipped Titles: Tiny (0.2m), Fae,
Mentions: TheTimePiece Elvario

It wouldn’t take long to complete the process of washing Glim’s tiny remains, though Yuna likely damaged some of her armor removing it. The fairy was the size of a small doll, her clothing’s clasps and buttons had been built by people her size, and were far too small for Yuna to manage.

Glim was a will-o-the wisp and quite different from most humanoids. Her animus was magic instead of blood, so her remains did not decay as a normal mortal’s would. In fact, it was only Yuna’s resolution to see her returned to the world of the living that had kept her vessel from discorporating in a manner similar to Irihi’s.

Whatever the cause, Glim was whole as she floated lifelessly in the pool. Further, her spirit had not gone far beyond the gates between the planes of living and dead. Her death was--as yet--but a dream of places remembered and people loved; a brief and temporary reunion with those others who had wholly passed on.

Glim awoke from her deathly state, and the world of the afterlife--that she had slowly been slipping toward--vanished as an unremembered dream.

The Veil of Echos might draw a person back from the afterlife, but it was not one of the restorative pools. Corporal Glimmerleaf’s wing was still broken, her limbs were still battered and contused. The fairy struggled for a moment--for she had been placed face-down in the water--disoriented before she managed to roll herself upright and let out a tiny gasp as long-stilled lungs drew in a breath. Whether Yunaesa or Almeida helped her, she would make her way--thrashing and sputtering--to the edge of the spring, heaving her arms up over the side and holding herself above water while she gagged and coughed.

Glim was having a rough day. Her state of undress was the least of her worries as she crawled out of the life-restoring spring--not unlike a half-drowned insect clambering from the enormity of a child’s backyard plastic pool. The fairy dragged herself free of the water and fell on her side, curling into a fetal position, her sodden and broken wing dangling limply.

Not dead, not drowning, and not under attack from monster bugs, Glim was regaining her wits. With life came the weight of the world--all that had happened to her, and all that she had done to others--crashing upon the fairy like a leaden wave. What death had taken away, the Veil of Echos had restored. No longer numbed by battlefield shell-shock, Glim relived the death of each and every one of her comrades, the choices she had made, and the betrayals she had done.

Placing her tiny hands over her face, Iona Glimmerleaf began to cry. And she didn’t stop.

For quite some time.

A fairy’s ugly cry is a bit of a different affair from that of a creature of flesh and blood. It was sparklier, for one thing. Glim, and her people, were tiny but powerful kinks in the flow of mana, and what channeled through them came out as glittering potential--at least to the eyes of humans and constructs such as Yuna and Almeida. One might worry, considering the amount of this “fairy dust” that Glim seemed to be leaking, that she might cry herself into nonbeing--and perhaps she would not have minded doing so, if it meant she could properly mourn her friends.

But life--along with its weight and heft--brings expectations and obligations to the living as well as the dead. Glim gradually became aware of the two constructs that had brought her here. Her sobbing slowed, the glow of mourning diminished, for now--for now she needed to thank her rescuers.

[{“T-thank you.”}] Glim’s [telepathy F] allowed her to speak her native tongue but still be understood by all present. Glim might have been confused when she revived in the Veil of Echos, but she had since pieced together at least some of what was happening. She knew--remembered in vivid detail--she had died trying to give their tankbusters one last shot at the bunker bug. One of them was here; the hammer-wielder, Almeida.

[{“Did we… did we win?”}] Glim’s question was an incredulous whisper. It had seemed so hopeless, even as she’d sacrificed her last scrap of magic; they had been outnumbered and outgunned, yet Almeida surely could not have survived--and Glim, herself would not have been recovered--if M’lyrna had fallen.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

She'd nod a few times at Clíodhna, then wanted to ask some questions, but before she realised, the banshee had vanished into mist. Ah well. She could find out anything else she wanted to know by trial and error. “[We can't eat in the baths, she doesn't know what that pool is about, we can leave our clothes anywhere other than in the baths and eh... I think that was it.]” She translated for Yuna.

As for long leisure baths, she shrugged. “[Well, perhaps it won't affect us as much due to being part machine and we can still take our time. We'll have to wait and see.]” She'd also nod at the bug meat bit. “[Perhaps we should hire ourselves a chef the next time we go slay something, to prepare it on the spot.]”

Resurrecting Irihi was another matter. “[Yeah, it'd be a waste not to even try. Though... It's kinda shaped like one of those things that start bubbling and releasing soap in the water... ah... what's it called again? Bath Bomb?]” She checked the gemstone again and nodded to herself. “[Let's hope she'll be resurrected like a resurrection bath bomb!]”

After, she'd watch Yuna put in Glimmerleaf into the water, having given her a wash. Upon seeing the fairy ressurected, but immediatly struggle, Almeida would reach out to scoop her out of the water. “{There you go! Welcome back!}” She'd reply, glad to see their first victim companion had returned to the world of the living.

To Almeida's surprise, the fairy started crying. Not sure what to do, she'd gently try to pat the latter's head every so slightly, softly and gently with the tip of her pinky. “{There, there, it's alright. You're back alive and I'm sure we'll find a healing bath soon enough to get you fix up in full. No need to worry!}” She'd try cheer up the fairy.

When she heard the 'you're welcome', Almeida smiled. “[Of course, no problem~]” As for the next question, Almeida scoffed. “[Of course we won. Valerius and I whacked up that big 'oll buggo real good until it was no more, whilst Zjorn and Yuna mowed through the other bugs like they were nothing. There'd be no point in a celebration bath if we hadn't won, after all! We just need to resurrect the elf so she can join us to keep our promise... which, I'm gonna do right now!]”

She took of her clothes and threw them on a pile on the ground besides the bath, quickly washing herself. She figured that, since the ash might scatter if she just threw it in, despite maybe needing stick around the gem for it to work, it would be safer to just carry the whole thing into the bath carefully. “[I hope I can make this work without scattering the ash. I think that might be needed? Anyhow, I'll just try to carry it in carefully just in case.]” She'd explain to Yuna. “[That should also make sure she doesn't end up nearly drawning as well, I think.]” At least Almeida could just hold or pull her above water if she'd resurrect upside down as well or something.

Step by step, she'd get deeper into the water, carrying the gem (and the ashes in as far as she could keep those scooped up in her hands) into the bath carefully and lowering it as she got deeper. “[Come on, work, work, work... We got a promise to keep!]” She prayed to the resurrection bath goddess, or something like that.

 

[Irihi]

Irihi Spokelse ​

​

Immediately, upon touching the water, the cracked gemstone began to shudder, hiss, and smoke. It shook so violently that it seemed to leap out of Almeida’s cupped hands. It sank quickly to the bottom of the pool, continuing to effervesce with great black bubbles. The clear water clouded and darkened as the bursting bubbles spread a thin layer of infernal haze over the roiling spring. Soon, the entire pool was obscured beneath the fog and a dull reddish glow pulsed beneath the mist.

Despite the dramatic visuals, Almeida would not find herself much troubled by the rather tepid water of the Veil of Echos.

A whorl in the black fog beside the construct became a thin dancing whirlwind of black. More and more of these tiny smoke devils bent and twisted upward from the surface until they were a great mass of whipping darkness. From beneath these inky tornadoes a pallid figure unfurled, the writhing smoke becoming her long midnight locks, the bubbling surface of the pool transforming into goulish hands that clutched at her--trying to drag her down into the carmine glow beneath the mists.

Wickedly thin sharp-nailed fingers sliced through the fog hands and they dispersed with thin misty wails as Irihi, quite literally, clawed her way back from hell. More ghostly hands erupted from the mist and Irihi dove into them, teeth bared in a silent snarl as she disappeared beneath the water with a splash.

A moment later, the elfmaid reemerged from the water, gripping the faintly sparking remains of her soulstone
.
Like Glim, Almeida, and--presumably--Yuna, she was unclothed and standing waist-deep in the water--or whatever the pool had become. Wearing only a rather cross expression, she turned her violet gaze upon her savior and held out the gemstone--which was now blackened, scorched, and crumbling away to nothingness.

X“Dearheart, I don’t suppose you happened to see who it was that threw my iStone 16 in the drink?”X she asked. Or presumably asked, for her voice was completely silent. If any present were lip readers, they might make out most of her words--though the annoyed tic twitching of the corner of her eye might be somewhat visually distracting.

Irihi continued to speak, though none of the mortal ears present would hear even the slightest sound issuing from her thinly-drawn lips. X”I am not sure why anyone would think it was still IP7 with a cracked screen, or how it could possibly be a good idea to throw a necromantic anchor into a life-giving pool,”X she groused.

As perplexed as Irihi seemed to be, her annoyance was tempered by her surroundings, and the company she found herself in. So the idiots survived. Their vessels must be quite durable. Irihi settled and cocked a feathery eyebrow as she took in Almeida’s appearance. The construct’s body had rather generous additional assets besides durability, the sorceress decided, and found herself not at all displeased by the observation.

As the soulstone dissolved away to nothingness, Irihi’s lips twisted into a half-bemused smirk. X”If more of you mortal fools would present such a pleasing display when you wreck my shit, the world would be a better place--for me.”X said, not realizing her backhanded compliment--or perhaps front-handed insult--was falling on deaf ears.

Irihi folded her arms before her obscuring nothing and gave Almeida a tight-lipped smile. X”We should probably exit the pool, dearheart, before my influence wholly corrupts it.”X So (silently) saying, Irihi waded to the side of the Veil of Echos.

The tall elfmaid emerged from the water dry. It seemed that the deathmonger and resurrection bath mixed about as well as oil and water. Irihi’s long-legged body--or at least all that of it which was now visible to mortal eyes--was restored to her former beauty; the TonDen of gray ash she constructed in homage to what she once had been, before war and world had broken and scarred her genuine mortal coil. Irihi--without her sorceress robes--was at once demure and imposing. She was slightly above moderate height and svelte; the quintessential A’ardky, save for her pallid complexion and midnight tresses, yet she seemed to tower over--and have a mass and gravity vastly greater than--any observer; no matter their own height or heft. Such was the world-warping aura that moved, like the waves of a ship’s wake, before and aft of the sorceress.

X”Hello again.”X Irihi said, silently, to Yunaesa. She stood beside the second construct, taking in Yuna’s presence--bright and vapid as she thought it to be--with no less pleasure than she had Almeida’s.

Then she turned her attention to the tiny weeping fairy, and Irihi’s expression darkened. X”Welcome back, Corporal.”X She said, quietly. X”I see you have returned to the world of the living. I suggest you not make a custom of it.”X Her jaw tightened. X”It can become a habit that one finds… difficult… to break.”X [/color]

As Glim continued to sniffle, Irihi turned her head to address Yuna. X”A scrap of a wet blanket on the party, isn’t she? Did you really need to bring her back? Perhaps I could rectify that faux pas.”X She suggested.

Irihi sighed. It was unlikely her newd companions would think kindly of her reversing their resurrection of Glim. Instead, she decided to try her own hand at giving comfort to the Fae noncom. X”Do not mourn them, Corporal. They are all at peace, as you were.”X She said, and--if it had dawned on her that the living could, once again, not hear her words--Irihi might have been pleased that the unusual gentleness in her voice was just as inaudible as her typical insults and ironic needling. As Almeida had, Irihi reached out a finger to touch Glim’s head, but her’s was not just a gesture. With it came the knowledge; the hint of the release granted by death. Where the tiny fairy was burdened by the guilt of surviving the conflict that had taken the lives of every one of her comrades, Irihi now reminded her of how free she had felt--how unburdened of cares her fellow soldiers were--now that they were dead, and their souls laid to rest by Irihi and Watching of Reflection.

Sometimes forgetting was not such a gift.

Irihi raised the hand with which she had touched Glim. About it now clasped one of the Goddess Shackles; the bond she had momentarily slipped, to join her companions in the bathhouse. Easing Glim’s sorrows had quenched the blazing malice with which she forged her freedom, poisoning the reactor of her rage. Empathy always did. With narrowed violet eyes, she looked to her other wrist--still unchained, for now--and rose from where she had crouched beside the fairy.

X”I’m afraid I only have a little more of that left in me, before I shall be recalled to gehenna, dearhearts.”X She said, quietly silently. X”Perhaps we should bring Glim to a restorative bath--maybe one that is a little warmer,”X she eyed the necromantic miasma of roiling mist and bubbling evil that she’d made of the Veil of Shadows, X”and less corrupted by my influence.”X

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

Almeida was both surprised and not surprised. “[Wow, it really does work like a bath bomb! Except even more strong and tough to hold than excpected!]” She tried gathering it up again, but it was pretty tough to find it with the water blackening and the haze rolling over it. “[Yuna, you still there? I can't see you past this haze!]” She'd call out.

That's when she noticed Irihi reforming and nearly being dragged back. “{Oi! Hands off, she's got a promise to keep, you can't have her!}” She'd shout, as she tried pulling Irihi away from the grasping hands of hell. She wished she had Valerius with her, so she could just hammer them. When Irihi dove beneath the water, Almeida tried to go after her. It'd be really lame to her her drawn or get pulled back into the afterlife, despite having bath-bomb resurrected her with unsuspected success.

Luckily enough, it seemed Irihi managed to get free of them. “{Welcome back! I brought you into the resurrection bath so we could keep our promise! I'm surprised you were that much of a bath bomb though.}” She'd explain. “{Why are you just moving your lips without speaking though?}” She'd ask.

Almeida did indeed have a couple of size-able assets and one particular addition. She was made to be the next stage of Human evolution, after all, so when it came to even the non-robotic body shapes and add-ons, they were made to be prime examples of what her creator thought Humanity should be(come) like. Then again, some where definitely among the more dubious and questionable choices that one might even deem slightly perverse by those that didn't understand his vision or by those that that understood it a bit too well.

Then again, not know much about the whole 'shame' thing, Almeida would just stare back. “{You seem less thin and frail then you did post-death, I think? I can't see well with all this mist. We can go find a recovery bath next or something though, to get you fixed up in full, if that's not yet the case.}” She'd offer. Seeing how Irihi was getting out, Almeida would follow suit, thinking she'd understood the plan to find a follow-up recovery pool. “{Oh, neat, you already look fully recovered again!}” She'd happily comment once Irihi got out of the bath.

She'd let Irihi do her thing with Glim for a bit, though still confused. “[Hey, Glim, can you hear what she's saying? I'm getting confused. I only see her lips move. What about you Yuna?]” She'd ask the other two, wondering if it was just her or if this was happening to the other two as well.

“{So are we going to find a recovery bath now? Also, should we ask the mist woman to clean up this? Or is this normal?}” She looked at the bath. It didn't seem the most normal. “[Hey, Yuna, do you think that was meant to happen?]” She'd ask, pointing at the bath.

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa
​

"[Okay! Got it!]" She'd respond at the not eating in the bath bit.

"[Maybe, I don't know exactly how the magic works here, but it would be nice if that was true, then we could have a proper bath on account of our machine parts!]"

"[Oh I wonder if there are any good chefs around, cause that's a neat idea!]" Yunaesa continued cheerily.

Yunaesa tilted her head a bit at the mention of a 'bath bomb' a strange sense of familiarity at the term..like she had heard it before even if she didn't know exactly what it was supposed to be, but the way that Almeida described it made it sound fun, so a determined grin fell upon Yunaesa's face.

"[Yeah! A resurrection bath bomb! Let's make it happen! It's gotta work! We came all the way here and I'm not about to give up now!]"

"[Sweet! the resurrection bath worked! Awh no need to feel down Corporal, you tried your best, I know you did! And yeah we tore those bad bugs up real good just like Almeida said!]"

She'd watch Almeida do the next part carefully, "[ I think keeping her as close together as possible is a good idea, we don't know what'll happen if we don't.]"

She'd repeat after Almeida when she was pleading for it to work.

Then the haze came in which was rather disorientating.

"[ Looks like it's turning out to be a proper bath bomb!]" She'd try to move in the direction she heard Almeida's voice

"[What's going on? Are you okay?!]" She'd call out alarmed at hearing Almeida say whatever couldn't have her.


until presumably seeing what transpired next as things cleared up and thankfully, it wasn't a site which



(presumably Yuna is correct as described her following the instructions)

"[Oh hey!]" Yunaesa waved at Iris, but then was confused when she didn't hear the words come from her unfortunately even though she saw her clearly speaking. What was going on? Some side effect of resurrection or...gee the water looked strange too during that process.

"[you too then huh? It looks like she's muted for me for some reason and I'm not sure why..]"

She'd look at the water again "[Maybe for her and for others it's normal, but I wasn't really expecting that.]" She'd be ready for what was next seemingly equally unbothered by the lack of clothing about.

 

[Irihi]

Corporal Iona Glimmerleaf
​

Equipped Titles: Tiny (0.2m), Fae,
Mentions: TheTimePiece Elvario

Glim stared glassily at the little puddle of water and glitter in which she was sitting as Almeida revealed that they had conquered the bugs after her death. [{“That’s great.”}] the voice in Yuna and Almeida’s minds sounded desolate--as though nothing could ever be great ever again. [{“Good work.”}] She did not say much more. Glim felt like her broken wing, her bruises and injuries, were all deserved. How could she ease her own pain when she had failed to prevent so much death and destruction? She barely noticed the upset of the necromantic bath bomb or the exchanges between the resurrected Irihi, Almeida, and Yunaesa.

Glim shuddered as the deathmonger approached, squatted beside her, and touched her. Unlike the others, she could hear the ghostly reverberations of Irihi’s speech. She was not sure if it was because of her telepathy, or because she had been recently deceased, but Glim understood Irihi’s every word. ”{Fuck you, Private,}” she said, quietly, as Irihi offered her own form of consolation. ”{you monster.}”

Irihi’s was cold comfort to Glim. Oh, she felt some measure of finality and closure to her comrades deaths, certainly. Knowing they were laid to rest in the end gave some measure of relief, but Glim still mourned their loss as all their friends and families would. She did not find her will to live bolstered at all by the sorceress crouching next to her.

But they were all going, and Glim seemed to face the choice of going with them, or staying here beside the corrupted pool and wallowing in her sorrow. She tried to push aside her feelings of loss and join with the bathers. She found that this became easier as Irihi stood and drew away. The farther she was from the necromancer, the less of a leaden weight seemed to press upon her tiny heart.

{[“Can… can you carry me?”]} She asked Yunaesa. {[“A bath sounds… nice.”]} Glim said hesitantly, finding that she was starting to believe her own words. It did sound nice. She was glad to be alive.

Of course, getting scooped up by Yuna was… an experience. Many faeries preferred to live their lives au natural, but those colonies were the wild--and often wicked--cousins of Iona’s kin. Her people considered themselves more civilized, generally preferring to integrate into organized societies that--unlike the faeries of this forest--did not lead unwary travellers to their deaths, and also usually clothed themselves. So, sitting nude on the palm of a humanoid construct of Yuna’s build was kind of a dramatically unique experience. Glim was still on her journey back from moroseness, so the sudden giggle that seized her ended up aborting a sob, and ended up as a half-sneezed cloud of fairy dust.

A little embarrassed, she looked up at Yuna with watery eyes. {[“You’re very pretty.”]} She said by way of explanation.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

“[Exactly! Perhaps the transforming bit was an overstatement to begin with, I mean, surely it's just one of those warning labels they stick on everything just in case, right? I'm pretty sure even I had some of them.]” She started checking something around the mechanical joints in her knee, as something started creaking. “[Like that! I'm pretty sure it came with a warning that moving when it's creaking like that could break it, but so far, it's never broken!]”

She'd also nod at Yuna. “[Either we find a chef or we should learn it ourselves. I'd rather hire one though.]” Cooking sounded too complicated. She'd rather just stick with the eating part, which was also a lot more fun, come to think of it.

“[Yeah, I was fine, there were just some weird hands or something trying to pull the Elf underwater. Kind-off weird how it did that.]” She still wasn't sure what exactly had happened, but so be it. She clicked her tongue at the next bit. “[So it's not just me. That's weird. Perhaps her sound is still dead? Can you resurrect without sound?]”

She scoffed at Glim's words. “[How can you give compliments and be such a downer about it. It almost sounds like an insult. At least celebrate the victory a little or something.]” She puffed, actually a little bit annoyed at that.

It was a good thing she didn't hear Glim say 'Fuck you' to Irihi due to how silently she was speaking, or she'd already be asking if doing those kinds of things was allowed in public bathhouses or not. Since it seemed Glim wanted a ride, Almeida left Yuna to it. It seemed like somehow, that cheered up the fairy. Took her long enough. “[I think that one should be good!]” She'd point at what she thought would be a recovery bath. Or what she hoped would be one. “{Clíodhna!?! Are you around?!? Can that bath of there help our fairy friend recover?}” She'd call out. Best to double check, just in case. She'd rather not make fairy soup on accident or something.

 

[Irihi]

Clíodhna
“...yes, how may I--.” The banshee faded into view at Almeida’s summons, cutting herself of with a rather colorful curse when she espied the wreckage of the Veil of Echos.

“I see you have restored… something.” She looked a little pale, even for a spook as she took in the evil miasma, half-drowned fairy, and necromantic atrocity. Tempted as she was to suggest that the now-nude bathers go jump in the river--hopefully to be carried away and never darken her doorstep again--the banshee restrained herself and simply pointed the way.

Restorative Spring It was a short walk back to the entrance of the grotto, where the more mundane baths steamed and lamps glowed invitingly. Clíodhna directed the four women to an out-of-the-way pool near the least-tumbledown portion of the bathhouse. Unlike the decaying wreckage they had passed so far, this part of the bathhouse had unrotted wooden walls and doors.

There was a naturally-enchanted restorative hot spring there which was currently unoccupied. The pool, itself was a rather amorphous shape with a few islands where rocks jutted from the water. There were plenty of ledges and shallows, with a few deep spots as well, the bottom of which bubbled gently with the rising hot water from deep underground.

Their banshee host tended to avoid this section of the bathhouse, as it was near the boiler and the kitchens--managed by her still-living brother. This section was noisier and livelier--wholly unappealing in Clíodhna’s opinion; the perfect place to dump her troublesome guests.

The banshee indicated the pool and then pointed to the door beyond, explaining that, for a truly scalding experience, an herbal soak, or those nonsense diversions of the living--like food or drink--guests could proceed into the rooms behind the restorative pool, where they would be her brother, Rory’s, problem.

Rather than slowly fade out of existence, this time Clíodhna vanished in an abrupt burst of mist that had a feeling of finality about it; a sort of now I’m going to spend the rest of the day cleaning up your mess, so don’t bother me again kind of feeling.

 

[Irihi]

Irihi Spokelse
​

Irihi looked nonplussed as Almeida, and then Yunaesa, asked why she was mute. She was further displeased when Glim indicated that she could hear Irihi.

X” Wonderful. So only the most obnoxious of you can hear me. ”X She observed, crossly. Well, it couldn’t be helped. This was far from the first time Irihi’s voice had become silent to mortal ears. Being mute could be quite annoying when one was trying to deliver a terrifying soliloquy to one’s enemies before obliterating them.

On the other hand, silence had its advantages. For instance; Irihi was free to make obscenely very detailed observations about Almeida’s physiology without fear of annoying the construct, or giving her the right wrong impression. She decided to engage in this entertaining pastime while Yuna gathered up (or not) their feeble fairy friend.

Arms akimbo, Irihi regarded Almeida with an appraising eye and a rather-less-tight-lipped smirk. X” You are certainly something to behold, dearheart, ”X she began. A life as a murderous necromancer did not lend itself well to physical intimacy. Despite Irihi’s rather impressive lifespan, her experience with living bodies--especially unclothed living bodies--was decidedly lacking. Most of Irihi’s seven thousand years had been spent frozen as a cursed statue, but she still had a good quarter-millenia of time slaying living among mortals. In that time, only a very small handful of men and women had survived tolerated Irihi’s attentions. It was this rather paltry library of pleasures of the flesh that she leveraged in comparing and contrasting Almeida’s attributes in gleeful, silent, and favorable detail.

Unlikely to be able to read lips speaking in Proto-Sylvan, Almeida might still possibly get the impression that Irihi’s observations were mostly complimentary.

Irihi was not in any real hurry to go anywhere. Though she wasn’t much of a conversationalist, the necromancer was enjoying the experience. This certainly ranked among the most bizarre of her returns to the mortal realm. Though her soulstone had been destroyed in the process, she found that she would still rate this resurrection at least four out of five stars.

X” I suppose you want to toss Miss Glimmerleaf into healing waters--and not hold her head under until the bubbles stop,”X Irihi grinned toothily at the fairy. X” more’s the pity. ”X She raised a hand from a hip and pointed toward the flicker of lights where the grotto gave way to bathhouse. X” Shall we proceed in that direction, buxom idiots? ”X She glanced at Glim. X” Oh, and stupid bug, of course. ”X

It seemed that they all--or at least those whose opinions mattered to Irihi--were in agreement to head to another bath. When Clíodhna appeared at Almeida’s summons, Irihi regarded the spectre with an appraising eye. The necromancer had, in lives past, consumed such spirits and forged them into nexus of corruption. The magic to do so seemed--maddeningly--just on the tip of her tongue, and it was with a very intense violet gaze that she stared at the banshee, trying to recall just how she had turned so many of Clíodhna’s kind into drawstrings and drawspikes. Nope, can’t quite remember, she sighed, deciding she would just have to settle for unsettling the ghost, rather than devouring her.

X” Oh goody.”X Irihi said, in silent approval, as they reached a new pool. She dipped in a toe and found that the water of this pool did not recoil from her evil presence.

Irihi was having a pretty good time, all things considered. Almeida might not really be exactly her type, but beggars can’t be choosers she decided. And there’s no one here intelligent enough to judge us. This is a brave new world I have not yet corrupted. Why shouldn’t I make friends with the local fauna? She reasoned.

Because your malice must not flag. She reminded herself, surreptitiously checking her wrists. Still only one shackle--or was that the faintest outline of another binding beginning to form?

X” Well, getting to know the locals doesn’t mean I have to like them.”X Irihi said silently to herself. I can still do them it… wickedly. So resolved, she made an attempt to grab Almeida’s wrist. X” Come, dearheart, let us get wet together!”X She said, and then would make an attempt at dragging the construct with her into this new hotspring.

 

[Elvario]

Almeida

Spoiler: full image and source

From: Almeida

Mentions: Irihi | Yuna TheTimePiece
Languages: Common | [Terran] | %Analog% | <Beastial> | {Sylvan}

Even Almeida was barely not dense enough to notice something wasn't right with their hostess. “{Ehm, yes, we resurrected the Elf, but she returned like a bath bomb. Was that not supposed to happen? Do I need to help clean up later?}” She'd ask, not wishing to anger the one who'd so graciously provided them with an amazing bathhouse. She'd bow down. “{I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't think it'd be that big of a bath bomb, honestly!}”

Whether she'd return for clean-up duties later or not was a future question, as she was pointed towards the spring in question. “[Wow... that is a really big bath.]” A bath big enough to have islands? That was wild. “[She's saying there are like REALLY SUPER HOT baths there, as well as herbal soaks, whatever those are and food and drink.]” She'd translate for Yuna. “{I'm sorry again!}” She'd call after the hostess when she vanished.

That turned her attention back to the Elf. Sadly enough, Almeida still couldn't hear her. Even though the Elf was talking to her. It confused her. The Elf should realise she couldn't be heard by now, right? Yet she was still talking. That could mean only one thing. The Elf was really angry or something. Surely that had to be it. “{Ehm... you didn't like being resurrected as a bath bomb so we could keep our promise either?}” Almeida was starting to feel a bit down from all that.

As a result, she also got the staring bit rather wrongly interpreted. “[Psst, Yuna, she keeps staring at me. Do you think she's angry with me? Or do you think she's thinking my creator made me weirdly? Or do I have something on me? I didn't get any bits rusty, did I?]” She normally wasn't easily shamed or self-conscious, but after having felt like the Elf was upset, she started to feel as such. She'd check under her arm-pits and in some other places, but everything seemed clean and non-rusted and good enough. That probably wasn't it. So the Elf really was angry, then?

For a bit, Almeida was just staring ahead of her, a little sad. The Fairy had resurrected, but she seemed mostly sad. The Elf had resurrected and made the bath bomb thing that made the hostess mad... and now the Elf herself seemed mad or something. This really wasn't going according to plan, especially after how far they'd travelled to even get here. She felt bad for Yuna, whom she'd dragged along all this time for such a disappointing result. How could the others not like a resurrection bath? It was beyond her, but it seemed to be...

Just before she made up her mind that her plans had failed, she felt Irihi grab her wrist. Was the latter going to punish her for having been wrong about their promise? That's when she noticed Irhi was dragging her towards the hotspring. Her slowly saddening look changed like the flash of thunder on a clear sky, as it brightened up. So she wasn't wrong! Irihi was getting into this and DID want to keep their promise to enjoy a bathhouse together!

Smiling from ear to hear, she'd not be able to contain herself as she'd jump forwards and grab Irihi to pull her into a good big 'ol bear hug. “{So you do want to come here! I was getting so worried you weren't enjoying yourself or were angry or something! Oh, I'm so glad you DO want to keep our promise! Of course we'll go!}” She'd state, not wanting to delay any time such as by putting Irihi down first and just getting in further whilst keeping her in the good 'ol bear hug. Happy that this outcome was achieved after all, she wasn't thinking about their current situation or how much she was pressing into Irihi in three places in particular for a bit, until she put her down again and waved over Yuna and Glim.

“[The water is really nice, you two should come in as well!]” She'd call out. “[I'm so happy {{Dearheart}} wants to join us after all! Now we can enjoy it all four, right! Nothing is better than a post-battle bath with all your friends!]”

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yunaesa
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Mentions: Elvario Irihi

Language: "%Analog%", "[Terran]"

“[Sure I can help carry you!]” Yunaesa was more than happy to assist Glim, coming right over to pick her up.

“[Yeah! A bath sounds good, hopefully we can get you healed up the rest of the way soon!]”

Yunaesa seemed completely unbothered by having Glim on her in their respective current statuses.

“[Oh you think so? I think you’re pretty too Glim! Like really pretty! I think my creator would be happy to hear you call me pretty too. I’m supposed to be the next stage of life, cutting edge science you know? So being received as pretty is definitely a good thing~!]”

By the time Almeida spoke up, Yunaesa nodded, “[I bet I’d come with that kind of warning too!]” She’d giggle some, moving around and creating a similar creaking sound.

“[Even if it sounds kinda risky, haven’t had anything break yet just by moving it, and since it sounds like our creators were so similar, that’s probably a good idea!]”


“[If you keep going on adventures, and I go on them too and keep doing work with Decimus too, I think we should be able to afford one of those pretty soon!]” She’d exclaim cheerily.

“[To be honest I don’t really get any of that, why the hands and why no sound? I don’t think Zjorn would know much either, using magic to revive people and grabby revival water hands aren’t really something either of us learned a lot about either.]”

“[But maybe you can revive without sound, that would explain a lot.]”

With Almeida’s words she’d chime in,

“[Yeah Glim! We really did meet the objective, there’s no need to feel so down, we defeated a lot of monsters together,and you’re back here again, so seriously, you should be able to celebrate some like Almeida said!]”

There wasn’t as much Yuna could add at least as first with the conversation Almeida was having in that other language she couldn't understand for some reason, the ones she heard fae speaking a lot.

She did look when Almedia pointed toward the spring,

“[Woah you aren’t kidding Almy! That’s really big. Herbal soaks too? That sounds neat, if the baths are really hot we should becareful though don’t want anyone getting hurt.]”

Yuna responded a bit more softly at the next part

“[Huh? I don’t think it could be that, I think you look really pretty Almeida! Maybe she’s looking so long cause she likes the way you look too.]”


“[That or she could be mad I guess but I don’t see how it could be for something bad.]”

She didn’t get the next language part but certainly understood and enjoyed seeing the hug. “[Awh so she isn’t mad at you! See~”]

She then looked to Glim, “[We should totally come in too then! If you wanna i mean, just let me know when you’d like to be put down.]” She’d make her way over toward the waters Almeida and Irihi were going toward with some more enthusiasm, pretty keen to partake herself it seemed.

 

[Irihi]

Irihi Spokelse

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Almeida was just as strong as they looked, and Irihi found herself mashed against the curvy construct by arms like steel bands. X”Woof.”X She breathed out a cool silent exhalation as her spine cracked in the constricting embrace and Almeida waded them both into the hotspring.

X”Dearheart, I don’t find you a bit rusty.”X The sorceress gasped as she was given a moment to draw an unneeded breath. There hadn’t been a lot of daylight between her body and that of the construct. Despite herself, Irihi had enjoyed both the view and the feel. It seemed Almeida was at least part construct; bits of them were delightfully soft and supple flesh while other parts were rock hard and rigid as steel.

Irihi could appreciate all of them. She had extensive experience with golems. She, herself wore a TonDen of grey ash like a cocoon about her core. Though it was a necromantic construct, it was impossible to discern what of Irihi was real, and what was animated by her sorcery. It all would feel as pliable as living flesh, if a bit cooler.

The necromancer put a pale hand on Almeida’s arm, encouraging her to wade deeper into the pool, until the water would reach their shoulders. Then, Irihi’s hand went places a bit more daring. X”Is this body of yours something you made, yourself?.”X Irihi asked, with a sly smile. X”Or are all these bits and bobs someone else’s design?”X If Almeida did not stop her, Irihi's other hand joined her first in exploring those attributes of which she spoke.

These days, Irihi was much more forward than millennia ago, when she had been a tender young flaxen-haired A’ardky of only eighty-or-so years. Then, she’d carefully observed the mores of polite society, jockeying for position and favor with her peers and near-peers; watching every word, every touch, every subtle alteration of facial expression or body language.

Those inhibitions were gone now, swept away by tides of blood, burned to cinders by fiery malice, and just simply cast aside like the life she had forsaken. Irihi might not yet have regained the power of The Atrocity she had been in past lives, but she acted as though she had. If Almeida did not bar the door and shutter the windows, Irihi was quite likely to sweep into her personal spaces like a rainstorm--or hurricane; like the force of nature she had once been.

After all, when one has made the decision to sully oneself by wading into the sticky ooze of the scum of the worlde, there is no point in doing so in half-measure.

Irihi’s attention was not wholly occupied with Almeida, however. She spared a glance and one delicately pointed ear for Yunaesa. After all, this resurrection was something entirely new, and becoming new-er by the moment.

Irihi, herself, gave little thought to modesty. She had fought the Great Leveler--an encounter she had survived while her wards, hexes, armor, and clothing had not. Yet she rarely found company as libertine as herself, and only ever in pairs, not triples. Or quads, if you count the insect. she thought to herself. X”Join us, then, won’t you, Dearheart?”X the sorceress gestured for Yuna to come hither.

And felt a little tremor shake a bit of the black dust from her cracked and unbeating heart of coal. What was that? She wondered to herself. How could I feel a thrill of guilty pleasure when I feel neither guilt nor pleasure? X”Your two physiques seem quite similar. Won’t you let me explore and see if I can discover any delightful differences?”X She suggested. Irihi’s words might be muted, but her wicked intentions certainly were not.