The hairs on the back of Elaina's neck stood on end, and the ranger tries to dodge the eggy missile, but her reaction isn't nearly fast enough and she feels the shell of the egg breaking on the back of her neck barely an eye-blink later.
"YEEEK!"
The raw egg sends a shiver down her spine as it dribbles down her back and under her clothes.
She turns and gives Seraph a mock glower and begins taking off the cloak.
"Yes, and I believe the both of us are going to need a bath after this."
Once the eggs and the cloak are exchanged she gives Seraph to the count of ten to get started.
She opens her eyes and finds the world is upside-down. She can feel her clothing, armor, and gear sliding towards the ground.
Thank the stars I'm on the petite side, otherwise this would just be plain embarrassing.
She looks around as the blood rushes to her head. She doesn't see any sign of Seraph, or the fey they were supposed to recruit.
"Seraph? Can you hear me?"
How far did I get tossed?
"EHHHHHHHHH!"
Seraph's mouth hangs open as she stares at the now soaring Elaina. As she nears a tree Seraph winces and puts the second egg back in the basket. "What did they put in these eggs."
With her eggs secure she starts to trot over to where she last seen Elaina go...
She finally reaches Elaina and, seeing that she is alright, burst into laughter over the red faced look Elaina had. "The look on your face!" She sets the basket down as she continues laughing, despite the fact moments ago she had been rather worried. "I wonder what the bandits would think of these eh? Heheheh, but first I should help you down."
Seraph takes up the cloak with a laugh. "My turn, see if you can hit me!" With only a ten second head start she dashes off into the wood, trying to stick to the trees and use them for cover. Her luaghter makes it more then easy to locate her...
If she realizzes she is about to get hit she tries to do some aerial stunts...
After all it was only fair to give her a chance to get some distance.
Elaina chases off after her friend and throws an egg when she has a clear shot.
At first she thought she had missed, but the egg just manages to clip Seraph's arm.
'Perhaps unleashing them on the Bandits would be worse than death... What are these eggs!' She halts to stare at her arm before slapping the wooden portion against the trunk of a tree. She wanted to see if her arm still had feeling or not...
She hands the cloak over to Elaina when her ranger friend finally catches up. "Good thing I didn't get you with that one Elaina, I don't think you'd like being a cute wooden doll." She chuckles then, clearly enjoying herself despite the bit of uncertainty.
"I--i--" she tries to apologize, but all she could do was stammer until her brain managed to process what she'd just seen.
"I really hope that wears off. Are you okay?" she finally asks as she puts the red cloak back on.
Once the tools of the game were exchanged, Elaina takes off.
Seraph smiles as the basket of wicked eggs returns to her control. "Oh I am fine, doesn't hurt but it makes me wonder... What will happen to you next? Hmm~" She chuckles as Elaina takes off like a shot, giving her a fairly decent head start before giving chase.
Despite closing on Elaina Seraph knew she wouldn't be so lucky with the eggs with one of her arms being wooden...
Seraph chased Ellaina hither and yon, missing the first few throws terribly as her wooden arm made carrying the eggs a fumbling movement. However she laughed as she was still enjoying herself immensely~
"Hey, Sera--" she begins, only to halt mid-sentence as the sound of her voice registers. It was deep, much too deep, and a hand claps over her mouth, only to shoot away as she feels stubble.
Wrong. Wrong. WRONG!
Everything feels wrong!
The cloak is soon followed by the tunic she wore over her armor, the chain shirt she wore, the padding, then the tunic she wore under all of that, leaving her almost bare from the waist up. The only thing left is an undergarment mean to keep Elaina's petite bosom in place.
"What the hell?!"
Elaina stands there stunned, for she is now a he.
Seraph approaches, not noticing anything amiss and chuckles when Elaina starts acting strangely. "You got the dud! Ha!I guess its my... turn..." She squints at Elaina suspiciously now that she was up close. Her tail was stock still as she subconsciously realized that something was different about Elaina.
"Seraph, I was born a girl, and I didn't have facial hair until a minute ago." Elaina tells the paladin flatly.
He sighs and sits against the tree.
"Do I at least still have my charm?" he asks with a chuckle.
Seraph gives Elaina a wicked grin as she runs a finger under the newly turned Male's chin. "You have a certain allure now..." She grabs Elainas bulky shirt and pulls her forward so tat they are chest to chest. "... this trip got a whole lot better..." She says the last part breathily as her tail slowly wags back and forth as she looks down at Elaina.
She drapes her arms over Elaina's shoulders with a low growl before leaning close, moving to kiss the now male Elaina. She stops short as the cape falls from Elaina's shoulders and whispers. "Just Kidding~"
She takes astep back as she starts to put on the cape. "Couldn't resist~"
"Whu?" Is all Elaina manages to get out before his face turns brilliant red as Seraph brings the two of them together and comes in for a kiss. Much to Elaina's shock, she stops short, and tells him she was just kidding.
"You are a tease, you know that?" he says as he grabs the basket, his armor, and his clothes.
Once he has everything put away, including the now superfluous undergarment, he looks to Seraph.
"Ready? Alright, you have until I count to ten. One~. Two~. TEN!"
Five throws later, Elaina finally manages to land a hit.
Seraph's new look, who needs CLOTHES!
She smirks as she realizes the sneak little feys game. She wish she had kept a couple eggs hidden. But there would be another time she was sure...
She dodged as best she could, laughing and frolicking around objects to avoid Eli (Elaina) for as long as possible. When the egg hit her though she gave a gasp of surprise as the world went dark, she realized she was covered in something and parted the hanging hair as she looked around. She laughed at her predicament and wobbled her way over to Eli, remembering his words only moments before with a smirk. She was intrigued by the markings as well, but those questions would wait until later...
Seeing there were no eggs left Seraph regards Eli carefully with a sly smile. Which is hidden beneath her shaggy coat as she walks up and removes the cloak for the last time. "You so cute turning so red. But you sound disappointed? I am starting to wonder if you wanted me to kiss you?" She says in her usual teasing manner.
Shes teasing and she's up to something... She appears to be getting a firmer hold on the cloak ends...
Before Eli has time to respond Seraph whips the cloak around behind him and pulls him close once more, this time half draped by the cloak. This close meant that even with the shaggy hair he could see the smile on Seraphs lips as she leaned in.
'Chu'
She kissed the front of his forehead then, tickling Eli's face with her long wholly hair style. She releases the tension on the cloak and pulls away partially as she says. "Am I a tease [i]now? Or were you wanting something... More~" She chuckles before adding as an after thought. "Oh~ And don't tell Marten~ I'm sure he doesn't need another dip in the river..." She winks through the thick fur.
Seraph attempts to get her with the cloak regardless.
Before Eli has time to respond Seraph whips the cloak around behind him and pulls him close once more, this time half draped by the cloak. This close meant that even with the shaggy hair he could see the smile on Seraphs lips as she leaned in...
"Master Alchemist," Asta says as she walks into Bokken's home, "good day to you. I have here a purse of money, and I understand that you have potions of Cure moderate wounds, Delay poison and See invisibility. Suppose we make us a trade."
"So, my dear friend, shall I call you Rapunzel, now?" he says as he makes his way to Seraph. Naturally, being told he was cute when he blushed, naturally just made him color more.
"I wasn't disappointed, more surprised really. You have to admit that I'm right, though. You keep skirting just to the edge of doing something, then pulling back. That, my friend, is what makes you a tease. I bet you ha-- HEY!"
He finds himself cut short as the cloak pulls him in. He's unable to stop the taller woman from planting a kiss on his forehead, causing his cheeks and ears to burn.
"D-did you-- just--" He stammers, unable to quite believe what just happened as she pulls away.
Seraph plays the coy maiden as she responds in a surprised tone to Eli. Her wooly hair shaking as she strikes a dainty pose while trying to feign innocence. "Did I skirt too much~" She drops the pose as she stands normally, well as normal as she could with the overabundance of hair. With one hand on her hip she twirls the red cloak and watches Eli turn a fascinating cherry color. "The Anticipation makes the act more worthwhile, especially at how red you've become my dear... Eli.~" She barely avoids chuckling before whispering then...
"I wonder if our Fey friends were equally amused~ Most likely they were waiting until we ran out of eggs before revealing themselves. I guess Pervalish didn't want to be turned into a..." She stops clearly lost as to what gender Pervalish is.
"I was thinking money for potions, but I might be able to do you one better," Asta says. "I know you enjoy your privacy, but even a solitary man has needs. How would you feel about a steady contract with Oleg's trading post? You could order the things you need for your art, and get paid for the fruits of your labour."
"Either that or they thought is was great sport." Elaina whispers back.
The color in his cheeks was slowly fading, and his eyes are unfocused.
"So why do you like to tease me so much?" he asks after a few minutes without the Fey showing up. His tone was curious, not accusatory.
She considers for a long moment why the Fey weren't appearing, she chuckles at Elaina's comment before responding. "Because its those fleeting moments I enjoy most with people like Asta, Marten and yourself. Torod I am unsure how to... humor, yet. But..." She smiles while blowing the hair out of her face. "I admit, when I first met you I thought you were a human until you unraveled your tail. However your reactions are endearing but it feels like you choose to remain restrained and repressed in a way. And that bothers me..." Arshea teaches us to accept who we are, and others for what they are. I know I have come a long way over the years but not everyone's path is as easy as others...
She taps her chin thoughtfully for a moment before saying. "Its hard to explain... I guess I simply enjoy seeing you, even if a little red around the ears at times. It's just nice to have friends I can rely on, who I can joke and play with, even when tossing eggs at them~" With that she takes Elaina's hands in her own, holding them in a friendly way as she smiled at her.
"Not all of us are as comfortable flaunting what we have as you are. Believe me, if had a tunic or something that still fit me, I'd be wearing it right now." Elaina says, half joking.
"Thank you though," he says after a long moment, "It's been so long since I've had anyone to call a friend, anyone that would care if I wasn't there, I'd forgotten what it was like."
As the minutes stretched by, Elaina began to hum, then softly sing.
She chuckles as she lets go of Elaina's hands runs them over her hair covered sides in a comical way. "Hehe, It is the simplest thing Arshea teaches us. Be proud of what you are, don't confine yourself and find freedom." I'm still a monster, but it has saved others so I am fine with that.
She smiles warmly at Elaina. "No need to thank me, I should thank all of you. Julias wasn't the best at conversation..." From behind some trees a horse snorts in disapproval as Seraph keeps talking. "... but I will always have your back."
She whispers then. "Now to find our Fey Friends..."
She tries to assist Elaina's singing.
"Pleasure doing business," Asta says, a small smile on her lips. "I'll take those potions, then, and hopefully your well-wishes for our upcoming, ah, 'venture'."
In the Fey Woods.
Seraph, free of the long hair sighs happily no longer fearing how long it would have taken to shave off all that hair...
What she sees next makes her smirk more at Elaina. Her tail wagged happily as she thought of the look on Marten or even Torod's face if they had seen Elaina so... Vulnerable. "The boys will regret not coming along now~" She points down to her own bosom as she spoke to Elaina, making sure to look her in the eye. Despite the fact that it was hard to miss her upper body as well. "As much as I enjoy the view, you do look a little cold Elaina. Or are you trying to... One up me? As they say in Restov, if so I don't mind~" She says the last part in a teasing way, knowing full well that Elaina got tricked by their fey friends.
She turns to give Elaina privacy and save her poor friend from melting down in complete embarrassment. "You're beautiful by the way, let no one ever make you doubt it and coming from an Arshean that means a lot. However I am interested in those red markings of yours as well." She completed her obedience for the day with her remark.
A while later Seraph considers their camping options and looks to Elaina.
"I think we should go without a fire. Avoid attracting attention tonight. We can Huddle close and I promise no funny business."
___________________________________________
As the fog settles in Seraph tries to keep her and Elaina close to the horses. Without a fire it made the approaching figure more eerie looking. Instead of being afraid Seraph stood and drew her greatsword, leveling the blade in the apparitions direction.
"I am Seraph and you will approach no Further. Tell me who you are? And are you friend or foe?" She demanded firmly.
Seraph, nor anyone else has ever seen the shade of scarlet that Elaina turns when the paladin points out the reversal of her earlier change. She curls up to hide her nakedness and searches frantically for her pack with her clothes, too busy trying to get dressed to notice her friend turning to give her some privacy.
After a minute, she's at least is decent again, though her embarrassment is still there. Before she puts her armor back on, she taps Seraph on the shoulder.
"Did you really mean what you said?" she asks, seeming more like a young girl growing out of her gawky stage than a young woman who was very attractive, before continuing to don her armor.
A while later Seraph considers their camping options and looks to Elaina.
"I think we should go without a fire. Avoid attracting attention tonight. We can Huddle close and I promise no funny business."
"I think that's a good idea." Elaina agrees, shivering a little as the air grew chill.
Elaina is getting the blankets she and Seraph had out from their packs when she hears Seraph question the stranger. She stands and draws her sword as well, keeping the tip pointed low to keep from threatening whoever it is in the mist.
"I don't like this," she whispers to Seraph, her nerves twisting into knots as the tension in her belly rises.
She looks at Elaina as she speaks, completely serious for once. "Of course, why would I lie?" She slowly surveys the woods again, smirking when she doesn't see their elusive friends. "Arshea taught me to praise the most beautiful aspects of others and you are unique as there is only one of you Elaina. Same with Asta, Marten and, Thankfully, Torod as well." The last part was an obvious joke, she was still trying to understand the Erastilian and would make amends once this quest was done.
_______________________________________________
Seraph's blade never wavers as she considers Elaina's better intuition and whispers to her.
"Look behind us, this could be a distraction..." She considers for a short moment before adding. "If it rushes us, get on your horse and escape. I'll be right behind you..."
Elaina merely nods and turns to see if there was something in the fog behind them.
Her eyes glow a deep cold blue as they pierce the gloom.
Elaina breathes a sigh of relief when she hears Perlavish speak. She sheathes her sword and turns back around.
"Yes, it does." she says with a smile. "How are you Perlavish and Tyg-titter-tut?"
"Other than embarrassing myself, I'm doing well. I believe the others are doing okay as well. We're supposed to meet up with them after talking to you and the priests at the temple."
Elaina finishes getting the blankets out the packs and hands one to Seraph.
"Are you two cold? I don't think Seraph would mind the company," she asks as she unrolls the blanket and drapes it across her shoulders.
"Oh," Asta says, snapping her fingers, "before I forget: have you any woad?"
Seraph hides the relief at the revelation that the figure was actually the ones they were looking for. She lowers her blade and sheaths before spreading her arms wide in greeting. "Everything is fine as Elaina said and its good to see you both again~" She takes the proffered blanket from Elaina and slings it around her shoulders before she adds. "I don't mind sharing warmth as we have something to ask you both."
Seraph explains what they plan to do in the next few days...
"Us good bigguns are off to take down the bad bigguns in their home of stone and wood, so we need good friends to come and play. I was hoping you two wouldn't mind bringing some insects or other pests with you and letting them play with the bad bigguns. However, the bad bigguns aren't going to be nice and they will try and hurt us with sharp blades and pointy arrows. So the choice is yours my small friends, no one will be mad if you don't decide to join the fun~" She tried not to insult them intellectually but she tried to explain it as it would fit the mischievous pair best.
"We'll still visit either way. This decision is yours to make, and we wouldn't want you to do something against your better judgement.." Elaina adds.
The young ranger checks the ties on both horses, giving Maks a friendly pat, before nestling up in a comfortable spot against the tree.