An Accidental Volunteer: Eirlys

Eirlys stifled another giggle as the blades of sacred grass tickled the sensitive soles of her bare feet. To her surprise and dismay, the tiny ant she thought had fallen off her ankle was actually making its way up towards her midriff, its minuscule legs eliciting involuntary titters from the shy healer's lips. She kept it together until she felt the little ant sneak its way right into her bellybutton, where it opened its mandibles wide and delivered a light ticklish bite to the inner hollow. Eirlys let out a gasp and raised her hands to brush away her midsection. Unfortunately for her, she had been resisting laughing out loud and had not been paying attention to the conversation at hand.

"Thank you, Sister Eirlys, for so bravely offering yourself for this...uncomfortable demonstration," the priestess said, her tone a mixture of gratitude and pity.

Too timid to correct her mistaken assumption, Eirlys could only let out a meek nod. The weight of a dozen dryad eyes watching her every move made her cheeks burn crimson with embarrassment. She felt the heat rise up her neck as the Supreme Priestess gestured for her to sit upon the mossy ground.

"Please, place your feet in my lap," the elder woman instructed, her voice kind yet carrying the unmistakable air of authority.

Swallowing hard, Eirlys acquiesced, gingerly resting her soles across the priestess's legs. She could scarcely breathe as she felt the other woman's fingers gently grasp her feet, tensing up instinctively. The ticklish sensations seemed to magnify tenfold under the scrutinizing gazes surrounding them in the eerie, bioluminescent grove.

"Peace, my dear. This will be over soon," the priestess said soothingly, giving Eirlys's arches a light caress that made her toes curl involuntarily. "We must demonstrate this 'tickling' concept if it is the key to reviving the sacred forest."

With a sigh, the Supreme Priestess trailed her perfectly manicured nails along the arches of Eirlys's feet in a gentle, ticklish caress. Eirlys gasped, then erupted into a fit of high-pitched giggles that echoed through the dimly lit grove.

Gillia and the other dryads looked on in amazement at the human's peculiar reaction. The dryad spokeswoman furrowed her brow, studying Eirlys's squirming form intently. "Fascinating...her vocalizations seem entirely involuntary in response to this tactile stimulation. But why? What compels such a response?"

Too overwhelmed by the tickling sensations to form a coherent response, all Eirlys could do was laugh and squirm helplessly. The Supreme Priestess answered for her. "It is simply the way humans are constructed, Gillia. We have bundles of nerve endings concentrated in areas like the feet and underarms that trigger laughter when stimulated in just the right way."

She demonstrated by lightly dragging her nails across the wrinkled soles of Eirlys's feet, smiling faintly at the healer's renewed gales of laughter. "You see? An involuntary physical reaction to certain sensations that our minds interpret as...irritating, for lack of a better word."

Gillia watched raptly, mesmerized by the strange human response. "I see...so this 'tickling' triggers genuine mirth and joy, even if it is discomforting for the recipient? How peculiar that such sensations could produce contradictory reactions in your kind."

Eirlys could only nod through her helpless giggles as the priestess's nails danced tantalizingly across her feet. The high priestess had decided to focus on her heels, a deliciously sensitive section. A part of her was mortified at being so vulnerably displayed, but she couldn't resist the sensations assaulting her feet at the moment.

"You mentioned that these 'nerve bundles' exist in other areas beyond the feet?" Gillia inquired, her curiosity piqued. "I would be most interested to observe this phenomenon further, if you would be so kind as to demonstrate."

The Supreme Priestess’ brow furrowed and she mouthed a silent apology to the helplessly giggling Eirlys. The young healer managed a weak nod, resigning herself to further ticklish torment for the sake of the greater good. At least she was grateful for the modest protection afforded by her robes. Gently but firmly, the priestess pushed Eirlys onto her back and raised her arms above her head, exposing her underarms to the strange onlookers. She shot Eirlys one last sympathetic look before wriggling her fingers into the young woman's robe covered hollows. Eirlys shrieked and let out more laughter as the Supreme Priestess relentlessly danced her nails along the clothy surfaces. The dryads looked on in wonder and bemusement at the bizarre scene unfolding before them. Gillia in particular studied every minute reaction, trying to understand the curious mechanics of human ticklishness.

"I...I see!" she exclaimed in an epiphany. "This 'tickling' is quite extraordinary!"

The Supreme Priestess continued the underarm torment, nodding at Gillia's assessment even as Eirlys dissolved into peals of laughter at her merciless questing fingers. Gillia's eyes went wide as she noticed the saplings scattered around the grove beginning to stir. The leaves were unfurling and filling out in response to the infectious peals of Eirlys's laughter.

"Look!" the dryad spokeswoman exclaimed. "The prophecy spoke true! 'Bring together the Gift of the Forest and the Mirth of an Outsider, Pure of Heart. From this combination, the Catalyst shall banish all Evil and Misery from the Forest.'"

She recited the verse, awestruck at seeing its words made manifest before her eyes. The very life essence of Gillia's people was reacting to and being rejuvenated by Eirlys's mirth.

The Supreme Priestess couldn't help but sigh with relief, finally withdrawing her fingers. The poor healer beneath her lay sprawled against the soft ground. The priestess smiled wanly, grateful the first part of their quest was achieved, yet apprehensive about what further trials awaited. Eirlys managed to catch her breath, only to feel a surge of dread wash over her. If her helpless laughter held such restorative power, just how much unbearable tickling would be required to purge the corruption from the heart of the forest itself? She shuddered at the thought, uncertain if she could endure such relentless torment for any extended period. With a weary glance at the saplings, now standing tall and verdant, Eirlys realized the true sacrifice she may be called upon to make for the sake of the dryads' home. She only hoped her giggly endurance would prove strong enough when the time came.