Chilling while waiting for someone to be done thinking.

Chris looked at the group. “Who wants water? None of you brought a backpack or a canteen.”

“Won’t you have too little at the end?” Missy asked.

“Thanks for worrying like a good girl,” Chris said, petting her head. “I did check the rulebook. It had a list of features for the items. Apparently this canteen contains nigh-infinite water, or at least more than I can drink in a month and refills overnight.”

“So a decanter of endless water? That is why it poured out so much last night.” Becky asked.

“Effectively. I didn’t know you played D&D. Fun, maybe we should plan an evening or afternoon later.” Chris confirmed.

[You know there are several seasons where they play, and both Tyalangan’s original season and the one she is hosting are basically D&D in real life.]

“How does that work? Not the timing right now. Can we park this for later?” Chris questioned before realising that having a conversation with his fireball companion now would not be functional.

[Hey, you are going on all-day dates with people who can’t see or interact with me. I am afraid we need to take a long time before we can have that conversation, but I will wait.] Ember said, shifting towards a bluer colour and dimming a bit.

“What did Ember say?” Jessica tried to pick up on the fact that they were having a conversation.

“Apparently it is a common enough occurrence that multiple seasons feature it, as well as a few other seasons having it as a major theme. And that if I want to have a longer conversation about this, I need to stop having dates with people who can’t see them.” He admitted to the group.

“And you were curious how the major-theme one functioned?” Chris gave a nod. “Have they told you how the host of that season is?” Jessica continued curiously.

“Yeah, the letter Syl had me check went to her. And the other host was called evil and vile scum, both literally and figuratively. So I hope I never have to deal with them.” Chris explained the situation a bit more.

[Did I forget to tell you that the season's host swapped twice and Tyalangan killed the scum? The current host is Calypso, Tyalangan’s mother-in-law. Daphne’s mom, the one whose beancounter relative left a comment.]

“Okay, so she killed the scum. Is Calypso better than the scum? It doesn’t matter if she isn’t better than the original host.” He summarized.

[She cares about her pod more than anything…] The ball of fire was stubborn, in her opinion.

“Not an answer.” The man said, glaring at Ember.

[You aren’t getting any from me.]

“Okay, not getting any on the Calypso question… still, I think it is better to focus on the here and now.” Chris decided to shift the conversation.

Jessica didn’t let the topic go but at least had thought more about it than Chris had. “They aren’t giving any answer about one host but are about the others? She might just not want to stir up any accidental struggles.”

“Might be the case they like Tyalangan. That doesn’t necessarily mean they like her mother-in-law, but it would be a good reason to remain diplomatic about it.” Chris reasoned.

“Ohh, and you asked Tyalangan for a favour, yeah, best to remain diplomatic, dumass. I know it isn’t your strong suit, so listen to the advice and don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Jessica added to the explanation.

Ember felt it at the mention of a favour that had already arrived. Still staying on the good side of other hosts was always a good plan, whether you asked them for favours or not. She couldn’t say anything because of Syl's gag order.

“Fair assessment. Any of you need anything?” Chris asked, getting back to the here and now, not letting himself rest, afraid that if he stopped, something would get him.

“Hey, we are your harem. You aren’t our butler. Chill, Chris, join us on the floor.” Jesse said, patting the floor between him and Jessica. He complied and was suddenly pushed down by the Jessies. “Hehe, finally some cuddle time for us.” Becky placed her head on top of Chris’s legs and beckoned for Missy to join the cuddle pile. Missy stubbornly remained seated.

Chris hadn’t seen the gesture and, to some extent, doubted Becky’s intentions. “Are you just doing it to get a dose, or are you doing it because you want it?”

“Ohh, I hadn’t thought about that. This was because I wanted to be part of a moment that you ruined. Come on, Missy, I am not naked, unlike the rest of you. You shouldn’t be so afraid to join the cuddle pile.” The only clothed person in the wide area said.

“The fact that you are the only one dressed makes it weirder.” The lonely woman refuted.

“Is it?” The shy woman asked.

“Kind of… Think about it like this: going to a nudist camp and then being the only non-nude one feels weird. No one minds if you aren’t naked. It isn’t against the cultural norm, but… somehow it is off.” Chris explained.

“This isn’t the same!” Becky replied, shocked and horrified.

“Why isn’t it?” Jesse chimed in, reinforcing Chris’s point.

“We are all here to have sex with you,” Becky admitted.

Was that really the reason she was so upset? Chris questioned himself before questioning Becky. “Yeah, but the context is totally not sexy. I wouldn’t want to have sex here, would you?”

This knocked Becky off balance. Chris was correct. The idea of having sex in here. Her delicate areas covered in sand was a thought she hated, let alone assuming insertion of it happened. “Fine, even if this new form is less flabby, less bobbly and less… I don’t know. I still feel unappealing. I still feel like I am some fat pig who doesn’t deserve love. That is the real reason I am still dressed; I don’t want to look at myself.”

In the moment of quiet, Ember peered over the scenery and noticed a pair of eyes in the water, but gave it no mind. Anything out here had to have the blessing of Alex or Syl. If they were dangerous, they would deal with it. Still good to remain slightly alert.

Jessica was the first to gather her thoughts into a sentence she was confident shouldn’t be too easily misinterpreted. “Becky, you are cute. I… I had moments last night where I was wondering what you were hiding under your baggy clothes. I hope that is not going to ruin our friendship. We told you earlier today as well, remember?”

“Are you also a cubby-chasing bisexual?” Missy blurted out.

“Shut up, Missy. You already knew the moment she joined in flirting with me, she was Bi. She told you she kissed a girl and wanted more at the time but was refused.” Chris defended the woman. “But yeah, I am there all the way with Jessica and, for that matter, Jesse, I am assuming. We won’t push you to be naked, but we just wanted to point out that the contrast makes you stand out more.”

“Do you think I would still get the pillow if I undressed now?” Becky asked, looking at the sky, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

[I have no idea who is in charge of that. If none of you wants to repeat it, it might be worth asking someone senior about it.]

“Soo, text Alex to ask who is in charge of this?” Chris questioned himself more than anyone.

“As long as we do 30 minutes of exercise after you get undressed, it will be fine.” Chris relayed not wanting to share the last bit.

Looking over his shoulder as he typed, Jesse replied. “Alex isn’t wrong. Where are we going for the jog?”

“We have been at the canteen, the sanitary building and now the boathouse.” He said, pointing to the nearby building filled with canoes and kayaks. “At the start of the trail is the ranger's hut, which is also indicated as Syl’s office; halfway up the trail is a rest house, which is indicated as a facility; and the last one is the maintenance office or Alex’s office. All in all, according to the navigation is 15km total with elevation changes, so I am guessing 3, maybe four hours at a casual pace”

“How much height difference? How twisty are the roads?” Jesse checked, knowing those numbers seemed way too positive.

“The 15 isn’t as the crow flies; it is actual length horizontally, so how wound up they are isn’t a concern. From elevation map mode, the trail only goes up one kilometre. I know that is still a lot… I think everyone can do it.” Chris admitted.

“Still, that pace is pretty fast; 3 or more is expected on flat ground, man. That is too much for people not experienced in endurance or climbing elevation at that rate.” Jesse scolded him.

“I am willing to try,” Becky interjected. “It doesn’t matter, right? If we take longer, it is cardio nonetheless.”

“You are correct about that. Most of the muscle workout was the swimming, to be honest. Walking up a hill is great for your calves, as well, especially on this incline,” Chris said.

“What do you mean?” Becky asked.

“This is about a 7% incline; most people used to flatter environments in the built environment never experience that much,” Chris explained.

“It isn’t a lot for most beginners to do these types of elevation changes. Don’t worry, it is just a lot if you aren't used to it. San Francisco, as well as other places built on hillsides, have these types of changes in their cities or even steeper, but… that doesn’t mean it is common. It is easier if you don’t have to flatten everything as you are building by this much. The other option is to drive posts to put the house on top of them.” Jesse added.

“So I will go back and undress then,” Becky replied

[No need; I can call someone to come pick it up. No worries, it is part of the services, especially if it makes you closer to Chris.]

“Ember says she will call someone to come pick it up. It is part of the service of this place.” Chris voiced the important part.

“Really, why would they do that?” Becky asked.

“Part of the service.” Chris deflected the comment again.

“Why?” Becky glared at Chris, but when he didn’t respond, she acquiesced. “Fine, Ember, I trust you. No burning it, okay?” She removed her bathing suit carefully. Her breasts, which would have normally fallen to her belly, now hung there slightly higher as if the ligaments that supported them had become stronger. She felt weird, not bad. She noticed Chris’s eyes glued to her hips; he was joined by Jessica. Jesse, however, looked at the breasts swaying in front of him. Becky felt shy yet encouraged. There was a hunger in the three pairs of eyes. Missy didn’t seem to give a shit, however.

As she let go, it was as if by wind or, in this case, an air elemental with a bunch of leaves floating in its tiny vortex, picked it up and blew it in the direction of the sanitary area.

Show master your naked body: First time bonus +1 (Becky)

Chris checked his phone quickly- deliberately not engaging with another Elemental to prevent the mishap he had with Ember- he realised that it was later than he had thought. “Ember, can you look for William? He is taking a long time for this loop around the lake.”

[I am your camerawoman, not your tool to order. If I didn’t have work, I would have, but work goes first. If Will was in trouble, the crew would have taken him to safety. Don’t worry, just wait.]