Get settled...

Eirene's mother had been surprised to see you, though you get the feeling she was slightly disappointed rather than overjoyed. She put on a good show but you were fairly certain there was a lot of unresolved past conflict that had lead to Eirene leaving (It was also possible that she just wasn't prepared for you returning home before even completing the tutorial, NPC's sometimes got confused when they had to respond to "abnormal" situations.). After you'd gotten through the basic pleasantries of re-instating your presence in the mansion, you excused yourself to Eirene's chambers for some much needed freshening up.

Eirene's room screamed "Privileged Human Noble who-thinks-she's-a-tomboy": An enormous closet held a myriad of outfits so varied in color and form that it made your head spin, the bed was an elegant four-poster (curtains and all), and the various beautification items normally found in a ladies room had all been discreetly stashed in drawers in an effort to make the room appear spartan.

Wooow... after you got over just how much color there was you couldn't help but giggle at the prospect of the noble girl having to cope with gritty reality outside the city gates, "You know, in a way I'm doing you a favor. Who in their right mind would want to leave all this behind?" The frenzied raging at your barriers confirms that your jibes are right on the mark. Eirene had probably been regretting her decision the moment she stepped into your cave. Well, she was regretting it a whole lot more now. Not that you felt particularly sympathetic: this girl would have murdered your entire family and then some if you hadn't intervened. Besides, now you could be the ideal daughter Lady Drakes always wanted and Eirene would be back where she belonged. Everyone wins. You expend a little effort of will to completely tune her out.

It takes almost half an hour to fumble yourself out of the armor, letting it fall to the ground with a CLANG and a cloud of dust. "Your" body felt exhausted: beaten, tired, and worn. Yet...it was a pleasant exhaustion. As though you'd found your limit and pushed it. You shook your head: human physiology was bizarre. Walking into your personal bathroom you slipped out of your underclothes, standing naked before the head-to-toe mirror. Damn, this girl was F.I.N.E. You shake your hair out, watching it dance around your lovely face. A pity it wasn't longer, it would help lead attention to your otherwise small breasts. You're apparently spot on with your assessment as you feel an involuntary twinge of self-criticism from your host as you eye the reflections assets.

As your eyes continue down the muscular body, they come to rest on you. The real you: A pinkish-purple slimy mass suctioned to Eirene's abdomen, you cover her bellybutton and a good portion of her abs. A pity you were such an eyesore on her body...maybe you could figure out a way to hide someplace innocuous...Or inside her? You raise an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk playing across your soft lips. Oh Eirene would just love that. But you had more pressing matters at the moment, like how incredibly dirty you felt. You'd also noticed an uncomfortable dryness on your true body, the absorbent cloth of Eirene's clothes had sucked the moisture out of your slimy skin. It was strange, inhabiting two bodies at once. You were fortunate you only had to actively control one.

You almost jump out of your skin when a gentle knock sounds on the door, "Milady? Would you like me to prepare a bath for you?" The voice is soft and gentle, undoubtedly a servant girl. Right. You were a noble, this was completely normal. "Um...no, thanks, I'll handle it myself tonight. Thank you." There is a confused pause, "...As you wish milady." Damn. You were acting too polite to pass for Eirene. You'd have to put on a better act, if only for the immediate future. Readying a simple hot water bath, you sigh in euphoria as you slip into the lovely warmth. You feel dust flaking off, your dried skin re-moisturizing, and you bask in the aftermath of a truly wonderful day...