Speak with her.

"My name is Meladarai Tlarthanil." She readjusts her glasses. Now that you can hear her speak properly and she isn't screaming, she sounds rather cute. Her appearance is both refined and scholarly, and she's beautiful despite her body and clothes lacking any colour. You can't help but look down at her ghostly tail--a wiggling mist.

The party is sitting around in a circle in the center of the attic, not far from the hatch. Things seem to have settled down.

"That's a mouthful. I'm gonna call you Mela," Stax replies.

She looks a little uncomfortable but continues. "This was my place of study for quite some time before I was slain by the Demon King's men."

"Damn. That sucks. You were killed before we could stop him. Isn't there anything we can do, Amara?" asks Niki.

Amara shakes her head. "I can heal people's wounds, but bringing one back from the dead is likely impossible. I am sorry for your passing, Ms. Tlarthanil. If you ever wish to pass on in peace, I will do my best to--"

"No, no. I wish to continue existing in this realm," Mela interrupts. "There is still so much to learn and experience."

"I see. Well my name is Amara Tedrilui." After her introduction, you go down the assembly line. The rest of the party speaks their names as well. Being able to have such casual introductions after everything that happened feels like a stark contrast, especially given how panicked and frightening she was before. You can tell she's still nervous, but she's much more relaxed already.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," she says. "I am a biologist, and a graduate from Redbloom Academy, though that was long ago. I came here to study monsters more closely, though in a way, I feel as if I have become one myself."

You nod. "That explains the notes we found."

"P-Please do not read my papers without permission. Some are more private than others." Her eyes shift over the others. "You have such a fascinating party... Is that a true anubian? I have never met one in person before."

Sen-nu's bodies are kneeling beside one another. One speaks up. "Yes. Am I so interesting?"

"Of course you are!" She floats closer. "I cannot imagine what it would be like to have two bodies and one mind. Think of the possibilities."

Stax waves her arm through the banshee's tail. "Well I can't imagine what it would be like to be incorporeal."

"Ah yes. I suppose I am not one to talk." She glances down at the curious goblin.

"So you mentioned not being able to touch yourself, eh? Now that sucks."

"Y-Yes I said that. Please ignore my words. I spoke out of frustration, after the boy's magic stimulated me. I felt something similar downstairs."

"Stax wiggles her finger around where the ghost's pussy should be. "But you don't even have a--"

"Stop that!" She flushes.

"This world has some weird stuff in it. Maybe there's some way to get Mela a body," you say.

She brings a hand back through her hair. "You not only speak my first name so casually, but a cute nickname too...?"

I totally forgot she's an elf! "Sorry. I didn't even think."

"No. It is fine. I suppose that my life as an elven woman is long since passed. I feel like something else now. Mela... I enjoy being called Mela. Please continue to do so. I mean, if you wish."

"I came up with it..." mutters Stax.

You notice your sword's glow has gradually faded to a barely visible hue.

"So you're a biologist that studies monsters, right?" you ask. "I would be more than happy if you joined us back at the castle. We could use the knowledge, and maybe we can find some way to get you a body. I can't imagine it's fun living in this run-down shack in the woods. Maybe someone can help scribe notes for you too."

She smiles. "That is so kind, but I am still able to write." Her hand reaches forward, and it touches gently against your cheek. "See?"

You can feel it, though it's as cold as ice! You wince from the shock. "I see!"

"Y-You know what? I will come with you! All this time, I had nowhere to go. The only thing I could do was continue my studies. If I can contribute my knowledge to the hero who slew the Demon King, then I will certainly do that. Please accept my help. And if I truly am able to have a body again one day, I will be eternally grateful."

"If you want, we can bring all your research notes too."

"Yes please... but do not look at them, okay?

Eva raises her hand. "I went to Redbloom Academy too, Mela. As a mage, I swear I'll do my best to help."

"Oh I see. You are a scholar as well?" She giggles.

"That's right!"

I don't think I see Eva study nearly often enough to be called any kind of scholar. And didn't she drop out of the academy? Technically twice.

Mipa looks around confused. "So we're not killing?"

"Have you been listening at all?" Stax pokes her on the forehead. "And you can't kill something that's dead already. I think."

"I will start getting ready right away!" Mela shouts. She flies up into the air, and then darts straight down through the floorboards and disappears. Your group is soon left on its own in a pitch-black attic lit only by a beam of light pointed towards the exit.

As you stand to leave, you feel a soft fluffy hand grab your arm. The others proceed towards the hatch, but you turn to both Sen-nus standing behind you. She looks as if she's busy searching for words she can't find. Then finally, she slowly releases you from her grip and speaks.

"I am... I... Thank you," she mumbles under her breath. "Thank you for saving me, and I'm sorry."

"It's all right. You didn't get possessed on purpose," you reply.

The closest wraps her arms around her chest and turns away. There's a bashfulness you haven't really seen from her before. "Not that. I mean, when I grabbed you afterwards. That was embarrassing. I just didn't expect for you to possess such magic. Please forget what happened."

"All right, but I didn't mind. And I'm sorry for springing it on you. It was all I could think to do to--"

"There's no need to apologize. That was the perfect way to save me using the tools you had. Now come." Both bodies march past you, leaving you to follow behind the rest.