Then head to bed.

Much better... maybe I can finally sleep...

After telling the others my worries, they consoled me as best they could; hugs, words of kindness, and Gabriella even gave a kiss on my cheek. We each then returned to our rooms, with the burden eased off my mind ever so slightly, and my eyes slowly began to close as I get comfortable in my bed...

There is a gentle knock on the door.

Ugh...

Rising at a worthless pace, I slowly trundle over to the door, and pry it open. To my surprise, Zana, who I had seen head off to her own room, was now at my doorway. She was wearing 'Pajamas', a thin a brown shirt, which was so long it also served as a skirt.

Its strange seeing her without the hat.

"M-monster... may I come in?"

I nod in my stupor; not even processing her words as I head back to my bed. I hear the dragging of a chair from the small desk afforded to the room, over to my bed. The oil lamp-light by my bed is turned back on, the light burning my eyes like a thousand fires.

"I wanted to do an examination; I haven't done one since you transformed in the siren cave."

This late at night? Fine, I just want to sleep...

I sit up, moving to the center of the bed. Zana presses her head against my chest, asking. "Are y-you sure you don't want to try that 'thing' again?"

Shifting. I still haven't done it since Madness changed my rhythm... but if I'm going to fight my Others, I'll need every advantage I can get. Oh Gods, please let this not kill me.

I take a deep breath, and focus in on my own heartbeat; my acute hearing coming in great handy once more. Five beats, then seven, then five... Five, seven, five... maybe try slowing the slow the seven back to a five; like when I reset my hand back after my battle with 'Sarmenti'. As I focus in, my chest starts burning harshly; causing me to exhale violently as my body shudders. Zana moves back as I panic, seemingly readying herself to rush for help, just as I calm myself. After a few tense moments of checking myself to make sure my heart wasn't currently beating outside my chest, Zana leans back in.

"Five... five... five... amazing! Being able to change your rhythm like that is so... alien; in a g-good way, I mean." She says, her cheeks growing ever so slightly rosy at those last few words.

Then, something happens.

At first, I simply feel... strange, then its as though I'd just had a flash of knowledge; yet, it felt as though I always known this information. This idea, this concept; it begins to burn me just as my earlier shift had, but in a far gentler, controlled manner. Images of a life not my own shudder like single frames of a flip book; life in a sea cavern, hunting for mates, serving my matriarch, being rushed by a giant of a man weilding a cannon as a club... Once the burning had subsided, I noticed Zana staring dumbfounded at my neck.

"M-monster, are those gills?"

"Whaaat are youuu taaalking abouuut~" I ask; only to clasp my hands around my mouth.

What's going on!? Why am I singing!?

"S-stop!" Groans Zana; her earlier blush growing even further. "You're doing s-something. Let me go get Cilla..."

The Sorcerer rises from her seat, panting as she rushes out of the room, leaving me to sit here. Tired, confused, and rubbing at the new additions to my strange body; a series of slits across each side of my neck...