Imago Ch12: A Nymph's Quarters (Patreon)

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Octavia leads L across the bridge, one hand resting gently on her shoulder, the heavy footsteps of their escort resounding down the sweeping staircase and through the empty streets. She still has time for one worried glance back to the Great Tree. That look on Astraea’s face when they said she needed ‘cleansing’...what had that meant?  L shivers, gripping the strap of her bag.They continue in silence, past a grand plaza, and descending level after level, one terraced estate to the next. As they go, the grandeur dwindles, manicured nature of the greenery giving way to sprays of wild ivy and moss-covered stones, until Octavia makes a final silent turn, emerging from a covered trellis to a hive of domed buildings."Is that - " L starts, before snapping her mouth shut.Octavia looks down at her, a steady measuring glance.  "We are not among our betters. It is fine. Yes, this is our destination. Xylia’s Rookery." A pair of trolls lounge at the entrance, quickly straightening at their approach. Octavia inclines her head in deference as they pass, and L is quick to follow suit, noting that their spriggan escort remains outside.Within, the entry widens into a great hall that sends their footsteps echoing to the ceiling. Their footsteps…and something else. Stifled laughter. Octavia tightens her grip on L’s shoulder, marching them both at double speed. "What’s all this?" Octavia demands, high and shrill. ‘This’ is a small gathering of nymphs, all boys - a beetle, a centipede, and a yellow-pink moth. Their appearance may be ageless, but their startled expressions at the sight of Octavia reads highschool delinquent. The beetle jumps to attention as the moth scuttles behind him.  "Attendant Octavia! W-we weren't expecting... is the audience over already?" "Just because…" Octavia starts, tightening her grip on L "Attendant Leandre and I are away from the Rookery doesn’t mean that rules are suspended! Off with you three. I will be sharing this with your attendant tonight!”There’s a squeak of dismay from behind the beetle, but the centipede is unconcerned. His eyes are on L, tracing her curves as he clicks his talons together. L stifles a discomforted squeak just as Octavia pulls her behind her in a quick, protective motion. The other two boys slink away, but the centipede lingers. He smiles and winks at her, then follows after his friends. Octavia stares hard at their backs, then turns down the other hallway. L hustles after her before she can be dragged.“We… don’t leave?” She asks, still a little unsettled. "That's correct. For audiences with Lord Evander, all nymphs not in attendance remain in the Rookery." Octavia casts a withering look in the direction of the boys. "In their OWN dormitory.  Leandre and I expect the best from our charges, but some can’t seem to help themselves. The Wilds in them."She gives a brisk shake of her head, then smiles down at L, redirecting her to a portal on the left. "Do not worry. You will be safe with my girls."L’s wings twitch nervously. “Attendant, I…don’t remember. How to speak to them - ""Lyra, it will be fine.  All of this..." Octavia says softly, kneeling so they're eye level.  "This memory loss? It is a good thing.” “How?”“It’s a fresh start. Astraea making you her consort was...confusing. But now things can be simpler again.  She may ask you to think confusing things, but if she does, come to me. I can direct you on how to answer your dryad.”  Octavia pauses, settling with a flick of her antennae.  “Do you understand?""I understand." L agrees. She understands very well. She's being asked to inform on Astraea, and that makes it clear how much she ought to tell Octavia. It's useful, though. It lets her know that she's anything but safe. "What else? What do I do here?” "Rest, recover, learn, grow." Octavia says, running her hand along L's cheek. There's a fondness in her eyes. "We attend to all your needs."The Attendant stands back up, and opens the door.The first thing L hears is water. A series of aether-infused waterfalls cascade from suspended basins, each pouring one to another. It’s followed by laughter, song, the buzz of insect wings. The air is fresh and earthy. She fills her lungs with it, stepping over the threshold. A walkway leads to a central area, all suspended over softly glowing waters, rising into spiralling alcoves decorated with moss or flowers. And at the apex, a glass dome shows the dark, empty sky.Nymphs are everywhere. Hundreds of them. Colourful and sparkling, in every variety L can imagine. They’re who the building was made for. She moves closer. Her wings flutter, all on their own. What would it feel like to take to the air?Octavia snaps her claws three times, and the entire hive goes silent. In one motion, a dozen nymphs spiral down to them, landing on the central platform in perfect synchronicity. The three closest step forward, and the one at the centre, a poised little bumblebee, speaks. "Attendant Octavia! Thank goodness you're back.  All is in order here, but there's a situation in the birthing chambers… please… um- " The bee stops, blinking faster. She’s staring at L. “That is… I…”“I had a feeling Portia’s delivery was going too well.  I’ll go to her.”  Octavia nods, ushering L forward. “In the meantime, Lady Astraea has returned with Lyra. She has been reinstated as her Kept. Cordelia, please see to her in my absence."Octavia's wings snap open in a brilliant display, and she soars up into the air and flits through the far passageway. An uneasy silence fills the room, broken only by the trickling water. Every nymph's eyes fixed on L.She rubs her arm, her skin prickling beneath the glamour. Meeting the bee nymph's wide eyes, she steps forward and offers a hand.  Cordelia steps back sharply.  "You... came back?"L lowers her hand, awkwardly clutching her bag. "Lady Astraea found me.""But you left." pipes a smaller grasshopper nymph. "I did." "Attendant Octavia said... she said you left. She said you left and you wouldn't return."  The grasshopper nymph keeps going, her voice suddenly jagged with tension. "You shouldn't be here."L’s wings flare in hurt and frustration.  “Well, take it up with Octavia - ”  She snaps. All at once, the other nymphs withdraw. Cordelia shields the grasshopper, wings raised, claws at the ready. L stares at them, baffled. This isn’t anger or suspicion. She’s seen this before. She's felt it a hundred different times.“...you’re… afraid of me?”"We were told you wouldn't return." Cordelia says in a small, forced voice. "It is... confusing... that you are here."“Things changed.”  L shifts, looking to the side.  “I’ve… changed.”Cordelia tilts her head. "You’re not going to attack anyone?""Attack - " L flinches guiltily. " - did I attack someone?"Cordelia knits her brows, baffled. “... do you not…remember?”“I don’t remember anything from my time here.”  L says carefully. If anything, the confusion in Cordelia’s eyes deepens, but she moves closer. Carefully, she reaches out and takes her hand.  Her companions circle nervously, out of arm’s reach but still close by; around the rest of the room, other nymphs huddle, whispering to each other. “Nothing? Truly?”L nods, relaxing at the spark in her eyes. Hopefully whatever Lyra did hadn’t been too bad, because she can’t help but feel grateful that the bee-nymph seems too relieved to ask questions.  Cordelia speaks up in a loud clear voice. "Despite what we were told, Lyra has returned. She's lost her memory. She’s confused and afraid. Please, everyone, she needs our help." It's like breaking a dam. The nymphs pour down from every alcove crack and crevice, basin or perch, flocking around her with humming fascination. L’s deluged in questions from every nymph in every direction, antennae darting in to taste the air around her and hands waving to get her attention."You really don't remember anything?  Nothing at all?""Nothing, really, just a few - “"Where have you been?"“ - ah, Annwyn? Through the por - ""Why do you smell like that?"L pulls her wings back. "Smell like what?""Wait, Annwyn?!" A firefly bursts forward. “What was it like?! Is that why you talk different?“Cordelia whistles, “Give her space!”, and the others clear away, all eyes still on her and literally buzzing with excitement. The difference between this and mere moments before is jarring.Cordelia moves closer, fidgeting with one of her antennae.  "... but if you don't mind talking about it…what is Annwyn like?" "...and if Lady Astraea hadn't found me, I'd probably still be there in the Market." L's sitting cross-legged, still not quite able to believe what an audience her story has collected. It seems like every nymph in the room has assembled to hear her...somewhat edited...description of where she'd been."I only met one other nymph there." She ventures a smile. "...it's good to meet you all again."There’s a rustle of whispers, and the grasshopper lifts her head from the crowd. "So now you're going to stay?"L smiles at her. "Do you want me to?""Well I..." She screws up her face. "... I just want to know."A few others chirp or flicker their wings in agreement. "Change is difficult." Cordelia says quietly."...Lord Evander has welcomed me back." L says. It's hard to lie directly to the grasshopper. "So I’m back."This seems to satisfy her, and there's a collective sigh of relief. "You really are quite different." The firefly chimes in, glowing lightly. "The way you act, or hold yourself? The way you speak? Annwyn must have really changed you." "That's probably true." L grumbles. Maybe she should bite the next person to point that out. Lightly, just to settle any doubts. "Do you have any questions for us?" Cordelia asks.L looks around the room, thinking. She's here for a reason. She's here to retrace Lyra's steps. "So I lived here?” The others nod.“What things did I do?""You weren't here very often." Cordelia admits. "Lady Astraea… she kept you to herself. The times you were here though... well..." Cordelia shifts nervously, flicking her wings. "We're grateful you're a little different now.""I see." L flicks her wings to match, leaning closer. "Well, what do you do when you're here?""Us...?" Cordelia looks confused. "Oh, you know. Nothing special. We’re just nymphs, after all...?"L smiles a little wider. "What counts as ‘nothing special’ here?" "We sing...!" The grasshopper offers excitedly. "...and bathe..." A long-limbed water skimmer adds. "...and train for our duties as nymphs of Xylia." The firefly says, her lower half lighting up."That's our purpose, our place and calling.” Cordelia says, nodding her head low. “We know you are a skilled hunter, Lyra. But here, you're meant for more.""No need to hunt." L nods, a little cautiously. She laces her hands together, "Is this the only place we stay in?""Mostly!" Cordelia says. "The Rookery is quite extensive! Of course after placement, many of us spend less time here and more time with our dryads. Once you have your Lord or Lady, you will go wherever they take you. But..." She looks overhead, points. "Follow me and I’ll show you.."With a little hop, her wings buzz to life and she's soaring past row after row of alcoves, L fluttering in her wake. She'd thought that she'd gotten the hang of flying, but the way Cordelia uses her wings puts her to shame. The nymph darts back and forth, hovering in midair just long enough for her to catch up before dashing ahead again until they reach the ceiling dome. The distance is dizzying. Cordelia settles onto a circular catwalk around the rim, moving aside for L to join her. Some of the glass panes here do look like they could  be opened, but for the moment, everything is fastened tight. From this height she can see the layout of the entire Grove, lit up against the darkness beyond the walls. It’s a giant circle, terraced into four levels. They’re in the lowest one, surrounded by various buildings interspersed among the aetherways. Cordelia gestures, pointing through the glass."There are three districts. The elder dryads and those held in esteem are closest to the tree of Xylia. The second district is for those growing and establishing, the Silver Roses. And at the lowest level, furthest from Xylia's light, that's where the youngest and the least esteemed dryads live. The Copper Thorns."L flaps a few times, then walks closer to the glass. "It seems so… empty." She pauses, watching one of the enormous guardians move on careful patrol around a gate. "How many people live here?"Cordelia blinks at her. "Well, yes. Everyone is in attendance at Lord Evander's audience. But as for how many..." She considers, poking her tongue from the corner of her mouth as she counts on her fingers. "Maybe a dozen dozen dozen? Y... yes. Easily that many dryads."L does some quick maths in her head, frowning at her estimate. She squints her eyes, trying to stare past the city walls. They're blazing with streams of aether pumped up between the bricks, and beyond them, a thick curtain of darkness that must be the forest’s edge."It must have taken ages to build.""Build...?" Cordelia asks."Build? Like...put...together...?" L eyes her nervously. "Is this a human word?“"I... no, I know what it means.” Cordelia says quickly. “The artificers build and service the guardians. But Xylia was not built. Xylia has always been here."  She closes her eyes and recites, "As The Grove of Xylia is today, so it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. This is the basis of all wisdom."Cordelia’s eyes flicker open again. "You do not know this, Lyra? I thought it was common knowledge, even in Annwyn.""I… must have forgotten.  Thank you for reminding me.”  L studies her a bit more closely. “Cordelia, what do you know about Annwyn?"Her face lights up. "I hear that it is a strange place! Full of magic and strange monsters that roar through the streets. Everyone lives in towers that touch the sky! The very earth burns to touch and all its peoples consider things in riddles to trap the unwary."L can't help but laugh. "True enough. There's dangers."Cordelia goes quiet, a little shame faced. "None of us would be brave enough to go there. We are all a little amazed, Lyra, that you made it back alive." She shrugs, shyly. "But then again, you are a Wilds nymph. You weren’t raised in the Grove like the rest of us.”L smiles encouragingly. There’s something she admires in the bee-nymph’s openness. “I’m sure any of you could find a way.”Cordelia trots over to her. “You are too generous. But we don’t have to survive there, and neither do you any longer. You are here! With us! Here, I’ll show you what you need to remember of our home.” She turns back to the glass, pointing. "That building over there is the Artificer, and the other tall one is the Archive. The Atrium, at the Grove Center, is for festivals and performances. It will take time, but I know you will regain yourself."L peers closer, frowning thoughtfully. "What is the Archive?"Cordelia tilts her head curiously. "Books. It is a collection of books! Anything you can imagine is recorded there."L tries to keep her eyes from lighting up. "You mean...histories?""Histories, areas of study, sciences and maths, poetry, songs... all kinds of things!  It's where our Masters learn and grow their skills and intellect.""Anything for us in there?" She asks, trying to sound casual. Cordelia blinks, then laughs.  "Lyra, you are so funny!"  She gives her a playful shove. L stumbles in surprise, her wings flickering to help her keep balance.  "We aren’t readers. We were made for other things."Despite her best efforts, she can’t hide her disappointment. A whole building full of fairy stories from the other side...And she can't get in. Of course."Cordelia? Lyra?"  Someone calls from below.  "We're up here, Attendant!"  Cordelia waves down, balancing on the edge of the catwalk. Glancing back, she hesitates, before shyly kissing L on the cheek. "It is good you are back."  Then Cordelia leaps into the open air, falling a dozen metres before her wings snap open and carry her away.  L stares after, taken aback. The little bee has such strong feelings, so easily changed.L descends with more caution, buffeting herself in the air before catching herself in a circling glide down to the central platform.  Even before she lights she can see Cordelia standing a short distance from the Attendant. Octavia is kneeling by a pair of isopods.  She looks tired, but she’s smiling. As L touches down her antennae twitch, picking up a soft hint of blood."There was only a little trouble during contractions. She will be fine." Octavia murmurs. "But is her brood - " "Safely delivered, and Portia resting.”  Octavia pats the isopod fondly, then looks up to Cordelia.  Hands folded like a student waiting to be called on.“Cordelia?” “Yes, Attendant?”“Did Lyra follow your instructions?"She nods vigorously.  "Very well, ma’am!"Octavia lifts her head and trills in L’s direction. The sound tugs at her, and she approaches half-unwillingly, holding the strap of her bag like a lifeline. "Yes?" She shifts. "Attendant?"Octavia's secondary claws lash out, clamping tight to her shoulders. L freezes. The mantis bends over and breathes in, her nose twitching. L holds her breath, her neck prickling and her wings flickering. "Lyra, remain still." Octavia chides. A decided un-Lyra-like squeak escapes her, and L forces her wings to steady."Y-you don't have to hold me." She stammers."To the contrary."  Octavia says.  "Your resistance tells me you have not been held enough."She releases L, wrinkling her nose. "Your scent is of an outsider, and you will not be seen as one of us until you are properly washed. In addition, when was the last time you preened your wings? Have you been neglecting yourself?""I-I've been busy."  L scrambles out of reach, her cheeks heating. “I wash.""Of course."  Octavia says, voice dripping with pity.  "We all know you've been through quite a lot.  But now you are here, with us.  And we intend to take care of you."She snaps her claws together three times. Cordelia and a pair of her friends flutter up immediately. L doesn’t like the avid way they’re staring at her…or the smile hovering around Octavia’s face. The Attendant nods.  And before she can say a word, the three grab hold of L and lift her into the air.She kicks in surprise. "I-I can bathe myself!""Of course you can, child."  Octavia smirks, and leads the entourage deeper into the Rookery.The bathhouse is an open cavern, thick with steam and heavy with the scent of flowers and damp rock. Clusters of phosphorescent fungi illuminate the room. The sound of water is everywhere - running down the walls, spilling from basin to basin and splashing across the floor. It’s clearly been designed for relaxation. L feels nothing of the sort. "Remove your garments."  Octavia orders as Cordelia’s firefly friend hurries past, shooing away a pair of half-interested damselflies. L turns, feeling the grip of shower-room embarrassment. It's not as if her clothes are particularly covering, but there's a difference between something and nothing, and besides -A jolt of fear runs through her. She clutches the glamour locked around her neck."Lady Astraea fastened this. I don’t have the key.""I can unlock it.” Octavia murmurs. “You may have it back once we are finished.""B-but…!" L stammers, backing away.  "...I need it!"“Learning to let go is part of a nymph’s training.""She said to wear it as her gift!" L's wings are fully raised now. All she can think of is that Octavia’s standing between her and the exit.  “She ordered me to never remove it!”"She ordered you?"  Octavia pauses, as if rolling the words around in her mind. "...and you're doing your best to follow her directive?"L nods, her heart pounding. She can hear water splashing behind her - the other nymphs at work on her bath, pretending not to listen.  Octavia brightens and flutters her wings. "That is good, Lyra. That is very, very, good. You may follow your dryad’s orders. But the rest must go.”“I-I understand.”“Do you need assistance?""N-no!"  She squeaks.  "I can do it!"She remains at the far wall, taking distance as a poor substitute for privacy. Setting her bag on the ground, she begins to work her way out of her clothes. Anklets, cuffs and shoes go easy enough. The latch on her waist cincher is no trouble. She slips out of her dress and lets the ivory garment pool at her feet. Her ears burn at the touch of warm air on her skin. All that’s left are her undergarments.She pulls her wings close, awkwardly unclasping her bra and sliding out of her underwear. The nymph who chased away the bathers scoops the lot of it and passes them to Octavia.“Present yourself, Lyra.”Sucking in a tight breath, she steps forward, and unfurls her wings.  Despite everyone’s eyes on her, she keeps hers firmly on the ground. She’s been on stage under a literal spotlight, and still has never felt this…watched. "Lovely."  Octavia nods in approval, "Just lovely.  Now surrender your bag for inspection."L scuttles to the corner Octavia's pointed out, clutching her bag to her chest. Something wriggles. She yelps in surprise, almost dropping it as she thrusts it out at arm’s length. A little flash of orange beams cheekily out at her from beneath the front pocket flap. L sucks in a breath."You little - " “Lyra?”L thrusts the bag behind her and whirls back to Octavia, nudity forgotten.  "Yes, Attendant?”“... your bag?”  She asks, her hand extended.“Why?""It is customary that nymphs share everything.""...but Lady Astraea gave me this bag." L tries a smile. It isn’t returned. A tiny muscle in the Attendant’s jaw tics. "And you may have it back after inspection.""Can’t you inspect it later?”Octavia closes her eyes and breathes in. And out. When she opens them again, her gaze is calm, the twitch smoothed away. "I suppose there is no hurry.  Now will you please set your bag down so we may begin?”  Gingerly, L sets her bag down, wedging it into the corner of the cubby.  “Stay.”  She breathes in a hoarse whisper.As soon as she steps away, Octavia’s hand descends on her back, guiding her to the basins. Cordelia and the others wait, staring at her eagerly, brushes and bottles and soaps perfectly arranged. L gives them a weak smile. "This one?" She asks, not breaking eye contact. "This one!"  Octavia says serenely, and gives her a quick shove between her wings. L stumbles in with a yelp, falling face-first into the bath. She comes up sputtering and splashing, her antennae plastered to her head and her hair over her eyes."I'll be back in a bit.” Octavia announces. “Take good care of her, ladies."The nymphs descend on her in a giggling frothy mess, scrubbing, washing, running their hands through her hair and pulling out the tangles and snarls.L is considerably less enthusiastic."H-hey!  HEY HOLD ON!!"She grabs for the closest brush, not quite getting a grip on it before it's pulled away. L tries again."I can scrub mys - glrrbblerrrrrblerrrrble!"There’s nothing for it but to admit defeat gracefully. Once she stops struggling, the girls fall into their rhythm.  One works at her hair, while the other two go about her body,  going from arms to torso to legs to face to wings, meticulously scrubbing each part before moving on. "Did you hear about Desdemona?" The firefly asks the third girl, an isopod. Cordelia looks up, frowning. "Thisbe... are you sure? In front of - ""Oh, come on, Cordelia." The isopod rolls her eyes. "Don't be such an Attendant's pet."Cordelia puffs out her cheeks and huffs, but stays silent."Master Helios gifted her to Lord Hephaestus last night." Thisbe says conspiratorially.“What?!” The isopod gasps. “Preparing for the Gleaning?”"Lord Hephaestus is a Gilded one. It makes sense.""Your dryad is so ambitious..." The chatter is easy and bright, giggling voices flowing into each other like water spilling from basin to basin. L lets it wash over her. It's not for her, really, and although she should probably be listening for useful gossip, it's too easy to sink into the bath and let the warmth of the aether infused-waters ease her tension.   It’s been a very long day already. She’s nearly drifted off despite herself when the isopod tugs one last tangle out of her hair. L squawks, brought to a rude awakening. “It’s already perfect, don’t fuss - “ Cordelia bustles up, shooing her friend away. As soon as she's out of reach, L can't resist giving her head a quick shake, tossing her hair back out of her eyes."Is that it?" She asks. “Is it over?”"Was it so bad...?" Cordelia asks in a small, nervous voice. "...no." L admits. It really wasn't.  "Thank yo - hgmph, hey!"Thisbe has just bounced a sponge off her face. L splashes back in surprise as the nymph grins cheerfully at her.  "Oh, come on. Not bad? You’re sparkling!"The firefly pulls L halfway from the bath with her delicate secondary arms, her face softly grazing L’s neck, and inhales. "She's one of us again." Thisbe says with a hint of pride. "Do you remember how to get dressed?" The isopod asks, holding out a set of clothes identical to the ones the other nymphs are wearing. "I walked in here wearing clothes, didn’t I?" L smirks, gathering up the new outfit.The sheer harem pants are simple enough, although the wreath of bells and fabric covering her hips takes a little working out. The golden heels are easy.  But the gilded bra, despite having done this a hundred times at the Glade, she can’t get to clasp."Come here, silly thing."  Cordelia finally says, tugging L over to herself and fastening the delicate hooks. L settles down with a grumble, waving her wings. The movement makes her jingle."Maybe I'm just tired." She offers."A likely story-"  Thisbe starts, then squawks as Cordelia swats her on the head. "The poor nymph’s been through enough, leave her her dignity. Or do I need to bring up how long it took a certain firefly I know to understand shoes?""You wouldn't!" Thisbe barks, scandalised. Cordelia wrinkles her nose with mischief.   "I'll start counting off the months and you stop me when I get there. Oooooone, Twoooo-"Thisbe claps a hand over Cordelia's mouth and drags her away, flailing.  L can’t help but laugh at the playful scuffle."Lyra?" Instantly her attention snaps back, her eyes sharpening on the grasshopper peering at her through the door. "Your dryad's here.""Thanks.” She says, standing.  “I just need my bag-""Didn't you give it to Attendant Octavia?" The isopod asks. L forgets to breathe. She looks to the corner where she left it.It’s empty."Wh-where did she go?""She's out here." Says the grasshopper.  "Is everything… Lyra?"But L is already rushing past the little nymph. All she can think of is the memory of Lyra swooping down on the alp-luachra. That, and the predatory way Octavia tilts her head. "Lyra!"  Cordelia calls after her, her voice echoing down the hall. She ignores her, bursting into the main chamber. Just ahead are two figures, already turning at the commotion - the lean, fuschia form of the Attendant, and the small familiar face of her dryad. There’s something distant in Astraea’s eyes, but it clears the moment she catches sight of L."Lyra...!" "Ast - Lady Astraea!"She holds out her arms in greeting, and L all but crashes into her, hugging her tightly. After an instant of startled tension, the dryad returns her embrace. For one warm moment, L feels like she wants to break into tears. Instead, she forces the tremble from her voice, whispering urgently. Astraea’s the only one here who might understand. "Have you seen my bag?"Astraea blinks, eyeing L as if she’s started speaking another language. "H-have I... what?"“Are you looking for…” Octavia starts, approaching them.  "This, little moth?"  The bag swings lightly in her claws. "You said you would wait." L rasps. "Is it not later?"  Octavia asks, handing the bag back to her. L grabs it, holding it against herself with all four of her arms. Waiting for a wriggle, a flash of light, any sign of life at all. Nothing. The bag is still.  "Did you already look?" She asks, her voice cracking."Lyra…?"  Astraea asks, brows furrowed.  "What's wrong?""Look?"  Octavia tilts her head to the side, cool amusement dancing behind her eyes. "Oh. You mean... for her?""Where is she?"  L darts forward, wings lifting. Octavia doesn't move a muscle.But something else does. A faint orange light blinks on under Octavia’s sleeve, and Neith II pokes her head out of the fabric with a wide-mouthed yawn. Astraea gasps in surprise. Utterly unconcerned, the alp-luachra wriggles slowly down the Attendant’s outstretched arm, bunches up, and clumsily tosses herself into L's hands. She lets out a little squeak as she’s gathered in close and hugged tight. "You scared me." L says, breathing out a sigh of relief."There are to be no secrets among nymphs."  Octavia chides, her secondary arms snapping to punctuate the point.“Y…yes, Attendant.” L ducks her head, pulling Neith II closer. Octavia nods, then softens. "That said, it is nice to see you care for something so small. Take good care of her. She will be good practice for when you go into heat."“Y-yes, Attendant…!”  L stammers, her cheeks flaring as she settles Neith II on her shoulder.  She turns to give Astraea a rueful look.  “Sorry, Lady Astraea. She must have snuck in…”  Her voice trails off in confusion. Astraea looks drawn, almost frail, and her eyes have unfocused. She looks exhausted, the way she did when Neith carried her into the pool at the Spectral Suites. "Are you alright?""W-what?" Astraea says, jerking upright. She shakes her head and forces a smile.   "Y-yes! Of course!  D-do you have everything?”"Yes. I do."  L’s puzzlement deepens. Maybe it’s something to ask about when they have a moment. She hoists the bag again, pulling it close and letting Neith II nestle down against her choker. Looking over Astraea's shoulder, she can see Cordelia watching at the entrance to the baths. L gives her smile and a little wave. "We'll expect her back for voice practice tomorrow."  Octavia says, stepping aside and bowing low to Astraea."She'll be here."Astraea extends her hand. L takes it, frowning in concern. Astraea's shaking, so lightly that she wouldn't have noticed if they weren't touching. She gives her hand a light squeeze, letting the dryad lead them out. The guards step aside, but no one moves to follow. Astraea takes her down a cobbled path into the city, still distant, her gaze averted. The silence settles over them slowly, seeming to magnify the city around them. Even Astraea's glow is diminished."Are you sure you’re alright?" L asks, finally."We're here." Astraea says, more to the city then L.  She breathes out, then turns to face her, trying on a smile."Let's make the most of it."continue reading -> Hey all, Rin here!How was it to meet the nymphs and see what a proper Groves nymph is like? Would you want to live in such a place, or would that be a nightmare? Personally I'd like to visit, but it's possible that would turn into permanent residency (o˘◡˘o)Chapter 13: Ghost is set to post Friday August 2nd at 12p EST!And as usual, leave a comment below for whatever illustrations you'd like to see from this chapter! I'll be posting the illustrations from this chapter and chapter 11 next week Friday ♡Thanks for stopping by!