Full Day at the Baths

A glorious Summer day makes for a bright and cheerful TarRaCe. The upper windows are shuttered, with the lower ones left open to allow bright light while still offering shade from above. The meager breeze offers a little respite from the heat.

But the best way to beat the heat are cold drinks, something the place is making a killing on. With games and matches currently happening inside the Colosseum, the traffic is modest, most simply getting something to slake their thirst before heading to the grand building nearby.

The baths area is cooler, being darker, most of the light being from the mana lamps down inside the pools. The main baths have a few customers, all of them lazily floating around, chatting cheerfully. The men's bath sounds to be full... arguing over whether a local myth is true or not. Currently, one is daring another to spend the night in a run down barn, to possibly spot the farmer's widow's ghost.

the lady's side is quiet, with only the sound of someone humming. Floating around on her back is the lady proprietor, lazily floating in a circle, a glass resting on her stomach.

When Rune had arrived at the bathhouse, it had been to the dismay of both patrons and staff. The rogue had been covered in a variety of half-dried goo in a variety of colors, leaving a trail of footprints behind her as she moved to the back to strip out of her gear. The look on the face of the poor laundry attendant was probably comical when Rune handed over the half chewed clothing, complete with a 'nice' layer of worm blood, guts, saliva, and gods know what else.

She knows well enough not to drag the mess into the main pools, so the rogue had spent a ridiculously long time scrubbing off the goo in private before donning a towel and heading to the ladies side of the bathing chamber. The dye at the edge of her hair seems a bit lighter, likely from the multiple washings she just gave her hair. Her skin is pink from the extra scrubbing.

"I should be given hazard pay for having to deal with creatures that are big enough to swallow me whole." She mutters before sliding into the water with a small hiss. There's a few chomp marks on her skin that aren't fully healed yet. "Or at least a finders' fee for pulling Khazadi out of the belly of that damn thing." She slinks down and groans.

"I hate SWEAT. Why do they SWEAT," a smooth voice complains as they plod into the bathhouse.

"You are the one who decided that polymorphing into such would be 'fun'," another voice joins the first, tinny and twittering.

"I am complaining! Nay for blame! All of its in my feathers now, it doesn't just go away!"

The prime chirper is none other than a... plain looking egalrin woman of rust red and white. All of her accoutrement and affects are held in a bag under an arm, while a tiny white bird stands perched on one of her large wings. She unceremoniously dumps her belongings into one of the chairs on the lady's side. Along with the familiar who nestles atop it all.

Slixvah turns, pauses, then beams, hands akimbo on her hips. "Well, well, well, if it ain't my two favorite lasses in th' same spot. Ruru, darlin', love ya, but ya look li' a package tha' Aelwyn failed ta deliver from droppin' it down twenty flights of stairs, sat on it, left it in th' rain, forgot about it fo' two week, then somehow managed ta get in the right spot when th' owner filed fo' a refund," she teases.

There's a slurping sound as the Pool-Shark takes a lengthy sip of her drink through a wooden straw. She floats on up to Rune's side, her eyes darting to the Half-Sil's recently mended wounds, and then the ... gunk that slowly dissolves into the water. A frown is threatened, but instead Irshya smiles. "If you are good at something, my dear, never do it for free. And don't be afraid to charge extra when things are not as described. Would you like some further healing? Perhaps a little massage for sore muscles and joints?" A blue hand reaches out to pull a stringy bit of goo threatening to slip into the pool, and Irsh tosses it onto the tiles.

Her ears perk up at the Egalrin's drawl, and she giggles and snorts. "Slix, no need to rub it in. A woman knows when she is looking a little rough, no need to... hah, that does sound like Aelwyn, though." Her eyes flick back and forth between the two. "Both of you just relax, if you need anything, just ask." The Goblin launches herself away from the edge of the pool. "So Rune, did you want to talk about it? I mean, it certainly sounds like an interesting story, even if you uhm... got chewed on and spit out... or cut your way out, as the case seems to be. Poor old worm." She giggles lightly.

There is a bit of a sheepish expression at the fact that, despite her scrubbing, there is still some areas that she had missed. "Sorry. I tried to get most of it off beforehand but... Purple Worm goo gets everywhere."

She sinks down a little more at Slixvah's description of her. "Well, I did get chewed up and spit out... Then I had to go digging for some survivors that it ate. One of them is going to need a heck of a lot of restoration before they take them out of stone skin." She winces.

"I'm alright. If it was anything serious, Hark would have patched me up. It's just aches, that's all." As for the story, Rune takes a moment and straightens, then recounts the tale of the worm tunnels beneath the Dwarf Fortress, and the hatchery that Eztli had destroyed, followed by the fight with the Purple Worm.

Then, to Slixvah, she raises a brow, "So why are you sweaty?"

"Bah," Slixah waves a dismissive wing towards Irshya. "Ruru knows I do it out fun. Besides! Levity makes da heart lighter!" Eyeing the half-sil for a moment, she seems to recall something, and turns back to her belongings, digging around in the far-too-many- pile of robes. "I'll take whatever you're havin', since ya askin'," she hums to Irshya.

Pulling free a flat dark-wood box, she clacks her way to the side of the pool next to the two and takes a seat, taloned feet dipping into the water. Her brows furrow briefly before shooting back up as Rune elaborates on not just her situation, but the larger story as a whole. She lets out a long, low whistle. "Daaaamn. Heard stuff bouts purple worms from th' Khazad back home. Tha's some serious shtuff. Real impressive, gurl. Glad you and th' others got outta tha' jus' fine," she smiles, reaching forth and ruffling Rune's in-need-of-a-redye hair.

The question gets her to blink. Her face floofs slightly. "I was overheatin' and I though' bein' smaller would fix tha'. On th' contrary, bein' a Lucht does not help, instead, after turnin' inta one. Th' mojo thought it be best ta keep th' coolin' off goin' by sweatin' a boat load. I'm a lil' used ta it but /man/ I was like a walkin' bucket 'fo I got in here."

An empty glass is set on the edge of the pool as the Goblin pulls herself out of the pool. There's a spatter of water droplets that go EVERYWHERE, as she shakes herself at length. "Goodness, I am glad you made it out. And it sounds like you rescued a bunch of Khazad too. I'm happy that you made it out mostly intact. And good, good, Hark is an excellent healer. But the offer on a massage is still open. I've been learning exactly where to poke and prod to get out even the most stubborn of aches and muscle knots. It's also quite relaxing, especially when you can go and soak in the pool afterwards. You'll sleep like the dead for certain." The Pool-Shark pats Rune on the shoulder.

"It's a Whatamelon. Or was, anyways." She giggles at Slixvah, "Ahaaah, you can fool us, but you can't fool Momma Nature, she'll make you sweat no matter your size." She's still giggling as she takes her empty glass and pads out of the baths, a trail of wet footprints following her.

Rune hadn't seemed offended by Slixvah's description, more amused than anything else. Even now as she soaks at the edge of the pool, she just sticks her tongue out teasingly towards the witch.

She can't help but watch the retrieval of the box, head tilted slightly, but then she is sprayed in the face by the splattering water coming off of the shark-goblin. Running a hand down her face, Rune smirks, "I've been dead before, it hasn't been so good on the whole sleeping thing. But I might take you up on the massage later."

The story of the avian turned Lucht has Rune offering a laugh, "Yeah, we smooth-skins turn into a leaky mess of sweat in the hotter months. Some days it's bad enough I want to track down Skielstregar and just use him as my personal cooling device."

As for the worm, Rune just waggles her fingers, "All part of the job. I'm sure you both have encountered more than a few things that have considered you tasty treats. And I don't just mean the patrons, here."

Slixvah shields herself form the spray of water with a wing as she gets hit in the face, snickering. "Yeah, I kno'. Dana ain' gonna let me get by on dat. But its whatev's. But I'll take dat Whatamelon! Extra ice please and thank youuuuuu!" she calls off to the retreating pool shark.

Giggling, she turns her attention towards Rune. "Oh I'd totes do the same, seen dat guy 'round befo', wish I could jus' be a walkin' ice cube!" A laugh escapes her. "Oh fo' sho'! This viney thing almost broke me in half if it weren' fo' Aelwyn and Eztli."

The flip latch on the box pops. "Speakin' of tasty treats. I have somethin' fo' a certain tasty treat." She grins with anticipatory pride as the lid is pulled open.

Sitting on a cyan velvet cushion is two long sticks. One of which is a light brown sandlewood with a twine wrapped handle. Dangling off the handle is a rust red and white feather. The other is peculiar. It has nearly the same shape as the first wand, yet is entirely made of glass, and completely translucent, save for some kind of glittering powder suspended within. "They're done!"

The patter of little feet heralds the return of the Goblin, and she bears a tray. Three glasses, filled with a slushy liquid, dominate the tray, which are circled by honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon slices. The tray is set by the edge of the pool, within easy reach of both women. Irshya immediately snatches up one of the three drinks.

"So Kravia had an idea. Instead of solid ice cubes, she used shaved ice. Cools faster, and dilutes the alcohol a bit more so it doesn't hit so hard, still tastes delicious. And these melons were kept cold, so they should be extra tasty."

Several of such slices are then lost to the MAW that is Irshya's mouth and stomach. "Mmmmph, so good."

"Reasons I don't tend to go back to the Felwood too often these days. Too many things that want to eat me." Rune follows up with this statement. "And too many mimics."

In that moment that the Goblin is away, her eyes widen with curiousity as she looks at the box that is held out, and then at the two wands that are revealed. From her edge of the pool, Rune lets out a low, impressed whistle. "Those look amazing. Of course, they could have no magic at all in them and I wouldn't know the difference." She teases.

"Now let's just hope I don't have to use them, but if I do, it means that you pulled my ass out of the fire." She doesn't move to touch them, but does add, "So is the clear one the one that can cast see invisibility?" It's a fair guess.

And then drinks are brought and Rune accepts without complaint, "So what have you been up to lately, Irshya? Got out into any fun shenanigans?"

A certain monochrome goblin makes her way into the baths, wasting no time in handing her clothes over to the laundry attendant, chain shirt having its glamer dispelled, and then padding quietly into the ladies side. She glances about, spying a few familiar faces, and lifting her hand in casual if quiet greeting. One particular face draws a smile to her lips, and she has to stop herself from running- instead padding over with increased enthusiasm towards Irshya when she returns with that tray of drinks. "Hey." she calls out when she gets a bit nearer.

She peers back over to Rune, and sizes her up a moment, before saying, "Just imagine how many more things think they have a chance of eating us normal sized folks." she muses.

Slixvah snorts. "Yeah, I one hundo percent stay outta all dat." She turns to include the tray of fruits and drinks, her own refreshment halfway to her beak as she watches Irshya devour the rinds. Slix shakes her head, knocks it back, and warmly hums. "Oh yes, Kravia gets props, dis is a good idea!"

She grins at Rune, smoothing back her crest feathers. "Of course they're amazing, I made 'em!" Ego unmatched. "And correct, das da see invisibility one. I may have swapped someone's chair leg properties at th' University tha' was bein' a real mean mugger. So, it's as strong as wood!" Which means there's chair out there as brittle as glass. She smiles. "Just means I'm there ta keep an eye on ya."

The case gets closed, and a spectral hand appears to whisk it away to where ever Rune was keeping her things. "Oh, heya Culix!" she waves back. "Oh, loads. I'd think twice as many!"

The Pool-shark eyes the two and chuckles. "I have gotten into a few things lately. I helped determine the cause of some of the evil opals found in the Felwood. A corruption of the elements. I got to lay out a few lightning bolts there." She grins as a little crackle of static electricity causes some of her hairs to stand up. "But nothing too hectic... also trying to help .. ah... erm... the purple Goblin who runs her shop inside the TarRaCe... with regaining her name. Some fey stole it."

Irshya squeaks at Culix' arrival, and she hurries over to offer a wet hug, and a few melon slices, to the grey Goblin. "Oh gosh, where have you been hiding yourself." She giggles lightly. "Likely anywhere you want! How have you been, Culix?"

"I like your style of pretty vengence." Rune replies with a smirk. Her eyes can't help but watch as the box get wisked away, but she remains in her place at the edge of the pool, as it gives her a good vantage point on the others.

Where someone else might have been offended by Culix's comment, Rune just winks in the Goblin's direction, "Glad someone noticed that I wasn't normal. Not by a loooong shot." As if toasting to that, she sips her drink.

Her pointed ears perk a little, listening to what Irshya has been up to. However, the last bit is something all too familiar to her. "Yeah, I've been trying to help the purple one, too. I wish we knew more about the Fae's intentions, but the only thing I've gotten is that they're 'bad' and revolve around Thoth." Rune runs a hand through her wet hair. "And that he can black out a room with magical darkness and kill people at random."

Culix squeaks, giggles, returns the hug and accepts the melon slices all in short order and before she's able to anser the question. "Here there and everywhere. I've been... practicing." she tells the soggy one, and then nods back at Slix. "Exactly!" she calls back she gives Irshya a peck on the cheek and then seperates a bit so she can head towards the water, although she keeps one hand on Irshya's arm, enjoying the casual contact.

"Good tha' mess got cleaned up," Slixvah chirps to Irhsya, wincing a smidge as she pulls her feet out of the shocky waters. "Ah, yeah. I hopes th' purples gets they names back."

She grins down at Rune. "What can I say? I like ta be subtle." Mentions of dark slaughter gets her musing, rubbing her beak. "... a strong enough light spell usually overpowers those..."

She shakes her head, smiling as the two gobbers greet each other. Downing her drink, she rises to her feet. "Alright girls, good ta see ya'll. Hollar if ya need anything, I wasn' plannin' on relaxin' today, jus' swingin' by ta get cleaned off. Mwah!" She 'kisses' her palm, throwing it out and about before collecting her things, her bird, scurries out, mentioning something or another about 'congruent arcane matrices' 'Mamaw's gonna kill me if I miss dindin' to her famliiar.

"Slixvah does have a flair for such things. Woe to those on the wrong side of this birdy!" Irshya giggles lightly, and then blinks at Slixvah. "Oh sorry, hon, I uhm... have a particular calling for these things now, blessed by Rada." She pouts a little as Slix moves to leave, and she runs to offer her a hug before she goes. "Take care then, Slix, say hello to your mamaw for me, and your siblings!"

Returning to Culix' side, the pool-shark buries her nose in the other Goblin's cheek, rubbing lightly. "I am happy to see you well! Come and soak a bit!" She tugs lightly at Culix' hand.

"That... does not bode well, Rune. The fae does sound dangerous, and uhm... I don't know how well equipped I am to fight one. But I aim to run it through with my trident, and getting her name back."

"You take care, Feathers." Rune doesn't get out of the water to bid her farewell, but she does lean back and dunk herself in, making sure to get rid of the last of any lingering mess on her skin.

Only when she rises up again does she watch the interchange between the two Goblins, a small smile on her lips. A smile that falters when Irshya mentions facing the Fae. "The last time I encountered him, he killed Zeke's Cihuaa. I was guarding the door, but he still managed to get Cuemoni with a spell despite that."

She shifts and folds her arms on the edge of the water. "So I'm not sure physical is going to cut it with this guy. But apparently, the gods say that his weakness is the 'truth'. Whatever the fuck that means."

"He can make magical darkness, you said?" Culix asks, heading over to climb into the water with Irshya. "Probably has some kind of link to the plane of shadow. There's lots of overlap with shadow and certain kinda of Fae." she says then, fairly confidently. "Thing is, fey and shadows are a dangeorus mix- for them as well. The shadows thrive on the absence of color and vibrancy and life." she says. "I dunno... if that's elpful for you at all, but from what I know of fae, they need those things to survive. They're more susceptible to the shadows than most mortals."

She settles into the water and against Irshya as she ponders. "I guess the most practical advice is if you're facing magical darkness you need magical vision. Or light, I guess, but you can use the darkness to your advantage. Get a little shanky, if you can see in it."

The Pool-Shark leans back against the grey Goblin, wrapping an arm around her to squeeze gently. "The truth?" She falls silent for a little while, her expression thoughtful. "That makes sense, actually. What is a name, after all? We all have nicknames, but they're just affectations." Her head turns and she noses Culix for a moment. "If it is as you say, and they are cloaked in shadows, and if it is as you say, the truth is their weakness..." She looks from Culix to Rune.

"They use names to conceal their own, just as they use shadows to conceal their presence. We need to find out who they are. Lay their secrets out in the light."

The Goblin holds up her hand, and then makes a fist. "THEN CRUSH THEM!"

"Seems like it. Even those who normally can see in complete darkness were blacked out." The memory of that moment has Rune's eyebrows drawing down in thought. "I don't have much in the way of magic, and from what I could tell, he never actually /entered/ the room. His voice stayed behind the door, and yet he was able to kill her like that." Rune snaps.

Decending down a little into the water, the rogue blows a few bubbles as she tries to sort through what could have been done differently. There's still quite a lot of guilt for what happened that day. Zeke had asked her there to protect them, and she had failed...

However, Irshya's enthusiasm is hard to ignore. Rune smirks a little, rising up again to the edge of the water. "Yeah. We'll figure something out. I'm... just not sure what. I have my own connections to the Fae, but I don't exactly feel comfortable calling in favors."

Culix listens to that and leans back against the edge of the tub. She ponders for a few moments, and then sits back up again. "Could be a few things. Shades, Shadows, Phantasms. Lots of weird things on the shadow plane, lots of them can kill folks real quick and real quiet." she says then. "And yeah, I know what you mean about magic. I always thought it'd be neat if I could use it, 'till I actually started being able to, that freaked me right out." she murmurs, one hand finding one of Irshya's and holding it as she leans against the other gobber.

"Getting used to it now. And learning a lot about the plane of shadows, too." she adds. "So if you need any help, I'll see what I can do."

"To banish the shadows and darkness, you need more light." She squeezers Culix' hand. "Are you able to withstand the light, if needs be? I would not wish to harm you or any of my friends." She nods to Rune. "Indeed. That is the benefit of working together. An advantage we must press home."

The Pool-Shark eyes Rune for a few moments. "You don't have to put yourself at risk to them if you do not wish. Be careful, I feel that our Nameless friend would not want you to be beholden to the fey just for her sake, even if her situation is dire."

"Light has never been a problem. I spend most of my time in the shadows, and the light only makes shadows grow stronger." She lifts her bare shoulders in a shrug. "I just hope we can figure out something soon. The purple one is pretty worried, since a lot of the books have implications that you can only live so long without a true name."

It's something that worries Rune, as well. Turning her blue eyes to Culix, she nods. "I'm still getting used to some of the new abilities that come with my... connections. Just a touch of magic. Just enough to help when I need it."

As for being beholden, Rune laughs. "Too late for that, I'm afraid, but it's by choice, at least. My Patron is one of the good ones, but I don't want to put her at risk if I can help it. Not unless we can't find other means of getting information on our Fae enemy."

"Purple one? You mean..." Culix begins, and then makes strange shapes with her mouth as a confused expression comes over her. "...Huh. That's weird. I know I should know their name. I know I DID know it. Fae are weird..." she murmurs. She ponders other means of getting information out. "Cold iron thumbscrews?" she suggests, only halfway seriously.

She tilts her head to peer at Irshya, "CLoser I get to the shadows the less I like to light. I've never much liked it, but these days I hardly ever go out without those goggles I got. You know, like the ones Aryia wears sometimes?"

"Well, I am talking enough light to banish all shadows." The Goblin swallows noisily. "It could hurt you both. It could hurt me. But if it must be done, it will be done." She lets out a low huff of breath. "I can... maybe..." Her ears droop lightly. "Try to contact my mother. She might know some useful information." Irshya does not appear to like this option.

She reaches for a few melon slices, simply popping them into her mouth and swallowing. The Pool-Shark nods to Culix, "I know the goggles. I hope they will be useful if I have to bring a piece of the sun here."

"Yeah, that's the problem." Rune motions at Culix. "They lost their name to a Fae, and then pissed off said Fae by trying to work against them, and he took her name. It's... rough for her."

The idea of the thumbscrews gets a smirk from the Half-sil. "There's an idea I can get behind."

However, Irshya seems far more serious. "I don't mind getting hurt if it helps one of my friends, so long as it isn't dying to take the bad guy out with me. I don't think Hark would forgive me if I was that foolish." The rogue pulls herself up out of the water and grabs for her towel to start drying off.

"I'm... not sure what kind of goggles you mean. I know there's ones that let people see in the dark like your kind can, but I've never heard of one that protects against light."

"They're like, Obsidian or Onyx or something like that. Or I guess smoked glass works too. It's just to keep most of the sunlight out, really." She explains about her goggles. One ear twitches and she sits up straighter when Irshya mentions her mother. "I mean... is that... a good idea?" she asks cautiously, squeezing the other goblin's hand a moment.

She looks over RUne's way, "You should always mind getting hurt. Like, sometimes it's inevitable, but you should always get pissed when it happens." she insists. "Can't cover anyone elses ass if you don't cover your own first."

Irshya grins toothily at Culix, showing off a missing tooth in her upper tooth-line. "No, it's not a good idea. But sometimes.. you need that kind of idea. Hard to fill the place with shadow if there's no where for the shadow to take root."

"No, it won't be that sort of dangerous. I'm just putting it out there." She eyes Rune drying off.

"I hope it was a good soak, Rune. It's always a pleasure to have you by. You should try to encourage Harkashan to stop by too, would be pleased to have him warming up one of the pools." Irshya looks to Culix. "And you shouldn't take so long between appearances either. I worry for you. My secret lair is always open to you." She glances to Rune. "You as well, if you ever need a place to crash and hide for a time." Irsh leans in to peck at Culix' cheek a number of times.

Rune rubs at her hair vigorously, trying to remove most of the water before wrapping the towel around herself. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not /trying/ to get hurt. I spend most of my coin on making sure of that. But if I get hurt while doing something to help others, it makes some of the pain worth it."

With a slight laugh, "I'll have to tell Harkashan that he's missed. Lava keeps himself busy. So much so that sometimes I have to drag him away from the temple, or whatever else he's gotten himself into."

The invitation is met with a nod, "I'll keep it in mind. Trust me, this place is a godsend in my opinion." She hesitates, "So long as your 'secret lair' isn't the bottom of the pool."

Culix nods once, and gives Irshya's hand another squeeze, "Well. I guess a lot of what we do could be considered 'not a good idea' in general." she sighs a bit, and then peers back over Rune's way. "Nah that's more of a nap spot than a secret lair, right hon?" she asks, glancing at Irshya with a smirk.

"Just give me a heads up if you need someone with a connection to the shadow plane. The things that live there- they're hungry, and they're not picky. I bet it wouldn't be too hard to turn them on this creeper fae." she insists, and lifts her free hand to offer a wave as the half-sil prepares to depart.

The Pool-Shark laughs at Rune's comment, and shakes her head. "They are both secrete nap spots, to be sure. But the secrete lair is hidden better. It's safe, unless someone's willing to tear apart an entire building to get to it. Which is unlikely, unless you're purposefully taunting them in some manner. Or are sloppy in getting in and out." She looks back and forth between the two. "You two are not sloppy, so it would suit you well."

"And yes, many thing we do fall into that category. However, I think much of the time, we're competent enough to avoid the repercussions. Or we kill fast enough that it never becomes a problem." She says to Culix.

"Well, I'm not sloppy about the way I fight, but as you could tell from today, getting up close and personal means you tend to get a bit... colorful after a rough fight." Rune smirks. At least she isn't dripping purple worm goo anymore. "Speaking of that, I'm going to go see how traumatized your laundry attendant is. I imagine I owe them above and beyond the usual costs."

Then, she scoops up her drink, taking a sip before tipping it to the pool-shark. "I'll see you around. You too, Culix." And then the rogue is wandering off, leaving a trail of water rather than the earlier trail of blood, bile, and spittle that Irshya's poor staff may still be cleaning from various parts of the bathhouse. Ooops.

Culix offers another wave after the departing and then settles back. "Sorry I haven't been around more. Hey, did you happen to check out that little party the other day?" she wonders of Irshya, leaning closer as though telling her a secret. "The one where Aelwyn won that show fight?"

The Goblin snorts, gesturing with a hand. "Aww, they've seen it all, Rune. Spells take care of the worst of it, you know?" Her eyebrow quirks. "Now, the floors, on the other hand..." She crosses her arms, "Those are my responsibility." A pale blue tongue is stuck out at the rogue.

She glances to Culid, her head tilted. "Oh, no, I wasn't invited to that one. I've heard that it was some fancy shindig. And there was a fight? Huh. What did he win?"

"Oh you didn't get a chance to watch it?" Culix asks then, and her cheeks color a bit- proving her blood is still red, even if her skin is grey these days. "Well... nevermind, then. Neither did I..." she says and glances away evasively. "Oh some title or something, he's some kind of knight now I think?"

A wet, blue hand lightly pats Culix' cheek, Irshya's expression bright and cheerful. "Aww, you are adorable." She giggles and sighs then, "Oh great, Aelwyn will be insufferable now... if he can even fit through the door with his ego any more."