<blockquote><div><cite>Soma wrote:</cite><span style="font-style: italic">~Oh, I'm right here. Mindy decided to eat me before we left the garden. isn't that right?~</span> </div></blockquote><br/>"She…<span style="font-style: italic">decided</span>to eat you?" Alyssa glances nervously from Mindy's face to her overfull belly, trying to  imagine how the petite telepath could accomplish such a feat: Mindy, smaller even that Alyssa, herself, casually  seizing Soma, pulling her close… her dainty pink lips whispering something, and then parting, spreading,  stretching to engulf the struggling tiefling girl's crown… slowly, those lips creep downwards as the powerful blonde predator savors her helpless meal, moaning in delight…<br/><br/>Truth be told,the scenario is far easier to picture, and far more familiar, than Alyssa finds comfortable. A hand creeps to her pendant, squeezing the tiny charm for reassurance before she raises her eyes to meet Mindy's. "Is it true?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.  "D-did you really…?<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Mindy wrote:</cite>“Ah-well, that’s-you see… Do you remember when I said Soma was in a harpy that was in a harpy  under my control? Well, when the fighting ended, I uh…was offered the chance to… deal with those harpies, And their  was something that I’ve been meaning to try- wait, that not quite what… Ah…”</div></blockquote><br/><span style="font-style: italic">So it wasn't an act of aggression.</span>"Oh, thank goodness…" Alyssa sighs, more to herself than Mindy. The tiefling's shoulders sag in relief, dissipating and drawing to her attention her unconscious stress from only a moment before. Had the sight of her elven companion really unnerved her to such a degree? Or perhaps Soma's words were responsible? At any rate, the entire situation feels much less tense following Mindy's explanation.<br/><br/>"I believe I understand," she says, offering her ally a smile of reassurance. "Thank you for explaining, and… congratulations."<br/><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Jess wrote:</cite>"Uh… guys? Not to rush anyone, but this trail's already getting kinda cold. Maybe we should get moving?"</div></blockquote><br/>"We'll be along in a moment," Alyssa responds. Turning back to Mindy, she offers an arm to the encumbered mentalist. "I'm afraid I don't know the magic to reduce this sort of burden," she explains. "But perhaps I can help to support your temporary weight?"<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Yes,</span>she assures herself.<span style="font-style: italic">That's why my hand is resting on her midsection. For support, and nothing more.</span>The young tiefling unconsciously leans towards her friend as they pass through the gate, her hand pressing against Mindy's abdomen as something within gurgles and sloshes back against her palm.<span style="font-style: italic">Oh, it's stretched so tightly…</span><br/><br/><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Jess wrote:</cite>…gives the tiefling a knowing look and continues her olfactory scan.</div></blockquote><br/>Alyssa blinks in surprise at Jess's acknowledgment, turning away as she feels the heat rising in her cheeks. The huskygirl couldn't have smelled her apprehension from earlier, could she? Waiting until everyone's attention is elsewhere, she gives a cautious sniff of her own- to her relief, no spice-scent reaches her nostrils. The wink must have been some private joke of Jess's… or her canine friend's nose is distressingly keen. Either way, it doesn't seem prudent to ask for the time being.<br/><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Jess wrote:</cite><span style="font-style: italic">~There the white one by the counter- she smells like the kidnappers. How're we gonna get her?~</span></div></blockquote><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Her?</span>Alyssa wonders privately.<span style="font-style: italic">Her dress looks more like that of an entertainer than a slaver.</span>But, she reminds herself, the most dangerous predators in Armel are often the most manipulative - Leska taught her that fact well. This woman's clothing might well be part of an act to put others at ease. Until other facts present themselves, it's better to trust Jess's trained nose over her own eyes for the time being.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~If she sees us approach, she may flee, or call guards,~</span>Alyssa says.<span style="font-style: italic">~We should follow indirectly,and try to intercept her path. Tell me, do both of the staircases here lead to the same destination?~</span>