Oparal listened with rapt attention to Alice’s even limited experience with the divine, or at least extraplanar.  “Oh, wow, they mentioned a bit about the creatures beyond this world and how they served the goddess and Her true servants, but I can’t even guess at all the varieties and types there could be…”  Just imagining the possibilities beyond “angels” was past the priestess’ education it seemed.  “Sylia is quite blessed by the goddess, performing miracles every day.  It is unfortunate she hasn’t been able to mentor me in these mysteries yet.  Though I’m sure in only a few more years I might begin to learn!” she tries to reassure herself, though a bit excited with Alice’s rhetorical foot in the philosophical door.  At the mention of a massage, a play of emotions ran through Oparal’s face: surprise, gratitude, relief, guilt.  She looked worryingly at the door and her other duties, then down at the glass of wine in her hand.  She took a large sip to brace herself, and slid onto the bed to join Alice.<br/><br/>“Just for a bit.  I feel I’ve been run ragged, I just need a little pick-me-up to better serve the mistress…” she said, apparently convincing herself this indulgence would be for the greater good.  “Would you tell me more about these forbidden fruits?  I’ve heard about the terrible demons in the Tanglebriar, but I never thought one might actually summon one for any reason!”  Laying on her belly, she wore a simple yellow sundress with an embroidered black honeybee on the chest and laced up the back.  Feeling anywhere on her back and shoulders, Alice would immediately notice tightness all around and large, gnarled stress-knots forcing Oparal’s shoulders up.  She certainly wasn’t lying about working and stressing hard.