Act 3: The Ball - Preparations of War

6:43 AM, 9th of April 422
The Rubrum Holoserica, Luxus

Every party member wakes up in their own room at the same time. Mihai and Konrad are alone, while Fluffle is sleeping on Steve's second pillow, a trickle of saliva running down his chin.

They feel fine, and mostly themselves.

It's been the second night since Konrad had company. He turns over, and notices the absence of a partner. He stretches, lays there for another minute or two, and gets up. He gathers a change of clothes and looks for a bath. What do I want for breakfast... How about cheese melted on eggs with ham, strawberries, and a glass of milk? Yes, that would be lovely.

Steve awakens on his back, a rare sleeping position for him. Despite all the running around the day before, he finds himself awake but drowsy, perfectly content to doze in bed for the next while rather than rushing off to some fool next thing. Another ten minutes pass before he's awake enough to realize that he is himself this time, despite the dream of May's life. His first emotion is relief, followed by longing when he thinks of Zelk. Not for the last time, he promises himself to bring Zelk here one day; otherwise, how would he ever begin to explain all that has happened on their journey?

His thoughts are interrupted by his stomach growling. As usual, Steve can't help but agree with his stomach's wise council for how to start a day. He looks over at Fluffle and reaches out to wake up his friend with a light touch. "Rise and shine Fluffle. Time to start the day."

Mihai

"Are women all you have on your mind? You dog!"

Mihai suddenly realizes he's been imagining Smirk's response to his thoughts—no, expecting him to respond, just like Nick would have in this situation.

And yet, Mihai is well and truly alone in his room.
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Konrad

Konrad gathers his clothes and notices that his bra isn't there, even though—then, the incongruity of his thoughts hit him alike a brick, and he realizes this isn't normal at all.
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Steve

Fluffle rubs his eyes as he slowly sits on the pillow and faces him. "Hmm? Oh, is that you, May? Or is it Steve?"

The moment Fluffle says "May", Steve feels like someone just called his name, even though he knows it isn't him.

It was so unfair. He'd been so content for a moment there. To have it ripped away by so minor a thing hurt. A lot. He tries to put on a brave front but finds himself overwhelmed by the emotion.

"A bit of both, I'm afraid," says Steve, looking away and wiping away a tear, "But mostly Steve, I think."

After Konrad searches for a bra, he smacks himself and curses what feels like the beginning of wires truly getting crossed. It has been several days, after all. He uses the tub in the room for a private bath - why, a very good bath indeed, it must be said, with warm soapy water to sponge himself off with.

Several minutes later, he exits the room to go and knock on the door to Steve's room, which has become the impromptu place to meet in the hotel.

Mihai

There's no response.
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Steve

Fluffle quickly stands up to his feet and flies over to Steve's side to place a comforting hand on his cheek. "What's wrong?" he asks. "Is May in there with you right now?"
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Konrad

As he takes his bath, Konrad catches himself just as he is about to wash himself as a woman would. The impression quickly fades away however.

"Blast! Dammit, come on, I don't suppose you would conjure a brief phase in your life where you wished you had a man's parts?" he says, as though someone could hear him, and he goes on washing, looking down at his body for a visual reminder of what he is, to avoid another hiccup.

"How to explain?" says Steve, wiping away more tears, "You know how if I call you Fluffle, you know, deep down, that I am talking about you and not Bubble?"

Fluffle nods slowly.

"There's no barrier between May or Steve for me. They mean the same thing in here." Steve claps his fist to his heart.

Konrad

There are no more alien impressions intruding upon him for the rest of his bath.
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Mihai

Mihai tests the weight of his sword and waits for something unnatural to happen, but nothing. He is himself at the moment.
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Steve

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Steve," Fluffle says before he starts petting his friend's cheek. "Don't worry. We already know where Edward has gone. As soon as we're finished here, we can go search for Breeze and she'll make it all go away."

Steve and Fluffle hear a knock at the door.

"Hello, it's Konrad!"

"Just a minute!" calls out Steve, wiping away the last of his tears.

To Fluffle he says, "Could you open the door for Konrad? I need a minute in the bathroom."

"Of course! Take as long as you need."

"Thanks, Fluffle. You're the best." Steve gets out of bed and heads for the bathroom, where he shuts the door. He's grateful for the chance to regain his composure.

Mihai meets Konrad outside Steve's room just as Fluffle opens the door for them. "Good morning, Konrad!" the fairy says with a smile. "How are you—oh, hey Mihai! I didn't know you were also there."

"Oh yeah, he just needed a minute in the bathroom. He's Steve right now, not May."

Konrad is looking freshly bathed, sober, and relaxed, smelling of rosewater. "Well, I'm doing alright, thank you for asking."

He walks in.

"Could you go and see if Theo and the girls are ready and invite them over?"

"Maybe, but it's high time we counted the money we found. We might have a use for it soon."

Awareness 14

"I think Amber already counted the money," Fluffle says as he lands on the table. "I saw her in her cabin during our trip here, and she had a lot of gold on her bed."

Before any of the adventurers can answer however, Mihai hears footfalls coming from down the hallway.

Someone is coming.