Retvik and Litvir muttered to themselves as they inspected the pitch black armour they had been given. It was rather heavy, spiky armour, and all of it was black, apart from the occasional gem scattered around – red for Retvik and purple for Litvir. The armour was also very Voidborn-like. Retvik had already put some of his on and didn’t really like the vibe the armour was giving him, especially since it seemed to completely hide Retvik’s cosmetic flames. Sure, the armour was comfortable, but Retvik looked evil. And Litvir looked more evil than normal. Still, the armour had also come with some really nice capes, and Retvik had forgotten how good he looked in one.
“I do not like this armour. Makes us look like Voidborns…” Retvik tutted.
“I think that actually may be the point…” Litvir also tutted. “At the very least, Voidborn-like. After all, we will be pretending to be guards for Arkay. Life Goddesses normally have Voidborn partners or Voidborn guardians.”
“We do not look, sound or smell like Voidborns though. At least, not as we are currently.”
Litvir poked around the helmet he had been given. It had a line of amethyst jewels on it, running across the main head plate scutes, but was otherwise just black. Around the front of the helmet though, there seemed to be two little pouches on the inside that were filled with a black liquid. Litvir sniffed the liquid, then recoiled slightly.
“I think that is the whole point of this armour. At the very least, it will make us look like nasty Divine Guardians rather than basic Decay Lords.”
Retvik grunted. “Are Divine Guardians different from Decay Lords?”
“I originally thought Divine Guardians were just Decayons with jobs, but there is definitely something different when it comes to long-term Divine Guardians. I suppose they wear the chains of servitude more easily. Admittedly, you and I are already chained to Arkay in a romantic manner, so that does better mimic a Life Goddess and Divine Guardian relationship…” Litvir paused. “But at the same time, our connection with Arkay does also nicely mimic a Life Goddess with a Voidborn partner. Or two. Do Life Goddesses have harems?”
“I guess so…” Retvik had no idea and mostly just agreed with Litvir. “However, I really do not like this armour. It is dreary.”
“If this armour was not so black and Voidborn-y, I think it would be fine, and I do like the gems that match our natural armour!” Litvir replied as he put the rest of his armour on. “And I am always a fan of a good cape. It is quite light and delicate, and it has the proper separators at the top so it will disconnect and snap off should it get caught on something.”
Retvik again couldn’t help but agree. “Mhm. But the material also feels rather sturdy. Honestly, I think this armour would actually look rather nice on Arkay as well. I have not seen him in a cape before though.”
“Perhaps we should request some of this armour for Arkay then! His yellow plating will contrast better than our darker plating. Speaking of Arkay, how is he doing?” Litvir asked. “I have mostly just left him to it, but he has been closed up in his room for a while now.”
“I have no idea. And I do not know how you, a seasoned telepath, expect me to know.”
Litvir shrugged as he tightened up the last of his armour. “Maybe you spoke to him earlier. Or maybe I wanted to be polite and not use my telepathy. But now I am using my telepathy and I think Arkay is upset and we should speak to him.”
Retvik finished up his armour as well, then left the room, heading down the hallway and knocking on Arkay’s door. Litvir swiftly followed.
“Hang on. I’m busy.”
The two Rethans waited patiently. After a minute or so, the door opened, revealing Arkay. He was still somewhat naturally armoured, with a head plate and plating around his groin, lower arms and legs, but he had a small, perky pair of breasts.
“You seem to be struggling…” Retvik muttered. “Also you look like Seimeni.”
Arkay frowned. “I… I think I killed Seimeni. She was completely corrupted but I guess that’s just another Life Goddess I’ve ended… Also, no, I’m not alright at all. I’m naked.”
“Naked but cute!” Litvir smiled. “But you have been completely naked with us before and have not been concerned. And there will be lots of other naked people around. At least a hundred, apparently.”
Arkay looked down at himself and frowned some more. “I’m a shapeshifter who is uncomfortable in his own damn body. I can’t make myself look like a Life Goddess and I look weird without my natural armour.”
“Could you just shapeshift into a Ksithan?” Litvir asked. “That is what the local Life Goddesses of our pentacluster look like, mostly.”
“Phovos is not really a normal Life Goddess!” Retvik tutted. “Also she always wears clothes. Seimeni did not wear much clothing though, she was also typical of local Life Goddesses, and I think you look good as you are, Arkay.”
“You think? Because I feel vulnerable.”
Litvir shrugged. “You are naked, that is why, but you are also a Synaisthyn, you are very powerful. And you have killed Life Goddesses in the past. What is the worst that these other, naked, potentially drunk Life Goddesses going to do to you?”
Arkay went back to frowning. “I’d be alright. But they could hurt me. And they could hurt you.”
“That is always the case, whether you are wearing armour or not!” Litvir exclaimed. “But I think you look adorable. And so does Retvik. In fact, Retvik knows best, he has slept with two Life Goddesses.”
“Yeah… wait, you have?”
Retvik growled, but quickly relented. “Admittedly, yes. I slept with Seimeni when I was a brand new Decayling and I have also slept with Phovos. But either way, Litvir is completely right. We will be fine, and you do look adorable.”
“Indeed!” Litvir went back to grinning. “However, I have one tiny weeny request.”
“You do?”
Litvir nodded. “May I touch those breasts of yours?”
Arkay and Retvik both paused. Retvik blinked, but Arkay snickered.
“Maybe later. I want to get this stupid mission over with first…”