Reading is fundamental (OPEN)

R E M I Had Remi's eyes not been focused on his transmutating hand he might have seen Jigano reach across the table. If he had, he certainly would have let the bard see (or touch, rather) for himself that there was no illusion work here. But he didn't, nor did the alchemist have any reason to think that any verification would be needed. Shifters and their ability to half-shift was common in Northaven. Remi didn't know that such wasn't the case here (at least with the half-shifting anyways). Experts. Not a shifter then. Not that Remi had been looking for advice necessarily, he found himself slightly disappointed to know that Jigano did not understand what he was going through, even in a tangential sense. Trying to explain what it was like taking on another body to someone who'd never experienced the phenomenon was quite difficult. Lips quirking slightly, Remi nodded. "Yes, I have been trying to practice, but I usually only do so when someone is around to...ahh...step in should I lose control." Absently he felt his leg offer a phantom spasm of pain where Vai had shot an arrow through it to stop him. Grinning with relief, the alchemist allowed an easy chuckle to flow from his lips at the lack of horror or rejection writ on his companion's pale features. "If the luxere are as gentle as they are described I very much doubt a lion would be welcome anyways. Nor a hawk even." The alchemist said with a light shrug. As much as Remi enjoyed flying, it did feel strange to be so divided from the world. The only people Remi felt comfortable being in his shift around for prolonged periods of time were those like him...and Vai of course. It seemed rude to be something else that couldn't communicate verbally and whose body language was so easily misinterpreted, or at least it seemed that way to the alchemist. "Your singing?" Remi asked, an astonished look contorting his boyish features at the rather charming notion. Again, the thought that these creatures were nothing more than fables rose in his mind which only broadened his smile. "Mmmhmm. I acquired some for teas and the like, but it is even quite good on its own. It can be found all throughout the woodlands." The turn back towards Frey made a flush of coral appear on the alchemist's cheeks, especially at the mention of bondage. With a groan that resolved itself into a nervous chuckle, Remi nodded. No matter how many times he told this story he still felt the cold oppressive weight of failed responsibility at what had happened. "I suppose so, yes. It was in the temple only a day or so after we had arrived. Frey appeared to myself and two others, and upon their arrival all of our clothes were taken and we found ourselves bound and gagged." Biting the inside of his cheek Remi twirled the feather gentle between his fingers, shifting his legs uncomfortably beneath the table. "I saw this particular god again, at the shrine in the glade. It did not take our clothes that time, but we were similarly gagged." Shaking his head slightly, Remi's eyes stole furtive glances across the table at Jigano trying to gauge his reaction to all of this. "I was cursed and the woman I was with at the time returned again to the god and was likewise cursed. Or rather, given some sort of challenge. Quest perhaps. I do not know..." But the other gods do not appear to have the same taste for...this sort of sexual fascination. Or the other two I know of at least."