A silence would pass, as Faetalis left everyone to speak their peace, and voice their concerns of her plan. In truth, she was testing them - she had to. If she didn’t, they wouldn’t fare well in their new roles as “those that make decisions” and “those that execute decisions” at the same time. Fortunately, they were coming along at a stellar pace; even though a little hit and miss, they were well in line with her projections. They would make fine successors to her friends...

...replacements.

Sooner or later, she would have to face that fact. They weren’t coming back.

Wherever she was, they couldn’t follow.

“[color=add8e6]So many places to start, and so much to address. I suppose, I will start with the most practical of fears, and descend from there...[/color]” Faetalis says, clapping her hands together, “[color=add8e6]But, first, I want to say, I’m proud of each of you and your progress. This is what I hoped to see, when I named you my new Raid Council. The confidence to speak to me and against me in the same breath.[/color]” Faetalis beamed, her shark-like teeth clearly edged - one of her few android features, before she crossed her arms. “[color=add8e6]Now, then, to address the concerns of mutilation. Smother them, wholly and completely. I needn’t mutilate you to fit you in my Doll Skins. They are tailored to fit you, seamless, perfectly - such is my talent.[/color]”

“[color=add8e6]I would nary see one scale of your arms, Levia, chipped nor one scale of your wings, Gamma, clipped,[/color]” Faetalis says. “[color=add8e6]The skin you choose will fit you like a glove upon the hands of royalty. I assure you. And, it is that fit that I must urge you to take one, Cormac, Madame Mae. It is not to sully your form nor spit upon your Supreme Being’s gifts, but to elevate your own potential going beyond these walls and into the world of Humans.[/color]” Faetalis cast her arms to the sides, motioning to the racks of the warehouse, “[color=add8e6]These skins are those of the Supreme Beings that yours defeated. In combat. In duels. In sieges. But, these are there victories, and not yours. It is time they are retired, and the new season wear is made.[/color]”

Faetlis looked to Gamma, then Tungsten, before she continued, “[color=add8e6]And, it is for that reason, I would deny you all these skins as choices. I wish you not to forget the deeds of those that created you, but to honour their deeds by replacing these with new ones, earned by your victories.[/color]”

“[color=add8e6]So, look not to these skins for inspiration. Look inside you. See the form of the Human inside of you...[/color]” Faetalis says, standing over the crafting table, as she grew four more arms; taking thread and needle, file and scissor, and a stack of thin, skin-coloured sheets. “[color=add8e6]Inside each Monster, a Human lies - the core of their being; the darkness and guile that allows them to blend in and commit atrocities,[/color]” she says, sewing and cutting, hemming and trimming, “[color=add8e6]It sounds insane, but I urge you to look deep, and show me your innermost soul...[/color]”

[center]“[color=add8e6][b][i]And, I will create the YOU that the world will see and come to love or fear. Monsters, as Humans, living among them, for weal and for woe.[/i][/b][/color]”[/center]
Faetalis would hold up the finished product, and it would swish like a paper-thin jacket, as she threw it out behind her, and put it on like one. It would suddenly envelope her, and the nude skin would grow out hair, nails, fingers, toes, tone, and define features, until a nude woman stood before them.

[hider=Don’t worry RPGuild, she’s dressed][img]https://i.imgur.com/sUKM5Oo.png[/img][/hider]
To the uninitiated, this young woman looked like she belonged in a tower - desperately awaiting rescue - and appeared fragile and afraid. To the unassuming, she was the goal of a long quest...

[center][b][i]...not its final boss.[/i][/b][/center]
At least, until she bodily shivered, and sneezed, “[color=DCAE96][i]Cold...[/i][/color]”