The Exploits of Misfit Company

Alys would chuckle at Kasha's excitement and place a hand on her shoulder, "As much as I want to get started, there are change rooms." She'd smile and move to accept the assigned robes and locker keys from the desk staff, handing them off to each of the girls.

Kasha mouthed the word “oh!” and nodded sagely, following the girls.

Stella, Kasha, Vastra, Alys: Each of you are led to changing rooms with lockers for your possessions. The attendants ask no questions about the weapons, armor, and other magical items on your person. Waiting for you in each room is a neatly folded robe with a pair of fuzzy, open-toed slippers. Then the four of you are led to a candlelit room where a magical orb constantly plays soothing music. There are four very strong masseuses in the room, who all ask which area of your bodies they would like you to focus on and which areas you would like them to avoid.

Stella directs her masseuse to her shoulders and neck particularly. She settles in and manages to avoid making any actual groans of pleasure as the masseuse gets out the knots and stress built up over the past few months.

Kasha stripped in the locker room, completely unashamed. Naked, she was literally filthy everywhere, like she wasn't wearing any clothes normally. Her small tanned body was that not too unlike, say, SpiderGwen from Spiderverse - lean, athletic, and ballerina like with a touch of Kasha ruggedness. She put on her robe, crammed all of her stuff in a locker, and squeaked at how cute the shoes were. She danced into one of the rooms where a large man woman was stood there waiting, asking where not to touch her.

She threw off the robe, swan dove onto the table, and said, "nowhere.."

Vastra will wiggle her fingers and clean off Kasha with Prestidigitation so that her masseuse has a clean body to work on. The employees are also a bit startled on how quick she is to get naked, as well as the fact that she did a swan dive onto the table. "Personally I'd wish for you to avoid my privates, but perhaps we can reach a different arrangement later." Vastra says to her masseuse with a wink, before lying down and having a towel placed over her intimate area. 

Kasha's room:

"Wow, you have big hands..uh, Svetlana? Ah, ok. Oh, oil! Alright. Ooh! Hi! I'm Ka- Oh! Oh my. Oh! Hoo godddd that feels sooo good..ah- slow down. Oh, yeah. OHHh, yeahhh. Who's yo' daddy..WHO'S yo da- oh wait. No. Nothing. Ah. Oh my. Oh yeah, right there. Haa..HhhH! Yes. Right there-oh! Faaa..yes. Right there. OOHH that feels SOOO good. Yeah, just like that. Oh my goodness. Oh I LOVE It when you-- ah! Uh oh! Slow d- ah.

Ah.

AH.

AH!

AHHHHHHHHhhhh....!"

If Bixby noticed the initial disapproving look, it neither shows in expression or altered his behavior. "As I said previously, it was likely unintentional." He had stated during the brief pause in Yvan's speech, refusing for the moment to budge on the matter of Kasha's 'blackmail'. As far as the last comment in regards to knowing Kasha well enough, he said nothing, and seemed wholly unconcerned about the lacking in the area.

He does freeze up mid-motion to grab another piece at Yvan's assertion; the request from Kasha's Mother. Thinking back... he wasn't holding the puzzle back then. And the emotions upon entering  that realm... the anger... hatred... the fuzziness in thought for that brief moment upon crossing, before it all got suppressed and filed away. Or so he had thought. Yvan would catch him shudder for a moment, and then promptly shake his head while returning to work with a little more fervor finish construction.

"No, as there was nothing to apologize for. And I would not lie to her or any of you, or say something without at least being ninety-one percent certain of my understanding. Just as I would not steal from the company, as that is -- as they say -- a slippery slope to worse offense. And we cannot function well under such circumstances." He stated simply. "Also, what was said before was not rude as far as I'm concerned. If anything, I appreciate the classification, as it has given me more to set myself apart from those other personalities." Bixby, who towards the end had held the still incomplete at eye level for inspection, looks to Yvan with an almost curious glint to his eyes.

"Now I have an inquiry, Yvan. Have I become a disruption for the group? And if so, has it been significant?" He asked plainly.

 Alys: Not satisfied with just a masseuse, you request a masseur as well. "You must have a lot of stress to relieve." The masseuse says, as she goes to fetch a masseur. A few moments later, she comes in with an equally muscular man. "Are there any areas that you would like us to avoid?"

"I know you said it was likely unintentional, but it bothers me to know you even considered she would do something like that," Yvan interjects prior to moving onto the rest he wished to say. Ever observant the goliath was, his eyes narrow at Bix at the reaction he earned when he brought up a possible request. So he was correct in that regard at least, and he notes the change in Bix's resolve, looking now as if he wanted to finish this project sooner rather than later. He says nothing of it for now.

When given an answer to his question, the barbarian closes his eyes, brow creasing as his lips thin, taking a moment to process his words again. However, when questioned himself, his eyes reopen to immediately meet with Bix's gaze. "Yes," Came a simple reply, needing less than even a second to answer that. "... You passed over Stella when she needed healing, you insulted Alys just a minute ago, and you made Kasha cry. About the only person I can think of that you don't exactly have an issue with is Vastra, and even then she sees the effects of what you have done, as do I... You're not exactly in the best standing with the group, and that isn't something to be proud of."

Yvan's gaze hardens. "You are useful when it comes to negotiations, and you are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield... but other than that I cannot even refer to you as a friend. Barney I can. Drift I can. Brock I can. All of them had compassion and empathy, and they showed it. You lack it. The emotions, the bonds that your other personas had forged with us... did you store that away too? Do... you just not care about us anymore?"

Apart from briefly cocking his head to the side at the mention insulting Alys, the rest Bixby listened to without much reaction; meeting Yvan's hardened gaze with a blank one of his own. As if whatever emotion there did not even register. When Yvan finally finishes, the changeling closes his eyes, seeming to deeply consider the question. But even a full minute passes by before they are opened again with simply spoken statement.

"They were excised... or more accurately, as you have assisted me in discovering, are still being excised. Once I have completed this device, I can resume the tactile exercise aspect of the removal process. So, in answer to your first question, they are for the time being. But thank you. You have been most helpful in improving my process." He admits, bowing his head slightly for a moment. "As for your second question, I would wish to answer yes, as you are all very useful to the acquisition of coin and magical items. Both of which I will still need for a personal project of mines. And so, provided noone else is better equipped at any given time , such as Alys, whose faith as I have come to understand makes her far more proficient healer than I, it is imperative that I do whatever it takes to ensure you are all kept alive. But also remaining mindful of resource management is still important." Bixby admitted in a matter-of-fact tone.

"However, from an emotional standpoint, which I believe is what you meant, the answer is I never had cared. I am not 'the others', who's false beliefs effectively meant that they were a lie. A harmful one, considering recent events. For that, I do apologize." With that, he turned to start working on the new cube once more. "But apologies are insufficient. And now that I have been made aware that I am, or at least, may continue to be a disruption for the group... there is only solution. It would have to be after the ceremony, but... hmm...." Another pause on Bixby's part is followed by him glancing at Yvan. "Would you prefer to handle seeking my replacement, or should I? Not that the Misfits require one. For between all of you, you have proven more than capable. Vastra would need to more actively utilize her full capabilities in combating hostile mages, but that is a simple course correction."

Yvan had expected this answer, and yet hearing him say it, hearing Bix confirm the beliefs that he tried so hard to deny, made his blood boil. Of course they were only useful to him for selfish gain, procuring magic items and gold. He wasn't emotionally invested in them anymore. That was removed with the other personas. The love, the memories, those were removed because they weren't of importance to him. Yvan saw now that nothing was important to Bixby other than himself. 

It made Yvan angry. Both his fists and jaw clenched tight, watching the crafter with rage behind forest green hues begin working on the device again. Had he had no self control, he would have smashed it. Not like the other would have cared much anyway. Yvan simply couldn't understand. All those years together meant nothing to him, every job they did, conversations they had, the same ones that affected Yvan, the same ones that in which he saw B grow from a mere teammate to some he could rely on, someone he could call a friend. Those didn't impact the changeling the way he thought they did, because had they, this conversation would not need to be had. 

It hurt. The family Yvan had found within their group of Misfits grew smaller and now there truly wasn't anything he could do about it. This was pointless.

So he stood up from his place with his head hung low. "I'm surprised you even would offer such a thing since we are of little importance to you." He began to make way for the door, feeling as if had he not left the room, he would have lost himself. He stops in the doorway, looking over his shoulder to give one last look to Bix. "Please make that decision yourself." He would then look forward. "Thank you for helping me see who you truly are, Bixby."

With that, he would depart, looking for an area where he could be alone and let off some steam.

There was a banging sound, as if someone falling, the door opening, and Kasha crawled out of the massage room with a huge relaxed smile and a dreamy face.

"Oh mother.." she moaned, pleased. "That was amazing... I feel like floppy rubber... I didn't know hands could DO that. Thanks, Svetlana!" she weaved her hand in the air, blew a kiss to her, and druidcraft displayed a small magical chick holding a sign that said, "YOU ROCK!"

She struggled to get up, so relaxed, and put on her robe again, half open. She leaned against the wall and stood up, regaining her composure. "Wow." She could still feel all the oil all over her body, and hands pressing, pushing, and kneading her. It was like she discovered something new.

She skipped to the waiting room and sat relaxed and patient for everyone else to finish.

Alys’ eyes would ping open wide when she would be offered a second masseuse. There were different layers in the temptations presented before her. She’d be guilty of desiring them all. But a tug in her heart and mind knew that she would rather be left longing for an experience more emotionally fulfilling. It was the masseuses ‘job’ to please her. She’d rather give all of herself to one who desired it. The elf wasn’t without her limits though, she had starved herself of physical touch long enough. She would accept both pairs of hands to work her body, she needed it, but would ask them to reserve themselves professionally despite any contrary sounds that may escape her lips. A girl could day dream of the hands she’d hope for. And she would. 

Bixby had a multitude of options. Options that ranged, as the goliath knew or could intuit, from suppressing the goliath's emotions up to even robbing Yvan of his will. He could of even used more honeyed words to appease the barbarian, as he would've in the past as part of some negotations. But short of turning truly aggressive to the point of attempting to inflict harm, the more cruel ones would never be explored, and he was not one to manipulate a compatriot for his own ends -- and -truly- his own ends alone. Otherwise the conversation would have indeed not come about, or reached its current conclusion.

So, his gaze shifted fully back to the puzzle as Yvan stood up, having half-expected the goliath to storm out without another word to blow off steam. Instead Bixby found himself looking back to the man with a most perplexed expression on his face in response to the first statement. One he had still been in the process of analyzing by the time Yvan looked to the changeling. "Mn. You are most welcome." He replied in the brief window allotted, and then seemed to return to his work.

Yvan recieves one last message after he departs, as the changeling had opened a channel, as he was want to do, though without the usual and frankly pointless mental nudge of alert ahead of time. "Oh. And one more thing. I will endeavor to find a suitable candidate. Perhaps even that feline that came with you all from the Feywild, should I be able to reach out to him. In the meantime, I would suggest keeping our conversation from the others until after the ceremony, as it will only seed further disruption... Something I wish and will continue to seek to avoid, regardless of any personal attachment. As I have always sought to act in the best interest of the Company." He said before terminating the link.

Eventually, after a little extra time in her massage suite, Alys would emerge pink cheeked and red ears holding her big fluffy housecoat to her chest. Taking a deep breath to inhale the scents, she’ll pull her housecoat up to snuggle her chin into it. It’s been at least a decade since she’s had any knots worked from her muscles, and after all they’ve been through, she’s had a few good ones to work out. Now she was free of the nagging aches that plagued her back and limbs. Alys had more than just a glow to her skin, but in her face and eyes. The elf would coo on her exhale and stride away from her room with the most grace to her steps than she’s ever shown before. She’ll make her way over to Kasha and plop herself next to her before ‘melting’ over to lay back into the druids lap to wait for the others. “So? Was it as terrible as you thought it would be?” The wizard would reach up to boop the druids nose. 

Kasha jokingly pretended that she was thinking really hard about it, her face scrunching in thought and more thought. Eventually she bend down to lean in real close to Aly's ear. "That was incredible. I really enjoyed it. Almost..as much as i'm going to enjoy.......THIS!" and she shrieked like a cat, her hands pretending to be claws, and she spent about four gut wrenching seconds tickling the shit out of her on top of her robe, laughing maniacally at the torture she was teasing you with.

Alys should have known she set herself up for a Kasha trap. She was so relaxed, she let her guard down. The elf’s eyes will go wide with sheer panic the moment the ‘claws’ came out, expecting what came next. She’ll shriek before clamping her hands over her mouth to try to muffle her squeals and pleads for the Druid to stop, not wanting to get them kicked out for being too loud. It was absolutely torture, she hated being tickled. If the wizard hadn’t just had a massage, she’d be losing her mind and maybe even become angry. But for this moment, she could laugh. “Vastraaaaaa! STELLAAAAA!! Save meeee!” Gigging, Alys would finally let go of her mouth to wrap her arms around her stomach to protect it. Her stomach hurt from laughing too hard, and she had tears dripping down her cheeks. “Staaahhhhhppp!”

Kasha laughed for a good minute, the thought of tickle torture still on her mind and how impressed that Alys took it so well. Eventually, she playfully covered Aly's mouth and said "ShsHshSH!" trying not to laugh herself from the mischief. She gave Alys a quick peck on the cheek, but her mouth lingered there for a second too long, then comically fast, she snapped to her original position, whistling softly and casually like nothing in the last 10 seconds occurred. What totally gave it away was Kasha's face, trying to resist cracking up again. If anyone walked by, Kasha would shrug her shoulders innocently like she had nothing to do with what just happened.

Stella laughs as she watches the pair being tickled. "Sorry Alys, you're on your own." She offers the pair each a hand up. "We've got more to do, shall we?"