The Monster Mashers arrived at the continent of Alfheim, docking at a harbor town in the light elf nation of Ljósálfheim. The architecture was far different than what they encountered in the human kingdoms. Smooth white buildings with curves and few to no sharp corners. Cylinders, cones, and domes with strange extra curves fused with other rounded shapes with the occasional fabric tent with way too many angles in an attempt to give the temporary structure made of cloth a rounded appearance.

  The party took a short moment to take in the sights before leaving the town and heading in the direction of the capital. As per normal they activated every Yggdrasil gate on the way there in case of a possible return to this kingdom. Once again the party traveled by spider, three black iron spiders taking the party in groups of two minus Racknar who once again went solo on his mount. If the party thought the harbor town was impressive, the capital was even more so.

  Towering buildings surrounded by an extremely smooth looking wall. Cylinders, rounded cones, and domestic all decorated with white silk ribbons and banners. The extreme whiteness and practically sterile look reminded some of the party members of a hospital. The streets were also smooth as if they laid down concrete all at once then put some sort of coating over it. They had a light glimmer to it from a combination of reflecting light and the use of magic to reduce wear and tear over time and keep everything looking as shiny, smooth, and new for as long as possible.

  The party were forced to dismiss the spiders before entering but other than that had no issues being let in. All it took was a flash of the guild card and the wall was magically reshaped to let the party through. Once again Racknar found himself questioning the level of trust that kingdoms of all races across the world place in the guild. The guild may provide essential services but there were a number of possibilities that would result in Racknar ensuring someone kept watch over any strangers entering a city he ran.

  Davy whistled as he looked at the city. “Everything’s so fancy, clean, and white looking. There's not a sign of anything dark or dirty. Most human cities this size would definitely have slums but I find it hard to imagine this city having that.” Racknar let out a soft growl. “It's called the sewer system, under the city proper. There's a series of service tunnels, sewage pipes, and even underground buildings. Anything unsightly like prisons are out in underground buildings. The system used to be its own city where the enslaved dark elves lived thousands of years ago.”

  Ariagoria let out a groan. “So they literally bury anything they see as unsightly in the under-city. This entire civilization is about as fake as most Hollywood actors. Everything about it is a mask, a performance. All in an effort to project a false superiority. The human kingdoms may not be great, but at least they're more honest about how shitty they are.” Davy gestured to the crowd. “Maybe lower your voice when criticizing our hosts when we are here for a diplomatic mission. Remember, we're here to form an alliance, not nitpick at the flaws in their system.”

  Racknar grumbled. “When we get to the capital either Charity or Mari will have to do the talking. Unlike the kingdoms of the Empire that often follow a patriarchy and tend to be misogynistic, the Elven kingdoms follow a strict monarchy and are actively misandristic. Men are treated as inferior in an almost reflection of the human’s treatment of women. It's even worse with the dark elves who treat men almost like slaves.”

  Davy shrugged. “I mean you haven't had too much trouble talking with dark elves before now, but I suppose it's different talking to actual government leaders then it is talking to individuals and randos.” Racknar nodded. “Hopefully us restoring Arachne first and having her go to bat for us will make it go smoothly.” Ariagoria sighed. “So I guess I'll be taking point in this one then?” Racknar shrugged. “Either you or Mari as I said before. The elves care more about gender than race. Though there are tensions between light and dark and between elves and dwarves these won't affect us much. So long as we strategically place our allies assuming we land all of them everything will be fine.”

  Ariagoria let out a final long sigh as they approached the palace and she made a request to see the queen. The guards informed the party that nothing outside basic cloth, simple non magic jewelry and accessories were allowed inside the palace. The party put everything except their casual outfits inside Racknar's dimension doorway that was then placed into a safety box inside the guildhall. Once this was finished the party returned to the palace and were let inside with two guards escorting them the entire way.

  Davy chuckled at the sudden and almost extreme change in demeanor. “So much for them having their guard down around anyone who's a guild member.” He mumbled mostly to himself. Ariagoria shushed him. “Keep it down, only myself and Mari should be talking from here on. Anything you want to say can be done telepathically.” Davy nodded and projected his thoughts. “I honestly forgot that's an option thanks to myself and Krys'tal.”

  Racknar let out a long grumbling noise before clacking his mandibles. <“I know I was the one to state this was necessary, but it's still frustrating. Luckily unlike the dark elves they probably aren't aware that I'm speaking a language.”> The guard glared at the group. “Could you tell your arachnid beast-kin bodyguard to stop with that clacking? It's kind of annoying.” Ariagoria lightly bowed. “My apologies, I'll make sure he behaves himself from now on.”

  The party was eventually brought to the throne room. Inside the room was decorated with several white sashes. At the throne itself sat a tall and young looking light elf woman in extremely elegant white robes made of multiple complex parts of flowing cloth. She sat in a board position on the throne that despite being made of something solid had a softness to it, thanks to the fact it had zero sharp angles. As soon as the Monster Mashers entered she sat up slightly. “Oh, what exactly do we have here?”

  Ariagoria bowed lightly. “Hello, I am Ariagoria”Charity” Wrath. Here on behalf of the kingdom of Bramble. King William is dead, and through a number of interesting circles his youngest daughter Elizabeth was made crown princess beforehand and is now officially queen. She has officially sent a declaration to the Empire stating that Bramble will become independent and segregate from the Empire even if it has to fight for it. In preparation for that war we are seeking alliances with a number of enemies of the Empire.”

  The light elf queen shifted in her throne a bit. “I can't help but notice that your garb resembles that of the Church of Longinus. Tell me, are you willing to wage war with the church as well?” Ariagoria tightly shut her eyes and gave a single nod. “If it is necessary. The leadership of the church twists the words of God in order to justify genocide, but in my eyes god loves all equally. The idea that this world was made for humans is obscene.” The light elf queen fixed her posture and sat up straight. “You do know that words alone won't be enough to convince me, right?”

  Ariagoria sighed and opened her eyes before looking up again. “I'm more than aware. I am more than willing to take action in order to prove our conviction.” The elf queen rubbed her chin as she considered her options. “It is tradition in moments like these to offer a gift.” Racknar lightly tapped Ariagoria’s shoulder, she nodded. “Unfortunately, we were not allowed to bring any weapons or even anything magical into these walls. However, if you give me a few days we can create something for you that's one of a kind.”

  The queen nodded. “I see, so with what you have with you right now you are saying you can create a gift worthy of me? Guards, escort them to a room and bar the doors. Provide them with food and drink on request making sure to collect the plates and other dinnerware after. If you can not provide me with what you have promised I will be executing one of your males and sending you away.” Racknar leaned over to Ariagoria’s ear and whispered. She nodded. “I am confident you will enjoy your gift. I'll just make it clear that some of my attendees have unique dietary requirements.”

  The queen waves dismissively. “Yes yes, that is fine. You'll be provided with any food items you request within reason.” Ariagoria bowed. “Thank you, your majesty.” The Monster Mashers then allowed themselves to be led to a surprisingly cozy room. Ariagoria quickly wrote down a few things and handed it to the guard. “I would like our first meal right away. It's imperative that you provide us with everything on the list.” The guard took the list and left to get the food. The door was then closed and locked.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Racknar sighed. “She really thinks we have no chances of creating anything. You think she would put two and two together and have figured out how we intend to create her gift.” Ariagoria gestured with her hand. “Are you sure it's wise to make her a dress out of sky silk?” Racknar nodded. “It's just one, and she'll have no idea how it's made. After all, us being locked in this room goes both ways, doesn't it Davy?”

  Davy chuckled. “I cast the spell as soon as the doors were locked. You were right about the defences not registering non-combat magics. No method of scrying can spy on us for as long as I keep the spell up. Since Charity also has access to this spell we can alternate and my ability to regain spell slots in short rests means we don't have to worry about prying eyes or ears.” Racknar hummed. “The hardest part will be fitting the dress to her. Charity, I might need you to play mannequin. Your proportions are close enough to where I can adjust from there.”

  Ariagoria let out an exasperated sigh. “I guess I'll have to. I know technically you won't be seeing anything you haven't already in passing but please refrain from getting your fill of looking at my body like some pervert.” Racknar chuckled. “Who the hell do you think I am? Besides, we are in the early stages of winter, so you don't have to worry about me losing my shit just because I saw you in your underwear.” Marionette got extremely animated. “Am I the only woman in the group you haven't seen in her underwear?”

  Racknar cracked his neck. “If you include part time members like Elizabeth, Ivory, and Ebony; no. I haven't seen Ivory or Ebony in their underwear despite Ebony’s best attempts.” Marionette huffed. She then looked around. “They uhhh… only gave us one bed.” Racknar sighed. “Charity and Davy can alternate using it. The rest of us will be fine on the floor for three days.” There was a nick on the door. The guards then slid in several large trays of food. The doors were then shut and locked again.

  Ariagoria slid one tray to each party member. Racknar looked at several large pitchers of what looked like blood on his. It had glowing blue sparkles in it. There was also a slab of steak and some mixed vegetables, almost entirely of the green variety. Everyone else's plates looked normal. Davy made a confused face. “You uhhh… got plates for the two party members that don't eat.” Ariagoria laughed. “Oh, right. Those are also for Racknar to eat. I handed plates to everyone out of some strange habit I guess. Racknar will need to eat a lot in addition to his special diet if he's going to produce the amount of sky silk he'll need.”

  Racknar grabbed the three large trays and started eating as quickly as he could. Everyone else took their time. As soon as Racknar was done he washed down the meal with the pitchers of blood followed by some orange juice. “I'll never get used to the taste of this crap. It's like drinking pennies.” He then finds a nice spot to sit to start spinning and working his silk. “Thankfully I've already been on this diet and making some sky silk for our kingdom.” Racknar's hands moved with purpose as silk was worked to threads and the threads started to take shape.

  Racknar carefully used the nail-like points at the end of his fingers like needles as thread came out of his wrist spinnerettes. His arms, hands, and fingers working like a machine. Ariagoria gathered the empty trays and set them by the door. “Well, outside casting the same spell to block observation over and over again I guess we'll have to find a way to keep busy for three days.” Davy pulled out a deck of cards. “Anyone up for a game of rummy?” Ariagoria tilted her head and squinted at Davy. “I have several questions.”

  Davy waved his other hand. “It's not magical or a weapon so they let me keep it. Yes, I sat for a week for a traffic violation one time. If you don't know how to play, I can teach you.” Ariagoria sighed. “No, my parents in my last life taught me. They loved voting old school crap like that.” Krys'tal waved their hand. “I learned in the correction camp. They didn't let us have the internet.” Marionette shifted. “I was seven when I died so I never got a chance to learn stuff like that.”

  Davy started to shuffle the deck. “Ah, good. It's easier to teach just one person compared to multiple.” He started explaining the rules as he handed out cards. Eventually the party started to hunger and took a good break. Marionette had to feed Racknar as he couldn't stop weaving mid task. She felt somewhat embarrassed as she slowly poured the strange liquid into Racknar's. “This feels… intimate.” Racknar finished the drink and chuckled. “Does it now? This is only necessary because all my limbs are in use. If I wasn't on such a tight time table or had a chance to grab some of the silk I already made this wouldn't have been necessary. It's part of the mission Mari, so try and focus.”

  Marionette would blush if she could, but without the illusion her face doesn't change. Krys'tal hummed. “So did they like… not check under the hood Davy?” Davy chuckled. “No, I use illusion magic or psionic trickery so they see a human. I'm actually wasting a lot of spell slots on illusions and anti-scry. I'm burning resources like we're doing a boss fight. Thankfully I can cast the anti-scry as a ritual since I've definitely got the time. When cast as a ritual I don't have to concentrate on it. Charity should also be able to cast it as a ritual as well since she's a Cleric.”

  After dinner, night started to fall and Ariagoria started to yawn. “I'm ready to go to sleep.” Davy gestured to the bed. “I'll let you get it first. I'll simply meditate.” Marionette looked to Racknar who was still weaving. “Are you going to sleep?” Racknar grumbled. “No time, I have to finish this.” Krys'tal let out a series of hymns. “I'm going into deep meditation as well. Looks like it'll just be you two awake during the night.” The room eventually got extremely dark as Marionette sat in the darkness simply watching Racknar working.

  Several hours passed and everyone but Marionette and Racknar were either sleeping or in deep meditation. Marionette shifted over to Racknar's back. “Hey Racknar, if I were to offer to show you my body in just underwear, would you want that?” She whispered. Racknar whispered back. “I'm busy right now, maybe another time.” Marinette practically lit up at that. She hugged Racknar's back and simply sat there for a moment. Racknar continued to work and did not object.

  Day came and everyone woke up and started into a new pattern. Killing time with card games between meals with Marionette having to help Racknar eat. Eventually the second night came and Davy got the bed while Ariagoria took the floor. As everyone else slept or meditated Marionette slid to Racknar's back and cuddled against it as he worked. Marionette got so comfortable that she felt if her body slept it would. At some point Racknar reached his hand back and rubbed her arm for a moment before returning it to work.

  If Marionette could smile, she'd have the biggest one. “(Racknar took the time to free up a hand to touch me and comfort me. He took a moment, however small, away from his mission to reciprocate my gesture. My heart would be aflutter if I had one.)” The third day came and Racknar set up the room’s privacy screen as he took the unfinished but mostly woven dress behind it. “Alright Charity, come on back here so I can do the finishing touches. Davy, don't you dare think to peek.” Davy chuckled as he gave Krys'tal a side hug. “I've got myself something to distract myself with.”

  Marionette couldn't help but squirm. She couldn't see it, but she knew what was happening behind that screen. Ariagoria was undressing to her underwear, after which he would put the dress on her and adjust part of it so that it would fit the queen. In her mind she imagined Racknar four hands gently caressing Ariagoria as he made the adjustments. His fingers softly moving across her skin and then across the silk on it. She clenched her fists and tightened her mouth as she felt jealousy well up inside her. She took a few fake breaths to try and calm herself. “(It's just a task, necessary for the mission. Racknar feels nothing for her. Meanwhile he actively slowed a task to touch me)”

  Marionette rubbed her arm and felt inner warmth as she thought about that moment. Racknar took time away from his task for her. He softly rubbed her arm as she hugged his back. That small intimate moment was more than enough to tell her that after everything, in spite of her mistake, he still considered her a valid option for a romantic partner. Lost in thought she didn't even notice a fully dressed Ariagoria left the screen until Racknar also left the screen with a folded white dress in his arms. “After using Charity as a partial guide I did the rest from memory of eyeballing the queen quickly. Hopefully my estimations are correct. I'd rather not have to fix it once it's on her.”

  The guards came one final time, not to give them dinner but to bring them to the queen. Once there everyone gave a bow. Ariagoria spoke. “As promised a unique gift, handmade just for you.” She gestured to the dress in Racknar's arms. He carefully walked it up to her and dropped to one knee before putting it forward. The queen stood and produced a monocle that she put on her face as she eyes the dress. Her eyes widened after looking at it closely with the glass. “This is even more refined than Mythral threads. How did you…?”

  She paused and then squinted while looking at Racknar. She let out a short laugh before lifting the dress and holding it up to her body. She cocked an eyebrow as she looked at it. She then went to a backroom behind the throne. After a bit she came out with the dress on and did a few spins. The white silken dress sparkled faintly in the light. “And it fits perfectly.” She commented. She then returned to the throne and sat, feeling the dress. “I am quite impressed. This thing feels like normal silk but is better armor then Mythral would provide. I…” She paused to feel the dress once more. “I accept this gift, and your call for an alliance.”

  She sighed, closed her eyes, and lowered her head. “I was tempted, oh so tempted, to reject the gift just so I could have its creator. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not because it would be dishonest but I simply couldn't bring myself to say I don't like the dress. It's so good, so well made. I can feel the passion and determination that went into it. This level of effort must have taken the entire three days without sleep. As such I'll sign the papers and even offer for you all to stay one more night. Each in your own rooms unless you request otherwise. This way you can all properly rest, especially the person behind this dress. I look forward to future cooperation.”

  Ariagoria bowed as she readied the papers. With everything signed they party discussed room arrangements. Davy grabble Krys'tal by the hand. “I'll share a room with my… uhh… partner? I can't say girlfriend or boyfriend so I wasn't sure what to say.” Krys'tal chuckled. “At least you are trying Davy.” They placed their head on Davy's and the inner light color shifted in their body indicating emotions. Ariagoria stretched. “I want my own room after all that. I need a night to meditate by myself.” Marionette grabbed Racknar by the arm and tugged. “May I… share a room with you tonight? We don't have to share the bed, I just…” Racknar tussled her hair. “Sure, I think we should have a talk in private anyway.”

  The party would then spend one last night before heading to their next destination. Marionette followed Racknar to a room with questions in her heart. Was their dynamic about to change or shift? Was he going to confess feelings to her? She dared not to hope. After all, Elizabeth is quite beautiful and she was stuck in this doll body that would never age beyond the age it was made to look.