Growling irritably, Alodie gingerly rolled over and slammed a balled up hand down on the snooze button of her alarm clock. Then, with a groan, she propped herself up in bed and stared blearily at the opposite wall. Christ, she felt like one big, ugly bruise.

You are one big bruise, little one.

Wincing at the unwelcome reminder that she was not alone in her own body, Alodie sighed and wondered if it would be possible to convince herself that this was just a bad dream. It had to be. Except… well, her bad dreams didn’t usually include broken-from-the-inside ribs and a being beaten down by a snotty a** ******** ignored the pain for a moment to flop over onto her side and shove her face into her pillow. A muffled scream of anger echoed around her bedroom for several moments before fading into hoarse sobbing.

You will only make your chest hurt more if you carry on like that. May Strytha offer advice?

The question was enough to startle Alodie from tears and she readjusted her body in the bed and gave a cautious nod. The youma wouldn’t see it, but it would read the intent in her.

Good. Now, be a good child and listen. Yes, you are being punished for failure. However, it is clear that the General knows you were not and are not truly a traitor to Metallia. Otherwise, you would be dead. However, General Schorl placed you under Strytha’s watchful guidance. This is a good thing. Strytha can offer advice and keep you on the proper track. Once you’ve proven yourself, Strytha has no doubt that it will be removed. Do you understand, child?

Gnawing on her lower lip, Alodie mulled the youma’s words over. After a moment, she ventured to answer.

“So this… is temporary. That’s what you’re telling me. I behave and learn my lesson and if the General is pleased, you go away?”

Essentially. Strytha can see you are not unintelligent. You possess bravery enough to stand up to that senshi in spite of your hurts. Strytha does not think the lessoning will take too long. Consider this as well, child, the youma continued soothingly. Strytha has lived for a very long time. If you have questions or need advice, Strytha can help. As well, you know of the practice of taking a personal youma once you’ve grown in power, yes?

Blinking at this seemingly sudden change in topic, ALodie could only nod again in silence. She felt a slight warmth within her chest, as if the youma was pleased. In a way, that warmth soothed her sore ribs.
Very good. What is to stop you from claiming Strytha as your servant? You would have the advantage of not having to win a youma over and you would gain a youma of wit who will have also proven itself to you even as you must prove yourself to Strytha. Consider it, child.

With that, the youma seemed to have decided that it had said enough for the time being. Alodie felt it fade back as if granting her the privacy to truly consider it’s words. And it was definitely something that she’d have to take into consideration. A personal youma that she wouldn’t have to venture deep into the rift for, that she wouldn’t have to somehow manage to impress… Strytha, awful as the little ******** was, had just made a very valid suggestion.