Welcome to Gaia! ::

In the gentle summer breeze, atop the lonely hill, Destiny City seemed so far away.

And yet, even out here, the light of the stars was dimmed by the overwhelming metropolis.

There was a stillness, as to be expected, and nearly two moments passed uneventfully.

The card in Tama’s hands dissolved into iridescent dust and was carried off into the night. With no fanfare, Almadel arrived behind him.

“Don’t we all,” he answered, despite the delay in being summoned and arriving. It was as if he’d heard Tama, or been standing there all along.

He was without his cape and jacket, and wore a different suit than usual. His hair had grown out just slightly and he’d adorned himself in different jewelry.

Almadel was no less glamorous than any other day. He dusted his hands off on his pants but smiled charmingly at Tama. “What’s on your mind?”

“Ah, look at you!” Almadel said brightly. Unabashedly, he let his eyes roam over this new form. “You feel nothing? Not pride, not joy? You look stunning. I can’t imagine the work you must have put into accomplishing this. I hope you don’t mind,” he said, apologizing only once before he circled the Mauvian’s and examined new appearance.

Tama was not here to bask in Almadel’s attention but he received it nonetheless. Almadel wasn’t one to waste an opportunity. Still, it was a bit unnerving to think that Tama could feel nothing.

“How did you do this?” he asked when he stopped in front of him. “And what’s put you in such a mood?”

“Fascinating,” Almadel said, with no falsehood hidden in his declaration. He even had a bit of a skip to his step while he circled Tama once more. Finally, he came to a stop in front of him.

“You Mauvians really can work miracles. You never cease to amaze. It’s too bad you’re so attached to Earth, I could use a mind like yours to help solve all my problems! You know, I’ve got quite a collection of crystals. If you’re ever looking for something, you should give me a call. I’m very good at finding things.”

His tail twitched enthusiastically behind him, but he tilted his head just slightly. “But you, still with no joy! Does something weigh on your heart? You must tell me, I hate secrets.”