Watchers Clan: 3

While they were relaxing trying to get used to the clothes wrapped around their body and limbs, it was clear they weren’t entirely comfortable. At least, from Oeric’s perspective, he could tell by all the shifting and fidgeting that Aule and Griffith wanted nothing more than to get out of the fabric. Oeric wasn’t the only one to notice their discomfort, the two Haedians who stood off to the side shared a look that showed their distaste for the two empyrians. 

The Haedians stepped forward with an attempt to share stories of their clan and the meaning behind some of the stitching in the fabrics the empyrians wore, but nothing distracted them from their awkward posture. Oeric watched the Haedians’ expressions grow from bad to worse and yet Griffith and Aule were unaware of the tension they were causing. Griffith felt the fabric lay on his fur so gently that it tickled him and touched areas of his wings making him very aware of his size. Aule was experiencing a simpler feeling, but the feeling of the fabric on his wings started to make him panic despite how loose everything fit. 

“It’s like they aren’t even trying,” One Haedian sneered as Griffith jumped and Aule flinched when a piece of clothing slipped. 

“I know, it’s clear they aren’t meant for our clan,” The other Haedian replied a bit more loudly.

“We aren’t used to being wrapped up,” Oeric jumped in, feeling the tension around them rise and his own frustration building. 

The comments around them pulled Griifth and Aule out of their minds. They took stock of the atmosphere around them and realized the tension around them only added to their discomfort with the clothing. Oeric was staring down the two Haedians, but they met his fiery stare with their own. 

“We are trying,” Griffith broke up the staring contest, “But, like Oeric said, it’s hard for us.”

The two Haedians gave him a look of suspicion, clearly not trusting the words coming from him. 

“It’s true,” Aule added, “Where we are from, we don’t wear things like this.”

The untrusting glare from the Haedians shifted to Aule without changing. It was like their reasons fell on deaf ears. 

“Excuses,” One Haedian growled. 

“Hardly,” Oeric cut in, feeling the anger build, “You can’t expect us to change in a day.”

There was more staring and growling. The atmosphere was building to such an extent it was only a matter of time before it exploded. Griffith and Aule watched as their friend tried to defend them and his struggles to control the fire in his body. 

“How about we just take the clothes off?” Griffith stepped in again. 

Aule nodded and began pulling at the fabric wrapped around his tail. He was trying to be as gentle as he could, but he didn’t have the nimble fingers of a Haedian. Aule expressed his gratitude for the opportunity but asked if they would help him. When neither of the Haedians moved to help him, he continued to try on his own. 

“I don’t want to rip these,” Aule said when he managed to get out of the majority of the garb. All that was left were a few clasps that he could reach. 

One Haedian approached and helped him reach the clasps. The clothing fell away from Aule’s body when the clasps were released. He immediately felt more at ease. The other Haedian approached Griffith and expertly removed the clothing. Aule and Griffith carefully removed the accessories and placed them back where they first were found. 

Oeric could still feel the tension in the room but started to remove his own garb. The two Haedians approached quickly, smacking his claws away, so they could carefully remove the delicate pieces of silk. They mumbled to themselves about the three empyrians and their disrespect. Oeric, catching a few words here and there, felt his frustration break out of his control. Any fabric left on Oeric went up in flames as his fire aura broke out. 

The two Haedians jumped back when they felt the heat hit them. They cried out at the loss of part of the traditional garb. Everything escalated quickly after that. Oeric couldn’t calm down, Aule and Griffith tried everything to keep any semblance of peace, but ultimately they knew they had to leave. They were no longer welcome. 

“We’ll leave,” Aule spoke quickly. 

Griffith apologized profusely as he tried to wrangle Oeric out of the space. The Haedians hissed threats and comments at them, having no trust left and not accepting any apology. Oeric growled back at his defense, but Aule and Griffith pleaded that he just leave it. It was no use. Seconds later, the three friends were scrambling out of the room that held so much information and tried to leave as quickly as possible. 

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