A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

[A/N: Mental dialog through a bond or link will from now on be written in italics for clarity :)]

Erik and Eira were currently standing around a 3D projection of Erik's body created by a sigil on the ground, courtesy of Elora. Speaking of whom, the fairy was currently sitting on Erik's shoulder. Her expression was one of exhaustion, but she knew her input here was very important.

After all, among the three of them, she knew the most of how to prepare this armor as a medium for Eira to exist in.

Erik and Elora were staring at the projection while thinking of where to start, but meanwhile, Eira was looking at Erik with an expression of embarrassed happiness.

She poked her fingers together while stuttering slightly, "I— think I said this before, b— but…" Her lips curled up into a wide smile while she talked, "but I'm so happy you trust me enough to put me in your armor!"

Erik smiled slightly at her happiness, "It's fine, Eira. I'm wary of leaving you in charge of this place, simply because, if my trust in you was misplaced, that would put the people I care about in danger. But this way, it's just me, and I trust you enough for that."

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Eira, Elora was giggling in Erik's head. "So I guess we're not telling her about the many failsafes we're putting in place? I wonder if she even considers the fact that your argument makes little sense when you realize that the people in your dimension would be in just as much danger when you die due to her betrayal as they would otherwise."

Erik inwardly sighed a little regretfully while continuing to talk through their bond. "She's too innocent and naive to even consider it. It's honestly a shame we have to deceive her… I like Eira. Let's just hope we never have to use those failsafes. In fact, lets assume it. I'd hate to have her discover we never trusted her to begin with."

Elora rolled her eyes at him, "Would you stop being a bleeding heart for once? Who cares about her feelings after she betrays us!"

"Obviously I meant only if she is forced to betray us by Audumla," Erik shrugged, before his tone suddenly hardened considerably. "If she betrays us of her own free will, than fuck her."

"Hmpf," Elora snorted grumpily. "That's a little better at least. But the chances of a forced betrayal would be low after the transfer. Changes are higher she'd betray us willingly!"

"Alright, alright," Erik chuckled. "Let's get this finished so you can get some sleep, before you get even more grumpy."

While Elora stuck out her tongue at him in both the real world and through their bond, their mental conversation had ended. Erik then refocused on the projection.

Since their mental conversation was as fast as thought, Eira hadn't noticed anything.

With everyone ready, Erik started talking about the dimensions and proportions of the armor, when Eira suddenly seemed to think of something.

"Wait…" she mumbled with a frown. "I've seen your armor change shape. Can't you just do that with this armor as well? Why are the dimensions important?"

A small smile appeared on Erik's face when he heard her question. He was always happy to talk about anything related to runesmithing. "We will also incorporate the shape-changing feature in this armor, but it doesn't work like some kind of flowing water, as that would impact the sturdiness of the armor."

While no species existed on Söl or beyond, at least to Elora's knowledge, that could shapeshift in as fundamental a way as Earth's shapeshifters, there were still a small number of techniques, spells, or species that had some kind of shapeshifting potential.

Thus, shapeshifting armor was rare, but not unheard of. There are techniques, smithing runes, and sigils related to it, even outside of Earth.
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Erik continued to explain to Eira how his armor's shapeshifting worked, "Instead, the armor is first created in one form, complete with the appropriate runes for shape-changing. Then, the runes memorize that shape before I take the armor apart again, reshape it into the second form, and then have the runes save that form as well."

"It's a lot of work," he finished explaining. "But by the end, the runes will allow the armor to shift between those two shapes, and only those shapes. This is the sturdiest and most effective option I've found, even if it takes a little more work, and requires the dimensions to be correct."

Eira's eyes twinkled with awe after his explanation. "That's awesome!" she exclaimed. "What else will it be able to do?! A— And where do I come in?!" Her last question was asked with a hint of anxiety, as if afraid that she wouldn't be allowed to do anything.

"You are what will tie it all together," Erik said, smiling softly at her obvious feelings. "Your core has the potential to power various extra features of the armor, including one very important feature I'll explain later. But you'll have two main options for how to use that power.

You can either fight by my side in the same solid sigil construct form you inhabit now, where the power from your core would focus on maintaining your physical form. Alternatively, you can inhabit the armor itself. This would allow the core to dedicate all its power to the sigils and runes inside the armor, enhancing my fighting capabilities even further as you help control those sigils and runes."

Erik watched while he talked as Eira's face slowly light up with the happiness of an 8000 year old being that was finally getting its wishes fulfilled. "Which means," he continued, still smiling, "we'll need to build up some serious trust to keep each other safe in battle."

Eira was basically dancing around the room at this point, apparently ecstatic that she'd actually be able to help in battle as well, rather than just watch from inside the armor.

When Erik finished talking, she quickly stopped flying around and put herself in front of him. On her face was a surprisingly serious expression. "I swear you can trust me. And if you don't yet, I will work day and night until you do."

"Same to you, Eira," Erik smiled softly. Meanwhile, inwardly, he could only think to himself, 'I really hope you're right.'