((Your impressions are correct, hybrid is shorter and smaller than full-human, but takes up more total volume because of the tails.))
I leave the clothing set intended for my human form in the pack, while I adjust the set I'm wearing to fit my hybrid self, including adding tailholes. I also try to use the staging area's nature to modify the clasp on my pendant's necklace, shaping it so it clasps behind my neck and if given a strong pull it will snap open. leaving me with minimal risk of being strangled by it. I also make it double back on itself, the size of the necklace able to be adjusted by changing how much slack is kept doubled back, so I can adjust it to fit myself no matter which form I'm in.
As I work on fixing my wardrobe, I speak again to River.
"Um, It.. It seemed like you don't like me when we spoke earlier. Why did you choose to include me on this trip?"
Not terribly important, you can do it, just asking for my imagination's sake (and because I don't wear necklaces), how would that adjustable length thing work? Got any pictures? I imagine it something like
this, with the orange part being the clasp. Unless you want to change the chain into some sort of rope or leather and make an adjustable knot, which is also doable.
"I am sorry. I do not dislike you. You are good. But I do not trust your when you speak."Now that he mentions it, you notice that his stance is more defensive than offensive when talking to you. He is not ready to pounce, he is ready to evade.
He takes a few steps backwards before turning around and walking towards Theri.
Search the bag for string, first aid kit, fish hooks, hatchet, binoculars, compass, and a straw.
Then go join the rest at the portal.
No to all of the above.
But hey, you got Alan, maybe he can summon some of the above.
And shoot them to you.
You go sit in the centre of the portal.
"Hm... I just had an interesting thought."
Am I currently an elf? Or a bat person, to continue the disturbing animal people trend?
Do I look any different at all, or is the woodland camo still there as usual?
Conjure up a container of salted peanuts, if possible. Have to replenish my protein and electrolytes when teleporting, after all.
Your ears are a bit differently shaped, more oval, but you wouldn't call yourself an elf. At least not a traditional elf. Maybe this is just a case of "Our elves are different".
Your "woodland camo" is not exactly camo. Your clothes got roughly the same colours but they are more... bland, more diffused. More like someone splashed some paint into them, not like someone painted them for camouflage.
You eat some peanuts. Too bad you aren't flying there or you could complain about the quality of those airplane peanuts.
[I have no idea how to segue into this now. Crud. ...or how we lost consciousness.
Thank you RL constraints.]
Theri was quite much the last person to regain consciousness, having missed most of what had occurred in recent note.
Looking at the equipment around her, sans her necklace, she wondered.
"We are to transport supplies somewhere?"
Carrier backpacks had a very different design than she had known here.
((Don't worry about it. You can always ask if you have any questions.
I'll move you through the portal with the others so that we can get moving.
Sorry if I'm moving too fast, just trying to get as many turns out as I can before something happens and I am busy again.))
"No, silly." River says with a smile as he helps you with your backpack.
"We are going on a trip. So we need supplies for the road ahead. To survive in the wilderness. It gets cold in the plains at night. I do not want my companions to get cold or hungry."He holds your hand and gently leads you towards the others.
EverybodyAs the last of you enter the circle, River turns to face your group.
"Thank you all for coming and helping me with this. This very important thing. I appreciate your help, even if some of you would rather not offer it to me."He raises his arms to point his palms towards two of the green rods. The rods begin glowing, vibrating and humming.
"I will try to keep you safe. I will try to make this an experience worth having for all of you."You are now floating a few millimetres off the ground. Everything around you except for the rods and the rest of the team starts becoming darker and darker until there is nothing left but the four rods with you in the centre floating in the void.
"With that, I would like to welcome you to the plains of-"There's a flash of light and the world around you becomes visible again. But there are no plains around you.
"... That... wasn't supposed to happen."The four rods are still standing around you, but the surrounding area is very different.
Its architecture looks very much like that of a cathedral, a huge empty area full of arches, domes and columns carved out of smooth grey rock. Its walls and floors lack decorations or windows, they are just smooth, seamless marble-like grey stone.
The room you are in is cross shaped and you are sitting right at the centre of the cross. The rods are standing next to the corners formed by the centre of the cross. Said corners are glowing slightly with a cyan light.
Above you is a dome with a bright cyan sphere in the middle that is illuminating the floor you are standing on, but not the rest of the room, at least not directly.
There are four exits out of the room. A bright white light is coming from one and a faint green one that intermittently gets brighter and darker from the one opposite to it. You can hear faint thunder-like rumbling coming from the green door. The other two are completely dark.
River takes a deep breath, holds it and looks towards the bright door. His eyes become completely black, save for the occasional red lighting-like spark that runs along their surface before disappearing.
After a couple of seconds, he exhales, closes his eyes, lowers his head and starts panting, like he just lifted something very heavy.
"I can not see from here." he says between breaths.
"Too much light. I have to take a closer look."He starts walking towards the bright door.
"This room is clear. Stay here. Be careful. I do not know what has happened."He sounds nervous.