The upside, if any, to being sticky and needing a bath is actually getting the bath - and having Cryptopher join in with scented soap and lots of lathering. This was followed by some creative toweling and relaxing lovemaking before Nicora finally succumbed to sleep. Waking up, on the other hand, was less spectacular. The cold stone mortuary slap that replaced the nest of pillows made for some stiff back muscles, with dust and decay substituting for the smell of sandalwood and Lapi.
Mave is already awake when Nicora stirs, sitting on the edge of her own slab and look far too well groomed for such a setting. "Sleep well?" she asks. "I had the most interesting dream.."
"I've had better dreams," Nicora grumbles as she slowly sits up and stretches out stiff muscles. As she goes about checking herself for any unusual aches and pains, the condition of her curse, and her right hand, she asks, "What did you dream about?"
"Well, a very nice ball with very nice food and conversation," Mave notes, then grins at Nicora. "And a rather impressive floor show involving two dragons.."
"Really? What did these dragons do?" Nicora asks, acting as if she has no idea what Mave is talking about.
"A demonstration of mating rituals," the Yodhinala notes. "Followed by the act itself. It was very interesting when the male exploded.."
"The male exploded? Literally? Not just out of an appendage?" Nicora asks. That part she really doesn't remember. A good thing, really.
"Well, yes. Boom! He seemed to enjoy it though," Mave notes, and stands up. She starts doing some stretching exercises, and says, "So, ready to push on?"
Nicora actually joins into the stretching, glad to loosen her muscles up. For as vigorous as the dreams were, her muscles sure don't seem limber. Or .. maybe she's just getting old. "Yes, lets leave this place before it decides to give us any further nightmares, mm?" she notes as she grabs her meager pack and heads for the exit.
The weather is decent, with no difficult winds or rain. This makes for easy flying, and covering a good bit of distance before needing to rest. They can see the last roadhouse coming up by noon. According to Nicora's reckoning, the ruined church should be just a bit over a day's flight further, going in a straight line instead of following the road.
"Last bed before a day's flight to the church," Nicora calls over to her odd flying companion. "If you want to rest now is your chance. Otherwise, we press on to the church. I am used to long flights!" Well, her male body was, anway. Rose's body doesn't quite have the same endurance ... but she never admits it.
"We could freshen our supplies, perhaps," Mave suggests.
"Translation, I would like to stop," Nicora quips, smiling slightly. She folds her wings in just a bit and begins a graceful descent towards the roadhouse.
The courtyard is surprisingly empty - no carts or wagons, with just a few mounts in the stable. Inside reflects this, with the tavern area empty save for the innkeeper. Nicora recognizes him, but of course he doesn't recognize her or Mave. "Ah, travelers! What can I do for you, your ladyships?" he asks.
"Oh, we are long a long journey and my friend here wishes to refresh our supplies and perhaps have a rest and bath before resuming our journey," Nicora says as she settles her wings around her shoulders. Her head tilts a bit, then she asks, "Where are the other guests? Roadhouses are few, I would have expected more..."
"I'm Jonesy, your host," the middle-aged brown Khatta says, gesturing to the dining area; a single long table. A fireplace is at one end of the room and the stove, oven and other kitchen accoutrements are at the other. "Not many coming through lately - some sort of issue with questionable tolls being taken further west along the road. Probably Karstein's men again. I have heard that the eastern road is safer now, so I expect traffic with Draco to be picking up! Which way are you girls headed?"
"A pleasure, Jonesy. I am Nicora and this is Mave. Eventually we will reach Blackshire, by route of safe places I know along the way," Nicora answers a bit vaguely. Best not to give someone you exact flight path, after all! "What have you been hearing about Draco County?" she asks as she goes to stand near the fireplace to warm herself. Women seem to just get ... colder for some reason. One of the many things she has had to get used to.
"Oh, seems quiet lately - no new invasions or anything," the Khatta says, putting a kettle of water on the stove and feeding it some more wood. "Care for some hot soup, tea or mateh?" the man offers. "I've got spiced cider as well. And of course I can whip up something for yer lunch if you like."
"I would like to try some hot cider," Mave responds with a smile.
"Cider for me," Nicora says as she warms her hands for a few seconds. "Mave, what would you like?"
"We have a ways to travel, so any fresh fruit would be welcome," the Yodh explains. "Soft bread, cheese.. meat? Are these things you have?"
"Oh aye, got jerky too!" the man says. "Care for stew any? Got veggie with meat. Several kinds of meat! None from anything what talked though, of course."
"I would not have expected otherwise. We are still moderately civilized, after all," Nicora notes as she finally leaves the fire to rejoin Mave and the innkeeper. "Anything light, easy, and long lasting to carry would be appreciated. So, perhaps some jerky and dried fruit if you have it?"
"I've got some plums drying in the smokehouse now, also fresh," Jonesy says, as he goes to a ceramic cupboard and produces three different kinds of bread - including one that looks like it has dried fruit already mixed into it, along with the usual dark and wheat variety. After this is set on a platter with a big knife, he produces cheeses - some in wax-wrapped wheels and others so soft they're spreadable, and come in bowls. "I've got cold roast 'rhat and gornich bird if you like, or I can heat up some stew. Plenty of dried potatoes too, pre-baked for easy eating on the go. Nothing leafy yet today though."
Asking a vampire about various foods is like asking a blind man to explain how beautiful a mural is; for all intents and purposes, pointless. "For the our trip, the waxed cheese would last longer, I believe," Nicora suggests to Mave, "As well as the pre-baked potatoes. A loaf of the bread baked with fruit would also keep relatively well, I think. What do you think?"
"We can always eat it first," Mave notes, and nibbles on some of the fruit bread. "It's very tasty."
"Some of that, then, and the waxed cheese for the road ... and some warm stew for her for lunch," Nicora notes and motions towards Mave as well. She ponders for a moment, then relents, "As well as myself." At least she can use the shadow to keep up appearances of not being a vampire.
"Do you care for apples?" Jonesy asks. "I've got molasses dipped ones - keeps 'em fresh and is a sweet treat. Molasses candy too, which I hear is really good for you high-metabolism flyers: all fat and sugar!" When the kettle whistles, he takes it from the stove and begins preparing the cider - which pours like thick syrup into the mugs before the man adds the hot water and stirs vigorously.
"Oh, no sugared apples for me. I have to watch my weight," Nicora claims and pats her stomach. "A fat bat flies poorly and has even less luck with finding a partner that we do normally."
It's a bit longer before the stew is ready, and once the wooden bowls (with wooden spoons) are set out, along with the mugs of cider, Jonesy excuses himself to go fetch some of the requested dry goods from the storehouse. "You didn't ask him for any blood," Mave points out.
"I don't care to advertise I am a vampire," Nicora notes as she settles down on one of the benches and then sips at her cider. "It makes many uneasy. Besides, I have you for blood..."
"Which means you will not be able to feed until we settle for the night," Mave notes. "How are you going to eat your stew then?"
"I am not, the shadow will," Nicora says as she slips her right hand into her robe and rests it on top of her navel. She tries to nudge at the shadow gently to ooze out, then back into, her body through her 'repaired' umbilical chord.
It is, as expected, a strange sensation. The link is hidden by her clothes though, once she draws her hand away. "Do you gain anything from that, or does it merely recharge your shadow a bit?" Mave asks, leaning over the table to watch.
"I'm glad it doesn't make me look pudgy or pregnant," Nicora notes as she sits back, "And no, I do not gain much from it. The shadow gains a little. She pulls her robe aside just enough to show her navel and the thin, vein like line of shadow that enters it.
"Clever," Mave says, leaning back into her seat. "You will enjoy being able to eat I imagine. Mister Jonesy is a good host. I should reward him for his hospitality."
"Eating is not unpleasant," Nicora agrees. "Reward him? How? We will already be paying him for the meal and room, of course."
"He is all alone here," Mave notes, "and not so old that that does not eat at him. He hasn't had female companionship for some time, I feel. It will also give you an opportunity to hunt and feed."
"It has been a while since you have laid with someone ... and given my condition it is best if I do not," Nicora agrees and even nods slightly, "So if you wish to offer yourself to him, I will not object. He may even reduce the rates he charges us."
Mave smiles, and asks, "Well, I'm sure he won't object." Jonesy returns just then, carrying a sack that smells of wax and fruit. "Is everything to your liking, ladies?" he asks.
"So far it has bee quite lovely, thank you," Nicora says and even briefly smiles to the man as she relieves him of the sack and sets it beside their table. "Thank you, Jonesy."
"I'll prepare a room now if you wish to stay the night?" the man asks, looking between the two.
"A room for me would be lovely," Nicora notes as she dips her head. "My friend, Mave, has expressed interest in thanking you for your kindness and generosity. That is, if you will permit her?"
The man blinks and seems to freeze for a moment. "Oh.. well.. it's been.. ah.. an age.." he stammers, and smiles shyly at Mave. "I.. well, I'd clean up.. both rooms then.." he says, and then hurries up the stairs.
"Well, I believe you will be occupied for the night," Nicora notes, sips from her mug, then grins. "And I am sure you will both enjoy it. I know I would .... well, except for the pain afterward." She frowns briefly, then shrugs it off. "When you two retire, I will go hunting."
"I should bathe first," Mave notes, as she spreads cheese on a piece of dark bread. "I smell a bit of grave dirt."
"I doubt he will notice," Nicora notes as she eats a bit of the bread, sans cheese (and lets the shadow consume it inside). "Do you wish me to help you bathe?"
"Only if you want to clean up as well," Mave offers. "A bit of the grave suits a Yodhsunala, after all."
"I am fine as I am," Nicora admits, "I am, as you say, properly attired in the trappings of my service."
Even with a full belly (thanks to a turkey-sized wild ground bird common to the area), Nicora didn't get to sleep easily. The walls between the rooms are thin, after all, and Eeee have good hearing; which means she may as well have been right there in the room with Mave and Jonesy. Khattas can be loud! She tries to distract herself, only to find that Gorphat's curse seems apply to self-pleasure as well - if not to quite the same degree. It still makes for a less than restful night though. Mave and Jonesy seem well-rested come morning though, as the man insists on making them a large breakfast to see them off.
"The tail is nice, but ... ow," Nicora thinks as she joins them for breakfast and tries to act like nothing at all is bothering her. "We should reach the next waypoint by late evening. There will be some flight in the dark, but it should not be too dangerous. I know these lands well enough. I hope that you are rested enough from last night?"
"I am feeling warm and limber," Mave notes. "And soon, well fed." She seems to have discovered a liking for honey, which she uses.. on her fried potatoes.
"You're going to get plump if you keep eating like that," Nicora notes as she 'pretends' to also have breakfast, though all it does is fuel the shadow. "And may find it hard to fly. Go light on how much you eat."
"Those who serve Inala get some perks when it comes to maintaining their figures," Mave notes, and swirls a strip of bacon in.. maple syrup. "I may never get to eat like this again, and no lover has ever prepared a meal for me before."
"Then you have missed out on some of the best parts of having a lover," Nicora notes and waves a fork at Mave's plate, "The doting afterward."
Mave eats her food in an overly sensual manner, which makes Jonesy happy and Nicora think she's missing out on something. But eventually the meal is finished, and goodbyes are said. "Be sure to stop by if you are ever coming back this way," Jonesy says.
"Of course," Nicora says as she even curtsies (properly in her robe), to the khatta. "You have been a most gracious host, thank you for your hospitality." She then wastes no time to get herself airborne before that twinge of jealousy returns that Mave had companionship and she didn't!
The morning air is brisk, and it's still early enough that the mists haven't cleared. It isn't so bad that Nicora can't get her bearings though. As it burns off, the trees below begin to gradually become more twisted and sparse: an indication that they're entering into the zone of 'sour land' where the old church resides. "The necromancer's poison lingers still," Mave points out unnecessarily.
"Still, it is better than it used to be. These lands were grim when I was a child," Nicora explains as if they don't look grim to her any more. "We are getting close to the Church of the Angels and Star. I expect it was a battle ground between ancient magic and a necromancer since it is taking so long to heal. It would also explain why the church was abandoned."
"Who would live here, after all?" Mave says. In the distance, a steeple might be visible.. although by now the evening mists have begun to swallow up features again. Tired wings from a full day of flying are beginning to feel heavy as well.
"I've lived in worse," Nicora notes, grinning. She tries to continue to flaps on, then ends up realizing they may have to walk the remainder of the way. "My muscles are tiring fast," she calls over to Mave, "Do you feel comfortable landing and walking the remainder of the way? The brush isn't dense so we should be able to see trouble coming. Hear it as well."
"Very well," Mave says, sounding relieved. She begins to descend without waiting for Nicora.
"She has to pretend to be stronger," Nicora thinks. HEr wings fold in some and she glides down to the waiting earth below.
Sonar prevents any landing stumbles - but from the ground it's more difficult to see the church. Or would be, if a light didn't suddenly appear in the near distance where the building should be.
"Ah, now that is worrying," Nicora notes as she stops walking and eyes the light in the distance. Her ears flick forward and she listens intently. "There should be no light there."
"Perhaps it is merely a fellow traveler," Mave suggests, and starts walking towards it.
"I doubt it," Nicora says and resumes walking and even passes Mave so that she is at least in front if something bad happens. She has more experience than Mave in these lands, after all. "Just be ready to take wing if I give order to."
"Yodh do not show fear," Mave says. All the same, she lets Nicora take the lead. A few minutes later, they can see that the light is from a lantern hung over the entrance to the church.
"Perhaps a new priest or priestess has taken up residence?" Nicora muses as she approaches the door warily, her ears still flicked forward. She also tries to see if she can summon up her bound spirit, the Barsunala to let her see the world through its eyes to see if anything looks ... odd. Well, odder than an unoccupied church having an resident! "I just need your eyes for a few minutes," she thinks to herself, "To see how things may be ... marked."
For a moment, the world takes on silvery tones.. and then Nicora gets a stabbing headache and her eyes begin to water! Her back aches and it feels like her tail is on fire! But in that brief glimpse.. she saw something. The lantern was glowing bright silver, such that it seemed to outshine the actual light it was producing!
"Ow," Nicora says as she staggers back and holds her head ... then her butt! "Something is not right here," she tells Mave, "Be wary; spirits are active." It takes her the next minute before her head quits throbbing and she can approach the door. The lightly raps her knuckles upon it.
"Your form is meant to mask the presence of the Barsunala," Mave whispers in Babelite to Nicora. "He lives in your tail now, probably." The door creaks open from the force of the knocking, revealing.. a few more lanterns and candles inside, lighting up the church.
A white-cloaked figure is kneeling at the alter, its back to the door. "Please come in," it says, in young, female and feline voice. "I don't mind."
Nicora's head tilts as she steps through then waits for Mave and closes the door once she is through. "I did not know this Church was still used," she tells the strange feline. "It has been a good way-point for travelers, its spirits offering protection to us. I am Nicora and this is my friend, Mave." The Eeee watches this strange figure closely now ... and in particular which statue she is praying to.
The girl gets up, making it unclear which of the many she was focused on. She turns, and her hood is pulled back to reveal.. a young, white-furred Khatta girl with mischievous golden eyes. "Pleased to meet you!" she says cheerfully. "And this place is a good way-point for travelers! I use it often when I.. travel! Are you here for shelter or to pray to Sunala and Inala?" she asks.
"Shelter and prayer to the Goddesses," Nicora answers, "It need not be one or the other. May we join you at the altar?" She sets her pack down near the door. Nothing seems dangerous ... yet.
The girl actually hops up and back, so she can sit on the altar. "I suppose it's big enough!" she says. "Do you have any offerings?"
"We carry very little," Nicora apologizes, "Some food and clothing. We may be able to part with a bit of bread and fruit, though." She now approaches the altar and motions for Mave to do the same. Nicora then gracefully folds her legs down and kneels before it.
"Awww, no candy?" the girl asks. "Nobody ever offers candy! It's always flowers or bread or corn. Corn! In Amazonia though offer up live bunnies though! Do you like bunnies?"
"I like bunnies quite a bit," Nicora says as she gets out some of the bread she carries and places it upon the altar. "What about you ... Miss ...?" she inquires of the young girl.
"I bet you'd like to know what's being offered up to Ariel right now, in Dianus," the girl says to Mave. "There's this gladiator named Zig-Zig, and he's offering his services to the high priestess! Of course, he does that on every Apex for every god or goddess, but he's a trickster, so the Apex of Spirit is very important for him."
"Why is the Apex of Spirit important to a trickster?" Nicora asks as she bows before the altar in gesture of prayer for the moment. She will pray to Sunala soon ... but she is curious as to what this strange spirit-girl's answer is.
Instead of answering Nicora, the girl tries to twitch her nose like a rabbit. "I think they're cute. I bet a bed full of bunnies would be very soft and ticklish at the same time. But I think they can bite sometimes. What did you want to say to your goddesses?"
"The Sphere of Spirit belongs to the Goddess Ariel, of course," Mave notes to Nicora, then smiles to the girl.
Nicora blinks where she has bowed and instead of praying sits back up. "Nothing more than to thank them for their protection and guidance in our lives and to hope for their continued blessings, of course," she answers the little girl.
"Oh, should I tell them you're here then?" the girl asks, looking a bit sly. "I bet they'd like to know where you are, and where you're going, and what you want to do, right? Or.. maybe you wouldn't?"
"I am fairly sure that they know where we are, but if you wish to inform them that we are on our pilgrimage back to Babel, I am certain they would appreciate that," Nicora says and bows her head slightly. It would look bad to tell someone you don't want your Patron Goddess to know where they are, after all.
"Inala has greater concerns," Mave notes. "And all things come to Sunala, in time. They needn't be bothered with the likes of us."
Though what she says is true. We are no one of significant importance," Nicora amends herself.
The girl looks from Nicora to Mave and back again, chewing her lip. "I think.. that you are going to play a prank on them," she whispers, conspiratorialy. "I like pranks." The girl's tail swishes rapidly, and she asks, "Can I help in any way?"
Nicora's brow arches slightly. "A prank? On our respective Mistress'?" Nicora asks, sounding almost incredulous. "What sort of prank would we possibly do?" She eyes Mave curiously now.
"I don't know, but I think I'd like to see it," the young Goddess notes. "The aftermath should be really amusing, no matter what, since those two have almost no sense of humor." Then she notes, "My favors don't come for free though, you know. And you do want my favor, don't you?"
"Favors are often a double-edged blessing," Nicora notes, though she does so gently. "We are not important enough to warrant favors. Though ... I must confess I am curious what your favor would be...?"
The girl grins and holds out her hand. "I want to see it. The item that ruined Big Brother's plans."
Nicora's ears splay. "The dagger?" she asks when she considers who her 'Big Brother' might be ... Dagh. "Or the Shadow?"
"The dagger," Ariel says. "The one that killed old Dack. I'd like to be able to describe it to the rest of his family."
Nicora reaches into her robe and withdraws the old spirit dagger from its confines. She cradles it in the palms of her hands and holds it up for the young Goddess to see. "It was this; an old instrument from this church," she says.
"Aha... hmmm," Ariel says, going from excited to frowning. "It doesn't look like much. I thought it would be that other one, but I suppose it's still lost.. or never existed. Prophecies are hard to interpret before the fact, after all. But I'm pretty sure this dagger isn't the one that can kill a god. That's definitely Aelfin craftsmanship. And.. ewww... you do know what the blade is made of, right?"
"The other one? There is another blade? And what prophecy?" Nicora asks as she lowers it, then puts it away. "It is made of the blood of a steel dragon, yes. The supposed progenitor of that which became the shadow dragons."
"I don't care much for dragons," Ariel notes. "And the prophecy? It's some old nonsense about.. well, we don't say Her name here. The Dark Sister of the Bright Thief, let's say. Who can only be defeated by an Exile weapon that can kill a god. But She could have made it up herself, just to send people on wild goose chases. She's not a proper deity after all."
"Oh. Her," Nicora says, "The spotted demon. Now I remember that of which you speak. It's just a story as far as I know."
"Everything is just a story until you live it," Ariel claims. "And I like hearing stories. Who doesn't? And one I heard was that your dagger's blood donor believed that weapon existed.. even before he learned about You Know Who. Funny, right? Do you know any good stories?"
"I know many stories, from the foolish girl who came under the eye of Gorphat to many daring tales of adventure and the recovery of the very Light itself," Nicora tells the young Goddess. "To lots of silly stories about growing up on the roads, as told by a gypsy."
"I like gypsies!" Ariel says, clapping her hands together. "They have them in Kroz even! And they're always so lively! Tell me a gypsy story, child of Death?"
During this conversation, Mave as taken out, packed and lit her pipe. "I enjoy stories too," she tells Nicora with a smile.
Nicora purses her lips in thought. Some tale appropriate for a young girl, after all. Many gypsy exploits are not. "You can't hear it unless you share your pipe," she quickly remarks to Mave. Now, as for a tale ... I remember one called the curious incident of the pickle barrel..."