After the church, there haven't been any convenient (safe) ruins to bed down in, and Mave's mood has been ... closed. She's less talkative, and is pushing herself harder to fly further in hope of finding someplace decent to rest. Nicora's had to apply shadow-soothing to the Yodhinala's flight muscles more than once as a result. After flying in silence for so long, it's a surprise when she calls out, "What is that?" and points to a small manor house at the wooded edge of some farmland. Mave doesn't even wait for a reply before veering towards it.

"Not a place you want to go!" Nicroa all but barks after Mave and veers after her! "That is a Gallesian estate! One I do not have fond memories of. The resident Gallee is a lech, he went after the Savanite that traveled with me. Come to think of it, I should have left her there!"

"Then he should be easily bent to my will," Mave notes, gliding towards it. It's also about then that Nicora recalls the Chevalier stringing wires high up between the trees surrounding the estate.

"LAND!" Nicora barks again and swoops towards Mave, practically colliding into her and pulling her rapidly towards the ground while using her own wings to descend somewhat stably. "Do you know nothing about them? They hunt Eeee for sport, particularly vampires. If you had gotten much closer your wings would have been shredded by wire," she practically hisses during the crazed descent.

The priestess doesn't argue, but does try for a semi-dignified landing at least on the road before the manor. "Perhaps you should tell me what you know of this man, then," Mave requests.

Nicora dusts off her robes and then proceeds to make herself reasonably presentable. "Besides from looking like a complete fop, he is actually quite dangerous. A skilled fighter and marksman with a crossbow," she begins to explain, "I ... Alptraum was his guest for a night. He helped fell a blood demon some years ago. A generally reasonable person, as their kind goes. He was only with a small staff back then as he was establishing his new estate."

"Well, that was.. some time ago, yes?" Mave notes, taking slightly more time to make herself look presentable. It's not easy given the flying packs they wear. "He has likely mellowed out by now."

"He also likes women," Nicora says, looking ill at the thought of being touched by a poodle. "But he may not care for Eeee. He was reasonable enough back then, but times change. It would be dangerous to risk it. Are you certain you cannot keep flying? This has been a reasonably comfortable trip for Sylvania..."

"I would like to sleep in a bed, and have a bath," Mave notes. "I am used to dealing with minor nobility, even the sorts required to bear arms."

Nicora considers this, frowning the entire time. "What will you give me if I concede to going there for shelter?" she finally asks.

This actually causes Mave a moment of surprise, which she quickly covers. "What do you want, Sister Nicora?" she finally asks.

"I want to see how creative you will be with coming up with a suitable gift for going into the den of an enemy," Nicora remarks dryly. "At least this time I could gut or devour him before he could blink if he ... tries anything."

"Well, that depends," Mave notes. "What did you get for venturing into the lair of the dragon?" she asks.

"The uglier one," Mave says. "Whom you transformed the wizard Dack into before he exploded."

"Ultimately ... Rosalind," Nicora comments, "... with minor side effects of being turned into a woman and such later." She actually has to pause and consider that. "A rather strange reward, that."

"Surely, meeting your old foe in a form he does not recognize you in.. and may even treat with some respect.. does not tempt you?" the Yodhinala asks with a grin. "Is he so fearsome? And if you cannot face such a minor evil, how will you fare when you face your father again?"

DuValle Estate
Only a few recently erected signs identify this as recently acquired Gallisian property, one bearing a hand-printed facsimile of a letter from the Marquis himself, granting title of this tract of land to one Sir Pierre DuValle, on the proviso that he be responsible for bringing law and order here, and cleanse the countryside of vampires, witches and monsters. Otherwise, it's decorated in Sylvanian fashion, with its outlying spiked fence and gothic arched gateway, the roadside pillars with carved stone stag heads atop them, the manor with its vertical alignment and steepled gables, giving an effect of forced perspective to make it even taller and creepier than it really is. Vines embrace stone and brick, and bare wood is grey with age. Holy symbols and grotesque gargoyle faces are to be found side by side in the architecture, meant to scare off evil spirits -- one way or another.

Since it isn't quite evening yet, the gate isn't secured and is actually open, leaving a clear path to the front door. A few peasants working in the gardens notice the Eeee, but don't look them in the eyes are do anything else to acknowledge them.

Nicora's gait is slow and stiff, with her head held high and her expression rather grim. Still, she does flick her eyes to the peasants, trying to see whom he has enslaved, and if they bear marks of slavery.

So far, it seems he only has Gallahs working on the estate grounds, with no sign of Sylvanian sorts.

"Good. Gallah serfs. Better than Eeee," Nicora things. "Do you wish me to knock?" she asks Mave.

"As you are the junior priestess, it would fall to you to handle that duty," Mave notes.

"To make my wisdom and experience available to you, of course," Mave says with a grin.

"So I do all the ... unpleasant work, including being ... kind to him?" Nicora asks.

"Well, you would not be the one he deals with, if you are only an apprentice," Mave points out.

"Mm," Nicora replies. She continues on. Once she reaches the door, she reaises her left hand, takes a hold of the heavy knocker, and raps it loudly on the wooden door.

A few moments later, a Gallah in butler's livery opens the door, and looks shocked. "You.. you got here sooner than expected," he says, looking a bit tongue tied. "Please come inside," he offers, holding the door open for the women.

"We were expected?" Nicora asks, her brow arching up slightly. She glances towards Mave and Eeee-whispers, "This is worrying." She turns and then steps through the held door.

The antechamber is nicer than the one at Castle Sturmandrang, in part by being well lit and dry. There wasn't even a drain hole in the marble floor. "Please wait here, and I will inform his Lordship that the exorcists from Estershire have arrived," the butler says, bowing deeply before hurrying off.

"At least those who we are mistaken for is something I can manage," Nicora remarks quietly to Mave when the butler has gone. She lets out a breath, looking visibly relieved, too. "Which also means this will be treated as purely business. I can relax."

"They're here?!" comes a cry from within. Well, not a cry, but Eeee have good hearing. "Did they have pointy hats? What? What do you mean you aren't sure? Oh.. pointy ears.." Shortly after that, the Chevalier Lord Pierre DuValle appears, wearing the same sort of smoking jacket (and fez) as Dr. Twig did.. albeit with far more lace trim and green velvet. "Ah.. Eeee! I mean.. welcome, Ladies," he says, and formally kisses each of their wrists. "Forgive my moment of startlement, but my fool of a servant led me to believe you were Lapi. I am Pierre DuValle, and I am most grateful you could come to deal with my.. little problem."

Nicora, of course, made sure he kissed her left wrist. "I apologize for being thinner of leg and lacking of tail, for we are, indeed, Eeee," she remarks in a stern, though not unkind tone. She folds her left hand over her right at her stomach and continues, "Now, Chevalier DuValle, we understand that you have need of an exorcist, but the particulars of what is haunting you is not clear to us yet. Can you enlighten us as to what haunts you so that we know the best way to prepare. Also, seeing the location of the haunting will help us determine the best course of action."

"It is witchcraft, I assure you!" the poodle says dramatically. His fez must be held to his curly top with pins, since it doesn't move at all while the tassel flails about. "One of the local peasant girls has cursed me, no doubt out of jealousy at the though of my impending nuptials! Please.. come this way. I've had to lock the poor thing up for her own protection.." He then turns and leads the way deeper into the manor.

"A curse? Please detail this curse," Nicora says. She looks to Mave and arches her brow. "Very kind of you, Sister Mave," she remarks, "If it of spirit, I will tend to it, of course. If it is a curse of love, that must fall to you." Her head then dips slightly, she turns, and she heads after the poodle.

"A horrible curse, twisting the mind and.. well.. hear for yourself!" DuValle says, as he opens a heavy door. It opens onto a stone stairwell leading down, while coming is a wind of swearing. It's in Gallisian, but there can be little doubt of the intent. It sounds as if it should be pouring out of an orifice at the far end from the mouth.

"Such a delightful bride. He is deserving of her," Nicora thinks, but has the tact to not say. "Do you wish for us to tend to this privately, or do you wish to be present?" she now asks the Gallisian. "And since this may take us some time, further introductions are in order. I am Sister Nicora, and this is my mentor, Sister Mave."

"If.. if you can handle it without me, I would be most appreciative," Pierre admits. "Why, my mere presence causes the most violent of fits - all part of the curse, or demonic possession perhaps." He sounds almost hopeful at the prospect of a demon. "Should you manage to separate the fell spirit from my bride, however, have heart that I will abound to your side to slay the monster in a blink!"

"Do you know how to slay a demon?" Nicora asks as she deliberately draws out the blood-bladed dagger and peers at its edge if judging its sharpness. "And does this ... creature speak any other languages? We do not know your native tongue I am afraid."

"The Lady Ysabel de Camembert is fluent in many tongues, including Standard," Pierre says, and... puts his hand over his heart and heaves a rather feminine sigh. "She is a jewel, a pearl, a.. virgin.."

"They always are. Demons love to corrupt those who are ... pure," Nicora notes; after all, she knows that well. "Now, if you will wait here, we will tend to this ... matter. We will also be staying the night and will partake of your food and finery; it has been a long journey and a night of rest will do us both well."

"Oh, of course! I know how to care for the needs of a Lady," the Chevalier says, smiling and turning his head just slightly. It's enough to make him look like something from a cheap romance novel cover.

Nicora's brow arches slightly again. "Indulge me and tell me what needs those would be ...?" she asks, "I do not wish for any ... misunderstandings."

"Comfort, of course, befitting a woman's delicate nature," the poodle claims. "And fine cuisine and wine, naturally."

Nicora's head dips slightly. "Just so. Thank you," she says, taking on a slightly gentler tone of address. She now looks to Mave and asks, "Shall we tend to this matter, Sister Mave?"

"Let us," Mave notes, taking the lead down the stairs. The door is closed behind them, and once it's shut.. the swearing peters out. At the bottom of the narrow steps is, as expected, a dungeon. Although this one serves as a cold pantry and wine cellar too, with only a few cells left for actual prisoners. A fireplace provides light and warmth at the far end, where the lone occupant is apparently imprisoned.

"Do you believe she is actually cursed?" Nicora asks Mave quietly as she peers down the passageway towards the firelight and its lone occupant.

"There are curses of the supernatural kind, curses of circumstance, and curses of the heart," Mave opines. "I'm sure at least one of those will apply."

"Helpful," Nicora notes. The Yodhsunala marches down the passage, head held high and expression confident. "Lady Ysabel," she says firmly and somehow manages even a slight bit of kindness, "We are here to tend to you."

At the end of the dungeon, across from a wall covered in stains and sporting several piles of swept up, broken glass and porcelain, is the cell of Ysabel de Camembert. She is young, pretty and extravagantly coiffed, but dressed in just her underwear (which nonetheless includes a corset with enough Bromthen ivory to make a piano). Her cell includes a leather cup, leather pitcher of water, and leather just about everything else. There's nothing smashable or throwable that can cause any damage. "Tend to me? Tend to me?" the girl asks, growing angry. "I do not need a manicure! I need to be let out! I am not going to marry that man!" she insists.

Nicora lifts her hand. "Quell your anger," she says as she looks for the keys to the cell. "And tell us your tale. He speaks of love and devotion, of worshipping your purity. You ... speak of things best left to sailors on leave. He believes you cursed. We need to understand the truth."

There are no keys conveniently lying around. The poodle girl sits on the edge of her cot, and deflates - or would, if not for the corset holding her upright. "He was so dashing when my mother introduced us," she says quietly. "Heroic, ambitious.. and doting. But then he came here, and this place ruined him! He cares not for my charms, now that he has his droit de seigneur and all of the Gallah tail he could wish for. No.. no.. he sends for me, and I come, all ablush.. only to have my wedding postponed because he hears a rumor of a dragon! A dragon? He prefers to gallop off after a lizard than be with me! And when he comes home, finally, all.. moping.. because he couldn't find it, then he turns to me, and I see that look in his eye.. just before he asks me if I would stand out in a field as bait!"

This is one of those times it is very hard to laugh. So ... she just looks at Mave and rolls her eyes slightly. "I assume that you have attempted to capture his heart again? Tried to show him that being with you is far more exciting than hunting some great, scaled, monster?" Nicora asks once she is fairly sure she isn't going to laugh. "And do forgive my second question ... but did he put you in that constricting ... thing? How can you breathe?"

"This is what I always wear for undergarments," Ysabel notes, giving Nicora an odd look. "And I do not want his attentions now. I want to go home! And kick my mother for choosing so poorly for me! Pierre is a swine!"

"Has he been unfaithful to you, then?" Nicora asks, "Do you suspect he has trysts with others when he rides off into the fields?"

"Of course he does!" Ysabel shouts. "And not always with a Gallah girl either!"

"Then who does he spend time with? I do assume none of my kind," Nicora remarks, wishing this were spiritual. Matter sof Love are more Mave's domain and she may have to defer to her soon.

"YOu are going about this the wrong way," Nicora notes, then spares a glance to Mave. "Yelling and screaming will not get your freedom."

"It is best to seduce him, and when he is exhausted make your escape," Mave suggests.

"Or in a way to preserve your virginity, it is best to play that you were seduced, but have been freed of your torment. Spend a week doting on him once more ... then ask for a boon before your wedding, that you wish to see your former home one last time. And if he agrees, you go home, then refuse to return," Nicora suggests.

"But.. how can I face him?" Ysabel asks. "He is unrepentant! He does not even see the insult in asking me to be bait for a dragon. He has to apologize to me first!"

Nicora finds herself thinking evil thoughts, "If only my curse could be gifted to another. It would be worth it to bed him knowing he would burn after." She shakes out her head and considers Ysabel's 'requirement'. "Have you not considered he wished to rescue you and prove that you are worth facing any risk?" she suggests.

"He was already going to marry me though!" the girl points out. "Why put me in danger just to rescue me? I think he just wanted a trophy.. the dragon, not me."

"Some men ... have a desire to prove themselves to a woman they adore. He wanted to win you, not just be given to him by your family," Nicora counters, "It is ... a rite of passage for some, I have come to learn. They are a curious sex."

"I am not sharing my honeymoon bed with a decapitated monster," Ysabel insists. "If he truly loved me, he wouldn't have locked me away for getting angry with him! It's not like those vases and bottles and that armoire would have really hurt him."

"He believed you to be possessed, child," Nicora says, then lightly sweeps her foot back to kick Mave lightly in the shin. "He was afraid you would hurt yourself in your effort to hurt him. He called you priceless and perfect when he spoke to us of you. Does that sound like a man who desires other women so? He told two other women how much he cherishes you."

"I'm sure he tells that to all the peasant wenches before he beds them," Ysabel sighs. "I would need proof. If I could disguise myself as a comely peasant and try to turn his head.. and were spurned, then I could bring myself to trust him on that account at least."

"Change yourself?" Nicora asks, brow arches slightly, "How significantly? There are ... rituals that can disguise one as another, another species, even. So would you wish to be something ... else ... or look ... simpler than you do now?"

"A Gallah or.. anything, really," Ysabel says. "I am certain that his perversion is without depth."

"Would you risk say ... a lapi maid?" Nicora inquires, "Or worse ... an Eeee or a human?"

This causes Mave to raise her eyebrows, and whisper to Nicora, "You could bite her and do your thing, and make me over into her visage.."

"A Lapi.. he sometimes mentions getting a Lapi handmaid for me.." the girl admits. And then feels her ears.

Then Nicora realizes. "Ah, I could make you as her, so that you remain here, then her as something .. else," she says quietly to Mave.

Mave blinks, and says, "So that he does not expect Ysabel has fled or been changed, of course."

Nicora rubs her chin in thought. "We could do a ritual of transference. You could take on the shape of my Sister and she take on yours. Then tonight you could ... test your betrothed for fidelity," she offers.

"Well.. what would this ritual involve?" the girl asks, suspiciously. "Is it.. witchcraft? Sorcery? Magic?"

"Ancient arts," Nicora says vaguely. "You would fall asleep and have wonderful dreams. When you awake, you will be in the body of my companion and she in yours. Nothing more than that."

"It will get me out of this cage," the girl notes. "And.. well, I could run away if I needed to and just.. change back on my own? How do I get back to normal?"

"It will occur over time on its own, but the change is ... unpleasant that way. It is better for us to reverse it," Nicora explains as she tries to see if she can open the door to the cell. "Both of you will have to strip and exchange clothing once both have been changed."

"Pierre keeps the key on a cord around his neck though.." Ysabel says. "You'll have to ask him for it."

"Hmmm, you should, of course," Mave says. "I need to go over some things with Lady Ysabel."

"Details I should know about Lord DuValle to properly impersonate her of course," Mave points out.

"Understood," Nicora says and bows her head. "Excuse me," she adds, then heads towards, and up, the stairs.

Lancelin, the butler, is waiting at the top. "Does the exorcism go well?" he asks hopefully.

"Sister Mave is preparing some things below. I need to speak with your Lord on the matter of the cell key. We need to enter the lair of the beast to complete the ritual," Nicora claims. "Will you take me to him?"

"Oh.. yes, follow me!" the Gallah says, and leads the way to.. a study. It goes with the smoking jacket and fez, and leads one to wonder if these rooms are all ordered from a catalog or something. Probably tradition. Pierre is sitting in the overstuffed chair, a snifter of brandy in hand. Instead of being full of books though, the room is festooned with weapons, armor and macabre stuffed monster heads.

"The Lady Nicora to see you, My Lord," the butler announces. This prompts DuValle to get to his feet. "Ah, how goes the exorcism? Would you like something to drink?"

Nicora walks over to Pierre. She reaches over and cups her hand under his chin, her claws just lightly pricking. "This is a grave case. Sister Mave and I cannot perform the ritual without being inside her lair," she tells him in an oddly gentle tone. She then traces her claws down his throat and rests them at the base of his neck before withdrawing them. "Will you permit us the key to enter her lair? You may post guards at the stairwell entrance to ensure she does not try to flee before we can complete it."

"My.. is it dangerous?" the man asks, after swallowing. "What sort of beast has her in its grip?" He puts his hand on his .. neckerchief.

"The spirit of a dragon, of course. It wishes revenge upon you for pursuing it," Nicora lies. "It will be dangerous, yes, but it is not something we cannot handle. It will just take some time."

"Aha!" Pierre claims. "I will get my sword, to do battle with the spirit when it is released!" He also reaches into his jacket and produces the key to the cell. "Here's the key," he offers.

"If all goes well, there will be no need to battle it. It will be destroyed by the ritual," Nicora claims as she accepts the key from the poodle. "Thank you. Now please wait here. We will bring her to you when it is done."

"I'll stand guard at the door then!" the Chevalier promises, and calls on Lancelin to fetch his armor, pretty much ignoring Nicora at that point.

Nicora just shakes her head. Without another word she leaves the room, key in hand, and heads back to the stairs, then down into the dungeon.

There isn't much to getting the door open, and pretty soon all three women are in the cell together, although on Nicora is wearing clothing at this point. "What do I need to do?" Ysabel asks, folding her arms and crossing her legs modestly.

"Close your eyes and relax," Nicora explains as she closes the cell door behind her. Once it is secure, she goes to stand behind Ysabel and there lightly brushes her curly hair away from her neck. "You will feel as if you are floating soon. When you awake, you may feel tired and woozy, but it will pass, I promise. And ... be mindful of your ears afterward, you will be able to hear much better, which also means loud sounds can be painful."

The poodle takes a deep breath (probably the first in days, now that she's out of the corset) and closes her eyes, trying to relax.

Nicora drapes her arms around the poodle and begins to ooze shadow, slowly coating the girl in its dark embrace. When she seems distracted enough by the warm, almost wet, sensation, Nicora bites into her neck and begins to suckle intently. A little blood loss will case the girl to sleep longer, giving her time to change Mave without questions, the Eee thinks. Not to mention she was hungry ... and it feels good to have power over another woman. Once the shadow fully covers the poodle, she begins the ken. And oh ... does it feel good, it always does. Probing someone so deeply, tasting them in so many ways ... it is beyond description. Nicora's ears nearly melt and her knees wobble from the pure pleasure of controlling and shadow-tasting another person. When the kenning is done ... the pleasure doesn't end as the shaping begins. Oh, the pleasures of feeling another's flesh move like clay in her grasp. So exquisite; it makes her feel all warm and tingly all over.

And.. there's no pain! This isn't pleasure based on Inala, after all, so the curse doesn't apply. Although Mave has the most amused look on her face while Nicora kens the poodle.

Nicora can't help but make a few little sounds as the Poodle is shaped into the likeness of Mave; little indications of the pleasure of it all. A half an hour later of what looked like pure bliss, Nicora is releasing a newly made Eeee. Her head now rolls a bit and she looks at Mave, lips drawing back predator-like. She curls a claw and beckons Mave to come over. "Your turn," she rumbles huskily; rather draconically, really.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest first?" Mave says, sitting in Nicora's lap.

"Right now, I want your flesh," Nicora hiss-whispers in Mave's ear, then licks along her ear-ridge. Her fingers splay and press against Mave's stomach and out comes the shadow once more. With Mave the encasement is slow, perhaps impressing the point home that Nicora is in charge and right now Mave belongs to her. The last thing Mave sees before shadow envelops her face is the thin-lipped smile of Nicora as she 'takes' her prey. With Mave, it's half an hour to an hour to shape as she relishes each sensation of controlling the older Eeee. By the time Mave's eyes open again, they're the eyes of a poodle ... and Nicora is cinching up that boned corset on her tightly ... and looking as if she's enjoying every moment of it.

"Do you ever worry about becoming evil, Nicora?" Mave asks, sounding like Ysabel of course.

"No, because I have a good heart," Nicora claims as she tightens the last lace. "Why do you ask me such?"

"You seem to be.. indulging in certain tendencies more," Mave notes, and gives Nicora a doggy kiss on the nose.

"Is that a bad thing?" Nicora asks Mave, then licks her nose tip. "This is a pleasure I can have without Gorphat punishing me."

"Well, I cannot condemn that of course," Mave says. "Now, how do you wish to present us to the Lord of the Manor?"

"Well ... we only have to really present you, Ysabel. What Sister Mave does ... is of her own choosing, should she choose to tempt him," Nicora says, pats Mave-Ysabel's cheek, then releases her to go wake up the new 'Sister Mave'. She does feel a bit of jealousy, though; she won't feel the tough of reshaping for some time to come since she cannot reshape herself.

The newly-minted Eeee rouses, and then spends the usual amount of time inspecting herself, and her former self. Everyone wants to see what they really look like from behind, after all.

"I think you will find the corset does accentuate your rump," Nicora notes as she offers Mave's robe to the new Eeee. "And now we must present the cured Ysabel to your betrothed ... and then you can test his fidelity over dinner, perhaps?"

"I.. how do you act seductive, anyway?" the former poodle asks, getting used to a body without a custom-tailored exo-skeleton.

"My Sister can best explain that, I think. I am not one who is often seductive," Nicora claims and motions to the reshaped Mave.

"We should all have a good bath first, to wash away any confusing odors," Mave suggests. "I'm sure Sister Nicora can use one too."

"A bath? I suppose I could," Nicora agrees, figuring that would be safe. She stands and offers her arms to both. "So, shall we head up and inform the Lord that you have been cured and wish to prepare yourself for a delightful dinner?"

"Yes," Mave says. "Certainly," Ysabel says, and is more glad for the arm, since she's having balance issues still due to the wings.

And once again Nicora feels oddly ... powerful, guiding the two women up the staircase. "Lord DuValle, it is done. Your lady has been returned to you," she calls through the door at the top of the stairs. "She is tired and wishes to retire for a bath in preparation for a celebratory dinner I am certain you wish to throw for her tonight. Just open the door and you will see a very changed woman ... And Nicora then thinks, "And you do not know the half of it..."

The door opens, and the fully-armored (and frilly) Chevalier is there. "Ysabel?" he asks, uncertainly.

Nicora nudges the newly shaped Mave forward. "Go to your love," she tells the faux-poodle.

The poodle girl throws herself into his arms, and once Pierre realizes she's not about to throttle him, he relaxes and smiles to Nicora and 'Mave', saying, "This.. is quite a change!"

The white Eeee narrows her eyes a bit, and says, "She needs to clean up and put on some proper clothing before dinner."

"I will summon your maid, my dearest," Pierre promises, and then scoops up his bride and carries her towards the stairs to her suite. "It is good to feel your strong, protective arms again, my Lord," the poodle girl mutters.

Lancelin is there momentarily, and says, "If you two ladies will follow me, I will take you to the room that has been prepared."

Nicora dips her head to Lancelin. "As you wish," she tells him, keeping her arm around Mave to support her as they walk.

The guest room is nice, and not too feminine (which is to say there are actually a few things not trimmed in lace). "If you would like a bath, I will have a maid draw one for you," the butler offers. "And if you have any other requests, merely state them for me."

"We would like a bath, as well as attire fit for dinner. Our robes could stand a wash," Nicora requests.

"I'm sure we have some backless gowns that will suffice," the man says, and can't help but look at how the robes hang on the women. "Ah, you wouldn't happen to know your measurements would you?" he asks.

"I have never needed them, I usually wear robes," Nicora claims. "You are free to measure us, if you wish." She even holds her arms up and out.

The man actually does produce a cloth ruler, and quickly takes measurements (but not liberties) by cinching the measure tightly across the robes where needed. "I will have gowns by the time you finish your bath," the man says. "The maid will be up to prepare it, and you may leave her anything you wish washed." He executes a bow and leaves the women to their privacy.

"I've never been touched like that by a man before," Ysabel confides in Nicora. "So.. professional and disinterested. Tell me, how will activities indulged with this body affect my original form when I am changed back?"

Once the man has left, Nicora says, "I am ... a mutant, cursed by dealing with the dangers of these lands. Please do not be disturbed by what you may see." Her head then tilts and she adds, "You will return to the body as it was exactly before it was changed. So, yes, you will still appear to be a virgin when you change back ... if that is your concern."

"And as for being touched ... I have been touched before. But, many do not wish to be with a mutant," Nicora adds and shrugs a bit.

"Mutant, uh-huh, but you can change people's bodies!" Ysabel says, falling back onto the bed. "I am going to seduce Lancelin! I think I am justified, since Pierre gets to dally with the peasant women. Am I wrong in that?"

"It is not my place to say," Nicora says as she sheds her robe, revealing her thin, though obviously feminine body and her scaled tail snaking about behind her. "But I would imagine he would appreciate it," she adds. She folds up her robe and sets it in the indicated spot to be cleaned.

"I just got these clothes on.. hey, do I have a tail?" Ysabel asks as she disrobes and tries to look behind her, but keeps getting a face full of wing.

"No, that is my curse," Nicora says and brings it around to briefly show Ysabel, then lets it go so it 'flops back' behind her. "It also appears I will be the only one without company this eve," she admits, and actually sounds a little disappointed by it.

"It seems to be leering at me, is that normal?" Ysabel asks, and then.. picks up the tail's head in one hand and pets it with the other, of course.

Nicora twitches since she does feel the petting. "Yes, it is. It's best not to encourage it too much," she tries to explain, though sounding very distracted.

"What do you mean?" the girl asks, and then giggles. "It's licking my.." she starts to say.

There's a knock at the door, and the maid pokes her head inside. "I.. I'm here to draw your bath and see to cleaning your clothes, my Ladies," she says submissively. Another Gallah of course.

"That's what I mean," Nicora says, sounding a little labored. She has to lean forward a bit and steady herself on a chair as the sensations of her tail increase a little. The knock wakes her up, though, and she stands upright. "Oh, of course, please prepare it," Nicora says politely.

The maid hurries past, and Ysabel watches her. "They never seemed so.. timid.. before," she tells Nicora. "And.. I'm feeling odd urges towards the maid too. This body is very.. egalitarian in preferences I think.."

"Sister Mave does not concern herself with the genders of her partners, only that they enjoy themselves. It does allow for some comfort on the road," Nicora admits quietly and sits onto the bed nest to the transformed Ysabel. "As for the timidity, Gallah and Gallee fear Eeee."

"They are so deferential though, I never noticed before," Ysabel says. The sound of running water comes from the bathroom, and another knock comes at the door. "Your wine, Sister Mave," Lancelin's voice says from the other side. "What do I do?" Ysabel asks Nicora. "Should I answer the door like this? Or cover up with my wings? Or just.. jump on him? I don't know how this works.."

"Answer as you are. Accept the wine as if nothing at all is wrong with how you appear. When you turn away from him, flash him a smile, then saunter back to the bed. Be sure to roll your hips as you walk," Nicora explains. "The key is to get him to jump you." It's then that Nicora is reminded just how female her mind has become; she's explaining how to entice a man to another woman.

"Okay.." Ysabel says, getting up and squaring her shoulders. Then she pauses and asks, "Are you going to stay here the whole time?"

"No, if he seems interested I will retire to the bathroom," Nicora explains, "And bathe while you and he ... entertain each other."

"Plus I am really trying to not get aroused. Gorphat's curse ... grrr. She made this really difficult!" Nicora thinks to herself.

As it happens, Lancelin does follow Ysabel's lead, and can't help but smile at Nicora as well while the white Eeee pours the wine into two glasses. The maid announces that the bath is ready, though, offering Nicora an escape.

Nicora politely excuses herself. "Both of you, relax well," she says, then slips into the bathroom and closes the door behind her. What she wouldn't give for some earplugs, though. "Can you fetch me some earplugs?" she asks the maid once in the bathroom. The Eeee then heads straight towards the tub.

"I.. will try?" the woman says, and slips out. At least the water is warm, even though Nicora's tail is complaining. It probably wanted to stay and watch.

Nicora waits for the maid to leave, then gently extracts the items from her built-in pouches. Just a bit of money and emergency pads. Those she sets aside, then climbs into the tub. She slides down into the water, up to her chin as Mave had shown her. Ahh, how the water helps relieve the constant weight of her chest. She often forgets that it is there, but when the weight is lifted, it becomes so noticeable again.

The shelf along the side of the tub if covered in colorful bottle of no-doubt expensive imported bath oils.. maybe even bubble bath. There are soap beads, powders and all manner of bath essentials to pick from, along with scented candles.

Nicora actually does select one of the scented bath powers and sprinkles some in the water, then inhales softly, delighting at the light scent. Next she does manage to light a few candles near the tub, looking pleased with the improved atmosphere. And then she begins to gently bathe herself using the soap at hand. She's sparing with it, but she has to admit it feels good to get clean. It also feels good to explore her own body and its similarity to Rosalind's is not lost on her; she can imagine being with Rosalind again, hugging her. "I miss you, Rose," Nicora murmurs to herself, sounding a little melancholy all of a sudden.

Her tail begins poking and licking and nipping for attention too, causing a few holes in the otherwise serene and warm aura Nicora has managed to create.

Nicora has to laugh and even soaps up her tail vigorously, then rinses it off. "Oh, behave, you," she chides it playfully, then even pinches its little draconic nose gently, "Or I might put a ring through your nose."

It just stares brainlessly at her suggestion, and licks its nose after the pinch.

And on goes the cleaning. The Eeee really does linger and delight in the warm water and the cascade of scents. When she gets to the last place to clean, the place she is cursed, there she is much more careful. She checks the fur and flesh for any signs of infection or tenderness. It has been several days since she experimented and the pain had faded; but she is always careful to check.

Everything seems normal, and if there's any odd odors the water and soap have masked them. For now, she appears normal and healthy!

"You're lucky she didn't turn the skin there green, or the fur. Not may would touch you if they knew you were marked by Gorphat," Nicora tells herself and lets out a sigh of relief. "Maybe by the time I reach Babel she will have forgotten about me. Having her eye is ... unnerving." She settles herself back down into the water and then brings her tail around into her lap. With her feet propped up, she lays there, relaxed and lightly stroking her tail.

The earplugs are either not coming, or the maid is afraid to interrupt the activity in the room. The bed is very squeaky, for instance, and while Mave is not prone to vocalizing, Ysabel is also very squeaky.

Nicora's hand leaves her tail when it starts feeling a little too good. Now it shifts to her right forearm. Yes, she has it shaped to appear mostly normal, but she can't help and feel along it, particularly at the wrist, for anything squirming below the surface. "Don't listen Nicora ... just don't," she thinks to herself.

There's some activity around the wrist and slight bulge where the orb is hidden. There's no way to see how much power reserve she has left in it, of course, with the bat-fur cover in place.

Nicora tries to behave herself, she really does. But the squeaking and sounds are not helping. She squirms a bit now and then, as does her tail. She tries to cover her ears; no help. Everything she tries doesn't seem to help much, really. And even though she knows better, soon she is guiding her tail where she should not. The sounds from the other room mask her own as the two types of stimulation take hold of her and conveniently get her to forget the consequences. Maybe they won't come this time? Wrong. When her body gives way to Inala's blessings, the burning and itch returns in full force. She has shared her moment with Inala ... and now Gorphat's time comes. Inala has birth, Gorphat has everything else. And ... it is not comfortable. Praise be to the bubble-bath, though. It helps make it all bearable.