Nicora slept surprisingly well, if there was an awkward moment during the night when a still-sleeping Tulani began licking the inside of one of her ears (since they had to share the single bed in Tulani's room). Morning was slow and lazy, as befits a feline household - the real wake-up call was the smell of breakfast.
Nicora is slow to waken after the horror of last night. Her eyes flutter open, hoping it was all a terrible dream ... but all too familiar weight on her chest ... and the lack of familiar weight elsewhere quickly inform her that no, it wasn't a dream. She is back to being a female Eeee and finds herself looking at Tulani's cheek. "I think it is time to get up," she murmurs, then pushes herself upright. "I smell breakfast food. Not that I can enjoy it, but I smell it."
"You can't enjoy the smell?" Tulani asks blearily before stretching and licking her whiskers. "Sleep okay?"
"I think I slept fine. No nightmares and I feel much better," Nicora says as she's now aware enough to give herself a quick body-check, looking for any chitin spurs or other bits that shouldn't be on this body.
The body Nicora finds is the familiar one of Rose, while Tulani watches the self-inspection curiously. "Do you do that every time you wake up?" she asks.
"Only when something happens that scares me nearly to death. I worry about the stability of my body; I have to," Nicora admits. Her head tilts and she looks at Tulani for a moment. "I also owe you a thanks for helping me last night. I'm not sure what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
Shaking her head, Tulani says, "You shouldn't do.. whatever it was you were doing without backup, even if it was a secret mission for Mave." The Sphynx hops out of the bed, and wraps her spa-skirt around her hips. "Are you even hungry at all?" she asks.
"Quite a bit," Nicora admits. "But that means you would need to let me nibble. Or ... call in Mave and let me nibble on her," Nicora points out as she slips out of bed and slips her skirt on too. It may not be much clothing, but at least it's something.
"Well, I guess you can bite me before I go eat," Tulani notes, fiddling with her breast shields and the spirit-gum used to attach them.
Nicora borrows the gum and makes sure hers are re-affixed too. "Ooo, I get to nibble you," she then teases as she slips her hands around Tulani's waist and pulls her in close. Perhaps she's trying to appear normal or silly to help her forget about last night.
"You don't have to get all giggly about it," Tulani notes with a grin. "This would be really awkward if you were a man again, especially in these getups.."
"I don't?" Nicora asks, waggles her brow, then very quickly kisses Tulani, just because it'll likely make the sphynx feel odd. Then using the kiss as the distraction, her muzzle pulls back, dips down, and the Eeee bites down gently on Tulani where her shoulder and neck meet.
The hybrid shudders of course - she always down when bitten, but that's all. Morning blood always tastes a bit different - fatter somehow, as if it changes during the night in anticipation of the morning's activity. It doesn't help Tulani wake up more though, as she nearly dozes off again during the feeding.
"I'm not sure I can ever be a man again, what with what happened last night. If male, the Barsunala spirit is loose ... and it can change me," Nicora thinks as she feeds. It makes her stomach feel ... wonky. Fear that she'll be like this forever. Soon, though, her jaws release and her right hand comes up quickly to help Tulani's neck heal. She doesn't want to have to explain fang marks, after all.
Tulani stirs during the healing part, blinking and yawning. "Now I want to curl up and sleep more," she complains. "But.." She sniffs the air some more, and pronounces, "There's bacon."
"I hope I'll get more of a chance to enjoy the spa now. I'm sure there is lots to see," Nicora says as she reaches around to check on her tail, hoping it is in a better mood this morning. "Have you met any of the other guests or the hosts? Are they pleasant?"
"Well, the family from Rephidim is okay," Tulani notes, as she stands up and makes sure she isn't too light-headed to walk. "There's a honeymoon couple.. haven't talked to them at all really, they're pretty preoccupied and all. Haven't really chatted with the others; a Gallisian merchant and his wife, and Lord Kallistrates's son."
""Hm. Gallisians I can do without ... and honeymoon, well, yes. I doubt they want to be disturbed," Nicora remarks as she waits for Tulani to be ready to go to breakfast and lightly pets the head of her calmer tail. "How is the Lord's son? Pleasant? Handsome?" she asks even though she remembers full well he was a bit of a lech.
"Unsubtle and yet.. shy," Tulani notes, after doing a few more stretches and wake-up exercises. "I doubt he knows how to talk to non-servant women."
"Should I meet him?" Nicora asks as she releases her tail. "Or avoid him?"
"I.. have no idea," Tulani says, giving Nicora an odd look. "Are you looking for another conquest, or just someone to talk to?" she asks.
At that, Nicora shrugs. "I don't want to upset you if you've got your eyes on him," she claims, "but I also don't have any real plans either or that just meeting people. Not everything I do is about a conquest." She punctuates that by sticking her tongue out at Tulani.
EDIT: Other than just meeting
"Ah, well.. I'm not interested in him," Tulani notes. "He's just.. not my type, I guess. But if you want to see him, he's probably.. hmm. He told me last night.." The Sphynx taps her chin in thought. "Ah, the Pantheon.. near the.. rotten-something.. behind the villa. There's a big garden back there, separate from the enclosed spa grounds."
"The rotten something? That doesn't sound pleasant. But the garden sounds interesting. I wouldn't mind seeing that," Nicora admits, "And since I can't eat breakfast here, I could go there first. Well, unless you want me to come to breakfast with you." She spreads her hands, asking, "Do you wish me to come to breakfast with you? I'm completely open today; no plans, even secret ones."
"Well, if you don't want to meet everyone, you don't have to come," Tulani notes. "The garden is supposed to be nice and quiet though."
"Well, I should check in at breakfast perhaps. I can learn from the others what there is to see here along with the gardens," Nicora decides, then slips her arm around Tulani's. "Lead on, my feathered heroine," she says, "You're stuck with me now after saving my life!" Nicora then licks Tulani's cheek. The bat is definitely in a strange 'glad I'm alive!' mood.
Unlike at dinner, the dining area is only sparsely populated. A sideboard is set up with chafing dishes and bowls as a sort of buffet, which the Gallisian couple is making use of. Since they're not wearing the spa-clothes, they're probably planning on going out into the town. The human bridegroom is present as well, trying to fill two dishes on a tray, while a house servant looks on nervously. The Karnor family is nowhere to be seen, nor is Mave or the villa owner.
Tulani heads straight for ceramic chafing dish full of bacon and sausages, naturally.. only pausing in surprise to see another container of cold, thinly sliced fish.
Nicora looks likely disappointed by the small turn-out at breakfast. Still, she goes and gets herself a glass of juice at the very least. She nods politely to the human servant, then smiles to him, as she passes by. She has to resist scowling at the poodles, but somehow she manages it.
"Sir, you should really let me carry that for you," the servant whispers to the newlywed, who only replies, "It is better for me to serve my wife in bed personally."
"It is a male thing," Nicora whispers to the servant. "Men often wish to show their prowess by doing what he is doing. It will likely end in ... some hilarity, but nonetheless, it is probably best to let him go. Men are ... silly creatures."
"Yes, of course mistress," the servant says, dropping the subject.. only to focus on Nicora now. "Is there anything you would prefer that is not in the buffet?"
"Oh, no, I just wish some juice this morning. The meal I had in town filled me to the point, well .. I am not yet hungry," Nicora claims. She even reaches up and pats the human's cheek lightly, adding, "But thank you for asking. You can, though, tell me about the gardens? My friend Tulani said they are quiet. How do I find them? I wish to walk in the morning sun."
"I can guide you to them, of course," the servant notes, and gestures for Nicora to follow him before heading back towards the guest wing.
Nicora takes her glass of juice and follows the servant. "I will see you later, Tulani. Do enjoy the day, I plan to," she tells her sphynx friend before heading out of the dining hall.
Tulani waves a sausage, and the servant leads Nicora to a set of doors at the back of the villa. They open out onto a stone, mosaic-inlaid patio with various couches and chairs for lounging and a firepit for warmth on cool nights. Beyond this are the gardens, with flower-patches and decorative hedges and statuary. Deeper in, the top of a marble structure is visible, along with wisps of steam. "The gardens have many exotic blooms," the servant says, "and several walking paths and gazebos. The curved structure in the distance is the Pantheon - a series of shrines to the Olympian gods - and next to that is the rotenburo; an open air bathing hot-spring."
Nicora drinks down her juice, then offers it to the servant. "Thank you," she tells him, then pats his cheek again. "I shall stroll for a bit, I think. If I need anything, I will come find you." And with that, Nicora heads down the paths at a leisurely pace, taking time to explore small detours and look at the plants and blooms as she heads towards the Pantheon and rotenburo. "I do find that I enjoy gardens a lot more in this body," she realizes. "It must be the improved sense of smell."
The variety of scents and colors is impressive, and various insects and avioids sing in the fruit trees. The paths all converge near the Pantheon, which is a columned half-circle divided into twelve shrines, each with a statue and an offering bowl. This overlooks the rotenburo, which surrounded by flagstones and warms the air in the vicinity.
"I have no idea if any of these relate to the Goddess' of my homeland, but ... I should offer to them if any does," Nicora decides. She enters the Pantheon and walks a slow circle, looking for plaques that may describe the duties of each God or Goddess. Her ears flick and ptich as she walks, listening towards the rotenburo for activity.
Given the somewhat selfish and dark nature of the Seven Sisters, it's no wonder that finding analogues is difficult. None of the Olympian deities deal with disease, or vengeance or lust.. but a few come close. Kasaris, Goddess of the Night and Secrets might relate to Barada, although Barada is not thought of as a patron deity of thieves. Ashtoreth is not so different from Inala, except that she also deals somewhat with healing and winter, and is more closely associated with love and fertility (and water, rain and the harvest) than lust. Arcadia could be the direct opposite of Gorphat, however.
And of course there is Dagh, Lord of the Underworld. Not exactly Death, however.
Nicora rubs her neck, not sure how to pray here ... but decides to at least offer a prayer where there is at least some similarity. So, she goes to the Asthoreth shine and kneels before it, bowing her head. "Inala, I know this is not your shrine, but I offer a quick prayer to you since it is closest out of all the Shrines to one of the Seven. Thank you for your guidance on my journey and the gentle touch to explore what this body offers. It has opened my eyes to many things and many new experiences. You have shown me both the delights, and dangers, of pleasure. Thank you," she prays silently, head bowed.
"Flowers are the usual offering this time of year," says a feline voice from several shrines over. "Praying for children?"
Nicora's eyes flick open. She looks up, then over her shoulder. "I am infertile," she claims, "But I bear no resentment. I was praying to thank her for guiding my birth to be a woman. I do not ask her give me children; but perhaps some day she will see to it that I do anyway. such miracles have happened, I hear."
"Ah, forgive my assumption," the voice replies. It's definitely coming from the shrine of Logos, further around the arch.
Nicora rises up. "There is nothing to forgive. It is what most would be praying for," the Eeee says as she heads towards the shrine of Logos, curious to the owner of the voice.
Sitting at the foot of a statue of an aged, bearded cougar Kattha is Ramos Kallistrates, a small pile of books next to him. From the outside, the short pillar with the offering bowl would have almost completely hidden him. "Oh, good morning," he says in Standard, though with slightly less of an accent than his father. He's dressed in a toga like garment and sitting on a pillow.
"And a good morning to you. I am Nicora," the Eeee offers as she goes over to Ramos' pillow and kneels beside it, then offers the back of her hand to him. "I am a guest at this lovely spa. May I inquire as to your name?" She does already know it, but she cannot let on she does.
The boy kisses the back of Nicora's hand, and introduces himself: "I am Ramos, son of Polydorus Kallistrates. I am an acolyte in the Temple of Logos.. working towards becoming a Librarian."
Nicora dips her head. "Ah, you are one of the owners' children. It is an honor to meet you. Thank you for allowing us to visit and enjoy the hospitality," she says as she lifts her head back up. "I hope I am not disturbing you. I can leave if you wish."
"I was only reading," Ramos says. "I would not mind some company, especially from someone visiting from a foreign land. Where do you hail from, Nicora?"
"The simple answer is 'all over' as I travel much. But my origins are from Babel," Nicora admits, "I hope that does not offend you."
"Offend me?" Ramos asks. "Why would it? Olympia is a neutral country by.. necessity. But I would love to hear of any interesting or unusual places you've been or event you've witnessed. I collect travelers' tales for a book I am compiling."
"Most of my tales are strange, for I seek out and help control supernatural problems," Nicora claims. "I have even, at times, had the chance to meet some of your Pantheon, though briefly. The most recent was Ariel, the messenger. She hinted at events to come in Babel that I have yet to fully understand. That was in Sylvania. Did you know there are still old churches there to may old and some forgotten Gods and Godesses."
"The rumor is that all lost things are eventually found again in Sylvania," Ramos claims. He also leans forward to look around a pillar towards the shrine to Ariel. "What was the Messenger like?" he asks in a hushed voice.
"Young ... and perhaps a bit ... silly? No, that is not quite right; playful, mischievous," Nicora offers as explanation as she looks back towards the Shrine. "If I remember correctly she described Dagh as her grumpy uncle, or something along those lines."
"That seems.. appropriate," Ramos notes, sitting back and then pointing up at the statue behind him. "Logos is very knowledgeable, of course," he explains. "Apparently that also means he knows an endless number of terrible jokes though, I am told."
"I could see that. These Gods are far more ... charming and sociable than those of my homeland," Nicora admits as she leans back and looks to the statue of Logos.
"You worship the Kindly Ones of Babel then?" Ramos asks. "Or is worship an appropriate term?"
"They exist and I do what I can to keep on their ... 'good side'. You do not want their ire," Nicora offers as her explanation. "There are few places to offer prayer to them outside of Babel, though."
"Few gods take interest in lands outside their base of power," Ramos says. "Only the Vartans feel their religion everywhere equally, I think, or the followers of the Star."
"And there are some similarities to the Pantheon," Nicora explains, "Ashtoreth is similar to Inala in that both govern birth. Inala's role focuses more on the aspects of creating children and enjoyment, than of the harvest. It would take a long time to explain them all." She smiles briefly, then shrugs.
"Babel is very urban, I imagine, and isolated from the agricultural regions," Ramos notes, swishing his tail. "It is not surprising that its deities are also more urbane and unconcerned with the seasons and harvest. Perhaps it also why they seem to have little popularity outside of Babel."
Nicora nods once at that. "Entirely likely," she agrees. Her head tilts and she looks towards the books. "What were you reading?" she asks.
"Principles of Organization," Ramos notes, patting the book in his lap. "It's for Librarians."
"It sounds ... please forgive me, very dull," Nicora says, smiling gently all the while.
"Organization often is," the Kattha admits with a grin. "As are most of the things necessary for civilization."
Nicora laughs lightly at that. "How true," she agrees. "Adventure and exploration are far more exciting, but often only exciting in stories. The real thing is more often than not, terrifying."
"So long as it is documented," Ramos notes, raising a finger. "Too much is forgotten, fallen through the cracks of history. Even adventurers should keep notes, preferably in water and fire-proof notebooks that are clearly labeled. But few seem to invest in sturdy quills and good ink."
Nicora leans over and lightly taps Ramos' nose with a fingertip. "When you are running for your life, the last thing you are thinking about is a good journal and what to write down," she notes.
"Well.. you could bring a trained scribe along then who can take dictation on the run," the boy suggests, wiggling his whiskers.
"Now I know you are trying to be silly," Nicora says as she sits back, smiling and very much amused. "And I can tell you do not travel much."
"I visit the farms," Ramos claims, puffing out his chest. "And take census of crops and livestock, births and deaths."
Nicora leans over and pats Ramos' chest lightly. "Outside of Olympia, I mean," she corrects as she sits back. "Now, you said an offer of flowers is appropriate for Ashtoreth? May I pick one from the gardens to place in her bowl?"
"Of course," Ramos says. "That would bring blessings on our house as well."
Nicora nods. "After that, I may go to the rotenburo," she tells the khattha. "I have quite enjoyed talking with you, but I feel that I should leave you to your studies."
"Thank you for the respite," Ramos says, bowing his head as best he can while sitting down. "If you wish to talk of your adventures, please keep me in mind."
"You are also welcome to join me in the rotenburo if you wish. The choice is yours," Nicora tells the khattha as she rises. A gentle dip of her head to him and she is walking back into the pantheon, then out to go fetch a flower for the bowl.
A search of the flower beds turns up a flower with white petals and golden-yellow stamens.. along with a rather suggestively female shape to the way the petals overlap.
Nicora uses her claws to carefully 'cut' one of the stems to collect the beautiful flower. As she heads back towards the pantheon, she raises it to her nose and sniffs lightly.
It smells sweet, and since it's a female flower the Eeee doesn't get a nose full of pollen. There might even be a hint of nectar in there, to attract pollinators.
Nicora returns to the shrine of Ashtoreth. She lowers the flower into the bowl with both hands, letting it slide off lightly and come to rest. Her legs curl as she one more kneels down before the shrine. "Please accept this offering out of gratitude for this body and for the delights of being a woman," she offers in a shorter prayer. "Inala, thank you for your blessing upon me; it has opened my eyes. Ashtoreth, I wish to offer my thanks to you as well; may you always be there to aid women in their times of trial in birth and fertility."
The statue smiles down beneficently, but does not otherwise respond. Children and fish cavort at the Kattha's feet.
Nicora rises and looks between the remaining shrines. Knowing that none quite reflect Gorphat or Sunala, she goes to the center of the Pantheonto pray instead. There she kneels down, hands on her knees, and head bowed. "You may not hear me, Goddess Gorphat, but I pray to you to show that you remain in my thoughts. Your challenges have have been trying; but they have taught me to endure much and to always remember that pleasure and birth is Inala's domain, but everything else is yours. I am honored to bear Your gifts and become closer to Your bosom; your Daughter Phlagaea means much to me and it pleases her that I have come to know You. I promise I will continue to protect her." she prays, expecting that no response will come. No response is, of course, better when dealing with Gorphat, but she could not just pray to Inala and not Gorphat; not with what happened the last time.
The statue of Dagh looks on sternly.. or grumpily, according to Ariel. Of course, here at the focal point of the arch, all of the statues appear to be looking at Nicora, but it isn't clear if they disapprove or not of her invoking foreign gods in their presence.
Nicora's ears twitch. "And to the Gods and Goddess' of Olympia, I apologize for praying to a foreign Goddess," she quickly prays. "I mean no disrespect to Your country and Your people. Thank You for their hospitality." She then draws a breath and gets back to her feet. "I think a hot spring sounds good right about now," she says to herself. No more praying here for the time being.
It's a simple of matter turning around taking a few steps to get from the Pantheon to the warm stones of the rotenburo. The steaming pool is irregularly shaped, and full of colorful minerals - a natural spring, with a submerged wooden-slat platform to give it an even flooring.
The servant from earlier is standing at the far end, next to a folding table that has a pitcher of fruit juice and some glasses. The man is silent, as if standing guard - while holding some thick looking towels.
Nicora lets out a held breath and undoes her simple skirt and then takes it to the servant and sets it near him. She offers him a smile, then turns and goes to dip her toes into the water. Once she decides that it isn't too hot, she enters the rest of the way and lowers herself until just her head is sticking out of the water. "Feels so good," she thinks, remembering the lovely lesson of how things 'float' and the relief of the weight on her chest.
"Nicora!" Tulani calls, then the Sphynx enters from one of the garden paths. "Oh, there you are," she says, then glances at the attendant as if trying to decide if she should join the Eeee or not in front of him.
Nicora actually waves her ears at Tulani so she doesn't have to lift her arms out. "Hello, Tulani. The water is just lovely. You should come in," she tells the sphynx.
"What.. right out in the open?" Tulani whispers. "Anyone could come by.."
"We're both beautiful. No need to be ashamed of that," Nicora offers, "Plus you can't see a lot through the water." She yawns lightly and looks quite content. "Of course if you're not as confident in your body as I am in mine, I can understand your reluctance and understand if you will not join me."
The Sphynx's eyes narrow at the challenge, and so she does leave her meager clothes (skirt and metal disks) with the attendant. Given that Tulani, like Nicora, is entirely black-furred and so unlikely to really 'expose' much, her ears are still blushing as she turns from the attendant and enters the water. "Ah, it's warm. Okay.. this is just decadent. You have to convince the Countess to get one."
"If I did that, none of us would ever leave," Nicora notes as she scoots herself over to sit closer to Tulani. The Eeee leans back and looks towards the sky. "How has your morning been?" she asks idly as she relaxes. "I met Ramos; he was reading about organization."
"I ate so much, my stomach hurts," Tulani admits. "Also, egg-plant is not anything like eggs."
Nicora actually reaches over to feel if Tulani is 'pudgy' from eating too much. "What does it taste like?" the Eeee asks, actually curious.
"It is hard to describe flavors to you you know," Tulani points out, and gives Nicora a retaliatory tummy poke. "It was.. egg-planty."
Nicora goes "oof" in a rather exaggerated way. "So, did you miss me while I was away?" she asks teasingly and even flutters her eyelashes at Tulani.
"I was.. entertained.. while you were gone," Tulani claims, before sitting on a sunken bench and feigning aloofness.
"Really? Do tell," Nicora prompts, opening one eyelid again to eye the sphynx.
"It's a spa," the Sphynx notes. "I got a very thorough massage. It was intensely relaxing."
"My night, as you saw, wasn't nearly so relaxing. So ... I envy you," Nicora notes, bemused, and lets her eyes droop closed again. "But I'm also happy you had a good time while I was away; you deserved it."
"Of course I deserve it," Tulani purrs with a grin. "I'm the young and pretty one, after all.."
"There is something to be said for older and experienced, though," Nicora quips. "No one has complained yet about spending time with me," she counters.
"Well, I still hope you didn't break my poor brother," Tulani notes. "Your wiles don't work on me, of course."
"Your brother was ... well, bigger can be better sometimes, even if a bit messy," Nicora offers, smiling at the rather intense memory. "And I know they don't work on you. Why do you think I've given up even trying, hmm?" she teases, cracking open one eye again.
"What?" Tulani asks, splashing Nicora. "I didn't say you could give up. That's no fun!" she claims.
"Well, when you know the chase is pointless, why bother?" Nicora counters and splashes Tulani right back! "Now, you're interrupting a very nice soak in a hot spring. Just close your eyes and relax. It's back to the road soon for us and I doubt we'll get many more chances to relax then."