In olden days, when Olympia was a major power, the estates of Elysium were working ones; producing wine, honey and other lucrative luxury items. To a certain extent, they still are working estates, it's only the output and clientele that have changed. Elysium wines can only be afforded by those wealthy enough to vacation at the estates, so the vineyards have shrunk. Some, like the Kallistrates Estate, have turned to more personal services. Others, however, have resorted to exploiting their locations.
The day is warm and the sun is bright, the blue of the sky complimenting the color of the water. A great wall segregates the beach from the rest of Elysium, broken by a few gates where guests can pay an entrance fee. The base of the wall is taken up by a long line of vendor booths, providing everything from food to swimwear to personal rent-a-slaves and picnic gear.
"We will wait here," Mave tells Tulani and Nicora after paying for their entry. "It is a good vantage to watch for the ship I am expecting later."
"I am not quite sure what we do here? We are supposed to lie on sand near water and be sun-cooked?" Nicora asks curiously; her Sylvanian heritage making itself apparent again. "Does it also have silly felines who ride on tabletops on waves and seem to enjoy falling off?"
"The waves here aren't big enough for that," Tulani says, stretching her arms over her head and breathing in the breeze off the lake. "But you make it sound as if there's something wrong about lazing in the sun, Nicora," she notes with a bit of a pout. "Besides, there's always the local.. scenery," the Sphynx points out, gazing at a group of shirtless feline men setting up some sort of narrow net between two upright poles.
"Not everything I do in life is about oogling attractive men," Nicora claims as she puffs up her chest. "And won't we need proper attire for the beach?" she adds and waves towards one of the stands.
"Yes," Mave answers, and gestures towards a booth-and-tent combination nearby. "We should rent some winkinis."
"Some what?" Nicora asks and splays her be-ringed ears out. And even though she just made the claim to the contrary, the Eeee does look towards a couple of the men.
Most of them wear trunks, but a few wear.. well, bits of string and sailcloth that provide a bare minimum of modesty. The women likewise sport bikinis of varying levels of coverage, depending on age and the amount of support needed and probably whether or not they actually intend to get them wet or not. There are no other winged women visible, although there is a lone male Kujaku.
Often wearing less are the various beach-slaves, identifiable by their collars (and species, in the case of Savanites).
Nicora looks about the beach, then between Tulani and Mave. "I'm probably going to regret this .... but how about Mave picks out what we should wear," she suggests, then grins fangily at Tulani. Her attention wavers briefly as she finds herself eying one of the slaves.
"I suppose that will be okay," Tulani notes with a grin, as the Yodhinala leads them over to the bathing suit booth-tent. "One white string-winkini for the Sphynx, one white wrap-winkini with skirt for my Eeee companion, and a gold one for myself," Mave orders of the attendant.
Nicora seems a bit surprised that Mave didn't pick something more exposing for the Eeee, but has to admit to herself it's likely to conceal her tail. "Do we want a personal attendant or not?" she asks the pair.
"Please step into the changing tent," the attendant purrs, while another female Kattha pulls items from hangars behind her. At the mention of an attendant, the counter-kitty asks, "What sort of beach-slave would you like?"
"What.. what do they do?" Tulani asks, looking between the Khatta and Nicora.
"I suspect fetch drinks, massage the guests, and generally look sexy," Nicora offers and shrugs, "But I could be wrong..." She starts towards the changing tent, moving slow to hear the reply.
"Fetch refreshments, provide a breeze, or anything else you wish," the Kattha confirms. "Male or female, young or adult... and if you have race, color or pattern preferences I can certainly try to find one to match.."
"Male adult, handsome, strong, spotted, and silent," Nicora suggests, grinning. "But really, I'm not quite sure what we would do with one."
"A Savanite?" Tulani asks Nicora, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Nicora asks and smiles cutely.
"Ah.. not after the other day.. no," Tulani admits, and heads into the tent with Mave. "I'll have a pavilion assignment for you when you are finished changing," the attendant purrs.
"Exactly. Why should you have all the fun?" Nicora asks, then ducks into the changing tent to change her attire with the other two.
"You've got to be kidding!" Tulani notes as she holds out the bits of string are meant to be her winkini.
"You agreed to let me choose," Mave points out. There are several woven basket-bags for placing (and carrying) their original clothing in on the floor of the tent. "Do you require assistance?" the younger Kattha attendant asks.
Nicora steps in and snaps her fingers, holding her chin just so to give her a bit of a haughty air. "I do. Please undress, then dress me," she says. Of course she can't help herself and ends up laughing a few moments later. "No, no, not really. I think I can manage to dress myself."
"And if you don't like Mave's choice, you can always go naked," Nicora suggests to Tulani.
The Sphynx gives Nicora a look, and then goes about undressing. The primary difference between a bikini and a winkini, it seems, is that the winkini top is worn criss-cross, so that it can tie lower on the back below the wings. It doesn't provide any real support as a result - but then flyers tend not to be too heavy or saggy in general. It takes Tulani awhile to get things in place without too great a risk of popping out - so long as she doesn't bend over for any reason. The skirts are similar to the ones at the spa, but made of a net-like gauze fabric. Still, it's enough to hide Nicora's tail.
"What, are you ashamed of your body?" Nicora asks Tulani as she cinches up the ties on her gauzy-skirk to provide her some modeasty and concealment. "Maybe you're ready to concede that both Mave and I are better looking. There is no real shame in admitting that mistaken..." She accentuates that with a flick of her head to make her hair flow 'just so' before she proceeds to put on the upper part of her attire.
"It's just that this is a bit public," Tulani notes. The white on black of her suit brings out just how little it covers - and brings even more attention to the covered parts as a result. The Sphynx's ears are blushing as she picks up her bag of belongings.
"And the problem with the public is what, exactly?" Nicora prods, grinning a bit impishly as she does so. "You may as well enjoy what you have; I have to because I'm stuck like this, possibly for forever."
"I don't know how on display we'll be though," Tulani mutters, and is the last to leave the tent.
The attendant outside offers what looks like a menu to Nicora, and points to a tent on the beach with the Olympian number 7 on it. "Take this to the servant in that pavilion," she says. "His name is Onesimos, and he will take care of you."
"If I am stuck like this for the rest of my life, I will need your help in adapting and finding my place," Nicora notes quietly to Mave. Her attention changes to the attendant outside and she nods as she accepts the 'menu'. "Thank you," she says and heads towards the number seven pavillion, ears and eyes flicking about, looking for their servant.
"I'm sure you will find a fine husband," Mave notes, half-smirking. The pavilion is only a tent from behind; the sides are made of netting that obscures from a distance, but is see-through up close. The front is completely open, with the netting tied back like curtains. Inside are three wood-and-fabric lounge chairs with wicker tables, a closed wicker chest, a giant fabric fan on the end of a pole and a stoic looking Savanite in a loincloth, who bows when he sees the menu in Nicora's hand.
"We can see the volleyball game from here," Tulani notes quietly as she gazes across the beach.
Nicora swats Mave with her wings for that. "You're not funny or helpful, I'm serious," she remarks. To the sanavite she bows her head, then offers him the 'menu' that she carries. "Valley ball?" she now asks of Tulani as she claims one of the whicker chairs and settles down into it. "What sort of game is that?"
"Oh, it a team sport where the goal is to keep hitting a ball over the net until one side misses or knocks it out of bounds," Tulani says, sitting on the edge of a lounge chair.
Onesimos takes the menu (which is printed on pasteboard) and pops out a little tag with a clawtip. He goes and opens the chest then, which contains various padded cushions that he starts laying on the lounges.
Nicora thinks about this, then comments, "I suspect that game is popular for men to watch when women play since there is likely some bouncing," she comments, amused. She looks towards the game Tulani mentioned ... but also can't help herself and admires the view when Onesimos places the cushions and bends over. She reaches over at one point and lightly tugs his tail, just because.
The slave pauses and turns to look at Nicora, waggling his ears. He gestures to the menu before finishing his tast, which also involves patting Tulani on the rear to get her to move off the lounge for a moment.
Nicora looks to the menu to see if she can even understand what was written on it.
Luckily, the words are printed in standard. One side of the menu is a list of drinks - most of them alcoholic - that are available. On the other side are snacks (fruits, meats and breads, although there is also ice-cream and other frozen confections) and services, including the guessed at massage and grooming, but also offering pedicures, manicures and a few other salon-type services.
Nicora looks over this list rather thoughtfully and even rubs her chin. "One of these, please," she requests and taps one of the drink-names that sounds rather ... beach-like; the Olympian Shining Sea. "Aaand ... I think I would like a manicure and pedicure ... then followed by a massage," she says, almost purring herself.
"Let me see that list," Tulani asks, holding out her hand. Mave is already reclining on her lounger.. and taking a nap?
Nicora takes the menu, then offers it to Tulani. "No hogging his services ... I heard all about you and savanites at the spa," she teases.
"Look who's talking!" Tulani says, then peruses the menu. "Hmmm, I'd like some fishcakes, a Langour Sunset and.. I suppose a grooming!" she orders with a smile.
Onesimos nods and takes the card, before bowing and leaving the pavilion to get the orders filled.
"What? I didn't spend any time with the savanites at the spa," Nicora points out ... and reclines. "Nyeh," she adds and sticks out her tongue.
"There was the pair when we arrived," Tulani reminds, as she lays back on the lounger and watches the men run and jump and flex as they play. They look more like they're showing off than competing with one another.
Nicora actually whistles at the men. "I didn't spend much time with them, though," she points out to Tulani and wiggles her toes. "And you saw the mess I was in later."
"Is that why you need a massage?" Tulani asks, grinning. "Or are you just being decadent?"
"Oh, probably both," Nicora admits. "What's wrong with being pampered by someone sexy?"
"I guess you prefer the strong and silent type then to.." Tulani starts to say, only to bite it off when the pavilion is suddenly invaded by more servants. This time it's a Rath'ani girl carrying a tub of steamy water and a brown-with-tan-spots Lapi buck carrying a basket full of supplies, both wearing loincloths and collars. Onesimos enters behind them, carrying a tray with chilled drinks and Tulani's fishcakes.
"Oh, I like bucks too," Nicora notes as the other servants approach. She lifts her right hand and waves her fingers playfully at them. "But silence has a charm, because so much can be said without ever using words. It can be more powerful."
Soon Nicora finds her lounge chair rearranged a bit, so that she's sitting up more. Her feet are set into the warm, scented tub of water while the raccoon girl washes them (something Rath'ani should be very adept at) and her fingers are soaking in two bowls set on the armrests by the Lapi, who massages the Eeee's left hand. The drink she ordered is set on the table next to her. Tulani is rearranged as well, in a surprising way: she finds herself lifted up and then set down in the Savanite's lap as he sits sideways on the lounger, and feeds her a fishcake.
Nicora reaches over with her right hand and takes her drink. She lifts it, sniffs, then takes a sip. "I am enjoying this more than I should be," she says wistfully. Her head tilts slightly to the side as she now watches the buck massage her left hand. "You have very strong hands," she tells him. A moment later she grabs playfully at the rath-ani's hands with her feet and adds, "And you are very deft with yours..."
The girl giggles, but the Lapi merely smiles and winks. Tulani washes down her snack with a hearty swig of her own drink, then blinks and says, "Whoa, that has a kick." Once she seems more relaxed though, Onesimos begins grooming her.. with his tongue, of course.
"Now I'm jealous," Nicora remarks to Tulani, then winks to the Savanite. "Ah, not allowed to talk to us, I guess," she remarks to the lapi as she seems to relax more into her lounger, feeling quite relaxed and content. The alchohol doesn't hurt, either ... so she takes another drink from her glass.
The Lapi sits in Nicora's lap then, and takes the glass from her.. only to hold it to her lips so that she doesn't have to use her own hands. In a soft voice, he asks, "Is there a particular style of massage you prefer, or any areas that are particularly in need of attention?"
Nicora is surprised, but still pleased, by this as she takes yet another drink from her glass. "I prefer in-depth massages to relax all the muscles of my body. Ear massage and wing massage are also quite enjoyable for my kind. But ... I also leave it up to you if you like massaging in certain ways and places. You are welcome to surprise me," she tells him in a soft voice.
"Very well," the buck whispers, and sets the drink aside to place both hands on the bottom of Nicora's rib cage. He runs his hands along the ribs, all the way to the back where he unties the winkini top and unwraps it from the Eeee so that he can begin massaging the flight muscles.. via the breasts. "Let me know when you want a fresh drink," he says, while the Rath'ani girl gets up and undoes the sashes holding back the front netting of the tent, closing the front for privacy. On the next lounger over, Tulani is purring loudly as the Savanite grooms her throat.
This surprises Nicora, her ears perking a bit when her sash is untied. Still, she doesn't move to stop him ... and even seems to relax a bit more when he starts massaging. "I think right now I'm a bit too distracted to want a drink. And that's a good thing," she murmers to the lapi. "And alas, I cannot offer you a drink," she actually teases the lapi given what he's massaging.
That statement doesn't stop the Lapi from trying though. Between the sun, alcohol and tender touches, it's difficult to keep track of everything that's happening. Nicora loses her bottoms at some point, and when she eventually finds herself riding the buck's lap she's certain the Rath'ani girl is actually giving her tail a sensual wash-massage. Tulani's barely-there costume likewise vanishes, and her lounger is fully reclines as she uses Onesimos as a lounge cushion.. although the sounds she makes are certainly not ones of relaxation. It's all a warm fuzzy whirl of sensations for the bat. It also isn't clear to her if Mave sleeps through it all, or joins in a bit..
Nicora ... if she could think about her situation she would be upset by the 'blessing' upon her making her indulge in acts of carnal lust. Of course she doesn't think about that because what the buck is doing /feels really good/. She doesn't want to let him go and at various points /hugs/ him to her chest. It's only at the end, when a slow burning begins deep within her when the wave of passion begins to ease ... does her sanity return and she finds herself still on the lapi's lap. "/What just happened?/" she thinks to herself, "/Why did I just ... give in and?" Her inner ears feel hot and she flicks them back, embarrassed.
The buck kisses her, and then asks, "Do your muscles feel relaxed now?" The pavilion seems.. more crowded. There are a few exhausted Kattha scattered around.. and Nicora recognizes them as some of the volley ball players! Clearly, Mave woke up and decided to have some fun as well. Tulani is passed out and purring, and Onesimos is holding Nicora's glass ready should she want a drink. Even the raccoon girl kneeling alongside the lounge, nestling the tail's dragon head between her breasts. Nicora's claws all have a nice shine and buff on them now.
"I feel very relaxed," Nicora as to admit, and indeed, her amrs and legs feel a bit like jelly. Her current discomfort isn't so bad as to completely derail enjoyment of what just occurred. She curls her claw, drawing in Onesimos closer and does take that drink from her glass. "How about all of you, are you relaxed? Or is there anything I could do for any of you?" she actually asks the lapi, rath-ani, and savanite.
The buck withdraws, saying, "All I needed was to hear that you were successfully relaxed." That said, however.. he goes over and begins to massage the still purring Sphynx. Onesimos tilts the glass so Nicora can drink.. and then nuzzles her throat and begins to groom her..
It isn't clear if the Rath'ani understands Standard, as she continues to play with the amorous tail.
"Groom me well and I'll groom you in return," Nicora actually whipsers to the Savanite ... then licks his ear once she has taken her drink. "When did I become so ... carnal?" she does have to wonder as she relaxes into his grooming. It also doesn't help her that the Rath-ani's work on her tail keeps her from dwelling on the morality of her actions. In fact ... she finds playful ways to encourage and guide her with nudges of her wings.
The alcohol seems to help numb the Curse a bit, giving the Blessing ample opportunity to build. Of course, watching the Lapi make love to Tulani doesn't hurt either. And unlike the buck, the cheetah is able to bite back in interesting ways. Thus, round two is a bit more lucid for Nicora, and she is more in control - although when the Rath'ani starts to nibble on her tail the Eeee nearly loses that control! But at least she got some Savanite-time...
Nicora is a bit more agressive now that she's more lucid ... though some things that she does she may regret or worry about later; particularly parts that involved grooming him and nipping. "I guess your blessing isn't so bad, Inala," she thinks at one point. All thoughts go, though, when the rath'ani becomes more agressive! Soom the world is once more lost in moments of passion. The alcohol is also a lessing with its numbing for the raspiness of a Savanite is ... well, when coherency returns things are really burning and painful in tender areas. But ... yes, it was savanite time.
By the time things cool down, the shadow of the pavilion is starting to stretch out towards the water indicating afternoon. The view of the beach is somewhat blocked by Mave's rear end and wings though. "I think my ship is coming in," she says. "Time to get cleaned up and do business." This elicits a groan from Tulani, and muttered complaint about not being able to walk for a bit.
"Ah, Gorphat ... thank you for helping me remain sane," Nicora thinks as she sits up, wincing in rather significant discomfort now. She groans too and rises from her lounger, then fumbles for her beach attire to dress. She's also thankful that her curse is pain only and spares her any visible signs the condition it mimics usually has as she's cinching her skirt back on. "I blame you for turning me into a wanton Eeee," she mutters towards Mave.
"Would you take it all back?" Mave asks. She lets the Lapi dress her, smiling at the occasional grope. A few of her own paramours begin to stir on the floor.
"I didn't say that," Nicora admits as she tries to make herself presentable. "I just ... the things I'm willing to do when I'm in a moment like that is ... surprising," she notes.
"I blame both of you!" Tulani declares. "You're tens time worse than Arkold was." The cheetah is helping her with her clothes, rather than tying on the string winkini again.
"Did you enjoy it, though?" Nicora asks Tulani. "If you had the chance, would you have said no?"
The Sphynx's ears are bright crimson as she says, "If I had the chance to do it again.. I'd have a tent of my own."
"We can practice in our cabin some time," Nicora suggests and even manages to look innocent, though it is very brief. "So, shall we see to Mave;s ship?"
"Alright, I'm ready," Tulani says, once she's dressed again.
Onesimos clears his throat, and offers the menu to Nicora. The drinks and services have been marked off.. along with their prices.
Nicora cinches up the upper part of her outfit just below her wings. She takes the menu and her eyes go wide at the overall bill. She starts and stops saying something a few times, then fianlly just smirks. "No discount at all for the grooming I gave you," she chides the Savanite playfully, "Felines are so fickle." The Eeee then winks to him to show him that she's mainly kidding, then leans over and kisses his cheek. "All right, lets go see to the bill and then to the ship," she declares as she walks out of the tent. She finds walking really hurts when certain areas rub ... but she's not about to let on that it does to Tulani. The Sphynx would tease her forever if she knew!