The tea ceremony is complicated and mysterious to NiKaira, who is seated across the low table from Kazuhiko while an aged retainer prepares the tea. There's no translator, as the guards are stationed outside the door. It isn't clear if the Ki'rin noble is meditating or sleeping with his eyes open, as he sits with his hands on his knees and just looks at the dragon across from him.
NiKaira tries to remain still at the table, kneeling in much the same way as the Lord that invited her in here. She also finds herself wishing she had recovered her scarves, because right now she feels a bit exposed. Sure, she still has the arm, leg, and tail scarves, but the torso ones were left behind. Her eyes flick about the room now and then, but for the most part she looks towards the Lord, trying to look him in the eye as much as she can manage before she gets too uncomfortable. "This is ... awkward," she thinks.
The attendant says something solemn sounding, and then pours the tea. The cups are small and without handles, and he (she?) sets them before the Lord and his guest. The Ki'rin picks his up, and then waits, watching NiKaira.
NiKaira reaches out and takes up her cup, using both hands to try and make it look as formal as she can. She holds hers a few inches before her chest and watches the Lord back, hoping for a cue on what she is expected to do.
The Ki'rin smiles and dips his head once, then takes a sip of tea.
NiKaira's head dips lightly and she even closes her eyes briefly in deference to the Lord. The cup is now lifted to her lips and she takes a small sip from it.
The tea isn't too bitter, but has flavors that NiKaira is unfamiliar with. Across the table, the Lord seems content to close his eyes and sip his tea, while the attendant removes all but the brewed pot off to one of the side rooms.
NiKaira can't help herself. While the Lord's eyes are closed, she looks over him again. "He's very unusual. I've never seen anything like him," she thinks. A few moments of her eyes lingering and she decides to close hers as well and sip at the tea. She realizes it is probably impolite to stare too much.
While NiKaira's eyes are closed, the attendant is still busy. He returns with another hot-water pot, which he places on the table, along with several bottles of colored fluids and a basket full of soft-looking cloth and an empty bowl.
NiKaira's eyes finally open when her tea is all but gone. It's then she notices the new pot, the bottles, the cloth, and the empty bowl. "Kaira, do you have any idea what this is ...?" she thinks. "I'm not sure what those are. Dyes, maybe?"
"What? Oh, I wasn't paying attention. I know I should know what tea tastes like, but this is the first time I've physically experienced it. I wonder if there's more?" the dragon replies, not really answering the question at all.
"There is probably more tea. You're not being very helpful," NiKaira complains mentally. "I hope he explains or shows me what is expected."
Meanwhile, the attendant offers up the pot to refill the cups. The Lord accepts a fresh cup, then looks expectantly towards NiKaira.
NiKaira's head dips respectfully to the attendant, then she offers her cup to him using both of her hands.
More sipping. The tea tastes slightly different, a bit thicker from having settled a bit. This time the attendant takes the pot away, only to return and move one of the backless, U-shaped chairs to the end of the table before leaving again.
NiKaira's brow arches a bit at the stronger taste. "It's not bad," she decides as she continues to sip gently at the tea. Her eyes flick to the open-backed chair, still puzzled by everything.
The second cup is soon finished, leaving a warm feeling in NiKaira's belly. Kazuhiko stands up then, and holds a hand out across the table to the dragoness.
NiKaira sets her cup down on the table delicately. She dips her head to the Lord as she reaches out with her right hand and places her fingertips lightly into his palm before unfolding her legs and rising up to join him.
The Ki'rin guides her to the end of the table, and motions for her to sit in the chair.
NiKaira looks down to the chair then lowers herself into it by crossing her legs and collapsing them. Her hands come down too and come to rest lightly in her lap. She looks up to the lord and smiles lightly to him.
The Ki'rin smiles back, and then sits down near the dragon's feet, and begins to pour from the various bottles into the bowl.
NiKaira feels a bit odd to be the one in the chair while the Ki'rin is sitting at her feet, but she's in no position to argue. She remains still and quiet, her head tilted slightly as she watches him mix the bottles together.
The colors blend and turn clear, giving off a flowery aroma when the hot water is added. Kazuhiko raises the bowl and swirls it around a bit, then lowers it back to the table and takes one of the cloths. This is dipped into the broth to soak some of it up, and then the Ki'rin stands and faces NiKaira.
NiKaira's nostrils flair slightly when she sniffs the air, taking in the floral scent. "That's light and pleasant. I didn't expect it to go clear, either," she thinks. She watches the Lord as he rises and stands before her, looking up to him. Her expression is gentle, if a bit uncertain of what he wishes her to do.
The man smiles, and then reaches out with the cloth to dab at NiKaira's forehead. Her scales tingle where he touches, and there are plinking sounds as the stuck-on glass gems are washed off by the liquid.
"Oh! He's removing my decorations," she realizes. NiKaira sits a bit more upright, head held just so. She lets her eyes close to make the process simpler for him since she was decorated from head to toe, even near her eyes. "Do you recognize any of this?" she thinks.
"No.. I do not know this custom of washing a dragon after tea," Kaira replies. "It doesn't seem dangerous though."
"I'm not complaining! I'm just confused," NiKaira thinks.
"When in doubt, relax and be pampered," the dragon-part suggests. "As a dragon, this sort of thing is expected from those who properly appreciate us."
"I certainly don't feel the urge to run and scream," NiKaira confirms as she relaxes under the tender care of the Ki'rin.
Warm tingles mark the passage of the cloth, as NiKaira's face is cleared of decoration. Her hands are done next, rings and wrappings carefully removed and shiny bits washed away. Someone had better sweep them up from the floor at some point! Still, it's a bit odd for a Lord to be doing it.. especially when he starts on her feet.
That is the part that puzzles NiKaira the most. She has wondered if she should be washing him, but she isn't going to complain ... and she can't really ask since she doesn't know his language. Once she starts on her feet, she takes a slightly more active role, taking the time to at least hold her foot up for him to make it easier.
By this point, the only part of NiKaira that can be considered 'clothed' is her tail. A fresh cloth is soaked, and Kazuhiko begins to wash the gems from her chest... and uses broader, slower strokes as well, causing the oil to really soak in and tingle in the more sensitive spots.
NiKaira can't help herself and ends up inhaling a bit through her nose and making a noise in the otherwise silent room. "Oookay, that's distracting," she thinks when bits tingle and make their presence very known. She closes her eyes here and just breathes slow and steady, trying to remain calm.
It almost works, until the Ki'rin moves lower to clean up the last Gamal's handiwork. The Blessing is definitely woken up by that, especially when the oil soaks in fully.
"I'm going to explode. Or die, or who knows?! Ack. This is ... oh wow that feels good there," NiKaira thinks to herself, her mind feeling a bit foggy now. "I just bet Inala is loving this," she thinks, trying to stop the thoughts that keep popping into her head, most of them centered around being conquered by the Lord Kazuhiko.
NiKaira finds herself feeling momentarily light, as if floating. But this is because she's been lifted up out of the chair, the Ki'rin scooping her up behind her knees and wings, and carrying her to the bed. More oil is applied, this time with bare hands. She distantly notices that Kazuhiko has very soft palms, but the ends of his fingers are hard like a Rhian's. So it's mostly the palms that are used, until the kissing, licking and nibbling begins..
Nothing seems quite real by this point. "Kaira, are you ... feeling what I am? sharing in this?" she finds herself thinking at one point. It actualyl takes her some time to realize her own hands have begun to move now and then, encouraging the Ki'rin in his work and the application of that oil. At one point she thinks she actually kissed each of his fingertips, then licked his palm ... but it's so hard to tell what is or is not happening with the 'Blessing' in full force and controlling many of her actions. All sorts of fantasies flow through her mind; being part of his harem, being bought by him, being captured by him. The connecting theme of them all leads to her being taken by the Lord and serving him. One thing that doesn't happen .. well, she doesn't fight him; she lets him take whatever he wants.
Kaira doesn't respond this time. Kazuhiko, despite being a hot-blooded mammal, is very slow and methodical in his lovemaking. Without uttering a word of instruction, and taking full advantage of his partner's complete surrender, he spends the next few hours educating NiKaira on various complicated and exotic techniques and positions - some of them seem to deliberately restrict their movement, or force them to move slowly or in ways that wouldn't normally be used; one of them even involves rotating and spinning after a fashion. And the Curse never acts up, since it isn't Nicora who is indulging.
"Kaira is as bad as me," NiKaira thinks at one point during this, feeling oddly ... vindicated by this. It's then she finds herself enjoying it even more. She tries each technique without embarrassment now, quite content to learn from him while she enjoys him. Hours pass, but she only pays it passing mind. She's completely lost in the moment, and without Gorphat's curse to force her to stop, she remains in the moment for as long as the Ki'rin desires it.
The Procession is visible through the skylight now, as the sun sets. Kazuhiko nuzzles the dragon's throat and says something in his deep voice. It might be apologetic, or a question, but he reluctantly pulls away from NiKaira and puts his kimono back on. The old attendant begins lighting the lamps in the room while the master dresses, says something more, and then leaves through one of the side chambers.
Nicora really wishes she understood what the Lord said. "Enjoy yourself?" she thinks to Kaira, feeling a bit smug when she does so. It's now her turn to slide out of the very comfortable bed and to her feet. "It is time for me to depart?" she asks the old attendant in khattan first, and if he doesn't seem to understand, she will try standard.
The attendant either doesn't speak the language, or just doesn't say much. But he gets the gist, and waves his hand for NiKaira to stay where she is.
"That was very interesting," the dragon's voice says in Nicora's head. "I think there's a book with some of those positions in it."
NiKaira dips her head once, then settles herself back onto the bed, making herself comfortable. "/I've become quite hedonistic. I just spent several hours with him. I lost count how many times ... ah, there you are. So, did you experience what it is like to bear Inala's blessing too? did it also drive you?" she thinks.
"I enjoyed it, but I did not feel the blessing you refer to," Kaira notes. "It probably wasn't really needed though to appreciate the experience."
"I enjoyed it a lot," Nicora admits in thought, "He was quite ... he knew what he was doing and what he wanted." She reclines on the bed, feeling satiated and content. "Thank you for loaning me your body, I think we did solve Lady Roya's problem."
The attendant goes about collecting the various bits of NiKaira's shed costume into a bowl, and bundles up the scarves and ribbons. There's soon a knock at the doors to the chamber, which are opened inwards by the black Kiriga guards outside. Gamal stands there, holding a platter laden with various meats and fruits and carafes full of drink.
"Room service," the bat chirps, carrying the platter over to the small table.
NiKaira sits up and beckons for Gamal to enter. "Please come in Gamal," she practically purrs at him, then slides herself off the bed so she can head over to the table. "I hope you are doing well?" she asks, "And will you join me for a meal?"
"I am always well when in such lovely company," the Eeee claims, and motions for NiKaira to sit down. "And I'll be feeding you."
"Flatterer," NiKaira teases him as she sits back down in that U-shaped chair. "If you don't mind me asking, how long have I been in here?"
"Most of the day," the man notes, and selects a piece of red meat from the platter. "So you must be hungry. This is a special delicacy - Dromodon's tongue, cooked by spices instead of heat. Some find it rather hot." He offers up the meat to the dragon's lips with a smile.
"Is your Mistrss feeling more relaxed now that her visiting Lord has been satiated?" NiKaira asks. She leans forward and gingerly takes in the delicacy by using her own tongue to curl around it and draw it into her mouth.
It's certainly very spicy - the spiciest thing NiKaira has ever tasted, just short of being painful. It would probably be strong enough cause a Kavi or small child's head to explode. "She seems pleased, but.. you make a false assumption," Gamal notes, holding a carafe of xhocolatl ready if NiKaira should need it.
NiKaira leans forward and takes a sip from the carafe when presented with it. "Do I? What mistake have I made?" she asks.
"That Lord Kazuhiko is satiated," Gamal says with a smile as he holds the base of the carafe. "He has an important dinner function at the moment, but has requested your company for the night. I am to make sure you are ready for him to resume where he left off when he returns."
NiKaira blinks at that. "Oh dear," she remarks, "So I am actually not allowed to leave his rooms? And you are to feed and care for me until he returns?" She doesn't look upset; more amused by the situation.
"And maintain your arousal, as needed," the bat explains, and offers up what smells like roast Rughrat meat wrapped in some sort of leaf next.
"You're expected to keep my ready, then," NiKaira remarks, her brow arched a bit at that. "This is a very odd situation," she thinks to herself, not quite sure how she feels about it. She leans in and gently devours the offered meat. "Tell me about yourself, Gamal? I do not think I have ever seen such a handsome Eeee before," she says with a smile. "I am tempted to steal you for myself."
"Theft is uncivilized," Gamal notes, and selects something else from the platter. It's clear that it is not a single meal, so much as a sampler of the feast Hikmat must have prepared for the Lord and his dinner guests. "What would you like to know about me, my Lady?"
"I am teasing," NiKaira claims before she eats the next bit from the meal. "How long have you lived here? Are you happy here?" she asks the Eeee. "I understand that you are a dancer; that is your primary duty?"
"I have lived with Lady Roya for fourteen years, since I was a small boy," Gamal relates, while offering up some sort of fish with fruit chutney. "This is my home, and I cannot say any ill of it. I have had many positions over the years, but right now dancing is what I excel at.. and it allows me to sleep with the dancing girls as well."
"Ah, you enjoy spending time with the other dancers then? I imagine they find you pleasing as well," NiKaira notes as she takes a bite of the offered fish. She shews it lightly, then swallows. "I have rarely had a home for more than a year; more often than not I am on the road," she says. "And as you also saw ... I am a bit of a monster."
"I remember the stories told to me as a child, of clever men or princes who bound a powerful djinn," Gamal says, bringing up the next unrecognizable but tasty course. "You are clearly such a person, to summon and command a dragon-djinn; a powerful sorceress."
"Such power has its own drawbacks. It controls me as much as I control it," NiKaira notes, leans forward, and takes Gamal's entire hand into her mouth. When she draws back, though, all she really devoured was the food. "There are times I would wish for a life such as yours; less complicated than the road I walk," she says.
"Ah, to be a favored concubine of a prince?" Gamal asks with a grin, before holding up a kebab. "Perhaps Lord Kazuhiko will make you such an offer - but you travel with my mother, and so you must have a special destiny."
NiKaira smiles herself. "I could think of worse fates than being Lord Kazuhiko's favored concubine," she admits. Her tongue curls out and wraps around the top part of the kebob and extracts it into her mouth. After she swallows, she says, "I do travel with your mother, but what will become of me I cannot say. Truth be told, I do not believe I will survive our journey. But such has always been the risks of my life."
"To say such things is to offend the winds of fate," Gamal chides, putting a finger to NiKaira's lips in a 'shush' gesture. "You must look to a glorious future, full of new wonders and pleasures and rewarding challenges. You must see a future as beautiful as you yourself are."
"Do you know your mother well?" NiKaira asks. She then brushes away the Eeee's finger, noting, "You continue to flatter me. I am not beautiful. Your mother is beautiful. You are beautiful. I am ... my natural form is but a simple Eeee," she claims. Granted she still believes Rose to be the most beautiful Eeee in the world, but she realizes many would be considered prettier, Mave included.
"I know of her," Gamal says, and offers up a fig to replace his finger. "She is a great woman, who was once the High Priestess of Love. She has been to many lands, and learned many things, and planted seeds like me so her gifts will continue on."
NiKaira decides she should not ruin his image of his mother. She gently eats the fig, then leans forward to lick Gamal's nose. "I suppose your Mistress wouldn't be willing to sell you to me," she teases the Eeee gently. "And yes, she has done many good things, like giving life to you, and a sister of yours named Pleione that I have met."
"You must be great people to travel with her," Gamal says. "You and your companion.. the Sphynx. Is she like you?"
"She is ... my opposite in some ways," NiKaira explains a bit vaguely, "But yes, she is very similar to me. Why, have you taken a fancy to her?"
"I would like to lie with her, yes," Gamal says. "Do you think she'd like me? Do you like me?"
"I think she would like you very much," NiKaira says and dips her head. "And yes, I like you very much. Handsome and so much to explore. I would be lying if I claimed I did not desire you," she admits. "But I am not one to try and take that which does not like me the same in return."
"Oh, I like you!" Gamal insists. "Even before you became a dragon. You are a beautiful Eeee. I have never been with a female Eeee before. Or a dragon. Do I have anything to fear from either version of you?"
"From me? No. I do not bite ... usually," NiKaira claims. "Which version of me do you find more interest in?"
"I can't have both?" the bat asks, looking shocked.
NiKaira laughs at that. "Of course you can. I suppose I should ask which you would prefer first," she teases him as she tries to not giggle further. "I also have a small request. You are quite beautifully decorated; I would like for you to help find something similar for my Eeee form. Before I leave these lands, that is. Not necessarily tonight."
"I have a fine eye for jewelry," Gamal admits. "As for which first.. well, are you still hungry?"
"And I suppose I should ask you, do I have anything to fear from you?" NiKaira teases. "An diseases or fears of pregnancy from a virile male? And I suppose I am still a little hungry."
The Eeee provides more savory meat, wrapped in flatbread with some sort of curry. "I do bite," Gamal admits. "But not hard. And I am very healthy! As for the rest.. you are a sorceress. If you want to have a child by me, then surely you would."
"Having a child would be extremely complicated for me," NiKaira claims before she devours the meat and bread. She tilts her head a bit now, peering at Gamal. She even reaches up and gently lifts one of his lips with a claw. "Are you a vampire, then?" she inquires.
While there are plenty of small sharp teeth, they are normal Eeee teeth. "What is a vampire?" Gamal asks.
"Some Eeee live only on blood," NiKaira explains and releases his lip. "I see you are not one. And so tell me, what are your fantasies so that I may try to fulfill them? Tell me which body you wish first and well ... we'll spend some time together before the Lord returns, hmm?"
"Oh, this one you have now then, please," Gamal says. "It is so majestic and powerful, and I am.. delicate. To tame such a woman would be a great source of pride to me."
NiKaira laughs. "You wish to tame me, do you?" she asks and traces a claw tip under his chin. "Do you believe you are capable enough?"
The Eeee licks his lips with a very long tongue. "I.. am confident," he finally says, waggling his ears.
"Then you are over-dressed," NiKaira tells the Eeee. "Let me get a look at you before you attempt to 'slay' the dragon, hmm?" she teases.
Gamal stands, and.. dances for NiKaira, shedding his clothing in as entertaining and teasing a manner as he can.
"You're being rather quiet. No teasing?" NiKaira thinks as she watches the Eeee with amusement. She can't help but admire him physically; he does take after Mave in many ways and his father may have been equally handsome. Her original form would not be nearly as impressive as this dancer's is.
"I was thinking about that yoghurt used in the grape-leaf wrap," Kaira claims. There is also one other thing that sets Gamal apart from other Eeee men - as part of the official 'bloodline' of Inala, the Blessing flares up with extra intensity.
NiKaira rumbles appreciatively as Gamal dances. She starts to lean forward and sway back and forth in time to his movement. She soon realizes she's feeling rather funny. Her lower stomach is all .. tingly and well, certain desires start rippling through her mind. She licks slowly over her lips as she watches, entranced by the mix of Eeee and jewelry. "You look good enough to eat," she rumbles.
Gamal is also clearly ready for action, and teasingly asks, "Would you like me to spread some chutney on it?"
"No ... I want you to go to the bed and lie down," NiKaira rumbles as she drops down to all fours and stalks towards him, awkward as it is. "And prepare yourself to be devoured by a dragon," she adds, her voice tinged with a predatory air. She's finding it harder and harder to think as her Blessing urges her on; almost feeling like Inala herself is sitting on her shoulder and whispering things she should do.
The bat-boy leaps unto the bed, sits up and.. looks inviting. "As long as I get to conquer you afterwards!" he says.
"I merely wish to sate some hunger before you attempt to conquer me," NiKaira remarks as she eyes the Eeee and practically slithers up onto the bed. Again, NiKaira licks over her lips and smiles a scary set of shiny teeth. And true to her word ... she proceeds to devour him. It's in ways she will probably regret later when she is of clearer mind; but the blessing upon her is too difficult to resist. But for now ... it all feels good and the Blessing makes it feel right. It's going to be a tiring night, and possibly tomorrow. When people say a blessing can also be a curse, they mean it.