Waking up was a challenge. NiKaira was vaguely aware that Lord Kazuhiko had already left the bed, and that it was daytime, but otherwise she just wanted to catch up on sleep. She'd gotten little the night before, as the Ki'rin would rouse her again after every short nap. Gamal had taken a bit out of her as well; while he lacked experience (she could tell his usual partner was a Lapi from his techniques) he was overflowing with youthful exuberance and stamina.
"Mmmrgh," NiKaira moans as the waking world invades her mind. Her method of getting up involves slowly dragging herself to the edge of the bed using her class, then sort of falling out of it and hoping she landed in a way that she could get up. "That ... man in insatiable," she complaints after hitting the floor. There's a bit of flailing and soon she's at least sitting upright. She does feel sore, amazingly, thanks to the blessing but ... wow. Talk about overdoing it on an epic scale. "Maybe I can escape before he gets back," she mutters as she rubs over her eyes.
The doors open, and Gamal appears bearing another platter of food. "Did you sleep well?" he asks as the guards pull the doors closed behind him.
"I barely slept at all. The Lord wouldn't stop," NiKaira remarks, blinking blearily.
"He will be in the Court of the Emir - may his whiskers never droop - the rest of the day," Gamal notes. "In that case, you should change back to Nicora," Kaira's voice suggests in the woman's mind. "I am exhausted from this."
"Ah! So I am free?" NiKaira asks, perking up a bit. "I can change back safely?"
"I bet I'm more tired that you are," NiKaira argues mentally.
"I suppose!" Gamal says, setting the platter down. It has fruits, breads, meats and cakes, along with hot xocholatl and mateh - even cold juice.
"Your clothing has been moved to Tulani's room," the Eeee boy notes.
"Maybe ... after I eat," NiKaira decides as she drags herself towards the food. "I need your body to deal with the food, then you can change me back," she thinks to Kaira. She goes for the juice first. About halfway through the pitcher she stops to say, "Ah, good. You can show me the way and I'll change there. No need for me to walk naked through the estate."
"It's actually on the far side," Gamal notes. "Except for the musicians, none of the other house servants know you are a dragon, so I could bring your clothes to you here if you like?"
"Or you can use the shadow cloak as a garment," Kaira whispers in NiKaira's head.
"Except the guards outside would see an Eeee leave, not a dragon," NiKaira points out. "But nevermind, I have an idea of how to change once we'er past the guards."
"I don't think they would complain about seeing a naked dragon," Gamal says with assurance, and tries to feed grapes to NiKaira.
NiKaira snaps down the grapes rather greedily. Luckily, she doesn't get Gamal's fingers. "What is Tulani doing today?" she asks, "And did you pin her down and ravish her yet?"
"She is taking a bath, and then will wait for you," Gamal says, as he carefully brings up some sausage. "She said that she cannot be too far from you while you are like this, or similar. As for the latter question; a gentleman never tells."
"You're too young to be a gentleman," NiKaira teases an devours the sausage in one bite.
The Eees move on to some sort of crepe-wrapped fruit. "Felines take time, unless they are already in the mood," the boy says defensively.
NiKaira grins toothily, leans over, and licks Gamal's nose. "You're too easy to bait," she teases, then eats the crepes more delicately this time. She might be getting full.
Gamal keeps gently plying the dragoness with food. "I could also take you to the baths," he offers.
"Maybe later. I need some recovery time," NiKaira remarks kindly. "But, I can change in the baths since that is where Tulani is and I have a way to deal with clothing there." She takes another long drink from the juice pitcher, then pats the Eeee's shoulder lightly. "Lets go. I want to escape before the guards get ideas," she says worriedly.
The Eeee collects the remains of breakfast and heads for the door. "Try not to swish your tail provocatively," he suggests. "You will be more attractive to them from the rear, after all."
"Am I more attractive to you from the rear?" NiKaira asks and flutters her eyes at Gamal.
"You are more tickly from the rear," the boy claims, before knocking on the doors. The guards open them and do a quick ogling of NiKaira - or else they are checking for danger. Reptilian expressions can be difficult to read.
NiKaira now gets up and heads for the door and contrary to Gamal's warning, she does swish her tail as she walks. When she's closer to Gamal, she leans over and whispers to him, "I enjoyed you last night. You were fun to devour and very enthusiastic."
"I'm all rested up and ready again," the bat answers enthusiastically. "You could tell Tulani this, so that maybe she will be curious too?"
"Or I could keep you for myself," NiKaira claims, "And enjoy you when I'm back to my normal body. I would teach you all about Eeee anatomy. But ... maybe I'll encourage Tulani to seek you out if you're really nice to me."
After leading the way down several empty side-halls, Gamal brings NiKaira to the bathing area. There's an actual sunken, tiled tub area, along with a larger tiled area with a central bench. One wall opens onto the inner gardens, with the usual gauze curtains for privacy. Tulani is sitting at the edge of the sunken tub and brushing out her hair when the dragon and bat arrive, causing her to squeak and cover up with her wings. "Gamal! You aren't supposed to just walk in on a bath, you know!" she complains.
"I vow to make it up to you, Lady Tulani," the boy says, bowing low (and still holding the serving tray).
"He's young and just wants to help, please go easy on him," NiKaira claims. She slinks over to one of the benches and settles herself down on it, then braces herself upright with her arms. "It's time for me to change back ... so don't do anything too exciting while I'm occupied. I would be disappointed," she says, flashes Tulani a grin, then thinks, "Okay, I'm ready to return to Nicora ... and you're ready for a rest!"
The black limbo engulfs NiKaira. It's soothing, as there is no soreness or tiredness in it, and by the time it retreats Tulani has dressed, and Nicora's own clothes are waited at the end of the bench. "Once you sheath your dagger, I can give you a recharge," the Sphynx offers, batting the saber at her hip.
Nicora reaches down to her right arm and carefully tugs on the dagger to get it out. She remembers it tends to be touchy on being removed after being slotted for a while.
There's the usual resistance, until the 'umbilicals' come free with a pop. "Ewwwww!" Tulani says, her nose wrinkling up from the brief odor. "I never saw it do that before."
"Aren't you glad it isn't you?" Nicora asks as she finds the sheath in her pile of clothing and slips it carefully away. She proceeds to shake out her right hand now, and 'regrows' the skin and fur covering while she does so.
The Sphynx can't help but touch the scar on her chest - dragon-head shaped instead of star shaped like Nicora's. "At least you aren't all wet afterwards," she notes.
"No, I just can't control myself when I get aroused," Nicora mutters and starts dressing. "What are the plans for the day?" she asks as she's cinching up her robe to conceal her tail.
"Well, other than making sure you aren't about to go on a killing spree to recharge your arm.. pretty open," Tulani notes. "Mave left early, and said not to expect her back until evening, so we're on our own." She smiles as she says that though.
"So, what would you like to do? We have our own cute boy toy to show us around," Nicora notes and thumbs towards Gamal.
"I could show you the jewelry district if you like," Gamal offers, since he knows Nicora wants to see it.. and can guess that Tulani likes shiny things.
"What do they sell there? I know Tulani was considering a naval ring..." Nicora suggests as she grins a bit devilishly.
"Hmmm," Tulani considers, looking from one bat to the other.
"Well, it isn't the proper jewelry district," Gamal admits. "It's more where the performers shop. So.. things like you saw in the dressing room."
"Is it where you got yours?" Nicora asks.
Gamal nods, and flutter-jingles his wings a bit.
"That could be interesting," Tulani admits. "And inexpensive."
"Could be fun and should be affordable, then," Nicora agrees. She siddles up to Gamal and drapes one of her wings around his shoulder. "I expect you to help decorate me," she teases him, then licks his cheek.
"What would my mistresses like to look at first?" Gamal asks, making a big show of being a servant to the two women.
"Hmm," Nicora muses and rubs her chin thoughtfully. "We could see about decorating Tulani," she offers. "How brave are you feeling, Tulani?" she asks her sphynx friend.
"Well, it's early yet and I haven't been drinking," the Sphynx notes, her eyes glittering. "It'd take a lot of shiny stuff I think.."
"Can her wings handle decorations like ours can?" Nicora asks Gamal. "I'm thinking we should make Tulani look like the perfect little harem-sphynx..."
"Well, there are feather-painters somewhere," Gamal says as looks into the marketplace. "Dancers with weathers are rare, outside the Emir's Court."
"I like my feathers!" Tulani retorts, wrapping her white wings around herself like a shawl.
"I'm thinking you in a winkini again, with jewels on each finger and toe, one in your navel, and maybe a gauzy veil over your muzzle ... to preserve your modesty of course," Nicora says with a completely straight face.
"And those nearly transparent pants?" Tulani asks.
"You have to have the pants," Gamal claims.
"Well, either that or none at all," Nicora suggests, straight-faced.
"I know what Lady Tulani might like," Gamal says, and points to a shop a few doors down. "The Elegant Bosom!"
Nicora's ears perk. "Oh? What do they sell?" she asks as she tries to encourage the pair to head in that direction.
The Sphynx lets out a sigh, and says, "Well.. must start somewhere." She follows the other two.
"If you keep frowning you'll get wrinkles," Nicora quips to Tulani.
"Well.. intricate things.." Gamal says, mysteriously.
"Sounds exciting to me, lets go!" Nicora declares.
Once inside the shop, they are faced with.. plaster busts. Headless and armless, they serve as displays for the shop's actual wares: cascading, woven necklaces. They are made of beads, mostly glass of course.. but the variety is astonishing. There are hanging arcs and nets and even more complicated meshes, all designed to hang from the neck and cover (well, obscure) the chest.
Nicora blinks a few times. "I think these are designed to be worn while topless," she admits as she starts going through the odd collection piece by piece. "And wow, some of these remind me of things I saw worn in Babel," she adds. She holds up that particular one, make of intricate small chains and strategic ... clamps? Ouch.
Tulani is drawn to one that looks like a scarf, except that it's made of beads. Two wide, patterned bands hang down, connected by several colorful arcs at the bottom.
Nicora leans a bit to the side to see what Tulani is looking at. "That reminds of styles I heard Savanites wear," she suggests as she puts back the disturbingly painful-looking bit of jewelry. "Are you sure you want to hide your scar, though?" she asks after moving closer to Tulani to get a better look.
"I don't know," Tulani says, a bit dazzled by all the shiny stuff.
"It could be painted to show up more clearly," Gamal suggests.
"Well, do you want to be sparkly, or entice others, or what?" Nicora tries to get Tulani to clarify.
"Wait.. entice?" the Sphynx asks, breaking out of her trance. "You mean dress like this so others actually see me? I can't dance!"
"You can learn," Nicora points out.
"I bet Gamal would even try to teach you," Nicora adds.
Tulani blushes, and has to fold her ears back to hide it. "You're trying to make me into an exhibitionist," she claims. Still, she feels the hang-down beaded piece, since it's black-and-white with a chevron pattern. "I could always wear it over my regular flyer's blouse."
"What's wrong with showing yourself off if you look good?" Nicora prompts as she looks over Tulani's shoulder like an evil shoulder-bat. "You want to be seductive and entice people, right?"
"I guess there's some fun and.. power.. in that," Tulani admits, then turns her head to look at Nicora. "But what do you do once you have them hooked, hmmm?"
"I would never run after performing an enticing dance for you, Lady Tulani," Gamal swears.
"I'm not any older than you.. enough with the 'Lady Tulani' stuff okay?" the Sphynx says, and gives Gamal a playful punch on the shoulder.
"Whatever you want," Nicora notes. "Have them serve you is one possibility. Linger and enjoy them in any way you want is another. You could even have them rub your feet or ... sweep your bedroom."
Tulani goes through various expressions, from curiosity to confusion. "That seems like taking advantage though," she says. "Seducing people doesn't seem like the way to find Mr. Right."
"It's about having fun more than finding the right person," Nicora points out. "The right person doesn't require seduction."
"Well, I still feel funny about just having fun," Tulani points out, then shakes her head. "I don't know what happened on the beach! It was that Savanite at the spa getting me all worked up I bet.."
spoof "How can you, a sailor, feel funny about having fun?" Nicora asks and takes her turn to lightly punch Tulani's shoulder. "And don't blame the Savanite for just doing his job."
"What happened to get you worked up?" Gamal asks innocently.
"I have no idea. Tulani?" Nicora asks, avoiding that obvious trap.
"Hey, I can have sailor fun just fine," Tulani retorts, but doesn't punch back. "Drinking and singing and such.. only occasionally waking up with some stranger. And it was this massage that.." She recovers in time to stop there. "You just make with the sexy dancing, and we'll see how it goes from there," she tells the Eeee lad.
"I have never woken up with a stranger," Nicora says proudly. "I know everyone I've been with. Now, are you going to buy that, or want to keep looking?"
"There isn't a price tag," Tulani notes with a grin, and takes it over to the saleswoman - a sandy-colored Khatta wearing an outfit entirely made of beads (and bits of cloth for modesty).
"She smiled," Gamal says to Nicora. "She likes to haggle then?"
"Yes, yes she does," Nicora admits as she watches Tulani out of the corner of her eye. "She likes challenges and competitions."
"Will you be getting the one with the clamps then?" Gamal asks with a big grin.
"Uh, no? It looks very painful," Nicora admits.
"Only if applied improperly," Gamal claims. "I have worn such things."
Nicora's brow goes up at that. "Are you encouraging me to buy it?" she asks the other Eeee.
"And how would you wear it, you don't have, well ... " Nicora asks, then points to her chest for emphasis.
"I don't have the volume, but I still have the necessary anchors," Gamal points out.
Nicora considers. "You want me to get it, don't you?" she asks.
"Think of how it would compliment your star-mark," Gamal says, holding the piece up to Nicora's chest. "Like it was being carried through the night on a boat carved from the Procession."
Nicora chuckles and rubs the bridge of her muzzle. "Are you going to show me how to wear it?" she teases the other Eeee.
"I would be happy to attach it for you," Gamal claims. "And there are things you can do to ease the discomfort beforehand.."
"There are, are there? Dear boy, are you suggesting to nurse on me?" Nicora asks, amused as well as feeling a little flattered.
"Well, if you'd rather do it that way.." Gamal says, only to be interrupted when Tulani returns. "Are you getting that thing?" Tulani asks, pointing to the piece in Gamal's hands.
"Considering it. Why, do you want it?" Nicora asks Tulani.
"No.. but if you were going to get it then there's no rule that says we can't borrow from one another, right?" the Sphynx replies with a catty grin.
"Well, that just encourages me to get it, you know. Gamal was going to show me how to wear it," Nicora notes. The Eeee reaches over and collects the odd bit of jewelry. "Time for me to go haggle, it seems..."
Gamal practically drags the girls to the ear-clip aisle, where the classic Abu-Dhabi multi-clip chains are found, the number of clips depending on the size of the wearer's ear. "You both must get one of these, to draw more attention to your lovely ears," he claims.
"We must, must we? My ears are built for it ... but Tulani's is not," Nicora points out, "But I assume it can link from her ear to her nose..."
"Nothing is clipping to my nose.." Tulani insists.
"Why not?" Nicora asks.
"Ah, but there are these..." Gamal says, holding up two clips connected by a long chain, meant to hang below the jaw. The clips even have bells on them. "See? For short ears, and they jingle when you twitch them!"
"I have a sensitive nose is all," the Sphynx claims, looking at the silver chain and clips Gamal holds.
Nicora smiles, amused by the lack of Sailor Tulani's adventurous spirit. "I suppose that would work for Tulani," she agrees as she leans over to get a look at the clip too.
"You can connect it to a necklace or veil as well," Gamal says, acting the salesman.
"Tulani definitely needs a veil," Nicora says as she nods sagely. "It will improve our chances to sell her to a harem..."
"Hey!" the cat says, and pokes Nicora in the shoulder. "If anyone is harem material, it's you.." she points out.
"Now now, you can both be in my harem," Gamal offers with a big grin.
"Me? How am I harem material?" Nicora asks, grinning in an almost feline way.
"You've got more.. experience," Tulani says, waggling her eyebrows.
"I can fix that too," Gamal offers.
"Ah, so you're saying I'm better," Nicora remarks, her smile widening. "I'm certain Gamal will appreciate my skill..."
"You are incorrigible," Tulani says, crossing her arms. "And the only other person I've ever used that word for is Arkold."
"That's why you like me," Nicora claims and crosses her arms as well. "And besides, you're supposed to have some fun on a trip. You should get the chain; experiment, have fun!"
"Fiiine," Tulani relents, and tries on the clips. She jingles the bells by twitching her ears. "What are you gonna get?"
"I'm not sure. I figured I would let Gamal make suggestions," Nicora claims as she peers at the piles of chains and other baubles.
"Well," Gamal says, holding up some three-clip chains meant for Lapi. "Glass, chitin or metal bells and baubles?"
"Hm. It would depend on the type of metal," Nicora admits, "What are they made from?"
"Well, generally iron with gold or silver plating," Gamal notes. "It's not like you'd be allergic to iron, right?" he jokes.
"Eh... Chitin or glass," Nicora decides without answering that joke directly. "Probably chitin, harder to damage than glass."
"What color.. hmmm," the Eeee lad ponders, and starts looking. "Green? No. Red? Hmmm. Gold or silver paint?"
"Probably silver; it fits my coloration," Nicora says, "And there is nothing wrong with green or red, but I'm not sure it would look good on me."
"I can't find.. ah-ha!" Gamal points to a set being held by a black-furred Lapi doe. "Hand those over!" he declares, causing the rabbit to turn and stare wide-eyed at him.
Nicora blinks a few times. "Ah, you don't have to take them from another person," she quickly says. To the doe she adds, "I'm sorry. Ma'am. Our servant is a bit ... enthusiastic." She does try to get a look at what she's holding, though.
The clips the doe holds really would work well. There's a natural, organic look to the clips, and the chain-links aren't rings, but scales. The natural contours of the chitin make them seem liquid. The doe seems at a loss for words.
Nicora holds out her hand. "May I see those?" she asks the doe politely.
"Oh.. certainly," the doe says, handing over the pair of clips.
They'd really go well, ironically, with Nicora's shadow-hand in its naked state.
Nicora lifts the clips up to her left ear and gingerly attached each one in turn, trying to see how much they pinch and how they feel overall.
Gamal gamely adjusts the clip placement after Nicora tries it on. "There, now look," he says, gesturing to a mirror.
Nicora slinks her way over to a mirror, dodging several customers in the process. She places her right hand on her hip and cocks them slightly to the side. Her head tilts to the right and she tosses her hair back, making sure her entire left ear is completely visible.
The chain hangs close to the edge of the ear, and looks a bit like a stream of water in the light.
"Okay, I must admit that I like this," Nicora admits, smiling. Still, she looks to the doe. "Do you mind if I purchase this?" she asks. "If you wanted it, its yours. You held it first."
The doe just hands over the other piece with a timid smile. "I was only looking," she says quietly.
Nicora accepts the mated piece from the doe, then bows deeply to her. "Thank you, kind Lady," she tells the doe and smiles. The other one is now affixed to her right ear carefully, then she waggles her ears and feels the chains sway. "Well, I think these work very nicely."
"They don't have bells though," Gamal says, sounding disappointed.
"Don't worry, Nicora makes plenty of noise without them," Tulani points out with a grin.
"Who said I had to stop with the chains? I could get some anklets," Nicora says ... right before she elbows Tulani for that comment!
The Sphynx oofs, and suggests, "How about some big bells for your 'pockets'?" More waggling, this time with ringing since she's got bells on her ears.
Nicora pokes Tulani again. "Oh ... hush you!"
"Anklets and bracelets are the next aisle over!" Gamal says. "They even have piercings here.. wait, what pockets?"
"Piercings?" Nicora asks. She then answers Gamal's question by taking his right hand and placing it gently between her breasts. She nudges one of his fingers gently and demonstrates the pockets to him by slipping his fingers inside.
"Wow.. I didn't know girls had these.." the Eeee whispers in wonder, then looks Nicora in the eyes. "I bet it's a big secret though, right?"
"Most don't. I'm ... special," Nicora claims as she gingerly extracts Gamal's hand.
"What about.." he starts to ask, and reaches down to pat Nicora's behind.
"You might want to check Tulani for them later," Nicora adds. She jumps forward from the other Eeee's patting. "No, I don't have anything there!"
"I wouldn't say that," Tulani says, and sneaks in a pinch! "You've been eating pretty well lately.."
Nicora rolls her eyes. "You should show Tulani the piercings. She did want a naval ring," the Eeee claims.
Gamal patiently (and attentively) waits to see if a groping competition between the two breaks out.
Nicora's response to the pinch is to flick Tulani's nose.
The hybrid squeaks and covers her nose with her hands.
"Maybe you should kiss and make up?" Gamal suggests gamely.
Nicora actually leans over and kisses Tulani. On the lips, even. "Now we expect you to kiss one of the other male dancers back at the estate," she tells Gamal, straight-faced afterward.
"I'm the only one though," Gamal claims, and then leads them to where the bracelets and anklets (and tail-lets?) are.
"You shouldn't encourage him like that," Tulani says, rolling her eyes after the kiss.
"I bet you're afraid to kiss another guy, anyway," Nicora claims as she follows after the Eeee.
There isn't a huge variety in the bracelets and anklets, as far as the actual open circles are concerned - but there is a wide choice of accessories. Bells which produce different notes, tubular chimes, and even tambourine cymbals. All in glass, metal, chitin - and a few intricately hand-carved wooden pieces as well.
Nicora ends up selecting two anklets with small chitin bells that produce light and cheery tones. "There, I think these will be fine for me," she says.
After looking and trying different styles, Tulani goes for bracelets with tubular chimes instead. Maybe because they were shinier, and had finger rings with attached chains as well.
"Oh look, now you hand can look as odd as mine sometimes does," Nicora teases the sphynx, then hip-bumps her.
"Do you want belly chains or naval gems?" Gamal asks next.
"I do," Nicora says and holds up one of her fingers. "And Tulani does too."
"I do?" Tulani asks. "Oh, a belly-chain.. that's just a chain that goes around like a belt isn't it?"
"I think so," Nicora says and looks to Gamal for clarification.
"Yes, unless you connect it to the naval piece of course," Gamal explains.
"What kind of naval pieces can it connect to?" Nicora asks.
"Well.." Gamal says, as he takes them to the appropriate aisle. "This sort!" He holds up a naval gem with little arms, like a star, ending in loops. The back of it is a disturbingly jagged-looking spike.
"I don't care for the look of that spike," Tulani notes immediately.
"How does that stay in the navel?" Nicora still asks as she eyes the gem warily.
"Wax," Gamal says, and taps the spike. "You stick a big glob on the spike, then push it into your belly button. Your body heat will deform it to fit."
"Oh! That doesn't seem so bad. I think I would like to try it," Nicora says, smiling. "Sounds like it comes out easy too."
"It's meant to stay in through various undulations, but it comes out with a good tug usually," the Eeee lad notes. "What sort of stones would you both like?"
"Hm, "Something blood red or dark green," Nicora suggests.
"White or clear for me, I suppose.." Tulani says, although she's looking at an amethyst one when she says it.
"I think she would prefer the amethyst," Nicora suggests, catching what the sphynx is looking at.
"Hmmm," Gamal says, looking critically. He takes the gem and holds it, then asks Tulani to lift her shirt up to see how it would really look.
With a sigh, the Sphynx tugs it up to expose some black-furred belly.
Nicora looks through the gems and ends up selecting a dark green one. She holds up her own shirt and compares the gem against her fur. "Reminds me of Phlagea a bit," she thinks as she peers.
"What do you think?" Gamal asks Nicora, holding the amethyst against Tulani's belly.
Nicora looks up, then over at Tulani. Her head tilts a bit. "I think I like it," she says, "It's different and adds a bit of color, but doesn't stand out so much as to be shocking."
"Alright, amethyst it is then," the Sphynx says, and buts her shirt back in order.
"How does this look on me?" Nicora asks and holds the dark green gem against her naval for the others to see.
"Exotic," Gamal proclaims.
"You'll have to help us put them in, then," Nicora says as she hands the green gem to Gamal.
"It does give you some much-needed color," Tulani notes. "It would draw attention, I think."
"Well, then I think it's settled, we're both getting gems to stuff into our navels," Nicora declares, grinning and waggling her brow at tulani.
"And belly-chains, don't forget," Tulani points out.
"I haven't," Nicora says.
The chains are like the bracelets, in that they have a variety of bells and chimes, or a mix in some cases. There's isn't one that would match Nicora's ear-clips, but some are wide or double-braided.
Nicora takes longer to sort through the chains. She ends up selecting one that's a double-braid that has small bells dangling from it every three inches. "I think this one will work," she tells the others as she coils up the chain and offers it to Gamal.
The bat reaches around Nicora's hips, then attaches the belt in front (although it could also clip to her naval decoration once it's in, he explains).
"I think I'll stick to simple," Tulani says, trying on a silver single-chain with chimes to match her bracelets.
Nicora shimmies her hips from side to side, making the bells jingle. She grins at the sounds and oddly finds herself feeling like one of the Radovah sisters now. "How hard is it to put the gem in?" she asks Gamal, "And ... does it hurt to wear? I imagine it does some stretching if it's designed to stay in through movement."
"I have worn them, and you do not notice once the wax becomes gummy," Gamal says. "Or.. you could use gum or sap, but that does not keep as well. Piercing is of course an alternative, but few dancers seem to go with that."
"Did you?" Nicora asks, then actually feels Gamal's stomach and navel.
The boy giggles as if ticklish. "No, I did not. The flexing of certain dances can cause issues with a piercing, making it pinch or stick out."
Nicora pinches the younger Eeee, then withdraws her hand. "I will stick with wax," she decides.
"Good choice, for both of us," Tulani says. After all, transforming with a piercing there could be awkward.
Nicora rubs her hands together. "Is there anything else you wanted to ply us with?" she asks the younger Eeee.
"Did you want to look at wing piercings?" Gamal asks.
Nicora considers this. "Yes, I would," she decides.
Gamal leads them into a curtained off area that inside the house section of the shop, and introduces them to Hayfa, and Eeee girl with extensive embedded jewelry, including rings in her left eyebrow, a ring through her right nostril, and stud below her lower lip. One ear has loops and rings, and the other studs and bands. Even her wings sport bands around the fingers and rings at the tips. "What is it you are interested in, my lady?" she asks politely of Nicora.
"Elegant decoration," Nicora explains. "Something that I can remove easily when needed, and wear without discomfort. She reaches up and taps at her pierced ears, noting, "I already have these, but I was considering some wing decorations." She flutters her wings for emphasis. "I am open to your suggestions as well as the suggestions from my young servant."
"Only rings are removable," Hayfa claims, and brings up one of her own wings, tapping a chitin ring carved into the likeness of a serpent biting its own tail. "Best near the tips, as the vane connection is thinner and slower to heal than the thicker areas near the knuckles."
Nicora nods at this. She reaches out and lightly takes hold of the other Eeee's wing to examine the ring. "Then I would like a few of these in my wings," she tells Hayfa as her hand lets go. "I like the serpent style yours bears, but do you have anything more draconic? Or perhaps more organic-looking?"
"I've also considered a nose ring a few times," Nicora admits, "But it may not go well with my features."
"Not in stock," the Eeee claims. "I can ask my supplier though. The rings have to be made with a latch in order to insert and remove them, so I have a special craftsman make them."
"Ah, so if I bought anything it would take some time to get?" Nicora asks, frowning slightly. She won't be in town that long to her knowledge.
"He may already have some, for his Imperial clients," Hayfa notes. "Come back tomorrow and I will have them or not."
"All right. If you have them, then I will be hiring you for some wing work tomorrow," Nicora agrees and dips her head once. "Thank you."
Next on the stop was the Pantaloon Palace, which unsurprisingly supplied pants (and a small selection of matching tops) of a distinctly harem-like nature. There were panties with gauze legs, pants that were entirely gauze or Zolk, various panties and shorts to be worn over them with matching vests, and a wide array of decorative styles.
"I think both of you should get just the pantaloons," Gamal suggests. "You are dark-furred, so they will preserve your treasures, and you will be topless anyway so extra layers would not be unnecessary."
"I'm brave enough to wear some of this," Nicora remarks to Tulani, "Now, are you? Or are you ready to concede defeat now?" The Eeee winks to her sphynx friend, then goes to look at the gauze panties with legs.
"I concede nothing," Tulani claims, and looks as well. "I wore those leather pants, remember?"
"Oh, we'll be topless, will we? You sseem to have a specific look in mind you want us to wear," Nicora remarks to Gamal, cocking her hips slightly to the side as she looks to him. "I'll wear whatever you want," she offers to the Eeee.
"Really?" Gamal asks. "Then we hardly need the pants.."
"I have to wear something," Nicora points out, "So there is the fun of removing it." She even reaches over and lightly pinches the Eeee's nose.
"Meep!" Gamal squeaks, and rubs his nose with a grin. "Perhaps something with sequins, in transparent green to match your stone?" he suggests next.
"Maybe shiny black with sparklies," Tulani murmurs as she looks through the selections.
Aside from the Kavi-specific sizes, there's a general 'one size fits all' approach in the pantaloons, since they use draw-strings at the waist and ankles, and are meant to be baggy in the first place.
Nicora curls her fingers under Gamal's chin. "Mmm, I think I like that suggestion. I guess you like green too," she teases him, then licks his nose next. She slinks off, hips swaying in her wake to go look at the translucent pants for something green, gauzey, with some sparkly bits.
Every color of the rainbow is available in gauze.. but finding the right match of sequins or metallic Zolken thread is harder. Those that use the shiny thread include embroidered patterns as well, often abstract or looking like the scrollwork found on Himaatian rugs.
Nicora hmms. She spends considerable time looking for translucent pantaloons without too much decoration aside from some sequin trimming. "I have become terrible," she thinks to herself as she looks. "I'm actively flirting with a younger guy."
Pants don't cinch around the waist at all, but hang like loose stockings from a belt or chain.
Nicora finds a pair of pants designed to hook to a belly-chain and dangle that only cover her legs. They're translucent, emerald green, with a stripe of sequins around the upper edges. "Will these work?" she asks Gamal and holds them up for him to see. Even as she says that, she thinks to herself, "Inala, you've turned me into a wanton fiend of an Eeee."
"Oh yes! Those are my favorite sort," Gamal says, probably since they cover only the legs.
"Then I believe I have found my pants," Nicora claims, grinning.
"Look, I found a skirt," Tulani says, holding a gauzy wrap-around piece around her hips.
"Not as daring as my choice, but still pretty," Nicora says approvingly.
"You could wear a loincloth at least," Tulani notes, and points to a selection of them, mostly long with tasseled ends.
"Should I?" Nicora asks of Gamal as she heads over to the selection to look.
A Zerda models a selection of pieces, including a vest and matching shorts, while a Lapi has a v-shaped belt with pants attached, along with belled ties that cinch them at the knees as well as the ankles.
"Well.." Gamal waffles. "They do provide a nice contrast, and make spinning moves more dynamic," he admits.
Tulani points out the gauze arm covers, that mimic the pants.
"Then I will," Nicora agrees as she goes through the selection to pair with her pants. She a loincloth of the same color as the pants, complete with the tassels. After finding one that would nicely drape on her hips, she goes to the arm-coverings. These she looks at for a bit too, then selects ones that pair up well with her choice for the lower. As for a vest, she skips that part since she has the 'necklace' to show off from the other place.
Tulani also gets leggings and sleeves, but mismatched: a black leg and a white one, and the same for the sleeves. She looks through the loincloth selection for something to match her amethyst.
"Enjoying yourself?" Nicora asks Gamal idly as Tulani looks for her coverings.
"It's all about being creative," Tulani claims, and finds an amber colored loincloth with silver tassels. "Or do you still want to compete somehow?" she asks coyly.
"I know I don't need to. I'm amazing already," Nicora claims as she continues to smile lightly. It's almost a Mave-like smile, really.
"Oh, so not going to challenge me to see who could seduce the Ki'rin without using scales, hmm?" Tulani teases.
"Hands off the Ki'rin, he belongs to me," Nicora replies as she tries to maintain that smile.
"Well, there's no challenge in Gamal," Tulani notes, and pats the Eeee in question on his head. "I'd win for sure."
"Is that true?" Nicora asks Gamal, her head tilted.
"I.. uh.. don't understand the rules?" Gamal claims, looking cornered. "I'd take you both on at the same time!"
Nicora laughs a bit at that. "Have you found everything you want here, Tulani?" she asks, "I think I am done."
"I'm not sure if want one of those headpieces," the Sphynx replies, pointing to a scaled piece worn by the Lapi. It might even be made from actual Naga scales.
"Oh, I would, or something that wraps lightly around my muzzle," Nicora decides and heads towards the headress'.
There are veils, tiaras and chain-hung ornaments, all with different shapes for different heads. The Lapi ones are made to hook around the bases of the ears, for example, but the hooks are too narrow for Eeee ears. Others just tie around the head like a bandana, or clip directly to the fur or hair.
Nicora has to look for quite a bit to find one that matches the rest of her attire, but she somehow does, a green one that ties behind her head and drapes over her muzzle, the veil part hanging a couple inches below her shin. The fringe is lined with sparkly green. It also has a second part; a connecting set of criss-crossing sparkly straps that snake through the wearers hair and drape down between her ears and then frame out her face as it flows down her cheeks.
"I'll stick with what I have," Tulani decides after looking at the face and head decorations. "My white slash is distinctive enough."
"Agreed," Nicora says as she takes her purchases up to one of the attendants to actually pay for them. "I wonder if being around Gamal is what is making me so bad. I feel this constant small tingle," she wonders.
After everything has been purchased, Gamal immediately asks, "So, ready to head back to the villa and try them on?"
"Will you help me fit the gem and necklace?" Nicora asks the other Eeee, "If so, I'm ready to head back."
"I'll personally help each of you into your costumes," Gamal pledges. "Just like I do for Lina and Rana!"
"And out of them later?" Nicora asks Gamal as she traces a claw on the underside of his chin, drawing it away with a flick. "I'm looking forward to seeing how I look in everything we bought. I am sure I will have a new mental image of myself afterwards," she adds. Of course she also can't help but think, "Yes, I'm a wanton Inala-blessed Eeee who can't resist any cute male. And ... i can't even get mad about it! Argh."