It's difficult for an Eeee to keep track of time underground - especially when sleep was sporadic at best, between bouts of intensive (and intimate) activities. It wasn't until Mordecai announced that it was time for him to get some sleep that Nicora realized it must be daytime again. Since her appointment with Rikat wasn't until after lunch, however, she had time to visit the bathhouse again with Tulani and clean up, as well as planning a course of action.
"So, when you're with him, want me to stand guard outside the door?" the Sphynx asks while the pair towel off.
"That is probably a good idea. I have no idea how long this will take, what he'll do, or if it will become violent," Nicora remarks as she goes about drying her wings off. "It's not likely given his belief in his position, but you never know for sure. I'll have to be careful in what I say too, so as to not give too much away about us, either."
"He thinks you're a Yodhsunala at least," Tulani notes. "Of course.. uh.. that could be good or bad? I doubt he'd have been sent into exile here if associating with Yodhsunalas was something to be encouraged."
"It would likely be good from his perspective if he actually believes he is what he claimed. I could present his case back in Babel and have them rally behind him, or other such nonsense," Nicora answers and shakes her wings out. She works on toweling her front off, which means being careful around her chest to avoid snagging anything. "I don't think he's in exile, but in hiding here under the 'auspices' of one of the competing powers."
"The General.. I'm not that familiar with Babel politics I guess," the Sphynx claims as she starts to dress. "Some sort of warlord or rebel leader?"
"Former leader of their military, actually," Nicora explains, "Supporter of the aristocracy. I've seen him at distance before. Or maybe it's a her. It's hard to tell when someone is in armor and a hundred feet away. He fled in an airship with several others in tow into the forbidden zone north of Babel when the last attack came to the city. That was over a year ago, though. I have no idea what has happened since then."
"Sounds like he's still active, or planning something," Tulani says with a nod. "Not someone we really want to be associated with I gather."
"Not if it can be avoided," Nicora says, "I doubt our plans completely align, after all. But ... if we meet him, I'll let you sleep with him and learn his secrets."
"Uhhhh, you're kidding right?" Tulani asks, one eyebrow raised..
"You're supposed to be the well trained spy," Nicora points out with a grin ... while she rotates bits of jewelry to help the healing process.
"Seducing megalomaniacs is the advanced course," Tulani claims, holding her tail up in an arc.
"Oh, well ... if you're saying you're not capable ... I understand," Nicora says and waves her wings. She even leans over and kisses Tulani's cheek, "I still like you even with that." She winks, then goes about the arduous task of getting dressed.
"Now, seducing Rikat wouldn't be hard," Tulani teases, as she fastens her sword-belt. "He's pretty cute."
"Bah, he's nothing special. A mere shade of the original," Nicora remarks a bit dryly as she slips her dagger back in its sheath at her side. "And if he hits on me, it will be difficult to not smite him."
"Heh, did you flirt with the Yodhsunala when you were staying at the temple.. and they knew you were the Barsunala?" Tulani asks.
"Are you crazy? They would have killed me. Well, not killed .. but it wouldn't have been pleasant. I didn't flirt with anyone in Babel, actually," Nicora notes.
"Okay, so he probably won't flirt with you," Tulani says. "Unless he was raised by lizards or something."
"He was raised by Thath and various servants," Nicora notes, "And Thath had an eye for young women. At least he seemed to with the Yodhinala that was on his arm at the party."
"Because having a Yodhinala on your arm is such a magnet for young women?" Tulani teases. "Maybe he was just hungry."
"Or just a dirty old man," Nicora remarks as she cinches her corset, then sighs and turns around to expose the lacing to Tulani. "Pull."
With a knee to Nicora's back, Tulani tugs on the laces. "So, will you turn into a dirty old man too then?" she asks.
"Of course not! I'm made of the purest intentions," Nicora answers as she braces herself and breathes deep a few times to get the corset fitted 'just so'.
"There, all tarted up!" Tulani says, and tucks Nicora's tail into her skirt. "They'll have that shadow-stuff up on the door, probably, so I won't be able to hear you from outside unless you shout or hit the door or something."
"I am not a tart, I'm a free woman," Nicora remarks in a huff, "And enjoying of my body. It's not a crime!" The attempt to look grouchy doesn't last long, though. "Well, hopefully it won't be needed. I'll be careful. Besides, I can protect myself," she adds as she heads for the door.
The walk to the warehouse in uneventful, and the door guard (not Gotrekis this time) lets them in and brings them to the central room. A Naga is there, looking at the women with suspicion (or just looking at them; something about a serpentine face just lends itself to looking suspicious, after all). "You haVe an appointMent with the Prinsssse, Yodhsunala Nicora," he hisses. "He will ssssee you shortly."
"Good. It is not proper to keep a Yodhsunala waiting long," Nicora remarks as she folds her hands together before her stomach to stand there and wait. "Are you a mage in service to the Prince?" she asks the Naga.
"I am a mage in sssservice of the Guardians of the Tower," the Naga replies. He doesn't wear any of the usual mage accoutrements however; just a dark vest with lots of bulging pockets.
"Shadow or Mind?" Nicora asks, her right white brow arching slightly.
"Shadow," the snake says, sounding proud. He's probably responsible for the privacy shielding on the warehouse.
"You do good work," Nicora remarks as she nods, looking satisfied. "Is it true that there are actual living creatures made of such material? I have head some disturbing stories in my travels."
"Mythical demons of Shadow, perhapssss," the Naga replies, then asks, "Why do you asssk? Have you encountered sssome sssort of Shadow Entity?"
"Only in stories in some towns I have passed through," Nicora answers, "Great nebulous creatures that can devour anything. It is likely to be the product of drink as much as any form of magic. But, I had to ask."
"The Shadows of old," the Naga hisses, bobbing his head. "Not spiritsss or conjurations, but alien creatures. Many of the tails come from Nordika and Himar, which are notoriousssssly infested with evil creatures."
"Mmm. Now, while we are waiting ... what can you tell me of the Prince? I only know of him through second-hand information," Nicora says. "I prefer to separate fact from fanciful stories where possible, as you see."
"He isss the chosen heir to the legacy of the Ssabaoth," the snake notes, making the sign of the Sabaoth with one hand. "Everything will be back to normal once the General sssucceeds in placing him upon the throne."
"That is what he is, not who he is. Tell me of the person I will be meeting," Nicora requests flatly, though without any hint of irritation. "And do you believe he is who should rule Babel?"
"I do not know the Prince persssonally," the mage notes. "But hisss nobility isss obviousss. The General ressscued him, ssso he musst be important to the Guardians."
"Perhaps you should make a point of getting to know him," Nicora remarks. "As I must, if I am to report to the temple in Babel with any sort of accuracy. The veracity of who he is must be confirmed, after all."
The mage's tongue flicks out and vibrates, but all he says is, "We all have our duties to perform, Honored Yodhsunala." He bows deeply, and a thuggish-looking Eeee enters through one of the shadowed doorways. "Prince Rikat can see you now," he announces to Nicora, and gives Tulani a sidelong, suspicious glance.
"I will not enter the Prince's room, but must stand guard outside," Tulani informs the big Eeee, who seems mollified.
"We do," Nicora agrees. She turns from the Naga to now face the Eeee. "I am ready to see him," she tells the large Eeee. "Please, take me to him." The dark Eeee woman then steps forward to follow the guard.
Nicora and Tulani are led along a maze of halls and temporary-looking wall partitions, until they come to a nondescript door. The guard knocks, and the door opens a crack. The shadow-spell obscures things, but presumably whoever is inside can see out. A moment later the door opens completely, showing the silhouette of a male Eeee, who makes a 'come in' gesture.
"Stay vigilant," Nicora tells Tulani as she nods to her. She also nods once to the guard, her expression impassive. Without a deep breath or any outward signs of nervousness, she strides forward and through the open door.
The Sphynx salutes, and then Nicora is through the barrier and into Rikat's room. It doesn't look very princely; there's a narrow cot (the walls being too flimsy to support a proper sleeping perch), a second-hand table and some stools, and a makeshift bookcase with a pitiful collection of reading material. The only thing that looks new and sturdy is an ornate, Babel-styled wardrobe.
Rikat sits on the edge of his cot, wearing a high-collared white noble's shirt and leggings, which look out of place on him. But Nicora can see that he's probably lost some muscle tone since his days of being a replacement body.
"Yodhsunala Nicora, please make yourself comfortable," Rikat says, gesturing to a stool and sounding resigned.
"Good afternoon," Nicora says in a stern, but polite, tone. She makes a small circle of the room, taking the opportunity to look at the book shelf and titles before heading for the stool. There she sits and crosses her legs to remain proper. "Do you prefer to be addressed as Your Highness, Prince, Prince Rikat, or Rikat?" she asks as she folks her hands in her lap and eyes the eye with critical, silver, eyes.
"Just Rikat is fine," the man says. "I have no real title yet, after all. And I strive to be humble before the Kindly Ones." It sounds almost like he's reciting an oath from memory.
"Then you may call me Nicora, in deference to your humility and with respect to the possibility of your title," Nicora offers. "You understand that I must be skeptical of your claims. I am here to observe and what I learn I will report to the Temple in Babel. Now that you know my duty, will you be willing to tell me of yourself?"
"I.. I wasn't expecting someone like you," Rikat says, then tenses as if expecting to be hit. When nothing happens, he says, "Before I say more.. can you tell me who in the Temple you will be reporting to? Can you take a message to the Avatar herself?"
Nicora's stern expression barely changes; her brow arches at the man's flinching. "That would depend on the importance of my message," she claims, "The Avatar will only see to significant matters; not everyday concerns. As I am sure you can appreciate, none of Her daughters would dare disturb her with trivialities. Regardless, any message I deliver will reach her ears eventually when she is of the mood to hear it."
"I.. see.." Rikat mumbles, and adjusts the collar of his shirt. It makes him look like he has no neck. "And.. you aren't here to kill me, I assume, since.. you haven't tried yet. Or will that part of your testing?"
"Rikat, if I wished you dead, we would not be talking now as you would be dead," Nicora says simply and very matter-of-factly. "Your fear does you credit, it shows you respect us; but you need not fear us this much at the moment. Now, will you tell me of yourself? Do you believe yourself to be the Barsunala, or are you repeating what others say you are?"
The man freezes, and recites, "I am the Barsunala. I was born to Srinala, and taken from the Temple to be raised as the next host for the glorious Sabaoth, since my position affords me immunity from death. This will be.. this will be.. this will be proven beyond doubt when I t-take the throne of the Sabaoth, and usher in the golden era of Babel under the Kindly Ones.." He doesn't sound like he believes any of what he's saying, though. But has to say it.
Nicora eyes the Eeee for several quiet and uncomfortable minutes. "You don't believe a word of that," she says. "Nor do you wish to take the throne, do you?"
"I.. will prove my immortality on the throne," the man says with a haunted expression. "Nobody can fight destiny."
"And there you are wrong," Nicora says, "For did not the Kindly Ones fight destiny when they slew Bael and threw off their chains? They wrote their own destiny with that action." There's another minute of silence and she says, "Look into my eyes and tell me what you believe not what you have been told. I must know what is in your heart, not what are merely words that you assume I wish to hear."
"I.." Rikat says, leaning back away from Nicora. "I can't. You don't understand. But you can take a message to Sunala, if it's important?" he asks, as if making sure Nicora can do what she claims.
"If not directly to her, to the High Priestess Yodhsunala Sukara," Nicora answers. "What message do you wish me to take?"
Rikat takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, then says as quietly and quickly as he can, "Sunala is in danger! The General will usurp her, she's the Avatar of Di-" The rest is cut off as Rikat goes into convulsions and falls on sideways onto the cot. The collar of his shirt begins turning red on the left side, and Nicora can smell the blood.. and something else. A familiar odor, and one that is making the shadow in her hand itch and expose itself, the skin and fur peeling back like the tide.
"Hold still," Nicora practically hisses and gets up from her seat, in case he can somehow hear her. She doesn't ask, she walks over to to Rikat and there tries to pull his collar down enough she can place her right hand upon his neck. "Don't you dare die on me," she says, "I have not given you leave to do so."
There are four bleeding punctures at the base of Rikat's neck - made by vampire fangs. And the odor of something foul but familiar. And just like with the leftover miasma in Vorgulremik's cemetery lair, Nicora's right hand is hungry, sensing something it wants. Rikat thrashes, but also seems paralyzed so the motions aren't enough to keep Nicora at bay.
Nicora's right hand clamps over the puncture wounds and her brow furrows, her expression going dark ... and rather terrifying. "Feed on the corruption, but do not harm the boy," she tries to instruct the shadow. "He must be repaired."
Something connects, and Nicora can feel it, through the punctures. Tendrils, snaking in, and up, where they coil at the base of Rikat's skull. And they're resisting, but the shadow has a firm grip on them. It just needs some extra help drawing out its prey. And Nicora's tail won't stop squirming about and biting her.
Nicora knows this will hurt. She remembers how painful this was the last time she tried to do this ... but she tries. Her eyes snap closed and she focuses on her tail and the wraith; trying to link to it for long enough to extract this corruption.
There's pain alright. It burns up from the base of her spine, across her shoulder, and down into her right arm. When it hits the transition between flesh and shadow, it's sticking her hand into boiling water. The muscles contract, her arm moves.. and the ropy strands of shadow-flesh are drawn out of Rikat's neck as her hand pulls, only to reform into a small, pulsating mass in her palm. There's a moment more of burning, as the Shadow tries to devour the black heart before the Barsunala can destroy it.. and loses. The lump of not-flesh boils away into black vapor.
Nicora jerks her hand back, jaws clenched and fangs bared from the fire that rips through her arm. Her arm shakes, her wings shake, she shakes. "Thank you, now please back to sleep. We must maintain our strength to protect Sunala, she tries to encourage the Wraith to withdraw as she staggers. She ends up stumbling backwards and grabs onto her right hand. "Go rot, Dipath," she hisses at her own hand as the black mass burns away. "You are known to me."
The Barsunala is not keen to return to its appendage, and Nicora can feel it try to change her back into Alptraum.. but it also seems exhausted. It does retreat to the tail again, but gets in a parting vow of "You will be mine, Nicora.." before the pain subsides. Now it's just the shadow itself that feels frustrated.
Nicora tries to force her hand to return to normal and then she'll go heal those punctures on Rikat's neck. "Dipath ... so my silly guess back then was accurate. The symbology of the leaving," she thinks.
Rikat's wounds at least have stopped oozing, and his twitching has stopped, although he's hyperventilating up a storm, and if not for the sound-dampening wards it'd be noticeable through the thin walls.
Nicora's hand comes down over the wounds and she tries to use the shadow to get them to close at least some. "Calm yourself. It is unbecoming of a Prince," she claims, trying to sound calm and collected (which she is anything but inside).
The shadow seems unwilling at first, but does extend to heal the wounds. Not without first teasing that it was going to either ken or devour Rikat however.
Nicora ends up scowling as she forces the shadow to behave and just heal the wound. When she feels the wounds are closed enough she pulls her hand away before the shadow can actually try to eat him.
Rikat moans and opens his eyes, which go wide as he's just in time to catch Nicora's skin and fur growing back over the shadow-hand.
"Yes?" Nicora asks Rikat as she shakes out her right hand to possibly obscure it, or because it feels a mess. "You are fortunate to have survived the bite of Dipath and the infection she left in you."
"The curse.. is gone?" Rikat asks, rubbing at his neck. "I can die now, and stay dead, and not be damned?"
"Yes, but you are awfully young to die," Nicora remarks as she takes her seat upon the stool again. "And Sunala is patient. You should never go before it is your proper time. Were it your proper time, you would have died from the extraction."
"The General was going to kill me, in front of the nobles," Rikat says, sounding dazed. "And then.. I'd rise up as an.. undead.."
"A clever ploy and one I will not allow come to pass," Nicora says. "When did he plan to do this?"
"After Thath and his supporters were defeated," Rikat babbles. "Then, I'd be her servant.. her puppet. I was to overthrow Sunala, as She overthrew Bael. With control of the preparation of the dead, the General would be able to create a new army of the undead."
"That will not come to pass," Nicora says, "The temple and an ally of mine can see to it. Perhaps even to your safety. But, now is not the proper time. Can you still pretend to be cursed?"
The man pulls himself upright, and nods. "That isn't hard," he admits, and glances at the door. "I don't know if anyone else here is.. under control. I don't think she - the General is a she - can curse everyone. But she's.. There's no word for it in our language!" Rikat then twists his lips, and spits out a foreign term - to anyone not familiar with Sylvanian: "Nosferatu."
"Good, then you will need to pretend to still be one of them until I can speak to Sunala directly and with luck ... someone you may remember, an Eeee named Alptraum. Yes, I know him," Nicora says as she taps her claws together. "Do you remember how you were cursed?"
"It was during one of the raids on the Coalition Tower," Rikat mumbles. "I fought, but.. they captured my moth.. the woman who raised me. I think I was drugged or knocked out then. I woke up in some old ruins, I think. The sky was angry. The General appeared and told me I had a special place in her plans, and.. she drank my blood!. I couldn't do anything to resist. It was like there was a heavy blanket over me, the air itself seemed like molasses."
"Mm. Disturbing, but I believe I understand exactly what she did. You were likely in the Forbidden zone north of Babel. It is where the General fled once," Nicora explains calmly as she interlaces her fingers to keep her claws from tapping further. "Understand I can make no promises of your safety, only that I will try to help. And before you ask my why a Yodhsunala would care, I have my reasons."
"You destroy the undead, all of the Yodhsunala do," Rikat notes. "They are an abomination unto Sunala, a theft. That's why the General wants to unseat Sunala. She claims to be Diphath reborn. How can there be an undead vampire in Babel? It.. doesn't seem possible."
"I have traveled the world. Anything is possible," Nicora claims, "Shadows conceal and darkness breeds. It is the duty of all to destroy it before it corrupts all. It may be Dipthath, or it may be a demon claiming to be Dipthath ... such as one known as Amenlichtli - the demon that rended Sylvania and gave birth to the accursed Aztepa. An abomination and enemy of my Mistress."
"Did Thath know?" Rikat mutters. "He's hobbled Babel to get the support of Rephidim and the Mages. Without the Yodhgorphat, there are no plaque weapons for the Plaguebringers. Without the Yodhzakaro.. well, without them I suppose fewer buildings will collapse. He didn't go after the Yodhsunala or Yodhrephath though.. the Yodhbarada went underground before they could be attacked, so.. maybe he was going to attack them.."
"You enter into a realm of conjecture. I do not know," Nicora says and even shrugs slightly at that. "Now, can you answer my original question ... what do you want? Do you desire to rule Babel?"
"I just want to escape," Rikat says with a sigh. "All my life, I've just been.. used. No matter how I tried to rebel or cause trouble, it never came to anything. I was just put on a shorter leash. But.. I can't just leave Mariamara or Thath behind, they're the only family I have. So I can't just disappear, either."
"Not the only," Nicora remarks. "But right now you just need to keep the ruse up. I will contact you after I have spoken with the Avatar of Sunala and a plan is decided upon."
"How? I'm still a prisoner here," Rikat notes. "I don't know what's going to happen once the General finds out a Yodhsunala even showed up here."
"I have my ways," Nicora says and even smiles briefly and mysteriously. "Do you know if any of the guards like to frequent any bars?"
"I don't know," Rikat admits. "Gotrekis bar Kesekis is in charge, and the only one that I know leaves the warehouse regularly. I think he also brings in all our food. Do soldiers go to bars?"
"Some do, yes. I will think on this. I should be in town a day or two more, but I have some ideas," Nicora says, "And now I must ask you to do something difficult."
"I.. I owe you much," Rikat says, and sits up straight. "What would you have me do?"
Nicora rises to her feet, chin held high and features tern and impassive. "You will have to trust me," she says. "And should you wish to speak to me in the next few days, you can contact me through Yodhinala Mave."
"If you cannot trust in death, what can you trust in?" Rikat quips, with a bit of a forced smile. "Your eyes.." he starts to say, then thinks better of asking a Yodhsunala exorcist personal questions.
"You may ask," Nicora prompts.
"Who are your parents?" Rikat asks. "Are they from the Temple as well?"
"In a sense," Nicora answers vaguely. "Why do you ask?"
"I've only seem myself and one other with silver eyes," Rikat notes.
"Your ... elder brother," Nicora claims. "I know him; he saved my life once, but it left me ... scarred." She gestures to her eyes.
"The Barsunala brought you back to life?" Rikat asks, looking.. terrified? Then again, given what was going to happen to him as part of 'being brought back to life' he's probably not terrified of Nicora per se..
"He ... wouldn't permit me to die, you could say. He is a strange man. Kind hearted. But ... who can truly understand those who have been touched?" Nicora suggests and shrugs.
"I'm just glad that I can die now, and that my soul will go to Sunala like it's supposed to," Rikat says with relief. "What about your.. friend? The cat with wings? Do you really need a bodyguard?"
"She is who she is. It is not for me to speak of her," Nicora notes, "Why, do you wish to speak to her?"
"I just expected you'd have an Eeee guard," Rikat notes. "But she has the same colors as a Yodhsunala. And you travel with a Yodhinala."
"And your hand.. I swear I saw.." he starts to say, then zips his lips shut again.
"I travel with those I trust and have proven themselves to me," Nicora offers, "That crosses species boundaries. Now, what is this about my hand?" She even holds up her perfectly normal-looking right hand. "It is a hand, like yours."
"It looked.. different.." Rikat says, rubbing at his forehead now. "Must have been from the curse fighting.. uh.. how did you remove it? Can all the Yodhsunala do that? Wait.. don't answer that! I wish I could forget it happened, that way the General would never be able to get me to tell."
"Then forget it. I would prefer to extract you before you meet the General again," Nicora remarks. "And I think you were just hallucinating. contact with dark magic will often make you see things. I am an ordinary Yodhsunala."
"You don't dress like one," Rikat points out, with a slight leer.. before he catches himself again and pinches his own cheek.
"I can hardly walk about in Rephidim in full robes, now can I?" Nicora points out, then reaches over and pokes his nose sharply with a claw. "And do not get any improper ideas about me. I am ... protected from such violations."
"Forgive me!" Rikat pleads. "It's just that while I was under the curse.. ah.. things were suppressed.."
"You are forgiven. You could have done no harm to me, in any event," Nicora says and lowers her arm. "And now i think I should leave you and contemplate the next course of action."
"What should I tell people about our meeting?" Rikat asks.
"That I interviewed you to determine if I believed your claim," Nicora offers. "And that without giving you a straight answer on what I decided, I said I would report to the Temple my findings."
"Are there any other messages you wish me to convey, other than the warning to Sunala," Nicora asks.
"That.. could put you in some danger," Rikat notes.
"Mmm. Then if you would rather, tell them we spoke of your goal to retake the Throne and restore the temples to power, and leave it at that," Nicora offers as an alternate.
This seems to calm Rikat. "That would be best, yes," he agrees. "No mention of reporting to the Temple. That would alarm Gotrekis I think."
"That would depend on his allegiance. Do you feel he follows this Avatar of Dipthath willingly?" Nicora asks.
"He follows the General, but I do not think he knows of her tie to Diphath or her.. true nature. Or un-nature, rather.." Rikat claims.
"Well, we shall see," Nicora says. Her head dips slightly as she adds, "Prince Rikat. I will take my leave now."
The man stands and bows. "Thank you, Yodhsunala Nicora, for.. saving my soul," Rikat says.
Nicora's right hand comes up and for a brief and gentle moment, she cups his cheek. "Make it count," she tells him as her hand lowers. Her head dips slightly once more, she turns for the door, and goes to leave.
Rikat opens the door for her, so that those on the other side can see both of their silhouettes and know nothing has happened to either.
Nicora steps through the shadow to rejoin Tulani on the other side.
"Is everything in order, Yodhsunala?" Tulani asks as Nicora enters the hall. The big guard bat is also still there.
"Everything is fine. He speaks well and gives me hope for the return of Babel to prominence," Nicora claims as she steps away from the door so that it can be closed again. "We should leave these men to their appointed tasks."
"I will escort you," the guard says. "Do you wish to meet with the Yodhinala, or leave?"
"I can meet with her briefly, I suppose," Nicora agrees. "Take me to her."
There is another roundabout path through the maze, with pauses as their guide confers with others they encounter, until the are brought to another nondescript door. The guard seems at a loss as how to signal their arrival though. "This is the bath," he simply says.
"ah, then you should remain out here," Nicora remarks as she goes and knocks on the door. "Yodhinala Mave?" she calls through the door.
Whatever reply there might be is muted by the shadow spell. Tulani just reaches past and pushes the door open. "It's not like she's worried about her modesty," the Sphynx notes.
"She might be having an orgy," Nicora points out flatly, then walks through anyway. Maybe she decided it would be fun to watch if she was...
No orgy. In an ironic twist, Nicora is probably more carnally involved these days than Mave! The room is no bigger than the others they've seen, but has the difference of including two ceramic bathtubs and some plumbing that vanishes behind the wall. Mave is currently reclining in of the baths, her arms along the rim and almost completely hidden under a blanket of pink bubbles. "Ah, Nicora, Tulani.. did you find lodging last night?" she asks.
"We did. It does not have a bath of pink bubbles, but it was comfortable enough and very safe," Nicora explains as she closes the door behind them once Tulani is inside. "And has side benefits as well to keep me relaxed."
"And on-top and from behind benefits too.." Tulani adds with a smirk.
"How did your interview with Rikat go?" the senior Yodh asks.
"You enjoy the feeling of the fountain of life releasing warmth within you too," Nicora retorts to Tulani. The question, though, thankfully changes the topic. "It went ... hm. We are in considerable danger," she says. "I now understand his strange behavior ... and the reason has been remedied."
"Do go on?" Mave requests, scooping up some bubbles and blowing them at Tulani.. who of course bats at them as they drift through the air.
"To put it simply ... he was being controlled by The General ... who claims to be the Avatar of Dipthath," Nicora explains as she folds her hands together over her stomach where they tap lightly. "The curse controlling him has been destroyed and he will try to pretend to still be under its influence for now. This complicates things as this Avatar may actually be Amenlichtli. It used a black heart on him."
"There is some connection between Diphath and Amena in the old stories," Mave notes. "I expected something like that. Is there any reason not to travel to Babel now on the next smuggling run?"
"Wait.. Diphath?" Tulani asks. "Are you saying Amenlichtli is moving on Babel now and looking to start another Age of Necromancy?"
"Not at the moment, though I would like a chance to ken one of the guards if we can get one drunk. That would allow me a way to sneak close to Rikat again in order to help him escape at some point," Nicora says. "What is the date of the next run?"
"Correct," Nicora says rather grimly to Tulani. "The plan is to destroy Sunala and take over the management of the remains ... and use it to create a new undead army."
"The date hasn't been divulged to me yet - I suspect Gotrekis may not know it," Mave says. "The airship is the Twilight Wind, which docks in Underside. I gather that it has not returned yet from its previous run, but once it does a new shipment will be ready to go."
"So, at least another day, perhaps more," Nicora says and nods. "We shall have to keep in touch then, but otherwise try to keep a low profile and occupied."
"Nicora.. is this why.. well.. everything?" Tulani whispers, and rests one hand on hilt of the Light of Nala.
"It seems likely," Nicora admits to Tulani in whisper. "A war is coming and we're going to be at the front. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"I found the map in the first place," Tulani points out. "I thought I was the one who dragged you into things.."
"Ah, right. Then it is your fault for everything, including my becoming a woman and all the torture that has brought me," Nicora remarks, mildly amused. Louder, she adds, "In any event, this is a lot more complicated. Are you still certain you wish to travel with me, Mave?"
"I too was set on this path long ago," Mave claims. "We stay together. We all have a piece of what is needed."
"Then if we all die, at least we can keep each other company," Nicora says with a smirk. "How have things been here while we were gone?"
"Dull," Mave claims. "I may have to visit the city with Gotrekis. I'm sure I can convince him to take me along."
"What do you need in the city? Is it something we can pick up for you?" Nicora asks.
"I need, simply, to be outside," Mave notes. "Gotrekis is still closed, at least here around his charges. But if I get him alone he may open up more."
"If you can get him drunk and passed out, I would like to ken him," Nicora requests. "Tulani and i will continue to stay at the Morgue. This evening I should ... hm, I should take Phil to dinner. I did promise I would try."
"The man is too disciplined, but I will try," Mave says.
"If anyone can seduce someone, it is you, Mave. After all, you seduced me," Nicora claims.
"You were easy," Mave notes. "Gotrekis was raised in Babel, and is suspicious and paranoid. His loyalty to the General seems almost like love."
"Then he is in love with a corpse," Nicora remarks, "Poor taste if you ask me."
"The General is undead then?" Mave asks, eyebrows raised.
"That is what Rikat seemed to think," Nicora says and nods. "As I said, it is more complicated and very dangerous now. I expect the General will be able to sense me if I get near because of the shadow I carry."
"That could be useful," Mave notes. "She will be looking for allies."
"An zombie lord or worse then," Tulani says and shivers.
Alptraum says, "I have no desire to be her ally," Nicora notes, "Because she would try to make me her slave. If I am to be anyone's slave, I will choose the person, thank you.""
"It may allow you to get close though," Mave says. "Or at least gain the General's interest. It may be useful."
"It would be a risky plan, but perhaps," Nicora concedes for now. "I simply have no desire to become more ... messed up than I already am."
Both Tulani and Mave seem surprised to hear this.
Nicora's brow goes up. "What?" she asks.
"I thought.. well.. that you were becoming addicted to being messed up?" the Sphynx asks.
"It ... has its moments of enjoyment. But there is a considerable difference to spending time with Mordecai, for example, than becoming the blob-slave of an ancient evil," Nicora says rather dryly.
"I don't think Melusine would appreciate being called an ancient evil," Mave notes.
"Mordecai just sticks bits of metal into people and paints on them. Amenlichtli takes their souls," Nicora remarks. "And Melusine is also different. I spend time with her because of her link to Rosalind."
"I am not one to judge," Mave notes. "Things will get interesting in Babel, however. It is good to know about the General."
"I imagine you're proud I have taken your Mistress' teaching to heart and indulge in all forms of pleasure," Nicora remarks a bit dryly to Mave. "And yes, it is good to know. Better than finding out as she's slowly disembowelling us with a dirty spoon."
"The worst sort of disembowelling!" Tulani agrees. "Now, on to something important: are you going to wear this same outfit for your dinner date, or something else?"
"Do you think I should wear something else?" Nicora asks Tulani. "I don't know if I have much else I can wear."
"I'm sure we can throw something together," Tulani notes, grinning widely. "There's plenty of time to visit the Bazaar, after all.."
"I guess the decision is do I dress wild, or elegant," Nicora offers, then shrugs a bit. "We'll work it out in the Bazaar, I am sure! Just ... don't go too crazy. Maybe something simple that I can mix in some of the clothing from Abu Dhabi..."