The flight from Little Rephidim West to the Free City of Zannara was noticeably more tense, at least as far as the crew was concerned. Nikky found herself busier than usual, even dealing with members of the crew she'd had little contact with, like the Ptera wrangler; an Eeee who barely spoke but preferred to do things hanging upside-down. Gar and Gil overcame their shyness several times, and Orca began spending more and more of his free time with Nikky. Captain Soldano rarely left his cabin, save for consultations with Temis. While Mave supposedly spent time with the Captain and Gotrekis, there wasn't much news that reached the Skreek's ears. Even Tulani could only say they were discussing their route into Babel.
Soon, it seemed that Nikky was going to be stuck in her 'nest' in the cargo hold day and night, even if it involved cuddling together with Orca and Temis for sleep. The First Mate seemed determined to get the Tail pregnant, often pushing himself to exhaustion in the futile attempt. As the fields of Zannara grew on the horizon, he even joked to her about tying her up and keeping her in his closet. Of course, he wouldn't be the only one saying goodbye to Nikky the Tail in the city - Nicora would be as well, riding out the rest of the trip in her Yodhsunala persona. She was obligated to appear at the Captain's table again, and it was almost unbearable as her estrus was at its peak (and the male Eeee did notice, despite the perfumes and deodorants, making things rather more awkward than usual).
Gotrekis had visited Nikky once during the second leg, and was rather quiet and subdued. Instead of ravishing the Skreek, he seemed to make an attempt at foreplay and romantic banter, but once things got going it was over quick and the man fled in embarrassment.
Aside from serving as a mattress and cuddling, Temis didn't seem interested in the Tail's traditional services. Maybe it was stress, or maybe he was still pining for the vixentaur he met on the paquebot.
The night before landing in Zannara, Nikky finally was able to return to cabin she shared with Tulani as everyone else was just too busy with preparations. Tulani was busily going through their inventory, since the city might be their last chance to gather any other supplies.
"Oy," Nikky mutters and rubs over her face, "I am not getting paid enough for how much the crew wants. Orca barely lets me out of his sight or off my knees for that matter." Seeing that the sphynx is busy with the inventory, she asks, "Need any help packing? And ... have you seen Mave? I should get this blessing dismissed soon; it's nearly unbearable t' be an Eeee with it right now."
"You still have that thing?" Tulani asks in surprise. "How much are you getting paid anyway? And Mave.. I think she's taking a bath. I don't know how long we'll have in Zannara either, before you ask. Mave's been trying to get info out of the Captain for days, and it turns out he doesn't know. A courier will bring them the course details and times, apparently! Talk about paranoia.. and that's why you.. or rather, Nikky.. doesn't get to go on the Babel leg. If we actually go to Babel, that is."
"Yeah, still have it; I feel perpetually very damp," Nikky explains in an entirely too much information kind of way to probably make Tulani go ew. "Good news is all the rings have healed up well and I can take them in and out without much problem now. So, the skreek flops onto one of the cots and stretches out a bit. "Well, we have to get to Babel somehow, either by ship or land. Whichever will be the safest, I suppose," she adds. "And I guess no more hiding for me; I have to deal with things now instead of pretending to be other people. Not that other people weren't fun! Even Snow was fun to wear for a while."
The Sphynx tosses a bundle onto the Skreek's stomach: the wrapped up supplies Nicora purchased back in Draco for dealing with her menstrual issues. "You'll probably want these then. And this.." Tulani draws the Light of Nala, figuring Nikky is probably low on power as well.
Nikky rubs her face. "Right, that little fun returns soon and I might want to just curl up and die. Or maybe not. Perhaps the little gift Gorphat gave has faded by now," the skreek notes as she sits up enough to extend her hand towards the drawn light.
It only takes a brief touch, and the orb that appears on Nikky's wrist glows brightly before being covered up again in white fur.
Nikky waggles her hand a bit. "That still feels weird. My skin squirms," Nikky claims. "Not sure I'll ever get completely used to that. Anyway ... how are we doing on supplies?"
"At least it'll give you an excuse to avoid people if you want," Tulani offers with a grin. "You know, there was a time when women weren't allowed on ships during their time? It was thought that it would cause the food stores to spoil, or the crew to go mad, or attract sharks or something."
"If you think it is such fun I'll pray to Gorphat to make yours more fun," Nikky threatens.
"As for our supplies.. we've got about a day's worth of emergency rations, and Mave has managed to go through most of her tea and pipe-weed. I'm craving fish.. and how are you holding up? You've been on solids for awhile now, so will you feel sick if you change back on a full stomach?"
"I'll have to not eat tonight so I can change back on an empty one or it might very much be a retching experience," Nikky admits. "Or I'll have to use the shadow to empty my gut first."
"So I guess that means I need to fill up, since I'll be 'eating for two' after all," the Sphynx notes with a wink.
"Well, I do so enjoy eating you," Nikky teases Tulani. The skreek even rolls to her side, drapes her tail 'just so', and licks very slowly over her lips, pink and silver running over white fur and black skin of her 'hooded' head.
The sound of a door opening and closing comes from the other, attached cabin. "That must be Mave," Tulani declares, and taps Nikky's nose with the tip of a claw.
And the skreek's quick mouth grabs onto Tulani's finger and sucks on it as Tulani pulls away. The cackle that follows is ... well, very skreeky. Deciding to behave for the moment, Nikky sits up on the bunk and calls out, "'Ey, Mave?"
"Yes?" comes the reply from the other side of the door. "Can I help you, Nikky?"
"Y' alone?" Nikky asks.
"Inala is always with me," Mave claims. "But I am without mortal company if that is what you wish to know."
And so Nikky pushes herself off the bunk and enters the adjoining cabin. "It's time to remove the blessing on me, I think," the skreek tells Mave. "It's nearly unbearable to be Eeee now with it; I want to jump any male I see and try to get pregnant. That's ... complicating when I need to be more focused. I have to be back to a dour and grumpy Yodhsunala."
Mave is packing away her bathing toiletries, but hasn't dressed yet. The nude Yodhinala turns to Nikky, and says, "The timing is not ideal, but I can remove the blessing with some help."
"When would the timing be better?" Nikky asks, "And what would you need for help?"
"A male," Mave notes. "You are not yet at the end of your fertility cycle, so it will require extra effort. You must become Nicora again for the ritual, and mate until you have used up the last of the blessing. Is there a man you would prefer? I could blindfold the Captain.."
Nikky blinks at that. "You want me to sleep with a male Eeee, as an Eeee, at the peak of my fertility? Isn't that a little risky?" she asks. "And wouldn't even someone blindfolded know who it was?"
"It does not need to be an Eeee, or even a single person," Mave notes. "All that matters is stamina. You could even conjure someone from your dagger to fill the need. You cannot become pregnant, after all."
"So you're telling me I could even summon Vorgulremik to exhaust me?" Nikky asks with a bemused smirk. "I think I would prefer a real person and the captain is handsome."
"He will be made to think he is with me, if you wish secrecy," Mave notes. "Otherwise he need only know it is part of a ritual."
"It could be easily claimed it is a ritual to free a Yodhsunala of her physical desires so that she can better focus on serving her Mistress," Nikky offers. "It seems a reasonable enough reason, yes?"
"I thought he had a crush on me?" Tulani says from the other room.
"I am fairly sure he knows my ... condition," Nikky adds
"He might! But he would be doing service to the Sisters," Nikky calls back to Tulani, probably teasing...
"The ritual will amplify your musk as well," Mave says. "So, it is unlikely he will be very clear headed under the circumstances."
"Will I be clear-headed?" Nikky asks. "And I'll have to remove all my jewelry too, lest it raise suspicions."
"You will likely be less than clear-headed," Mave notes. "Prepare yourself as you need to. I'm sure you will be glad to extract the dagger for a time as well."
"As long as she is aware enough not to bite the man or.. accidentally ken him," Tulani pipes in.
"Right," Nikky agrees and goes back into the other room. Without any sort of embarrassment, the skreek starts stripping. "Tulani, can you ease the rings out of my back?" Nikky asks as she starts on all of the ones down her front. She starts with the two bars that her 'boyfriend' Mordacai implanted in her chest.
"I never thought I'd be doing this for a non-sailor," Tulani admits as she works out the 'wing' rings. "I guess I'll go on deck while you do the ritual."
"Actually, I can use you as a surrogate altar, Tulani, so please disrobe as well," Mave requests.
"Yes, but you enjoy it, don't you?" Nikky asks Tulani as she works on her navel bar next. "You like that I'm all weird."
"You're certainly one of the most interesting people I've known," Tulani admits, and sighs at Mave's request. "Ever since that incident on the paquebot.. which we will never speak of.. she's been bossier than ever towards me."
"Right, I won't speak of how you were on your knees before Mave and obeying her," Nikky promises with a skreeky grin and a cackle. When the skreek gets to her more intimate jewelry, she has to go slower to ease each of them out ... and even with al the care in the world, little surges of pleasure come as the pieces slip free. "Yeeeaaaah," the skreek mutters when the ring through Inala's orb slips free and she is free of all her jewelry, save for earrings.
"That little shiver you did was disturbing," Tulani claims. "Before you change.. did you eat lunch or anything?"
"I ... yes, I had something," Nikky claims. "I'll have Kaira clear my stomach before she changes me back." Then the skreek thinks, "Hear that, Kaira? I need your help. I'm going back to Nicora for a bit, so I need your help shifting and making sure my stomach is empty beforehand. I'd be very grateful if you could help me out..."
"Are you going to try and remove the dagger afterwards?" Kaira replies.
"Yes. Is that a problem?" Nikky thinks.
"Be sure to have cleaning supplies handy, since it's been in there for awhile this time, and don't be surprised if your arm feels a bit numb," the dragon notes, as the shadow begins to encase the Skreek.
"Why would my arm feel numb?" Nikky thinks as she lets the shadow engulf her. At least this part isn't so terrifying anymore. In fact, she rather likes it!
Nicora finds herself not in limbo, but in Kaira's garden, along with her Alptraum half. "It will take a bit longer at this altitude, without that handy crystal chamber," the dragon explains. "So I thought we could visit briefly in the meantime! I could use the break from work."
"As me?" Nicora asks. "Or as me?" Alptraum then asks. Both manage to grin at exactly the same time, somehow, and waggle their respective brows at Kaira!
"I get you both now, at least," Kaira notes. "No 'one of you appearing who-knows-where' this time." She grins proudly at this. "Now I get to see if you can resist one another. But it sounds like one of you is about to get quite the workout.."
Apparently to mess with Kaira, Nicora saunters over to Alptraum and the two Eeee snog right in front of the dragon. "Nicora will be. Gotta remove that blessing Mave did as it makes being Nicora really, really, hard," Alptraum tells Kaira when the kiss ends. "And there was nothing wrong with appearing elsewhere. She had a great time with that dark elf..."
"It's not elves I'm worried about," Kaira notes, one eyeridge arched. "You spend too much time with Vorgulremik for my liking. You really should avoid him as much as possible you know."
"I've only spent two times with him," Alptraum points out, "And that was purely to get information out of him. He's much more talkative when he thinks I'm being seduced by him. Between you and me, Mordecai was better."
"Nonetheless, you don't need the distraction," the dragoness claims. "If there's anything more you need to know from Vorgulremik, I may be able to get it through more direct means.."
"But I don't want you to have to deal with his company. It makes you grouchy. I prefer to visit you when you're all cheerful," Alptraum claims as he leans over and even kisses Kaira's cheek.
The dragon grins at the kiss, and says, "I have been very busy of late - perhaps too busy, if I've neglected you. There are just certain things I need to get done. Have you missed me?"
"Of course I have. But I console myself knowing that you're linked to me physically through the dagger in my arm," Alptraum says. "It's a nice thought, anyway, that you're sort of part of me. I've been insanely busy too; sailors are crazy."
"They do seem a bit odd," Kaira admits. Then she pecks Alptraum on the cheek and asks, "Do you still trust me?"
Alptraum eyes Kaira. "Whenever someone asks that they want something. So ... what are you plotting?" he asks.
"Nothing new," the dragon claims. "You do want me at your side, though, don't you?"
"Of course," Alptraum says. "So are you going to tell me what is going on or going to keep me in the dark?"
"It's to do with your birthday present," Kaira claims. "So if I say more it would ruin the surprise."
"Birthday present?" Alptraum asks. "Okay, now I'm worried."
"Be a good boy, and you will be rewarded," Kaira promises, then taps Alptraum on the nose. "And the transformation is finished.." Everything fades, only to be replaced by the airship cabin and a naked Sphynx. "I think she's done now," Tulani says into the other room. Nicora's empty stomach rumbles, and her tail squirms with a mind of its own. And she feels.. very, very lustful at the moment.
A shiver starts at the tip of Nicora's ears and rolls completely down her body. "I ... need someone. I want a child," she practically growls. Her claws and toes flex several times before she manages to contain herself enough to reach for the dagger hilt. "But first, I need a towel, Tulani. Kaira said this will be messy..."
"Augh, hold on!" the Sphynx cries, and scrambles in the small space to get something suitably absorbent and disposable. She turns up something closer to a rag than a towel, but at least it's large.
Nicora holds her arm out over the rag. She takes a firm grip on the dagger, then pulls on it slowly and firmly to dislodge it.
The chilled numbness helps, so that the dagger feels more like an object in her hand than one embedded in her arm. The goo and tubes seem thicker than the last time she had the dagger inserted for over a day. The foul steam when the spilled fluids evaporate is nastier than usual, and make both Nicora and Tulani a bit dizzy. In the end, the dagger blade is back to normal, although the 'veins' and other details are different now after it solidifies once more.
"Ugh," Nicora remarks, the smell helping push aside the urging haze that fills her body at least. "I wonder if that's worth worrying about?" she remakrs when she finally looks over the reshaped blade. "I'll have to ask Kaira about that." She carefuly sets the dagger down on the rag and then shakes out her right arm as if it were wet while she tries to 'flow over' the metal framing to make it appear normal.
The shaking restores feeling to the limb, along with an annoying pins-and-needles sensation. "Okay, you need to come sit in the circle now," Tulani explains, her voice a bit buzzy since she's pinching her nose closed.
Nicora licks Tulani's cheek, long and slow, before she gets up and heads over to settle herself into the circle. Another soft growl comes from the Eeee when a surge of 'need' makes itself known again.
Mave is nude and decorated in blue symbols as usual, while incense or herbs burn in a bowl. The aroma makes Nicora's feeling of arousal even worse, if anything. "Okay, what do I do?" Tulani asks.
"You simply need to go out and fetch the Captain," Mave explains.
The Sphynx blinks, and points out, "But I'm naked. What if he's not just across the hall in his cabin?"
"Do you want to collect any ... dew," Nicora asks of Mave in an extremely husky undertone. "And dooon't worry, Tulani. Nikky has worn out the crew, I ... hope."
"Then you will give the crew someone to lust after once their beloved Nikky is gone," Mave notes, and makes a 'shooing' motion with her hand.
"Are you sure there isn't another way?" Tulani asks as she reaches the door.
"I could transfer the blessing to you," Mave offers.
Nicora's head rolls and she looks at Tulani. "You would love it," she rumbles.
"I'll be right back," Tulani says as she dashes out of the door.
"This ritual would normally end in pregnancy," Mave tells Nicora while they wait. "It is performed often for particularly generous couples who are having trouble conceiving."
"Do all Yodhinala go through this?" Nicora rumbles at Mave once Tulani is gone. "And is there any risk of pregnancy, even a slight one?"
"Not all, but some who are chosen to bear children for the Temple or patrons may go through it many times," Mave notes. "You are the Barsunala, and so long as you have that tail you cannot become pregnant. You represent life born of death, not life born of life."
"That is good, yet this body feels disappointed," Nicora claims, "It is ... maddening!" Her claws tap a bit on the floor. "What do you need me to do?"
"Simply.. follow your instincts," Mave notes. The door is knocked open then, as the Captain enters while embracing Tulani and nibbling at her throat. "I've wanted you since I first saw.." he mutters into her fur, before he realizes the two aren't alone. "Ah.." he stammers.
"Step forward, Soldano bar Drelickus, for you are Chosen by the Kindly Ones this day," Mave says, and stands. Soldano staggers a bit, and Tulani closes the door with her foot. She and Mave then begin stripping down the Eeee. "I don't.. understand.." he mutters, looking a bit bleary.
Nicora's head turns and she looks up. The predatory grin that crawls over her lips is downright scary. "I need you," she explains in a gravelly voice. "Though I am Sunala's Daughter, this body still carries the urges of the flesh. They must be quieted in order for me to focus on serving only Her. You have been chosen for this task."
"I.." Soldano says, as the other two push him down onto his back in the circle, next to Nicora. Either Tulani already had him worked up, or the ritual and Nicora's own musk is having an effect, because his body certainly isn't confused about what's required of it.
And Nicora pounces on the Captain, pinning his shoulders to the floor. "And now you serve the Kindly Ones," she hisses as she leans down until her lips touch the inner part of his left ear. There is no leadup or play as Nicora's body shifts and she slides back, guiding what her body is demanding into the Altar of Inala. The reaction is practically immediate and she goes about aggressively trying to sate that pressing need. Her mind swirls as every experience that she has had seem to come to the front to encourage her. Times with Rosalind; times with Galand; even times with Mordecai and the pain he inflicted on her!
It's certainly a whirlwind of sensation and hormones! At times it seems the cabin itself fades away. The Captain responds to Nicora's desires as if a puppet to her will - even after the man clear passes out. As the cyclone fades, however, Nicora is acutely aware of when the blessing has run its course, as the curse of Gorphat rears it's green head as punctuation to the experience. Nicora finds herself exhausted, sore, hungry and feeling the impending onset of her period.
Nicora rolls off the captain and flops on her back beside him, breathing heavily. "Ow," she murmurs as a very familiar itch and deep burn that reaches up into her abdomen in stark rebellion against the flower tattoo that traces out her birth canal. "I see that part of you is still with me, Gorphat," she thinks tiredly as she stretches out each sore muscle slowly. "And ... ugh, weighty. It really is coming soon; the bleeding and water weight. I hope this one isn't as bad as the last one."
"That was disturbing," Tulani notes, sitting on the bunk with her legs crossed. "I guess I have to drag him back to his cabin?"
"It would be best if you left an open bottle next to his bunk, and got in with him so he thinks it was just a drunken romp with another sailor," Mave suggests, pointedly, to Tulani.
"Unless you want to enjoy him first?" Nicora remarks weakly to Tulani.
"You see?" the Sphynx says to Nicora. "She's doing it again! And.. look at him... he's like a deflated.. something. I'm amazed he's still breathing.."
"And he
"And he's all yours," Nicora remarks weakly as she struggles to sit upright. "And now I need a bath."
After Tulani carries the captain and his clothes out (easily slinging the man over her shoulder), Mave beckons to Nicora to come join her, by patting her lap as she sits on the edge of the bunk.
Nicora manages on wobbly legs to walk over to Mave then sit down heavily in her lap. "Something wrong?" she asks.
"You are half-starved, that is what is wrong," the Yodh notes, and offers her neck. "Tomorrow we land in Zannara, the Free City. Gotrekis will leave to contact the Guardians based there, and return with a navigator who will take the ship the rest of the way to Babel, via a route only known to that person. I suspect that such a person will be under the General's more direct control. You will need to be careful."
"Or we disembark in Zannara and find our own way," Nicora suggests just before she cups the side of Mave's neck and bites down. She secretly suspects Mave likes being bitten.
"I have contacts in the city that might be able to arrange that, certainly," Mave notes softly. "It will likely be safer, if slower."
Nicora is quiet during her 'neck-nursing' meal. She takes her time, enjoying it and the chance to rest; not to mention the distraction from the itch she is suffering. "We can decide that after we meet this navigator," she suggests once her jaws finally separate.
"You'll need to send Nikky off," Mave notes, placing a cloth against her neck to soak up the excess blood. "I don't suppose you can use your dragon to do that as well as follow Gotrekis?"
"I probably could," Nicora agrees, "To a degree. The navigator might detect the unnaturalness of Kaira-Golem-thing."
"I hadn't considered that," Mave notes. "Best not to risk it. My sister Yuna manages the Temple here, and can put us up in the city if needed."
"A temple to Inala?" Nicora asks. "I also suggest that we keep the light shielded the entire time the navigator is around; I am sure a direct puppet could sense that."
"I
Amelia says, "I'll warn Tulani," Mave promises. "You should get your bath and rest now, Nicora. Have the dragon be Nikky tonight - I'm sure she must have paid some attention while you were her and can carry on the act for one night.""
"Agreed. I have to refit all me jewelry too, and ... well, my chain too. That will be interesting. And ugh, yes, the pads. I can feel that coming," Nicora complains as she slides herself off Mave's lap. "I'll grab a towel, my jewelry, and my robe. Right now all I want is a bath. Kaira can have all the men."