Cenesta Plaza
Connecting several giant towers and spanning several levels, this recent addition to the Coalition Tower neighborhood is meant to epitomize Babel's 'New Direction.' Gone are the usual statues of the Kindly Ones and wealthy landlords; in their place are garden planters, fountains and even a stream and waterfalls that meander across the three levels, each level anchored to two different towers. The Wound is still visible from one edge, which has the only concession to tradition: an area set aside for offerings, often in the form of miniature items.

It takes quite a while to reach the plaza on foot from Mount Inala, as many of the causeways and bridges on the outer rim of the city have fallen into disrepair. Tulani and 'Pierce' even pass the ruins of a tower that broke in half when the support spells wore off, and now leans over the road and rests its crown on (and partly in) an adjacent tower. The Plaza seems far removed from the rest of the city, with it's open-air cafes and stores built under the overhang of the level above. The people here are not dressed as nobles, but are definitely representative of the new upper-middle-merchant class that's been displacing the older surviving nobility.

The other difference is in how the people interact. Nobody is screaming or running or berating others, and the full spectrum of Babel's population is represented, including Fnerfs and Nagas and Savanites alongside Eeee. At the uppermost level is an amphitheater for public performances, and something akin to a water park for the young at heart. There isn't any of the graffiti or layers of fliers that in lower levels seem to be holding up the towers more than the stone is. Too an experienced Gypsy eye, however, the plain-clothes police force isn't hard to make out: they're the ones watching the crowds instead of interacting with them.

To keep up his end of the act, the savanite is walking behind Tulani; perhaps two or so paces behind her. He looks about lazily, as if keeping watch for anyone who might try to swipe things from her and his ears always remain turned in her direction should she have any requests. Of course this does give him plenty of time to scope out the people. Having identified the police he keeps watch for those who might be ready to snatch a bag or go for a pocket. It's always the eyes that betray the inexperienced; they focus on a person's belongings instead of a person. "It's still miserable and much is crumbling. This market is like makeup on a rhugrhat," 'Pierce' thinks as he walks along. Having things to watch for make it easier to forget he's barely dressed as it is.

Tulani seems delighted by the place, however, and keeps stopping to look at things. "How do they get the fountains to work so high up?" she wonders. "Do you think the water is recycled? Probably not safe to drink. And look at the flowers! Have you ever been to a market this nice before? There aren't even any beggars that I can see; they must be turned out. What should we try first?"

Pierce gives Tulani a brief look. It's not like he can sign in public, after all. He looks around a bit more, then nods towards the amphitheater. "What shows they play may tell mood, or what the 'rulers' are trying to convince the people of," he thinks, "If anything is playing at all right now."

After ascending several ramps and crossing the various plazas (from a distance, the whole thing might look like wide shelf-fungus growing from several trees and overlapping in places) they get to upper deck. There are a lot more children here, and musicians and clowns. While there doesn't appear to be anything officially being performed, there's a sign up for "Dinah's Playhouse Rehearsals" near the stage, which seems to be covered in a mob of children, while their parents sit in the stands to watch over them.

Pierce chuffles slightly in amusement. "A family-friendly venue. Never expected to see such a place here," he thinks as he looks about, waiting patiently for Tulani to decide if she wishes to stay or go look at something else. "I wonder what Dinah's Playhouse is," he idly ponders.

His pondering is answered when a familiar, energetic form appears from backstage. Dinahzadze has grown a bit in two years, but doesn't seem all that different otherwise, as she talks a mile-a-minute to the assembled group, gesturing grandly and trying to describe things with bold gestures. She's not shouting though, or else not in the 'sweet spot' that would let her voice carry all the way through the amphitheater.

Pierce taps on Tulani's shoulder and nods towards Dinahzadze, perhaps to request that they move closer to hear what she is saying. He waits for her to agree, of course. He can't just wander over.

"She seems a bit young for you," Tulani teases, but heads into the theater, Pierce's leash firmly in hand.

About halfway down, it becomes easier to hear things (the theater was certainly designed by Eeee with the assumption of an audience with Eeee-like hearing).

Pierce snorts lightly. but otherwise can't retaliate. That will come later. "She would have been better off leaving this city," he thinks as he tries to listen.

"Then, the ogre sings his love song to the sacrifice, and the knight's heart is touched by it, so he doesn't attack.." the young Eeee director yammers, explaining the plot to her prospective actors.

"Oooooh, she's getting the kids to act," Pierce finally realizes. "Well, this ought to be silly."

"Not until Act 3, when it's time to fight the Krakenwyrm of Doom," Dinah explains. "Who here can roar really loud?" she asks, resulting in a cacophony squeaky roaring from the children.

"I don't think they'll be performing this today," Tulani notes. "At least.. I hope not. It sounds too complicated to just jump into."

Pierce half-smirks ... then nudges Tulani forward innocently to see if they try to recruit her.

"Hey!" the Sphynx hisses. "There's no way I could perform in a play, in front of a crowd," she complains when she realizes what the cheetah intended. "Plus they'd make me be a monster. That's only fun when I really get to be a monster."

Pierce smiles and tries to look all innocent, like he stumbled. He offers a small shrug in apology, then nods back towards they way they came in.

Tulani hmms, and gets an evil look in her eye. "I saw something on the second level I want to look into.." she claims, and leads her slave out of the amphitheater back towards the rampways.

Pierce looks back at Dinahzadze in a wistful sort of way. It's not like he likes her, it's more that she was someone who wasn't so bad the last time he was here. Perhaps it is a good sign. He can't look back long, though, the tug on his neck makes him quickly move on, otherwise he'll fall on his face!

On the second-level plaza, Tulani turns toward the shadowed part beneath the top-level overhang. The number of Savanites (and collared Naga) increase significantly, and the Sphynx stops between two shops facing one another across the lane. To the left is one with windows showing various outfits on live models, with a sign that translates to 'Slaves to Fashion' over the door. The shop across from it has no windows or displays, just a door with 'Slaves to Art' hung over it.

Pierce gets a very ... dubious look on his face. "Ut oh. This could be bad. Very bad," he decides as he looks between the two stores that Tulani just brought him to. He taps her shoulder lightly then gives her a quizzical expression. No sign, just a questioning look.

"I'm deciding still," Tulani notes. Some of the models in the window wink at Pierce, but motion catches his eye over the sign to the sister store: what was first seen as an ornate pole for the sign to hang from is not more clearly a regular pole with an ornate Naga on it. The serpent is so decorated that it's hard to determine it's original scale color or pattern, but it does wear a slave collar. It's also staring at Pierce, and reaches one hand out to make an 'up up up' gesture to him.

Pierce points at himself questioningly? He's not quite sure what the naga wants; or is confused by it. He doesn't have much to lift up except that bit of leather Tulani left him to keep some modesty. He points at it questioningly.

Pierce rubs his forehead, looking embarrassed. He lifts the flap to reveal the five rings all interlaced by the locked chain. "I can't believe I actually showed the naga, but ..." he thinks.

The Naga pours down to the ground, and slithers over. "ParDon mE, MissSsss?" it says to Tulani, sounding probably female.

Pierce quickly drops the flap and turns his head to listen. "Trouble," he thinks worriedly. "Big trouble."

"My MissTress would like to meet you," the serpent notes, gesturing back toward the door to Slaves to Art. "And your Ssstud of coursse."

Pierce feels very awkward being called a Stud, but he did agree to the role, so can't exactly argue the matter. This doesn't stop him from fidgeting a bit nervously. He shrugs to Tulani as if saying "Not my fault!"

"Well, that settles it then," Tulani says, and tugs on Pierce's leash. "We're going to the windowless one." And then the Sphynx boldly walks to the door with her slave.

The savanite chirps when his collar is firmly pulled! What can he do, though, but follow along. Anything else would break the act. Hopefully the act isn't about to break him.

The Naga leads them in. The entry to the shop is dim, lit by candles (lots of candles!) and somewhat smoky. The Naga rings a bell, and throaty voice calls, "Come in, Sephia," from behind a bead curtain. "Follow me, pleassSe," the Naga requests, and heads through the curtain.

Pierce tries to place the calling voice, but doesn't recognise it. The sound might be naga, but it is hard to say. Pierce gives a similar wide-eyed look back to Tulani. The expression is very much you decided to come in here!" And given he's leashed, he has to follow ... and does.

Beyond the curtain is a large circular room with a bright central lamp. There are several 'stations' along the curved wall, each with different tools depending on what's being done: barber station, makeup station, washing station.. and two with familiar looking adjustable chairs with straps included, bottles of disinfectant and scary looking tools. Nagas work on several female Savanite slaves at the stations. One is getting her hair made up into a complex weave, another is having her fur painted, and the third is having areas shaved into patterns. All of their golden eyes flick to watch the newcomers. Near the center, under the lamp, is an Eeee woman smoking a pungent pipe. Half of her head is shaved, so only the left side has hair, which is dyed purple and orange, while the fuzz left on the right is dyed pink. Her natural color may be white, but that could be bleached as well. Like everyone else she's unclothed, and has a giant centipede coiling around her body - done in fur paint. She's also lavishly

pierced with studs and rings, including her intimate areas. The Naga, Sephia, immediately reaches over and lifts Pierce's flap.

Pierce knows sinking feelings well by now, and he knows this one by heart. It's the impending sense of doom in the pit of his stomach. Another Eeee; not quite as different as Mordecai, but still quite ... scary. It's an effort to not sign something right now, to say it was a mistake coming in here. But ... that light tug on his neck keeps him from raising his hands. The lifting of his flap makes his eyes go wide and he looks to Tulani to see if she says anything to try to stop the naga from 'presenting' him. "Tulani, please tell me you're not going to leave me in here!" he thinks. He knows what trouble he gets into in these places.

"My, you've gotten off to a good start on this one," the Eeee woman says. Her voice is.. the result of smoking too much, probably. Hopefully. She comes over and kneels down to get a good close look at the chain and rings. "And a lock. Very clever. I could think of many uses for this." Looking up then to Tulani, she introduces herself; "I am Mistress Helse, the Body Artist. Did you decorate him yourself?"

Tulani blinks a bit, and claims, "I.. ah.. acquired Pierce in this condition. The chastity chain is to ensure that he doesn't give out freebies. I'm Captain Tulameera. Pleasure to meet you."

"It's that effective?" Helse asks, and waves to Sephia. "Fetch me a feather. I'd like to test this if the Captain does not mind."

Poor Pierce has to just look ahead, or up, while he's discussed. It's particularly awkward when the Eeee is kneeling in front of him and inspecting him up close. "It's very effective!" the poor savanite worries, "If she does something it's going to get a bit painful fast." He casts a glance to Tulani, but otherwise makes no motion on what she should do. It's her choice.

Pierce also worries about the comment a good start. That implies hat so much more could be done!

Sephia isn't long, since there's a whole box full of assorted feathers nearby. Soon Pierce finds himself being gently tickled down there with a Creen feather. This also has the attention of the Savanites, although they don't turn their heads.

It doesn't take long before the feather starts encouraging things to rise 'to the occasion'. But, that chain and the surrounding rings pull taut when things are only maybe twenty percent of the way to 'normal'. The poor svanite's tail flicks a couple times and his ears twitch. His facial expression is, well, he's in some level of discomfort, yes. It's also apparently enough that things refuse to go any further than what they have. The poor savanite ends up making a muffled whimper of a note.

"Here," Tulani says, having pity. She reaches down and undoes the lock - which Helse asks to examine. The chain is now free to move through the rings, which certainly looks interesting, and encourages the Naga to keep up the feather work.

Once the painful tension is relaxed, the chain does slide slowly through all the rings, making a soft clinking sound as it does so. By the time everything is 'excited' he has a chain hanging in a lazy arch from the tip back to his body. "I am so going to get you for this, Tulani," he thinks.

"Hmmm," Helse goes, standing up and then taking Pierce's chin in her hand. "Say 'awwwww' she tells him."

"Awww," goes Pierce, and he knows why she asked. The silvery stud in his tongue becomes very apparent. And it dawns on him that since Savanite's don't talk, tongue decorating is probably a common practice; at least in this place.

"Temple trained, I see," Helse notes, and sticks her own studded tongue out to waggle in front of Pierce. "He can use a little.. something extra," she notes to Tulani.

Pierce looks between Helse and Tulani. "A little something? Who knows what 'little' means in here." he worries as he closes his mouth.

"Hmm, well.. he is looking a bit dull," Tulani admits. "What did you have in mind?"

Helse lets go of Alptraum to rummage in a box, leaving Sephia to continue teasing the cheetah. It's hard to tell if she's still using the feather or flicks of her forked tongue now.

This leaves Pierce making some interesting throaty chirps now and then from the teasing. It also makes the dangling chain jingle.

The Artist returns shortly with a ring.. of sorts. It looks like polished bone, and has two small spheres pressed against one another instead of being a closed ring. "Clip-in nose ring," she notes.

"Well, there needs to be a grommet installed, so that it does not pinch the septum. But many other things, include a thin chain, may be looped through it."

This gets Pierce's attention. "Clip in? Well, that can't be so bad. No holes," the savanite thinks as he looks at the ring. An embarrassing-sounding chirp comes from his throat when Sehpia does something that almost makes his fur stand on end.

Pierce glances towards the girls with an expression that may mean he feels like they're betraying their own kind!

Pierce blinks as he hears negotiation starting. "Is she actually considering this?" the savanite wonders. "Or is she just messing with me?"

"I don't know," Tulani says, crossing her arms. "He hasn't earned me any money yet."

Okay, Sephia must be using her tongue because feathers don't wrap around like that.

Pierce looks hurt that she would be questioning his ability to earn money. The look of hurt doesn't last long though because a bark of surprise comes from his mouth when he feels the coiling around very sensitive areas. His ears splay in embarrassment.

"If he is truly Temple-trained.. I will give a discount if he satisfies me first," Helse notes.

"She is serious," Pierce realizes. He can't help himself and wiggles his poor nose slightly as it sounds like it's about to be abused.

"For that much he must also tend to Sephia," Helse claims. "She likes Savanites. They are very warm."

"Genoh!" Tulani says, then spits in her hand and holds it forth. Helse clasps it and shakes.

"Make me proud," the Sphynx tells Pierce, as she unclips his leash and pats him on the behind.

Pierce blinks. He's not familiar with naga. Well, female naga. He doesn't have long to ponder this, either as the deal is suddenly closed. He looks to Tulani and taps his nose, then arches his brow in concern.

"I'm sure it won't hurt for long," Tulani says, and pokes the man in the chest. "And don't even think of not giving it your all in hopes Helse will raise her price. Your teacher will find the ring charming, I'm sure."

Pierce draws a deep breath, and ponders Tulani's doom. What he does, though, is bow deep as he can to Tulani, then once he has risen back up, dips his head once.

The Sphynx also zips the rest of the chain out through the one ring. "I'll want the lock back," she notes to Helse. "If you're interested in acquiring some for you own use, I might be able to arrange something."

Pierce wonders if Helse would be evil enough to lock him up and then expect him to please her and the naga. He pushes that thought out of his head quickly enough, though. He has to admit, Tulani is playing her role pretty well.

Grabbing the chain across Pierce's chest, Helse tugs him towards some cushions. Apparently she doesn't plan on leaving the room for this.

Pierce learns very quickly to follow that chain or things get painful quickly! The savanite follows dutifully along, firmly deciding Tulani is going to get it for getting him into this! Even though he does find the Eeee attractive, it's quite different to be actually treated like property. Roughly.

Helse flops onto the cushions, and even sets aside her pipe. "You may begin," she tells the cheetah. The other Savanites and their tenders peek whenever they can, while Tulani leans against the wall and just grins.

Pierce, as much as he wants to glare has to maintain himself. He begins by kneeling before this strange Eeee and letting his soft fingers just explore her body, feeling out every curve and every bit of metal that she added to herself. All throughout, he never makes a sound as he explores. After some time he leans in and some real work begins; and it begins with gentle nuzzling and licking with that bestudded tongue. He's slow, methodical, and attentive to any sounds she makes. No bit of metal is spared from his licking. And no one else in the room is spared getting to see his very exposed butt in the process.

The bat is very vocal, especially when she likes something. "Do that one again, but swirlier.." is her favorite comment.

And Pierce follows her commands as if she was his owner. Much of the time is spent learning what it is she really likes and returning to hose time and again. One thing he does not do is force himself on her in any way, or even dare attempt to make love to her; that he waits to be commanded to. But that doesn't mean he can't do a lot with his tongue, and he does, because he's curious about all the work she's done to her own intimate areas. Perhaps ideas for the future for Snowcora?

It isn't clear just how some of the studs are attached, but it isn't just rings down there. As Pierce works, the salon still functions. One after another, the work on the slaves concludes, and each of the girls sits down nearby to watch. And when Helse finally does pull Pierce into her.. that's when more customers show up. Or rather, the owner of one of the slaves arrives, carrying a bundle of clothing. She watches the display and chats to Tulani, possibly discussing business.

Pierce may just have to come back as Snowcora and ask about those creative ... additions his tongue explored so thoroughly. It's also good that he's focused on his 'duty' at hand with the Eeee and his movements are a bit rough to compliment the roughness of his anatomy. Her body seems the time to enjoy a little pain, anyway. The focus, therefore, helps him to not think about he's effectively on display, possibly advertising his service, to everyone in the shop! At one point he's even purring softly in Helse's ear.

At one point, the Eeee customer comes around and asks to see Pierce's teeth. This causes the Savanite girl with the feathers woven into her hair to blush a bit while she gets dressed.

Pierce actually arches his back, really getting into it with Helse and drawing his lips back to expose his teeth to the Eeee, and leaving his nose pointing towards the ceiling.

"Very nice," the customer notes, before straightening up. "Will you be working here at the salon, or by appointment only?" she asks Tulani. "It's undecided, but if you give me your name and address and number of girls.."

"Number of girls?" Pierce has to think, and wonders just what Tulani is signing him up for. She's really getting into her role as a slave owner, apparently. He can't think on this long, though, as he has to focus on Helse and make sure that she continues to make quite the sounds of approval.

Helse makes a high-pitched squeal - the first really Eeee-sounding noise she's made - and twitches. "Mmmph, okay, that was worth 50 Shekels," she admits, while trying to catch her breath.

And Pierce pauses and looks at Helse quesitoningly, perhaps asking if he is allowed to finish too.

Pierce looks a bit disappointed, but he does lift himself off of Helse. This leaves him kneeling at the side of the cushions and looking ... excited.

The two remaining Savanite girls purrr at Pierce - but it's Sephia who comes over and says, "Well, up in the ssseat now!" She points to the one of the strap-chairs.

Pierce purrs in reply to the Savanite girls as it would be impolite to ignore them. His attention, though, quickly snaps back to the colorful naga and his head bows in deference. He rises back to his feet and walks over to the chair, tail swishing playfully. With marked grace, he turns around and lazily settles himself into the strap-chair.

Tulani is also spared a glance, perhaps questioning her if she's really going to continue with this.

Sephia straps him in, and then coils around Pierce's legs, before 'settling' onto him. It's.. different. Nagas are all muscle in that area. And Sephia flexes those muscles, probably to keep up the cheetah's interest until she's fully warmed up to match his body heat. While that's happening, she begins arranging the tools she'll be using on him - one of which looks like a giant set of pincers.

Apparently the Sphynx has procured some business cards from Helse, and is writing on the backs of them, swishing her tail happily as she does so.

Pierce can't help himself and makes the most /interesting array of noises from where he's immobilized in the chair, and coiled in serpent. It's so enjoyable it takes him time before he registers the collection of scary-looking tools being set aside. "/Oh Gods, that looks like it's going to pierce and stretch,/" he thinks, "/It's going to hurt so much.../" The poor savanite makes a plaintive, sad-sounding, mewl towards Tulani.

"Easy for you to say!" Pierce thinks. "Inala's Orb hurt a great deal! So did the barbells!"

Sephia sterilizes the pincers, and then places the tips just inside Pierce's nose.. and waits! She hisses and squirms, warming up enough to be more energetic about things. She also constricts the cheetah's thighs and other parts.

Pierce's eyes clench shut and he has a whole-body shiver! His jaws also clench tight when he feels the cool tips of the pinchers just inside his nostrils. Claws scratch and play at the arm rests, then fingers tap. Sephia's movement also brings forth the inevitable as his body finally allows release; marked by a deep rumbling growl in his throat.

At the same moment, Sephia squeezes the pincers to make the puncture, and quickly removes them to insert the two connecting halves of the bone grommet. CLICK Only then does she lick up the small amount of blood, and grab a cloth in case of sneezing.

Even as good as things feel, the piercing of the wall of cartilage hurts. The savanite writhes in the confines of the naga's coils and his claws dig into the arm rests. His poor nose throbs and is far from comfortable when two parts of the bone-grommet are inserted into his nostrils and clicked together, ensuring that hole is not going to close easily, if ever. The click reaches his ears and he whimpers softly. And as predicted by the naga, when he draws air into his nose it feels strange and the savanite sneezes!

Sephia wipes Pierces nose, gives a few more intimate squeezes, and then releases him from her coils - and the straps.

Pierce's body betrays that it rather ... enjoyed the naga when the squeezes come. When he's released and the straps fall free he just rests there for a moment, eyes closed. As his eyes open, he reaches up and gently feels his nose and the throbbing spot in the center inside.

He isn't free for long, however, as Helse sits in his lap and holds up a small mirror, with Tulani coming to stand next to the chair and look on as well. In the mirror, Pierce can see.. nothing? Turning a bit shows that the grommet is actually black, is most noticeable when there's light entering from one side to shine through the opening.

Pierce's head is tilted as he's looking in that mirror, his brow rolling curiously. His nose still throbs, but at least there's no sign of any actual bleeding. He looks up at Tulani and slinks down slightly in submission to her and also to Helse.

Pierce's chin jerks up moments after the order is given, much to the Savanite's own surprise. He instinctively presented his nose on command!

The ring is clipped into place, and aside from the brief pinch as it was inserted, there's no pressure at all once the balls set into the grommet. "If you are interested, I do have a nose-flute version. It isn't popular - having the slaves 'speak' with musical notes never caught on," Helse notes.

Pierce's ears twitch when he hears the bals clip closed. He can't feel the pressure in his nose, but he does feel the slight pressure on the cleft of his upper lip where the outside part of the ring rests lightly. It's ... well, it invokes some interesting internal reactions; he feels absolutely like property. The comment about a 'nose flute' also makes his wince slightly.

"I don't think I'd want to hear him whistling with each breath," Tulani admits, and pats Pierce on the shoulder. "You did very well. Now, go play with the others while I settle up with Helse."

Pierce's ears perk at the request to play with the others. This makes him sit up a bit and look at the other Savanite's present, and even back to Sephia. His brow arches questioningly as which would want him to come.

The two Savanite girls (although one is clearly more mature) motion for Pierce to join them on the cushions.

Pierce slides out of the chair finally and his legs are a bit wobbly; leftover from the rush due to the sudden pain. He makes his way over to the cushions and slides himself down and in-between the two savanites. Now that he's up close, he admires them too, and looks for any jewelry that they may have added.

The younger one has pierced ears, with dangling bar-type jewelry, and a stud set right in the center of her forehead with a fancy setting and mounted green (glass) gemstone. The older one has her hair braided in corn-rows with beads interspersed, bells hanging from her ears.. and shaved nipples. She looks like she might even be a wet-nurse, unless she's recently given birth. Both of them start to groom the sides of Pierce's face with their tongues.

Even with the sore nose, Pierce ends up purring softly. "Well, this isn't so bad," he thinks as he relaxes between the two savanites. He even things the forehead gem is very pretty and suits the younger girl. The older savanite, well, he has a slight urge to nurse on her! Now and then he leans his head to one side or the other and lightly lick-grooms them each in return.

The older one does let Pierce nurse - but playfully sneaks her tail under his flap at the same time.

Pierce purrs when he feels the tail tickle while he nurses. He looks up and towards Tulani; then rumbles at her to get her attention, then taps his leather flap. He's asking permission to do more than cuddle.

"And this little insert can be used to block it off completely?" Tulani asks Helse as she goes over things with her. She waves absently to Pierce to do what he wants.

Pierce smiles to the older savanite as he actually unlaces the flap. He also purrs towards the younger one. He then lies on his back and uses his tail to nudge-guide the older savanite to settle herself down on him. The younger one with the forehead gem ... he guides her with his hands and well, she'll be attended to by the stud in his tongue...

It's enough to make the nose pain forgettable, especially when the younger one starts nursing on the older as they both have their fun with Pierce. Tulani even waits patiently as she watches.

Pierce doesn't rush as that would not reflect well on his owner if he didn't treat everyone as special. It's a bit of time before his body once more finds release for the day and he has made sure the two savanites have as well. When the group finally detangles from each other he gently licks each on the cheek. This nudges the nose ring and reminds him it's still there and his nose is still sore. But at least it's a dull throb now. He laces his panel back on, then presents himself to Tulani should she want to rechain him. He even bows his head in respect.

"Hmmm, you probably need to be cleaned," the Sphynx notes. "You're pretty musky. I'll hold onto the chain and lock until then."

"Cleaned? Where?" Pierce wonders as he lets the flap drop down. He gets back to his feet and bows deeply to Helse and Sehphia before looking to Tulani for her next wish of him.

The leash goes back on, and Tulani leads him out of the shop. "You are a magnet for the weird ones you know," she points out, and doesn't even look at the slave fashion outlet. She looks around, and heads towards the waterfall. There's a cafe in that area, and another stone building with steam coming out of high vents.

Pierce can only shrug slightly at that since he should not sign in public. He does give her a look about how she enjoys it, though and being a bit cruel to him in the process. He watches as they walk and upon spotting the steam vents, he figures it may be a public bath.

The guess is correct, as Tulani tugs him into it and rents a private bath. This isn't exactly private, so much as it's a large bath partitioned into smaller areas, but all sharing the same water. "Okay, get undressed, then undress me," Tulani requests. She also holds up a little bag. "I was able to get some 'accessories' from Helse as well."

Pierce arches his brow questioningly, but still does not sign since he was not given permission to do so. Instead, he undresses from his flap and the chaps he wears, and that's more or less it for his clothing. He leaves on the chest chain and the like. Once that is set aside, his attention shifts to Tulani. For her he kneels down and undresses her from the feet up. He's careful and gentle about it, as well as making sure he caresses her body as he slowly rises.

Tulani purrs when he's finished, and steps into the water. "Safe sign now" she signs.

"I can't believe you got them to pierce my nose," Pierce finally signs to Tulani, "Why? It hurt!"

The Sphynx takes the soap and lathers up her hands, then attacks Pierce's smelliest parts with it.

This elicits a lot of chirping and a bit of dancing around as he's cleaned of his musky scent.

"Your turn," Tulani says in Sylvanian, for privacy, and hands Pierce the soap. "Helse threw in a plug, for when you aren't wearing anything, and a second fitting that isn't a ring."

"What, no chains? What is the second fitting?" Pierce signs before he lathers up his own hands then proceeds to soap Tulani up. For her he attacks her entire body, though his hands do linger in certain areas...

Pierce blinks. "Really? Ah, why? Why did you do this to me? I now have to get you back for it," he signs, pausing in his cleaning. Now he rinses off his hands and proceeds to help clean the soap off Tulani. "And, er, did you really sign me up to service some households back there? Or, er, contract me to work in the studio?" he signs.

"No.. not yet," Tulani claims. "I need to work out which households would be the best to spy on if needed. And as for the bone.. well, to make you look like a savage of course. A wild Savanite, out to ravish a poor defenseless city girl lost in the jungle.." She puts the back of a wrist to her forehead, pretending to swoon.

Pierce splashes Tulani a bit for that. "I could work in the studio and also see who comes in," he offers in sign. "I think the Naga and Helse would like that." The last bit ends with a small smirk.

"She actually asked?" Pierce signs then blinks repeatedly. While the lick was a bit sore, it also felt really odd with that ring in there.

"And do I get any of the money from this deal, or do you get everything?" he asks.

"What could you possibly spend it on?" Tulani asks, grinning. "I suppose you could earn it off of me."

Pierce smirks. "If you want to sign me up to work at that studio, I approve," he signs and resumes bathing Tulani. "That Eeee didn't try to talk you into doing anything more to me, did she?"

Pierce considers this, then shrugs. "It wouldn't be the first time. Maybe we can go set up the contract before returning to the temple for me to work as a studio slave now and then. They seem expensive, so probably do get the higher end clientele," he signs. "Plus part of me does seem to find it oddly ... interesting to actually be a slave."

"Well, you did act that way with Mordecai," Tulani points out. "But before we go back, I had to watch you have all that fun.. and a slave needs to keep his mistress happy, doesn't he?" she purrs.

"Of course I do," Pierce signs then licks under Tulani's chin. He's a bit forceful in that he pushes Tulani back against one of the walls, apparently continent to return to being signless for the time being. And it's all the better he can't talk because his mouth is soon occupied grooming Tulani. Not unlike he did with Helse earlier. A very very, thorough grooming.

The Sphynx purrs, and the only other sounds come from neighboring stalls - which are just standard bathing sounds. The grooming also gives Pierce some time to recover, as he's had a very draining afternoon already.

Pierce actually spends more time with Tulani and pampering her in many ways while grooming. Claws comb and tease, teeth nip, and fingertips tickle. He's quite content to make her happy with just that tongue stud for the time being. It's only when he feels recovered enough do their bodies join. At that point he's looking into her eyes and quirks a playful grin ... then tends to his duties.

"Stop sloshing over there," someone complains from the next stall over, but at least doesn't resort to banging on the wood. Tulani actually gets her legs up around Pierce's hips to reduce the number of legs in the water, and hangs onto him. It's tricky, since one stray twitch of her wings might knock over the partition walls. The Sphynx also bites her lower lip to keep from making any noises.

Pierce helps keep Tulani from making noises by kissing her. The whole act is slow and gentle, and definitely geared towards her enjoyment. It's questionable if his body can really experience another release like it did earlier, but that's okay. Right now his goal is to make Tulani happy, even if she did have his nose wounded!

In any normal bath, the water would be cold by now. But the public bath keeps its temperature as if it were a transplanted hot spring. Pierce's feet are starting to feel waterlogged though by the time Tulani peaks and relaxes. It's also when the proctor rustles the curtain to warn them that their time is nearly up.

Pierce Eases Tulani off him and back down to her own feet. He bows to her, then signs, "I hope I have pleased my Mistress." He flashes a grin, then exists the tub to dry off and also dry Tulani off.

"Well, you've certainly worked up my appetite," Tulani notes, holding her arms up so she can be toweled off. "That little cafe next door should be just fine, before heading 'home' for the night."

"What about my contract?" Pierce signs just before he works on drying her off, then claw-combing down her fur before he takes up dressing her. This time he behaves, too, in that he doesn't try to work her up again with his hands.

"I suppose we can do that too," Tulani notes. "It can't be for every day, obviously. You have other things to do."

"Of course not, a couple days a week, maximum. Maybe just one. It'll also give me a regular time to be in the city and watching people. I assume you noticed that there are guards about? Dressed as regular people; but you can tell who they are by their eyes," Pierce signs as he finishes dressing Tulani and then dresses himself in what little clothing he has been permitted. He then presents himself should Tulani wish to put the chain and lock back on.

Kneeling down to affix the chain and lock, Tulani notes, "I figured there must be some. I remember a few were giving us a good look-over when reached the first plaza. I just don't know if they're for keeping the riff-raff or not. Obvious guards in uniform would accomplish that. I think they're watching for Guardians of the Tower."

"Likely looking for subversives, yes," Pierce agrees as the chain is snugged into place. Being as worn out as he is, nothing gets excited by the refit. "Or they're present to build an air of fear in that people who do bad things 'disappear'. Uncertainty of what happened is a good deterrent."

"I haven't overhead anything about people disappearing, but it's something to follow up on," Tulani notes, opening the curtain. "May not be talked about in public is all."

"You'll need to give Helse and Sephia my lock combination as a real slave shouldn't know it," Pierce notes in sign before checking his clothing, then Tulani's, one last time. "Now, back to silence and lunch before going back into that scary studio."

"Scary? Don't tell me you didn't love every moment of it," Tulani says, and flicks Pierce's nose ring.

Pierce rubs his nose after that, the flick hurt! "Well, okay, I did love it," he admits in sign and grins sheepishly. "Working there may make being in this city a little more tolerable! It'll certainly be ... different. Now, no more signing from me; I'm back to pure slave." The savanite leans over, licks Tulani's cheek, then kneels down and presents his leash to Tulani. And that look he gives Tulani? He really does look like an adoring slave.

Tulani was not a big fan of bug-cuisine, and so was a little disappointed in the cafe's menu, which was understandably heavy on the insect and semi-insect dishes. Meat and fish were in very short supply, due to the continuing trade-route problems and transformed into luxury items. Cream was also unavailable, along with most other dairy items (and it wasn't clear if Babelites even knew about cheese). There was bread though, and soups - some of which sounded familiar, in keeping with the idea of Babel becoming more cosmopolitan.

"I didn't see any signs, so I'll ask: are slaves allowed to eat with their masters?" the Sphynx asks the waiter.

Nodding, Tulani ordered some bread and soup for two. She wasn't actually certain if Pierce could eat solid food, so decided to play it safe instead of blow their cover by asking him.

As if to further assure the waiter, Pierce tilts his head a bit, making the leash connecting him to Tulani readily visible. "Interesting rule, but not surprising. Slaves don't have any rights, after all," the savanite thinks as they find a table and the bread and soup is ordered. He also waits until Tulani gives him verbal permission before touching anything. He also can't help himself and wiggles his nose now and then. That ring is noticeable, a small constant weight on his upper lip.

There are several others at the cafe, although no other slaves. The customers are nearly all middle-class Eeee and usually couples or families. The children are noisy enough to make it hard to eavesdrop on any but the nearest table, which is all women having tea.

Pierce is silent, naturally, and waiting politely. His eyes flick about, never lingering, as he observes the Eeee around him. Not only is he looking to see if any periodically look at him, but he's watching for hidden guards. As for the table near him, one ear flicks as he tries to listen.

"My nose hurts, I jingle, and I feel naked. Not how I thought I would return to Babel," Pierce finds himself thinking.

It's interesting to hear the Eeee language with non-Eeee ears; some parts really are too high to hear, but context can fill in the gaps. ".. and then Celise Velkarno has the nerve to suggest we just look for our lost goods on the black market. What about our business partner? Are we supposed to find him on the black market.. oh, Kindly Ones, I should not have even thought of that. He probably is there, the poor man, in pieces.." one of the women tells the others, who click and chirp in sympathy. "Something has to be done about the pirates. If certain people weren't profiting from them, I'm sure the Yodhrephath would have cleared them all out by now," another notes. The third says, "It's only a matter of time. As soon as someone high up fumbles or is exposed, Thath will swoop down and route out the traitors backing those marauders."

Pierce's ears twitch, then he wiggles his nose again, moving the ring around. "Pirates? Well, I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. It sounds like someone is funding unrest in the under city, which would go against stabilizing any sort of rule. It's something Amena would do, too. There are ancient temples to her down there; might be bases for them," the slave thinks. Absently, his tail sweeps a bit, then ends up curling around Tulani's ankle affectionately. "A couple dragons could probably deal with the pirates..."

The soup and bread arrive, and Tulani considers ordering some beer.. but decides against it. She does dip her bread though. "Eat up," she tells Pierce, since he'd just sit there until she gave him permission probably.

Pierce dips his head as if thanking Tulani for the permission, then takes a small piece of the brea.d He dips it in the soup, then carefully chews it. Since he has been able to eat solids before when shifted, he swallows carefully and waits to see if anything complains.

"Celise doesn't talk to me anymore," woman-number-two notes at the next table. "She got snooty at a party about her being a noble and me just a merchant's wife. So I flat out told her - and everyone around - that I'd rather be the wife of a man who makes paper than one who runs a brothel full of slaves. The look on her face! Well, I may not be invited to certain events anymore, but that look was well worth it."

The cheetah's stomach - in whatever form - is used to liquids, so the broth certainly doesn't bother it, and so far it's not complaining about the bread either.

"A slave brothel? Well, that doesn't surprise me at all. None would be as good as me, of course!" Pierce thinks, perhaps to lighten the idea of a brothel of slaves actually existing. "Still, might be a noble to get to know. They may know something about these pirates." Since his stomach seems to be behaving, he continues eating. A bit of bread here, some soup there. At one part he actually offers some food to Tulani while smiling; perhaps trying to show his devotion.

The two other women at the neighboring table erupt in rather unlady-like laughter at the anecdote, agreeing that is was indeed probably worth it.

The conversation turns to more pleasant and trivial things, like the public concert last week, and which singers are probably having an affair, and the new fashions.

"Ah the small talk of women. Do I sound like that when I'm female?" Pierce has to wonder as the topics turn to things requiring less focus. This gives him more of a chance to enjoy his meal.

"So, you really want to be posted at the salon for a bit?" Tulani asks quietly, in Sylvanian. At least it's something that can be answered by a nod or a shake of the head.

Pierce nods slightly to Tulani in confirmation, then nods towards the women, perhaps to indicate something they had been talking about earlier? He then reaches up as if stretching, then taps his ear. Perhaps to indicate it may give him more changes ot hear things. Slaves aren't often worried about, after all.

"Ah yes, Savanite Invisibility," Tulani notes with a grin. "I'd forgotten it still exists in some places. We'll go over and work something out with Helse. Okay leaving the negotiations up to me?" she asks, winking.

Pierce nods again. He taps his tail against Tulani's foot, then nods again. Perhaps he'll signal if something concerns him. The savanite then reaches over and briefly squeezes Tulani's hand, then bows his head to her, smiling.

"It can't go any worse than having a ring shoved in my nose," Pierce thinks to himself.

The tea-party breaks up, as the women say their farewells until their next meeting (it must be a regular event). Tulani lifts her soup bowl and drinks directly from it once she's out of bread.

Pierce, however, continues to eat his soup with his spoon. He even holds it delicately between his thumb and forefinger. If he was supposed to be a khattan capture, then he should have manners; even if he is mostly naked.

"Older slaves always have the best manners," Tulani notes in Standard, and reaches over to muss up Pierce's hair by rubbing his beret around.

Pierce actually purrs a bit at that and leans his head up to briefly nuzzle Tulani's hand for the compliment. "She is just loving me being her slave," the savanite thinks. "Some day I will get her back for all of this. The nose ring revenge requires ... planning."

Once the meal is finished, they head back to Slaves to Art, where Helse is surprised to see them. "Is there a problem with the insert?" she asks.

"Nothing like that!" Tulani claims. "I was just wondering if we could continue that little conversation we had earlier, about mutually beneficial partnerships?"

Pierce shakes his head slightly, but beyond that does nothing. He remains two steps behind Tulani, head bowed slightly, chin just touching the leash that connects them. His eyes do flick up, looking for the serpent, Sephia.

"I'm putting a lot of trust in you, Tulani," Pierce thinks to himself. "You had better get a good deal!"

Sephia is at her station, sterilizing her tools in alcohol from the smell of it. She flicks her tongue at Pierce in what might be a flirtatious manner - if Naga flirt at all.

Helse and Tulani work things out in hushed voices. ".. certainly some leeway in staff service, with service-in-kind compensation.." Tulani says, while Helse nods and puffs her pipe.

Pierce actually flashes the serpent a brief smile and wiggles the ring that she helped insert into his nose. He also blinks as he tries to listen to Tulani and the negotiations; what is she requesting and requiring?

".. night with my girls, if he's to start first thing. There'll be food costs to cover.." Helse notes. "It won't be every night, maybe on an as-needed basis depending on scheduled contracts.." Tulani counters.

"Good, she's covering the part about not every night," Pierce thinks. He can't be here all the time, true enough. He has to recharge, for one. For two, he has other things to do than just spy.

Sephia coils and uncoils around the base of the chair, making definite squeezing motions and grinning to Pierce. The Naga at the hair-styling station next to her picks up on this, and gives Pierce a reptilian looking-over.

Pierce shifts about and splays his ears in embarrassment. His flap also twitches a bit, which causes a brief look of discomfort to flow over his features. His chain is doing its job very well.

"Flap up," Tulani tells Pierce, apparently having come to an agreement with Helse.

Pierce blinks at the sudden command. His head dips quickly in acknowledgement of the command. His right hand lowers and he lifts his flap up, once again presenting the rings embedded in his flesh and the chain keeping the savanite under 'control'.

Tulani ducks down and undoes the lock and chain, which she pockets. "I'm leaving you here tonight," she tells Pierce. "Follow Helse's instructions. If you want something besides food - especially if it's another body-bauble - you'll have to 'work' for it. Otherwise no freebies until after hours - you need to be able to perform during the day if a client comes in. Got that?"

Pierce's chin dips slightly in agreement. He looks between Tulani and Helse, then draws in a deep breath. "I'm going to be left with her, and she will treat me like a slave. I'll have to be very careful to not break my act," he thinks. The savanite then fully turns to Helse and bows deeply, acknowledging her as his 'Mistress' until Tulani comes for him.

"I'll be back tomorrow to check on you," Tulani promises. "If you're good, maybe I'll bring you a treat!" she adds with a purr.

Pierce's ears perk and he smiles to her. He even offers her a gentle purr as his fairwell since he cannot sign.

"Take good care of him," the Sphynx tells Helse, then leaves the salon with an exaggerated swaying of her hips.

Pierce watches Tulani's hips sway as she departs. The savanite then turns back to Helse and swallows a bit nervously. His nose twitches, which wiggles that bone-ring.

Pierce's head bows and he follows behind Helse; keeping the same two step pace behind her that he did with Tulani.

They go into a narrow hallway (by Eeee standards - it's just fine for someone without wings) and Helse points out the rooms. The first one on the right is a somewhat small one taken up by a huge nest of blankets and pillows. "This is where the slaves sleep, and where you can bring your clients' slaves during the day," Helse explains. Immediately across from this is a fairly modern-looking toilet. There's a separate washroom with an oversized bath and a coal-burning water heater, a kitchenette (mostly filled with Yiffle cages), a multi-purpose room and finally one with an actual door. "This is my bedroom. You are not to enter unless invited," Helse says.

Pierce walks along silently, hands behind his back. His eyes and ears flick about curiously as he's given the tour. At indication of the the slave room, he nods once, the kitchenette and the modern bathroom get a curious, and impressed, look, and as for Helse's command regarding her bedroom he nods once, firmly, to indicate his understanding.

"Now then, what else are you good at?" the bat asks, switching her pipe to the other side of her mouth. "Have you ever bathed others?" she asks, and points to her centipede fur-paint. "Washed out coloring and such?"

Pierce nods at that and gestures back towards the bathroom in agreement that he has formally bathed before. He also licks his forearm in demonstration that he has bathed by tongue before as well. He also lifts and lowers his arms a few times, probably trying to indicate he's in good shape and can carry things.

Helse laughs a bit at the last gesture. "I'm sure you could carry me, but the girls are heavy," she notes. "For now, come out and observe."

Pierce also gestures to Helse's shoulders and makes kneading motions with his hands, perhaps to indicate massage. As for her new command, he nods once and steps to the side so she can preceed him.

Out in the main salon, things are busy despite there not being any customers at the moment. Each serpent-girl cleans her station and tools, making sure they're ready. Helse sits on a cushion with a large loosely-bound book that is apparently full of tattoo-like designs.. including the coiling-around centipede she wears and the fancy designs on Sephia and the others.

Pierce walks around a little bit, remaining completely silent as he does so, looking at the stations but not getting too close to get into the way. Sephia gets another smile from him when he passes by hers. At the end of the circuit he returns to standing behind Helse and peers into the book the Eeee reads, but not so intensely as to be annoying.

The Eeee woman seems to be browsing at random, until she stops on a page with a flowering-vine design, and shifts her pipe again. "Hmmm, I think this one for tomorrow," she mutters.

Pierce leans over to get a better look at the flowing vine design. His head nods slightly, perhaps he approves of it. Or perhaps he is just agreeing with her. "She must change her body pattern every day," he thinks.

Pierce also can't help himself and flicks his eyes about, looking at what Helse herself has had pierced, and what types of piercings since they have ones that seem to work and aren't rings.

"Chantris," Helse addresses one of the Nagas, how comes over to look at the design. With the bat bent over, Pierce can see a row of studs along her back between the wings , and a pair just above her rear. She also has them in her left wrist, as if they were on an invisible bracelet. Not all of them are metal, either.

Pierce's eyes go wide. He actually likes the look of the studding, but isn't sure how they managed it. Nor can he really ask, given his status. Still, they're pretty. He's surpised himself that he actually likes them. He also can't help but reach up and lightly touch his still sore nose, feeling the ring. His stomach, well, yes that's a feeling of embarrassment right there! He looks over his shoulder quickly, curious if Sephia is watching him.

That particular Naga is coiled in her chair, inspecting her own painted scales for worn or cracked spots.

Pierce feels a little better and less like prey knowing Sephia isn't watching him. So, his attention returns to Helse before him. He looks over the Eeee again, amazed by how much work she has had done. "She's almost as bad as Mordecai," he thinks.

After the consultation, Chantris (who must be the body-painter) takes the book. Helse suddenly sits up, stretches and leans back.. right into Pierce's legs. "We have another hour before closing, so let's see how well you do backrubs," she tells Pierce.

Pierce has to crouch, then kneel down, behind Helse to be able to do backrubs. He does this while using one hand to keep her back supporting until he's on his knees behind her. The backrub begins with his hands tracing along her shoulders, then down over her wing joints and along the studding that lines her spine. His touch is light at first, encouraging the muscles to relax, as well as to 'feel out' his temporary Mistress.

The studs are certainly interesting, and clearly anchored in the skin and not deeper. There are some rough spots - possibly old muscle tears that have healed with a bit of scarring. The Eeee remains quiet, puffing on her pipe and thinking her own thoughts.

Pierce's thumbs run over those studs again in fascination. HE bites his lip when he realizes he's thinking about some on himself, so distracts himself from the thoughts by starting in on her back. Knowing Eeee anatomy very well pays off here as he knows how to start on shoulder muscles and slowly work their way down to the wing joints. He also knows that for scarred muscles, you must follow the muscle directions and ease into them to get them to relax. Scars are not as forgiving as unharmed tissue. His fingers and thumbs work light, but the pressure slowly builds and he kneads the Eeee's back. To add to the experience, and since many seem to like it, he purrs softly to her while he works.

Pierce does keep it up. In fact, he makes it a little louder. The purring grows as his work on her muscles increase in intensity. Having had Eeee wings, he knows just how to massage them and what feels good ... and for the moment, that's where he focuses.

Time passes, and Helse zones out. It's up to Sephia to get up and lock the front door to indicate that the salon is closed for the day. The other slaves finish whatever they were doing as well. Chantris begins setting up her station for work again, studying the image in the book, while the others head through the hallway. There are sounds of water and shoveling as someone gets the water heater fired up.

Pierce tries to wake Helse by reaching over her shoulder and running his fingers lightly along her cheek. That hand soon disappears as he resumes working firmly on her back. By now he has reached her lower back and it's there his hands knead. It also gives him more time to explore those skin-studs.

The secret of the studs becomes apparent - there's some sort of disk-shaped base under the skin that the out ball of the stud is connected to. So while the visible part could probably be removed or unscrewed, the base and some sort of stem would be permanent, unless cut out with a small incision.

And yet that doesn't seem to deter Pierce's mind from thinking about how some would look on him. Still, he has a task to do, and an Eeee to massage. He assumes he'll be bathing her soon in prep for the new paintwork on her body.

Sephia returns and hisses, "The bath is ready. Can you carry her?" The Naga also takes the limply-hanging pipe from her Mistress's mouth.

Pierce nods to Sephia and smiles to the Naga. He shifts his legs and gets back onto his feet, then slips his arms under the small of her back and her knees. He's slow and steady as he rises, keeping his own back straight as he does so and adjusting her a bit to account for her wing-weight.

Two of the girls are waiting in the tub, looking happy about it (after all, it's hot water!) when Alptraum brings Helse in. She wakes up a bit before he actually gets there, but doesn't stop him from putting her in the water. The two serpents begin to lather her up with soap almost immediately.

Pierce is very careful about setting Helse into the tub then taking a step back so the other serpents can tend to her. "I shouldn't intrude on them unless bidden," he thinks. He was told to obey her, after all.

"You'll be the towel-boy tonight," Helse tells Pierce, so that he has to stick around. Sephia smiles back, and manages the water, adding more hot water as needed.

Pierce nods once to that. It's maddening to watch the Eee being washed and not being able to touch her. He does find her attractive; but then he finds Sephia attractive too, after the way she handled him in the chair. Still, he manages to remain quiet and calm as she's washed. "This place isn't so bad. They seem treated well and Helse isn't mean," he thinks.

Finally the Eeee steps out to be dried, and Sephia takes her place. The three Naga begin washing off their own body art now.

Pierce retrieves several towels from the rack and heads over to Helse. His recently-pierced muzzle smiles to her as he drapes a towl over her and begins carefully drying her body. He treats this to as a form of massage, kneading and feeling along the Eeee's thin body. It also gives his fingers a chance to explore her body-work again as he goes. As she gets more and more dry, long strokes of the rowel are used, following the directional growth of her body fur. Every now and then he smiles again to her, perhaps trying to show he's pleased to be of service. When he gets to her wings finally, those take a couple towels each. Long sheets of leather are hard to get dry with just one towel, after all.

Once the toweling is finished, Helse nods to Pierce and says, "I'll be in the salon with Chantris, so you're free of any duties for now."

Pierce actually taps one of Helse's studs, perhaps feeling brave to show a little interest. He then takes a step back and bows to her. While he is bent over (and probably giving the serpents an interesting view), he collets the wet towels. The savanite then takes them to a rack to dry.

"You'll have to earn them," Helse says as she leaves. From down the hall she laughs, saying, "Studs for the stud!" In the bath, it's hard to distinguish one Naga from the other as they twine together in the frothy water.

Pierce finally chuffles softly to himself when Helse leaves. For the moment he steps away from the tub and leans on a wall, watching the odd (and a little disturbing) snakedance in the tub.

At one point, each serpentine head are looking at him, stacked like a pyramid with two on the bottom and one on top, making it look like a single three-headed creature is watching him. They even flick their tongues in unison.

Pierce's ears wiggle in amusement and he smiles, trying to make sure they know he finds the position funny-looking. He then points at a towel questioningly.

The Nagas untwine slowly, and then Sephia gestures to a towel, and then makes a come-hither motion.

Pierce goes and collect the towel, then approaches Sephia. He extends his hands with the towel in them, then bows his head and waits to see if she wants him to dry her, or she wishes to do it herself.

Serpent pours out of the tub, and raises herself up on her coils with her arms held up over head so that he cheetah can dry her off. The other two remain in the tub and might be giggling for all Pierce can tell - it sounds like so much hissing to him.

Pierce actually leans in and kisses her scaled torso, his new ring also brushing it. When he leans back, the towel is used now to dry off that very sleek body. He even knows to wipe in the direction of scale growth, not against, as he works over her muscular body.

The Naga's tail twists and flexes when he get to it, possibly as a show of strength? Sephia isn't saying, choosing to remain silent still.

Pierce circles her as he works, the towel flowing and following those occasionally flexing coils. He purrs to her now. A towel is discarded and a new one collected. He even rubs his hands over her scales now and then.

Pierce's own body posture is never remotely aggressive, either. It is as if he is deferring to her as a slave over him.

Meanwhile, the other girls have drained the tub and toweled themselves off a bit more roughly. Sephia takes Pierce's hand once the last bit of her is dry and tugs him towards the door.

Pierce neatly places the towel on the rack before he turns to follow Sephia to the door. He purrs once at her, perhaps to signal he will come.

The serpent takes him into the 'nest' room, then turns and rises up to be eye to eye with him. She threads her tongue through his nosering to lick his nose, and then.. steals his hat and puts it on her own head!

Pierce chuffles, wiggles his in amusement, then rubs his ringed nose. He taps the nose ring, then waggles a finger at her as if blaming her for the ring!

"I am resssponSible for it looking good," Sephia claims. "You sShould reward me!"

Pierce runs his hands over his head, then down his body where he actually sheds his chaps and leaves him wearing nothing but collar, chains, and his body work. He taps the body jewelry curiously, then gestures to her. Maybe he's asking if she really does like how he looks.

Pierce taps himself again, then the jewelry, then on other parts of his body. Maybe asking if he should get more? He then cups his hands under her chin and leans in, kissing her on her scaly lips. That's ... quite different, really, but he likes it.

"You want more?" Sephia asks, her tongue flicking rapidly after the kiss. She starts to feel around the still-pristine areas of Pierce's skin, as if contemplating. She finds the rings on his back (which would normally be on the ends of his 'wings' in other forms) and feels his tail.

Pierce looks away. Up, down, just ... away. His body flushes a bit warmer, too, a hint of embarrassment that betrays that he problably wouldn't mind more. The ringing of his tail makes his ears wiggle at least! He leans in and presses his chest to her torso.

And then the Naga wraps her arms around the cheetah's torso, and falls backwards. She's heavier than Pierce, so he's dragged down on top of her.

Pierce kisses under her chin again, then licks there once, dragging that tongue stud over her scales. His feet and tail stroke over her tail as well before he scoots up just a bit, then kisses her again. He taps himself, then her; perhaps trying to say he does like her. The warm spot between them probably says the same thing, just in a different way.

Sephia's tail coils over Pierce and rubs his back. "You like mE?" she asks, before unhinging her jaw and giving him a full face kiss, of sorts.

Having half his face swallowed is a bit unnerving (as is the tongue on that nose ting again!) but he somehow manages to not panic too much! When the naga finally does release his face, he manages a smile to her then a nod to answer her question. He uses his finger to wiggle that bone ring in his nose again, even though it does hurt to do that, then licks her nose.

Sephia begins really squirming now, and the other two serpents come into the room.. and join right in, until Pierce is covered an all sides by scales and warmed-up Nagas.

The entire situation is odd, and Pierce goes with it. He slides down and licks along Sephia's torso, exploring and playing. Hands play as well, feeling the rippling muscle. At some point his licking becomes seeking as he searches out the area that Sephia used on him, to see if Naga react like others do when licked there.

It's a bit like being mauled by giant dry tongues. When Pierce finds the spot.. he can't be entirely certain he has the right Naga! They keep rolling him around. Whoever he does have, he gets a throaty hiss out of at least.

And Pierce tries an experiment there and devours a Naga, so to speak. Of course this can only go on so long before his own body urges him to do other things ... and soon tongue is replaced by other pierced body parts as he actually tries to mate with the naga.

It's hard to tell just which one is which, and there are times when his partner slides off for a moment. It's quite possible he's mating with all three of them in turn. But eventually one of them stays amidst much hissing. Sephia seems to be the dominant one of the three - and it isn't even clear if the Nagas are related or not.

Pierce tries as much as he can to focus on Sephia; the serpent that marred his face! Why? Perhaps because she's so different. Hard to really say. When the switching does end, that's when Pierce really puts muscle effort into it and hopes the savanite's rougher anatomy feels good to the serpent. He also tries to seek out her head again so that he can kiss her. The whole experience is alien, yet he likes it.

It becomes easier as the other two back off. Sephia certainly enjoys the solo attention, but still feels a need to roll around all over the place with her lover.

Pierce tries to help with this urge by trying to get her to coil around him so that when she rolls, he isn't having to bear her weight! He's no naga, but he tries to give her as much as an experience as if he were one.

In the end, both participants feel satisfied, although Sephia did squeeze Pierce hard a few times in reflex - but nothing was broken, and it did seem to help with the intensity of it all. After he catches his breath, he realizes the other two must have gone to the kitchen to prepare their mistress's dinner, but Sephia doesn't seem inclined to let go of him yet.

Pierce seems ... okay to be held within Sephia's coils. He lays with her in silence, his hands just petting over her scaled body coiled around him. He taps his nose again, then leans in and noses her lightly, possibly saying thank you of a sorts. This is followed by a smile. "Well, so far being a slave of the salon isn't so bad after all!" he decides. He even has, well, a naga lover here! Granted one with scary tools and is far stronger than him; but still ... he sort of likes her. He doesn't mind so much now that she met him by getting him to lift his flap. But ... time will tell how life as a slave will go...