The tower of the Velkarno family may never be the same. Aside from the smoke damage, the master bedroom was completely destroyed after Tulani and Alptraum's rampage, and all of the slaves and servants fled so there isn't anyone to clean up the mess. By the time they returned to the Temple of Inala (and Alptraum became Pierce again), Mave had cleaned up Butterscotch and the doe was now sleeping in a 'nest' of sorts.
"Did you have fun?" Mave asks the returning duo of destruction.
Pierce rolls his eyes, then shrugs and signs. "It was violent and horrible, but I'm certain we may have scared a few people straight. Or at least only slightly wavy," he sighs. "Then Tulani ordered me to return to this and well ... it's dangerous to argue with big teeth."
FIX: Redundant signs in there!
The Sphynx stretches out her arms and arches her back, letting out a feline yawn. "It was great!" she says. "And we defiled their bed! Twice!"
"They'll probably sell the shreds as sacred artifacts," Pierce signs and wiggles his ears. The erstwhile slave then saunters over to check on the doe. It's over there that he signs over his shoulder, "Auntie Rephath made an appearance."
"Really? A full manifestation?" Mave asks. Butterscotch is curled up in the sleeping nest, and is sleeping as if the horrible things she'd been through had never happened.
"Phantom-ish, Pierce signs. He pauses to reach down to pet Butterscotch's ears for a second. The savanite then turns and leaves the doe to rest. "She was pleased with the outcome. Especially what happened to the child-eating lady of the household."
"The Velkarno's are known for having extreme.. tastes," Mave notes. "They were often guests of the lower Pits of the temple."
"Well, now they're Hosheb's extreme taste," Pierce signs. "Better them than Snowcora." He also can't help himself and rubs his beringed nose again. The savanite's eyes flick and glare at Tulani, too.
Tulani responds by licking Pierce's nose, and then pushing the Savanite backwards into the nest.
Pierce chirps as he falls on his backside. "She won't let me remove it, either! he signs up and over the nest at Mave. The savanite then sticks out his tongue and blows a raspberry at Tulani!
"He likes it," Tulani claims. "He can take it out if he wants."
A golden-caramel-furred arm immediately wraps around Pierce's chest as the sleeping doe reflex-cuddles him from behind.
"Oh, I see, I have to keep the doe comfortable!" Pierce signs as if it was the worst thing in the world. Of course the fact that he goes still and snuggles back against the doe tells otherwise. He even lets his own eyes droop as he's a bit tired as well. Rough night of shifting.
Tulani crawls into the nest as well after a bit, and there's a lot of purring as everyone dozes off, except for Mave, who seems lost in her own thoughts..
Debris and bodies float in airless space, as the orb of Sinai and the ring of the Procession dominate the view beyond the tumbling local horizon. Silhouetted against the blue world is a tall, muscular Eeee woman in red armor, holding a scythe. Alptraum finds he isn't affected by the weightlessness exhibited by everything else (including the large chunks of palaces and towers).
Alptraum resists the urge to comment that Rephath has a really muscular butt. "Two times in one night. People might start to talk about us," the Eeee remarks as he walk over (but not too close!) to the tall Eeee. Okay, so not much better, but still. "While I don't normally agree with the extreme directions ... revenge may take, tonight's was justified."
"Really?" Rephath asks without turning. "Tell me, Barsunala: which is better, Justice or Vengeance?"
"Justice," Alptraum answers easily. "Vengence begats Vengence, whereas Justice has more of a chance to bring closure."
"Then why do I know so little about it?" Rephath asks, finally facing Alptraum. "Why do the people of Babel want from me what is ultimately the inferior choice?"
"Because it's the first place the heart jumps to when someone is wronged. We're all flawed, we want people to feel inside like we feel inside when we are hurt. For some reason we all think it will make us feel better. Generally, it doesn't though," Alptraum answers and shrugs a bit. "Where Justice is ... sometimes you have to be willing to let something go. Or accept something because it is better for all. Justice is hard."
"Justice is hard," Rephath repeats. "It.. intrigues me. There has been much vengeance in Babel. I have instigated some of it. But it never lessens this.." The scythe sweeps across the vista of the ruined heart of Babel. "I will never get over this, unless.. I accept Justice?"
"I'm not sure I will fully get over this, but here's what I remind myself. When I look over the tear in the heart of Babel, and see this place, I remind myself that this is what blindly following your heart can cause. The war, all the deaths, all were caused in part because of anger and a desire for revenge. We as a people brought this on ourselves," Alptraum says as he rubs his forehead as if he had a headache. "If we want to get over things like this; we have to stop doing the things that cause it. It doesn't mean we stop punishing people who have earned it; it means we have to step back and see what is the true justice to enact; not what the moment in our heart declares. You have done good for Babel; you have protected it. It's just time for you to be more than a symbol of vengeance and even you feel it, it seems. It's time for you to see into your self, and into others, and seek what the right action is. And really, maybe that's all Justice means; do what is right."
"It is hard to accept," the goddess claims, and looks out over the ruins. "This... is justice, for our aggression and passion. But not vengeance, for.. we still stand. The new power in Babel touts justice. I do not know if my Daughters will be able to overcome their tradition and support it. It may take time. You will have to help with that, Barsunala-who-would-be-Sabaoth. But what you did at the tower, you did not do just to win My favor, even though you knew you needed it. Tell me of my supposed mother's plans."
"Nala?" Alptraum asks, brow arched. "Or are you referring to ... Dipthath."
"Diphath," Rephath replies without emotion. "There are many lineages I could claim, including having been born of magic a few years ago. One of them is that I am the daughter of Diphath, as My name suggests. It doesn't matter to me, either way. I care only for what threat she presents."
"She lies in wait outside of Babel, using the cloud of wild magic to hide herself. Her goal is simple; and she has been working it for a long time ... corrupt and take over Babel," Alptraum explains as he now looks out into the desolate expanse. "Her ultimate prize is when she takes Mount Sunala itself; and the vast catacombs of our dead can fuel her new undead army. Once she has that, she wants the world."
"So, that is what it takes to get you to set on this path," Rephath notes. "Knowing you as I do, it would have to be something so heinous. Well, you have my Blessing, formally. I suspect you already had it. And you've had Gronegk's favor from your first visit to Babel."
Alptraum's brow arches up a bit. "What do you mean by it would take something like this to put me on this path?" he has to ask. "And will you also wish to have my, ah, female form act as your Maiden?"
"My Yodh are distant from me," Rephath notes. Then she holds out her monstrous scythe, held horizontally. "Take this. I won't be needing it. It is the symbol My support for you as Sabaoth. For the Shrine Maiden, I offer the Scales. I think there is already a process in place for transferring that."
Alptraum takes the scythe with a rather shicked look on his face. Handing this over is a major act; not one he expected. "I ... well ... thank you," he says and bows deeply to Repath. "As for the scales, ah, yes, I suppose there may be if you mean the disfigurement of ... er, my female form body by my male lover, Mordecai."
"I don't need to know the details," Rephath says, and turns her gaze to the blue world in the distance. "When you see Sunala, tell Her that I cede this realm into Her care. It is time I returned to Babel and put the past behind Me."
"Will I see you again?" Alptraum asks quite bluntly. "I find your presence ... comforting in a way."
The goddess actually.. smiles? "I will be around, in one guise or another. You can contact me through Gronegk as well."
"Good. I look forward to our next meeting," Alptraum tells the Goddess. "And I will confer this realm to my Mother. she will guide it to oblivion."
"I've kept these poor souls in limbo too long," Rephath agrees. "And myself as well. Perhaps I will see you next on your birthday."
"I sometimes wonder what I'll be on my next birthday," Alptraum actually jokes about himself. "But any visit by you would be an honor."
The goddess pauses and looks at Alptraum for a moment. "I should probably kiss you on the cheek or forehead or something.. but I'm not going to. I haven't changed that much."
"Good. It will also provide me a challenge to overcome in the future; the first to get a kiss from Rehath," Alptraum notes and quirks a lopsided grin.
"Don't push it, Sabaoth," Rephath says, then winks, spreads her wings and flies off through space towards Sinai.
"It's my job to push it. I grew up pushing it," Alptraum claims and even laughs. "Ah, the chance to talk to someone sane. I forgot what that felt like."
Now alone in this place, Alptraum runs his hands through his white mane. "It sounds like I have to see that crazy albino bat again and let him 'transfer' Rehath's mark to my body. And who knows what else! That bat likes disturbing things," he mutters. Granted he's not admitting that some part of himself likes it, too. Even while thinking about Mordecai and Snowcora seems to be causing some of his fur to ... fall out, and leave behind patches of white skin.
The ruins of the heart of Babel fade away, and the shimmering liquid light of the crystal cavern wash over Snowcora's decorated skin. She floats down, nearly weightless, unto something warm and soft. When weight and 'reality' fully assert themselves Snowcora finds herself on a mattress of Lapi does, which immediately begin to pet and caress her.
And poor Snowcora squeaks! "I really have to watch what I think in these places!" she thinks to herself, even though those does are feeling really, really, good right now. "Uhm, hello again," she murmurs to the does with a nervous smile creeping on her lips. She also beings to wonder, and rolls her lip to see if she's going to have to explain her nose to Mordecai!
The ring is there, but the motion invites one of the does to kiss the lips. And then one of them finds the blue orb on her belly, and starts to lick it.
"Grmpth!" goes Snowcora into the kiss. And why oh why does this body kiss back? The poor human is actually enjoying it up until the orb is licked and the sensation that is ten times the intensity of being licked on another orb surges through her! The urge to fight with the does all but vanishes in the audible moan that escapes the human's lips!
It doesn't help that the doe keep licking. It's like having Snow's power turned back onto herself! It's maddening, and the does just keep encouraging it. They also wrap themselves around the woman's limbs, keeping her pinned. It's only when Snowcora notices her knees touching her chest that things change: Mordecai is there, promising eventual relief.
The sounds Snowcora makes while her orb is licked is ... well, a human lost in the depths of physical pleasure is a quite appropriate. So is the way her entire body shivers after each lick. It actually takes her some time before the position of her legs register and the sight of the scary Eeee finally comes into her vision. And what does Snowcora say? Does she protest? No. The human speaks in a whimpery, soft, voice and says, "Master..."
Mordecai isn't gentle, in contrast to the does. He makes love like a starving man thrown a steak. But it's just what Snowcora needs, given the state of arousal that threatens to burn her up. Eventually the doe stops licking, after having her head squashed several times between the human and bat.
Snowcora is certain she feels her body reacting with the same hunger as the Eeee that roughly takes her. And it all feels exquisite. She knows his feel well by now and whenever he becomes a part of her, well ... she wants to keep him as part of her. Even when the licking stops, her body continues on trying to claim what it needs from the studded and rough Eeee!
After considerable effort, the energy building up in Snowcora is finally released, leaving her feeling a bit weak. Mordecai biting her neck and drinking her blood might also have something to do with it though.
And what does Snowcora say while he drinks her blood? "Take me," she murmurs in his ear, her mind a swirling cloud of settling and fading emotions and arousal. "I have missed you so much."
"I am here to serve you, and the Kindly Ones," Mordecai replies, and gives Snowcora a bloody kiss before sitting up. The does move to keep the girl immobilized, and the ones holding her arms lean in and.. start to suckle on her, in the mammalian way rather than the vampiric variation. Mordecai places a cloth over Snowcora's belly, with his tools and supplies on it. The clay pot is fully of blood-red dye this time.
It's too late before Snowcora fully registers she is being held down again by the does. And she would complain loudly, except the nursing does feel rather good. So she licks her lips off, tasking copper as she does so. It's also then that she gets to feel tools laid out and spot the pot. "Is it really necessary to tattoo me again?" she asks in a weak voice of Mordecai. "Am I not already a testament to your art?"
"I must respond to the Muse," Mordecai says. "And you are more than just my art." He picks up one of the 'wide-area' multi-needle tools - the one that needs a hammer to work properly - and applies the dye. The tattooing begins at the lower half of Snowcora's left breast - conveniently held taut by the teeth of the suckling doe.
The squeal that escapes Snowcora's lips is one of immense pain! That area is very sensitive and each tap of the needle burms like fire. Her body tries to jerk away, only to be held fast by the does! The pinch of those buck teeth hooked on her barbells also does a lot to keep her from moving too much.
Mordecai tries to make it more comfortable by continuing to couple with Snowcora as he works. Unlike with the tattoos around her eyes, these seem to cover a good bit more area though.
A lot of area, since Snowcora is reasonably well-endowed in her chest; like the body this one was based on. The poor human's voice becomes a mix of gasps from the work of Mordecai and his studs, and whimpers from the burning pain in her chest.
Eventually, the does release Snowcora's breasts, but only so Mordecai can work upwards along the sides of them towards her collarbone.
That, thankfully, is less painful; but it doesn't quite help the dull burn in her chest. The sounds she makes are mostly gasps of enjoymant now at least. So is the way her restrained hips wiggle, encouraging the Eeee.
Even after the tattooing is completed, Mordecai simply focuses more on the lovemaking. It's much gentler and intimate this time, and he avoids touching the newly tattooed areas. The does snuggle up from the sides of course.
And Snowcora's legs wrap around his hips to hold him right where she wants him. "Why is it no matter how much pain you cause me, I want you all the more?" she murmurs softly up at him as her now free hands explore over his scar-decorated body so long as she makes no move to alert the does to hold her arms again.
Eventually, things calm - Mordecai is not possessed of an orb imbued with the power of Inala, after all. The burning in Snowcora's chest has dulled as well.
Snowcora keeps her legs where they are, though, not quite willing to let him go now. She smiles up at him and flutters her eyelashes. "I hope you don't mind my nose. Tulani decided I needed one and ... forced me. She made sure it was, uhm, permanent with a grommet," she admits.
"I like it," Mordecai says. "It makes you seem.. less intimidating."
"I don't think I was ever intimidating. That is your and Hortese' domain," Snowcora teases. She also tries to sit up a bit to try and get a look at the tattoo.
It's hard to see, given the location. The lower quarter of her breasts are red.. cups? Chains connect them to her collarbone, where more red entwines with the gold rays from the symbol of Rinala, which acts as the fulcrum to Rephath's scales.
"At this rate you will not leave much bare skin on me," Snowcora teases her lover.
"What use is bare skin, my dear?" Mordecai asks with a grin. "Do you not appreciate the art?"
"Only that I do not get enough of it. I miss the feel of your needles," Snowcora teases right back. "I even miss Hortense and her whip now and then."
"Be careful what you desire," Mordecai warns. "You may get it, but not in a way you expect." The bat licks one of the newly tattooed chains - but his vampire saliva is soothing.
"What do you mean by that?" Snowcora asks before sighing from the soothing feel of his lick.
"Hortense does not enjoy it so much if you are looking forward to her attention," Mordecai notes, and catches Snowcora's nose-ring with his tongue.
Snowcora meeps at the sudden pull on that ring. "It is not as if I will see her again soon," she points out as she looks cross-eyed at her nose.
"That depends on the Muse," Mordecai claims, after releasing the ring. "I cannot say what will happen when we next meet."
Snowcora rubs her beringed nose. "Has Hortense even mentioned me since I left?" she asks, curious now.
"That is information that I cannot tell you," Mordecai claims. "There are limits to our interactions in this.. venue. Unwritten rules."
"Or you're just trying to frustrate me," Snowcora says and crosses her arms over her chest. Unfortunately that was a bad idea; it hurts! So, her arms fall back to her sides. "It also means I can't ask you if the person I asked you to shelter ever arrived or not."
"I'm afraid so," Mordecai says. "It is not my choice, but I cannot break the rules."
Snowcora hmphs and sniffs loudly. "See if I ever tend to your serpent again," she mutters.
"Oh?" Mordecai asks, his hand hovering over the blue orb on Snowcora's belly as he grins.
Snowcora puts her hands on his and tries to lift it away. "Yes, I was going to treat it to my stud, but now I don't want to," she says and even sticks her studded tongue out at the bat.
"You are a terrible liar," Mordecai notes. "But I can let you watch while one of the does treats me.." he teases.
The Lapis all giggle.
"That's just evil!" Snowcora retorts and tries to look annoyed..
"What's wrong with evil?" Mordecai asks, looking shocked. "Did you ever think I wasn't evil?"
"It's hardly motivating to make me want to lick you," Snowcora claims and sniffs loudly again.
"You need motivation?" Mordecai asks, and purrs. "How about if I just asked you?"
"Well, I might," Snowcora waffles and bites her lip.
"In that case, I think you should close your eyes, and open your mouth and..SNRRRK" Mordecai's whisper ends in a loud snort, which jars Pierce awake. Butterscotch's muzzle is practically in his ear when the bunny starts snoring.
"I don't know id I should be happy or annoyed to wake from that," Pierce finds himself thinking as he wakes up rather rudely. He shifts a bit and tries to ease the snoring muzzle from his ear so he can get back to sleep. "And maybe this time I'll be lucky and have a quiet night." he thinks.