The Procession is very bright over the back of Mt. Sunala. It shines down into the old grove, with its worn stone idol to Rinala, and the mossy bed where Snowcora lies atop two happily exhausted barsunalas. Her white hair and exposed white skin glows as brightly in the light as the ground-hugging mists that flow down the mountainside. A Chibix alights on the shoulder of Rinala, it's oversized nose and ears probing its surroundings.
"I think I broke them," Snowcora remarks to the silly-looking chibix that has perched nearby. "Granted, they were easy to break, but it doesn't make it any less fun. Granted doing it out here was a bit odd, but no odder than some of the places in Sylvania I suppose." It's then she finally pushes herself upright and reaches for her robe, muttering, "And now I get to hear Tulani make comments."
The Chibix starts screeching at Snowcora, and a hand falls on her arm from behind, stopping her from taking the robe. It's strong and Eeee-like, but still a bit off.
Snowcora is at least used to things like this enough to not scream. Plus, she has some auras she can use against anyone who might try something. "Look, I just had two 'companions'. I know I'm blessed with Inala's wanton ability ... but even I need a break now and then," she jokes as she turns her head to see what just grabbed her ... and plot on how to get rid of it.
The face she nearly bumps into is.. well, not cute, but not horrifying. It's the face - and head - of a giant Chibix, grafted to the body of an Eeee, though one with oversized wings and a covering of chitin going down to its shoulders.
"Hello Chezek," Snowcora all but purrs at the monstrosity holding her arm. "There isn't enough to spy on in Babel that Barada is spying on me? I'm flattered. And sexy. Sexy is important..." Granted what she feels is worry. This creature this close to Mt. Sunala is ... concerning.
The guardian monster wraps his arms around Snowcora and hugs her close, nearly smothering her.. and then launches into the air, carrying the Shrine Maiden aloft!
It's also good that she's used to flying so heights don't bother her! Or, hm ... after looking down Snowcora lets out an amazing squeal of fear! Maybe lacking wings has her thinking of the horrible stop at the botom if she's dropped! "/I'm being abducted by a monster! And not in a good way!/" she frets/
There's something hypnotic and calming about the rhythm of Chezek's wingbeats - something Snowcora would not have noticed as an Eeee. And being a supernatural creature, there are other strange effects as well, causing Snowcora to want to sleep.
"Don't fall asleep, don't fall asleep,/" Snowcora thinks over and over and ... at some point she starts snoring lightly into the monster's chest. Being hugged is not conducive to breathing ... and resisting the urge to sleep apparently isn't easy, either!
Alptraum finds himself sitting naked on bare stone before the small altar, which has been converted into a firepit. It isn't clear to him if he's 'really' there, and somehow got transformed, or if this is all a dream. The figure on the other side of the altar is at least wearing a rough-looking and concealing cloak.
Alptraum sits up and groans, then gets a nice view of all his body adornments, and feels the thump of the ring in his nose against his upper lip. "Well, this is embarrassing," he has to think. "So, ah, can I have a cloak too? I feel a bit odd sitting here naked," he says, trying to sound unconcerned and joking to the robed figure.
"I only have the one cloak," the figure says in a young-sounding voice. She does pull the hood back though, revealing - as expected - the goddess Barada: a tweenish-looking girl with tan fur and dark hair, with the symbol of the Golden Key glowing on her forehead. She isn't wearing her traditionally depicted gold and precious gem jewelry, however. Her hair even looks a bit messed up. "So, if I give it to you, then I'll be naked."
"But I imagine you look better than I do, Auntie," Alptraum says with a wide grin. "And cloaks aren't your normal attire, are they?"
"I'm being a mysterious hermit and seer right now," the girl claims. "It suits the fact that my Yodh have been driven underground, and my Temple looted. I don't suppose you're going to promise me that you'll restore it all to its former glory once you're the Sabaoth?"
"I could. I'm sure I would have a need of an army of spies," Alptraum comments after rubbing his chin. "So, I guess you've heard things and decided to come check me out in person? And all joking aside, my desire is to help Babel."
"An odd attitude to understand," Barada admits. "I would like to 'help' Babel as well, but my efforts to restore its might are.. not yet bearing fruit. But I'm really curious about how you intend to gain my favor, in order to become the Sabaoth in the first place." She grins playfully, and says, "I'm always curious."
"Well, that entirely depends on what you would want in return for your favor," Alptraum counters and pats a spot on the stone beside him, "I can't presume to divine what thoughts flow through your mind. And my reasons for helping Babel are simple; by destroying that which threatens it, I'm ultimately protecting my family. There isn't much more to it than that."
"But so many things threaten Babel," Barada claims, before coming around the altar and dropping into Alptraum's unprotected lap. "Will you destroy Rephidim, and the Coalition, and.. well, I guess you won't probably," she says, leaning her head against Alptraum's shoulder and playing with a nipple-piercing with her hand.
"Er, do you have to play with those? They're rather distracting," Alptraum complains as his ears twitch. "And I find it hard to believe you wouldn't know that the Avatar of the demon of Aztepa is north of Babel, in the forbidden zone. It is that I have come to destroy. That is its greatest threat."
"Well, it's a threat, sure," Barada says. "Just.. I can't see there. So I tend to forget about the General. I'm not used to not being able to see things or people. It's just one more insult upon the pile I have already suffered."
"Well, with your favor I could be your eyes there," Alptraum points out, seeing a possible opening. "And it's not just a threat, it's a huge one. I know what they're planning. Do you wish to?"
"Ooo, you're offering me a secret?" Barada asks, grinning. "If it's good enough, you'll get my favor.. if you do something else for me too, which I haven't decided on yet.."
"The demon has taken possession of the General and now manipulates the Guardians," Alptraum tells Barada, then pauses to lick her ear ... for whatever reason he can't quite fathom. "And they seek two things. The first is to take Mount Sunala and use its catacombs as a foundry for a new undead army. The second is a lost weapon supposedly capable of killing a God, and thus a threat to Diphath."
"Annnd, they intend to take the throne too, by using the clone of me as a puppet," Alptraum adds.
"I was wondering what role Rikat would play," Barada admits. "I'd assumed he would be killed or ransomed. Now, how does it work.. I'm supposed to give you my favor, and some related ability to the Shrine Maiden, aren't I?"
"More or less. Your Sisters have also made a point to mark my, er, Shrine Maiden body in some way too," Alptraum admits. "It's, at some level, somewhat responsible for how I look right now."
"And actually, they do plan to kill him, and use him as an undead to 'rule' the city," Alptraum adds with regard to Rikat.
The childlike goddess tugs on Alptraum's nose ring and giggles. "Oh, I was close then! I know what to give your Maiden now. Something old. The Kiss of Barana, to reveal to someone a secret they've repressed or hidden from themselves. That should be fun.."
Alptraum looks cross-eyed at his nose as Barada plays with the nose ring. "Er, so anyone I kiss in that form will tell me some secret? That sounds a bit dangerous," he admits.
"Well, tell themselves, that is," he admits.
amends.
"Oh, it all depends on the secret," Barada notes. "It could be a terrifying memory that's been repressed, or a forbidden desire, or.. hmm, I guess I could just show you, couldn't I?"
Okay. That offer worries AAlptraum ... a lot. "Er, show me? Are you sure there isn't something else? I don't know if I'm a good enough kisser for such a gift," he claims weakly.
"I've only ever kissed Inala," Barada says. "I've never had another lover, since.. well.. who would want to risk their most intimate skills being put up for sale? I know it's not my or my Yodhs' youth - not in Babel.. but I'm curious now!" The goddess then takes Alptraum's head in her hands and kisses him!
There are few things creepier than being kissed by someone who looks as young as Barada does! Even kissing Gorphat wasn't this disturbing to Alptraum. Unfortunately it's also not like Alptraum can stop her, either. All the Goddesses have been disturbingly strong. And, well, Barada's also about to learn about the tongue stud, too.
The shrine vanishes, replaced with.. another shrine. The circular chamber as alcoves for idols, but is also full of fabrics, trunks and colorful clothing. The Eeee stands in the center of it all, dressed in his gypsy traveling clothes, and feels.. different. Or familiar. The jewelry and piercings are gone, but that is a minor thing: Alptraum can't feel the Shadow. And then two figures pass before him, circling him in opposite directions. One, a white Eeee woman with raven hair and glowing green eyes. The other a night-black human with pointed ears, hair like silver and ice like pale water. Both are wearing barely-there gauze veils, and have chitin cymbals on their fingers as they dance.
"The ones who got away," Barada whispers in Alptraum's mind.
"So? You can't have them all, you know," Alptraum thinks to himself as he watches the pair dance in stuff that can only vaguely be called clothing. "And I'm still friends with both. I don't have to be intimate with everyone." The feeling of the loss of the shadow is actually more unsettling than having to watch the two beautiful women.
Despite Alptraum's inner assurances.. Lilith reaches out to unbutton his vest as she stops in front of him. Behind him, Ravenia reaches around to work on his belt. From one of the alcoves, Barada watches with a grin. "Wow, that's Lilith. She's one of mine! You had a thing for a Yodhbarada, Alptraum? Well, not an official one, but.. a disciple at least."
"She was pretty! So was Ravenia," Alptraum thinks as he worriedly watches the women try to undress him. He even tries to stop them before they get too far.
The two women just giggle, and Lilith warns, "We could tie you up." "With our veils!" Ravenia adds, and licks her lips at the thought.
"You could try," Alptraum retorts to the pair. He thinks, "Is this really necessary? It's not real. I know these two and they chose otherwise. This is creepier than when you were playing with my chest."
"There's a reason people hide these things from themselves," Barada notes. "Although.. this is pretty tame. You must feel guilt easily or something.."
Making things worse is that Alptraum's body responds against his will, as apparent when Ravenia gets his pants off.
"Guilt? For thinking they're pretty?" Alptraum thinks as he's distracted long enough that the pair make progress. The poor Eeee then sighs and looks towards the ceiling. "How long is this going to go on?"
"You want me to end it?" Barada asks.
"Yes and no. It apparently has some meaning for you, or at least entertains you," Alptraum admits in thought. He also has this worry that something bad is waiting to happen somewhere in this!
"Oh.. so it's okay if I'm involved then?" Barada asks coyly.
"Er ... is this your sneaky way of getting another lover?" Alptraum thinks. That suggestion is definitely creepy! She's a goddess ... but her appearance is unnerving to even think of in a remotely intimate way.
"Well, the Sabaoth is supposed to be close to each Sister," Barada claims. "And Blakat and Gorphat got to play with you! So.." and the young goddess turns into a statue in her alcove. Lilith and Ravenia press up against Alptraum from both sides now, giggling. "We're Barada now," they say in unison.
Alptraum's ear twitches. "Well, at least neither of you look too young. So I guess I could tolerate being your lover," Alptraum finally relents to the crazy Goddess. He just knows she's still up to something, but since he has to get her favor he'll have to go through with it. And so Alptraum smiles at the two, "And lets see if Inala taught you anything."
"Do you have a preference for who goes first?" the two women ask, still echoing one another.
"Oh, I think Lilith; the Yodhbarada first," Alptraum answers after some thought. "And elf for later..."
"In that case.." Lilith says, while Ravenia stays silent. The Eeee woman sheds her veils, and then strips Ravenia's away. Standing behind the elf-woman, she brushes aside the silver hair, and says, "You get the other side," before biting into the exposed neck.
This makes Alptraum laugh. He presses up against Ravenia's front and after tilting his head to the side, bites into the other size of the elf-human. He also hugs around her and Lilith using both his wings and arms.
Ravenia shivers and moans between the two vampires (and tastes very different from Snow). Lilith eventually switches sides to try and kiss Alptraum.
Alptraum's jaws release Ravenia's neck and is soon giving Lilith a very coppery-bloody tasting kiss from over Ravenia's shoulder. He has to admit to himself, this is kind of fun.
It's also a bit familiar - after all, there was that time he and Rose kept Snow with them in the bed. To be certain, Barada gives up the lead soon enough, since she's never experienced anything like this before.
And given Alptraum's recent experiences he takes over the lead. It's an odd mix of rough, perhaps reminiscent of the skreek or of Mordecai, and then a mix of gentle, like he is with Rosalind. Nibbling and nipping abounds, as does usage of tongue to groom, tease, and pleasure through some very intimate kissing. It's at this point, easy enough to not think of the creepiness of it, and just see how much he can make this Eeee squeak.
It helps that Lilith is ticklish, and creative use of Ravenia allows for some rather bizarre tricks. And Barada does squeak, quite loudly, via Lilith.
"The body jewelry I have makes things like this even more interesting," Alptraum whispers to Barada via Lilith's ear at some point; probably when he's not thinking quite so clearly. And Ravenia makes for a lovely pillow at times too.
"Ooo," Lilith coos. "Now do me as Ravenia. Her bare skin is sooo sensitive.."
"You have no idea," Alptraum murmurs to Lilith as that pair disengages and his attention turns to the elf. He knows just how what happens next feels as he licks over Ravenia's entire body, as well as tickles her, nips, then even roughly grabs Ravenina from behind and bites her neck right as he takes her too!
Ravenia is very different from Snow - for one thing, she's a lot stronger, and.. well.. more aggressive once she gets going. Alptraum finds himself being bitten and clawed as well (and wondering if Arkold knew what he was getting into when he married the woman).
Alptraum ... ends up liking it, too. But then he's discovered that he likes things that are a little rough, as embarrassing as that is. The sounds of the room become practically feral growling and hissing when the pair really get 'into it'.
Another thing Alptraum may be missing, besides the studs, is that extra bit of shadow-provided stamina. Still, when the moment arrives, it isn't disappointing for him, just tiring.
And poor Alptraum collapses backwards onto Lilith's body, panting. "I'm going to regret this later," he murmurs blearily.
"Tomorrow, you should go to the Plaza," Lilith whispers into Alptraum's ear, as she wraps her arms around him. "There is a hotel in the shadow zone, where the rooms and halls are warded against scrying. Watch it carefully, and you will have a chance to learn a secret." And then.. Barada rolls Alptraum right off of the bed! Before he can hit the floor, however, the room changes to a crystal-lit cavern, and Snowcora lands lightly on a spread out Lapi-fur blanket.
"That's very ... interesting," Alptraum murmurs as Barada releases him! He's about to tell her more, perhaps even a thank you ... but the sudden change of surroundings, not to mention body, only elicits a very feminine gasp when she settles onto the lapi fur. "Ut oh, this means I'm about to be ... marked." the albino, very tattooed and pierced human, frets. And in spite of this fear, there is the excitement knowing she's about to see Mordecai again. This form has a definite lust for him.
A furred hand reaches under Snowcora's chin to tilt it up.. so that she's looking into Hortense's face. "I'm here to help," the Khatta purrs. "Please don't resist too much.."
Okay, and Hortense scares the crud out of her! Snowcora nearly panics! "Wait, this isn't ... you're not," she stammers as she looks into the feline's face and even tries to scurry back on her hands and butt a bit!
"That's it, on your hands and knees please," Hortense says. The Lapis are with, rolling things around under blankets. "Mordecai will be here shortly.."
The Lapi buck pulls the blanket off of the first object, revealing a leather padded.. stockade? There are holes for neck and wrists, and an ominous latch and hinge holding the thing together.
Ah, there's that feeling of panic! Hortense is a crazy khatta who likes to make people hurt a little, or perhaps a lot, depending on her mood. "But, we don't have to do this," Snowcora says weakly ... and finds herself going onto her hands and knees anyway as, well, ordered. When she spots what the buck brings in her eyes go wide. I'm to go in that?" she asks, lip quivering (as well as nose ring).
"It's important that your head be kept in a proper position," Hortense notes, unlatching and opening the stocks once it's moved into place on the dais. It's low enough that Snowcora would be on her knees. "I like the nose ring," the Khatta notes with a slow smile.
"Another feline did this to me," Snowcora notes as she reaches up and touches the ring. She eyes the stocks warily. "Why must my head be kept in position?" she asks.
The riding crop comes out, and taps Snowcora lightly on the rump. "Does it matter?" she asks.
Without even thinking about it, Snowcora rises up onto her knees and settles her neck, then wrists, into the stocks. When she finally realizes what she just did, practically on instinct, her eyes go wide again. "I guess not," she admits, then chews lightly on her lower lip.
The woman is locked in, after her hair is moved out of the way. The other item Hortense brought is still covered - and large. But she opens a small case next, taking out.. a weird wooden ring, with curved wings on one side. "Now, hold your head up, looking forward," Hortense instructs. "If you can't keep it up, we will use your hair to hold it in place. And open your mouth wide.."
Okay, when the stockade clicks, Snowcora's stomach sinks. The more Horteense explains what to do, the more worried she gets too. This feels bad. Open her mouth? She already has a stud in her tongue. What could they possibly be planning? Her eyes flick to that strange wooden ring, then she swallows. "Yes, Mistress Hortense," the human says timidly. Her head raises up; it's uncomfortable in the stocks, but she does it. Next, she opens her mouth as wide as she can. She can also practically feel her heart pounding in her chest in fear.
The ring goes in, slipping between the lips and teeth, and forcing a sort of open-mouthed pout. Behind the stocks, outside of Snowcora's view, the does are doing things. She feels them remove the barbels from her breasts, but immediately after that.. they start 'stimulating' the blue orb.
Snowcora's eyes go wide! She's horribly vulnerable like this ... and she has to wonder why they just removed jewelry. With that thing in her mouth, though, she can't ask what is going on, all she can do is make sort of an Eeeee! sound through it, her entire body tensing up from the surge of stimulation and arousal that ripples through her.
The worst part is.. there is no relief! The does just keep it up, as if seeing how much Snowcora can take. The real Snow had to train herself to handle overwhelming amounts of arousal, after all. It's so distracting that Snowcora nearly missed Mordecai sitting down in front of her, his tattooing kit in his lap. He does smile warmly.. if a bit sardonically.. to the restrained woman.
The feeling of desire is intense! Her body wants something in it now. It's telling her it needs it. This is thankfully distracting enough in that she might not feel any coming pain. Well, at least not much. When she does finally see Mordecai, it only gets worse in that her body wants him. Now. "Why did they remove my barbells?" she thinks in a foggy mind. "And what is he going to do? My tongue? I know what I want to use my tongue on..."
The little alcohol bottle is opened, and Mordecai dabs some of the disinfectant on Snowcora's lips with his finger. When the first needle is brought to bear, the tiny prick is like an electric bolt to her hyper-primed body.
Oh the sound Snowcora makes. It's a gasp, made gutteral by the wooden ring in between her jaws. Not only that, a visible shudder rolls through her entire body. What's worse is that because she's so aroused right now, her body is trying to convince her that the pain of the needle actually feels good.
"Hook her up," Hortense instructs, and the blanket comes off the other rolled-in object: the milk pump! Soon the rubber cups are secured in place, and a doe cranks the pump. And just to keep things interesting, the buck enters her at the same time, keeping the same rhythm as the machine.
Poor Snowcora's eyes clench shut. The sounds she makes only intensifies when she feels the alien, yet familiar, pull on her chest; the insistent draw. And when her body is finally filled, that need met, the sigh of pleasure that she makes betrays how relieved she feels to have someone inside her. It's funny in that her lips are starting to hurt ... and yet her body is trying to make love to the buck behind her while the pull of the machine is also downright uncomfortable.
It gets harder to keep her head in position as well, once the buck stands up and holds Snowcora's legs like a wheelbarrow! Hortense runs his crop up and down the woman's spine, as Mordecai works with his face very close to Snowcora's, given the detail going into the lips. And he does seem to be tattooing the entirety of the lips! Permanent lipstick..
Poor Snowcora's head starts to bob a bit, even though she knows she shouldn't because of his work and even though she knows what will happen with her hair if she can't hold still. And wit her knees off the ground there is no way she can keep her head up all the time now. It's hard to think like this; but now and then she frets, wondering if the machine is actually drawing anything ... but those thoughts shatter each time the buck thrusts and the pump pulls. Part of her feels some small relief it is just her lips; even if she can't see what color he chose.
"Oh dear," Hortense notes at the bobbing. She gets onto the stocks, sitting on them, and then uses hers calves to hold Snowcora's head still. Then she tells the does to bring out the feathers. Time just breaks then for Snowcora. And because the buck has to rest every so often, Mordecai takes his place - thus delaying the completion of the tattoo. And the doe at the pump squeaks when milk actually starts to flow, causing everything to halt while the cups are removed and everyone takes turns suckling. By the time the stocks are opened up again, Snowcora has no idea how much time has passed, and is in a genuine erotic haze.
"I could have stayed in there longer," Snowcora mutters when she feels her neck and wrists come free. Perhaps trying to claim she can endure. The funny part is she isn't sure if she's even standing, kneeling, or laying on the blanket at the moment. The expression on her face is ... dazed, yet still maintaining an expression of arousal, probably accented by her low likely puffy lips from the tattooing.
It turns out she's on her back. Hortense and her crew pack up their toys, while Mordecai reinserts the barbels. "You did very well," he notes. Once the jewelry is back in place, he holds up a mirror. "Ready to see the results?"
"Not quite yet," Snowcora murmurs after the barbells are replaced. It's her turn to make a move on Mordecai while he's distracted, and her move is ... serpent worship. Even with her lips sore, she refuses to release Mordecai from their embrace until she makes him shudder at least one more time.
It takes some time, given the previous activities, but the Eeee does shudder as desired. "The studs.." he mutters.
Snowcora draws back finally, but licks as she does so and slightly sits up. "I like your studs," she murmurs with a sly, perhaps seductive, smile at the Eeee. "And tasting you," she adds as she licks over her very sore lips. "Okay, lets see what you did to my face..." she says, a hint of worry back in her voice.
The mirror is brought forth, so Snowcora can see that her pale pink lips are now.. pale gold lips. With spaces of pink.. which happen to be in the shape of the Key, a whole series of Keys forming a chain through the gold. Barada's mark is an anti-tattoo.
Snowcora purses her lips, then flexes them. A smile, an open mouth, a tongue run along their surface. "I was worried you were going to stud my tongue more, or tattoo it," she admits to Mordecai once she finishes playing with her lips. "But this is nice."
"I'm glad you like it," Mordecai says, and then pins Snow down and bites into her neck. At the other end, he shows just how well her internal studs link up with his external ones.
And now that Snowcora isn't in a blind haze, she can really feel the studding inside her. "Wow, that feels good. Really, really, good," she finds herself thinking. Her arms come up to wrap around his lower back as he feeds and she murmurs in his ear, "I've missed you. I need your attention from time to time."
"There is one more goddess to leave her mark upon you," Mordecai notes, as he gently makes love to Snowcora.
"And then I will see you no more?" Snowcora asks. She actually sounds upset by the prospect. "And the Godess left I fear. She and I have not had a good past."
"You will have to seek me out on your own after that," Mordecai says. "You know where to find me."
"But if I come to you, you may never let me leave again," Snowcora teases as she holds the Eeee tight; with hands and ... other muscles.
"You will find a way," Mordecai claims, wiggling a bit. "You can enter dreams, after all.."
"Then you may not have many dreamless nights," Snowcora claims before licking his smooth cheek. "I am near one who specializes in jewelry in the waking world. Tell me, is there anything you would wish me to get to better serve you?"
"I will have to think on that," Mordecai notes. "I like what has been done, but I also enjoy doing it to you myself.."
"And I enjoy you doing it to me, even when it hurts," Snowcora murmurs as she wiggles around now too. "I too now bear ... studs."
"Very unique ones," Mordecai says, bumping against them. "You are staying safe I hope?" he asks, before biting Snowcora's shoulder.
"I am. I am hidden as a slave in a studio most of the time," Snowcora murmurs. "Waiting for the times I need to act," she adds as she strokes the smooth back of his neck.
"A slave you say?" the furless Eeee asks, and catches the nose ring with his long tongue for a moment. "A cute one?"
"A very cute one," Snowcora answers and tugs her head back, lightly pulling his tongue with her ring. "Tell me, what do you think the last Goddess, Zakaro, will do to me? I fear her the most," Snowcora admits.
"I can not guess what the muse will inspire," Mordecai notes. "To try and force it could burst it like a soap bubble. But.. she is the last, and will see all that has come before."
"That does not bring me comfort," Snowcora admits and bites her already sore lip. She leans up eventually, though, and kisses the scary Eeee. "But thank you for forcing the art upon me," she murmurs to him, "I was terrified when you began with Inala's mark over my womb, but I have grown to love it and wear it proudly."
"It seems to like you, as well," Mordecai notes.. and rubs the blue orb!
Poor Snowcora's eyes go wide ... but before her mind is lost, she tries to push the feeling of lust into him!
And so the two of them burn together, their passion rivaling the glow of the crystals..
And as Snowcora burns with the albino Eeee, she doesn't have time to think about how much the Sister's magic can control her now; and how far Inala has gone in 'taking' her as one of Hers.
When the haze lifts, Snowcora is looking up at the Procession again. The Eeee bodies that form her bed are warm, and the chill on her chest from apparently lactating in her sleep is fading - replaced by the tickles of a half-dozen Chibix tongues that are lapping it up.
"I actually, uh. How? I'm not pregnant," Snowcora murmurs in surprise at discovering her chest is actually wet. She even reaches up to feel if she feels tender from it, or if any more, well, comes out. "Inala? Why am I producing?" she thinks, and kind of hopes the Goddess answers.
There's a flash of light from the orb in her belly. Maybe it's just from having the orb overstimulated.
Something flies overhead.. something big. For a moment there's the possibility that Chezek has returned.. but it turns out to just be Tulani, landing nearby.
"Do you have to follow me everywhere?" Snowcora asks as Tulani arrives. "I have some information that might be useful. There's a hotel in the shadow zone of the city that is warded. If we watch it, we may learn something," she tells her.
"It's near the Plaza, where we were before," she adds.
"Cricket told me about it," Tulani says, checking that the sleeping guards are asleep and not dead. "It's popular for secret meetings. Built for it. The front is that it's an upscale bordello."
"The Laughing Chibix," the Sphynx notes. "It's right there in the name, really."
"A bordello? Should I try to work there for information?" Snowcora asks with a smirk as she sits up. Her fingers idly trace over the mark of Inala (avoiding the orb!), to see if it is still smooth, or if the whole mark is ridged in her skin now.
The skin is still smooth to the touch. Tulani says, "I thought you'd suggest that for me. What's supposed to happen tomorrow though? Who told you to watch the place?"
"Well, if you want to watch it while I return to work at the salon, I suppose that could work," Snowcora says and shrugs a bit. "As for who, Barada did. The Goddess of secrets. I've earned her favor."
"That just leaves the scary-crazy one," Tulani notes.. then amends, "The other scary-crazy one. Probably best if we both watch.. and hope whatever happens does so just after we get there, I don't want to be sitting in a shadow all day."
"Ah, so back to your silent slave in skimpy clothing for me tomorrow, then?" Snowcora asks, amused. "I've gotten to enjoy the leash at least. But don't forget I still owe you for the nose ring."
"I'm sure I'll think of something you can do to thank me for it," Tulani claims with a smirk, and holds up Snowcora's robe. "You look like you need a bath."
"I do. Probably inside and out. Those two Eeee were pent up," Snowcora tells Tulani in an attempt to make her go ick. "And oh, have you had the chance to run into Nekara yet? Or have you heard if she asked about me?"
"Which one is Nekara?" Tulani asks. "It's not like I was socializing with them.."
"One who actually knew and traveled with me," Snowcora answers. "Hearing that answer, I guess not."
"You're still not officially here, I think," Tulani notes. "Sunala hasn't announced you yet, at least."
Snocora gets to her feet and collects her cloak. "Does Sunala wish us to stay the night or made any other requests?" she asks.
The Sphynx shakes her head, noting, "She hasn't said anything. I'm guessing she doesn't want to interfere in our plans."
"What would you like to do, then? Do you feel more comfortable back in Inala's temple and with me muted?" Snowcora asks with a smirk.
"You can be whatever you want tonight," Tulani says, stretching her wings. "But first: do you want me to carry you?"
Snowcora considers this. "Actually, yes. I want to feel pampered before I shift back to the cat," she decides and saunters over to Tulani. The cloacked human then drapes her arms around Tulani's neck and kisses her. On the lips.
Tulani gets an odd look, and says, "My father is a murdering scumbag pirate." She doesn't appear to realize she said it though.
Snowcora cackles. "Oh, I see some uses for this" she says as she settles in to be carried.
"You're acting weird," Tulani notes before scooping up Snowcora and flying her back to the old Temple of Inala.
"No weirder than normal for a cursed, tattoed, pierced, girl," Snowcora giggles in Tulani's ear. "I'll explain later."