There are a few wide roads under the plaza decks, as the area is also used for supplying the surface buildings and removing garbage it seems. The other structures that have sprung up tend to produce lots of alleys and mazes though, with only intermittent gas-light (or in some areas, bioluminescent sources or candles). The route to The Laughing Chibix is convoluted, and the map Tulani got from Cricket reflects that. Still, the Sphynx and Skreek find the place, which is in a pocket mall of sorts, with a self-styled cafe across from it. The lighting is poor, so the outside tables provide good watching spots. Anyone heading to the hotel has to pass under at least one gaslight as well.
Tulani nurses her mateh.. or rather, doesn't - she stopped drinking after the first sip. A lean, dangerous looking Eeee clad in light leather armor escorts a cloaked figure (also an Eeee, from the wings) past one of the lights and into the hotel. So far, it's been couples clearly intending to use the place for trysts, so this pair stands out a bit. "If those are the ones we're supposed to be looking for.. they don't seem familiar," the Sphynx notes to Nicorina.
Nicorina, meanwhile, has been having to resist the urge to pickpocket anyone who walks by. Unfortunately, anyone attractive who walks by ends up getting pinched. At least it makes them seem like they're not there spying? As for the pair that just arrived, Nicorina is whatching them out of the corner of her eye, looking for any family markings or affiliations. She's also sniffing the air too. "Kinna too obvious, y'know. I woul' more suspect one of de couples, but who knows. Let see wut dey do," she mutters.
"We're supposed to 'know them when we see them' but that's.." Tulani starts to complain, then stops suddenly. Across the small square, coming from the opposite direction as everyone else are a tall Eeee with an almost noble bearing, and a Skreek with a bearing more akin to smug dirt: Captain Soldano bar Drelickus and his first mate, Orca. The two men enter the hotel without even looking around to see if they're noticed.
"Ack, I picked a bad form fer dis if he is here," Nicorina complains as she spots the pair entering the inn. "'Course, de questuion is who are dey ere t' see, eh? More Guardians?"
"Hmm, Guardians meeting in the shadow of the Coalition Tower?" Tulani asks. "Think they're that bold? I'm guessing they're meeting those other two who just went in. Shall we go get a room of our own?"
"Well, course the safest place t' hide is where no one woul' look for you and why no right under dere noses?" Nicorina points out. "S' plan I'd use. And yah, I guess we might as well get a room too."
Tulani gets up, leaving her unfinished drink, and nods towards the hotel. "Let's see what the rates are then, shall we?" she asks with a raised eyebrow and a feline smirk.
"Yer payin'," Nicorina quips as she rises as well. "And y' get the floor."
Once inside the lobby.. Nicorina feels something off about the atmosphere of the place: a certain dullness of a sense she wasn't aware she had. The walls are ornately carved wood - a rarity in Babel - and the carvings look almost like the sort of symbols and runes used by mages. Tulani talks to the Eeee at the desk, who hands over a key after some coins are exchanged. "Let's go," the Sphynx notes to Nicorina. Tulani also looks as if she's noticing something off as well.
"Somethin' no' right in 'ere," Nicorina murmurs to Tulani, her ears and tail twitching in agitation. "Some weirdo magic, I bet," she adds as she eyes the carving to see if she can place it.
It isn't anything immediately recognizable - but some of the symbols look familiar. Could she have seen something like them back at Azrael's lair? "It's Light Sphere wards - anti-scrying, probably magic blocking in general. This place really is made for privacy," Tulani notes.
"It makes me butt itch," Nicorina complains to Tulani. How can people no be bothered by it? Mebbe the room will be better."
"We're magical creatures now I suppose, so we notice," Tulani notes. The place is laid out simply enough: a circular hall with rooms on the outer and inner curves, with space for a stairway to the second floor. "We're .. here," Tulani says, finding the door with the symbol matching their key. She opens it up to reveal a room slightly bigger than an airship cabin, with a decent sized bed taking most of the space.. and a single chair. No closet or window, just an air vent and a gaslight.
Nicorina makes a beeline for the bed and hops on it, then bounces up and down. Either she's lost it, she's testing the bed for how much noise it makes; or she's trying to chase out gremlins from under the bed. "I doubt we kin use the air vent t' evesdrop," she notes.
"Yeah," Tulani notes, taking the chair. "The walls are all warded, so your aura-detection trick won't be effective unless someone is in the hall.. hhmm." The Sphynx looks around, taking the measure of the room. "Do you think four men could fit in one of these rooms without feeling cramped? Especially if three of them are Eeee?"
"It would be cramped, but do remember day dey hang from the ceiling. No wing-spreading, dats fer sure," Nicorina notes as she bounces one more time, flips midair, and lands on her back with all her legs in the air. "'Ow complicated is de key?" she asks as she loosk at Tulani, upsidedown.
Handing the key over, Tulani notes, "If it's a room like this, I bet the 'extras' would posted as guards in the hall. Soldano and the cowled guy inside, Orca and Tall Dark And Scary outside. There must be a bathroom off the hall somewhere too, since there aren't any in the rooms.." The key is ironwood (not surprising) and looks fairly complicated. The 'tooth' is carved on both sides, with a blank piece in the center, making for a thick 'double key' in essence.
"No easy way t' pick dis kind of lock," Nicorina remarks, then twirls the key between her fingers. "An before you suggest it, I no feel comfortable going up t' Orca an bein all friendly again t' find out what is going on," she notes.
"You don't?" Tulani asks. "Is he still fixated on you though?"
"Have ya forgotten what he did to me, every day? Sometimes every couple hours?" Nicorina points out and smirks. "An you were gonna suggest dat, weren't you?"
"Not out in the hallway, no," Tulani notes with a grin. "The captain may still have a thing for me though too. I was thinking of inviting them back here.. or split the rooms.. after they're done with their meeting. Then we can pump them for information. Of course, these rooms are shielded, so either one of us shapeshifting wouldn't be detected, if you've got an idea of your own?"
"Unfortunately, I don'," Nicorina admits. "No other form I know woul' work for gettin' info outa dem. and yes I sure de capt' has a t'ing for you. Jus as I know you hve one fer im!"
"I'm sure you could do anything you want with them using the Shrine Maiden," Tulani notes. "But unless you can erase their memory of seeing you, that would be dangerous. I've got an excuse to be in Babel - wouldn't be hard to guess that Nicorina was hired or just decided to tag along, either. Was Orca really forthcoming with secrets when he was trying to woo Nikky?"
"He was semi-free wit' dem. Didn't say everyt'ing, bu probably said more den he should have," Nicorina admits. She rolls across the bed, then back, making a right mess out of the covers. "So, who gonna get de drop on who an surprise 'im? Shoul' I go poke de rat?
"We have to find them," Tulani notes. "We don't need to be recognized for that part. Someone has to go around the hall.. if they don't see anyone before seeing the bathroom, then reverse and check the other direction.. then upstairs if needed. What do you think? If Nikky ran into Orca like that.. she'd have an excuse not to hang around long, at least. Or could use someone the rat wouldn't know, just to find them."
"Claim t' be going to de restroom when runnin' into dem?" Nicorina asks, "Dat woul' work, yah. Or as you say I coul' go as someone else. I jus ... hm. A little worried about tryin' t' shapeshift in here. Dey may shield it, but do dey also spy on it some?"
"I doubt they'd stay in business if they were spying," Tulani notes, tapping her chin. "We can always burn the place down afterwards though.."
"I coul' really surprise people an go as a naga," Nicorina remarks with a devious smile. "Though I prolly shouldn't be trying t' cause a scene."
"Or I could go as a lapi. No one t'inks lapi are dangerous," Nicorina adds. "And no burnin' buildings. Bad kitty."
"Ah, it's not like I'd be the one doing the burning," Tulani notes. "A naga might be a good choice, too. I doubt Orca would be interested in one. He does seem the sort that'd be able to tell a male from a female though. Lapi are kinda rare. Eeee or a Fnerf wouldn't be minded much."
"Yah, but my Eeee selection is limited, gotta save dem for visitin' de tower," Nikky points out. "So, is de ultimate plan to try and get wit Orca and get info from 'im? If it is, mebbe jus going as me is the right thing after all, no?"
"Well, it'd save time," Tulani notes. "Assuming Orca is in the hall standing guard. They might all be in some special meeting room. Only way to know is to look and hope!"
"I suppose I kin sacrifice me tail one more time in the name of savin' de city," Nikky says, sighs, and even puts the back of her hand to her forehead. "Oh, de t'ings I must endure..."
"Just.. don't do it in the hall," Tulani asks, rolling her eyes. "I know you have too much fun as the rat. Is the original model like this as well?"
"De original is a dentist. She has a chair wit' restraints," Nicorina notes. "And 'ey, what do I look like t' you? Like I do it in de hall!"
"Do I really need to answer that?" Tulani purrs, trying to look cute.
"Dependin' on your answer might get you differen' t'ings," Nikky notes.
"No, I don't think you're the type to do it in the hall," Tulani recites. "Not while sober anyway."
Nicorina promptly throws a pillow at Tulani. "Mebbe I take de captain too," she threatens.
"He's got good stamina," Tulani remarks with a grin. "But then Orca would be lonely... Anyway, you've got the key. Be careful. That other Eeee looked shady."
"No as shady as I kin be," Nikky notes. "An wha' You gonna just stay in de room while I do all de work?" she asks.
"Both of going to pee at the same time might seem suspicious," Tulani notes. "Or else you could just say I was hogging the other bathroom."
"'Ey, girls go to the bafroom t'gether all de time. It weird," Nicorina notes as she rolls off the bed, onto all fours, and lopes to the door ... still on all fours. "Iffin I don't come back in a couple hours, somet'ing might've gone wrong," she says.
"I'll start snooping in ten minutes," Tulani says. "I don't think these doors are dragon-proof."
"No dragon unless serious danger. Promise," Nikky says as she gets upright and opens the door.
"I'll restrain myself," Tulani promises. "I'm taking my clothes off now though just in case.."
"Remember dat I kin still kick yer butt. Behave," Nicorina hisses, then slips out of the door. And first thing's first, she'll pace out the hallway to figure out the size as she heads back to the way down! She can compare that to the outside later to see if there are hidden rooms (likely).
The building is deceptively large, filling the support tower. If the rooms are all the same size, then there must be unused space in the center - unless that part of the tower is hollow, for air or heat movement. At a guess, Nicora thinks the missing space could be as much as fifteen feet wide. There isn't anyone in the halls on the first level, but the bathroom is not next to the stairs, it's nearly opposite.
"Innteresting," Nikky thinks, "I wonder if this has a passage into the Tower itself. Maybe that's how they got Rikat out." Still whistling to herself she continues her search ... and peers into the bathroom!
It's pretty basic, with a sink and gravity toilet (ie, a hole in a seat that drops down into the abyss). There's a hand-pump for getting fresh water - up this high, it's probably from a cistern system. It's big enough for one person to wash up at least, with a drain in the stone floor.
Being a nosy rat, Nicorina goes to check the drain to see if the whole area moves and exposes a tunnel. It's what she would build, after all. She's not going to check the toilet, though. She has some limits.
The drain piece does lift up.. but it's only about a foot in diameter, and drops down several more to a large open space, possibly the unused interior of the tower. Garter Nagas would have no trouble negotiating it, until they reached the bottom and fell to their likely deaths.
Oddly enough, the bathroom does not have the anti-scrying wards.
"Meh, no day way, eh?" Nikky says as she lowers the grate back down. Her tail also twitches at the lack of the scrying. "Dat odd," she mutters as she starts inspecting everything she can for a hidden door.
The toilet seat does lift up, presumably for dumping larger pieces of garbage, but everything else seems firmly fixed in place. The walls are stone and mortar, instead of the more expensive wood as well.
"Mmm," Nikky says and places her hands on her hips. "Well, I kin examine more later. Should find ol' rattybutt before Tulani gets too twitchy." One more quick look at the bathroom, and out she goes!
The second level looks identical to the first, with the hallway curving away in both directions from the stairs. A check of the right arm shows it clear to the bathroom, but when checking the left side, Nicorina hears voices: "Dis don't make me lazy," comes a familar Skreekish voice. "Jes' means I was smart enough to ask for the chair first."
"Ooo, boy is he in fer a surprise!" Nikky thinks with skreekishness. She now tries to slink down that side and find the rat. "Can't be too startling, might get stabbed!" she thinks.
Rounding the curve, the first person coming into Nicora's view is the nasty looking Eeee.. who immediately draws a crossbow pistol and glares at her. On the opposite side of the inner-circle door he's guarding, Orca is leaning back in a chair, brandishing no weapons at all and.. rocking it back and forth on the rear two chair legs. "You too wound up, Erk," the Skreek comments.. not having noticed Nicora because his eyes are closed.
"Urak," the Eeee hisses. "It's Urak, not Erk.."
"Sounds like your momma had a bad cough or sumtin' then," Orca comments. "Everytime someone clears their throat, does it make your ears twitch?"
And what does Nikky do? She sniffles. Loudly. "Afer all de dozen kids and home I make for you, dis is how you repay me!? You run off wit an Eeee? Not only dat, a guy?" the skreek says, loud enough that Orca is sure to hear. "And a name like dat? Urak? Urak? D' ya call it out like ya used to mine?"
"Wha.." Orca goes, the chair nearly falling over. "Nikky? Is that you?" the man says, getting to his feet and staring in surprise.
"You know this.. I should not be surprised," Urak says with a sniff.
"Booga booga," Nikky says with a toothy grin and flips the cloak hood back. "Kin y' tell Mister Pointy here to quit pointin' wit day weapon? It rude."
"Rudeness is politeness in Babel," Orca says, his whiskers vibrating. "What're you doing here in the pit of depravity? And got room for one more in it?" he asks, holding his arms out in invitation.
Nikky saunters by Urak. She even lifts her chin high and goes, "Hmf. You don' know what you missin." The next thing is, she's hugging the skreek. "I just passing through right now. Thought I saw yer familiar butt, decided to find out if it was you after all," she claims.
"Passing through.. Babel or the hall?" Orca asks with a grin. "Hey, I like the new ring. My mom had one like dat! What you been up to?"
"Mebbe both! If I tol' you everythin', you prolly follow me," Nikky teases and then wiggles her nose. "As for what? Oh, dis and dat. Scrounging some money from people who foolishly leave it lying around ... in their pockets."
"Ah.. you here with a client?" Orca asks, eyebrows raised. He thumbs towards the door, and notes, "I here with the Cap'n. He meeting some local muckety-muck about business.." Urak hisses in warning as Orca starts to talk. "Have you no discretion?" the Eeee demands.
"Nope, no client. I just like dat dis place is private an quiet," Nikky remarks and rolls her shoulders. She then eyes the Eeee and says, "Ey, I know de captain, I worked on dere ship for a time. 'Sides, everyone in dis city comes here for business deals. Dat is hardly a secret. Mebbe you ought t' go to the Yodhsunala, or maybe the Temple of Gorphat an get dat stick yanked outa yer hiney."
"There is no Temple of Gorphat anymore," the Eeee remarks. "Tell me why you are here, if you are not conducting business," he then demands.
"'S'not what I heard," Nikky claims with regard to the Temple. "As gor why I here. Restin', then looking for new clients. People wit money come here, after all. Jus because I'm not here on business doesn' mean I won't leave wit some."
"Well, I'd be interested in giving you the.. er.. some business," Orca notes with a leer.
"What? Y' still want more?" Nikky asks Orca with a sly grin. "Might cost ya. Like a new ring." She waggles her eyebrows, then wiggles her node.
"You didn't want the last ring I offered," Orca points out. "The nose jewelry the only new stuff?" he asks, curious.
"No ... but I can't really show you de new stuff," Nikky remarks with a sly grin. "An y' know I couldn't accept dat ring since yer still under contract. I can't share yas with yer Captain." The skreek then turns away from Orca and siddles up to the Eeee. She even 'tickles' his chest with her fingertips as she adds, "An I could find some time fer yer friend too. Might get him to relax some. Mebbe."
The Eeee bristles, and claims, "I've never had to pay for that." He tries not to look at Nicorina's exposed cleavage either, which her wench outfit tends to accentuate a bit.
"Did I even say ya had to pay?" Nicorina coos to the Eeee, then licks the underside of his chin.
"Madam, I am on duty.." the Eeee squeaks, while Orca snickers. "She really good.." he teases.
"Oooo, duty," Nicorina coos again as her hands slide down the Eeee's stomach. "Are you sure?"
The poor Eeee finds himself /kissed/ ... and that Nikky's tongue is studded! And before he can think too much about it, she pulls back. There are /two/ belts draped over her shoulders ... and in an act of perfect synchronization, both Orca's and Urak's pants drop to the floor. "So, when do ya get off duty?" she asks of the now pants-less Orca. She also glances at the Eeee, just in /case/ he has a family/clan fur tattoo under his former pants.
What Urak has is a contradiction to his claim of duty, from the looks of it. There aren't any particularly identifying marks though. Orca is busy laughing, and reaches around to pull up Nikky's shirt to flash the embarrassed Eeee. "Hah, you do like her!" he chortles.
"Nikky, what.. are.. you.. doing?" Tulani asks, leaning against a curved wall. "You were gone so long.."
Urak has given up all attempts to look threatening or bodyguard-ish as he scrambles to pulls his pants back up. He doesn't even seem to notice the Sphynx.
"I kin compete with a Yodhinala," Nikky whispers in Urak's ear, then slips away from him, but not before his belt is draped around his shoulders. "Hey, kitty," Nikky says and waves to Tulani, "Look who I ran into? Small world, eh?" She thumbs towards Orca. "He say de Cap' is 'ere. You know, de one you lifted tail for?" The skreek waggles her brow, too.
"That's.. hardly appropriate.." Tulani says, hiding a blush.
"Ooo, you two's together?" Orca asks Nikky.. and in his pants-free state it's pretty clear what he must be imagining.
"So ya not interested in his company instead o' mine?" Nicorina asks with a toothy grin. "I showed 'er a thing or two," she then whispers back to Orca.
"How about showing 'em to my thing?" Orca asks, oozily. Then the door begins to open, and Saldano is saying, "I'll pass things along, as requested." The Eeee pauses a moment when he sees the group outside, only to be pushed aside by an older brown (and pudgy) Eeee with graying blond hair. "I expect to hear back soon, Captain," the old man is saying in what might pass as a threatening tone. "I want my operative replaced.. who are these slatterns?"
"Well, not in de hallway," Nikky says, but has to stop when the door opens. "Ey', Cappy! Good to see ya again. I just havin' a bit of fun with Orca and Mister Grumpy 'ere," she adds and thumbs to Orca and Urak. "Saw yas walk by earlier and thought I'd say hello. Plus, well ... she wanted to see you again. You apparently made quite the impression on the Yodhsunala's bodyguard, eh?" Now the skreek thumbs towards Tulani.
"Soldano, what is the meaning of this?" the old Eeee demands.
"These are members of my crew," Soldano explains. "We're rather close-knit.. Orca, pull up your pants man.."
"They're witches, sir," Urak claims, holding his pants up with one hand.
The old man scowls at his bodyguard. "I've wasted enough time today, Urak. Retrieve your belt and follow me."
"Ey, calm down. We were on his ship for a bit," Nicorina tells the older Eeee. "I just teasin' yer guard a bit. He too tense; makes him vulnerable to sneaky people with sneaky fingers. It no like I meant any real harm." She even holds out her hand to the older Eee and introduces herself! "Dey call me Nikky."
Urak looks pleadingly to Nicorina, who still has his belt.
Nikky holds out the belt to Urak. "Get more stress relief an people like me no get the drop on you so much," she advises him.
The elder bat looks at the outstretched hand for a moment as he'd just been offered a rotten piece of meat. "Hmm. I'll make sure Urak learns greater vigilance," he says instead of accepting the hand, then turns with a sweep of his cloak and heads towards the stairs, Urak struggling to keep up while securing his belt.
"You could use some stress relief too!" Nikky calls after the older Eeee. "An some manners. Gotta be careful who you offend after all!"
"There was a day when nobles were actually noble, and at least brought a gift of wine when asking for favors," Soldano notes after the other Eeee have left. Then he takes Tulani's hand and kisses the back of it. "I knew you'd be in Babel, but not that we would meet up again. So I do not consider this day a total waste! Please join us for a bit."
"Sorry, but when people git dat kinda attitude I just have to say something," Niikky apologizes to the captain. "I hope I no cause you any problems. Y' kin just call me the idot skreek iffin he mentions me."
"I sincerely hope to never deal with that man again," the captain notes, standing aside and ushering everyone into the room. The inner circle rooms are bigger, but come to a point like a pie slice. "I at least remembered to bring some libation."
"Dat means free booze," Orca whispers to Nikky.
"Ey, I'm all for free booze," Nikky tells Orca. "An who was dat jerk of an Eeee, anyway?"
"Erk?" Orca asks. Tulani breezes past into the room at the captain's hand, and sits on the edge of the bed with him. Orca has to drag the room's chair back inside.
"An unfortunate ally of the Guardians," Soldano explains as he pours some drinks. "I won't hide my distaste for traitors, regardless of which side they're on."
"No, ol and wide," Nikky remarks and shrugs as she enters the room now too. "Everyone on yer crew make it okay?" she asks, "He said something about a replacement. I kinda got to know de people on yer ship, even de Guardians. I wouldn't want anyt'ing bad t' happen to dem."
"Oh, it's nothing to do with us," the captain says, sitting next to Tulani. "Apparently some obnoxious minor noble got what he deserved, and thus denied the Councilman a source of illicit revenue and black market goods. So now he is demanding that the flow be renewed by the Guardians if they wish to continue to enjoy his 'loyalty' and information."
Orca sits on the chair, and pats his lap while waggling eyebrows at Nikky.
Nikky goes and flops into Orca's lap. "Ey, Kitty! T'ink he talkin about all that hoohah that happened a few days ago when that guy who ran the brothel ended up all dead, along with everyone dere? Whooo, dat was some news in the cafes," she chirps as she squirms around in Orca's lap.
The big Skreek happily wraps his arms around Nikky.. and gropes a bit under her top.
"Yer terrible," Nikky remarks over her shoulders, "An dere is nothing new dere."
"Velkarno," Tulani notes with a nod, and sips her wine. "In cahoots with pirates, I heard. Not sure what your Councilman expects, since I hear the Yodhrephath are patrolling the trade lanes now."
"And thus he expects us to provide a new avenue of smuggling," Soldano says with a sigh. "I'm sure this meeting was just a show though. I expect the Guardians will decide the man is not worth it."
"Ah right. One of those V names. I haf hard times wit dos," Nikky remarks. "Heard it was prolly just de Yodhrepath that stuffed 'im. Who else coul' it have been, really?"
"Coulda been the Guardians," Orca claims, and continues his fondling. "Eh, I like the classics too. You ain't gonna tell me where the new stuff is?"
"an yer a good Captain, Captain. Ya could do lots better dan bein a smuggler," Nikky notes to the Eeee. "No like someone like me wit limited options an all."
"Nope, you'll haf ta find em later," Nikky remarks over her shoulder.
"'Ow much later?" Orca asks, and gives Nikky's ear a nip.
"Is it safe to just cut him loose though?" Tulani asks the captain, with a bit of a purr.
"When we alone, eh?" Nikky remarks to the other skreek.
"He doesn't know anything, that I am aware of," Soldano notes. "He was a source of information on the going's on of the Coalition Council. What can he do? Go to Thath? That would be amusing to see."
"Awww, dis bed's big enough for all o' us," Orca teases. "Or we could just use dis chair.."
"I heard ol' Thathy was a scary, almost immortal sort," Nikky remarks. "Dat true?"
"Yah, but using de chair means I can't lick you and other such stuff. Yah can wait; I promise I'll curl yer toes later," Nikky whispers over her shoulder to Orca.
"Certainly immovable at the very least," Sodano notes. "He is very good at not being the one with dirty hands when Interesting Times occur. He is scary in that sense: you never know what strings he is pulling, because he may have someone completely unexpected pull them for him. If the Yodhrephath took out Velkarno, after expressing no interest in such matters before.. then perhaps it is because Thath brushed dust from his shoulder in a particular way to set things in motion."
"Ya really think he was behind it an no someone else?" Nikky asks, curious. "No dat I have any idea who else could have."
"Nobody is all-seeing," Tulani laughs. "We just like to think some powerful person is behind it all."
"It could have been anyone, including the pirates Velkarno was in bed with - most likely them, I'd think," the captain says, swirling his wineglass. "The most obvious, simplest explanation is usually the correct one, I've found. That does not mean I would underestimate Thath though, or his agents."
"Wha about all de Temples?" Nikky asks, "Dey used t' be powerful. Could it be dem trying to reassert control?"
"Aww, prolly some mercs hired by the Merchant's Guild," Orca says. "In my old stompin' grounds, when someone was snuffed that horribly it was to send a message: nobody be untouchable."
And on that cue, Nikky touches Orca by reaching over her shoulder and poking his nose.
"Ssss, that would seem unlikely to me," Soldano notes. "The Temples.. what is left of them.. are clinging to survival. They would not risk a show of power that could backlash on them. Although really, as I hear it, there are only two Temples now, and only because they are strong enough to defend themselves and otherwise indispensable to Babel. Rephath and Sunala - if she can even be called Sunala anymore. Not a figure to be feared and respected, but... almost actually worshipped again."
"Babel's gods have always been confusing to me," Tulani notes.
"I 'eard rumor dat Sunala is just a kid. No dat it really matters, I guess. I have seen dat dey are running a hospital or something an helping poeple. Good fer dem," Nikky notes.
"Not good for the Guardians," the captain notes, and takes another drink of wine. "Not for the ones promoting traditional Babelite values - where anything new would be disastrous. And one of the Kindly Ones changing to better fit the new power structure is a bad precedent. The ones who talk about the Sisters.. they are the ones that scare me. Zealots."
"Haf you met many o' dos?" Nikky asks ... then wiggles around in Orca's lap to make sure he doesn't fall asleep.
"A kid?" Orca asks. "So.. like, there might be baby Sunalas someday? That'd be something. I think that's how Inala's folks got set up, or so they say. I remember the old Temple of Pleasure.. fondly.."
"More fondly dan me?" Nikky asks with narrowed eyes.
"I'm just a contractor," Soldano says with a chuckle. "I'm not privy to the inner circle, just those involved in the logistical end of things."
"Dunno, lemme fondle you a bit more to decide," Orca replies, and squeezes. "So.. you girls got a room of your own here?"
"Well, iffin t'ings get bad, I just hope you aren't around t' join Velkarno in horrible deaths," Nikky notes. "I know I sure won't be. I believe in livin' and fleeing from people wit pointy t'ings."
"Any movement will have it's share of crazy extremists," Soldano notes. "They're tolerated so long as they have money and don't insist on having too much of a say. The Guardians are, first and foremost, a military organization, after all."
"Yah, dere is another room. Y' t'ink we should let de Captain an Kitty be alone?" Nikky asks.
"Not all pointy things," Tulani says to Nikky with a wink.
"Oh.. sure," Orca says. "I wouldn't wanna be crampin' the captain 'n all. That okay with you, Cap?"
"Well.." Soldano says, and looks again at the purring Sphynx leaning on his shoulder, "I'm sure a bit of rest-and-relaxation has been earned, to wash out the bad taste of our business associates."
"An de bad taste of skreeks?" Nikky asks with a teasing grin.
"I gots excellent taste," Orca insists.
"True, you do taste pretty good," Nikky quips.
"I'll leave that up to you to discover," Soldano says. "You know where to meet up, Orca. So, you're on leave for the rest of the afternoon."
"I take dis one back to room," Nikky tells Tulani. "Y' kin stay in de nicer one up here." The skreek the rises to her feet.
"Don't break anything," Tulani warns. "Or do anything to the key that we'll get charged extra for.."
Nikky snaps her fingers. "So much fer unlocking me treasure," the skreek cackles. "C'mon, Orca. I want yas jus' t meself for a while."
"I got a key for that," Orca claims, scooping up Nikky and throwing her over his shoulder. "An' I know it fits!" he claims as he carries her back into the hallway.
"De only t'ing I break be him!" Nikky calls out as she bounces down the hall. It's a very good thing the rooms are soundproofed so no one else heard that.
Once they reach Nikky and Tulani's room, Orca tosses Nikky onto the bed and closes the door behind them. "Now den.. let's see what new treasures you be hiding, eh?"
Nikky grins toothily at the bigger skreek. "Y' want to start in yer favorite position? Me on me hands an knees, tail up?" she coos at him as she unties the various knots that holds her clothing together, and on.
"Oh ho!" Orca says, and doesn't even wait for the clothes to finish coming of before he has Nikky bent over the bed.
"Yeeeah, I t'ink you missed me," Nikky almost purrs as she stretches her torso out on the bed. "I know I miss you. No one can quite satisfy me like me Orcy."
The big Skreek's eyes go wide in surprise, as he was not expecting the internal studs! "Oy! What's.." he starts to ask, then just decides to explore the new sensations in earnest. He does seem a bit pent up..
"I guess you found em!" Nikky croons at the skreek's shock. Of course her own body responds to it too, particularly since this is another skreek, and the scents and hormones are right. Not to mention Nikky was a bit found of Orca on the ship. "I shoulda accepted dat ring," the skreek even says in the moment of passion, "Missed you!" Of course she can't really say much else after that because she's getting as aggressive as he is!
They do manage to avoid breaking the furniture, although largely that could be due to using the floor a lot. Or interesting variations possible with a chair. When it's time for a break, Orca asks, "Don't look like you staying in this room while in da city. So where you really staying?"
And true to her word, Nikky's tongue gets a lot of use too inbetween other 'adventure' in the room. "Oh, here and dere an all over de place. Never same place any night. Safer dat way, yannow?" she claims in the mist of the break. "Dis city is creepy."
"Well, yeah.. but how safe are you in strange places every night?" Orca asks. "You ain't used up all the cash from your time on the Drake right? You in any kind of trouble?"
"I safe as I ever am," Nikky claims, "An I still gots cash. Why ya askin'? Y' trying to get me to stay wit you?"
"Heh, I allowed to worry 'bout you," Orca claims. "If you need help, you know you can come to me, right?"
"And of course I want you to stay with me," he adds, and starts moving his hips again. "I chain you to the bed.. fer your own good o' course.." he adds with a wink.
"I hope I can come to you if I jus want too, too, no jus if I need help," Nikky answers and taps on Orca's nose. "An heh, here in Babel slaves are legal. You tryin' to kidnap me an make me a slave?" she teases as her own body moves in time with his.
"I dunno.." Orca says. "I could be your slave," he offers. "I hear they wear little loin cloths for studs. I'll tell you where you can reach me, okay?"
"I like dat. I can descend on you in de night like some demonic succubus!" Nikky cackles right before licking Orca's cheek.
"I will tremble in me bed.. with de window unlocked.. every night!" Orca says, and then starts making love again in earnest.
"I make yas a promise," Nikky whispers in his ear, "Iffin you can get me pregnant; I come stay with you all de time. I even accept de ring if dat happen." Of course she probably just said that to get him to really put his back into it, so to speak given she can't become pregnant at all. Well, not without some major magic and a miracle, anyway, for which she is very thankful! She's even forgotten about the gift Gorphat gave her; and the fact she'll get to experience pregnancy anyway through Phlagaea's own pain ... and Rosalinds! Oh well, one nightmare at a time!