Pierce feels lucky being able to walk. Even Nicorina had problems the morning before, and Tulani flew her back to the temple. From there, things got even worse. After cleaning up (the Skreek really needed a bath), Nicky found herself facing a silver dragoness, for whom the previous night had only been a 'warm up' - and so Nicorina became Draketraum the dragon. That Tulani kept the Light of Nala sheathed was a blessing, otherwise they'd never have stopped until they died of hunger. The gold-plated implants where far more potent than the rings for both of them.
Without the Light constantly maintaining their stamina, biology eventually forced things to a stop. So it's rather refreshing to just be Pierce again the day after, where he can relax with no cares or worries. It doesn't last long of course; Sephia slithers into Pierce's nest with the wire-molded mask Butterscotch gave him. It has some straps attached now.
Pierce looks up from where he was taking a rest from sweeping the floor. Sweeping is better than mopping the shop. Mopping usually means blood. The approaching Naga causes his brow to arch slightly. "Ah, the mask. You put straps on it," he signs. "I thought you forgot."
The Naga grins (but she's always grinning) and slithers closer. Now that he can see the straps better, Piece notes that they end in hooks.. but are not long enough to actually stretch around his head. Not even close!
Pierce's brow goes up again. "I don't see how that can hook. Other than, well painfully," he finally admits in sign. "You're nnot going to dig those into my scalp, are you?"
The woman shakes her head slowly (hypnotically?) to the cheetah. "Hold sssTill," she hisses, holding up the mask.
Pierce eyes the naga through narrowed and suspicious eyes. Still, since she is raking slave, he is generally required to obey her requests. So ... he holds still. "Never trust a snake," he thinks.
The mask is placed on Pierce's face, declaring to all who know Silent Sign that he is a Sexy Beast. The straps dangle loose as Sephia adjusts things. "Comfortable?" the serpent asks.
Since it's made generic and light, it's certainly not uncomfortable. "It's fine. Nothing sits funny," he ends up signing after thinking about how it feels and presses.
Sephia slinks around behind the cheetah next, and takes the first of the six straps. She pulls them back behind and between Pierce's ears, where they just barely reach past the top of his scalp. "Ringsss will go here," she says, tapping two spots with her claws.
"Wait. Rings?" Piere signs by lifting his hands up so the naga can see them. "I don't like the sound of where this is going," he thinks. He even starts turning his head...
"You don't want ringsss for the massk hooksss?" Sephia asks, sounding disappointed. "It will only take sssssix.."
"Knowing you, you will have some horrible surprises too," Pierce signs. He does quit turning his head at least. "And I don't know if I could pay for more."
"Oh, the bunny will pay for it," Sephia claims, stroking the back of Pierce's head with her claws.
"I guess I'll be strapped into the chair in front?" Pierce signs, then pauses to think. "Oh, a suggestion! You could use the piercing as a demonstration of your work to owners," he suggests, "To show how slaves can be decorated, perhaps?"
"You want to be watched?" Sephia hisses, tickling Pierce's ear with her tongue. "That could be arranged.."
"I want to be valuable to the store," Pierce signs and grins. "I still owe for the gold under my skin."
"Come out to the front room then," Sephia says, and slither-slinks back towards the hall. "Don't drop the masssk."
Pierce reaches up to his face and lifts the mask off so he can't drop it. "How bad can this be? Couple small rings. Nothing like what you've had down elsewhere," he thinks as he heads up front with the mask.
Once in front, one of the chairs is adjusted for laying flat, and Pierce is told to sit on it. Helse watches from behind the desk, puffing on her pipe. Today she appears to be covered in Grabbits.
The grabbit decoration makes Pierce twitch. He's had some bad experiences with them; notably Blakat's servant. So, he redirects his thoughts by taking a breath, then sitting down onto the chair-turned-table.
Sephia's supplies are laid out on the side table: six rings, alcohol and a few tools. The Naga also continues to pet and comb Pierce, while they.. wait.
Petting and combing are nice. It even causes his eyes to droop closed and a purr to follow soon after. "Okay, so this part is very nice," he thinks. He's even smiling.
Eventually, the bell rings, and an Eeee enters. He's middle-aged, but clearly well-off and dressed in merchant-chic (something Pierce can easily spot after the party: a bit more conservative than what the nobles or Yodh would wear, and lacking in overly garish colors). He's got an equally aged Savanite with him, and a younger (but still adult) female cheetah that looks related. The cats are carrying bags from the clothing store across the alley. "Excuse me," the Eeee says, after he recovers a bit from seeing Helse's non-attire. "But I was wondering just.. ah.. what you do here?"
Pierce's right eye creaks open. He spots the other savanite and the younger female. A smile creeps over his lips and he waves to both.
The older Savanite doesn't respond, and looks.. well, like a butler from his demeanor. He's dressed plainly, although the girl is wearing a sundress. She wiggles her fingers back shyly.
Pierce knows better than to sign back. Still, he does smile at least and try to appear cordial and polite. "I don't see this group being customers. Too ... reserved," he thinks.
"We make slaves into works of art," Helse says. "For special occasions or permanently, as needed. Body paints, tattoos, piercings and simple manicures, pedicures and fur-styling as well."
Pierce feels ... a bit smug to be thought of as a work of art! "Well, I am good looking," he thinks ... and even preens a bit.
The owner finally seems to look over the Nagas and Pierce, realizing the scale patterns may not all be natural, and boggling at Pierce's decorations. Especially the nose ring. "That.. are they all so extreme?" he asks, a bit quietly.
Pierce twitches his lip, and thus, the ring through his nose.
"Pierce is a special case," Helse notes. "He enjoys being decorated like that. Would you like a closer look?"
"I don't know if enjoy is the right word. I was forced!" Pierce thinks. It's partially true, of course. But he did also choose some of them.
The Eeee nods and comes closer, followed by the two Savanites. While the male is still expressionless, the female is all eyes. "We were about to do a procedure on Pierce, if you would like to watch?" Helse asks.
Pierce actually sits there proudly, back straight and chest forward, trying to be a perfect model. The comment about watching makes his ears twitch, but it was his suggestion and, well, they're timid. They'll more likely be shocked than anything else
"I don't.. hmmm," the Eeee says, glancing at his slaves to gauge their interest. "Will there be.. blood?" he asks, looking at the tray.
Pierce waggles his right hand. He doesn't expect there to be a lot.
"No," Sephia promises. "There will be no blood or pain, we are very careful."
"I suppose watching couldn't hurt.." the man agrees, and gives the chair plenty of room.
"Lie down on your stomach, Pierce," Sephia instructs.
Pierce smiles to the younger savanite as if to reassure her it won't be that bad. The savanite then swings his legs up onto the table, then rolls onto his side, then stomach. His head slightly hands offf the edge, so that the back of his head isn't 'bunched'. "You are such a showman," he thinks to himself.
Of course this leaves his nose ring swinging, which feels really strange.
Carefully, Sephia puts the mask back into place, and uses little fur clips to secure the straps. Then Pierce feels the coolness of the alcohol at the six ring points... followed by the prick of Sephia's fang and numbing venom.
"Wow, that's kind of cold," Pierce thinks of the alcohol, but the fang nick makes his tail twitch. "And that even odder!" But, it does mean he won't feel a thing. He just can't believe he's getting six rings put in his head.
The problem is that he can't tell when they're put in, aside from the clink of a fur clip being returned to the tray. There is no sound at all from the watching Savanites, of course, but the Eeee asks questions every so often. "Do those have to be taken out for cleaning?" "They won't itch will they?" "If they're left out, will the hole close up?" Helse answers them all with patience.
Pierce is ... almost bored? Well, since he feels nothing, he can't even be sure they're doing anything at all. "Well, at least it doesn't hurt," he finally decides. Waiting is probably better than pain!
"You can sssit back up now," Sephia finally tells Pierce.
Pierce uses his arms to push up from the table, then swings his legs off and sits right up. He wiggles his fingers at the savanites again to assure them he's perfectly fine.
The Savanites both admire the fanciful mask for a moment, and then both of them look a bit shocked once they decipher the symbols. The girl bites her lower lip, but her ears are wiggling rapidly.
So, Pierce winks to her helpfully. Inside, he's laughing! This too is betrayed by his ear movement.
"Well, the mask is certainly interesting," the Eeee admits, perhaps overlooking the name it imparts on Pierce. "Do you make them?"
"We could," Helse assures the man. "We have the materials."
Pierce licks over his lips, too, showing off the stud in his tongue.
"I don't think I'd want them.. ah.. so attached, but.." The Eeee falters at the sight of the stud. Butler does not seem to approve, but Sundress is wide-eyed though, as if she just saw something extremely fascinating.
Pierce resumes smiling and trying to look innocent.
"Ahem, that is, simply something they could wear as easily as.. a hat," the owner notes. "The old collars are just.. old fashioned, and frankly I think they must be uncomfortable. Masks seem more.. stylish, don't you think?"
"Style is important," Helse agrees. "And a man whose slaves are noticed, is noticed himself. It is certainly a means of showing prosperity."
Pierce shrugs slightly. He doesn't mind the collar Tulani makes him wear after all! But he does have to admit to himself the man probably has a point about it being more stylish.
"Well then, how much would something like that cost?" the Eeee asks. "And.. perhaps also something simpler, like earrings. How long does fur-paint last.."
Pierce gives Sephia a sidelong glance as if to say 'told you so!'. He helped make a few sales, so, job well done. He also reaches back to feel the back of his head gently.
Helse takes the potential customer back to the desk, to go over options, leaving the slaves all together. The female signs, "Sexy Beast" at Pierce, her ears giggling.
"In more ways than one," Pierce replies, ears wiggling and his lips curled back in a smile.
The rings are smaller than the ones along his back, as they aren't meant to be particularly visible. And they don't seem to be tugging too hard at his skin either. "Now I am inssssspired," Sephia comments. "What other thingsss might be attached to these?"
Pierce shrugs a bit to the serpent. "You're the arist, I am a poor canvas," he signs to his serpentine friend. He's also satisfied they won't really be visible.
"Perhapsss a .. wig?" the Naga teases. "What do you do here?" Sundress signs.
"Model and stud," Pierce answers in sign. He uses his free left hand to elbow Sephia lightly.
"Stud?" the girl asks. The older Savanite is watching their master, so isn't privy to the conversation.
"My owner is paid for my services as a brood-stub. I try to sire new slaves," Pierce clarifies. His ears wiggle again as it'll probably shock the woman.
Sundress's mouth drops open. "You must be very happy," she signs. "I cook. I like to make bug pies."
"It's a job. It's kind of embarrassing to be a prostitute," Pierce admits in sign along with a sheepish shrug. "But I've been modified to be quite enjoyable to the women sent to me."
"What do you mean?" Sundress asks. "I've never mated. It is just me and my father in the household."
Pierce glances to Sephia. "I've been modified to cause more pleasure," he signs to Sundress, then lifts the flap to show the rings, the chain keeping him 'under control', and the ridge of beads.
"You look different from father and master," Sundress notes, her ears wiggling wildly now.
"We can go now," the Eeee notes, returning. "I have arranged for a mask fitting. Won't that be exciting?" Both Savanites nod in agreement.
Pierce relaxes now that their owner returns. He also thankfully had lowered the flap by then. He waves to the girl and her father, then smiles. No sign of goodbye, of course.
The girl does swing her tail in a 'goodbye' signal as they leave the shop. "You did well, Pierce," Helse notes.
Pierce smiles, then bows his head in respect and thanks to the shop keeper. "I serve," he also signs to her.
"You can go back to the nest if you want, or help Sephia clean up," Helse says.
"I will help clean. I enjoy her, and your, company," Pierce signs to the Eeee as she slides off the table. And with that, the savanite goes to help his scaly, mischievous, friend.
After the tools and try are cleaned and sterilized, Pierce can feel the rings. They don't hurt any more than when others were put in. The bell rings again, signalling someone entering the salon once more. This is followed soon by Helse calling for Pierce.
"Kinda sore, but not as bad as a hangover!" Pierce tells himself. He's busy putting away supplies in the back when the call omes. The savanite quickly finishes, then turns and heads towards the front of the shop. "What now?" he wonders.
A young Fnerf is sitting on his haunches next to the desk, where Helse holds a note in her hand. "You have a house-call, Pierce," she informs him. "This young man will escort you." The Fnerf waves and smiles.
"A house call?" Pierce wonders, "This is new." Pierce bows to the fnerf, then actually goes and fetches his leash. He attaches one end to his collar, then offers the other to the fnerf. The impish smile of his face and the ear wiggle might mean he's trying to embarrass the fnerf!
The foxtaur doesn't seem sure what to do with the leash at first, but takes hold anyway. "Please follow me," he says in the pidgin-Babelite used by non-Eeee.
Pierce dips his chin, then prepares to follow, keeping pace just so that there is always slack in his 'lead'.
The Fnerf leads Pierce out to the edge of the plaza, looking over his shoulder every so often to make sure he's following, despite holding the leash. They take a different route than any Pierce has followed before, following a steep stairway that leads into one of the supporting towers (but not the Coalition one).
Pierce has to wonder who this fnerf serves. If it's not coalition, then who? And why him? He's actually a little nervous, because in this form he's very vulnerable. And out here, well, he had best act the slave perfectly. At least he's able to keep pace and he does try to remember the route for later.
The route is certainly circuitous. There are spiral stairs, ramps, bridges and causeways. But mostly the route is vertical and the Plaza is still in view every so often. The routes are clean, and there's plenty of air and foot traffic.
But Pierce does have to wonder if the fnerf is deliberately taking him a long and winding route to keep him from remembering it. This is worrying again, but he'll manage. He can always have Kaira force-shift him if it gets really bad, but that's last resort. He does not want to damage this disguise or the job. While walking, he also looks over the fnerf for any family marks.
Aside from saddlebags and a vest, there isn't anything really distinctive about Pierce's guide. Finally, they arrive at a door, which leads into a sort of courtyard, complete with a garden and reflecting pool. "We're here," the Fnerf announces, then leads Pierce through an archway into a suite of rooms..
"This person is wealthy. This could be a good contact," Pierce thinks as he looks about in awe as he walks along with the fnerf. He keeps his hands folded together in front of himself and pacing such to show deference to his escort.
"Ma'am," the Fnerf announces, switching to Standard. "I've brought him."
"Thank you Flynn!" comes the familiar, soft voice of Butterscotch. Just send him right in!"
"Is it the doe ... " Pierce wonders, then gets his answer! This causes him to relax; for a moment he thought it was someone dangerous. He even lets out the breath he was holding.
"Just.. go in through here," Flynn says, holding aside a curtain.. and offering the leash back to Pierce.
Pierce takes the leash back and heads through th indicated doorway. He also waves farewell to the fnerf. He then remembers being the fnerf and how good it felt. Ah, memories.
"Over here!" Butterscotch calls out. From a bathtub, apparently. Filled with pink bubbles.
Pierce heads right for the bath. "She must really like me," he thinks, perhaps even feels a bit smug about it.
"I'm so glad you could come," the doe says, looking fluffy despite being wet. "I'm leaving for Rephidim tomorrow, and didn't have time to return the clothes Tulani lent me for the party. I only got a glimpse of her there - I was hiding.. uh.. networking in one of the side chambers.."
Pierce frowns a bit at the statement the doe will be leaving tomorrow, but nods all the same. She has been pretty nice to him and often fun. Since she doesn't really understand sign, he communicates his further understanding that she wants to return the dress by another short nod, then a bow to indicate he will serve and deliver.
"Soooo... will you miss me?" she asks, sinking down into the tub until just her eyes and ears are poking up over the bubbles.
Pierce shakes his head, pretending to say nope! Of course the smile that follows and the ear-wiggle betray the joke. Soon he's nodding yes to her. "But I will always have the hard bits under my skin to remember her by," he thinks. "And this silly mask."
"I'm glad you're wearing the mask," the doe notes, sitting back up. "Can you wash my back for me?"
Pierce nods at that and slips over to sit on the edge of the tub, just behind the doe. He reaches and grabs one of the nearby washcloths to help, then goes about dipping it in the water then wringing it so it runs down her back. This is soon followed by a gentle kneading-massage.
Butterscotch mutters contentedly. "I'm gonna miss this," she says. "I don't suppose you ever get to Rephidim?"
Pierce has to reach over her shoulder to sign no. She can't see him shake his head after all. Soon the wash-massage resumes as he works over her shoulders and upper back.
"Maybe you have a brother or something there," the doe mutters. "Do I looks clean yet?"
Pierce leans over and licks the back of the doe's ear, then pats her shoulder to probably indicate yes. A quick rinse off wit the rag, and another pat follows.
The doe stands up and drips. "I know there's a towel somewhere around here," she notes.
Pierce stands up and goes to look for a towel for the doe.
Pierce finally finds it; it had fallen behind a basket. He picks it up and brings it back over to Butterscotch. Without asking, he unfolds it, then drapes it around the doe. A second later, he's even drying her off!
The girl laughs and giggles of course. Maybe just because she can and less because it actually tickles. "Carry me to the bed?" she asks, fluttering her eyelids at the cheetah.
Pierce's ears wiggle, amused. Of course he scoops the doe up into his arms and carries her out of the bathroom and in the direction of her bed. As he's now laying the doe out on the bed, he thinks, "I bet I would have made a good Barinala."
Hugging the towel around her, Butterscotch says, "I'm not going to tell you what to do anymore, Pierce. But.. since this is my last day here.. You can do whatever you want with me."
Pierce salutes ... and heads for the exit. Of course his gait is slow, so it's probably a joke...
The bunny lets out an alarmed squeak at the apparent abandonment.
Pierce's ears wiggle and he turns around, then heads back to the bed. "You are a very naughty lapi," he signs to her, knowing she won't understand it anyway. "I like that." It's also the first time he's probably been a little aggressive in that he pulls her towel open, then lightly pushes her down onto her back. It's then the lapi gets another back from the savanite as he grooms her with his tongue. And he's very thorough about it, too; maybe it's a cat thing. It's also quite ... different given he has both the stud in his tongue, and the ring in his nose, to 'tickle' sensitive places.
The bunny mutters and coos and giggles. Considering the company Pierce had been keeping in (various other forms) there's something sweet and innocent about Butterscotch. She isn't so demanding as Orca or Tulani, certainly.
And this makes Pierce slower, and very gentle. It's more caress and tease, to elicit that giggle or gasp. He's focused on her sound and her enjoyment, certainly. It's a very long time before he removes what little clothing he had on and he finally joins her body to his. Kisses follow, caressing, and the slow act of pleasure continue on; trying to convince the doe people do like her. He's not as worried about feeling pleasure for himself, it's all about her.
"I need a boyfriend when I get home," the doe gasps out. "How'd you learn all this? Will I have to teach someone?"
And Pierce is frustratingly silent and unrelenting. He doesn't answer her question; not until two more 'moments' occur for the doe. Only then does he relax and grin impishly at her. His answer then comes short and simple, "Yes." Even she should understand that sign.
"I don't know if I can," the doe admits, after catching her breath. "I don't suppose you've written a book about it?"
Pierce shakes his head, but then holds up a finger. "Paper?" he signs questioningly. Perhaps he wants to write something.
"Umm.." the doe looks around, and then points to a writing desk.
Pierce leaves the doe for a moment, and sashays over to the desk. Once there, he writes something down on a piece of paper. It's this paper he returns to the bed with and offers to the doe. On it is none-other than the title of the Jadian book his other form was given, and the author's name, Kazuhiko."
"Oh, this will .. give instructions?" Butterscotch asks.
Pierce nods emphatically.
"So, I can give this to a boy and he'll know what to do?" she asks again, just to be sure. "Or do I have to read it?"
Pierce taps the doe's forehead to probably imply she should read it too.
Butterscotch sticks her tongue out at the tap. "I guess I should find a Savanite then, right?" she asks.
At that, Pierce shrugs a bit. "/Your choice,/" he signs. "Look for what you like./"
"I wish there was a store for this sort of thing," the doe says, then giggles. "Actually there probably is, but I wouldn't go to one. Mother would be furious.." The doe's mood seems to cool down suddenly.
Pierce's ears wiggle. There is a store for it and one of his forms practically tries to live there. Still, he can't tell her that. So ... he kisses her cheek to cheer her up.
Butterscotch hugs Pierce, and sniffles. "It's going to be hard," she says. "Dad's gone. I have to run things. I didn't expect to grow up so fast. Does it always happen like this?"
Pierce shakes his head while signing, "Sometimes." He also hugs her back, then strokes the back of her neck. "You be fine," he signs. "Strong."
"I'll be okay," the doe says, loosening her hug, and wiping her nose. "I survived.. everything. Even though there's nobody to rescue me back home, I still have my friends and family. Thanks again for saving me."
"Any time," Pierce signs, smiling. He then takes the doe's hand and puts it on top of his 'studding'. "Thank you for the gift," he signs, ears wiggling. He then leans over and kisses her nose tip lightly and lets her hand go.
"I didn't want you to forget me," the doe says, once Pierce gestures to the mask.
"Would never forget," Pierce signs. "If you ever need me, send mail to Helse. She may know how to find me." He knows she probably didn't understand that, but he had to sign it anyway.
"Thanks," the doe says, getting the idea (or similar). She kisses Pierce on the nose, and manages not to get her chin or whiskers caught in the ring.
Pierce then taps the ring in his nose, then taps her nose. "You need one," he signs, ears wiggling like mad.
"I wouldn't look very professional if I had one of those," the doe comments with a giggle. "I like the tongue stud better anyway.."
Pierce grins. "Sephia would give you same," he signs, then taps his tongue stud.
"I don't think I have the time for it though," Butterscotch claims. "Or the courage! I'll just make my boyfriend get one."
Pierce pushes Butterscotch back on her back, ears wiggling. When his head dips down, well, the doe gets another round, this tone with just the tongue stud in use. He's an evil one.
More giggling ensues, along with squirming and squeaking!
And well, another hour passes with a lot of squeaking. Poor Eeee nearby; the horrors they have to listen to! A purring squeaking, mess. Either someone is having a very good time. Or they're being eaten by a cat. Or ... well both.