It's been a few days since the breakup of the Abbas Coven. For most of it, Alptraum was 'forced' to relax, usually by Mave while Tulani went out for supplies and information. "There isn't much gossip about the heads of the Abbas family vanishing," Tulani reported. "And the people we led out don't remember anything about their time as crazed sword-fodder. Even so, the refugees are half-convinced it was the Angel that rescued them, because that's what people kept asking them about - since she rides a silver dragon, and everyone saw me."

"And you're going to let that go to your head, aren't you? Be all insufferable and proud?" Alptraum inquires from where he lounges in a pile of makeshift pillows. She's still without any visible jewelry, surprisingly enough. "But I suppose it is enough to keep people talking and wondering; and that was the point."

"Well, I find it interesting that the Abbas heads vanishing hasn't been leaked," Tulani notes. "Either there's a cover-up, or the clan still doesn't they're actually dead. I think the horribs may have carried them off."

"Or they were rescued by their dead undead relative," Alptraum adds and shrugs. "I wouldn't be surprised by that."

"They had holes chewed through them.. eww," Tulani notes and sticks her tongue out. "Speaking of Tall Dark and Deadish, to you suppose he's the one that Soldano and Orca will be meeting?"

"Rather certain of it, unfortunately. He's one of a few that could guide them through the Mists," Alptraum admits. "And is likely the General's lieutenant."

"I wonder how sane he is?" Tulani asks, then shakes her head. "In other news: I contacted the Phizcarro's, and they'll take in Chiyuta and get her to Saskanar."

"That's good. I worry about that girl; she's almost like a sister," Alptraum comments as he rolls to his side and dangles an arm up and over a pillow. "As for how sane ... how does none sound? He's also annoyed with being undead and unable to enjoy physical pleasure."

"Did you ever see him interacting with his brother?" Tulani asks. "I mean.. do you think he'd even be upset about Herod's death?"

"Do you want me to get a message to your father about anything?" Tulani asks next, and pokes Alptraum with her tail. "Anything you want to get done before we try to get more info out of Soldano and Orca?"

"Can't you just go see them? You know it's weird being the rat. I go insane," Alptraum remarks and even bats at the prodding tail. "As for a message ... possibly warning him to keep a closer watch out for anything unusual. The General may change plans or move key allis after the loss of a House."

"Yeah, there could be people on the council that are covering for Herod's disappearance.. would be good to let Thath know he's actually dead," Tulani agrees, then grins. "You've got a thing for the big rat, admit it! He's probably scared witless."

"Nikky has a thing for the rat," Alptraum points out, "I don't find him attractive at all."

"So each of your forms really does have a distinct personality?" Tulani asks. "Or is it just something that happens if you spend a lot of time in one? I mean, would you become all charming and witty if you spent more time in my form?" The Sphynx has such a grin right now.

"I did spend time looking like you. I was called insufferable," Alptraum retorts, then throws a pillow at Tulani. "And each form augments personality, they're not 100% distinct. When I'm female I tend to find males more attractive, and things like that."

"Well, you did spent a lot of time with Orca on the trip over," Tulani notes after recovering from a face-full of pillow, with a typically feline 'I meant for that to happen' attitude. "What's one more visit? We just need to find out.. whatever they know or suspect, I guess. I can't handle both of them, and the rat will do anything for Nikky!"

"He also does anything to Nikky too, you know that," Alptraum remarks and rolls back on his back again. "And Nikky will have to fins something to wear, of course, and put in all that jewelry again."

"Oooh, what sort of something to wear?" Tulani asks, resting next to Alptraum now. "Maybe you want two outfits - one for him to tear off of you and one to wear back out again?" she teases.

"Probably," Alptraum adds and pokes Tulani in the tummy. "I ought to go to the fashion store next to the salon and get Nikky something very babelite to wear there. Or, just go as normal. I guess it doesn't really matter."

"Nikky doesn't exactly have a classically Babelite figure," Tulani notes. "We could wrap you all up in scarves and stuff, make it a real challenge for Orca.."

Mave wanders over, pipe in hand, and offers, "I could loan you some leather straps to tie him down with.."

Alptraum just rolls his eyes. "I doubt he would care that much. Fine, I'll become the rat; but it's on your head for whatever might happen. And if I actually get pregnant this time, I'll have Mave curse you."

"You love being the rat," Tulani claims. "But we can help you pick something to wear at least.."

"You get to put the jewelry back in me, while I'm female," Alptraum counters, just to gross Tulani out. With a sigh he rolls back onto his side again and closes his eyes. Time to focus on the shadow, and engulf himself ... then it's a matter of just applying the skreek's body to his own. Back ... to being a girl.

The Laughing Chibix
Deep beneath the upper decks of Cenesta Plaza where no sunlight penetrates is this nondescript looking room-by-the-hour hotel. It's only two floors, given the restricted space, and may be built into one of the plaza supports. There are no windows, as there's nothing to see outside, and the door is emblazoned with a cartoonish looking laughing chibix.

Two cloaked figures enter the hotel, one with wings and the other one shorter but more.. musical. Each move elicits a creaking sound or a jangle: Nicorina is dressed in something that's mostly leather belts, chains and small locks that hold it all together. "I'll be two doors down on the other side of the hall," Tulani tells Nicorina. "We'll use three knocks, then one, then two to identify ourselves, alright?"

"I kin knock yer boots right now if you want," Nikky the skreek remarks, her nose ring glinting beneath the hood. "Eeee aren't de only one wit long tongues."

"Getting information out of me isn't the goal here," Tulani notes with a smirk, then pauses before a door. "This is you! Good luck."

"Eh, I do you jus' fer de fun of it, don need any info," Nikky counters. Without warning, the skreek then grabs the back of Tulani's neck and draws her in for a kiss! An impressive one at that!

The Sphynx lets out a surprised 'mew' at that. "You really are a bit crazy like this," she notes with a blush, and hurries to the door to the captain's room.

And with her back turned, Nikky gets a good swat in on Tulani's butt, too. The rat cackles, then turns and knocks on the door.

The peephole opens and a brown eye peeks out.. followed quickly by the door being thrown open and Orca scooping Nikky up into his arms! He carries her inside, kissing her all the while, and kicks the door closed with his foot. It's only a moment or so later that he realizes Nikky's outfit has some sharp spiky bits. "Ow!" he notes, finally setting the rattess down on the edge of the bed. "Somtin' bit me! I was afraid I'd never see you again!" Orca says, looking stupidly happy.

"I'll bite you, in fun ways," Nikky counters and runs her fingers down the larger rat's chest. She also sheds her cloak with a shoulder shrug to show of she's ... more or less completely naked save for sparsely interconnected straps and chains. "An I guess you missed me a little..."

Orca blinks at the outfit, his whiskers twitching. "Is that a .. chastity belt?" the man asks, then looks into Nikky's eyes and asks, "Dis mean you're pregnant?"

Nikky laughs. "No, I no pregnant. I just wan' t torture you some, Nikky teases, poking at his legs with her own toes. "Until you tell me you gonna be safe an careful, and come back, you no gettin' any more rat bum."

"I.. uh.." Orca seems at a loss, but runs his hands over the various clasps and knots and locks. "O' course I be careful," he says, shaking a bit. "I always careful! Just.. our meetin' is in three days. Can't leave the building before then.. been cooped up.."

Nikky's hand cups Orca in a very sensitive area. "An jus' where are you goin' and who are you meetin?" she asks.

The rat licks his lips. "Outside of the city," he admits, and taps on a bit of leather. "Your turn!"

Nicky doesn't remove any of her clothing, but pulls Orca's pants down instead so she can .. massage sensitive bits. "An are ya coming back t' me? How long will you be gone?"

The rat's eyes roll back a bit, and he shivers even more. "Be.. careful.. been awhile, eh? And uh.. I don't know how long I be gone.. but.. I'll tell ya everything I know if'n you do me one little favor," he offers.

"Mmmmmm..." Orca moans, and puts his hands on Nikky's shoulders. "Stay with me!" he blurts out. "Until I have to go. I've got food and wine..."

"Fer three days?" Nikky asks, brow arched, then goes in for another, longer, lick. "I suppose, mebbe," she adds, then has to go quiet; she's occupied with her ratcicle.

Orca seems about to burst. "H-h-hold on.." he begs. "Don' wanna waste it, could be the one that gets yer with kids."

And Nikky, being evil, continues for a bit more. She does eventually let Orca go, then goes about unhooking her clothing, piece by piece. Slower than necessary to drive the rat nuts. As for her chain, that waits until very last. "You made me terrible, Inala. And even pregnant once! I can't believe you got me to enjoy this," the rat thinks.

"A chain?" Orca gasps, barely able to contain himself. "You are so cruel, Nikky! Are you one of this girls with whips that are popular in Babel?"

"I didn't bring it," Nikky promises and slides the chain out. Soon the rat has turned and is on her hands and knees, giving Orca quite the view of his, er, favorite position. "An I gonna hold ya to the promise of tellin' me everything..."

"Right after.." Orca starts to say, but interrupts himself by grabbing at Nikky's haunches and sate his ardor. He doesn't last long, in truth, being on a hair-trigger at that point, but the studs and the blessing of Inala let him keep going.. and going! At this rate Nikky won't be able to sit down again.

Even with all the teasing, Nikky is quite satisfied to once the rat becomes part of her. This is quite demonstrated by allt he sounds she makes, and how much she makes sure she can push back and ... clench. Even if she can't sit down again ... it's so worth it!

After an hour, even Orca needs a moment to catch his breath. "How I've missed you!" he gushes. "Are you hungry or thirsty at all?"

"Yes. But for what depends. Got any left in yas?" Nikky asks with a suggestive lick of her lips. "But sum wine and such would be an acceptable alternative."

Orca pours into the one leather mug he has, and offers it to Nikky. "Oh, I'll get my fourth wind any moment now," he brags. "How have you been? What's been keeping you away from me?"

Nikky drinks down the wine. "Nothin' all dat interestin'. Since Ianal's temple wuz destroyed, people like me are in high demand iffin you know wha I mean," the rat claims. "Plus you sai you had lots t' do and don't need de distractiono o' me butt."

"Well, that don't mean I don't want the distraction of yer other bits," Orca notes, sitting next to Nikky and fondling her chest. "We be meeting our guide out by the Abbas territory."

Nikky makes all sorts of pleased ratty sounds as bars and the skin they go through are played with. "Who dat?" she asks, distracted.

"Eh, some nobby family, owns part of the city," Orca says. "Prolly dirty, like all the rest. But they's close to one of the ways into the Valley." Then he's using his tongue for things other than talking.

"No idea, Cap'n dealt with him before though," Orca says. "Always drank himself to sleep afterwards. So someone scary."

"An ya haf ta go wit him? Why no jus leave?" Nikky asks. The rat then fishes Orca's tail over, and proceeds to suck on its tip. Why? Nikky is crazy.

The big rat squeaks in surprise. "I be invited," Orca notes. "First time. I pretty sure the door to this place be watched, too - not getting far if'n we try to leave."

Nikky tickles Orca's nose with his own tail tip. "Wha iffin you get in trouble. Who gonna save you?" she asks.

"Luv, I already in trouble," Orca laughs. "And we just smugglers, nobody care what happens. But.. we smugglers. So.. this must be about smuggling something, right? Something important."

Nikky pokes Orca in the chest. Hard. "I care wha happen. I been wit lots of people, but I only ever keep comin' back t one," she points out in a huff. "An it migh be, it migh' no. Lotsa weird talk in the street. Ya better be careful."

"I not been getting out much, what's the weird talk?" Orca asks, leaning Nikky back onto the bed.

"Jus lots of rumors about Gods and, uhn, peopl eeatin' other people," Nikky says as she lies back. "An no de good kind o' eatin'."

"This city be crazy," Orca says, hooking Nikky's ankles over his shoulders. "I seen some bad slums, but nothing beats the Streets Below out here. No surprise they eat each other. I can't wait to leave though, and be done wi' this contract. You kin come with me o' course!"

Nikky hooks her feet behind Orca's head. "I migh! Depends! Even iffin I don, I always find yas again," the rat cackles. "I like a sexual disease! Y' can't get rid o' me!"

"My favorite kind!" Orca claims, and once his has Nikky's legs firmly gripped against his chest.. he tries his best to get her knocked up again.

"De irony is Gorphat has given me dose diseases, kinda, at times," Nikky thinks, bemused by this fact when her companion resumes. She also cries out. It does feel good to have something moving inside her again; something she does oddly miss from her 'pregnancy'.

Orca is trying a lot of new positions this time around, possibly hoping that one of them will work where the others failed. He has Nikky on her back, on her side, on top and once spinning around until it that put a bit too much strain on things and he needed some cooling-off time. "You aren't gonna try an' follow us are you?" he asks Nikky while resting.

"You might," Orca says, wagging a finger. "But even if you do.. you can't go into the Forbidden Zone. People get turned around and confused just on the edges."

"Jus' for dat, you get to be the wheelbarrow!" Orca says, and rolls Nicky to be half over the edge of the bed. "Walk with your hands," he advises.

Nikky laughs again as she puts her hands on the floor to walk with them. she knowsthis game; she learned it from Hortense!

So, for a few minutes, Orca 'roll' the Nikky-barrow around the small room, holding onto her legs. He tries to steer her with his hips though, to varying degrees of success. "Ahahaha!" he cackles.

"I t'ink I rubbin' off on yas," Nikky has to comment and cackle right along with the other rat. It's silly, yes, but still fun! And when she wants to be mean, she just has to clench...

That leads to Orca 'tripping' and falling down on top of Nikky. He seems to like pressing her down to the floor though, which just makes him more excited for a while.

"Havin' fun?" Nikky asks the rat on top of her. For the moment, she doesn't seem to mind it!

"It serious work," Orca claims. "Fun just a bonus, heh!" He starts to actually push Nikky along the floor now with each serious work thrust.

"Yer seriously odd," Nikky cackles. She does at least try to prevent herself from moving to give him some challenge.

Eventually, Orca rolls Nicky onto her back, so he has more interesting things to hold onto. "I get on floor next," he promises.

Nikky just rolls her eyes. "Y' haf a few days. Be patient," the female rat remarks, then licks his nose. "Any'tink else y' kin tell me about who ya meeting, or where ya goin?"

"The General," Orca says. "Pretty sure, otherwise we just do business as usual, yeah?" He sounds nervous about it though. "If agents be scary types, General must be scariest of all though."

"I hear de General issa girl," Nikky says, grinning. "But ya prolly shouldn' flirt."

"A girl?" Orca asks, sounding surprised. "Maybe she just want some sexy dudes, then. She must be great in the sack, to keep her troops so loyal!" He laughs, then suggests, "You could start an army that way too!"

"Ow!" Orca yelps. "No worries! I not into skinny Eeee women; they all bones and stuff. No meat!"

"Depends on de Eeee, I see some wit huge ... tracts of land," Nikky claims. She then wraps her legs around his and gets a little busy on her own. "It's not fair it feels good to be ... full." the rat thinks in frustration.

Orca is only too happy to let Nikky take the lead! "Mmmm," the Skreek agrees. "Like that one we brought.. what's her name? Anyway, yeah, like one of those Yodhinalas, but... old. Y'know, I don't think any of the General's folks we ever dealt with was a girl. I mean, it's hard to tell unless they're dressed to show it off.."

"Or mebbe de General is de jealous type an only surrounds 'erself with men. Or mebbe likes controllin' men," Nikky points out ... then goes about controlling Orca's sounds through clenching and creative use of other muscles.

"OOooo!" "Eeeee!" "Ahhh-AHHHHhhhhhhh.." Orca is made to squeak. "Mebbe she just really ugly.." the rat notes, after catching his breath. "But.. I wonder. I mean, there's mages with her. So maybe they use magic to make things safe in the Zone? I hear Chaos Mages - really good ones - can make the safe paths, like the ones up in Chronotopia what guard Bosch.."

"Might be! I dunno much about mages," Nikky claims, even if she is good with doing magic with her body by how she manipulates the other rat. "Jus keep an eye out and remember wha ya see? It migh help yas some day."

"I just be glad.. ooooooo, do that again!... er.. I be glad when we be done with the General," Orca says. "And yeah, I keep my eyes open, no worries there. Once we done, we sell the Guardians out to the Coalition, you see. Only reason worth going into that hell, heh?"

"I dunno if dat is a good idea. Dey might come after yas," Nikky says with worry. "Y' don wan' t' be in the middle of political 'ell here."

"Hah, for all the spookiness and weapons, the General hasn't got a chance," Orca claims. "The Coalition may look like dey's all worried about prosperity and stuff, but I sure they gots big backers. Sky Island backers, you know? Why would they give up the Tower of Babel and all unless it was part of a protection deal with Rephidim?"

"Cuz dey want to show illusion of power? Not dat I wan de Coalition t' fall. I just don wan you skewered in de process. Before sellin' anyone out, at least tell me firs'? I might be able t' find yas a safe way out," Nikky offers.

"Ooo, I know those nobby types go for the kinky stuff.." Orca says, waggling his eyebrows at Nikky while he switches to a slower, more leisurely rhythm. "You been playing with the big boys I bet!"

"Dey go in fer stuff dat pretty disturbin'. Goes beyond kinky," Nikky remarks and makes a face. "Don ask, cuz I no gonna tell you what some of dem like."

"Eh, anything I might like?" the rat teases, and gives Nikky's neck a playful bite. "But if you got someone who owes you favors, that be pretty nice! And very flattering that you'd waste one on me!"

"I doub' vou like de tings some of dem do," Nikky says, trying to get him to not ask any further. "Jus ... keep it in min vou kin talk t' me, is all."

"You're my guardian angel, aren't you?" Orca asks, and peppers Nikky's face and neck with rapid kisses. "That the only explanation! But.. if I come back and no want to jump on you, you run, just in case. Some of the men we meet who come outta the Mist, they messed up in the head."

"Eh, I kin take care of myself. I jus' haf t' rescue you iffin you come out weirder den normal," Nikky claims, cackling. "Cuz iffin I don', I no haf anyone who as good at ruttin'."

"Oh, I be the best ever!" Orca boasts. "Maybe I even let you sleep a little while you here, if you ask nicely."

"Hah, I like it when you growl!" Orca says. "You can wrestle me for sleeping privileges! Or I just keep going while you sleep, give you nice dreams.."

Nikky barks a laugh! "I'd like t' see you try dat," she teases. She also growls again, just to get the rat to focus on the task at hand; she needs to be full!

Orca's leisurely pace picks up, and he growls right back. It really is rutting at that point, and he's not afraid to use his claws and teeth to exert some dominance.

And Nikky encourages Orca to be a bit rough, to bite, and to force. Sometimes even by trying to pull away so he does have to force himself on her! It's a game of growls and squeaks now, all with one outcome in mind.

It's also very effective, because Orca's whole body convulses when he fills Nikky, and it certainly feels like more than he's managed so far! On the downside, he seems ready to collapse immediately afterwards.

Nikky cries out along with it, because, well, it feels so good! Really good! And ocen the rat goes down panting, she pets his back and coos in his ear, "Good boy, y'kin rest now. Dat was jus wha I needed..." She also has to admit to herself it did feel really good; impressively so.

The problem with resting is that they're on the floor, and Orca is starting to become dead weight. So of course that's when the three-one-two knock comes at the door.

Nikky sighs ... and rolls to her side to roll the rat off and, well, unimpale herself form him. "Fine, I don' eve get to enjoy it. Even Hosheb let Taahira enjoy the egglaying. Sort of," the rat thinks. And hopes she can get to the door soon.

It's not like Tulani is impatient. She's still there by the time Nikky gets to the door. "Is it safe to talk?" she asks once Nikky opens it a bit.

Nikky makes sure Orca is asleep before she nods to the sphynx. "Spill it, kitty," she soon says to Tulani.

Tulani slips inside, smirks at the worn out Skreek on the floor, and sits on the edge of the bed (after making sure it's a dry spot). "They're to meet with the General's representative in three days, near the old watch road that overlooks the Valley," she notes. "Soldano doesn't think they're meeting with their usual contact, or at least not for long. This kind of meeting is unprecedented - he expects one of the General's seconds to be taking them into the Mists."

"I gots similar info from him," Nikky admits and gestures to the unconcious rat on the floor. "I bet it is de vampire. He can navigate de mists safe enough. I also expect they'll be indoctrinated, an probably black-heart infested. He also t'inks the job is to smuggle something out. T'ink dat is likely?"

"Not sure," Tulani says. "The Guardians have lost their airships, as far as I know. Any they have will be private ones held by supporters or people that've been 'turned' to serve the General. I think she wants the Shadowdrake. Do the black hearts let her.. see or otherwise know what their hosts are doing? It didn't seem like that when you freed Rikat."

"No, but it make dem very loyal, cuz if dey die, dey become 'er zombies," Nikky notes, "So very unlikely t' betray her. And yah, she migh' want de ship. Coul' allow 'er access to de town and some of de towers."

"Hmmm, they captain was invited to that party," Tulani mutters. "They must have contacts within the Coalition - either Guardian loyalists or else 'legitimate' business partners."

"Orca said dey plan t' sell the General out to the Coalition. I warned 'im against any such rash moves, at leas' no without an escape plan," Nikky notes.

"So, it would be worth knowing who they know," Tulani says. "Or at least why they were invited. Soldano is orphaned nobility - his House was eaten by the Boomer. Either side might want him."

"Thath would know, probably, but we should see if we can get something more direct from these two," Tulani notes. "Just need to know who invited them."

"Drunk," Tulani says, grinning. "And passed out. I'd suggest using the kiss on Soldano of course."

"Or I could try to just whisper the question to him and see if he replies," Tulani says. "We have a few days."

"'e asked me t' stay. I agreed. I t'ink I kin manage it," Nikky notes and thumbs towards the asleep rat.

"So, do you want to use the kiss on Soldano, or trust in my feminine charms.. and a little hypnotic suggestion?" Tulani asks.

"Not answering de other question, eh?" Nicky says with a smirk. "Vell, try with just your wiles firs'. If it no work, I kin force it wit' de kiss."

"I will then," Tulani says. And then whispers, "Nobody has quite the range of experience as Alptraum does, in that particular manner.."

Nikky smirks. "Good answer. It'll mean y' get to keep getting de experience," the rat remarks.