For Nicorina, there's a certain comfortable familiarity about this place. While her visits to Underside on Rephidim were brief, the atmosphere was much the same. This is where the people with the hard jobs came to unwind - the laborers, airship crews and those seeking things of a less-than-legal (or sociably acceptable) nature. There were plenty of bars, for instance, but few restaurants. Food came from carts, and there was a bit of Little Babel atmosphere from that. Aside from food and cheap goods, there was plenty of trade in drugs as well - and even someone renting space in alleys for the dope-heads to flop in relative safety.
Surprisingly, there aren't many actual brothels - just streetwalkers. It seems unlikely to be due to lack of clients, but at the far end of the plaza there is a rather well lit area next to a support tower, with the wall behind bearing the symbols for the flower and paradise: Inala's Paradise in shorthand. If it lives up to the name, it would be the biggest brothel with the 'best' employees.
Nikky sashays about the street, bouncing from here and there, cart to shop, to window. "Hello, heyas, hidy hiya," the rat chirps to those she ends up passing by. In normal circumstances this might be dangerous, but Nikky grins like a loony, and no one likes to mess with loonies. "Seems yer tipical place. Namuch going on ... but I jus bet some snooty-snoots would be over there lookin for questionable fun. An when deys drunk, deys talky," the skreek thinks. She also cackles randomly because, well, she's nuts.
There are a few obvious airship crews staggering about, arm in arm to avoid falling over or getting lost. There must, logically, also be pirates and smugglers - assuming the Yodhrephath haven't gotten them all. But as suspected, the crowds seem a bit better off the further the Skreek ventures. From lower class to middle class - and maybe a few uppers as well, dressed down to fit in.
For the most part, people seem to be treating Nikky as airship crew - a 'tourist' - from the way the vendors hawk at her.
At least Nikky gets to wear her jewelry this time, and flaunts it! She also reacts the the hawkers by walking past, bending impossibly backwards, and blowing a raspberry at them. A polite one, she would claim!
Under the sign of Inala's Paradise there's quite a crowd. Or a party, if a quiet one. It seems more like an outside restaurant than a waiting area, but apparently there are some special attendants circulating. Nikky picks them out easily, since they give off a 'cop' vibe. She sees them subtly approach certain people, who then get escorted through the opaque doors into Paradise.
"Oh-ho, bouncers. Hardly a surprise there," Nikky thinks to herself. She continues her random jaunt down the street, winding her way towards the club. Soon enough, she's merging into the crowd, sort of.
The crowd isn't so dense when you're up next to it. There are clusters, and everyone is clearly trying to catch the eyes of the bouncers.. especially a rather fluffy Fnerf who is openly tail-flirting with one of them. The ones that aren't trying to get the attention of the bouncers are.. pickpockets from the look of it. They still look the same as the others hoping to get in, but are more focused on the other people than the attendants picking who gets in.
And Nikky focuses on them! Maybe she can pickpocket them ... then return the stolen goods back to the original targets. Granted the Fnerf does catch her eye too; she developed a fondness for them on the airship.
"Why hello there," someone says next to Nicky. It's a well-dressed Eeee with a bottle in hand. "Here on shore leave, miss?"
"Sorta-kinda!" Nikky claims as she leans back a bit and looks over her shoulder at the Eeee. "How's about you? Y'don't look like sailor..."
"I'm just here to enjoy myself," the man says, smiling. Of course, he's not in a cluster.. so could be a pickpocket. "We don't see many Skreeks around here. You're a bit exotic.."
"Oh, I sure we around, we jus' good at hiding," Nikky claims in a cackle. "An exotic, well ... ya gotta be creative otherwise life is dull, no?" She may be acting ditzy, but she is sizing the man up; trying to judge if he is armed or not ... down to could his bottle even be drugged; but that would require examining it more closely somehow! It isn't unheard of after all and these streets still aren't safe.
The man laughs back, and asks, "Are you trying to get into Paradise tonight?" One eyebrow is raised, as if he really isn't certain of the answer. "Or just here to enjoy the crowd?"
"I'm out t' have fun. Might mean gettin in, might not," Nikky claims. It is actually true. She's out fact-finding after all. "All depends. How's about you?"
"I wouldn't mind getting in," the man says. "Of course, my chances might be better if I had an exotic companion," he notes suggestively.
"Oh? Is dat so? Why is dat, pray tell?" Nikky asks. She also pets his chest now, running her claws just so.
"Well, I think they like having some variety in there," the man notes, nodding towards the entrance. "Also I've seen them let in good looking foreigners often enough, especially of the less commonly seen Up Above sorts."
Nikky glances back towards the door. "Hm," the skreek comments. "Dat so? Why is dat?" she asks, sounding curious.
"Maybe the owner likes to see new people?" the Eeee suggests, and gives a little shrug. "More likely she'd rather have all the interesting people on the inside of her club."
"Might be 'er way of finding new employees," Nikky comments and rolls her shoulders. "What dis owner like, anyway?" the skreek asks as she siddles close to the Eeee.
"I've never seen her," the man admits, but does loop his arm through the Skreek's when she's up next to him, and begins slowly moving towards where the bouncers are patrolling. "I've heard that she's a former Yodhinala though, and watches things closely."
"Oh fun! One of Mave's itchy-bitches," Nikky thinks rather crudely. "So, yer plan was t sweet talk me, then use me t' get in, hmm?" she teases the Eeee. "An dump me once inside?"
"Why would I dump you?" the Eeee says with a smile. "You look like someone who knows how to have fun, after all. I am Marcelouis, pleased to meet you, miss..?" he prompts.
"Oh, I be called several t'ings, but most often Nikky de Tail," Nikky introduces herself, grinning. "An nice t' meetcha Marcelouis, y' gots a fancy name. Noble?"
"Hardly, Miss D'tail," the Eeee says. "It's just a name. We get them at birth, and then it is up to us to grow into them, is it not?"
"Well, y' have to admit you don quite look like ya belong down here," Nikky points out.
"Well, that is the thing about Graytown: nobody belongs here who come here," Marcelouis notes with a chuckle. "I am quite certain the entire place could be packed up and moved on short notice if it had to. Except for this place, of course."
One of the bouncers, a Fnerf (who has been valiantly ignoring the flirts from the other one) seems to take an interest in the pair - possibly because of Nikky's rather distinctive Chronotopian attire. Leave it to Tulani to come up with an ensemble suitable for a Babelite nightclub.
Nikky waggles her brow at the Fnerf in question. "Oh, I dunno, y' be surprised how fast roots are laid in a place," she notes to the Eeee beside her. "So, where yas from?" she asks him.
"Farfarfel Tower," Marcelouis says, not making the name sound ridiculous.
"Dat name sounds ridiculous," Nikky thinks. "Never 'eard of it. Where it at?" she asks of the Eeee.
"Other side of the Wound," the man claims, not batting an eye at the claim of never having heard of it, since Nikky is clearly not a native.. and Babel has a lot of towers. "The windows are trimmed in green stone," he adds, as if that might narrow it down.
"Mmm, I dunno iffin I see dat from de ships," Nikky admits and shrugs. "Y' kin take me home after ya has yer fun wit me," she adds, cackling.
"Are you both together?" the Fnerf asks quietly as it sidles up to the pair.
"Yes, we are," Marcelouis says quickly.
And Nikky pinches the Fnerf's flank.
The foxtaur makes a squeaky sound, and then ushers them both forward with his tail. "Please come with me.." he says, clearing his voice to reset it.
Marcelouis winks to Nikky, and seems very smug at having hooked up with her before anyone else could.
And Nikky puts her hand on the Fnerf's rump now, possibly to mess with him. She also grins to the Eeee. "He's a bit snobbish, but hey, it gets me in, eh?" she thinks of her companion.
There are a few jealous looks cast their way as the Fnerf escorts them to the entry, and through the atrium beyond..
The area is divided into different spaces - near the entry are the gaming zones, starting with games of chance but evolving into physical games before leading into the combat zone, where benches circle a sunken pit. Beyond that is the Banquet, which shares a small orchestra with the Orgy. Other pleasures are apparent, from decadent looking massages to a steamy pool big enough to swim in. There's even a stage for performances. The staff all where the Flower on a chain about their necks, and nothing else, male and female alike. The clientele are also varied, with a majority of Eeee but still plenty of Naga, Fnerf and others - including obvious foreigners. One section is nothing but a huge bar.
As for the owner haven an eye for the exotic: all of the employees operating the gambling tables are Kavi - the first Nikky has seen in Babel. Several of the servers are Lapi, and there are even Rhians and exotic breeds of Khatta, including a few tigers and a lioness.
"Wow, Mave might actually get mad if she saw the statues. Can't say as I would blame her," Nikky thinks as she takes in the sights ... and tries to guess at who might be important. The khattas make her shiver because, well, both instinct and well, they're spikey! And Rhian, well, they're just impressive! This is a pervert's paradise! "I wonder who is involved and who is ... well, I also wonder where the owner is..."
"I never thought it would be so.. so.." Marcelouis stammers. At the very center of the place is a fountain, with an elevated platform on top. There are people there, certainly, but no clear view of who they might be. As for the rest.. it's quite a mix. There are clearly wealthy patrons at the gambling tables, but those at the banquet could be anyone.. and those near the fighting pit likewise, since there is a general current of bloodthirstiness to be found at all levels of society. Those at the bar seem a more familiar sort - Captains, some of them still in uniform or dressed to make it clear they command airships.
There are, however.. no Skeeks or Skreeks. And the out-of-place Kavi are all clustered in one area, and none of them appear to be servers or hostesses or such.
"Structurally dangerous?" Nikky asks, then cackles. "Yah, it be impressive. Lots t' do here." She also eyes the Eee she is with now, trying to judge his age. "Is this some kid out to sow his wild oats, so to speak?" she wonders.
From the expression on his face.. the man now looks a bit younger than he did in the outdoor light. Younger than Nikky, certainly (or probably, given that there was no way to determine the original model's real age). Marcelouis seems almost paralyzed, until a naked bunny comes up and offers them drinks from her tray. Then he starts to twitch.
"Y' need to relax more. Haven't ya seen a naked girl before?" Nikky asks the Eeee, and even lightly elbows him. She also accepts the offered drink. And as she takes it, the back of her hand caresses the lapi's chest. Nikky is anything but shy. "T'ank you, lovely lass of de long ear and curvy form," she says with a smile.
The fluffy girl smiles and looks demure at Nikky, quietly saying, "You are most welcome, mistress." She's got the shy gentle doe act down pat. Marcelouis blinks from his trance at this and takes a drink as well, watching the bunny's heart-shaped behind as it leaves. "Of course.. just.. uh.. not a Lapi," he admits. "Or a Skreek.. or.. whatever those little things in the gaming pit are. Or that tigress.."
"We all just varying degrees of puffiness and decoration," Nikky claims as she swats the Eeee's backside with her bare tail. The lapi behind gets a pat as it departs!
"But.. they are so much puffier than Eeee girls.." Marcelouis says, then tries to compose himself. "Now then, what strikes your fancy, Miss D'tail?"
"All manner of physicl hedonism, of course!" Nikky cackles, "Bu right now, just walk an look. I like t'know who deplayers are in a game. And dis is most definitely a game, no?"
"It is?" the Eeee asks, and looks to the gaming area. "Do you mean all of it is a game?"
"Kiddo, I coul' rip yor clothes off an go down on you right 'ere," Nikky points out, "Den rob you blind. Game, see? What do you like t' do? What yer interests?"
"You.. could?" the Eeee asks, as if considering whether he should take her up on the offer. "What are those creatures at the gambling tables? Are they dangerous?" he asks about the Kavis. "Are you hungry? We could see the banquet.."
"Dey Kavis. Sneaky little buggers," Nikky explains as she pulls the Eeee towards the table. "C'mon, y can see. Watch der hands, dey like t' palm stuffs..."
The Kavis are certainly quick with their hands, especially at the card gaming tables. The extra thumb makes fancy shuffling tricks easy for them, providing entertainment for the guests of course. As for palming things.. well, like everyone else working in Paradise, they're naked. But that doesn't stop one girl from standing on her hand and.. firing.. coins from her.. well, yes, it's quite possible some of them have found a way to skim the profits..
"Y'know, dey make me feel over-dressed," Nikky remarks to the Eeee next to her. She also ponders doing a bit of gambling herself; so she checks her purse for much she can risk.
There's a good bit there, since Nikky seldom finds herself paying for anything, but Tulani did give her 'most' of Pierce's earnings to play with.
"Ey, what're de stakes?" Nikky asks the dealing Kavi. She also tries to figure out what game they're playing.
"That depends," the Kavi dealer replies in Rephidim-accented Standard. He looks Nikky up and down, and does a cursory glance at Marcelouis.. then grins. "Island girl, are ya?" he asks.
"All over girl," Nikky remarks with a grin. "Why does it matter?"
"Oh, just that I remember those girls has a bit of a daring streak to 'em," the dealer says. "And.. I wager you have some jewelry we aren't seeing, eh? So how about we play for your clothes? We won't keep 'em.. you can buy 'em back after, eh? Don't see many well-fed Skreeks here."
Nikky just barks a laugh. "An here I thought y' were gonna wager meself t' work here or somet'ing. Betting me clothes is easy," the skreek claims.
There are only two others at the table, both middle-aged Eeee men that look like... well, bakers or something similar, but well-dressed ones. "I don't mind," the first says, and the second just nods along as well.
"Have a seat!" the dealer offers, and starts rolling cards between his fingers. "The game is 31!" he declares, at least choosing something simple that Nikky knows (sometimes the older men on the Shadowdrake would use their time with her to play cards instead roll in the hay).
"Gonna join me?" Nikky asks her Eeee companion as she settles down into the chair, then pops her fingers.
"Oh.. of course!" Marcelouis says, sitting down next to Nikky. His grin is a bit forced though - he may not be rolling in disposable cash after all.
"Play frugal innfin y' don't know de game," Nikky whispers to her companion. "Or sit out."
The deck is shuffled, and the Kavi deals out three cards to everyone, saying, "Five shekel ante!" The first two men toss the appropriate coins into the pot, and then turn to watch Nikky expectantly. Marcelouis puts his coins in as well.
Nikky removes her gloves and tosses them into the pot. She also keeps her eyes out for the owner. She's curious who the manager is of this circus!
And it is something of a circus, as a troupe of acrobats goes tumbling by! The cards are dealt for the first round, and Nikky finds herself with a Knight, a Seven of Toads and an Astromancer - 28 points already!
"So, yas slaves here or actual employees?" Nikky asks the skreek. She grins at her current hand. Lucky tonight it seems! She'll keep her clothes.
Asks the kavi
The deck is placed in the center of the table, and the top card flipped over - an Eight of Barrels. "No slaves here, The Mistress don't allow it," the dealer notes. "We get a pretty sweet deal, all told."
"Aw, not even play slaves?" Nikky teases, "Y'all nakeds."
The first man draws a card, and discards a Squire of Toads, which the second picks up, dropping a Four of Crates.
Nikky, feeling lucky and smug, knocks!
Marcelouis eeps at the knock, and the dealer declares, "Last draws!" The young Eeee draws from the top of the deck, and discards a Nine of Toads. The dealer knocks as well! He lays down his cards, showing a 27 total. The two older Eeees both come to just 14 each.
Nikky lays down her twenty-eight! She draws her hands up to her chest and cackles. "I win!" she croons.
"The special playrooms are on the second level," the dealer tells Nicky, and winks.
"Errr.." Marcelouis says, and then lays down his cards: a ten, Squire and Inquisitor in Barrels - for 30 points!
He does at least look apologetic.
Nikky blinks, then snorts. "See if yas get any later!" the skreek growls at him!
The Eeee's ears burn, and he rakes in the pot. The Kavi laughs, and pulls in the cards. There's a lot of sleight of hand and card flipping and other tricks as he reshuffles. "Ready to ante up?" he croons.
"Yeah yeah," Nikky grumbles and tworls a finger.
The next round is dealt, and shekels fill the pot.. and once more all eyes are on Nikky.
And Nikky, ever to mess with people, takes off her bodice! Her upper body is now mostly bare. All is on display, including two studs strategically placed. She tosses the bodice into the pot.
This draws a bit more attention, as neighboring tables pause to watch. A Vartan seems mesmerized by the piercings as much as by the Skreek's bosom. Marcelouis has a sudden coughing fit. "Oo'er, nice'uns miss," the dealer notes, as he sets down the stack and flips over the top card, an Astromancer of Barrels! It's quickly scooped up by the first Eeee, who tosses out a measly Two of Toads. Nikky's hand this time is a bit mixed. There's a Ten and a Seven of Barrels, and an Nine of Crates. Not exactly knock-worthy (although would could say it was 'knocker worthy' at least).
Nikky arches her back, then rolls forward, pressing her chest together for some impressive cleavage. "Gonna be a longer ahnd dis time, and longer other t'inks, met'inks," the skreek remarks.
The next discard is a useless Five of Toads going to Nikky.
Nikky sniffs, then draws a card.
It's a Squire.. of Toads! If she holds onto it and drops the Seven, she'd have three suits and a chance of maybe getting to 20 on the next round.. or she could stick with her 17 in Crates.
Nikky considers this, then discards the Squire of Toads.
Marcelouis quickly snatches up the Squire, dropping a Knight of Barrels. The dealer also draws from the deck, and discards a Four of Airships. "2nd round," he announces. "Ante up!"
Nikky eyes the Eeee, grinning widely. "Well played, kiddo. Good act," she tells him as she undoes her belt and drops that into the pot.
"Pardon?" Marcelouis squeaks, then reaches for his winnings. He pauses over Nikky's gloves.. then pushes a coin forward instead.
"I know now, kiddo," Nikky tells the Eeee, "But keep up de game iffin you want."
The first Eeee draws, and seems to spend a bit of time before discarding. He finally drops a Knight of Airships. Number two also takes some time, before finally drawing from the deck.. and looking regretful. The card is dropped before even going to his hand, a Six of Barrels.
Nikky takes that discard and discards her Nine of Crates. "Clever owner, t' send out an Eeee t troll for new blood, then get them in," she thinks.
A now rather nervous Marcelouis draws from the deck. He discards a Ten of Crates this time. Is he changing suit, or just trying to keep the game going another round?
The dealer draws from the top (he's hasn't picked up a discard yet). There's some shuffling of his hand, so it isn't clear if he's tossing out what he just drew or not. It's a Nine of Toads. "3rd round, ante up!" he barks.
Nikky squirms around in her seat oddly for about ten seconds. She then leans over. When she comes back up she's holding lace knickers! She drops those into the pot. "Fer all you sickos," she remarks, smirking.
"Ah, but yer sitting down!" the dealer notes with disappointment. "Stand up and show us the real stakes!"
"Ya gotta pay t' see that," Nikky says with a smirk.
The dealer holds up .. a 5 Shekel coin and smiles wide, the eyes in his bandit-masked face lighting up with amusement.
"I'm not dat cheap. It kin wait for the next round, no?" Nikky teases.
The dealer just chuckles, as do many of the other patrons who've decided to watch as well. The first man draws and discards immediately, yet another Toad card, this time a 10. Number two drums his fingers and leans back, either to consider his choices or to try and get a peek under the table at bared Skreekness. Finally he draws from the deck, and drops a Squire of Airships.
Nikky crosses her legs, then draws a card.
A Knight of Barrels!
"Mm," Nikky remarks. She discards her Six of Barrels. Now at 27. Not a terrible hand. Could be better.
Marcelouis is having trouble concentrating, and loosens his collar before drawing from the deck. He frowns and drops the card, a Squire of Crates. The dealer plucks it up, and declares, "Blitz!" Along with the Squire, he's got an Inquisitor and an Astromancer, for 31. "House wins."
Nikky rolls her eyes. "Yah, saw dat coming," she remarks, then eyes her Eeee companion. "Nice tell."
"Uh..." the young Eeee stammers. The dealer fondles Nikky's captured knickers and notes, "Nice quality! Got anything left to ante, or do you want to buy your stuff back now?" he asks, with a bit of a leer.
"Oh, I could buy it back now and get going," Nikky comments as she lifts her coin pouch.
"Now who said you'd be paying in coin to get this back?" the Kavi asks, dangling the pants.
"Coin is legal tender," Nikky remarks, smirking. "I kin also just leave em and buy more later." she points out.
"Awww, be more of a sport!" the Kavi says. "Give us a little show! Or you can sit in my lap and ask nicely.." The ferretoid winks.
"An den you would have somet'ing in me," Nikky remarks, smirking. "Aincha heard us women have all de power? And doncha have another hand t' deal?"
"Suit yerself.. or un-suit, as it be!" the Kavi laughs, and other players in the audience let out some disappointed mutters. The cards are dealt, and the call to Ante is made. The Eeee to Nikky's right leans over to whisper, "How much to see the rest?"
Looking smug, Nikky undoes her skirt now. she stands and slips it off; leaving the rat very naked. She tosses that in the pile and giving quite a be-ringed view to those nearby.
The Kavi acts like he's going to swoon.. but still deals out the cards while swooning. "Were you serious about me taking you home earlier.." Marcelouis asks.
"Haven't you already?" Nikky asks, smirking.
"And did I call it?" the dealer notes, no doubt about the extra jewelry. The seed for the discard pile is a Seven of Toads, and Nikky has another toad-heavy hand as well: a ten and a Squire! Plus a Four of Crates.
Marcelouis focuses on his hand rather than answer that!
The next two discards are low ones.. nothing above a 5, and all in the wrong suits of course. It's Nikky's turn to draw.
Nikky licks her fingertips, then draws a card.
It's a Six of Toads, the little bulbous eyes looking cutely out at Nikky.
Nikky keeps that card and discards the Four of crates. "Not as slimy as a toad, dat is Nicora," she thinks, amused.
Marcelouis seems very attentive to Nikky's brief stretching to draw her card. He also draws, and keeps whatever he found to drop a Seven of Crates. The dealer draws from the top as well.. and drops the Astromancer of Toads! "Second round," he notes. "Ante up!" Coins are flipped into the pot, and all eyes (including those of the neighboring tables and one of the serving bunnies) are on Nikky again.
Nikky produced five shekels this time and sets them into the pot. "I don't take de jewelry out," she remarks.
"Well.. you can't use money," the dealer claims. "Of course, you could get someone else to ante for you.."
"An jus who would do dat?" Nikky asks. "Or I could put me into the pot."
Several people seem about to volunteer.. until Nikky drops that last offer. "You must have a good hand, sister!" the dealer says. "Any objections to the lady throwing herself into the pot?" he asks. Of course there aren't any objections..
"Or I kin just let someone else ante," Nikky says and sits back.
Everyone examines there hands very closely. What if there's a third round, some of them are probably thinking. It's a moment of quiet, until a coin is dropped onto the table from behind Nikky. "The Mistress antes for the Skreek," rumbles a very deep feline voice.
"Oh? Dat so?" Nikky wonders as she looks over her shoulder.
Given the size of the Tiger Khatta, and proximity to Nikky's chair, the Skreek nearly smacks her nose into something not entirely soft. The cat must be seven feet tall! "Yes," the tiger notes. "That is so."
"An she gavee me something nice t' look at," Nikky cackles. "What happens iffin I lose?"
"Then you will owe The Mistress," Mr. Tiger notes, and smiles down at the rat.
Nicora smirks. "Fair enough," the skreek concedes. And to just mess with the audience, she licks the part her nose almost bumped into! Then as if nothing happened, her attention returns to the game.
The first Eeee picks up the discarded Astromancer, his hand shaking just a bit, and tosses out a Four of Toads. He must be collecting them too! Number two is conflicted, between the looming tiger and the suggestive lick.. Finally he draws and discards and a Nine of Crates.
Nikky ... draws. She can't give in that easily!
It's a Nine of Toads this time! 29!
Nikky seems ... not too thrilled somehow. She discards her six of toads. Now if her predictions are right, she'll lose anyway ... and owe the house. It's a well-played con...
Marcelouis draws his card.. and blurts out, "Blitz!" Laying down a run in Airships. He seems rather embarrassed about it when he tries to smile at Nikky.
And Nikky just cackles. "Well played, kiddo. Well played. I imagine yer mother is happy right now," she remarks to him.
Very strong hands slip under Nikky's shoulders, and the Skreek is lifted from her seat and slung over the tiger's back. "We'll watch your things for you!" the dealer promises, just before she's carried off.
Nikky makes a token protest! She has to. Otherwise it would seem so ... silly! Granted she's thinking, "Nice large kitty!" It's all she can do to keep from squealing.
Her tail, though, is misbehaving, given what it's coiling around!
She does get a tour of the of the place, at least, as she's paraded around (this includes the acrobats following in their wake) and spiraled in towards the fountain at the center. From the back, there's a bridge going to a door (which Nikky can't see, since she can only see where they've been in this position) and after a jog up a spiral staircase she finds herself atop the center platform. She set down not on her feet, or onto the floor.. but onto a Fnerf that is apparently serving as a couch. There are several very well-dressed people here, but the one that immediately jumps into focus is the tall, lithe Eeee woman. She has impossibly long and straight raven hair that actually glistens, and is wearing a gold Zolk wrap-around that hugs every curve. Light brown fur and her stance would be enough to mark her as a Yodhinala.. but the blue eyes seal it.
"I don't usually bet on losers," the woman notes.
"No, but I am sure you do when you are bettin' on them to lose so they owe you ... and can thus bring in more riches than a simple bet woul' eh?" Nikky points out as she stretches out on the fnerf. "Or am I mis'judgin' the situation. De young Eeee' lures in interestin' people. An if played righ' y' get day interestin' person to help bring in more? He yer son?"
"I don't employ my children," the woman (apparently referred to only as The Mistress) claims. "But I do value favors. That is one of the few worthwhile lessons I took with me from the Temple of Inala." She then sashays up, and kneels down slightly to pluck at one of Nicora's netherbits-rings. She smiles and says, "Do you mind my interest in you? What is your name, girl who was so willing to strip for a game?"
Nikky's left ear flicks when a ring is tweaked. "I'm Nikky," the skreek answers, "An no, I don' mind. Y' don' look like I do and play modest. Seems kinna silly. I played cuz it looked fun. I know de odds always favor the house."
"Fun?" the woman asks, smiling. "Well, we're all about fun here, Nikky. What sort of fun were you looking for?"
"I'm a skreek. We like all kinds of fun. From drinkin' and gamblin', to all forms of physical pleasures," Nikky answers as she stretches out a bit, then adjusts herself by tugging her own rings a bit. "Hence de slang term of a dirty rat. What are you lookin; for, Mistress?" The last bit is accented a bit, perhaps actually honoring she did lose a token bit of money in the bid.
"Well.. what's your employment situation?" the former Yodh asks. "Are you on shoreleave?"
"Pretty much. Between jobs at de moment," Nikky claims, "I usually get a job on a ship headin' out of town when I ready t' leave."
"How would you like to be a hostess for me?" the Mistress asks. "You just have to walk around naked, be flirty.. watch for people getting out of hand, and direct those in the mood to the upper levels."
"What is on de upper levels?" Nikky has to ask.
"Private rooms, and some not-so-private ones. Some with audience seats..." the Mistress notes. "But none of the really depraved stuff from the Temple. I'll not see that return."
"I haf to admit I no sure how reliable I kin be," Nikky also has to admit. "But iffin dat is okay, I could give it a go. I at least owe yas for de bet." The kreek's head tilts. "What are ya wantin' to bring or return den? Lotsa stories about dis city."
"Unlike some, I'm happy that things fell apart," the woman says, sitting next to Nikky and fluffing up a Fnerf-breast as a pillow. "When the Temple fell, Inala was at the height of her power and popularity - but she didn't protect us at all against the Yodhblakat. No miracles, nothing. And the patrons that showered us in gifts? They too, did nothing. It was a good lesson, once I pulled myself out of the rubble. So Inala is here in name only. I don't sell my children or force them into prostitution. I don't force anyone, and I don't keep slaves. And I'm quite happy the way things are.. nevermind the Kavi and their strange beliefs. The only stories I want to have here are happy ones."
"That's an interesting view. And if true, welll, then I actually have respect for this one," Nikky thinks to herself. "What's yer name? Not dat I mind calling ya Mistress or anything; I perfectly fine wit it," the skreek claims. The skreek then shifts a bit and remarks, "An I guess you been listenin t' the rumors in the streets? Weird stuff goin' on. No sure what to make of it. Tales of monsters and cannibals, of all t'ings. I 'ope none of dat has happened 'ere."
"We're a buffer zone," the Mistress notes. "Small, but important as a link between the two halves of the city. And you may call me Bara, as I do not use my Yodh name any longer. Hmmm, I think you do still owe me a few shekels worth of entertainment though.. what do you think of Sam here?" She gestures to the big naked tiger, that is still standing there at the end of the 'couch'.. the other patrons of the deck keeping their distance.
"'Im? He looks delicious," Nikky cackles as she eyes the tiger. "I devour 'im, or let 'im have me any way he like. No sure why people scared o' him."
"You look tasty too," the tiger notes, taking Nikky's words for an invitation. She kneels next to the couch-taur and starts to.. groom her. "Well, I'd like to see what you can do," Bara claims, not moving from her spot.. but taking a long glass of sparkling wine from another naked attendant.
Nikky cackles and squirms as she is licked. The skreek is crazy, to be sure! It's a minute or two of this before the at becomes more active ... and hers is licking and using that prehensile tail in very creative ways. IT can coil and squeeze almost as good as a Naga! It also lets her control where the tiger moves; and soon enough the cackling is muffled because her mouth is occupied!
The couch is getting involved too, using those extra limbs to help support or restrain as needed. And when the rough tongue gets to the really sensitive spots.. Well, it's going to end in jaw strain or hip strain, if not both. Bara does get up, but only because the couch is a bit unstable. She stands and watches with her silent cohorts.. and there might be a few observers from the upper deck as well, employees or otherwise.
"Why do I do this? Why can I not stop myself?" Nikky thinks at one point, right about when she's on her stomach with her hips hiked and tail flicked after quite a long time of bathing fun! "Kitty need a little rattie?" she teases at the tiger. "The rattie might escape..."
And then escape is very unlikely, as the tiger has his jaws around the back of Nikky's neck.. and is impaling her at the other end. "He likes you," Bara notes. "You seem to be stirring up some primal instincts." She then reaches under the Skreek, to where things are bobbling about a bit, and brings back a finger with some milk on it. "You're nursing?" she asks.
"Eh herbs to stimulate and pay de bills by nursemading sometimes!" Nikky claims in a gasp! This position is actually dangerous should the tiger bite down with any force. Of course she can't think about this for long because the feline 'hurts so good' so to speak! IT makes the rat make all sorts of squeaky sounds!
Bara sits next to her again, just where the Skreek is digging her claws into the Fnerf fur to hold on. "Hmmm, I know several regulars who would pay well for that," she notes. "Not to mention just the novelty of having you 'serve' people in the club, if you're willing.."
Nikky's cackle probably means yes to that! It's about all she can manage out at this point, really. Big kitty, small rattie! Lots of squeakies!
Sam the tiger.. really is getting a bit feral. The couch is even starting to complain about the claws. Those teeth are pretty sharp too, and when the cat is about to really lose it, they come rather close to biting! But he lets go before it comes to that, returning to licking the Skreek's back instead. Her fur is rather frazzled now, since the tiger is licking against the flow.
And wow does Nikky have the ability to hit a high note when the feline hits his point. She doesn't even care about the mussed fur at this point, she's in a hazy-happy pain-tinged fog of fun. This is soooo much better than it is in Nicora's body; particularly these days!
"I really need to spend more time with Inala," the skreek thinks happily.
And to aid in conversation, the tiger rolls Nikky over onto her back. He doesn't pull out first of course, which makes for an interesting sensation. And for the second time in as many nights, the Skreek is used as a milk supply. At least the tiger's tongue is warm though.. no ice-cream Skreek this time!
Nikky hisses, rotating isn't exactly pain free! But, she seems to like it anyway. The skreek is back to cackling and is now petting the back of the tiger's head. "I t'ink he likes me," she says to Bara. "I likes just about anyone," she adds and winks.
"So, would you be willing to start tonight?" Bara asks, dripping a bit of wine from her fingertip onto the Skreek's lips. "You're already dressed.. and a dip in the pool could clean you right up."
Nikky grins. "Jus' a waitress, or do I provide all services?" the skreek inquires.
"Well, which services would you be willing to provide?" Bara asks with a grin.
"I could put you on the stage.. you seem to be quite the performer," the Eeee offers.
"Oooh, things like I doin' right now," Nikky points out and squirms! "Kin get messy, but dat is part of de fun, no?"
"Well, if you like, we'll see how you do," Bara says. "I should pair you up with someone though.. hmmm." She taps her chin, and eyes Sam. "I hope you haven't ruined him for the rest of the night. Let's see.. Honey. Yes, I think she can show you the ropes, as it were. Sam? Why don't you take her to the pool and introduce her to Honey? Please."
The request snaps Sam out of his suckling, and he almost stands up while still inside Nicky.. but remembers to scoop her up and pull her against him in time.
"Honey? Who is Honey?" Nikky has to wonder. As she goes up, she squeals and hugs on! "An I afraid I keepin' dis one for me own. Mine, mine, mine!" the skreek cackles.
The walk down the stairs is.. interesting. There's a lot of bouncing (possibly deliberate) from the tiger. And then they're out on the main floor, and Nikky has to twist her head to see where they're going. There are plenty of whistles and oos and winks from everyone at this novel mode of travel.
"Y' feel exquisite," Nikky whispers to the tiger. She hugs him, in multiple ways. As for being on parade, she doesn't mind! She's an exhibitionist.
"You are lucky that I like water, too," Sam says as they get to the pool.. and then leaps up and cannonballs into it, still clutching the Skreek! The impact is certainly interesting!
"Aaiiiie glub!" goes the skreek as she disappears under the water. Good thing Nikky doesn't mind it too, though it does leave her snorting water out of her nose when she surfaces.
And.. she's by herself! Or rather, no longer attached to the tiger. He's already out, and shaking off. "Wait here while I send Honey over," Sam says, and winks at the Skreek. He also wiggles his butt at her before heading into the crowd.
"That was quite a splash," an Eeee man notes from the other end of the pool, where he sits with an Eeee woman. She looks a bit older, so may not be an employee.. then again, the male could be.
"Aww. Come back big kitty!" Nikky pleads as she makes a playful, missed grab for his tail. "Ah well, more work. Money helps! So does info," Nikky thinks as she cleans up a bit. The skreek looks over and remarks, "I do everything wit style!"
Both of the Eeee giggle at that. "Are you a guest, or a new girl?" the man finally asks.
"Well ... I t'ink I'm a new girl," Nikky claims.
The couple gestures for Nikky to come closer.
Nikky swims closer. Her movement, languid. She's still basking in the glow of rough sex.
"My, you are definitely a floaty one," the Eeee notes, and guides Nikky into his lap. "What do you think, Meris?" he asks the woman next to him, who starts fondling the Skreek's breasts. "I doubt she could dive with these," she agrees with a grin. "I like the jewelry.. did you have it done here by any chance?"
"No. Adu Dhabi," Nikky explains, giggling. "But dere is a place here dat kin do similar I hear of. Slaves t' Art. Gotta warn yas, it does 'urt t' have done. Y' gotta be dedicated."
"Ah, so not here in Paradise then?" Meris asks. "Although if it's suggested to The Mistress, I'm sure a salon of sorts will be added.."
"Dey addictive, y'know. I keep wantin' more of dem. Mebbe more in me face," Nikky notes. "Play up de whole nasty skreek t'ing."
A lone Lapi doe approaches the pool, wielding a rather large towel. She's brown with with patches and spots, including a mostly white muzzle and throat. "Pardon me, but I'm here to see Nikky?" she asks.
"Dat be me! You mus' be Honey?" Nikky asks and raises her hand.
"You look more tasty than nasty," the man says, then smiles up at the Lapi. "I think you're being called off," he tells the Skreek.
"Yes, I'm Honey Bunny," the girl says, and gives a little bow. "I'm to help show you around," she confirms, and holds out the towel.
"Whatcha mean by tasty, hmm?" Nikky asks the man as she slides out of his seat ... though her hand grabs and pulls on part of him in passing. she slinks out of the pool and takes the towel. "I be Nikky. And even tho I look kinda scary I be very friendly, promise," the skreek tells the lapi. "Honey yer real name, or all ya given names when workin' here?"
"It's the name I chose," the Lapi notes with a smile.. and helps fluff dry Nikky. "Tell me, do you have any special skills or talents?"
"Shoul' I use a different name? I dun mind," Nikky asks. "As fer talents, well, I'm flexible. Willing to do most anyt'ing ... an anyone, and have lots of energy. I kin also dance pretty well. What about you? What are yer talents?"
"I'm a masseuse most of the time," the doe notes. "But also a lap-warmer and comfort-girl. Sometimes a man just wants a soft bunny to cuddle away his cares with. I'm told that I'm very therapeutic."
""I 'eard dat about lapis. How yas keep from gettin' well, all plump and baby-y?" Nikky has to ask.
"Well, that only works with another Lapi you see," the doe notes with a giggle. "And the few bucks we have are usually worn out anyway."
"An ya never spend time wit' another lapi?" Nikky teases, "So, what do I need t'know?"
"Well, Sam says you have a.." the doe pauses, then says, "Well, that you give milk. Do you mind if I let people know this?"
"Says I have a what?" Nikky presses, curious. "I wanna know before I show..."
"And no, I dun mind if people know. It feels nice t' be nursed on," Nikky adds.
"May I?" the doe asks politely.
"After ya tell me what he said," Nikky insists.
"Well, he said you had a think for being suckled," the doe admits with a smile. "And that you seemed to enjoy things a bit rough."
Nikky gesture to her chest. "Go ahead, bar's open," the skreek cackles. "An yeah, rough is fun. So are big guys."
Honey dips her head and cups Nikky in her hands, then tries a few gentle sucks. "Pretty rich," she notes after a taste. "Come with me, I'd like to try something."
Nikky pets the doe's head while she tastes. "Righto, lead on, my bunny of fun," she giggles.
It isn't far. Just on the other side of the fake boulder wall that borders the pool is the massage area. All of the tables are full, but there's one person still waiting and looking a bit.. forlorn? Probably because he's a young Fnerf, and the tables really aren't made to accommodate centauroids. He's wearing somewhat ordinary clothes - not a laborer, probably, but not exactly an office worker or someone with wealth. Maybe there's a quota though on who gets in. Honey leads Nikky up to him. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Bromo," she says. "Come back here to the couch, I think it will work."
"Hi dere," Nikky says to the fnerf and even waves friendly. "Y' shouldn't look so sad, dis is a nice place." She now wonders what will work, or how. But the skreek has never been one to give up a challenge,
"I couldn't handle him alone," Honey explains. "He's a bit shy and nervous." The Fnerf confirms this by avoiding eye contact, while still being led by the bunny to the couch. He climbs onto it and 'sits' with his legs and forepaws, leaving his second torso upright. "Hello," he says to the girls.
"Could you get his clothes off?" Honey asks Nikky.
"I been wit' a fnerf before," Nikky notes to the lapi. The skreek then starts petting gently over the fnerf. "'Ey dere. Jus' relax. Y' in good hands. I know yer kind and how t' make yas feel nice, promise," she claims as she starts working his clothes off by loosening their straps.
Bromo is awkward, certainly, and may not have any experience with females. "You're very pretty," he stammers. "Everyone here is very pretty. I.. probably don't belong.."
"Yer aren't were ya belong, true," Nikky has to agree as she pets over the fnerf and clothing falls bit by bit. "Y'belong inside me," the skreek adds. It's teasing, suggestive, and a bit forward. But, that is Nikky.
Working together, the two women finally get Bromo to relax, and Nikky picks up several useful massage tips for dealing with bigger, more complicated spines. Of course the relaxation part ends when they get the Fnerf to roll onto his back. Then it's a rather different application of soft Lapi paws, bouncy Skreek bits and a certain attraction for 'the big ones'. At least Bromo isn't feeling so self-conscious at that point!
No, all the fnerf feels is a whole lot of soft encouragement, polite teasing, and, well, explosive results! The lapi and skreek pair do seem to work well together ... and Nikky even manages to keep her cackling to a minimum. That's the biggest feat of all!
After a few hours of making the rounds (which seemed to involve sitting in a lot of laps and being fondled and penetrated), Honey shows Nicorina to the staff lounge. This room is large and full of comfortable looking furniture, as well as having a few 'hygiene stations' for cleaning off (and out). A few of the girls are there, napping on cushions, but there is also a Lapi buck with markings similar to Honey's, and a wizened Kavi woman in a rather conservative dress. She must be pushing thirty years old, ancient for a Kavi.
Honey introduces Nikky. "This is Granny GeeGaw, the house-mother - she makes sure we're all healthy and not getting too much wear and tear. And this is my brother Fluffer, who.. well, he makes sure everyone is in the right sort of mood, physically, to be out working. He's the one to come to if you feel your fire starting to dim."
Nikky crosses her arms over her chest! "Dim? Dim!? I never dim! Never, ever!" the skreek claims. She even sniffs loudly. "But I kin pretend. Yer brother is hot." She promptly pinches his butt.
The buck squeaks. "Hey, I'm supposed to do the pinching!" he complains. "And the petting and tickling and other stuff to keep you warmed up or... entertained. Plus I've got toys.."
Granny GeeGaw looks Nikky up and down but remains quiet. She's got one black eye.. and one gray one, almost silver. "Where you from?" she finally asks.
"Granny has some odd notions, but we humor her," Honey whispers to Nikky. "Be sure to speak up too, she's nearly deaf."
Nikky's ears perk. "Oooh? What kinna toys?" the skreek asks, cackles, and siddles right up next to him. She glances over towards the kavi and answers that loudly with, "All over! Most recently from Reph. Also been in Chronotopia in de past year."
"Hmmmm," Granny mutters, and.. grabs Nikky's right arm, giving it a squeeze. "Healthy?" she asks, a bit coyly. "No diseases of the nethers? Sores? Strange oozes?"
"'Course I be heathy," Nikky huffs. "Do I look like I be oozin?"
"Dun't hurt to ask," the woman says, and squeezes Nikky's left arm next. "Hmmm.. nice and meaty. Got any cubs?"
"Naw! Dun wanna settle down quite yet," Nikky claims, "Gots plenty of peoples t' sleep with yet!"
"What's that gotta do with having cubs?" Granny asks. "I've had fifteen! And lots of men. Ooodles! I know how to live life, girly. But what brought you to Babel, hmm?"
"A ship," Nikky answers with a smirk.
"Granny, it's Nikky's first night, and she's still like half of a guest.." Honey says.
"Oooo-er, a clever one," Granny says, and then pokes Nikky in the left breast. "You come see me later, hear? I'll make you clevererer."
"I'm sure your wisdom knows no boun'," Nikky says diplomatically. The skreek is still grinning, too. "An I kin teach you de joys of stickin' metal and bone in yer body..."
"Hah, you don't what I gots under this dress, girly!" Granny claims. "I'm a shaman!"
"Why don' ya show me wha' under dat dress, den?" Nikky asks.
"You come by later, mebbe I will," Granny teases, then hobbles off to a very old and very overstuffed chair.
And Nikky pinches her butt next! The rat is ... well ... Blakat would adore her. "Well, dat was fun," she claims as she resumes talking to the lapis.
Fluffer leaps into the gap in the conversation by asking, "Do you have any special kinks I should take advantage of?"
"Imma trisexual," Nikky claims.
"What's that mean?" Fluffer asks, looking curious.
"I try everyt'ing," Nikky cackles with glee!
"Oh? Hmmm," Fluffer notes. "I have some things I've been waiting to use.."
"Oh? whadat?" Nikky has to ask.
"You can't be serious," Honey says to her brother. "Not that Titanian thing?"
Nikky just giggles line a loon. "Oh, dat gotta be insane, den. Coul' be fun," she claims. "But shouldn' I be workin?"
"The omniphalofluxion is not a 'thing'," Fluffer claims. Then he smiles to Nikky and says, "You have to take a one hour break for every four on the floor. The Mistress says so."
Nikky snickers, "But I bend up sittin a lot even when on de floor. Buuut .... iffin you want to show me dis weird t'ing..."
The rat's hand is grabbed by both of Fluffer's, and she's dragged over to his 'office', which is just a partitioned off area with a strongly-built bed and lots of cabinets, incense burners and what looks like a small bar full of colorful booze bottles. "So, did you really take on a Fnerf?" he asks.
"Got 'im over halfway in," Nikky says proudly. "Sure, de big boys hurt, but it can be a lot of fun." She goes to snuffle around the booze bottles now.
Fluffer takes a big jar of oil out of one of the cabinets, but carries it over to a large chest, setting it down next to it. "How long has it been since you last had sex?" he asks as he works a complicated looking puzzle-lock.
"Uhm, couple hours," Nikky answers. She has been a bit busy on the floor, after all. "Why?"
"Tsk, that's too long," Fluffer notes. He finishes unlocking the chest, but doesn't open it. "It'll be too dangerous to try it just yet," he says, and scoops the rat up onto the bed.
"Eep? Why? What does it do?" Nikky has to ask. "An I haf ta warn yas, like most skreeks, we also mouthy." She grins.
"More than Nagas?" Fluffer asks, as he goes to work on the Skreek. For a Lapi, he's pretty restrained. And also likes to use his mouth and tongue (and fingers) to best effect. Honey just leans on a support post for the time being and watches.
"Oh, no more den Naga. And hee, naga are great t' be wit' Dey have two. Double-fill!" Nikky cackles as she lays back and enjoys the lapi attention! She also spots Honey watching and waves for her to come over!
The doe sits on the side of the bed and leans over, oblivious to what her brother is doing, despite the noises. "Did you need something?" she asks Nikky.
Nikky mwaahas! She grabs Honey and yanks her. Before Honey can even blink, the skreek has buried her nose someone, ah, tender on the doe! My the skreek is flexible!
"Willomeeep!" It's probably a nonsense word, but the doe practically shouts it (which isn't very loud.. she's a Lapi still). And Fluffer just smoothly incorporates his sister into things as well. It has to make the Skreek wonder if he keeps his sister ready-to-go along with the other women?
Nikky wonders, then wonders how loud she can make Honey get! She's quite .... aggressive in her attentions. And her tongue is impressively strong. And with how the rest of her moves, well .. she seems to like 'Fluffer' too! Nikky wasn't kidding when she claimed to try anything.
It got a bit confusing for a bit, when a Khatta girl just sort of bounces through for a few moments. And the mare showed up, and was apologizing to Honey for having to deal with the Fnerf because she was busy, somehow gathering meaning from the doe's grunts and squeaks and barks. "Hey, the chest is unlocked," the large Rhian notices. "Are you actually going to try the Thing on this Skreek, Fluffer? You couldn't get me to try that, and you once nearly had your whole arm up.."
And Nikky's reply? A cackle of pure craziness! She's finding all of this, and them, quite a hoot. "Ey, I take de fnerf iffin you don wan em!" she claims when she comes up for air.
"Are you kidding?" the mare notes with a snort. "What else is going to come through here that can satisfy me? Not that you aren't great at getting me warmed up, Fluffer.."
"I could satisfy you!" Nikky claims.
"I'll stick to Sam for after-hours fun, I think," the mare tells Nicora, but still reaches into the mess to give a squeeze. She doesn't seem about to leave though. Whenever someone else comes in, she calls them over and tells them Fluffer is going to use the Thing..
"Oy, I turnin' into a show!" the skreek thinks. "Mebbe dis is a bad idea."
Once Fluffer is convinced that Nikky is 'ready' - after thoroughly testing her with his readiness probe for some time - he pulls away to leave the Skreek and doe to their own devices for a bit longer, as he walks awkwardly over to the trunk.
And Nikky focuses on Honey. This may be the loudest the lapi has ever been. Or ... maybe it is just Nikky's muffled cackling. How does she manage that, and this, at the same time?
There's someone groping Nikky's butt as well, but as more people come around it's hard to tell who it was. "How long are you gonna be, Fluffer?" one of the Eeee girls asks. "This is history, you don't rush history!" the buck claims, amidst sounds of.. heavy lifting? "I have to oil each part during assembly, to make sure it doesn't seize up or anything.." A moment later, he asks, "What sort of surface do you want, Nikky? Smooth, bumpy, or ridgy?"
"Dat is an odd question," Nikky remarks in a moment of somewhat calmness. "Ridgy!" she declares. "I 'ad bumpy earlier."
"Okay!" There is some more sound of struggling and stretching and tools being used. "Melony, help me attach this to the foot of the bed," Fluffer asks the mare, who goes to help.
"Okay, jus wha weirdness are dey makin? I have a bad idea," Nikky thinks. Her bare tail whips about like mad.
"Rolf, help me get her ankles into the straps.." Fluffer says next, and some strong hands fall upon the Skreek's feet, and start spreading them while pulling down towards the foot of the bed.
And Nikky's feet fight back! Skreeks have grabbyish feet too, after all. Not that she wants to get away or anything, but she is gonna have fun!
"She's not letting go of me," Rolf notes. That's when a feather is used to tickle the bottom of that particular foot, just before it's clamped into something.. rather rigid and unyielding.
"If this works, do you really think the Mistress will let you do it on the stage?" Melony the Rhian asks (and it isn't a mystery how she got that name either). "Of course! Who wouldn't want to see this? I'm sure the new skin will hold and there won't be any blood this time.."
"Eee! 'elp! Weird person lockin' me in stuff!" Nikky squeals playfully. Of ocurse she's starting to think this is a really bad idea right about now.
Both feet are immobilized now, and there's a sound like a bellows being pumped, confirmed when Fluffer tells Rolf to keep pumping the bellows. And then something.. nudges.. between Nikky's legs. "Everything's ready! Are you ready, Nikky?" the buck asks.
"Wai' wai, gotta see dis," Nikky squeaks as she tries to untangle herself, sit up, and look at what horror this is. It could be a torture device this lapi has mistaken for something!
At first glance, it looks like a series of apples stuffed into a shed Naga skin. This is anchored to the base of a large box attached to the bed, with a cross-post that extends out and supports the restraints holding Nikky's feet in place. There a lot of levels and wheels visible atop the box, and rubber hoses feeding into one side from a set of bellows being worked by a Jupani. Fluffer has a deranged grin and is wiggling his fingers over the controls.. "Just need to test some things first.." he says. He spins and pulls and makes the 'trunk' move about, expand and contract in series along its length, and even sport rotating bumps under the skin surface, going both clockwise and counterclockwise.
One of Nikky's eyes gets bigger than the other. "Eeee, dat sort of looks like a torture device. I t'ink I changed me mind," the skreek says.
"But.. I've got it all set up!" Fluffer says, and makes big-sad-bunny-eyes at Nikky. "I'll be gentle! Look, I can make it thinner.." With a few spins of a wheel, the Thing does seem to contract about a half an inch. "I really want the Mistress to approve its use out on the stage. Think of the endurance contests that could be built around it!"
"Thinner is boring," Nikky claims, and smirks. "An if I do dis ... you gotta promise y' owe me something later..."
"Sure!" Fluffer agrees, and the Thing arches like an inchworm.. and starts pushing into the Skreek. This takes an intense amount of concentration on Fluffer's part. The expressions on the observers are mixed.
Amelia says, "Maybe 3 inches.. but that's stretching it (literally) :}"
Skreeks apparently have expressive faces. Or maybe it is just Nikky. Her brow dances around and her eyes seem to change size! Her squeaks also vary a lot, from enjoyed, to pained, to surprised. "Eehheheh," cackles the skreek. "Keep goin, I ain't explodin' yet!"
It takes some time, either because Fluffer is being careful or just likes to prolong the drama. After about ten inches, he moves to some of the other controls. There's vibrating, spinning-under-the-skin, inflation-deflation and pistoning. Also panting, but that's from Rolf as he keeps operating the foot-pumped bellows that powers the Thing. "Tell me if you are in any discomfort," Fluffer says, sounding professional. "Or if you want things turned up. Most of the dials go to 10 and I have them on 3 right now.."
Nikky's back is arches and she's making all sorts of panting noises. "Up, bunny, up!" the skreek cackles. The rat does like it rough, so maybe being on the edge of pain is just where she wants it! She giggles like some sort of demented person.
The dials are turned, and the bed starts to shake a bit. "Look at her boob jiggle.. that's hypnotic," one of the onlookers says. And Nikky really can feel it to the tips of her ears and whiskers now. "This is going great!" Fluffer notes. "No sign of that overheating issue I was warned about either!"
"Eeeeheheheh!" goes Nikky as she is bounces about. This is actually fun in a rather strange sort of way. It is certainly different, that's for sure! "Yknow!" the skreek gasps, "Iffin y' let too many girls use dis, dey won touch another guy again!"
"I was hoping to have several made, so I could handle several girls at once," Fluffer notes. "But then there's that prep-sex thing, so I'd still be worn out.."
Nikky's only reply to that is yet another cackle! With the way her body twitches, the machine sure seems to work for her! It's causing all sorts of explosions of fun within her! It's certainly better than birthing monsters.
There's a horrible noise from the main box, and Fluffer has to turn down the spinntizzy feature. "I think.. uh.. you might be putting some strain on the bladders.." the buck tells Nikky. Rolf looks like he's about to get a leg cramp.
"Try holding her down some to localize the resonance!" he calls out, and Honey and a few others pile onto Nikky to make sure she doesn't vibrate the bed apart.
Nikky is too busy clenching and squealing to notice. Several seconds pass, then the skreek goes limp in the others' grip. "Okay, okay, y' kin stop," the skreek relents.
"Take a break, Rolf," Fluffer calls, and starts to shut things down. This is hidden from Nikky though, since she has Honey and a Kavi girl on top of her. "Awww," the ferret notes. "She was fun to ride!"
Nikky bites the kavi! But playfully. "Y' kin ride me later," she promises.
Eventually the girls let Nikky back up, and the shackles are undone. "That was a great test run!" Fluffer says. "Now I know where the most stress happens. I'll have to send the information back to cousin Jacoba, I bet his boss will be impressed.."
Nikky snorts. "Jacoba? De lapi day works at de club wit' a crazy kitty named Hortense?" the skreek asks. She giggles so much she falls off the bed!
"Yeah, you know him?" Fluffer asks, eyes wide and ears erect.
"Oh, met 'in once,"Nikky claims. "He a hoot. 'Is boss is nutso."
"Do you think she'd like one of these things?" Fluffer asks.
"Yeah, prolly. It loony enough fer her," Nikky admits as she gets up and checks herself. No obvious injury! Hurray!
There's a disturbance as Rolf sits on the bed, rubbing his overworked leg. "That thing is torture," he complains to the bunny, then turns and smiles at Nikky. "I'd rather overwork a muscle with you the traditional way," he says with a wink.
Nikky smirks. "Anytime, puppy," the skreek offers, grinning toothily.
"Except we need to go back out soon," Honey notes.
Nikky /sighs/ dramatically. She even puts the back of her hand against her forehead. "No rest fer de weary,/" she laments. "Lets go."
As they leave (and Fluffer starts tending to Melony Mare), Granny GeeGaw loiters by the door and reminds Nikky to come see her later, even giving her a sort of evil-eye look. Back out on the floor... well not much has changed. The place may run round the clock.. but that seems unlikely: cleaning would be a nightmare. Honey takes them over by the banquet, where a big treat is eating food off of the staff's bodies. This leaves Nikky with a bit of gravy here and there, but nothing too sticky. The whipped cream stuff was fun! By the time they make it to the gaming area, a quick scan shows that Marcelouis is still around, holding a bag presumably filled with Nikky's clothes.
"'Ey, dere you are, ya sneak," Nikky accuses the Eeee, but she is grinning anyway. She marches right up to him and pokes him in the middle of his chest. "Didn' even come lookin' for me! All ya did was use me t' get in."
"Well.. I.. uh.. I kept watch on your stuff," the Eeee claims. "I didn't take anything, honest! Are you.. working here now?"
"Kiiiinda," Nikky admits. "And were ya actually gonna give me my clothes back?"
"Of course," Marcelouis says, almost squeaking. "You can't leave here naked after all! And I thought you'd be coming right back after talking to the owner.."
"Do you two need anything?" Honey asks, smiling at the Eeee, which makes him look nervous.
Nikky hooks her hand behind the Eeee's neck and kisses him. It's actually gentle and nice for once. "T'anks for waitin' and holdin' onto me clothes," she says when she lets go, "I 'ope you had fun wit' others?"
"Well.. wow," he says, taking a moment. "Oh.. right.. uh.. I ran out of money not long after you left. You're my good luck charm or something!" Then he narrows his eyes a bit, and asks, "Want to help me get back at those guys at the table though?"
"'e needs to be tied up and tormented by at least five girls later," Nikky tells Honey, then winks to her. "Oh, I could I guess. Wha happen? An how?" she asks the Eeee.
"I just starting losing!" Marcelouis says. "And they teased me about you getting carried off by a bigger man. So.. uh.. how about we go over there and.. I could bend you over the table and sort of have you there in front of them? That.. sounded more reasonable in my head."
Nikky covers her eyes and giggles manically. "Y'know, why not?" the skreet agrees and grins to the Eeee. "But ya owe me for it...."
"Really?" Marecelouis asks. "And you won't humiliate me or anything? I'm.. not very.. experienced and all."
"I prefer to humiliate people full of demselves, not someone new," Nikky explains rather matter-of-factly. "But are ya sure? Y' are a nice lookin' Eeee, seems respectable. I jus a street rat, yannow?"
"Well.. but I came in with you, and you're.." Here the Eeee just stands back and gestures up and down at the naked Skreek. "And you're with a bunny too!" he adds.
"I guess I can help then," Honey offers. "Make sure he doesn't have any problems or fumbling," she offers.
"I'm skanky," Nikky says, again, rather matter-of-factly. "Y'sure you wouldn't want something, well ... less nasty?"
"Nasty? What do you mean?" the boy asks. "This is Babel, and Inala's Paradise, after all."
Nikky rubs her forehead again. "Y' seemed a lot less clueless outside," the skreek admits. "Lets go mess wit' em."
And so, with Honey's help, Nikky finds herself on leaning over the card table while Marcelouis.. well, likely has a wonderful experience. The Kavi dealer is trying not to cackle, while the two older players (and one innocent new one that's utterly surprised) look on in embarrassment.
And Nikky plays it up big time. The sounds she makes implies this Eeee is the best she has ever had! He's actually not bad, but hardly the best in reality. Or maybe that machine loosened her a bit and makes it seem less. In any evernt, it is still quite fun. During the whole debacle, she's almost tempted to lift the kavi's coin too ... but stealing would kind of be bad here!
It doesn't help that the dealer tries to stack coins on Nikky's nose, and sneak a few feels in as well. Marcelouis lasts for about five minutes, and somewhat spoils the joke by the face and noise he makes at the end, but nobody is about to pick on him at that moment. He wheezes a little as he tries to catch his breath.
And Nikky, being evil, pushing him back into a chair, then sits on him, while still impaled! "Sumthin' you;'ll never get," the skreek remarks to the Kavi across the table.
"Well, I am working y'know," the Kavi notes with a wink.. and then gestures to Honey.. who comes over and vanishes beneath the table. The dealer goes cross-eyed and sticks his tongue out for a moment, and then the bunny reappears and makes as if to wipe her mouth. "Ah!" she says. This gets some chuckles from the rest of the table at least.
"Laaaame," Nikky remarks and waves her hand dismissively. "Fast and uninspiring, that. Y' don't know what a real time is like at all."
"What do I do now?" Marcelouis whispers into Nikky's ear under the cover of the other noise.
"Live fast and die young - but have lots of fun in the meantime!" the dealer claims, and winks at Nikky again. Nothing actually happened under the table after all.
Nikky leans back. "Grope me or sumthin," Nikky suggests to Marcelouis. "Fun an fast are mutually exclusive," she claims to the kavi.
And so the Eeee reaches around and starts squeezing and kneading. He doesn't see the milk that results but the others do. Not that he's not enjoying himself anyway! Marcelouis even starts to nibble on the back of Nikky's neck.
Nikky's neck arches a bit. "See? dis isn' fast at all. I gots a nice chair and it feels jus' lovely," the skreek claims. She even squirms for his benefit.
"Kavis are like candy," Honey claims, and checks to see just how occupied Nikky is.
Marcelouis is already starting to firm back up, and probably isn't even noticing the others now. "Want me to show you the upper deck stuff now, Nikky?" Honey asks with a grin.
Nikky holds up a finger to indicate to Honey that she's occupied for a bit. the skreek lifts up, shifts, then goes back down! This gives the Eeee a whole new experience; things are a lot tighter all of a sudden. And she doesn't stop. Not until she hears the Eeee start squeaking again...
Everyone is trying to ignore the couple now.. well, ignore the Eeee anyway. Honey helps by sitting in people's laps and asking to blow on their cards and such. "Inala.." Marcelouis squeaks, and makes a rather high-pitched moan as well.
And Nikky holds still, letting the Eeee settle after that. She grins, reaches back, then pats his cheek. "Okee, I kin see the upper area now," she tells Honey.
"Going to bring your toy along?" Honey asks.
"Iffin he can walk," Nikky says as she rises. She has no problems walking!
After getting his pants back up, Marcelouis is capable of walking, with some help. Upstairs, Honey checks with a proctor, who gives her a room number. The rooms are.. well, bedrooms, although the Lapi explains that some are very specialized, including one that has a pool of oil and another that's all trapezes and trampolines.
And then the bunny strips Marcelouis naked in record time and ties him to the bed with silk scarves.
Nikky ends up with all sorts of silly mental images when the rooms are described. She can't help herself and has to lean on a wall while laughing.
Nikky eyes the prone Eeee and comments, "Y'know, we coul' shave 'im bald..."
"You.. are going to let me go eventually right?" Marcelouis thinks to ask, while he has the blood to think it.
"Depends on how well you take to training," Honey says, and starts to 'torture' the boy with her fluffy soft fur.
"Nope! Yer the new toy here," Nikky claims as she twirls his knickers on her index finger.
"I submit completely!" the Eeee squeaks, as Honey has her way with him. Now that's drained the tank, he's lasting a good bit longer.
Nikky, for her part, just stands back. honey is a lot more gentle than her and it should be a completely different experience for him. Though she does have evil thoughts ... like marking the Eeee somehow. He could use a ring .... somewhere. But, she can resist some urges, that one included.
Of course, Honey does share.. after she's had her fun. "Are you going to stay the night?" she asks Nikky during a break, "or do you have a place already?"
"I have a place, yah, but I could stay. Makes no difference t' me," the Skreek answers as she slides in next to the Eeee. "And at least 'ere I gots be a toy," she adds, playing with his chest now. She also leans in and just barely whispers to him, "Y'okay? No too pushy?" Apparently she does take his concerns into what she does. She pushes, but only if he seems like he kinda wants her to.
"I don't think I will ever be the same again," Marcelouis says. "Can you stamp my hand or something so I can get back in on my own?"
"We have a List," Honey claims. "We can get your name on it.."
"But you'll owe us," the Lapi adds, winking at Nikky.
"Quite! We like having our toys," Nikky agrees, smirking.
"Will I always be tied up?" the Eeee asks next.
"Only if you ask nicely," Honey says.
"You can even be put on a leash if you want," Nikky coos at him.
"What's a leash?" the boy asks, wide-eyed.
"Y' really are from an insolated family," Nikky chortles. She flops back on the bed. "Y kin find out later."
Honey unties the lad, and checks the room's water clock. "We'll be closing for the night soon," she notes.
"Well,. for the day technically," she amends.
"Fun day, den," Nikky notes and yawns. "But yah, time t' get some rest. I can't be like dis all de time."
"You need to see Granny," Honey notes. "She's the final interview."
"Heh, and she prolly gonna get rid of me. Dat one dun like me," Nikky notes as she rises. "May as well git it over wit'"
Some time later, as the guests are shown the way out and the cleaning begins, Nikky finds herself in a corner of the lounge that's curtained off, sitting on a cushion. There's a pot of tea on a little table before her, and the shortest witch ever on the opposite side of it. Granny hands the Skreek a clay cup full of tea, and asks, "Drink it all down dear, but not the leaves."
"Dis can't go well," Nikky thinks. People always seem to discover she is more than she seems and ... they usually want less to do with her. The Yodhsunala was evidence of that. Still, she cannot get out of it, so she takes the teacup and drinks it down slowly, but is mindful to not consume the leaves.
The Kavi chortles a bit and looks at the tea leaves left behind. "From all over, you say?" Granny asks, and then looks the Skreek in the eyes with her mismatched pair. "Are you an angel?"
"Me? D' I look like one? Naw, I'm nothing much, jus a wandering weirdo," Nikky answers. "Why? Whatcha see?"
"I see that you're were you're supposed to be," Granny claims. "Pretty rare, dat! Also that your right arm is colder than your left. So maybe you are an angel, mebbe you don' know it though. It's time for them to be gathering here. I saw this, before. Back wi' the big ritual, and the Kindly Ones.. I know things. Like that Sunala was on Rephidim, eh? How's that? S'why I brought my clan here. This is where it will all happen, see. Angels are gathering!"
"Y'really believe dat? What would dey be gathering for? And who would vant em? Dey were awful from what I 'eard", Nikky remarks as she plays with her tail.
"I ain't talking about no gods," Granny claims, and chuffs out her cheeks. "I mean angels. S'different! But I know it in my bones. This is where it'll happen see. The eschaton! It's going to happen, or it's going to fail.. but it'll be here. So here's the place to be, good or bad!"
"Sounds like a good reason t' get out of town if ya ask me," Nikky remarks and waves her left hand. "S'no like some hero gonna show up and make everyt'ing better. Life just no work like dat. Life is jus' a mess and you do what ye kin to survive."
"Hah, but it's everyone's mess, see?" Granny claims gleefully. "Everyone just overlooks it! Sees their own mess, thinks it's just their's. It ain't about one person though. It's about everyone! Everyone that fights at the right time to change the world. It'll be here. You'll see, if you stick around. Anyone who doesn't join in.. they just get to stay with their mess I guess. It'll be something, that's for sure! I wanna see that, be part of that, while I still got some breath. And my clan is gonna be here and benefit. That's why we're right in the middle now."
"It coul' get even uglier," Nikky points out. "Dere is no real justice in de world, or honor, or fairness. Dey just lies we tell ourselves." She waggles her tail tip at the kavi, then adds, "An why? Because mebbe if enough people believe em, dey might finally become real. S' dangerous, dat. Hope. Most dangerous t'ing in de world. Many people die because of it."
"But the ones that don't die live because of it," Granny counters. "I'm a Kavi. I won't live but half as long as just about anyone else. But it's still a lifetime, eh? We don't go in for hope much - we have big families instead. That's our hope. But I seen things. I've had visions. The angels are coming. They're gonna fight the devils, and everyone is going to fight with them. The sky is gonna roar with music, and there'll be a call that everyone hears. And it'll mean something! Even for those that die, it'll mean something. Call me a crazy old Kavi, but it's my life to live, and my death to die."
The skreek is ... subdued. Unusual for one was just earlier cackling like a loon. "Tired of seein' good people die," she remarks, now looking down. "Know someone who came 'ere cuz of things you jus said. Know 'e prolly gonna die. 'e deserves more den dat, but ... somethin' 'e said he had to do." She shrugs.
"Don't jus' shrug," Granny says. "Everyone dies, good an' bad. Die in bed, die in the street, die because you didn't stand up and fight when you needed to. May as well die doing right? What's to lose? You say you ain't got cubs. That's a shame. Makes it easier to see. Nothing comes without sacrifice, I know that lesson! And don't think nobody will make that sacrifice - people do it all the time. So all I'm askin' ya is to stick around, be on the side of the angels when the time comes. Or you gonna let an old woman do all the fighting?"
"Heh, ya askin me t' stay? I figured y'd want to see me tail headin' out de door," Nikky remarks a bit dryly.
"What gave you that idea?" Granny asks, crossing her arms. "I made you tea I did! I'm welcoming to a fault, like a mother to everyone here. Only one can send you out the door is yourself. Do you like it here or not?"
"Yah, but ya hasn't shown me what is under de skirt," Nikky points out, perhaps trying to distract. "And yah, I like it here. It be fun. Hedonistic too, but ey, plus."
Nikky tugs one of her rings for emphasis. "I enjoy the different and wild, after all," she adds.
"Oh, is that what you been waiting for?" Granny says, then stands up, turns, and moons Nikky. She's.. very wrinkly and bony under there. And covered in odd, ritualistic patterns of scars.
"Eeef, ya gots scars down dere. I don have any of dose," Nikky remarks, looking surprised.
"You ain't got no cubs yet," Granny says, dropping her dress down. "Fifteen came out from my loins. Fifteen names marked on me to commemorate."
"Odd place t' mark em, dat," Nikky has to admit, but at least grinning again.
"Odd? Hardly!" the Kavi barks. "That's where's me lovers will see 'em, and know how good I am!"
Nikky giggles, "Mebbe I should get some fer fun."
"For fun?" Granny asks, looking shocked. "They's serious business! Ritual! To mark momentous things!"
"Nothin' says they can't be serious, a ritual, and fun," Nikky points out, then yawks widely. "An wow, I's gettin tired. Guess I did more than I thought. Shoul' get some sleepies. Work another night, den see where t'ings go." The skreek rises and as she starts to slink off, she calls out, "Ey! Sam! I wantcha snugglies in bed!" Off the skreek goes, cackling.