Things are busy as usual in the club, and Bara is visible atop the central platform where she entertains VIPs. There's also a flash of white-feathered wings from up there, which could be a Vartan - or could be Tulani. Everyone near the entrance greets Nikky when she enters, often enthusiastically.
"Hi hi hi, yes, hi. No, not right now Yes, it be nice to see you too. Get yer t'ingie outa my side I no ready yet," Nikky greets as she tries to squeeze through the throngs of people that have gathered. Her first destination is the central platform; she has to find Tulani after all and arrange some things.
As she gets closer, the grabbiness decreases. Honey tries to get her attention from the far side of the club, but isn't coming after her at least. The guard at the base of the interior staircase just nods, and doesn't even bother asking why the Skreek is there, so getting to the top of the platform isn't an issue. Once there.. there's the usual crowd, including the Fnerf 'couch' - and also Tulani, dressed in a gown and chatting with someone who looks vaguely familiar. Probably from the big 'movers and shakers' party a while back.
Nikky salutes Honey as she saunters her way about. The guard, well, she pauses and licks the entire side of his head, then pirouettes up the stairway. As typical of the rat, she bows deeply to all those on top of the platform ... then quickly slinks over to Tulani! Two ratty hands then grab onto Tulani's butt! "I gotta catbutt, whoo!" the skreek croons. She doesn't seem to care about interrupting the conversation; or she's just playing up being a rat so people just dismiss her as crazy.
She also gets a face full of feathers as Tulani reacts to the grabbing! "Glrk!" the Sphynx chokes, and twists her torso around to glare at the grabber.. then looks down enough to see the Skreek. "Oh.. uh.. what's up, Nicorina?" she asks, with a bit of forced calmness.
Even though Nikky now has two feathers sticking out of her nose she hooks her hand around Tulani's neck and pulls her into a kiss. And yet she also manages to cackle; must be a secret skreek ability. When she does let go she whispers under her breath in Sylvanian, "Need yas to bring de host down to de dungeon later. Gots t' talk t' 'er 'as big an' spooky."
"Wow.. how much time do I have?" Tulani whispers back in the same language. "Do I just watch for you to head there?"
"Ten min after I head down. Chaos follows me everywhere, so shoul' be obvious," Nikky answers then liiiiicks Tulani's nose. When she leans back she says louder, "Ey' kitty! Wanna go haf some fun in one of de rooms? Y' sure squirmed last time!"
"Maybe in a little bit," Tulani replies, looking a bit embarrassed as others turn to look at her. "I need to.. rest up first!"
"Ooo, I t'ink yer afraid. Y' know I better den vou," Nikky taunts. Unlike Tulani, she loves the staring.
"You don't have to go find a private room you know," one of the well dressed Eeees suggest. "Plenty of room up here."
"Yah, but catbutt don wanna put on show!" Nikky counters, then saunters over to the Eee. "Who be vou?" she asks.
"Billiow," the man says, and bows without disturbing his drink. "Import-Export consultant."
Nikky dips her head. "Nikky, intercourse an oral 'consultant'," she counters without the least bit of shame. "Vha bring yas 'ere?" she asks.
"Business," the man says. He's got a bit of a Rephidim accent. "I explore upcoming markets that may be.. underinvested."
"An you no worried about de risks?" Nikky inquires, leaning in nose to nose with the Eeee.
"The risks are what drew me," the Eeee notes, smiling. It's probably something he's had to explain many times before. "The greatest risk can mean the greatest gain. It's all a matter of finding the right point to focus your efforts. Babel is a risk because of piracy, corruption and so on. If you think of tackling all of that, then it looks to be a hopeless task. But if you plan for the long term, you can sometimes spot ways of eliminating the risks in the future with the proper investment today."
"Oooh? Dat so?" Nikky inquires, "Ah vhat do vou see dat make it look long term profitable, hmm?" She even lifts her hands and rubs the Eeee's ... chest.
One eyebrow rises up on Billiow's face at the rubbing. "People," he says. "Babel's population has fallen.. but really it hasn't. True, a lot of those able to have fled. The ones with portable wealth, or who feared for their lives under the new order of things. But that left those with entrenched interests.. and those too poor to leave. But there are a lot of inhabitants that aren't accounted for, that could, in time, fill in the gaps and provide a new workforce.. with a new mentality of how things should be done."
It's Nikky's turn to arch her brow. "An how kin ya be sure dese people dat are unaccounted for actually exist, eh?" she asks and now proceeds to try and tickle the Eeee's nose.
"Oh, they exist," the man says, and retaliates by trying to ruffle Nikky's whiskers. "The invisible population. The ones nobody ever wanted to think about. The so-called 'garbage people' of the Streets Below. They aren't animals, after all. Some of them may even remember being up in the light. They have nowhere to go but up, so it's just a matter of.. helping them along and encouraging certain behaviors."
Nikky grins. "An vou gonna be dis person to teach dem de right behaviors and bring dem up?" the skreek inquires as she wiggles her whiskers. "An if no' vho?"
"Ah, we don't have to do that, it's already being done," the man claims. "We don't need to manipulate the situation at all. The people of the undercity have already begun to organize around the old Temple of Gorphat. From that it was simply a matter of making sure they had enough. People who have nothing began to share instead of horde. Cooperate instead of fight. All we have to do is ensure they are rewarded for it. Then, when they all see the value in this behavior, we can take more direct action. Moving them up. The ultimate reward: taking part in the future, being a citizen.. and having value. So long as the rewards continue, the next generation will grow believing this how things should be. You take care of each other, cooperate.. everyone wins. The attitude of the city shifts. Corruption fades away.. to a reasonable level, hopefully. The other problems.. the 'risks'.. will just go away. And those who invested early, and were ready to meet the new workforce with jobs.. my clients, tha
my clients, that is.. will reap the rewards."
"An just vho are yer clients?" Nikky asks next, curious, "But I suppos' y' prolly can't say. I just curious cuz I don' want t' see anyone else takin' advantage of peoples." He does have an ultimate goal of profit, on top of a somewhat altruistic viewpoint. But at least she knows where some of the food is coming from.
"My clients are.. people who have been successful in life, and understand business works best," Billiow says. "And good business means money moves around. So make sure people have money and want to spend it, instead of just sitting on it. They are mostly foreign investors, but there are enough local ones to get things started."
"Nobody on this continent really wants to see Babel fail, after all," the man points out. "That would be a disaster for everyone."
"Mmm, might be here at Thath's invite, then," Nikky thinks. "Eh, I though' most people vere rootin' for dis den of inequity an hedonism t' fail," the skreek notes and twirls her finger. "I hear de last time de city were invaded de invaders laughed as dey killed peoples."
Billiow's face falls a bit. "Better to look to the future," he claims, and has a sip of his drink. "The end of slavery on Rephidim and in the Empire turned out to be an economic boon. I want to be rich, so I want this plan to succeed. And even if it doesn't.. well, it isn't going to cause any harm, is it?"
"Eh, givin hope t' people, den takin' it away voul' do some harm," Nikky points out, then taps the man on the chest. "So, yas better succeed now, cuz iffin ya don't ... vho knows, yah?"
"Well, who's to say those people would give up on hope once they'd tasted it, hmm?" Billiow says. "Somebody will need to take over if the city falls. So why not those who probably deserve the chance the most?"
"Jus' sayin' t'ings are fragile righ now. It coul' go either vay. I 'ope yas all in, cuz dis be quite a gamble," Nikky notes as she lightly takes hold of the Eeee's nose and moves it around a little. "Dere, you had yer nose rotation."
"I'm interested in hearing your story sometime," Billiow says with a grin. "You aren't from around here either, so must have some reason for being here, yes?"
"Eh, I jus' be a skreek. I go vere de vinds blow me, vooosh!," Nikky cackles and claims as she waves her arms in a grand arc. "An' I talk' t' much. Prolly vhy people keep tryin' to stick t'ings in me mouth."
"You seem quite charming, miss.. Nikky, was it?" Billiow asks. "I'm always on the lookout for people with the ability to move easily up and down the social ladder."
Nikky cackles like mad at that! "Me?" she asks. "Y' flatter. I just move down."
"Also useful," Billiow claims. "Especially in Babel. Look me up if you are interested.. ah, it seems your friend is trying to get your attention." He gestures with his glass over Nikky's shoulder, where Tulani is hovering.
Nikky spins around and grabs around Tulani ... and squeezes her butt again! "Catbutt!" the skreek cackles.
"Ack!" Tulani objects. "My butt is not made of cheese for you to be grabbing it all the time you know," she points out, looking embarrassed. "You should.. prepare for your interview. Bara has some time to spare now.."
Nikky keeps squeezes and kneading. "BooooOOOOoooOoooring," the skreek laments. She does lean in some, though, and notes quietly, "Keep mingling." Then she promptly kisses Tulani.
"I can't imagine what people will want to talk about now," Tulani says after the kiss, and rolls her eyes. "You owe me ice-cream," she says, and pats Nikky on the butt to try and usher her along to the stairs.
And Nikky swats Tulani with her tail, using it like a whip! Down she bounds, each stairstep elicits another cackle. People would be suspicious were she any other way. The skreek then skips away towards the side passages and stairs. Wherever she goes, she seems that she must make a scene.
The dungeon room (technically called the 'Dungeon Playroom') is dark. But then all of the rooms are when you put out the lights. There's a brief rush of illumination when the door opens, outlining a slim silhouette in a floor-length gown for a moment. Then the door is closed, and Bara, ex-Yodhinala, says, "Well.. I do hope you aren't trying to kill me. It would put such a damper on the evening."
And Bara is greeted to a completely empty room. One that is deathly silent too. Only the shadows keep her company ... and worse, they are moving. They flow out of the corners, coalescing in the center in a swirling, smokey, darkness. From that darkness steps a dark Eeee with a shock of long white hair flowing down from his head. He's also clothed in the same flowing shadows. "If I intended that I would not have invited you," Alptraum remarks simply.
"Impressive," Bara notes. "I have a Shadow Mage that I do business with, you know. The privacy enchantments are expensive, but worth it. So.. you're him then? Back to carry the last of us to Hell?"
"I have no intention to carry you anywhere. So, who is this him and what have you been hearing?" Alptraum says as he takes a step forward, but does keep some distance. He knows how Yodhinala can be after all.
Despite her bravado, Bara does take a step back. "The Barsunala," she says. "I saw you before, during the New Year's play that.. didn't go off so well. I've only heard about strange beings showing up, now and then. Wasn't sure you'd be one of them."
"And what is this about taking you to Hell?" Alptraum asks next. "And I am not sure hot to take being considered a 'strange being', I must admit." He turns and walks to one of the rather disturbing sorts of chairs in the place. He stares at it for a bit, then figure out how to sit on it safely.
"Well, take me to Hell, probably," Bara claims. "I turned my back on the Sisters, after all. On Inala. Every day I open the doors of this place is one where I mock her."
"Actually, the thought had not crossed my mind. Nor has Inala asked for it in the conversations. Or ... her Daughter Mave ... who is also back," Alptraum says as he waves his hand a bit. "I'm here to thank you."
There's shudder at the mention of Mave, but Bara manages to ask, "Thank me? For what?"
"For helping. Even if this is a den of hedonism, you bring people comfort," Alptraum answers simply while looking up. "And those that come here now are helping more. The food and supplies that make it down to the Underside, for example."
"Hardly my doing," Bara claims. She gestures to the door, and says, "All of that, out there? It's not about comfort. It's about safety. This place is a fortress, with enough supplies to ride out a year-long siege - for those that donated the supplies. The network set up to smuggle in the food.. that's why I'm valuable to those who want to change the city. I just built all of this to feel safe after.. after the Temple fell."
Alptraum waves his hand. "First off, not that secure. I made it in here and your guards did not see me. I mean no harm here, so it is of no matter," he points out. "And regardless of your reasons, you have helped. I have actually seen hope in this city. Something I have not seen in a long time. And like it or not, you have been a part of that."
"I'm just trying to survive, and do better than was done for me," Bara claims. "I depended on the charity of.. past pilgrims.. after the Yodhblakat raid. I couldn't even repay them, due to my injuries. I didn't want to be in the position again. And yes, by extension I don't want anyone to be in that position.. but I didn't get to that point until later."
"But you are there now," Alptraum points out and gestures to something that looks relatively harmless for her to sit on. "Whatever the original reasons were, you have helped. And for that, thank you."
The woman sits down, crossing her legs. "I never once got a 'thank you' from Inala. Or Mave. I existed for their purposes, not my own. So.. thank you, for saying what no Kindly One could. But I must ask: do you need something more from me? I'm not fully aware of what is being done with my network, only that someone is willing to pay me for my secrecy."
"If it matters, even Mave is trying to help. I do not know if it is altruistic, or she's just scared of me, but she is trying," Alptraum notes as he shrugs slightly, making his shadow-clothing ripple. "And as I said, I did not come here to harm you, or ask you for anything. I came simply to thank you. That is it. No strings attached, No demands. No 'do this or face some horrible fate'."
"Strange," Bara says. "Like catching a falling piece of the Procession. I can at least send you a girl.. or a boy.. if you even have mortal urges. You aren't as frightening as I thought, though certainly more imposing than when I last saw you. Should I even ask how Tulani fits into this? Or is it something I'm better off not knowing. As for Mave.. if she is still alive, then she has a reason.. and it won't be anything small."
"Would you prefer me to be frightening?" Alptraum asks ... and the room seems to grow darker around them as shadow encircles where they sit, only silvery eyes and white hair flowing like a river possible to make out for a few seconds. "That I can easily be if required," he says in a hollow voice that seems to echo from everywhere. But, the shadow withdraws as quickly as it had risen leaving the pair just sitting and talking as is nothing happened. "As for urges, of course I have them ... but asking for such would diminish the point of coming here simply to say thank you. I do not seek tribute," he says, "And I would be uncomfortable in accepting it."
"You sound like one of the foreigners," Bara notes, after recovering from the brief fright-show. "I'm not used to someone.. not wanting something from me. It's an interesting change. Will you at least accept a friendly kiss from a fallen Yodh? If it isn't too blasphemous, that is."
Alptraum considers that. "That I could accept, yes," he agrees. He then taps the side of his head, remembering something. "Ah, you said this place was a fortress, yes? Are you warded against undead?"
Bara is taken aback by the question. "You mean zombies? In Babel?" she asks. "Of course not. I can't exactly get the proper blessings from a Yodhsunala after all. There aren't any undead in Babel though.. are there?"
Alptraum raises a finger. "In that you would be wrong. One of the current houses of note ... its leading figure is an undead," he explains, "A vampire, specifically. The right hand of the General ... whom herself is undead; a puppet for Diphath. And they are planning to eventually assault Babel."
"When?" Bara squeaks. "I have to have everything ready!"
"Unknown. Other than it will not be soon," Alptraum says and holds up his hands. "And if all goes the way I wish it will never happen. I had to ask about the wards here as if you did not have them I can see about fixing that."
"Well, yes, I suppose I should have them then, just in case," Bara admits. "I don't want some monster just walking in and turning the place into a big buffet.."
"Or a demigod appearing in your dungeon," Alptraum asks, arching his brow. He even smirks.
"Yes, but you don't eat anyone.. right?" Bara asks. "I'd heard there was a dragon in the Streets Below.."
"I don't eat anyone in an unpleasant way," Alptraum counters, amused. "By the by, would you wish to speak with Mave? I could arrange that as well."
"No, thank you," Bara says. "I cannot have any sort of.. cordial.. relationship with that woman," she explains, and stands up. "This warding.. it can be done in secret? I don't want people to wonder.."
"What did she do to you?" Alptraum inquires as he also stands. "And yes, it can. When I confirm it will be done, I will be sure to let you know and arrange an appropriate time."
"She raised me," Bara says, and then leans forward to give Alptraum a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for confiding the new threat to me, and offering a way to protect myself from infiltration."
"She tried to enslave me. Probably not much difference there. She failed," Alptraum notes and now looks towards the ceiling. "I wish I could go up there," he admits, "But it does not matter what I wish; if I did, people would cower. Or attack. Either way I would not be welcome. No one really welcomes the representative of Death itself anywhere."
"You'd be surprised how many would welcome Death," Bara notes. "For one reason or another. Some for the challenge of matching wits, I imagine. But you are welcome here, for what that's worth, even if only to meet in private and chat."
"That will likely only be possible for a short time," Alptraum admits as he continues to look at the ceiling. "Because if I succeed in my goal, it also means I will come to an end."
"How can Death be killed?" Bara asks. "That is the one unbreakable rule in the Lore: Sunala cannot die."
"I am not Sunala," Alptraum points out, "That does not necessarily apply to me. I have to stop Diphath, no matter what it takes. The corruption has to end. I fear it may take all of me to accomplish that."
"It would be a waste for you to die," Bara insists. "I like having a polite, humble god around for a change."
"That is probably the irony of it, the ones worth having are also the ones who will do what they must for the people, regardless of the cost to themselves," Alptraum says and shrugs. "And you had asked about Tulani ... I met her before is all. She has a good heart."
"She is a spy," Bara points out. "Also a friend of Mave's?"
"I would not call them friends," Alptraum notes. "You can trust Tulani."
"And you'll contact me through her.. and I can do likewise if I need to send you a message?" Bara asks.
"She can reach me if it is required, yes," Alptraum agrees, "She knows how to traverse the shadow, so to speak."
"That sounds suggestive," Bara points out with a grin. "Do you need my help getting out or have you got that covered?"
"I can be suggestive in ways that could make you blush," Alptraum warns. "And I have it covered. No one else will ever know I was here."
"I should return to the others then," Bara says. "A secret meeting with the Barsunala.. I never would have thought it likely. And is nice to be noticed for what I do instead of what I am.. or was. Thank you for that."
"Your legacy is defined by your actions; the mark you leave on others. This place may have begun for selfish reasons, but it now offers hope ... with a side of physical indulgence." The last part comes with an amused smile. He bows as the shadows consume him; making him seem to face back into the room. "You are welcome," he says, though the voice once more seems disembodied.
Bara takes another look at the seemingly empty room, the quietly leaves, making sure the door closes behind her.
And Alptraum now has to wait, to ensure that Bara is gone before he resumes the form of the lunatic skreek. "Mave sure knows how to leave an impression on people," he thinks in the meantime.
Once it's safe to leave the room, Nikky hears someone whispering her name.. at every door it seems. "Nikky, are you in there?" It's Honey, checking every room apparently.
Nikky slips out of the dungeon before Honey can get to it. "Eh puffbutt," Nikky calls over to the doe. "I thought I smelled weird stuffs down here. Well, weirder den normal," she claims and taps the side of her nose as she goes over to the doe. "Wha up?"
"Oh, thank goodness I found you!" the Lapi doe says, and hugs Nikky! "One of our acts canceled tonight! Can you go on stage in their place?"
The rat blinks. "Er, an do wha, exactly?" Nikky has to ask after returning the hug.
"Oh.. well.. uh.." the bunny says, seeming at a loss. "You could.. take on a Rhian! You handled Bud before. I bet nobody has seen that!"
Nikky cackles. "Well, I could. Or dat naga," she notes as she rubs her chin. "I guess I coul' go up for a bit and freak de guests out."
"That's great! What do you need in the way of props?" Bunny asks.
"Uuuuuuhhhh," Nikky says, "Guys wit' really biig ..." So of course she cackles. "Well, depends on who, I t'ink. If the Rhian, mebbe some stocks I kin be in to make it look like he forcin' 'imself on me. For the Naga ... oooh, I should be carried in on a buffet platter!"
"We might have a platter that big.." Honey says, looking thoughtful. "Oh, how about Sam the Tiger too? Cat and mouse.. well.. you know.. sort of thing?"
Nikky giggles, "Oh, well, wit de cat, probably leash an collar fer me. Oooh, The rhain and he could spear like I was on a spit!" The rat rubs her hands together.
"This will take some prepwork I see," Honey notes, and takes Nikky's arm. "We'd better go see Fluffer.."
"Oh I see, yer brother put you up to this!" Nikky cackles as she walks along with the doe.
"Gather round good folks!" Melonny brays from the stage. "Witness the Miracle of the Age! The Blessed Temple Rat of Inala!" As the crowd gathers, the Kavi dancers spin and twirl around Nikky, who's been dressed in a fancy white toga.
And it turns out it is really hard for Nikky to not cackle like a loon as she prances out on stage, arms spread wide. She pirouettes to show off the white toga, her bare tail lashing about. "I am gonna be soooooo sticky," she thinks ... and that excites her all the more!
The audience is almost entirely Eeee of course, and there's even some lookers from the VIP platform. "But she is also a naughty rat!" Melonny claims, as the stocks prop is rolled out. "She was caught teasing a supplicant about.. well.." the Rhian mare holds up thick finger, and wiggles it a bit.. ".. that he was too small for Inala's pet!" This causes some chuckles from the audience, since Nikky isn't exactly tall..
"Ey, it was true!" Nikky claims, not sounding at all sorry about it. "E' was a teeny weenie ... weenie! If yer gonna offer, offer something vorth it!"
"Such a thing!" Melonny says, overacting being shocked. "The other maidens of the Temple demanded that there be punishment!" The stocks are opened up, and the Kavi 'maidens' guide Nikky into them!
Nikky naturally puts up a mock fight! Granted the Kavi will win out and find themselves able to push the skreek into the stocks, then secure them about her wrists and neck. Oh how she wants to cackle ... and how she has to struggle to stop it. So, her tail lashes wildly instead!
"They demanded a trial! If the Sacred Rat survived, she would be honored above all others!" Melonny recites. "But they were jealous too!" On that cue the Kavi strip away the fancy toga from Nikky! "And wanted to ensure the death of the favorite pet! So they brought in.. the executioner!"
"No, not him!" Nikky gasps out in mock shock! "That is no trial! Farce, farce!"
The back curtain pulls back as Melonny's brother, Bud, strides out. He's wearing a black hood.. and has been prefluffed by Honey. There's an actual gasp from the crowd. "The wouldn't really.." the crowd murmurs.
Nikky has to stop herself from chirring happily! The rat just adores the big boys! They can stick it wherever they want! She squirms about like she were trying to escape.
The Kavi move in to 'restrain' her! But also to drop some rods into holes in the stage floor. The center of the stage is actually a turntable! Bud steps onto it, and says, "Feel the.. uh.. the.." He struggles with his line, but gives up and says, "ME!" Then he's plunging into Nikky, and the Kavi fan out to take to the inserted handles and start to rotate the turntable, to make sure everyone sees there's isn't any trickery!
Nikky's eyes go wide. But Inala's blessing holds true and there is no pain whatsoever as she feels her insides move about to make room for the stallion. Her tongue lolls out of her mouth ... and she cannot take it anymore. She gasps out and chirrs loudly! Her expression is one of absolute bliss. "Oh yeah, that is the spot," she thinks. "Sooooo nice."
There are plenty of gasps from the audience! Especially as the view keeps changing. If bud had any other lines, he's forgotten them as he slams away, lifting Nikky's feet up off the stage each time.
And what a range of sounds a rat can make! Squeaks, cackles, hisses groans, whines ... you name it. She ought to be in agony, but she looks like she is having the time of her life! Inala's pleasure fills her as the Rhain takes her, and takes her hard! Yet, her body accommodates, no matter how much force he uses. "I so could have been Inala's daughter!" the skreek thinks in the moments of bliss.
Eventually, Bud exhausts himself. Melonny proclaims, "Having passed the trial, the maidens were even more jealous! And so they plotted to have the Sacred Rat assassinated!" Bud pulls out, and Kavi release Nikky from the stocks (while discretely cleaning up the stage behind her). Once the stocks are rolled away, a collar is put on the Skreek's neck, and tethered to a ring on the floor of the stage! "And so they summoned a great cat to do away with the rat!" There is a roar from backstage..
Poor Nikky looks slightly pregnant from the ordeal, but no worse for wear from her rhian encounter. The declaration of the cat makes her giggle to herself, as does the roar! But ... to keep up appearances, she does try to dash off on all fours, only to get snagged by her collar and yanked right back. The best she can do is run in a circle!
Sam lunges out from backstage, snarling and bristling (and also Honey-fluffed to save time). The crowd gasps, and there are even a few frightened squeaks! The tiger then stalks Nikky! "Such a tasty looking treat!" he growls.
And Nikky, being Nikky, blows a raspberry at the tiger! She can't go far, but the collar does let her keep going in circles away from the cat. "Bah, you're a tastier-looking treat!" she counters.
There's a pounce, and Sam has the end of Nikky's tether. He just begins to slowly draw her in towards him. "But I'm not the one that's going to be eaten!" he claims.
"That's what they all say!" Nikky claims as she pulls against the tether ... though she just gets closer and closer.
When she's close enough, Sam pounces again and pins her down. He wraps his jaws around Nikky's throat.. then draws back to nuzzle at her chest instead of biting!
"Eeeeheeeheee!" cackles Nikky as her feet wiggle and splay! "Kitty!" she coos.
Sam suckles, and makes a point to show that Nikky gives milk! The rough tongue comes into play, and then he says, "We cats like to play with our prey a bit.. let's see if you are as the legends say!" And then he's inside of the Skreek, and being very rough about it!
"She must be ruined," the whispers go from the audience. "That sound.. she's still tight around him somehow!"
Nikky's legs come up and they curl around the large cat! While many people would find the experience painful, it feels just lovely to the skreek. How she coos, squirms, chitters, and actually pushes back also shows it. and yes, they are right about the sounds; very ... squishy.
There are some different positions involved this time, since Nikky is free to move. Eventually she's the one on top! And at his moment of climax, Sam suddenly crosses his and makes a horrible rattle in his throat, before lolling his head over with his tongue hanging out. "And so the Sacred Rat defeated the assassin.. but what a way to go!" Melonny declares. There's quite a bit of applause from the audience, which has grown larger.
Nikky arches her back and cackles to the ceiling; her cries reverberating through the room. The rat then dips down and kisses Sam's cheek, then whispers just to him, "Yer a peach, you kin hunt me anytime." She then eases herself off the great cat and goes about ... dusting herself off!
The Kavi return and drag the tiger off stage! "What to do, what to do?" Melonny narrates. "Clearly, not mortal beast could overcome the Rat! So the maidens resorted to darker means, and summoned a demon to devour the rat!" The 'maidens' return, this time carrying a huge serving platter! They fall upon Nikky and start to truss her up (using Zolk scarves instead of ropes).. finally putting an apple in her mouth as she's laid out upon the platter!
Nikky squirms as is proper, and even wiggles the apple around in her mouth. "Gah, this show is only for one night, they're going to be so disappointed!" the skreek thinks for a moment as she's 'plattered'. Still, what a show! It'll end up in a book, surely!
The Kavi flee the stage, and even Melonny steps back as Malagast emerges. Red paint has been used to make him look.. well.. demonic. There's a susurrus of hisses from the Naga in the audience at his appearance. The giant Naga circles the stage, coiling ever inwards toward Nikky.
When the audience can't see it, Nikky winks to the serpent! "Dis is gonna be fun! Whatta climax," the utterly perverted rat thinks! She dutifully squirms about, eyes wide and tail tucked, trying to look for all the world terrified! To stop herself from giggling too much, she bites down on the appple!
Finally the great serpent reaches Nikky, and lifts her up by her bound feet to dangle her upside down. He tips his head back, unhinges his jaw and starts to lower her.. only to stop with her head in his mouth, as his long tongue begins to lap at her breasts.
The squirming Nikky does is not really out of fear ... but how good it feels. Trust an Inala-blessed skreek to enjoy being eaten! She also knows squirming makes it more fun for him, too.
The Nagas in the audience are really interested at this point, as the big Naga drops Nikky further in, until her bound legs are all that stick out from his mouth.
Nikky is good at holding her breath, and she undulates and squirms enough that she is sure it can be seen on the outside too! "Why do I like this sooooo much?" she has to wonder. It also dawns on her maybe this is how her children felt!
Once the Skreek is completely swallowed, she can vaguely hear Melonny saying something, and feels a slight rumble. Then she's suddenly 'ejected' and lands in.. a tub of warm water? "The demon was just enjoying the Sacred Rat too much to finish her off like that!"
Nikky cackles. Somewhere along the way she lost the apple! She's also slicked down and dripping. "Oy, dat was awesome!" she croons to the crowds. This will probably make the Naga try to request her a lot, but hey.
Malagast's hand wraps around the top of Nikky's head.. then dunks her into the soapy water a few more times. When she's pulled back out, Melonny gives a quick once-over with a towel before fading back again.
Nikky also shakes herself off then looks up, and up, at the great serpent. She also wiggles her brow at him. "Hey dere," she chirrs at him, "Givin' up?"
"Not quite," Malagast rumbles, and uncoils enough to display his three-headed arousal (which also gets some reptilian gasps from the audience). The view is brief, as things are soon hidden inside Nikky.
Two disappear between Nikky's legs, buried deep into the rat. The third ... Nikky herself devours, bending over almost double to do it! Happiness is a full rat, indeed! And boy ... is she full. And squirming.
Malagast squirms and shows that he can move around on his back as well, taking Nikky on a tour of the closer tables before returning to the stage. There.. well, he focuses more on different sorts of muscle movements. The Kavi girls return and begin to dance around the pair.
"Squirmy squirmy! Nikky thinks. Oh how she loves squirmy! Though ... occupied, there is still a lot of muffled sound that escapes the skreek as she rides about the nearest tables in this bizarre dance of hedonism. Inala's blessing remains true yet, and all she feels is utter bliss ... and is helping the serpent feel the same.
Malagast lets out a loud hiss and shudders his entire length eventually, and Melonny begins talking again. "This is not the outcome that the jealous maidens wanted! The chief instigator, who did the summoning, arrives to chide the demon for not fulfilling the contract, and tries to banish him!" A bikini clad Kavi does... well, a dance of chastisement, which is still deliberately erotic.
And Nikky just makes this lewd mmmmmm sort of sound when she feel so ... full of snake! She remains where she is impaled as she watches the dance out of the corner of her eye. "Betcha snakey gonna eat 'er" the skreek thinks.
And sure enough, while the Kavi is shaking her finger at Malagast (and shaking her tail at the crowd), the big Naga just leans over and gobbles her up! "My contract is fulfilled, and my payment is taken," he declares, and leaves Nicky to make his quick escape backstage to cough up the Kavi.
The other maidens, bereft of their leader.. now kneel and beg Nikky for ever doubting her Sacredness!
Nikky rolls of and stands up! Though sticky and ruffled, she is otherwise unharmed! She even spins around and bows to the audience. "Let dat all be a lesson to vou!" she chides the Kavi about her. "Ain't no tail like a rat tail! We only deserve de best!"
The crows applauds.. and one brave Naga tries to bite one of the Kavi girls' tails! Honey brings out another warm, towel to wrap around Nikky. "Great show!" she enthuses. "But you probably want to clean up now."
"Yah, I gots t' get clean, whew!" the rat says, "I kin only be so sticky and drippy before I gots to get clean!" She wraps the towel about herself.
The torchiers lighting the chamber burn green and spectral, adding to the atmosphere of discomfort. The slime glows for another reason: submerged to the waist at the far end is Gorphat herself. Sitting on the altar (and apparently not really sure what's going on) is Shiv, the big and somewhat slow-witted Eeee that is smitten with Nicora.
"Are you ready to receive the Blessing of the Worm, which you will then extend to many who seek succor at My Temple?" Gorphat asks the pale Eeee at the steps of the pool.
Poor Nicora. She has just been cured of all her ills and here she stands, about to receive one anew. It isn't really an illness, and it will help others once she has departed for the path. Still, the very idea of what she is about to do is ... disturbing at the best of times. She rubs the back of her smooth head, then swallows. She takes a breath, looks down at the swirling pool of slime, then nods. "I am, Mother," she says tone soft and reverent.
"Come to me, and may each step bring you new life," Gorphat says, holding her arms out.
Nicora draws another breath then starts down the steps into the pool of slime. Its touch is warm and on many levels comforting as it clings to skin as she sinks lower and lower as she descends. "I'm doing this for the people, not because I am a pervert," she thinks to herself.
She can feel the worms swarm around her legs. And once her hips dip below the surface.. well, Gorphat's wish comes true. Nicora can feel worms swimming up into her with each step.
Nicora's eyes go wide and she thinks ugh. And yet, she's actually helping them because she has actually used the shadow to open her womb to them while she walks. Her pace is unsteady and she ... twitches now and then, ears splayed. "It doesn't feel too bad," she thinks to herself.
She does feel a bit full by the time she reaches Gorphat, who embraces her. Nicora can really feel the worms squirming about.. effectively having an orgy inside her womb. "The Sacred Worms you produce will have all of the blessed fluids which you have so far provided," the goddess proclaims.
Nicora is shivering by the time Nicora reaches Gorphat; her insides feel alive. She drapes her arms around the Goddess, then presses her lips up against Gorphat's as she kisses her. "I would have it no other way, Mother," Nicora murmurs to the Goddess. My body is to proclaim and provide your blessings to other faithful. It is an honor to bear your divine infestation," she murmurs. The Eeee even tried to relax the other passage for the worms, showing her devotion.
That particular environment isn't as good for worm-breeding, but they still have to investigate it. It makes her feel.. well.. loose in the bowels. For a non-vampire that would be pretty bad. "It is good to hear your devotion," Gorphat says, and then reactivates one of Nicora's blessings: namely the harsh, sexual hunger. This must add some added element for the egg implantation. Or Gorphat is just being Gorphat.
Nicora's entire body goes tense! "Restoring that blessing too, Mother?" she asks, head tilted and feeling. Well, it is good she feels full right now because that is helping with the urge to get filled.
"It will help," Gorphat says. "After all, you can only birth one sacred worm at a time, and many will be required to stand in for you. I'm sure your chosen paramour will be sufficient for the task.. and if not I can make him so."
Nicora continues to twitch, then takes Gorphat's hand and lowers it until she can press it to cup over the passage that is now quite full. "I would not wish this part of me to be without your blessings, Mother. To protect me from the desires of your sister ... it is best if you control this aspect of me," the Yodhgorphat claims. She then smiles and adds, "I am sure he is more than adequate for the task as he is."
"It will require a lot of effort on his part," Gorphat says. "It is that final act of fertilization that will create the worms."
Nicora arches her bare brow. "More than a regular mortal can produce?" she has to ask. She doesn't want to bless the Eeee unless she really has to.
"Well, that all depends on how often you wish to let him rest," Gorphat says, smiling (and drooling). Her hand gives Nicora a slight squeeze where it cups, and she says, "I will need to give you a little starting spark as well."
Nicora considers, and decides it might actually be less traumatic for Shiv if Gorphat makes him a rutting beast, so to speak. "Understood. Then it is perhaps best if you bless him," she admits and goes up on her toes at the squeeze. "As for me, a little starting spark...?" she inquires.
Nicora then leans in and actually licks the drool off Gorphat's chin like a good Daughter.
Gorphat kisses Nicora again, and it feels like the kiss is pouring down her throat (or something is pouring down her throat) to warm her belly.
Nicora cups Gorphat's cheeks as she kisses the Goddess. As disturbing as it is, she's actually enjoying the feel of something flowing down her throat. Her throat even ripples as if it were swallowing willingly. The Yodhgorphat just adores her Mother.
The warmth is.. a bit fever-like, despite being someplace that wouldn't feel a fever. It keeps spreading lower, into her womb and loins.. and the worms certainly respond to it, as they become more active and seem to pull the heat towards themselves.
Nicora actually makes a mmmming sound as the warmth flows through her. It makes her entire body shiver. "Good my infestation," the Yodhgorphat thinks, "Make me nice and fecund; forever pregnant just like you are." the thinks, even though the worms likely cannot hear the request.
The worms feel like a spinning knot, and the ones that explored the alternate entrance escape in order to join the larger ball.
Nicora sucks in her breath, taking in some of Gorphat's own fetid breath in the process. The sensation that deep actually makes her groan. "That feels ... amazing," the bat actually thinks.
The worms are definitely working in concert, and 'pulsing' in unison..
Nicora breathes out. They must be saturating her with their eggs and slime. Her entire body shudders as she as an involuntary, well, orgasm. Right there, in Gorphat's arms.
"My, you are quite wiggly," Gorphat notes as Nicora spasms a bit in her arms. "No wonder the worms like you." The invertebrate orgy continues inside Nicora for a while longer, before individual worms begin to make their exit.
Nicora's answer to that is to kiss Gorphat, deeply! As things begin to exit, she only squirms all the more. "This should not feel this good," the scarred Yodhgorphat thinks, feeling almost like she were in Inala's clutches and not Gorphat's. It is only the slimy nature of everything that reminds her where she is.
"My Sister has nothing to compare with this," Gorphat says proudly. "The Yodhinala may spew out children, but they are all just Eeee. Although I do recall them once having a 'petting zoo'..."
"This is better," Nicora growls softly, then proceeds to nibble gently on Gorphat's neck. "It is an honor to bear your creatures."
"Only I see the value of such helpers," Gorphat laments. "My parasites and germs and fungi. The vermites.. oh, the vermites. Phlagaea was very good with vermites."
Nicora continues to kiss along Gorphat's neck. Her hands explore and caress the Goddess, too. From her chest, to down her hips and even between the Goddess' thighs! The Yodhgorphat is very thorough. "Your Duaghters should do what they can to nurture your creatures in your honor," she murmurs, "And yes, Phlagaea was very good with them, I remember."
"Hmmm, are trying to entice me into joining with you and Shiv?" Gorphat asks as Nicora's attentions become more intimate.
"No. I would prefer you to myself," Nicora says quite honestly, then grins. She also feels over her own gut briefly to see if things have calmed.
It's possible that the last worm has left, from the feel of it. It's odd how everything is tight again.
Nicora kisses Gorphat again. "I suppose I must go to Shiv now," she asks, "To ... finish?"
"Finish? Oh no.. to start," Gorphat says. "Finishing will take some time and.. effort."
Nicora's brow arches as she slowly backs away from Gorphat so that she can turn and wade the way out of the slime pool. "What sort of effort?" she asks as she goes.
"The sort you will enjoy," Gorphat says. "Mostly"
Nicora laughs. "I should not enjoy everything, it would not be becoming of your Daughter," she remarks as she exits the pool.
Shiv is in a bit of a trance as he waits next to the altar. His manhood seems much more awake than he does, in fact! He pats the top of the stone altar invitingly.
Nicora slides herself up onto the altar. This is rather easy considering she is greased up with slime from the pool! She then reaches out and takes hold of Shiv's ... presentation. "You had best make good use of this," she purrs at him.
"Yes'm," the big Eeee says, and soon has Nicora's ankles over his shoulders as he takes her atop the altar. Thanks to the 'lubrication' already in place, he sets a fast pace!
Nicora is amazed! It feels good! He actually fits! She actually fits! It sends her into a fit of coos and giggles. She curls her legs around the Eeee uncharacteristic of a Yodhgorphat, she matches his pace with enthusiasm!
Shiv isn't exactly one for subtlety. He charges ahead full bore, and the results are as expected... up to a point. After his release, Nicora begins to feel the familiar 'inflation' of her belly..
And Nicora's hear rolls back as she gasps, "Oh yess...." Since she asked for this, she's embracing it, it seems. As things swell, her hips continue to roll against the Eeee. She has no idea what is going to happen or how big she may get, but right now she is enjoying it.
hear -> head
She doesn't get too big, since it's just a worm and not a monster.. but it's a big worm. Shiv has to pull out once the wiggling reaches its apex and the creature starts making its way out. But at least Nicora doesn't feel empty, since it takes a few minutes and the new Temple Worm is.. well, about the right size, even though does change thickness as it ripples its way along.
Nicora's back arches and she giggles, then gasps. Okay, this birth does feel rather good! Not too firm, nice size and it rubs her 'oh so good'. This would fit well in some sort of horror porn story. Boy do her toes wiggle, too.
The worm is nearly two feet long by the time it fully emerges. Once free it starts making its way to the slime pool. There's the momentary post-coital pain from Gorphat's blessing.. and then Shiv is on her again! These time he kneads and squeezes at Nicora's breasts while he works.
Nicora gasps when it is free. She thinks she can live with this blessing! The pain that follows makes her tense up ... but then only to cry out a moment later when Shiv starts working on her in earnest. And along with his kneading, the tension and swelling returns to her chest as Inala's blessing kicks in ... and she starts lactating green.
As the big Eeee suckles, the milk seems recharge him, since he's able to fertilize the eggs again in just ten minutes. As before, this is followed by the rapid pregnancy and birth of a new worm.. and a bit of soreness. It feels nice, but it still takes a toll.
Still, Nicora enjoys it, it doesn't stretch her painfully and the act itself feels wonderful. She only has so much endurance, though, and the next worm leaves her feeling a bit more tired than the first.
Shiv seems as eager as ever, so long as he can suckle. He barely waits for the worm to exit before starting back in! Gorphat must have 'blessed' him as well. While Nicora tires, he just seems to become more passionate. By the fifth worm, the lubrication isn't helping as much.
"I think I see what Gorphat meant now. Ow," poor Nicora thinks as she continues her efforts with the Eeee. It's growing increasingly uncomfortable, but the pious Eeee does not wish to disappoint her Mother!
Six. Seven. EIGHT! How many more worms is Nicora expected to produce? Shiv has almost demonic stamina now, and less and less control as he devolves into almost feral rutting and grunting. He actually pulls the eighth out at the halfway point of its birth, so he can get back into the Yodhgorphat.
Nicora goes 'glumph!' when then eighth one is yanked out. Ouch! Still, she keeps trying; Gorphat is watching. It would not do well to disappoint her; she might actually curse her with something really bad. She's having to hold onto the altar now too!
There's no way to try and change to a more comfortable position either, since Shiv has to suckle (and he sometimes bites as well). Things begin to blur as Nicora passes into the teens, with worm number twenty coming up soon. She seems to be birthing one every five minutes now!
Nicora feels like a brood factory! At least some of the pain has given a bit away to some sore numbness from the constant impacts! All she can now do is hold onto the altar and ride it out, producing worms until she runs out or Shiv wears out!
Thirty two appears to be the magic number. Shiv keeps going, but no further pregnancies occur.. until the man finally lets out a pained gurgle and collapses. If Nicora is sore.. it will be a wonder if Shiv even has any skin left in that area.
Nicora lays there, panting like mad. It is a good thing there is a hospice outside to treat the poor Eeee. As for herself, she'll be walking funny for a while. But, it is over! And it means she won't have days of walking around dripping slime; it is all done at once. She rests for a bit, then tries to ease the man off of her and down to the floor.
Helping hands make sure Shiv doesn't bang his head, and then Gorphat sits on the edge of the altar looking down at Nicora. "The worms will grow fat, and produce the milk and slime that you once did. You'll have to inform the Temple servants of course."
Nicora nods and rests there for a moment herself before trying to rise so she can inspect herself. "I see what you mean about only mostly enjoyable and the effort," she admits. "But, it will continue to help while I am gone for a time on the Path as a more normal Eeee."
Things look a bit puffy and slightly bruised - all the more clear for having no fur. "More normal Eeee?" Gorphat asks, smiling stickily. "By the end of the Path, you may not think that."
"I'll be Alptraum during it, and he is very normal in general," Nicora points out, satisfied she has not been too horribly damaged.
"Name one normal thing about him?" Gorphat asks, leaning in close.
"He's male, reasonably tall, and a performer," Nicora ticks off. "All perfectly normal things."
"And his hand?" Gorphat asks, stroking the carapace of Nicora's own right forearm.
"Well, that part isn't so normal, no," Nicora has to agree, "But he can make it look normal."
"Mmm-hmm," Gorphat says, looking skeptical. "And he is a lover to goddesses and dragons. Of course, the path he will take is not one he likely to be observed on."
Nicora's head tilts. "Explain?" she requests.
"Mount Dronnel is sacred ground.. if that matters to anyone nowadays," Gorphat notes. "There should be no mortal eyes or ears upon it. What should be is often not what is however."
"That much I know," Nicora admits, "But what will obscure others from seeing Alptraum upon that mountain? I would expect the mages at the very least to try and watch."
"The only one who might know of it is unlikely to inform the others," Gorphat claims. "Babel has always been a city adept and thwarting spies."
"I expect Tulani to try and spy. She worries," Nicora notes.
"Oh, of course she will, I'm sure," Gorphat notes. "I'm sure she spies on just about everything you do. I don't mind that, myself.. so long as she is doing it for herself, and not just reporting it all to Mave."
"I care. Which means I'll have to think of a suitable punishment for being nosy about things," Nicora notes and holds up her index finger. She then sighs and notes, "And now I had best explain the purpose of the worms to the servants and the faithful ... then go prepare for the Path. I've avoided it for too long."
"Yes.. but not just yet," Gorphat says. She leans in to kiss Nicora.. and the Eeee's body begins to change.. until Nicora has become Scourge. "I would like to spend some pleasant time with my beloved creature before you leave me."
Scourge finds itself on all fours before the Goddess like a dutiful ... pet. Its head tilts as it asks, "Pleasant time? In what way? You have made me such that I am incapable of mating," it points out.
"That does not mean you incapable of pleasuring me," Gorphat points out. "You seemed eager enough in the pool.."
Scourge smirks, "Ah, you wish deny me sensation while enjoying yours. I understand." Its tail splits apart and swirgs around to take hold of all of Gorphat's limbs!
It feels good where the tail-tentacles touch Gorphat.
"Aggressive.. only you could be so with me," the goddess notes with a gurgly laugh.
And Scourge holds Gorphat spread out before itself. It doesn't speak because what comes next is its split tongue to dance over the Goddess' body, stripping away what meager wrappings she does wear so that it can lick over the Eeee's own greenish flesh.
Gorphat giggles and squirms like a little girl! She also tastes nice.. at least, to a fungus which thrives on decay. The goddess really glows in Scourge's senses as well, becoming beautiful in an ethereal manner.
The forked tongue helps because parts can explore while other parts sink into the Goddess' various orifices! Once more the room looks like something out of a horror movie as the Goddess finds her chest coiled d and squeezed by two tongues while another has disappeared to somewhere deep between her legs! It can't help but imagine it in part might feel like Nicora did in the pool!
Unlike Nicora, Gorphat doesn't wear out. She quite enjoys herself (several times apparently) for as long as Scourge is able to attend to her.
And Scourge is a dutiful petservantdemon. It tends to Gorphat for hours. It seems rather content by it, in fact, and the more of its body parts it can wrap around or bury into the Goddess, the better! And true enough that since Scourge itself never gets quite to any burst of pleasure from it; it makes it capable of going for those hours. It's only when real physical exhaustion starts to take its toll that it has to slow.
Gorphat cradles the dark head against her chest when Scourge wears out. "My beautiful Scourge. All of Babel will see your beauty when the time is right."
"Why does that worry me?" Scourge wonders to itself as it cuddles up to Gorphat.